Princess Wine Bottle Package Availability

[IECalCruiser]

The Coral Princess Cruise to the Panama Canal began on 02-14-12

 

The Golden Princess RT Hawaii began on 10-24-12 (sorry I wrote 2013 in error)

 

Our cruises on the Crown Princess (7-day cruises B2B) beginning 01-26-13 did not have the Wine Package available

Thanks.

[vickie_bernie]

Just got off the Emerald for 30 days. Sadly no wine package. I spoke with numerous people about it from the Sommelier to the Food and Beverage manager to Maitre D'Hotel to Hotel General Manager.

 

I got different answers to why the package was cancelled on this ten day voyage from each of them. I don't think they really know why.

 

We had no issue bring wine on board on the three embarkations in Fort Lauderdale and we always brought more than two.

 

Comments from the Officers mentioned above about whether princess is not going to enforce, they all said they don't know. They did think that it was one way to start up enforcing by that was their speculation only.

 

As most posters here now one hand doesn't always communicate well with the other hand in this large company - any many companies for that matter.

 

 

 

I can sadly report that the sommelier on board Thai was his name let us know that Princess will no longer have sommeliers on board after their contract ends they will not be renewed in that position but given other positions. Most are bar managers at minimum.

[LandandWater]

Current tally (10 day or longer cruises):

Crown: 11/20/12 - 12 day Greek Isles - No (Reason: lack of sufficient wine inventory)

Crown: 12/02/12 - 20 day Med/TA - No (Reason: lack of sufficient wine inventory)

Diamond: 11/26/12 - 18 day Far East - No

Diamond: 12/14/12 - 14 day South Pacific - No

Diamond: 02/08/13 - 14 day South Pacific - Yes

Emerald: 01/06/13 - 10 day Eastern Caribbean - No

Emerald: 01/16/13 - 10 day Southern Caribbean – No (Reason: they kept running out of stock)

Emerald: 01/26/13 - 10 day Eastern Caribbean - No (Reason: they kept running out of stock)

Emerald: 02/05/13 - 10 day Eastern Caribbean - No (Reason: they kept running out of stock)

Golden: 01/16/13 - 14 day Hawaii – Yes

Grand: 09/04/12 - 17 day Mediterranean - No

Grand: 01/26/13 - 19 day South America - No

Island: 11/12/12 - 14 day Panama Canal - Yes

Island: 01/09/13 - 14 day Panama Canal - Yes

Island: 02/06/13 - 10 day Panama Canal - Yes

Ocean: 02/08/13 - 10 day South Pacific - Yes

Pacific: 01/17/13 - 10 day Eastern - Yes

Ruby: 09/03/12 - 12 day Mediterranean - Yes

Ruby: 10/09/12 - 19 day TA – No

Sapphire: 02/02/13 - 14 day Hawaii – Yes

Star: 09/26/12 - 10 day Mexico - No

Star: 10/06/12 - 15 day Hawaii - No (Reason: no wine sommelier was on board)

 

Looks like Golden, Island, Ocean, Pacific and Sapphire offer the packages, Crown, Emerald, Grand and Star don't and your guess is a good as mine for the Ruby. Hopefully the Diamond will continue offering after problems last year.[/quote

 

IECal Cruiser,

Many thanks for info. We all know that things can differ ship to ship and by varying crew. Thanks for gathering the info.

We appreciated having the Wine Package on the Pacific on Dec 2, 2012. We were a lively group of 8 and the package simplified ordering if we stuck to the Silver. Didn't miss anything of everyone's day that way and the selections were fine for dinner. We all purchased our Packages while we had our reunion drink at the Pool Bar so had the cards to take to the dining room. Each night went smoothly when ordering and that way we could decide on #'s of red or white depending on who was having what.

Also must comment that compared to other lines we find Princess wine selections reasonable and with a decent selection. Will try the upgrading on our upcoming cruise if we are fortunate enough to have it available on the Grand.

[magandy]

Current tally (10 day or longer cruises):

Crown: 11/20/12 - 12 day Greek Isles - No (Reason: lack of sufficient wine inventory)

Crown: 12/02/12 - 20 day Med/TA - No (Reason: lack of sufficient wine inventory)

Diamond: 11/26/12 - 18 day Far East - No

Diamond: 12/14/12 - 14 day South Pacific - No

Diamond: 02/08/13 - 14 day South Pacific - Yes

Emerald: 01/06/13 - 10 day Eastern Caribbean - No

Emerald: 01/16/13 - 10 day Southern Caribbean – No (Reason: they kept running out of stock)

Emerald: 01/26/13 - 10 day Eastern Caribbean - No (Reason: they kept running out of stock)

Emerald: 02/05/13 - 10 day Eastern Caribbean - No (Reason: they kept running out of stock)

