Bringing wine with us

[misseulalie]

We are going to be bringing a few bottles of wine with us this sailing. What's the best way to pack them, as a carry-on or in the luggage?

If you put them in the luggage, do you wrap them in something in case they break?

Thanks!

 

[jilljill]

According to DCL they need to be carried onto the ship. You are free to bring as many bottles as you wish, but please abide by their rules of carrying them on and NOT putting them in your checked bags.

 

[su_kraft]

We are going to be bringing a few bottles of wine with us this sailing. What's the best way to pack them, as a carry-on or in the luggage?

If you put them in the luggage, do you wrap them in something in case they break?

Thanks!

They MUST be in your carry on.
There is a fee if you bring the bottle to the dining room, or a bar and have them open for you.

 

[misseulalie]

Whats the uncorking fee, any ideas?

 

[jilljill]

Whats the uncorking fee, any ideas?

Either $15 or $18 + the auto 15% gratuity.

 

[su_kraft]

Whats the uncorking fee, any ideas?

It was $18 and gratuity when we were on in September. You can ask you stateroom attendant for a cork screw and glasses - no charge then.

Oh - Only non opened bottles can be taken off the ship. Be sure to bring a receipt just in case you are carrying off as well. If you can't show they were purchased prior to leaving FL, then you will have to declare them.


happy cruising!

 

[misseulalie]

$18?? Wow, that's a lot!

Can we bring our own corkscrew? Or I guess just ask the stateroom host for a corkscrew, uncork our own bottle and bring the bottle to dinner with us. I'm assuming they would give us wine glasses at dinner.

 

[su_kraft]

$18?? Wow, that's a lot!

Can we bring our own corkscrew? Or I guess just ask the stateroom host for a corkscrew, uncork our own bottle and bring the bottle to dinner with us. I'm assuming they would give us wine glasses at dinner.

You can bring a cork screw - don't try and carry it on a plane though... Easier to ask for one, with glasses. Also, if you are drinking a white wine or blttle that you want chilled, your stateroom attendant will handle that for you as well... They are really good about that stuff!

I think that if you bring the bottle to dinner you get charged. Many people have posted about getting really big glasses and bringing those so with them. I guess it depends on how much you will drink at dinner and ho convenient your cabin is... not that you would want to go back and forth during your meal...

 

[jilljill]

$18?? Wow, that's a lot!

Can we bring our own corkscrew? Or I guess just ask the stateroom host for a corkscrew, uncork our own bottle and bring the bottle to dinner with us. I'm assuming they would give us wine glasses at dinner.

I have a feeling they may still charge you if you bring the entire bottle to dinner with you, but I'm not sure on that one. You can bring a glass of wine to dinner with you and no questions will be asked.
You can either take you own corkscrew or ask your stateroom host/ess or room service for one. You can get clean glass from any bar, room service or your stateroom host/ess.

 

[misseulalie]

Thanks for the info...I guess we will bring a bottle and bring a glass of wine with us to dinner. We got a few bottles for Xmas and thought to bring them, but to pay $18 to uncork is a bit steep for us. Especially when you can buy a bottle onboard for not much more. We aren't bringing anything fancy; just a Zinfindel and Merlot.

 

[woody73]

to pay $18 to uncork is a bit steep for us. . .

The corkage fee is comparable to that charged by restaurants and by other cruise lines.

Woody

 

[misseulalie]

The corkage fee is comparable to that charged by restaurants and by other cruise lines.

Woody

I guess, but for us who doesn't like to pay for than $15 for wine (yes, we're cheap- 2 buck Chuck anyone?) $18 to pop a cork is pricey.

 

[mmouse37]

Thanks for the info...I guess we will bring a bottle and bring a glass of wine with us to dinner. We got a few bottles for Xmas and thought to bring them, but to pay $18 to uncork is a bit steep for us. Especially when you can buy a bottle onboard for not much more. We aren't bringing anything fancy; just a Zinfindel and Merlot.

Even if you bring your own corkscrew and open the bottle in room....if you bring the bottle to the dining room you most likely will still be charged the corking fee.

There is no problem bringing your own glass of wine into the dining room with you. I always bring my own glass of wine in to dinner.

MJ

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I know some will *flame* me on this,and I looked at this thread about 4>5 times, left it and came back before posting, but I would mention we all need to be 'responsible' on this, and understand that DCL, is one of the few cruiselines to allow any booze on board.

Most cruise lines have a policy to confiscate any booze on embarkation, they say they do this for security reasons, and only give you the booze back on disembarkation, this is a truly awful process. Other cruiselines do this to force you to purchase their own drinks at the bars, at inflated prices and this brings in good income.

