Freon Posted August 18, 2014 #576 Share Posted August 18, 2014 Thanks to all of the great advice on this thread, we just got back from a wonderful trip to Alaska on the Amsterdam. We went ahead and bought the beverage package (because I hate going through pages of bill the day of disembarkation) and also brought our own wine aboard (and happily paid the $18 corkage for all but two bottles-just paid at check in, didn't get stickers, etc. on the bottles, but no one asked in the MDR or the PG nor did they try to charge a separate corkage fee.) I'm not sure if it matters if you pre-order the beverage package, but we didn't get hit with those pesky 15% service charges as I think we paid for that up front. We kept very hydrated with bottled water, Exploration Café latte's and specialty coffees (AKA Adult caffeinated beverages), cocktails and beers (I think we depleted the Lido' Pool's supply of Blue Moon beer). I don't think we ever actually hit the 15 beverage limit. We tried. Hard. Hubby's Macallan scotch was not part of the package, but $13 (approx.) got him a healthy pour. If you are on the Amsterdam, talk to the sommelier, Jacques. His high end wine tasting seminar was fascinating and he opened bottles of champagne with a saber...yes, a saber! Never have actually seen that done before. Very knowledgeable with a very nice wine list. Wine prices by the glass were quite expensive (example LongShadows wineries were about $22 a glass, bottles of wine were more reasonably priced (LongShadows wineries around $88). To my great sadness, no Beefeaters Gin to be found except in the minibars. I had to console myself with Crown Royal and Wild Turkey. Had to take one for the team. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freon Posted August 18, 2014 #577 Share Posted August 18, 2014 BTW, the 0010 martini was fabulous. Glad I didn't try it until the last evening! Also, while tips are not required, it is nice to make sure your favorite servers are taken care of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mosey1 Posted August 21, 2014 #578 Share Posted August 21, 2014 I just looked at a March posting of alcohol/beer available with the Signature Drinks Package. Although there were many "premium" beers, mostly German, available, I didn't see any craft beers - IPAs, etc., which have exploded in the U.S. in the last couple of years. Does anyone know if any craft beers are currently available? We are booking a cruise with HAL (our first) for next May - Maasdam from Ft. Lauderdale to Montreal, 15 days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted August 21, 2014 Author #579 Share Posted August 21, 2014 I just looked at a March posting of alcohol/beer available with the Signature Drinks Package. Although there were many "premium" beers, mostly German, available, I didn't see any craft beers - IPAs, etc., which have exploded in the U.S. in the last couple of years. Does anyone know if any craft beers are currently available? We are booking a cruise with HAL (our first) for next May - Maasdam from Ft. Lauderdale to Montreal, 15 days I didn't see anything in the way of craft beers earlier this year in the Caribbean. If you are in Fort Lauderdale for a few days before you sail, check out Total Wine. It's like a candy store for craft beer lovers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freon Posted August 21, 2014 #580 Share Posted August 21, 2014 I just looked at a March posting of alcohol/beer available with the Signature Drinks Package. Although there were many "premium" beers, mostly German, available, I didn't see any craft beers - IPAs, etc., which have exploded in the U.S. in the last couple of years. Does anyone know if any craft beers are currently available? We are booking a cruise with HAL (our first) for next May - Maasdam from Ft. Lauderdale to Montreal, 15 days On the Amsterdam, there were several Alaskan beers, but that would make sense. Not sure about the East Coast voyage, though I would expect there to be some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwicruiser55 Posted October 10, 2014 #581 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Our Explore 4 gives us a free Pinnacle grill dinner and Signature Beverage pack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted October 10, 2014 Author #582 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Our Explore 4 gives us a free Pinnacle grill dinner and Signature Beverage pack. Our Explore 4 was the Pinnacle plus a $50 beverage gift card - not the SBP. I think all the 2015 promos include the Signature Beverage Package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folk Singer Posted October 10, 2014 #583 Share Posted October 10, 2014 (edited) ha! ha! I am still laughing. Looking forward to your investigative report. I bought beverage cards to hopefully pay my corkage fees but I now realize that most likely the charge will be levied before we get to our room, so it will be a charge to the onboard account and not to the beverage card since that won't be in our possession or activated yet - oh well;) Looking forward to your reports. Hope you have a great cruise!:D It was hard work POA1 but somebody had to raise the "Bar". ;) Edited October 10, 2014 by Folk Singer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vict0riann Posted October 11, 2014 #584 Share Posted October 11, 2014 I am compiling a little list for myself to take aboard for our upcoming cruise with explore4, and I am sure I read, in the last day or two, an International Menu that someone had posted, and it had, under each section, "recommended" wines by the glass, and some of them were under $7. I wanted to make a note of them, and now I can't find the post. Does anyone remember who dunnit? And where? POA1, you have been an inspiration to all of us who really feel we must make the most of our explore4 cards! