Thoughts on the Stem to Stern Wine Tasting

[hamm1207]

Just booked the stem to stern wine tasting for our upcoming cruise. Sadly there's not a lot of info about it on the DCL website. If you've participated before, what did you think about it? How many wines were offered, etc?

 

[Pens Fan]

We always try to do this and really enjoy it. It's changed a bit over the years, and it's been over a year since we sailed with DCL, so things could have changed since we participated. The last couple of times we did this, there were six different wines, a mixture of reds and whites. My husband and I love learning about and trying new wines, so we have always enjoyed it and found it well worth the price.

 

[ironz]

We did this on our Alaska cruise this year-- they give you tastings of either 5 or 6 wines... I sort of recall maybe 3 white and 3 red? One of the whites could have been sparkling. Definitely had a sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. Reds were: chianti (I think?), a zinfandel, and I think a malbec or pinot noir. I could be mixing up some of them, but it was fun and relaxing.
I don't recall that I learned anything amazingly different from other wine tastings I've done at wineries, but like I said, it was relaxing and enjoyable.

 

[mevelandry]

It's interesting and you try 6 wines (3 reds, 3 whites) and learn about history of those wines, they make you guess what you can taste in it (cherry, prunes, etc.)... It's fun. If it's your first wine tasting, you will learn a lot.

And it's not snobbish!

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

Just booked the stem to stern wine tasting for our upcoming cruise. Sadly there's not a lot of info about it on the DCL website. If you've participated before, what did you think about it? How many wines were offered, etc?

I'm glad you started this thread, one of the tasting I am definitely interested in reading more comments on.

 

[DCLDVC1]

Great class. We had 3 whites and 3 red. We also received a Stem to Stern Wine Tasting commemorative pin at the end of the class.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

A fun experience. Typically, six 2 oz pours, three white and three red. For $20, this is a very reasonable price. I’ve done one almost every cruise, so probably a total of 8 out of 11 times. I learn something new every time and have even purchased some of the tasted wines in the dining rooms, since many are available by the glass onboard.

 

[ej119]

Just echoing what everyone has said, in that I thought this was a great experience! I've done it twice (2012 on the Dream and 2016 on the Magic) and the cast members really bring a lot of their personality to their tasting so it didn't feel redundant or too similar (granted they were 4 years apart). My DH and I are avid wine drinkers and go to a lot of wine tastings and this experience matches anything we've done.

And the pin is so cute -- I wish the other onboard tastings would have pins as well.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Great class. We had 3 whites and 3 red. We also received a Stem to Stern Wine Tasting commemorative pin at the end of the class.

We did this tasting as well. Had a great time. And i cherish the little pin!

 

[RebelHawk]

We love this tasting and like to do it when we have time. I called shoreside concierge and was able to book this in advance for an upcoming March cruise. I don't know if it is over booked all the time but when we have done it we have always seen it at or over capacity. We try to get there early so we can get a "better" seat just in case they try to setup a few extra places for late or unbooked arrivals.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

We did this and enjoyed it very much. They had 3 white and 3 red. I much preferred the reds. You get a cute pin too and a hangover.

 

[hamm1207]

Sounds like it'll be wonderful! Thank you everyone for your comments!

 

[aflynn33]

We did this tasting on last years transatlantic. I'll be honest I was a little disappointed. First of all, some of the wine choices were undrinkable. To be fair maybe they needed to be served with food. I wouldn't bother to sign up again. We did get the pin and I traded one away at officer pin trading. So if you like wine, give it a try - at the very least you'll meet some fellow passengers who like wine. I do seem to be into the minority...

 

[cashda]

We love this tasting and like to do it when we have time. I called shoreside concierge and was able to book this in advance for an upcoming March cruise. I don't know if it is over booked all the time but when we have done it we have always seen it at or over capacity. We try to get there early so we can get a "better" seat just in case they try to setup a few extra places for late or unbooked arrivals.

Bookable 180 days out?

 

[GingerPilot]

Loved it. I only wish they had small snacks to go with it. That being said it was super informative and a lot of fun. The leader of it was the sommelier at Palo who remembered us when we ate in Palo a few nights later and made some great recommendations based on what we liked in the class!

 

[ImprovGal]

Loved it. I only wish they had small snacks to go with it. That being said it was super informative and a lot of fun. The leader of it was the sommelier at Palo who remembered us when we ate in Palo a few nights later and made some great recommendations based on what we liked in the class!

Psst... plan ahead and order an all hands on deck cheese plate from room service about 45-60 minutes prior to the tasting and bring it along.

 

[cashda]

Psst... plan ahead and order an all hands on deck cheese plate from room service about 45-60 minutes prior to the tasting and bring it along.

Genius!!!

 

[RebelHawk]

Bookable 180 days out?

It depends on your Castaway status, New, Silver, Gold, Platinum or staying Concierge. Concierge can request at 125 days and then they will book for you at 120 days, Platinum is 120 days and I'm not sure what Gold, Silver or New is. If you log into your sailing dates I think it will tell you how far in advance you can book. Like I mentioned the three that we have done have all been full to overbooked so I would book as soon as possible if you are interested.

 

[mousefan73]

If I am a new cruiser hat are my chances of getting this or any other tasting at my booking Slot? Do they leave some Slots open for embarkation day sign ups?? Also curious what time of the day do they usually do These? and I am correct to assume that sea days book up first?
thx

 

[ladyofthetramp]

^^^ At the time we did this, you couldn't pre-book. We got in just fine when we booked at embarkation or later in the evening. I believe ours was around 3pm or so.