Wine Card

[AlibearNS]

Just read a recent review of the Emerald (December, South America) titled Princess Corks Wine Drinkers where the reviewer stated Princess "Did away with" the wine card program and how they and others on board were "devastated" by the loss. We were on the Coral over Christmas and New Year and enjoyed the wine card. I know the voyage has to be 10 days or over, but is it also ship specific? We're on the Emerald later this year and were planning to get the card again. Anyone been on the Emerald for 10 days or more, and can verify it's no longer available?

[Astro Flyer]

I read that review (https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=604378) however I am skeptical about the accuracy of their claims such as a drastic increase for Korbel. That’s recently increased (including 15% tip) from about $32 to $39 but it was never $23 including tip.

 

They also claimed that “they raised wine prices greatly” but a $1 to $5 increase isn’t a major price increase. I scrutinize the wine lists in detail on each cruise & prices had not increased in several years.

 

At times the wine packages are not available due to a lack of inventory so that might be the reason why it was unavailable on the South America cruise. On the cruises in the Med before our recent Royal cruise they had inventory problems when a container with wine didn’t arrive on time. That required a temporary wine replenishment from local sources (more of my favorite Italian wines :wine-glass:) resulting in not offering wine packages. Resupplying ships in SA could be why their cruise didn’t offer wine packages.

 

I’ve also received false information from staff who said the wine package was unavailable but they were eager to sell me the expensive all-inclusive beverage package instead. Our dining room servers were happy to sell us a wine package.

 

These are some of the reasons why I’m skeptical about the accuracy that the wine packages are being eliminated. I purchased a wine package on the Royal in October but changes can happen. Although I’ll require additional proof that the wine packages have been eliminated fleetwide.

 

Hopefully someone can share recent experiences on the Emerald & that wine packages will continue to be an option when they have sufficient inventory of wine on 10+ day cruises.

Edited February 3, 2018 by Astro Flyer

[AlibearNS]

Thanks for posting Astro Flyer. Perhaps you're right - I hope so. We don't drink at the bars but do enjoy wine at dinner; the wine card is perfect for us. We splurged and went for gold on the Coral. Loved choosing our wines. I've never seen it advertised anywhere, and would not have known to ask if it wasn't for Cruise Critic. I'd hate it to be discontinued.

[Astro Flyer]

Thanks for posting Astro Flyer. Perhaps you're right - I hope so. We don't drink at the bars but do enjoy wine at dinner; the wine card is perfect for us. We splurged and went for gold on the Coral. Loved choosing our wines. I've never seen it advertised anywhere, and would not have known to ask if it wasn't for Cruise Critic. I'd hate it to be discontinued.

 

You’re welcome...we get a gold package whenever it’s available...wine up to $45 for as low as $29 gets me purchasing more wine. :D

 

I don’t find the standard reviews as informative as discussions on this forum where it’s possible to seek clarification by asking additional questions.

 

Princess has stated that wine packages are not promoted on their website because it’s not available on all cruises. There are other things they greatly promote that aren’t available on all cruises so their reason for why they don’t promote wine packages makes no sense at all.

[R**T]

We were on the Golden Princess last summer -- July 2017 -- and the wine package was not available. Our dining room waiter had never heard of such, so we made him ask the head waiter. Perhaps because it was a Australia based cruise?

 

We are going to be on the Emerald Princess in a few weeks, so we are hoping that the wine package will be available. One time we had a bottle left at the end of the cruise, and they gave it to us unopened to carry off the ship.

[Astro Flyer]

We were on the Golden Princess last summer -- July 2017 -- and the wine package was not available. Our dining room waiter had never heard of such, so we made him ask the head waiter. Perhaps because it was a Australia based cruise?

 

 

 

We are going to be on the Emerald Princess in a few weeks, so we are hoping that the wine package will be available. One time we had a bottle left at the end of the cruise, and they gave it to us unopened to carry off the ship.

 

Based on posts that I’ve read, the wine packages are not available on Australia based cruises.

 

I’ve occasionally brought home a bottle or two & have also brought wine to our cabin to drink it there.

[eqj60]

We were on Emerald SA cruise Jan 3 to 17, 2018. Very disappointed that wine package was not available.

