Bring on Champagne with new alcohol policy

[emilyann415]

Is Champagne considered a wine? Can I bring a bottle of it onboard with new policy? TIA

Emily

 

[lanejudy]

The new policy allows you to bring 2 bottles of wine or 2 bottles of champagne or 6 bottles of beer. In each port. So yes, you may bring champagne. Supposedly no mix-and-match, though I'm not sure I've read any reports of someone trying to do so yet.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[yorkieteacher]

The new policy allows you to bring 2 bottles of wine or 2 bottles of champagne or 6 bottles of beer. In each port. So yes, you may bring champagne. Supposedly no mix-and-match, though I'm not sure I've read any reports of someone trying to do so yet.

Enjoy your cruise!

I was planning one bringing a bottle of wine and a bottle of champagne-I guess I better find out if you can mix and match! I can see someone even thinking they might bring one bottle of wine and three bottles of beer!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I was planning one bringing a bottle of wine and a bottle of champagne-I guess I better find out if you can mix and match! I can see someone even thinking they might bring one bottle of wine and three bottles of beer!

I know someone asked DCL if they could bring on one bottle of wine and 3 beers and they were told "no".

But, a bottle each of wine and champagne? I don't think anyone's asked, or done it. At least it's not been reported yet.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

My understanding of wines is that Champagne is indeed a wine!


AKK

 

[Maggie'sMom]

My understanding of wines is that Champagne is indeed a wine!


AKK

Champagne is indeed a wine. It is just a sparkling wine from a specific region of France. Many people misuse the term and refer to all sparkling wines as Champagne, and really that is commonly accepted. In this case, I'm sure there's no issue bringing one bottle of Champagne (sparkling wine) and one bottle of wine.

 

[yorkieteacher]

Just spoke with CM Olivia-you can bring one each of wine and champagne, but you can not bring one wine and three bottles of beer!

 

[mmouse37]

Yes, my BIL just brought a bottle of wine and a bottle of champagne onboard the Panama Canal cruise with no questions asked. My SIL brought two bottles of wine. I had 4 bottles of wine in my carryon (2 for me and 2 for my friend) and that was no problem either.

I did purchase 2 bottles of hard liquor in Cozumel and I had to check them in at a desk set up by the entrance of the ship (right passed where you tap your KTTW and go through the x-ray machine) when returning from port

I got a claim slip and was told to pick up the bottles on Deck 3 by Port Adventures the last morning. You could start picking up at 7:00 am. I was there at 7:20 and there were at least 25 people ahead of me. The line went pretty slowly. Many were complaining on the line about the wait and the whole new alcohol policy in general. honestly, I had no problem with the new policy. I had enough to drink with what I brought onboard and a few drinks bought at the lounges.

I carried my booze off the ship after breakfast and then packed it in my checked luggage before I checked it in at the airport.

MJ

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Champagne is indeed a wine. It is just a sparkling wine from a specific region of France. Many people misuse the term and refer to all sparkling wines as Champagne, and really that is commonly accepted. In this case, I'm sure there's no issue bringing one bottle of Champagne (sparkling wine) and one bottle of wine.

Correct me if I am wrong, but all real champagne comes for the grapes of the Champagne valley/region? The only reason we have California Champagne is because the grapes are grown from vines from the Champagne valley/region of France?

AKK

 

[jlemieu1]

Sorry I couldn't resist.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Correct me if I am wrong, but all real champagne comes for the grapes of the Champagne valley/region? The only reason we have California Champagne is because the grapes are grown from vines from the Champagne valley/region of France?

AKK

My understanding has always been that it has to be produced in the Champagne region of France in order to be labelled as Champagne.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I found this on Wikipedia - take it for what it's worth:

Only those (sparkling wines produced outside the Champagne region) that had approval to use the term on labels before 2006 may continue to use it and only when it is accompanied by the wine's actual origin (e.g., "California")

 

[tinkerone]

I got a claim slip and was told to pick up the bottles on Deck 3 by Port Adventures the last morning. You could start picking up at 7:00 am. I was there at 7:20 and there were at least 25 people ahead of me. The line went pretty slowly. Many were complaining on the line about the wait and the whole new alcohol policy in general. honestly, I had no problem with the new policy. I had enough to drink with what I brought onboard and a few drinks bought at the lounges.

