tips on packaging for wine aboard

[mjobtx]

We own a dedicated wine suitcase. It looks just like any other hard-sided, 26" rolling suitcase. It has specialized styrofoam compartments holding 12 bottles very safely. We've taken it to Europe, Hawaii, etc. No problem. Expensive but if you want to travel with wine a lot, worth it. A fellow CC turned me on to it. Here's the link: https://vingardevalise.com/

 

On the other hand, we've also purchased six bottles in port, had them boxed in a standard six-pack shipper, slapped a luggage tag on the box and dropped it at the curb along with all the other luggage - that works just as well if you don't need to travel via air to get to your embarkation point. Rereading your post, looks like you can drive to the port -- take a 12 bottle styrofoam shipper - no problem. No secrecy required.

 

I have two of these cases newbie60. The brand new Version 4 of the 12 bottle case is now available and I will probably get one but I want to wait a few months to see if they launch an upgrade program. The new case has an integrated TSA compliant lock, larger wheels on the handle side of the case, a lift handle on the bottom, and they have slightly increased the length of the inserts to accommodate some of those Alsatian wine bottles I have struggled with. Can you tell I have been reading their site. Always looking for an upgrade. In the 18 months I have owned my cases, I have saved hundreds in wine shipping costs and been in control of my wine the whole trip. I have also saved over a $1000 in wine costs by carrying on bottles on each cruise.

[mjobtx]

Like a few others in this thread, I own two of these https://vingardevalise.com/ and take them on almost every trip. If I am carrying wine on board, I keep the cases with me so I have control of my wine. I was warned by others and Oceania that if I let the porters handle the cases, they might wind up being held in the cargo hold until the end of the cruise.

 

You do have to be aware of the laws of the country where you are disembarking however. While the risk is small, you might get stuck paying duties. In Buenos Aires, customs paused for a long time when screening my wine suitcase but eventually let me pass without asking for duty. If you are returning with wine from Mendoza, Argentina, be aware that many of the bottles are very heavy and it is very easy to exceed your economy baggage allowance of 50lbs. Both of my wine suitcases (one with 12 bottles from Mendoza, the other with 12 bottles from Uruguay) were overweight. The Mendoza case weighed 67.1lbs.; the Uruguay case weighed 57lbs. We were traveling in Business Class so we were okay on weight. If we were in economy, the excess weight charges on our airline would have cost less than the cost to ship wine home from Argentina and Uruguay so the cost was a non-issue to us.

[scdreamer]

"Like a few others in this thread, I own two of these https://vingardevalise.com/ and take them on almost every trip. If I am carrying wine on board, I keep the cases with me so I have control of my wine. I was warned by others and Oceania that if I let the porters handle the cases, they might wind up being held in the cargo hold until the end of the cruise."

 

So you suggest that we should bring our 12-bottle wine carrier with us as we board? Of course, it's a bit larger than a typical carry-on. Not sure if it would be able to go through the scanner. How does that work?

 

http://shop.thewinecheck.com/main.sc

[mjobtx]

"Like a few others in this thread, I own two of these https://vingardevalise.com/ and take them on almost every trip. If I am carrying wine on board, I keep the cases with me so I have control of my wine. I was warned by others and Oceania that if I let the porters handle the cases, they might wind up being held in the cargo hold until the end of the cruise."

 

So you suggest that we should bring our 12-bottle wine carrier with us as we board? Of course, it's a bit larger than a typical carry-on. Not sure if it would be able to go through the scanner. How does that work?

 

http://shop.thewinecheck.com/main.sc

 

The cases we use https://vingardevalise.com/ are 4 wheel spinner cases. They fit through the scanner just like any other suitcase would. Ours went through with no problems at all.

[Mura]

I was warned by others and Oceania that if I let the porters handle the cases, they might wind up being held in the cargo hold until the end of the cruise.

 

Who warned you this? Oceania? Really???

 

I find this hard to believe since Oceania lets you bring alcohol on board and does NOT hold it until the end of the cruise. I have never heard that if the porters handle the cases they would be handled differently than any other luggage brought to your room.

 

Mura

[mjobtx]

Who warned you this? Oceania? Really???

 

I find this hard to believe since Oceania lets you bring alcohol on board and does NOT hold it until the end of the cruise. I have never heard that if the porters handle the cases they would be handled differently than any other luggage brought to your room.

 

Mura

 

Two different Oceania customer service reps on two different occasions informed me of their official 3 bottle rule. They stuck to the 3 bottle rule as though it was strict. In the Cruise Critic forums, I was told that they 3 bottle limit, while official is not a hard and fast rule. Several people cautioned that I should carry my wine on with me rather than let the porters handle it because the wine would be in my control and not subject to an over zealous, well meaning ship employee. I chose to err on the side of caution and stay in control of my wine.

 

Michael

[Mura]

Okay, that is understandable. But I really do NOT think it is necessary. But you want to be safe rather than sorry, I get that.

 

When many others (well a significant number of others) have not had problems bringing on a case or more of wine, while it MIGHT happen that you could have a problem... it really isn't likely.

 

Me, personally, I have not brought on that much ... but I have brought on 5-6 bottles on one occasion with no problem.

 

Mura

[mjobtx]

Just a cautious approach for me. I would rather know than wonder.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Forums mobile app

[LHT28]

I am sure if someone wanted to hold your wine they would let you know

 

If it had not turned up to your cabin by dinner time you could always inquire where your wine box is

[Goldmann]

While the thread below is a little old, in practice nothing has changed. Our routine over fourteen cruises is to bring cases(s) aboard as do many others, e.g.cc-er newbie60, et al, always withour issue.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2226398

 

I have seen the concerns you raise recur with some frequency. Understandable given the stated policy versus practice. I do not recall any post offering Oceania restricted any amount brought aboard at either embarkation or mid-cruise. Hand carry or delivery through normal baggage handling, as you prefer. Our VinGuarde has always allowed thing to arrive intact.

 

Enjoy your wine and cruise.

 

John

 

Ps. Hi Jan