buying wine package after boarding ship - questions

[imae39]

We plan to buy two 7 bottle wine packages after we board the ship. The one is for the MDR and the other for our cabin. Do we pick the 7 bottles we want and they are delivered to the cabin all at one time or ??

We have ordered wine packages several times for the dining room. With the new wine policy and only able to bring on board one bottle per person we will order the package for our cabin.

[puppycanducruise]

As far as I know, the wine for your cabin can be delivered either one bottle at a time or all at once. It's up to you.

It might be too tempting to have all 7 bottles in the cabin at once ;).

[POA1]

If you have certain wines you like, at least reserve them. That way your favorites won't sell out later in the cruise.

[innlady1]

I found a chardonnay I liked at the wine tasting so ordered the 5 bottle package. Actually used one that we brought on board in the MDR prior to buying the package and ended up paying the $18 corkage fee. In the future, I'll save both those for the cabin.

[imae39]

Thank you for the responses about the cabin wine packages.

Which Chardonnay did you enjoy, Sheila?

[Cruising-along]

I found a chardonnay I liked at the wine tasting so ordered the 5 bottle package. Actually used one that we brought on board in the MDR prior to buying the package and ended up paying the $18 corkage fee. In the future, I'll save both those for the cabin.

 

Thank you for the responses about the cabin wine packages.

Which Chardonnay did you enjoy, Sheila?

 

I would like to know too, Sheila. I remember reading that you prefer oaked chardonnay, which is the only chardonnay I like. Really curious what they offer. Thanks!

[innlady1]

I would like to know too, Sheila. I remember reading that you prefer oaked chardonnay, which is the only chardonnay I like. Really curious what they offer. Thanks!

 

Ladies,

 

I liked the Toasted Head. It's in the Navigator Package and relatively reasonable. A round $150 for 5 - but with my 4 Star discount, it was $75 for 5. The Admiral Package somewhat oaky chardonnay was Clos du Bois and I don't care for that one.

 

I'd suggest going for the wine tasting.

[Cruising-along]

Ladies,

 

I liked the Toasted Head. It's in the Navigator Package and relatively reasonable. A round $150 for 5 - but with my 4 Star discount, it was $75 for 5. The Admiral Package somewhat oaky chardonnay was Clos du Bois and I don't care for that one.

 

I'd suggest going for the wine tasting.

 

Thank you! I have seen Toasted Head here locally, I'll try it. Pretty sure I have tried Clos du Bois before and don't remember liking it a lot either. :)

[GeorgesGal]

I have pre-ordered a wine package for 3-23 sailing that includes 7 bottles, two wine tasting events and two pinnacle nights and something else - don't remember what - and when I asked about my Mariner discount, was told one didn't apply to this package. I took it anyway since it was saving me $$. I'm now thinking I will cancel it, and purchase just a wine pkg on-board, get my discount and purchase our Pinnacle's on our own.

 

What do you think?

[POA1]

I'm pretty sure that you will save buy the wine bottles and the tastings a la carte. If I were you and I could cancel, I would.

[GeorgesGal]

Thanks, POA1. I was leaning that way just needed some backing! I'll call ships services now.

 

Donna

[roberts2005]

Besides the 4 star Mariner discount , is there any saving in pre-ordering a wine package?

[POA1]

Besides the 4 star Mariner discount , is there any saving in pre-ordering a wine package?

 

There's a 3 star discount, but I think that's it. If you order from the website, save your receipt. You should get an onboard statement credit for the discount because the website charges full price.

 

It's my understanding that your wine steward gets a little something for selling the packages. We usually seek out our wine steward on the first day and buy from him or her. It's also a nice way to meet your server.

[RuthC]

Besides the 4 star Mariner discount , is there any saving in pre-ordering a wine package?

 

If you're asking is there an "early purchase" discount of some sort, no there isn't. The price is the same purchased in advance as it is when you wait until you are on board.

[prescottbob]

Besides the 4 star Mariner discount , is there any saving in pre-ordering a wine package?

 

Not that I'm aware of.

 

In fact, the wine folks in the MDR have always led me to believe that the gratuity thing (or perhaps some sort of credit for them for the sale) works out better for them if the package is bought on board versus pre-purchasing.

