mw_1970 Posted September 4, 2013 #1 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Currently on Liberty. Having a fantastic cruise but the house wines included in Premium Package are awful. Really don't think we will get value for money from this package. Probably wont bother next cruise. Tonight I have decided I shall be buying a bottle of wine at Dinner as I cannot stomach the house wine any longer. It's like water (the red - Merlot allegedly). Only complaints I have on this cruise is that the food could be hotter. Oh, and the guests could be politer. I have seen such rudeness from some of my European "cousins". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted September 4, 2013 #2 Share Posted September 4, 2013 That is what I thought would happen, we really like a good bottle of wine at dinner and most likely will need to but wine besides the drink package Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted September 4, 2013 #3 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Currently on Liberty. Having a fantastic cruise but the house wines included in Premium Package are awful. Really don't think we will get value for money from this package. Probably wont bother next cruise. Tonight I have decided I shall be buying a bottle of wine at Dinner as I cannot stomach the house wine any longer. It's like water (the red - Merlot allegedly). Only complaints I have on this cruise is that the food could be hotter. Oh, and the guests could be politer. I have seen such rudeness from some of my European "cousins". Do you recall the brand of wine they are serving for house wine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curiouscat Posted September 4, 2013 #4 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I love wine and that is why I never do the drink package or wine package.. I like to select the wines according to my meal... Their house is La Terre.. :eek: CC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankmac Posted September 4, 2013 #5 Share Posted September 4, 2013 When I sailed Liberty in June their house wine was most definitely NOT La Terre. It was Clos du Bois, and I found the whites very pleasant. Admittedly I am not a wine buff. Incidentally I bought the package for myself, and bought my wife's 2/3 glasses of wine per day as we went along. She actually loved the house wine. She isnt a wine buff either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
critterchick Posted September 4, 2013 #6 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I love wine and that is why I never do the drink package or wine package.. I like to select the wines according to my meal... Their house is La Terre.. :eek: CC On Jewel and Rhapsody, the house wine is St. Martin (sp.). It's ok for a glass or two, but not something I would want to drink exclusively every day. When I sailed Liberty in June their house wine was most definitely NOT La Terre. It was Clos du Bois, and I found the whites very pleasant. Admittedly I am not a wine buff. Incidentally I bought the package for myself, and bought my wife's 2/3 glasses of wine per day as we went along. She actually loved the house wine. She isnt a wine buff either. The house wine generally isn't served at the bars (although I suppose that's changed since the packages were introduced). Anyway, I'd be surprised (and happy) to see Clos du Bois as the house offering. I'm think that perhaps it was just the least expensive of the wines on the bar menu, not the "real" house wine. Lucky you, in any event.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankmac Posted September 4, 2013 #7 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Currently on Liberty. Having a fantastic cruise but the house wines included in Premium Package are awful. Really don't think we will get value for money from this package. Probably wont bother next cruise. Tonight I have decided I shall be buying a bottle of wine at Dinner as I cannot stomach the house wine any longer. It's like water (the red - Merlot allegedly). Only complaints I have on this cruise is that the food could be hotter. Oh, and the guests could be politer. I have seen such rudeness from some of my European "cousins". Be interested if you could confirm what the house white is now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph123 Posted September 4, 2013 #8 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Does anyone know the current price for a glass of house wine? Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted September 4, 2013 #9 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Does anyone know the current price for a glass of house wine? I believe around $6, plus 15% gratuity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankmac Posted September 4, 2013 #10 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Clos du Bois was $9 + gratuity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseythegr Posted September 4, 2013 #11 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Be interested if you could confirm what the house white is now We are sailing on the Adventure in February and I would love to know what the house wine is. