Bringing your own wine to MDR

[Wheeling_family_of_3]

Do they charge a corkage fee if you bring your own wine to the MDR (on Oasis if that matters)?

[Merion_Mom]

Do they charge a corkage fee if you bring your own wine to the MDR (on Oasis if that matters)?

 

That's the rule.

[Paul65]

Do they charge a corkage fee if you bring your own wine to the MDR (on Oasis if that matters)?

 

There is a $25 per bottle corkage fee, though there is a chance you may not be charged.

[Wheeling_family_of_3]

Thank you for the replies, that is a very reasonable fee. What kind of tip do you think we should leave?

[Retired LEO]

It's very doubtful that you'll be charged.

[Morecruisesplz]

Do they charge a corkage fee if you bring your own wine to the MDR (on Oasis if that matters)?

 

Not from what we have seen IF you carry the bottle in opened while also carrying a partial glass poured out of the bottle.

[Merion_Mom]

Thank you for the replies, that is a very reasonable fee. What kind of tip do you think we should leave?

 

NONE, please, NONE. They will add 15% automatically on your slip.

[Janet524]

It's very doubtful that you'll be charged.

 

We've always been charged.

[Paul65]

NONE, please, NONE. They will add 15% automatically on your slip.

 

I don't think so. I agree that you don't need to tip on top of a corkage fee, but I don't think they'll add 15% automatically to that corkage fee.

[maureencruiser]

Also, Wheeling, you can carry a glass of wine into the MDR with you from your cabin. No one would know where you got it from.

[Merion_Mom]

I don't think so. I agree that you don't need to tip on top of a corkage fee, but I don't think they'll add 15% automatically to that corkage fee.

 

ha ha ha ha ha

 

Oh, YES, they do.

 

I remember the first time that it happened to me.

 

I said, "How can you charge a gratuity on what is essentially a service charge?????"

 

I received a shrug in reply.

 

Oh, YES, they charge a gratuity on the corkage charge. I have a slip that I have been meaning to scan and post. I'll try to find it.

[Retired LEO]

We've always been charged.

 

We've never been charged.

[dc67]

I'll post my experience from the last two cruises again.

 

On Enchantment in March we had four bottles from two cabins and were never charged a corkage in either MDR or Chops.

 

On Grandeur in October we brought on two bottles onboard and had third one waiting in the cabin from the TA. We were charged a corkage in Giovanni's and Chops, but not the MDR.

[dc67]

And I'll also ad there was no gratuity added to the $25 fee.

[wah20]

We had a large table for our family (13 people) on the Oasis a few weeks ago and we brought 2 bottles of wine to the MDR every night and was never charged. The waiter put the bottles on ice every night then poured during dinner.

[Irishwhiskey]

We would always bring an open bottle of wine from our cabin along with two full glasses to the dining room.Nobody has ever questioned it.For all they no it came from one of the lounges.Our waiters always took care of us and we would take care of them!

[spookwife]

It's very doubtful that you'll be charged.

 

you know everybody SWORE up on side and down the other that we would not be charged.

 

BOTH times.. we were charged.

 

so, now we drink anything we bring on board ourselves in our cabin or just pour a glass to carry. yes the corkage fee is reasonable. but when I only pay $20 for the bottle I cannot justify paying another $25. for that same price I'd rather just buy a bottle on board from the list.

[spookwife]

I don't think so. I agree that you don't need to tip on top of a corkage fee, but I don't think they'll add 15% automatically to that corkage fee.

 

they did to ours.. both times.

[Paul65]

ha ha ha ha ha

 

Oh, YES, they do.

 

I remember the first time that it happened to me.

 

I said, "How can you charge a gratuity on what is essentially a service charge?????"

 

I received a shrug in reply.

 

Oh, YES, they charge a gratuity on the corkage charge. I have a slip that I have been meaning to scan and post. I'll try to find it.

 

Wow. That's pretty bad - another $3.75 just for the privilege of charging you $25 to drink your own wine. I was one of the lucky ones who didn't get asked to pay corkage, when we brought a bottle to dinner.

 

I stand (or sit) corrected. :D

[sherilyn70]

For those bringing just their bottle to the table and being charged, was it open or unopened when you arrived at the table? If it's opened already then I don't see how they can assume you haven't already been charged the fee.

[Paul65]

For those bringing just their bottle to the table and being charged, was it open or unopened when you arrived at the table? If it's opened already then I don't see how they can assume you haven't already been charged the fee.

 

If they really wanted to, they could look and see if a corkage fee had been charged to your account.

[SICruiseGirlNYC]

We were recently on the Spendour of the Seas. We brought a bottle of wine to dinner with us every night and were never charged a corkage fee or 15%. Our assistant waiter opened a bottle for us one night, the rest were already open.

Edited November 7, 2013 by SICruiseGirlNYC

[sherilyn70]

If they really wanted to, they could look and see if a corkage fee had been charged to your account.

 

I'm sure they could... and that server would a) find it a horrible use of their time and b) know it might affect his tips. So it's highly unlikely that would happen.

[Paul65]

I'm sure they could... and that server would a) find it a horrible use of their time and b) know it might affect his tips. So it's highly unlikely that would happen.

 

I didn't address how likely it was - you just seemed to imply they'd have no way of knowing whether you paid a fee or not.

 

As for how it might affect their tips...well...a passenger who is carrying around open bottles of wine for the express purpose of avoiding a corkage fee are probably not going to be the biggest tippers, anyway. :p

[Wheeling_family_of_3]

Thanks for all the replies. We're bringing a very special (read: expensive) bottle of wine to celebrate a special occasion onboard, and we are generous tippers, so I just wondered what the protocol was. This has been very helpful. Thanks!