DCL also is very good in offering a wide selection of sodas for free at deck 9, and often you have to pay for soda on other cruiselines. My sister was just on RCCL and spent a fortune on her kids for soft drinks, through her cruise.

So we should respect DCL for their, very open policy.

Most people like to bring small amounts of wine and booze to use in your own room and maybe at the pools. Yes DCL's wine is expensive, but no more than at a fine restaurant on land, and in thoose would you take in a glass of wine? Bring you own booze?

I like to have my wine on my verandah but, Personally I would not take any glass of drink into dinner, that wasn't purchased on board, or given out at the Captains reception.

The corkage fee is there for any bottle of wine, brought in and opened in the restaurant, by servers or yourself. Servers cannot tell if a glass of wine was purchased on board or poured in your own room from your own stock.

Now not wanting to cause a debate, but suggesting, please be responsible, and respect DCL's very favorable policy, as it could be withdrawn. There is another thread, why was REAS withdrawn, in part a reason is misuse, and maybe encouraged on these boards. Also CC club changes on booking times is another reason.

I have seen people bring in hip flasks in their jackets and pour out booze into soft drink mixers, when the servers are away, the servers see this, but as you 'tip' them at the end of the cruise it can place them in a difficult position.
(They bring up a charge, you reduce their tip).

Anyway just imho, PLEASE be professional and respectful, of DCL rules, they are very flexible, and if we take too much advantage, the fair policy could get withdrawn and we all suffer, we all have different opinions on what is OK, whats getting around the system or, bending the rules, or is the rules. I feel bringing in a glass of your own wine to dinner is bending the rules, but thats just mho.

Again, not wanting a flame/debate. but I feel we should have a balanced view on this, and have it put in 'context' Would we want DCL to ban all booze? If not, be sensible.

 

[MagicMe]

I agree with Andrew on this issue. We often bring one or two bottles on board to enjoy at dinner (we bring our favorites) and I have no issue with paying the corking fee. Since a bottle will usually cover the table for dinner, we often take turns covering the charge. Additionally, I like that they will re-cork and keep your bottle if you don't use all of it. It magically shows up the next night at our table. We have also been known to find a favorite to purchase on board at which time there is no fee.

 

[lmhall2000]

Now only to make this more complicated!!

We are pretty much teetotallers....I can actually remember the last time we had a sip of something, March 7, 1998!! It was a 1988 bottle of Pierre Jouet Champagne (we still have the bottle, I actually bought it only because I really liked the flowers painted on it) but to my surprise it was very good!

We are doing a Med cruise, now would a bottle be allowed on overseas flights in my carry on? And since I'm going to France anyway, could I possibly get a bottle over there easily? I know we're going to Italy as well, but this one has sentimental value on it and I wanted to surprise dh with having it served to us at dinner one night...but if I am able to bring it on, does it need to be chilled? Would it fit in the fridge? It's fairly tall....have the steward put it in a chill bath? Would that cost extra?? Sorry, I'm a complete ignorant when it comes to these things.....we have a lot to celebrate this coming cruise (parents 48th anniversary, selling our other house after 2.6 years, daughter's health restored, getting back into shape after letting stress take a toll) and I'd like to find a good year for this champagne...

Thanks for your help!!

Tara

 

[nyyankeegirl]

I know some will *flame* me on this,and I looked at this thread about 4>5 times, left it and came back before posting, but I would mention we all need to be 'responsible' on this, and understand that DCL, is one of the few cruiselines to allow any booze on board.

Most cruise lines have a policy to confiscate any booze on embarkation, they say they do this for security reasons, and only give you the booze back on disembarkation, this is a truly awful process. Other cruiselines do this to force you to purchase their own drinks at the bars, at inflated prices and this brings in good income.

DCL also is very good in offering a wide selection of sodas for free at deck 9, and often you have to pay for soda on other cruiselines. My sister was just on RCCL and spent a fortune on her kids for soft drinks, through her cruise.

So we should respect DCL for their, very open policy.

Most people like to bring small amounts of wine and booze to use in your own room and maybe at the pools. Yes DCL's wine is expensive, but no more than at a fine restaurant on land, and in thoose would you take in a glass of wine? Bring you own booze?

I like to have my wine on my verandah but, Personally I would not take any glass of drink into dinner, that wasn't purchased on board, or given out at the Captains reception.

