New Wine Policy - February 1?

[pv girl]

Last summer, on Princess in the Med, we were not looking forward to the one bottle per person rule. We were used to taking on 5 or 6 bottles on embarkation on HAL to last for a good portion of our cruise and then replenishing as needed along the way.

 

Well, we took on our 2 bottles at embarkation and noticed no one recorded it. So on the first port stop we got another 2 bottles, and again it was not recorded. So we continued to bring on as needed and nothing was ever recorded, but we never exceeded the 2 bottle rule. We were charged $15 corkage if we took a bottle to dining room, as per the rules, and they held the unused portion for the next night. No problems and handled very professionally.

 

So it seems they didn't care if it was only 2 bottles. Maybe they only react to excessive amounts brought on all at once. Or maybe it was because it was the Med and not US ports. Who knows? But they never blinked as those bottles went through the security scanners. And we often had liter sized bottles of water along with the wine and they never tried to sort out what was in the bottles.

 

Maybe HAL will eventually go this route too. It seems to work as no one is bringing on cases at a time. Do not know if they actually charged corkage for excess bottles or not, as unsure how many bottles others were bringing on.

 

It will be interesting to see how it will play out on HAL in the long run. I am sure folks will report their experiences, and if the policy varies by ship or region sailed in actual practice. Maybe all this uproar is for naught - wouldn't that be nice?

[PunkiC]

We appreciate being able to take a case of wine on board for longer cruises and don't mind paying the corkage fee. That way we know we will have wine we like for the duration and can drink it anywhere we wish.

[innlady1]

I will certainly report back from our 2/7 Noordam cruise.

[taxmantoo]

I will certainly report back from our 2/7 Noordam cruise.

 

So will I from our Feb 2 Eurodam cruise, which at this point in time is likely our last with HAL. :( unless ...

Edited January 6, 2014 by taxmantoo

[Harris Jeffer]

We specifically did not buy FCC on our HAL cruise because of this policy. Then we had such a magnificent time on our Princess Cruise that we were happy we weren't going to be sailing HAL again. The activities on Princess are just so much more fun.

 

If HAL changes their wine policy, we might reconsider, but for now, we are back to Princess and Cunard.

 

We have switched to NCL and found the food , service and entertainment to be far superior to the current HAL fleet standards.

 

Shame on Stein Cruse and Carnival corp. I do believe that they have made a grave mistake and will see diminished return passengers.

[CORealtor]

So will I from our Feb 2 Eurodam cruise, which at this point in time is likely our last with HAL. :( unless ...

 

And I will from our February 3 Zuiderdam cruise. It will be interesting to see how many folks try to bring on more wine and how HAL keeps track of who brings on what...

[frankc98376]

I'm betting that for the next several months there's point to be a LOT of suitcases in the "naughty room" at embarkation.

[NetwrkEng]

So will I from our Feb 2 Eurodam cruise, which at this point in time is likely our last with HAL. :( unless ...

 

We are on the Eurodam 2/16 and we share your sentiment. The only reason we booked this last HAL cruise was to use up the substantial credit we have from the Barclays HAL card.

Edited January 6, 2014 by NetwrkEng

[arewethereyet]

We no longer consider HAL cruises. The new wine policy was the tipping point for us. Please understand - it's not the most important thing, but, it's the straw that breaks the camel's back. If they were to revamp their wine list and pricing, we may look at HAL again. Till then, we are gone.

[Taxguy77]

I'm sorry but I just don't understand. If you are super happy with one line why would you cruise another? I cruise Princess and I do enjoy it. The reason I cruise Princess is because I'm not completely thrilled with Hal. I generally get better pricing on Princess. If I was completely thrilled with Hal I wouldn't consider another line.

 

They didn't say they were "completely thrilled" with HAL.

I loved the beds (Best I ever had on any ship, including a couple of freighters) and the buffet was great, but I was not completely thrilled with several lacks, including the MDR.