Golden: 01/16/13 - 14 day Hawaii – Yes

Grand: 09/04/12 - 17 day Mediterranean - No

Grand: 01/26/13 - 19 day South America - No

Island: 11/12/12 - 14 day Panama Canal - Yes

Island: 01/09/13 - 14 day Panama Canal - Yes

Island: 02/06/13 - 10 day Panama Canal - Yes

Ocean: 02/08/13 - 10 day South Pacific - Yes

Pacific: 01/17/13 - 10 day Eastern - Yes

Ruby: 09/03/12 - 12 day Mediterranean - Yes

Ruby: 10/09/12 - 19 day TA – No

Sapphire: 02/02/13 - 14 day Hawaii – Yes

Star: 09/26/12 - 10 day Mexico - No

Star: 10/06/12 - 15 day Hawaii - No (Reason: no wine sommelier was on board)

 

Looks like Golden, Island, Ocean, Pacific and Sapphire offer the packages, Crown, Emerald, Grand and Star don't and your guess is a good as mine for the Ruby. Hopefully the Diamond will continue offering after problems last year.[/quote

 

IECal Cruiser,

Many thanks for info. We all know that things can differ ship to ship and by varying crew. Thanks for gathering the info.

We appreciated having the Wine Package on the Pacific on Dec 2, 2012. We were a lively group of 8 and the package simplified ordering if we stuck to the Silver. Didn't miss anything of everyone's day that way and the selections were fine for dinner. We all purchased our Packages while we had our reunion drink at the Pool Bar so had the cards to take to the dining room. Each night went smoothly when ordering and that way we could decide on #'s of red or white depending on who was having what.

Also must comment that compared to other lines we find Princess wine selections reasonable and with a decent selection. Will try the upgrading on our upcoming cruise if we are fortunate enough to have it available on the Grand.

The Star did have the wine package 12/02/12 to 01/05/13 South America.

[IECalCruiser]

Just thought I would update the list and see if anyone has anything to add.

 

Current tally (10 day or longer cruises):

Coral: 02/14/12 - 14 day Panama Canal - Yes

Crown: 11/20/12 - 12 day Greek Isles - No (Reason: lack of sufficient wine inventory)

Crown: 12/02/12 - 20 day Med/TA - No (Reason: lack of sufficient wine inventory)

Crown: 01/26/13 - 7 day Western Caribbean - No

Crown: 02/02/13 - 7 day Western Caribbean - No

Diamond: 11/26/12 - 18 day Far East - No

Diamond: 12/14/12 - 14 day South Pacific - No

Diamond: 02/08/13 - 14 day South Pacific - Yes

Emerald: 01/06/13 - 10 day Eastern Caribbean - No

Emerald: 01/16/13 - 10 day Southern Caribbean - No (Reason: they kept running out of stock)

Emerald: 01/26/13 - 10 day Eastern Caribbean - No (Reason: they kept running out of stock)

Emerald: 02/05/13 - 10 day Eastern Caribbean - No (Reason: they kept running out of stock)

Golden: 10/24/12 - 14 day Hawaii - Yes

Golden: 01/16/13 - 14 day Hawaii - Yes

Grand: 09/04/12 - 17 day Mediterranean - No

Grand: 01/26/13 - 19 day South America - No

Island: 11/12/12 - 14 day Panama Canal - Yes

Island: 01/09/13 - 14 day Panama Canal - Yes

Island: 02/06/13 - 10 day Panama Canal - Yes

Ocean: 02/08/13 - 10 day South Pacific - Yes

Pacific: 12/02/12 - 18 day Transatlantic - Yes

Pacific: 01/17/13 - 10 day Eastern - Yes

Ruby: 09/03/12 - 12 day Mediterranean - Yes

Ruby: 10/09/12 - 19 day TA - No

Sapphire: 02/02/13 - 14 day Hawaii - Yes

Star: 09/26/12 - 10 day Mexico - No

Star: 10/06/12 - 15 day Hawaii - No (Reason: no wine sommelier was on board)

Star: 12/05/12 - 17 day South America –Yes

Star: 12/22/12 - 13 day South America - Yes

 

Looks like Golden, Island, Ocean, Pacific and Sapphire offer the packages, Crown, Emerald and Grand don't and your guess is as good as mine for the Ruby. Hopefully the Diamond and Star will continue offering after problems last year.

[beach_fever_4ever]

We had the wine package on the 10 day Panama Canal cruise on the Coral Princess. March 7, 2013.

[paul929207]

Not available on the Grand P - Feb 14, 2013 or Feb 27, 2013

[Sunviking]

No wine package available on Ruby Princess March 10.

[IECalCruiser]

What is it with the Crown, Emerald and the Ruby? Don't they have a large enough wine cellar?