Since we were sailing in major wine producing countries surprised supply would be a problem.

It did appear that Inclusive Beverage package was being promoted.

Plus side, were able to bring wine on in port.

[Steelmen1]

I read that review (https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=604378) however I am skeptical about the accuracy of their claims such as a drastic increase for Korbel. That’s recently increased (including 15% tip) from about $32 to $39 but it was never $23 including tip.

 

They also claimed that “they raised wine prices greatly” but a $1 to $5 increase isn’t a major price increase. I scrutinize the wine lists in detail on each cruise & prices had not increased in several years.

 

At times the wine packages are not available due to a lack of inventory so that might be the reason why it was unavailable on the South America cruise. On the cruises in the Med before our recent Royal cruise they had inventory problems when a container with wine didn’t arrive on time. That required a temporary wine replenishment from local sources (more of my favorite Italian wines :wine-glass:) resulting in not offering wine packages. Resupplying ships in SA could be why their cruise didn’t offer wine packages.

 

I’ve also received false information from staff who said the wine package was unavailable but they were eager to sell me the expensive all-inclusive beverage package instead. Our dining room servers were happy to sell us a wine package.

 

These are some of the reasons why I’m skeptical about the accuracy that the wine packages are being eliminated. I purchased a wine package on the Royal in October but changes can happen. Although I’ll require additional proof that the wine packages have been eliminated fleetwide.

 

Hopefully someone can share recent experiences on the Emerald & that wine packages will continue to be an option when they have sufficient inventory of wine on 10+ day cruises.

 

 

Hello: I was on the Emerald in Oct for the 28 day cruise to Hawaii, American Samoa & Tahiti and there was no wine card available!! I would have loved that option.

Maybe it does depend on the ship!

[CU64]

Princess told me they are available on board with a 10 day + cruise

[AlibearNS]

Hello: I was on the Emerald in Oct for the 28 day cruise to Hawaii, American Samoa & Tahiti and there was no wine card available!! I would have loved that option.

Maybe it does depend on the ship!

 

Oh no!! I hope it isn't dependent on the ship. I love Princess but there's so many inconsistencies! The wine card wasn't a problem on the Coral. If the Emerald doesn't have it on longer cruises, I need to know so I can consider other options. Anyone been on the Emerald 10+ nights and had the card?

[Alimariecruisin]

I was on the Emerald for this past Thanksgiving and there was no wine card available.

[Astro Flyer]

Oh no!! I hope it isn't dependent on the ship. I love Princess but there's so many inconsistencies! The wine card wasn't a problem on the Coral. If the Emerald doesn't have it on longer cruises, I need to know so I can consider other options. Anyone been on the Emerald 10+ nights and had the card?

 

Sadly too many times Princess is only consistent about being inconsistent. :eek:

[Kamloops50]

Near seen a wine card on any cruise. That’s after 23 cruises completed.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Nein2]

Wine card still available. Just bought Gold package last cruise.

[AlibearNS]

Wine card still available. Just bought Gold package last cruise.

 

Which ship?

[Astro Flyer]

Near seen a wine card on any cruise. That’s after 23 cruises completed.

 

Not seeing the wine card does not mean it was not available on your cruises because as has been discussed Princess rarely promotes the wine packages.

 

I am aware of this option & on my 10 day or longer cruises have purchased a wine package from our MDR waitstaff since wine packages became an option within the past 5 years. Not sure how many of your 23 cruises were that long & since the wine package has been offered. I’ve purchased it 10 times but many of my 37 Princess cruises were before wine packages were available.

[Kamloops50]

Not seeing the wine card does not mean it was not available on your cruises because as has been discussed Princess rarely promotes the wine packages.

 

I am aware of this option & on my 10 day or longer cruises have purchased a wine package from our MDR waitstaff since wine packages became an option within the past 5 years. Not sure how many of your 23 cruises were that long & since the wine package has been offered. I’ve purchased it 10 times but many of my 37 Princess cruises were before wine packages were available.

 

Your referring to the wine package. On some cruise lines the wine card is like a coffee card. You buy a number of glasses . Each glass is punch on the card . I’ve seen the wine package but don’t look Kem that they chose the wines not you.

[land lover]

I look at the ships as being their own entities and each running according to itinerary, distribution and staff. ...

