Wine Package - 7-Night - Pros & Cons?

[iankh]

hi Andrew
except for the 300-400% mark-up, its a steal, and you have already paid for it..
when you live in the US and don't have to worry about import quotas, it will always be a better deal to bring it with you. and you will bring wines you either already like or would want to try. we tipped our server and assistant server as if we had bought the bottle on board, but did not donate corkage to DCL. and they brought extra glasses to the table for our group every night. we would have white and red. i am not against Disney selling wine i am just against land shark mark-ups. i feel 200% is fair and most places that i dine at and buy bottles of wines from meet this standard.

karl

Karl,

Do you want to call my local fine wine merchant for me and arrange for the assortment? I don't even know how to communicate with a wine broker. Does one ask about the quality of the cardboard box or the plastic bladder within?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

hi Andrew
except for the 300-400% mark-up, its a steal, and you have already paid for it..
when you live in the US and don't have to worry about import quotas, it will always be a better deal to bring it with you. and you will bring wines you either already like or would want to try. we tipped our server and assistant server as if we had bought the bottle on board, but did not donate corkage to DCL. and they brought extra glasses to the table for our group every night. we would have white and red. i am not against Disney selling wine i am just against land shark mark-ups. i feel 200% is fair and most places that i dine at and buy bottles of wines from meet this standard.

karl

Karl the mark up is everywhere, DCL is the same as other cruise lines, bar they 'refuse' to allow people to bring drink on, WDW is a tourist trap, so all food has a considerable mark up then the 20% tip on that price, I was in Venice a week or so back, everything there is double the mainland cost.

And any quality restaurant I go to has inflated wine prices often higher than DCL.

We book the cruise, we have to accept their terms and conditions.

The thread is about the pros and cons of the wine package, and against buying bottles per night its good value.

I can get a noce bottle of booze for £4 ($6) with a meal its double that, at least.

IMHO, too many people taking the 'odd' wine glass in with dinner will eventually cause the demise of booze being allowed on board, they are so good against other cruise lines no one wants that.

 

[surf2di4]

Karl the mark up is everywhere, DCL is the same as other cruise lines, bar they 'refuse' to allow people to bring drink on, WDW is a tourist trap, so all food has a considerable mark up then the 20% tip on that price, I was in Venice a week or so back, everything there is double the mainland cost.

And any quality restaurant I go to has inflated wine prices often higher than DCL.

We book the cruise, we have to accept their terms and conditions.

The thread is about the pros and cons of the wine package, and against buying bottles per night its good value.

hi Andrew

this is about the pro's and con's and i think wine mark-up is a con. i live in a tourist trap also,(Santa Barbara, Ca) but there are many places here that have reasonable mark-ups to cover the cost of proper cellaring and wine expertise. and what were you doing in venice and not coming by santa barbara to say hi! did you mean venice, Italy?? not Venice, CA.. that might explain that.

i just think in IAN's case the group he is traveling with, might like to look at what they can carry on compared to what is on board..

hey Ian
the cardboard box is not as important as the plastic bladder within!!
when you talk to your wine merchant listen to him. let him help you.
if he sells you bunk you will never buy anything else from him.

karl

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

hi Andrew

this is about the pro's and con's and i think wine mark-up is a con. i live in a tourist trap also,(Santa Barbara, Ca) but there are many places here that have reasonable mark-ups to cover the cost of proper cellaring and wine expertise. and what were you doing in venice and not coming by santa barbara to say hi! did you mean venice, Italy?? not Venice, CA.. that might explain that.

i just think in IAN's case the group he is traveling with, might like to look at what they can carry on compared to what is on board..

hey Ian
the cardboard box is not as important as the plastic bladder within!!
when you talk to your wine merchant listen to him. let him help you.
if he sells you bunk you will never buy anything else from him.

karl

Oh yes Venice Italy last month, and thats a tourist trap and very expensive for anything, we took a boat ride out of the city at night, and then the food was 50% cheaper, and 100% better.

Carry on is fine for room, pools,decks, etc, and a great idea, but if you like a full bottle of wine served at dinner each night, then the wine package is the cheapest and best option.

 

[iankh]

I certainly appreciate the debate. Everyone's view is very enlightening.

Karl was right about the schlepp factor and schlepping around bottles of wine. Andrew's point about having someone just plonk a bottle down on the table is also valid.

I almost wish they did a 1/2 wine package, a big concern is I don't think I could drink 7 bottles of wine (well I could, but the results wouldn't be pretty).

