QM2 Wine Packages

[Irish Glen]

We are taking our 1st voyage (eastbound transatlantic) on the QM2 next month (August). I've noticed that on the QM2 there are a Commodore's and a Captain's wine collection available in 4 to 12 bottle packages. Since my wife and I both enjoy a bottle of wine with dinner (and infrequently at lunch), I am wondering what experiences other cruisers feel about purchasing this, is it a worthwhile option? Do they have to be purchased prior to boarding? Is a service charge added to the purchase price? If you've purchased a package can you request a bottle in other areas besides your main dining room at dinner (Britannia)?

[Ben_83]

You can purchase the wine packages in advance or on the ship. The price includes the service charge so the price quoted is what you pay.

 

They do represent a saving, the wine works out as a similar price to the packages but buying individual bottles you need to add the 15% service charge.

 

Drinking wine from your package is straightforward in the Britannia or Grills restaurants. You can fairly easily arrange bottles in the Verandah as well.

 

I can't really comment about drinking wine from a package in bars as I have never tried. However I have seen a few posts on here about it, I believe it is possible but may be more trouble than it's worth.

[Irish Glen]

Thank you Ben. The wine list shown in the Cunard voyage personalizer is dated at the bottom of the page as "2013". Have selections and pricing not changed since then?

[Ben_83]

The prices showing on Cunards website in the answer to the "Do you offer drinks packages?" question are as follows:

 

Captains

4 - $175

6 - $260

9 - $380

12 - $495

 

Commodore

4 - $250

6 - $360

9 - $525

12 - $660

 

Larger packages are available for world cruises.

 

If the prices on the list you have are different from above it is possible you have an older list.

 

I have a list saved with slightly lower prices, for example the 4 bottle Commodore pack was $225 so there has been an increase. I am not sure when the change occurred but I think it is fairly recent. I have ordered wine for my next crossing and I think I got it at the old prices, but would need to check to be sure.

 

The older Commodore list included Delamotte Champagne which doesn't seem to show anymore.

[Pavovsky]

I priced some of the wines on the list. They are sold at a reasonable and not an excessive mark-up. Quite tempted to get the Commodore and have a bottle of LBV. Always a nice way to finish a meal.

[Pavovsky]

This was the list https://carnivaluk.metafaq.com/resources/carnivaluk/life-on-board/CU_Wine_Packages.pdf

[Ben_83]

I priced some of the wines on the list. They are sold at a reasonable and not an excessive mark-up. Quite tempted to get the Commodore and have a bottle of LBV. Always a nice way to finish a meal.

 

I have gone for 4 from each list and plan on claiming a bottle of port. As you say, a nice end to a meal.

[jburton59]

The wine steward will also arrange to deliver a bottle to your room, should you so choose.

 

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[babs135]

£133 for 4 bottles of wine is too much for us. We like wine but not at £33 a bottle - £10 is good enough.

 

I know Cunard is a business, but I'm sure more people would buy a package if it was priced at around £20 a bottle. We would almost certainly do this as by the time you bring your own on board and then add corkage there isn't a great deal of difference.

 

Never mind, we will bring our own with us and enjoy a drink as the sun appears over the yardarm :D

[Hertz Von Seasider]

We are going to pick and mix. Bring on own for pre dinner / Balcony and have a nice bottle with dinner.

[HelloKittysMum]

We have just ordered 12 bottles of very good wines from small producers to take with us and we will pay the corkage. Better value and more interesting choices.

 

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[babs135]

We have just ordered 12 bottles of very good wines from small producers to take with us and we will pay the corkage. Better value and more interesting choices.

 

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Out of interest if the price of the packages was more realistic (around the £20 a bottle as I said earlier) would you buy the package?

[HelloKittysMum]

Depends on the quality. We are typically taking wines in the £12-25 retail price range which in a restaurant (with 2.5 to 3 times mark up) I would expect to cost £30-70.

 

I have looked on the Cunard wine list and a $35 Italian (which with service is $40 or £31) details at less than £6 which is a five fold mark up.

 

I would rather pay the corkage because for the same £30 I can get a £12 or £15 wine (when buying direct or near direct from growers) and as most people know a £6 bottle of wine contains about 50p of wine whereas a £12 bottle is about £4 or £5 of wine.

 

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