 

If memory serves me correctly, the same sort of thing happened with the old beverage cards that are no longer available.

 

In any event, not to worry. They should have a wine table set up at embarkation by the Lido pool for package sign-ups (unless things have changed).

 

You should be able to have a taste of any wine available at that time, at various tasting venues or just ask your wine steward for a sample of a particular wine (unless things have changed).

 

Best of luck & enjoy your cruise!

 

Be well.

 

Bob

[CHOPPERTESTER]

Buy the package in advance and when you get on board get all of you bottles ahead of time and keep them in your cabin. That way you won't miss out on your favourites when they sell out during the cruise and you will not have to wait for the wine steward in the MDR to go get your selection.

 

Or

 

Buy the package when the casino opens to avoid the Ft Lauderdale Tax in port. Again get all your bottles ahead of time.

 

No difference in price between the two options. If you buy it while in Port Everglades then it costs more. This goes for all drinks, drink of the day, room service bottles etc.

Edited February 25, 2014 by CHOPPERTESTER

[roberts2005]

Thanks. We start in Rome so tax should not be an issue. Will do on board and use my OBC

[CHOPPERTESTER]

Thanks. We start in Rome so tax should not be an issue. Will do on board and use my OBC

 

Good plan. Tax is also an issue for round trip Barcelona cruises as the Spanish value added tax 17 to 25% gets added to all purchases, drinks, on-board shops, specialty restaurants, photos etc. regardless of where you are on the cruise, including international waters. To avoid paying you can claim a VAT rebate at the airports but its has to be on a single receipt over a set threshold ($300?) or make sure your round trip Barcelona cruise stops at a non-Schengen country like Tunisia. They do not charge the Spanish VAT on one ways to or from Barcelona.

[imae39]

If purchase wine package when we board the ship in Ft. Lauderdale before we sail does it actually cost more because of added tax? Have always stopped by the 'wine' desk and place order when we board.

Should we wait until the ship has sailed and left Ft. Lauderdale?

[sail7seas]

I'm pretty sure that you will save buy the wine bottles and the tastings a la carte. If I were you and I could cancel, I would.

 

Thanks' date=' POA1. I was leaning that way just needed some backing! I'll call ships services now.

 

Donna[/quote']

 

 

I agree. I'd cancel and buy what you want when you board.

[innlady1]

Good plan. Tax is also an issue for round trip Barcelona cruises as the Spanish value added tax 17 to 25% gets added to all purchases, drinks, on-board shops, specialty restaurants, photos etc. regardless of where you are on the cruise, including international waters. To avoid paying you can claim a VAT rebate at the airports but its has to be on a single receipt over a set threshold ($300?) or make sure your round trip Barcelona cruise stops at a non-Schengen country like Tunisia. They do not charge the Spanish VAT on one ways to or from Barcelona.

 

Please refresh my memory: What happens on a TA from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale?

[RuthC]

Please refresh my memory: What happens on a TA from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale?

I was on a trans-At from Barcelona to Miami, ending this last December.

 

There was a VAT tax charged to my drinks when we left Barcelona, but that ended after the first night. I don't know at what point we left Spanish waters---before or after the drink. I do know the tax stopped.

 

We had a day at sea, and then stopped at a non-Schengen port, but there was no tax the sea night.

[GeorgesGal]

I agree. I'd cancel and buy what you want when you board.

 

Thanks, Sail.

[CHOPPERTESTER]

I was on a trans-At from Barcelona to Miami, ending this last December.

 

There was a VAT tax charged to my drinks when we left Barcelona, but that ended after the first night. I don't know at what point we left Spanish waters---before or after the drink. I do know the tax stopped.

 

We had a day at sea, and then stopped at a non-Schengen port, but there was no tax the sea night.

 

Thanx Ruth. Good to know.

 

So for one ways to or from Barcelona, once you are outside of Spanish waters they drop the tax. Just like the Ft Lauderdale tax.

[RuthC]

So for one ways to or from Barcelona, once you are outside of Spanish waters they drop the tax.

Within Europe, I think you also need a non-Schengen port in that mix, too, but won't swear to it.

Edited February 25, 2014 by RuthC