Wine Package - 7-Night - Pros & Cons?

[lbgraves]

So can or can't you get Magicale with the wine package? Honestly, that and Banfi Rosa Regal are the only two wines that I really like. TIA.

 

[iankh]

Decisions, decisions! I paid a visit to the wine merchant around the corner and it was extremely enlightening.

 

[surf2di4]

decisions, decisions! I paid a visit to the wine merchant around the corner and it was extremely enlightening.

DO TELL??????

Karl

 

[iankh]

DO TELL??????

Karl

First all for the oddest part. We've been in this house for 19 years, the wine merchant opened up 15 years ago. It is literally around the corner from our house, 1/4 block and around the corner, about a 2 minute walk if you walk very slowly. I had never gone in because I was too intimidated.

It was a GREAT experience, I explained the situation, plus my wine partner (Monica) and my very divergent tastes (her white and sweeter, me red and dryer). They came up with lots of good compromise choices both in white and reds (fruity not sweet whites, and fruity low tannin reds, many from newer hybrid grapes). The best part was nothing was really more than $18 a bottle, most around $16. They of course do have wines at $60 or more a bottle too, but not in their recommendations for us.

So, now the conundrum of connivence vs. a very personalized selection and big old acrylic wine goblets.

I did do some online pricing of the DCL selections, and the "classics" are about $6 or $8 a bottle wines and the premiums look to be about $15 a bottle wines.

So I can see that there is a big markup on the ship, but one would expect that.

In any case, I guess I found a treasure around the corner, also I got over my being intimidated.

 

[surf2di4]

It was a GREAT experience, I explained the situation, plus my wine partner (Monica) and my very divergent tastes (her white and sweeter, me red and dryer). The best part was nothing was really more than $18 a bottle, most around $16.

So, now the conundrum of connivence vs. a very personalized selection and big old acrylic wine goblets.

I did do some online pricing of the DCL selections, and the "classics" are about $6 or $8 a bottle wines and the premiums look to be about $15 a bottle wines.

So I can see that there is a big markup on the ship, but one would expect that.

In any case, I guess I found a treasure around the corner, also I got over my being intimidated.

congrates ian

they have knowledge and they want to share! salute
just remeber to get a before dinner wine for the THEATER (of course it should be something bubbly) .. and something to refill for dinner .

karl

 

[iankh]

I did some more research into wines and I thought I would share it here, as it really has provided me with some food for thought, and reconsideration:

- It is illegal to ship wine via US Postal Service. Now this was something I did not know, probably because until recently I never had a need to know it.

- UPS and FedEx will only ship from some states. Some states do not allow "export" of wine. Again, who knew? In the case of Illinois, my state, one must be properly licensed to ship wine.

- Florida requires that the shipper of the wine be properly licensed. That is licensed as an "exporter" of wine. (It is sort of weird that shipping wine from one US state to another falls into the category of import and export.

- Luggage Fees. Not that much of an issue for me personally because we're flying Southwest, though schlepping extra luggage can be a drag. In our case, in theory we would have 3 bags for ourselves plus one for wine, so the 4th bag wouldn't make a difference. However even Southwest is now charging for over 2 bags. Depending on a person's airline, you could, on something like Delta, spend upwards of $125 for checking the suitcase.

- Time of Year. Again, I know this is obvious, but I never really thought about it. Depending on the time of year, the wine could cook or freeze during shipping.


- According to experts, typical wine mark-up on a bottle in restaurant is 50% over a store. Now this was something I did not know, probably because until recently I never had a need to know it. So, indeed the markup is even higher on the ship, 300% for the classic, and about 250% or so for the Premium. But then again, the mark-up is higher on everything, such as toothpaste, etc. if one runs out. After, one is out in the ocean. It's not like you can pop down to the corner shop.

But then again, it represents a savings over buying by the bottle each night.


So, more food for thought.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I did some more research into wines and I thought I would share it here, as it really has provided me with some food for thought, and reconsideration:
- According to experts, typical wine mark-up on a bottle in restaurant is 50% over a store. Now this was something I did not know, probably because until recently I never had a need to know it. So, indeed the markup is even higher on the ship, 300% for the classic, and about 250% or so for the Premium. But then again, the mark-up is higher on everything, such as toothpaste, etc. if one runs out. After, one is out in the ocean. It's not like you can pop down to the corner shop.
But then again, it represents a savings over buying by the bottle each night.
So, more food for thought.

You make some very good points which confirms my view and posts,

Places such as DCL on ship, or WDW, or any tourist trap, will charge more for everything not just Wine, its like a bottle of coke, oe a Mickey bar in the parks.

We wouldn't walk into any top restaurant, pay for the food, (which has a very high mark up) but take in our own bottle or glass of wine, saying their charges are too high, you expect it.

We forget that so much is ''included'' already with a DCL cruise, Sodas, high costs on other cruise lines, and other cruise lines do not allow booze on board due to ''security'' reasons. Other cruise lines their Wine, beer, and soda has a far higher mark up than DCL, I know I have cruised on them.

DCL is good that it allows us all to take booze onboard, but yes if you pay for it with a meal its expensive, so are the photos at Shutters against your on camera, and even buying a disposable camera on ship.

Getting back on topic against the per bottle cost, for those who like a drink each night, and it all organised for you, 'cool' where required, served all the time, IE pampered, its all part of dinning out, then the Wine package is very good value.

 

[Morgey24]

- According to experts, typical wine mark-up on a bottle in restaurant is 50% over a store. Now this was something I did not know, probably because until recently I never had a need to know it. So, indeed the markup is even higher on the ship, 300% for the classic, and about 250% or so for the Premium. But then again, the mark-up is higher on everything, such as toothpaste, etc. if one runs out. After, one is out in the ocean. It's not like you can pop down to the corner shop.