The corkage fee is there for any bottle of wine, brought in and opened in the restaurant, by servers or yourself. Servers cannot tell if a glass of wine was purchased on board or poured in your own room from your own stock.

Now not wanting to cause a debate, but suggesting, please be responsible, and respect DCL's very favorable policy, as it could be withdrawn. There is another thread, why was REAS withdrawn, in part a reason is misuse, and maybe encouraged on these boards. Also CC club changes on booking times is another reason.

I have seen people bring in hip flasks in their jackets and pour out booze into soft drink mixers, when the servers are away, the servers see this, but as you 'tip' them at the end of the cruise it can place them in a difficult position.
(They bring up a charge, you reduce their tip).

Anyway just imho, PLEASE be professional and respectful, of DCL rules, they are very flexible, and if we take too much advantage, the fair policy could get withdrawn and we all suffer, we all have different opinions on what is OK, whats getting around the system or, bending the rules, or is the rules. I feel bringing in a glass of your own wine to dinner is bending the rules, but thats just mho.

Again, not wanting a flame/debate. but I feel we should have a balanced view on this, and have it put in 'context' Would we want DCL to ban all booze? If not, be sensible.

Well said!

 

[woody73]

We are doing a Med cruise, now would a bottle be allowed on overseas flights in my carry on?

Not since 9/11.

Woody

 

[elkesails]

I know some will *flame* me on this,and I looked at this thread about 4>5 times, left it and came back before posting, but I would mention we all need to be 'responsible' on this, and understand that DCL, is one of the few cruiselines to allow any booze on board.

Most cruise lines have a policy to confiscate any booze on embarkation, they say they do this for security reasons, and only give you the booze back on disembarkation, this is a truly awful process. Other cruiselines do this to force you to purchase their own drinks at the bars, at inflated prices and this brings in good income.

DCL also is very good in offering a wide selection of sodas for free at deck 9, and often you have to pay for soda on other cruiselines. My sister was just on RCCL and spent a fortune on her kids for soft drinks, through her cruise.

So we should respect DCL for their, very open policy.

Most people like to bring small amounts of wine and booze to use in your own room and maybe at the pools. Yes DCL's wine is expensive, but no more than at a fine restaurant on land, and in thoose would you take in a glass of wine? Bring you own booze?

I like to have my wine on my verandah but, Personally I would not take any glass of drink into dinner, that wasn't purchased on board, or given out at the Captains reception.

The corkage fee is there for any bottle of wine, brought in and opened in the restaurant, by servers or yourself. Servers cannot tell if a glass of wine was purchased on board or poured in your own room from your own stock.

Now not wanting to cause a debate, but suggesting, please be responsible, and respect DCL's very favorable policy, as it could be withdrawn. There is another thread, why was REAS withdrawn, in part a reason is misuse, and maybe encouraged on these boards. Also CC club changes on booking times is another reason.

I have seen people bring in hip flasks in their jackets and pour out booze into soft drink mixers, when the servers are away, the servers see this, but as you 'tip' them at the end of the cruise it can place them in a difficult position.
(They bring up a charge, you reduce their tip).

Anyway just imho, PLEASE be professional and respectful, of DCL rules, they are very flexible, and if we take too much advantage, the fair policy could get withdrawn and we all suffer, we all have different opinions on what is OK, whats getting around the system or, bending the rules, or is the rules. I feel bringing in a glass of your own wine to dinner is bending the rules, but thats just mho.

Again, not wanting a flame/debate. but I feel we should have a balanced view on this, and have it put in 'context' Would we want DCL to ban all booze? If not, be sensible.

Appreciate your post very much...showing respect for the rules and the crew is important to me. The "corkage fee" seems very reasonable. We will certainly make up some room cocktails and carry that first glass into the dining room....but....we are trying to decide if it is worth the effort to carry on wine for the actual meal. Does anyone know where I can take a look at the wine list from the dining room ?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I agree with Andrew on this issue. We often bring one or two bottles on board to enjoy at dinner (we bring our favorites) and I have no issue with paying the corking fee. Since a bottle will usually cover the table for dinner, we often take turns covering the charge. Additionally, I like that they will re-cork and keep your bottle if you don't use all of it. It magically shows up the next night at our table. We have also been known to find a favorite to purchase on board at which time there is no fee.

Well said!

Appreciate your post very much...showing respect for the rules and the crew is important to me. The "corkage fee" seems very reasonable. We will certainly make up some room cocktails and carry that first glass into the dining room....but....we are trying to decide if it is worth the effort to carry on wine for the actual meal. Does anyone know where I can take a look at the wine list from the dining room ?

Thank you all.