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I certainly appreciate the debate. Everyone's view is very enlightening.

Karl was right about the schlepp factor and schlepping around bottles of wine. Andrew's point about having someone just plonk a bottle down on the table is also valid.

I almost wish they did a 1/2 wine package, a big concern is I don't think I could drink 7 bottles of wine (well I could, but the results wouldn't be pretty).

I agree, having say the option of a package of 4 bottles on a 7 night cruise for light drinkers would be very nice.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Ian...remember you are going to be at a big table....I bet some of those folks would be happy for you to share.

Remember if you have wine shipped to send it to the resort, not the boat...can't do that anymore. So you'll still have to carry it on.

I say bring a couple, pay the corking fee for a couple of nights and have pre prandial MARTINIs the rest of the time.

 

[iankh]

Ian...remember you are going to be at a big table....I bet some of those folks would be happy for you to share.

Remember if you have wine shipped to send it to the resort, not the boat...can't do that anymore. So you'll still have to carry it on.

I say bring a couple, pay the corking fee for a couple of nights and have pre prandial MARTINIs the rest of the time.

Prandial, eh? You sent me to my dictionary my dear. Bravo. That doesn't happen very often.

Yes, lounging with a martini and a cigar is indeed more my style. Unfortunately I don't own a big gold pinky ring which one really needs if one is going to lounge, leaning up against the bar sipping martinis. Also no cigars on board.

Thank you for the reminder about where to ship. I hadn't realized that DCL doesn't let you ship to the ship anymore. I know I can ship to VWL and they will hold it for my arrival.

Today will be my little trip out to the wine merchant (I have to walk around the corner). I'm going to see what they have and what they recommend.

I wonder if Karl offers life-line service?

Can anyone tell me how many average glasses does one get out of a bottle of wine.

Yes, I know that a bottle is typically 750ml, but what is an average glass. By my measurement, that would be almost 6.5 fluid ounces if split by 4 people right.

Is that about a glass of wine, 6 ounces, not very much. Not nearly enough to get a soft buzz.

Or, I suppose it would be 1 serving if I can get a 750 ml wine glass or barring that, a small fish bowl.

 

[granmaz]

Prandial, eh? You sent me to my dictionary my dear. Bravo. That doesn't happen very often.

Yes, lounging with a martini and a cigar is indeed more my style. Unfortunately I don't own a big gold pinky ring which one really needs if one is going to lounge, leaning up against the bar sipping martinis. Also no cigars on board.

Thank you for the reminder about where to ship. I hadn't realized that DCL doesn't let you ship to the ship anymore. I know I can ship to VWL and they will hold it for my arrival.

Today will be my little trip out to the wine merchant (I have to walk around the corner). I'm going to see what they have and what they recommend.

I wonder if Karl offers life-line service?

Can anyone tell me how many average glasses does one get out of a bottle of wine.

Yes, I know that a bottle is typically 750ml, but what is an average glass. By my measurement, that would be almost 6.5 fluid ounces if split by 4 people right.

Is that about a glass of wine, 6 ounces, not very much. Not nearly enough to get a soft buzz.

Or, I suppose it would be 1 serving if I can get a 750 ml wine glass or barring that, a small fish bowl.

We get 6 glasses out of 1 bottle, but we are boring!!!

 

[CurlyBlueEyes]

Well maybe three...

I will be choosing the wine package for several reasons
1) We are getting a $200 OBC with each cabin, that pays for a basic wine package
2) We like wine when we go out to dinner or have a big family dinner (not every day through). But since we will be "eating out" every night...
3) There are 8 adults at our table and I think 3 of us will be splitting the package.
4) The 3 of us can easily take care of 1 bottle of wine. That gives us 1 1/2 to 2 glasses each, depending on the glass size and who is pouring
5) I have a good excuse to buy outside of my usual habits and try something new.

I am currently doing the "research" and testing out all the wines on the package one at a time. Now know I know not to waste my money on Chardonnays, and that I really like Reislings

I will still bring one or two of my favorites with me.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Well maybe three...

I will be choosing the wine package for several reasons
1) We are getting a $200 OBC with each cabin, that pays for a basic wine package
2) We like wine when we go out to dinner or have a big family dinner (not every day through). But since we will be "eating out" every night...
3) There are 8 adults at our table and I think 3 of us will be splitting the package.
4) The 3 of us can easily take care of 1 bottle of wine. That gives us 1 1/2 to 2 glasses each, depending on the glass size and who is pouring
5) I have a good excuse to buy outside of my usual habits and try something new.