But then again, it represents a savings over buying by the bottle each night.


So, more food for thought.

Sorry, this 50% only holds true for bottles that cost (retail) about $50 or more. For lower end wines (the $6-20) bottles, the markup is about 200 - 250%A $6 bottle of grocery store wine would be priced about $24 in a restaurant. For a "medium" retail priced wine ($20 - $50) the cost of goods is usually about 36%, making the markup 175%. Only for high end wines (>$50) bottle is the cogs about 50%, making the markup 50%.

 

[pillow]

I suppose, just to be more tasteful we could get those helmets with the sipping tubes like they do for beer. I wonder if they make them for wine goblets?

This is the best thread on the entire Disboards!!!

Jodie

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

My husband and I love wine so we did the upgraded wine package on our 7-day cruise this past May. I would never do it again!! While we drink wine regularly at home, I don't think we drink a whole bottle every single night. It was WAY too much for us. By day 3 or 4, I was just done with wine and I wanted a cocktail instead. Plus, some nights I would get fish and my husband would get steak and then what wine do you choose? It was too expensive and the choices honestly aren't broad enough for 7 days. I thought we'd take the wine to Beat Street with us and save on money we would have spent on cocktails, which we probably did, but it just wasn't as satisfying. And honestly, for the price of the wine package, I'm sure the cost of a few cocktails or even a glass of wine at dinner and a cocktail at Beat Street every night would have evened out. Bottom line: We'll never do it again!

 

[cquick]

I'm going to be on a 7-night this fall with friends and am looking for feedback regarding the Wine Packages.

Looking for folks who have done it, or found alternatives and the pros and cons of each.

Thanks!

We almost always get the wine package on the 7 night. You can either have the wine at dinner or order it brought to your room, and, if you don't drink the whole bottle, they will re cork it and have it for you the next night, or you can take the rest with you. One problem is that I like red wine and Chuck doesn't. He really only likes Champagne in wine, so we usually get a bottle of it once during the cruise.

I have brought my own the last couple of times, but that means no wine at dinner because I wouldn't feel comfortable bringing my own glass of wine to the dining room. I think we are bringing our own vodka and Crystal Light packets to make our own mixer this time (Sat. 7/4)

Connie

 

[cquick]

I suppose, just to be more tasteful we could get those helmets with the sipping tubes like they do for beer. I wonder if they make them for wine goblets?

Oh, that reminds me....I saw one of those wine glasses that they had for sale at the Food and Wine Festival that holds a whole bottle of wine! I didn't buy it......maybe I should have.

 

[cquick]

cost plus has large acrylic wine goblets, for a couple bucks. dont you remember robin and i carrying ours to dinner on the WBPC?(2 of them held a full bottle)

karl

OK! Since you and Robin did it on the WBPC, then I won't feel so bad taking my own wine to dinner! I guess I DO feel like the servers might think we are cheapskates....but I guess if you are, you are, and we should own up to it!

We need a smilie drinking wine!

 

[cquick]

IAN - look what I found (thanks to Karl):

http://www.worldmarket.com/lev/4/productId/10411/mybuyscid/3598634446/index.pro

Hi Michelle....

 

[surf2di4]

Hi Michelle....

Hi Connie
Robin and I still really want to thank you for the F.E. on the WBPC.....
and i am not cheap, i want the wine i drink to be something i love i would rather experiment at home for $15 than on a cruise for $45. and there selections of the wine i prefer to drink was actually very limited.

karl

 

[cquick]

Hi Connie
Robin and I still really want to thank you for the F.E. on the WBPC.....
and i am not cheap, i want the wine i drink to be something i love i would rather experiment at home for $15 than on a cruise for $45. and there selections of the wine i prefer to drink was actually very limited.

karl

Hi, Karl and Robin...I'm so glad you remember me! we are going on a cruise this Saturday and I made us a NEW FE! With a 4th of July theme and red white and blue colors! It only has 2 pockets, I found that is enough. I also added a pen and a notebook for notes.....I have seen some REALLY imaginative FE's that put mine to shame, but they all hold presents!!!!

I am taking my favorite Pinot Noir on the ship with my own plastic wine glass...not the kind that holds a whole bottle of wine, but a good sized one! I may or may not take it to dinner, I'll have to decide on that later.

Talk to you soon,

 

[cquick]

So, more food for thought.

Ian, you live in a wonderful part of Chicago! You've got everything close by!
bTW, our son, Mike, will be in Chicago at the end of July. He has some interviews with some law firms for internships for next summer. He's staying somewhere near the Embassy Suites downtown because that's where they are having the interviews. He has 14 set up so far. I hope he gets the one he wants, which will be in Chicago. He wants to live in Chicago.

 

[iankh]

Ian, you live in a wonderful part of Chicago! You've got everything close by!
bTW, our son, Mike, will be in Chicago at the end of July. He has some interviews with some law firms for internships for next summer. He's staying somewhere near the Embassy Suites downtown because that's where they are having the interviews. He has 14 set up so far. I hope he gets the one he wants, which will be in Chicago. He wants to live in Chicago.

Connie,

Tell him to get in touch with me if he wants.

 

[marchdreamer]

The last I heard the corkage fee was $40 a bottle. We chose to go with the wine package but not the premium one as the basic one has more of the wines we like.

 

[surf2di4]

The last I heard the corkage fee was $40 a bottle. We chose to go with the wine package but not the premium one as the basic one has more of the wines we like.

when was your time frame. we were on board the pc cruise and it was $18..

karl