[beach_fever_4ever]

We are thinking about booking the Crown for a 14 day cruise in Jan 2104. Hope they have the wine package by then. It won't be a deal breaker, though.

[paul929207]

What is it with the Crown, Emerald and the Ruby? Don't they have a large enough wine cellar?

I probably bought as much wine in the 36 days on the Crown as I would have with the package, so space was not a problem.

[NURSEKECK]

I know this is probably a silly question, but does anyone think they will have a wine package on the Maiden of the Royal, 6/16/13?

[DiamondDiva]

Just off the Coral for 10 day Panama Canal that left FLL Mar 7, 2013.

 

The wine packages were offered, but we had to ask about it to purchase it. We got the 7 bottle silver and could order anything $29 or less off the regular wine list, or pay just the difference for a more expensive wine, which we did do one formal evening.

 

There were some nice reds on the list. There was a "double punch" one night on our wine card and one bottle we did not finish in one sitting was "lost" for 24 hours (found the next day), but both errors were corrected-new assistant waiter that needs more training and experience.

 

Having been on Celebrity for the last few cruises, where there are wine stewards in each venue every night to serve/help choose wines, we were a bit surprised to have only one sommelier available for all venues. While we did not see him in the MDR most nights, he did a very good job with the 2 tastings we attended during this cruise and did help find the misplaced wine the next evening.

 

We were pleased with the silver program and hope to make use of it again soon. Some consistency across the line would be nice tho, wouldn't it?

[blondietoo]

diamond February 2013 had the packages...we had the silver....would do it again

[jimpod]

Anyone know if it's available on the Caribbean Princess? We got it on the Golden last year and hoped to get it again in April this year.

[caribill]

we were a bit surprised to have only one sommelier available for all venues. While we did not see him in the MDR most nights, he did a very good job with the 2 tastings we attended during this cruise and did help find the misplaced wine the next evening.

 

 

You will be even more surprised on your next Princess cruise as the position of sommelier is being eliminated (again) by Princess.

[5326jan]

Just disembarking island princess. Wine package was not offered, but was available. I had to ask. Kind of surprised that they weren't "hawking" it like they do coffee and soda cards. We bought silver package for $210 which was for 10 bottles $29 and under. You could buy a more expensive bottle and they would just charge the difference. We ended up bringing two bottles to our cabin to take home b/c we were unable to consume it all in 14 days. We also brought on our own which we didn't finish. Next time we'll bring on less.

[gingera]

Thanks so much jagoffee!! Really do apprerciate your help.

We also are going on the Ocean Princess out of Papeete.

Thanks again. Sharon

 

You will love Tahiti...it is so beautiful! The islands are sinking which creates shallow water very far out....it is great for snorkeling..

 

enjoy!

[IECalCruiser]

Our friends just boarded the CB for her TA. After doing only seven day Caribbean cruises, I am glad to report that the wine bottle packages are being offered on the 15 day TA :D They bought a 14 bottle Silver package.

Edited April 27, 2013 by IECalCruiser

[sunneesmile]

This may be a stupid question, but when you buy a wine package, can you have a bottle brought to your room? We love just love sitting on the deck with our wine.

[IECalCruiser]

This may be a stupid question, but when you buy a wine package, can you have a bottle brought to your room? We love just love sitting on the deck with our wine.

You can only get bottles from the DR or Horizon Court (?) but not bars or Vines. You can ask for an unopened bottle to take back to your cabin.

[MindLeGap]

Just back from the Ruby Med and Greek Isles cruise, and the packages were available, but you had to ask in the MDR.

[IECalCruiser]

Just back from the Ruby Med and Greek Isles cruise, and the packages were available, but you had to ask in the MDR.

Glad to hear that. Maybe there was just an issue with last fall's TA.

[mmwc]

Just back from the Ruby Med and Greek Isles cruise, and the packages were available, but you had to ask in the MDR.

 

Interesting. We returned two days ago from a Beijing-Vancouver cruise on Diamond Princess, where the wine package was not available. We asked the ship's sommelier about it, and he said his understanding was that the cancellation of the wine package program was fleet-wide. Apparently Princess was reacting to complaints from some pax, both of which seemed to me to lack credibility: that there wasn't enough choice available; and that people couldn't get refunds for the unused portion of packages. The last I found particularly galling. Come on, folks -- you knew the rules going in. If you bought a bigger package than you could use, that's your tough luck. You'll know better next time.

 

Michael

[LewesBeach]

Just back from the Ruby Med and Greek Isles cruise, and the packages were available, but you had to ask in the MDR.

 

We will be on the Ruby-Greek Isles at the end of June. On past cruises when you buy the soda card, they add a gratuity on top of the price. Do they do that as well for the Wine Pkg? Thx!

Berni