I am currently doing the "research" and testing out all the wines on the package one at a time. Now know I know not to waste my money on Chardonnays, and that I really like Reislings

I will still bring one or two of my favorites with me.

I like the research as well I do that for about 50 weeks pre cruise,

 

[ibouncetoo]

I am currently doing the "research" and testing out all the wines on the package one at a time. Now know I know not to waste my money on Chardonnays, and that I really like Reislings

.

I like the research as well I do that for about 50 weeks pre cruise,

Thank you my fellow DISers, you've just convienced me to pick up a bottle of Conundrum NOW and give it a taste!

CBE, I also like Reislings. All I remember from the F&W Festival tasting I did years ago was the longer and more Germanic the name, the better they tasted!

.

 

[ibouncetoo]

OH...I forgot.

Ian, you CAN still ship boxes to the ship....just not food or beverage.

.

 

[♥sassy♥tink♥]

Thank you my fellow DISers, you've just convienced me to pick up a bottle of Conundrum NOW and give it a taste!

You will enjoy.....

 

[tndvc]

What is the current cost of the wine package for a 7 day? Thanks for your help!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

What is the current cost of the wine package for a 7 day? Thanks for your help!!

WINES (Note that the price does not include the 15% gratuity.)

Premium Wine Package
Choose one wine per night from the wines listed below.

• Premium Wine Package (7 Nights)
• Item BEV7N PREM WINE – Price $292.00
• Premium Wine Package (4 Nights)
• Item BEV4N PREM WINE – Price $174.00
• Premium Wine Package (3 Nights)
• Item BEV3N PREM WINE – Price $129.00

Whites

• Domain Chandon - California
• Banfi Brachetto d'Acqui - Italy
• Iron Horse Fairy Tale - California
• Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio - Italy
• Moscato - Italy
• Conundrum - California
• St Francis - California
• Fess Parker Chardonnay - California
• La Crema - California
• Kenwood Sauvignon Blanc - California
• Kim Crawford - California
• Marlborough - New Zealand

Reds

• KJ. Merlot - California
• Sebastiani Pinot Noir - California
• King Estate Pinot Noir - Oregon
• Mondavi Cabernet - California
• Greg Norman Shiraz - California
• Melipal Malbec - Argentina
• Banfi Chianti - Italy
• Chateau de Peymouton Saint Emilion - France

Classic Wine Package

• Classic Wine Package (7 Nights)
• Item BEV7N CLAS WINE – Price $189.00
• Classic Wine Package (4 Nights)
• Item BEV4N CLAS WINE – Price $111.00
• Classic Wine Package (3 Nights)
• Item BEV3N CLAS WINE – Price $84.00

Choose from the wines listed below.

White Wines

• Prosecco Gancia - Italy
• Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante - Italy
• Beringer White Zinfandel - California
• Beringer Pinot Grigio - California
• Moscato d Asti Allegro Piedmont - California
• Chateau St. Michelle Riesling - Washington
• Alice White Chardonnay - Australia
• Clos du Bois Chardonnay - California
• Hess Chardonnay - Monterey
• Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay - California
• Fairview Sauvignon Blanc - South Africa
• Simi Sauvignon Blanc - California

Red Wines

• Santa Carolina Merlot - Chile
• Smoking Loon Merlot - California
• Robert Mondavi Coastal Merlot - California
• Brancott Pinot Noir - New Zealand
• Sylvester Kiara Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles - California
• Clos du Bois Cabernet - California
• Zolo Malbec - Argentina
• Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages - France
• Wolf Blass Shiraz - Australia

Pre order, or buy first day on ship.

 

[surf2di4]

THERE are 5 glasses of wine in a 750 ml bottle of wine...

karl

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

THERE are 5 glasses of wine in a 750 ml bottle of wine...

karl

 

[surf2di4]

THERE are 5 glasses of wine in a 750 ml bottle of wine...

karl

but there are about 8 in a WDW bottle! its just MAGICAL

Karl

 

[ehagerty]

The only element I have to add that wasn't already documented, is that you are not limited to the wine on the list ONLY. The head server in the dining room and the wine steward in Palo's can recommend other bottles - they allow you to apply a $42 credit to any bottle of wine. It doesn't represent a savings, per se - just wanted to point out that your are not limited to the list they give you. Both Zon and Frederick were very knowledgable about wine and we splurged for the "Purple Angel" in Palo's.