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted October 11, 2014 Author #585 Share Posted October 11, 2014 (edited) I am compiling a little list for myself to take aboard for our upcoming cruise with explore4, and I am sure I read, in the last day or two, an International Menu that someone had posted, and it had, under each section, "recommended" wines by the glass, and some of them were under $7. I wanted to make a note of them, and now I can't find the post. Does anyone remember who dunnit? And where? POA1, you have been an inspiration to all of us who really feel we must make the most of our explore4 cards! Roger Jett's site has it (Crew News on CC) http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/A-Day-07.pdf I don't know if they have those wines available daily or if it's only with the International menu. If they're available every day, it would be nice, since the lack of a house Sauvignon Blanc is an obvious hole when it comes to pairing wines with your meal. (In my opinion, anyway....) The link above is from the Caribbean sailings in 2013. Here's Alaska 2014: http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Westerdam-2014-Alaska-Victoria.pdf You can get to his whole series of menu scans from this page, by using the dropdown under HAL Menus http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/?page_id=775 Edited October 11, 2014 by POA1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vict0riann Posted October 11, 2014 #586 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Thanks, POA, you've come through again. I think I read somewhere that one could request a Canaletto wine in the MDR, I'm hoping that is the case, also the International Menu wines. I seem to remember on the Volendam that there were two whites in the Crow's Nest that were under $7, Crew News only has one in the Bar Menu, will have to look into that. Anyway, in all I found 14 different wines under $7, not including the four house wines you mentioned....:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted October 11, 2014 Author #587 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Thanks, POA, you've come through again. I think I read somewhere that one could request a Canaletto wine in the MDR, I'm hoping that is the case, also the International Menu wines. I seem to remember on the Volendam that there were two whites in the Crow's Nest that were under $7, Crew News only has one in the Bar Menu, will have to look into that. Anyway, in all I found 14 different wines under $7, not including the four house wines you mentioned....:) You should definitely publish that original research here. It will help a lot of people. We carried on our dinner wine, so there wasn't as much opportunity to check out things besides the house selections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vict0riann Posted October 11, 2014 #588 Share Posted October 11, 2014 (edited) Here is my small contribution to this important research :): MDR - House wines (Sta. Carolina?) - Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot $5.95? MDR -International Menu - Blackstone Sauvignon Blanc $7.00 Footprints Chardonnay $6.00 Rattlesnake Hills Chardonnay $6.00 Rattlesnake Hills Cabernet Sauvignon $5.00 Bar menu - Pol Clement $5.50 Prosecco $6.00 House Pinot Grigio, Zonin $5.50 Woodbridge White Zinfandel $6.00 Canaletto Menu - Pinot Grigio, Delle Venezie $5.50 Pinot Grigio, Danzante $6.75 Solento Rose $5.50 Pinot Noir, Pavia $5.50 Primitiveo di Puglia $5.50 Montepulciano d'Abbruzzo $5.50 Edited October 11, 2014 by Vict0riann 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwicruiser55 Posted October 11, 2014 #589 Share Posted October 11, 2014 A quick question - It is my birthday while on board our cruise. What if I am given a couple of presents before I board( that happen to be champagne but I do not know that) will I have to open my presents to be checked out and pay corkage on each bottle? I will organise that all researchers will get liver cleansing tablets for Xmas but you will have to come and collect them when you deliver the book you will have compiled called 'Booze on Boats' yes it should be ships but did not sound so good. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vict0riann Posted October 11, 2014 #590 Share Posted October 11, 2014 My understanding is that each adult in the stateroom is permitted to bring on one bottle of wine free of corkage. Anything over that will be charged corkage and stickered. If you take an unstickered bottle to a public venue (MDR for example) you will be charged corkage. I think you will have to open your presents when you board.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted October 11, 2014 Author #591 Share Posted October 11, 2014 (edited) A quick question - It is my birthday while on board our cruise. What if I am given a couple of presents before I board( that happen to be champagne but I do not know that) will I have to open my presents to be checked out and pay corkage on each bottle? I will organise that all researchers will get liver cleansing tablets for Xmas but you will have to come and collect them when you deliver the book you will have compiled called 'Booze on Boats' yes it should be ships but did not sound so good. Enjoy! I believe that they would have to see the bottles to attach the stickers. I don't know how much different a bottle of liquor and a bottle of wine look on the scanners, so they would most likely need to see your gifts. How about gift bags or a minimalist gift wrapping treatment with just a bow & ribbon? It sounds like you will have a most excellent birthday. Congratulations! Edited October 11, 2014 by POA1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted October 11, 2014 Author #592 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Thanks for the wine information Vict0riann! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwicruiser55 Posted October 11, 2014 #593 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Last year I took a bottle of champagne onboard and consumed it in the cabin at no extra charge, so it will be interesting to experience the procedure in 2015! No doubt someone will give us the lowdown before then though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted October 11, 2014 Author #594 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Last year I took a bottle of champagne onboard and consumed it in the cabin at no extra charge, so it will be interesting to experience the procedure in 2015! No doubt someone will give us the lowdown before then though. You get one bottle per adult free of corkage as long as you drink it in your room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OVgirl Posted October 12, 2014 #595 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Here is my small contribution to this important research :): MDR - House wines (Sta. Carolina?) - Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot $5.95? MDR -International Menu - Blackstone Sauvignon Blanc $7.00 Footprints Chardonnay $6.00 Rattlesnake Hills Chardonnay $6.00 Rattlesnake Hills Cabernet Sauvignon $5.00 Bar menu - Pol Clement $5.50 Prosecco $6.00 House Pinot Grigio, Zonin $5.50 Woodbridge White Zinfandel $6.00 Canaletto Menu - Pinot Grigio, Delle Venezie $5.50 Pinot Grigio, Danzante $6.75 Solento Rose $5.50 Pinot Noir, Pavia $5.50 Primitiveo di Puglia $5.50 Montepulciano d'Abbruzzo $5.50 I have to apologize for thinking there was a SBP eligible glass of wine in the Pinnacle Grill. After doing some digging around on halfacts site, I found 2 other wines, but they are listed under "The Mix" on Ryndam, Cinzano Asti-$6 and Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut-$6. I wonder if these wines are also available on the other ships. Perhaps, someone going on a cruise in the near future might want the assignment of checking them out.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted October 12, 2014 Author #596 Share Posted October 12, 2014 I have to apologize for thinking there was a SBP eligible glass of wine in the Pinnacle Grill. After doing some digging around on halfacts site, I found 2 other wines, but they are listed under "The Mix" on Ryndam, Cinzano Asti-$6 and Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut-$6. I wonder if these wines are also available on the other ships. Perhaps, someone going on a cruise in the near future might want the assignment of checking them out.:) We'll look in November and report back. We won't have the Explore 4 or the Signature Beverage Package, but I am sure we will have one or two chances to speak to a wine steward or bartender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vict0riann Posted October 12, 2014 #597 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Me! Me!:D I see there is a Mix on Maasdam, so I will volunteer for that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vict0riann Posted October 12, 2014 #598 Share Posted October 12, 2014 I will organise that all researchers will get liver cleansing tablets for Xmas but you will have to come and collect them when you deliver the book you will have compiled called 'Booze on Boats' yes it should be ships but did not sound so good. Enjoy! Very kind of you, i'm sure.:D Perhaps the book should be called "Boozing on Board" - then it would cover boats and ships! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OVgirl Posted October 21, 2014 #599 Share Posted October 21, 2014 (edited) I have another question for the researchers on this thread. As I was perusing the halfacts site, I noticed that there is often a "Sip and Savor" event held at the Pinnacle Bar. It includes some tasty treats and the highlighted wine for $4.95 a glass. And they also show a $3 wine tasting there as well. Has anyone been able to get this glass of wine using the Explore4 SBP? It is obviously less than $7 but not sure if it would be included. Vict0riaan, POA1 would you be able to add this to you research list on your next cruise? Edited October 21, 2014 by OVgirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magandab Posted October 21, 2014 #600 Share Posted October 21, 2014 I have another question for the researchers on this thread. As I was perusing the halfacts site, I noticed that there is often a "Sip and Savor" event held at the Pinnacle Bar. It includes some tasty treats and the highlighted wine for $4.95 a glass. And they also show a $3 wine tasting there as well. Has anyone been able to get this glass of wine using the Explore4 SBP? It is obviously less than $7 but not sure if it would be included. Vict0riaan, POA1 would you be able to add this to you research list on your next cruise? On the Rotterdam, no that glass of wine was not SBP eligible. I was told it was because that was already a special price. The glass of wine and accompanying nibbles were delightful and well worth the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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