[The Odd Couple]

Being Brits, we have previously cruised with P&O - which is also part of the Carnival Group. P&O have never allowed any wine whatsoever to be brought on board with hand luggage, but their wine and spirit prices are far lower than HAL's - so it's some compensation.

[cruz chic]

They didn't say they were "completely thrilled" with HAL.

I loved the beds (Best I ever had on any ship, including a couple of freighters) and the buffet was great, but I was not completely thrilled with several lacks, including the MDR.

What are you talking about? I'm the one who is talking about not being completely thrilled. Your posts makes no sense:confused:.

[brainyblonde]

We take long, 25-40 days, cruises. We did two Collectors' Cruises last year and has such fun selecting wine, particularly in Italy. We never bought huge quantities, perhaps two bottles at a time. As we are four star, the Hal wine package is a good value, but we became so tired of the wines. "Three Blind Moose" sells for about 6-8 dollars in Florida, and has no character. "Alice White Shiraz" is a cheapie also.

 

Consequently, I have not pulled the trigger on a 39 day Spring trip which interests us. Your feedback after February First will be greatly appreciated.

 

brainyblonde

[SeaBands]

and there would be no need to bring wine. And they are enforcing the liquor hold so you will need to use Rum Runners or some other plastic container. Or they could just price liquor by the bottle more fairly and make more money.

Edited January 7, 2014 by SeaBands

[innlady1]

We take long, 25-40 days, cruises. We did two Collectors' Cruises last year and has such fun selecting wine, particularly in Italy. We never bought huge quantities, perhaps two bottles at a time. As we are four star, the Hal wine package is a good value, but we became so tired of the wines. "Three Blind Moose" sells for about 6-8 dollars in Florida, and has no character. "Alice White Shiraz" is a cheapie also.

 

Consequently, I have not pulled the trigger on a 39 day Spring trip which interests us. Your feedback after February First will be greatly appreciated.

 

brainyblonde

 

I agree. That was a big part of the fun of our Mediterranean cruise. We went to a vineyard in Tuscany and I bought two bottles of their chianti and two of their rose...plus some of their olive oil. I did bring that wine home and we enjoyed it for Christmas. But mostly, in the port, I'd pick up a bottle or two to enjoy on the ship in ports...and on the TA.I would have no problem paying the corkage fee for each bottle...but to take away that part of our enjoyment is maddening.

[BJzink]

We have switched to NCL and found the food , service and entertainment to be far superior to the current HAL fleet standards.

 

Shame on Stein Cruse and Carnival corp. I do believe that they have made a grave mistake and will see diminished return passengers.

Re. NCL - we took a cruise on the Dawn this past fall - really wasn't much we liked. The smoking policy is very liberal; we gagged anytime we were close to the casino, and it seems to be allowed on the verandas. The food in the 2 MDRs is very average, bland, not well plated, and usually cold. We decided it was to entice the passengers to spend extra $$s at the many specialty restaurants. Overall, we won't be going on NCL again. Proves that there is a cruise line for everyone.

[boards]

We have been on the NCL for cruises prior to the eleven we have thoroughly enjoyed on HAL. The NCL cruises were also enjoyed, excepting for the cabins - TOO SMALL. We usually book inside cabins on HAL but have cruised three times with a balcony cabin. We are scheduled for a 21 day cruise this Sept. on the Volendam and booked an inside cabin. If you want to find something to complain about I sure you can find something do it about, but so far have enjoyed every aspect of the HAL experience. We do not smoke and we think Hal is handling the situation as well as can be expected. I the smoke bothers, don't go where it is. We enjoy some wine, but the policy does not bother us at all. Personally I think it is a good idea, they are in the business to make money. When you go for an evening you pay the prices for your beverages at an event or hotel and I am sure you could get them cheaper if you stayed at home. What is the big deal?

Edited January 9, 2014 by boards

[CowPrincess]

We have switched to NCL and found the food , service and entertainment to be far superior to the current HAL fleet standards.

 

Shame on Stein Cruse and Carnival corp. I do believe that they have made a grave mistake and will see diminished return passengers.