I carried my booze off the ship after breakfast and then packed it in my checked luggage before I checked it in at the airport.

MJ

I heard a lot of complaints from people who did onboard check in. they were picking up theirs but didn't know what they were going to do with it as their luggage was already gone. there were people on both our sailings who had this issue. would love to know how they made out.

 

[mmouse37]

I heard a lot of complaints from people who did onboard check in. they were picking up theirs but didn't know what they were going to do with it as their luggage was already gone. there were people on both our sailings who had this issue. would love to know how they made out.

We returned to Galveston which did not have the Onboard Airline Check In program so that part was not an issue. People had access to their luggage in the terminal but I wouldn't even bother buying alcohol if I was participating in the OAC program from Port Canaveral, unless I kept one checked bag with me for checking in at the airport (so I could pack the alcohol).

MJ

 

[JJsmama]

I prefer champagne/ sparkling wine when it is hot out, but it goes flat so fast, that i sometimes buy the mini bottles of it. Has anyone tried taking 4 individual sparkling bottles to equal 1 or 2 regular bottles? Is that just asking for trouble?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I prefer champagne/ sparkling wine when it is hot out, but it goes flat so fast, that i sometimes buy the mini bottles of it. Has anyone tried taking 4 individual sparkling bottles to equal 1 or 2 regular bottles? Is that just asking for trouble?

The specification says "maximum of 2 bottles of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml)". I interpret that to mean you can bring on 2 bottles. Each bottle can be no larger than 750 ml. If you want to bring smaller bottles, you're still limited to 2 bottles.

Yes, DCL (or any other cruise line) can be that picky.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think that's just asking for trouble.

Do you have one of those special champagne bottle stopper things? I'm the only one that drinks in my family and I've found mine great for keeping a bottle good for more than a day. Google search for "champagne bottle stopper" will take you to what I'm talking about.

 

[JJsmama]

I agree with you two above that that would not be a smart use of my 'bottles.' Too risky. No big deal. I might just do a wine package instead so i can have it with dinner. If on a 7 night cruise, i could still choose the '3 night' package, couldnt I? Dh is a beer drinker.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I agree with you two above that that would not be a smart use of my 'bottles.' Too risky. No big deal. I might just do a wine package instead so i can have it with dinner. If on a 7 night cruise, i could still choose the '3 night' package, couldnt I? Dh is a beer drinker.

Yes.

 

[MunFam]

Correct me if I am wrong, but all real champagne comes for the grapes of the Champagne valley/region? The only reason we have California Champagne is because the grapes are grown from vines from the Champagne valley/region of France?

AKK

The first part is right. Champagne come from the Champagne Reqion of France.

The second part is not correct. I grew up in California Wine Country...here is some info from one winery:

Many countries around the world make sparkling wine, each of them unique. The best-known sparkling wine is, of course, Champagne. Though so much sparkling wine is referred to as Champagne, true Champagne must come from the namesake area and is one of a kind in taste, texture and reputation. The region is responsible for perfecting the bubble-making process, often referred to as methode champanoise or traditional method.

Beyond those rules, there are many details involved that make Champagne and its method of winemaking so distinctive, which is why it is emulated in so many winemaking areas. The categories of Champagne, and wine in the Champagne style, include vintage and include non-vintage, as well as include rosé.

In the US, California leads the way in sparkling wine made in the traditional method. Many wineries in California are owned and operated by Champagne house companies, and you may find the California bottles similar in style to their French counterparts.

Here is some info on that "traditional method" which is called methode champenoise:

Whether it is called Champagne or sparkling wine, what is really important is how the wine is made. The best Champagnes and sparkling wines are made by méthode champenoise which requires a secondary fermentation in the bottle.

This secondary fermentation is accomplished by adding a mixture of sugar and yeast, called the liqueur de tirage, to still wine. This wine is then bottled and capped, with a bottle cap similiar to ones found on beer bottles – not a cork. The yeast acts on the sugar and the resulting carbon dioxide remains trapped in the bottle. Quality sparkling wines are usually left on their yeast for several months, even up to six years. At the end of this process the cap is removed and replaced with the traditional cork with wire cage.

The important thing to remember is that the secondary fermentation happens in the bottle in quality sparkling wines. If you see the word “charmat” it means the secondary fermentation happened in a large tank, usually an indicator of a lesser quality wine.