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvs2crooz Posted September 4, 2013 #12 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Were onboard the allure now. I am not a picky wine drinker. The house wine has a screw cap and is awful!! For my dh and me it is undrinkable and I can handle most wines. Also about the drink package... I called four different times to find out if there was a cap on drink prices. Gave them the info that on celebrity it was 14 dollars. I was told that only very premium spirits were not included but that all mixed drinks on the bar menus on the ship were covered. That's not the case a 10 elderflower drink was not included. Many bartenders said RCCL makes it confusing for the passenger with mixed info and they have to deal with the flack. Sounds like bait and switch to me!!! Just wanted you to be aware and make your decision based on that. Also chops restaurant wad not a pleasant experience for my dh me or the couple next to us. We all ordered the filets and they were tasteless. The man next to us took 2 bites and asked his wife for some of her chicken. I ate one third of mine. The baked potatoes were old not white and fluffy. What bothers me is the cook put it on the plate the server saw that the outside skin was dark almost blank and brought it to the table anyway . I used waitress when I was younger and never brought food to the table that was unacceptable. Our dining time was 6:30 so either those potatoes were from the day before or who knows how long they were sitting around. The appetizers salads and desserts were wonderful. RCCL is missing something here. Chops is a steakhouse don't serve select grade meat in your steakhouse. The filet in the md was wonderful very flavorful wish I had saved the money. Our favorite restaurant so far is 150 perfect food and service!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRGACRUZR Posted September 5, 2013 #13 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Currently on Liberty. Having a fantastic cruise but the house wines included in Premium Package are awful. Really don't think we will get value for money from this package. Probably wont bother next cruise. Tonight I have decided I shall be buying a bottle of wine at Dinner as I cannot stomach the house wine any longer. It's like water (the red - Merlot allegedly). Only complaints I have on this cruise is that the food could be hotter. Oh, and the guests could be politer. I have seen such rudeness from some of my European "cousins". Just off Allure. Usually buy the "Gold" 7 bottle wine package. It did not include the top tier wines but had an excellent selection. That has been replaced by the "Wine & Dine" package. It's more expensive, a very short selection and some pretty disgusting wines. I like to get something different, but usually red, every night. On the first night we ordered a French Cab and it was OK. Second night we ordered something called Spy or Sky. I nearly choked when they delivered a screw cap wine and then I nearly hurled when I tasted it. For $220 plus gratuity for 7 bottles, I don't expect a screw cap nor a gag reflex. That was my last RCCL Wine and Dine package. They wonder why people sneak alcohol on board. We had two glasses of red "house" in the Schooner bar and the bill was several dollars over $20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard1s Posted September 5, 2013 #14 Share Posted September 5, 2013 For many white wines (only), a screw top is a preferable closure for a variety of reasons. It is total snob nonsense that the wine is inferior because of the this type type of closure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mn1111 Posted September 5, 2013 #15 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Do you recall the brand of wine they are serving for house wine? I don't know if what they were passing off as wine in the concierge lounge is the same as the house wine on the drink package, but I wouldn't even boil my ribs with it, never mind actually drinking it (one sip was enough). Neda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holden0301 Posted September 5, 2013 #16 Share Posted September 5, 2013 This is exactly why we don't do the drink package or the wine package. DH and I are big wine drinkers. Not that we drink a lot, but we enjoy good wine (some pricey and some not). I would much rather be able to order whatever bottle I want at dinner than to be restricted to a special list. I can't stomach the cheap house wine that is complimentary in the DL. I really don't mind paying for something I like. Others who are not big wine drinkers might benefit from the package, but it's not for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
critterchick Posted September 5, 2013 #17 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Just off Allure. Usually buy the "Gold" 7 bottle wine package. It did not include the top tier wines but had an excellent selection. That has been replaced by the "Wine & Dine" package. It's more expensive, a very short selection and some pretty disgusting wines. I like to get something different, but usually red, every night. On the first night we ordered a French Cab and it was OK. Second night we ordered something called Spy or Sky. I nearly choked when they delivered a screw cap wine and then I nearly hurled when I tasted it. For $220 plus gratuity for 7 bottles, I don't expect a screw cap nor a gag reflex. That was my last RCCL Wine and Dine package. They wonder why people sneak alcohol on board. We had two glasses of red "house" in the Schooner bar and the bill was several dollars over $20. Where have you been? Many top wineries are using screw tops because the spoilage is significantly less. Just try to find an Australian Shiraz with a cork these days. And Spy Valley is a fine wine - I suspect that the screw top prejudiced your taste buds. IMO, the new wine package is miles ahead of the old Gold package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRGACRUZR Posted September 5, 2013 #18 Share Posted September 5, 2013 For many white wines (only), a screw top is a preferable closure for a variety of reasons. It is total snob nonsense that the wine is inferior because of the this type type of closure. No name calling! A screw cap is perfectly acceptable on white wine and some reds because they were finished maturing when bottled and have actually started deteriorating. There is a shortage of cork (learned this on a tour through the cork trees in Portugal) so the industry agreed to use synthetic cork or screw cap on a wine that is finished aging (whites and some reds) and has a limited shelf life. Definitely not a snob and there is no doubt wine is a personal taste issue. Personally, I prefer 2 Buck Chuck Reds. Perhaps that explains it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRGACRUZR Posted September 5, 2013 #19 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Where have you been? Many top wineries are using screw tops because the spoilage is significantly less. Just try to find an Australian Shiraz with a cork these days. And Spy Valley is a fine wine - I suspect that the screw top prejudiced your taste buds. IMO, the new wine package is miles ahead of the old Gold package. Wine is a personal taste. The old Gold package did have a greater selection. Screw caps are a supply and demand, economic and science issue. Due to the world wide cork shortage, generally accepted industry standards is to put screw caps or synthetic corks in bottles that have reached their peak when bottled. These wines have a short shelf life (whites and some reds). Cork is used on bottles that continue to improve with age. I'm pretty sure the screw cap did not predispose my taste buds. I can usually drink anything after getting over the first swallow. Spy Valley is definitely not to MY taste. Wish you were there. I hate to see ANY wine go to waste. Perhaps my affinity for 2 Buck Chuck Cab and Merlot explains my lack of appreciation for Spy Valley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dharma517 Posted September 5, 2013 #20 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Totally agree with you OP! I bring my own and then supplement with what I actually WANT to drink. I don't think I pay any more than I would for the package AND I get a choice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KGSB11 Posted September 5, 2013 #21 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Where have you been? Many top wineries are using screw tops because the spoilage is significantly less. Just try to find an Australian Shiraz with a cork these days. And Spy Valley is a fine wine - I suspect that the screw top prejudiced your taste buds. IMO, the new wine package is miles ahead of the old Gold package. Agreed! And a side note as well. Screw vs Cork - neither has an influence on a wine's ability to age in the bottle. It has everything to do with tradition and psychology. I have read many a books on the "Science of Wine" and the World Wine Atlas. Though I'll admit, many wines which improve with age may still use a cork, that is only because of tradition and not the cork itself. Having experienced a few bottles over the years which were "corked", I would not mind if every bottle I drank was a screw-cap. Though I'll admit, there is nothing romantic or graceful about unscrewing your wine, but I'll take the benefits in taste any day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrownsinMO Posted September 5, 2013 #22 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Just off the Rhapsody and I completely agree. We had the premium drink package and our friends had the beer/wine package. The only white available was a Chardonnay I found to be undrinkable. My friend went to the wine tasting and complained about the lack of white selections there. The next couple of nights in the MDR, she got a Pinot Grigio because of her complaint. I stayed away from wine the rest of the trip...sad choices for an expensive drink package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLACRUISER99 Posted September 5, 2013 #23 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Fine wines do not travel well on cruise ships. Don't go on a cruise for the wine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankmac Posted September 5, 2013 #24 Share Posted September 5, 2013 It would be helpful to know the name of the undrinkable wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankmac Posted September 5, 2013 #25 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Just off Allure. Usually buy the "Gold" 7 bottle wine package. It did not include the top tier wines but had an excellent selection. That has been replaced by the "Wine & Dine" package. It's more expensive, a very short selection and some pretty disgusting wines. I like to get something different, but usually red, every night. On the first night we ordered a French Cab and it was OK. Second night we ordered something called Spy or Sky. I nearly choked when they delivered a screw cap wine and then I nearly hurled when I tasted it. For $220 plus gratuity for 7 bottles, I don't expect a screw cap nor a gag reflex. That was my last RCCL Wine and Dine package. They wonder why people sneak alcohol on board. We had two glasses of red "house" in the Schooner bar and the bill was several dollars over $20. You do know that you are allowed to bring two bottle of wine per stateroom on board? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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