 

Re. NCL - we took a cruise on the Dawn this past fall - really wasn't much we liked. The smoking policy is very liberal; we gagged anytime we were close to the casino, and it seems to be allowed on the verandas. The food in the 2 MDRs is very average, bland, not well plated, and usually cold. We decided it was to entice the passengers to spend extra $$s at the many specialty restaurants. Overall, we won't be going on NCL again. Proves that there is a cruise line for everyone.

 

 

Interesting comments ;) I've just started researching Carib cruises for NEXT winter, and there is one NCL one that is quite appealing. There is a huge difference in price between it and the HAL one that is on "the list". Even if we dined regularly in an NCL upcharge restaurant, the NCL cruise is still much less costly.

[Max2003]

I hope this thread doesn't get lost before we get some feedback from folks who board after February. How HAL handles this issue will be very important to all who are planning future cruises.

 

Regards Barbara

[innlady1]

Barbara. No worries. You can be sure I will report in from our 2/7 Noordam cruise. We're doing 11 days on the Maasdam 1/27 but unfortunately she's then doing a lengthy Amazon cruise...so we're boarding the Noordam. Which means we have the "old" policy on the first cruise. The "new" policy on the secon. :rolleyes:

[frankc98376]

Barbara. No worries. You can be sure I will report in from our 2/7 Noordam cruise. We're doing 11 days on the Maasdam 1/27 but unfortunately she's then doing a lengthy Amazon cruise...so we're boarding the Noordam. Which means we have the "old" policy on the first cruise. The "new" policy on the secon. :rolleyes:

 

Will be interesting to see if it changes mid-cruise when you are in ports.

[RuthC]

Will be interesting to see if it changes mid-cruise when you are in ports.

 

If enforcement of the new wine policy changes during cruises, then in all fairness it would also have to change during the World Cruise. Wonder if you are right, frank. :confused:

It's really apparent the implementation date was set after the World Cruise started just so the people on it wouldn't have to deal with the new policy this year. (wonder what the plan is for next year?)

[Cruzin Terri]

If enforcement of the new wine policy changes during cruises, then in all fairness it would also have to change during the World Cruise. Wonder if you are right, frank. :confused:

It's really apparent the implementation date was set after the World Cruise started just so the people on it wouldn't have to deal with the new policy this year. (wonder what the plan is for next year?)

 

Wasn't there some talk that exception was going to be made for Grand Voyages. Now that would really make me angry. What's good for the goose is good for the gander!

Terri

Edited January 13, 2014 by Cruzin Terri

[RuthC]

Wasn't there some talk that exception was going to be made for Grand Voyages.

I read all the posts on all the threads about the new policy, and don't recall ever seeing a report that there would be an exception for Grand Cruises.

If there were an exception, the uproar we saw that first weekend, the one that resulted in a postponement of implementation, will seem calm in comparison.

[pris993]

Interesting comments ;) I've just started researching Carib cruises for NEXT winter, and there is one NCL one that is quite appealing. There is a huge difference in price between it and the HAL one that is on "the list". Even if we dined regularly in an NCL upcharge restaurant, the NCL cruise is still much less costly.

 

While I am very interested in the purpose of this thread regarding current wine policy enforcement, I will comment on NCL. I will be on the New Amsterdam TA in April... so look forward to updates.

 

Ref NCL, I did an 11 day Eastern Mediterranean on the Jade last year. First time on NCL in 10 years. We cruise Princess, HAL, Celebrity and Cunard generally. There is no comparison between NCL and any of the other lines. We went on NCL with an open mind and sense of reality, the price was a $1000 pp less, you get what you pay for and that is true when it comes to NCL. We tried the MDR for the first day for lunch and dinner, that was the last time for the 11 days. Food and service did not motivate us to try the speciality resturants. We did fine something at the buffet each day that was acceptable and had a late lunch daily. We did find the mini suite cabin quiet comfortable and well layed out. No formal dress, you can dress up or down as you like. We would go on NCL again for the right itinerary and the right price, knowing what to expect. You can take on as much wine as you like, NCL charges $15 per bottle as you board.