 

 

We sailed on the last Majestic cruise before dropping her in China....no packages offered, .the first evening they had few bottled wines listed...we shared a table with 3 Aussie couples from our RC, so lots of options were requested. Finally around day 3 they were replenished. On a Dec. 7 day cruise to Mexico they did not have my go to wine ever......

 

Just a side comment....I no longer expect consistency from cruise to cruise.....in fact on a B2B(7 days ea, RT going out of Venice each a differ itinerary) a few years ago, promos in the casino were completely different, why because pax demo was completely different.

This was with RCI...but I still find my last few years cruising with Princess no different.

Edited February 4, 2018 by land lover

[Astro Flyer]

Your referring to the wine package. On some cruise lines the wine card is like a coffee card. You buy a number of glasses . Each glass is punch on the card . I’ve seen the wine package but don’t look Kem that they chose the wines not you.

 

Never seen a wine card on Princess...has that ever been an option on Princess? This discussion is about Princess wine packages that use a wine card.

[crawford]

Just off the Coral yesterday, after a 15 day Panama Canal cruise.

 

Didn't see anything on the ship that a wine package was being offered.

 

When I asked our head waiter the first night of the cruise about it, he said it was available and we purchased it on the spot. We bought a 12 bottle package; head waiter brought out a card for the 10 bottle but promptly switched it.

[happy cruzer]

Could someone give details about a wine package by the bottle or point to a link with details? What bottles? What costs? Where and how to use it? Do you have to buy it at a particular time like the first day?

 

Our adult beverage of choice is wine by the bottle, we usually carry on and pay corkage fee. It would be nice to also have other wines available so as to not need to carry so many bottles for a 16 night cruise.

 

Thanks.

[shirazcruiser]

This was posted on another thread:

 

"Note: A 15% gratuity is added to all package prices (like any other bar purchase).

 

Silver Package (wines up to $29 per bottle list price)

7 bottles -- $161 (average of $23 per bottle)

10 bottles -- $210 (average of $21 per bottle)

12 bottles -- $240 (average of $20 per bottle)

 

Gold Package (wines up to $45 per bottle list price)

7 bottles -- $217 (average of $31 per bottle)

10 bottles -- $290 (average of $29 per bottle)

12 bottles -- $336 (average of $28 per bottle)

 

You get a punch card which can be used at any of the dining locations.

 

You may choose any wine on the regular wine menu. If you want to buy a wine that costs more than what the package covers, you just pay the difference. For example, if you have a Gold package and buy a wine that costs $46, the charge for $46 will appear on your stateroom account, followed by a $45 credit."

[AlibearNS]

Just off the Coral yesterday, after a 15 day Panama Canal cruise.

 

Didn't see anything on the ship that a wine package was being offered.

 

When I asked our head waiter the first night of the cruise about it, he said it was available and we purchased it on the spot. We bought a 12 bottle package; head waiter brought out a card for the 10 bottle but promptly switched it.

 

We, too, enjoyed our wine package on the Coral recently. We asked at dinner, and the waiters were happy to bring the card. We also asked and were given it on the Star on a 10 day coastal. Some people on the next table watched curiously then ordered the package themselves. They'd not heard of it. Neither had we before CC. My worry is that someone on the Emerald said it was no longer available so I'm wondering if it's ship specific, or worse, being phased out. We're on the Emerald later this year. I wonder if someone on a 10+ on the Emerald (or any ship) could ask onboard, and if it's not available, ask why not?

[happy cruzer]

This was posted on another thread:

 

"Note: A 15% gratuity is added to all package prices (like any other bar purchase).

 

Silver Package (wines up to $29 per bottle list price)

7 bottles -- $161 (average of $23 per bottle)

10 bottles -- $210 (average of $21 per bottle)

12 bottles -- $240 (average of $20 per bottle)

 

Gold Package (wines up to $45 per bottle list price)

7 bottles -- $217 (average of $31 per bottle)

10 bottles -- $290 (average of $29 per bottle)

12 bottles -- $336 (average of $28 per bottle)

 

You get a punch card which can be used at any of the dining locations.

 

You may choose any wine on the regular wine menu. If you want to buy a wine that costs more than what the package covers, you just pay the difference. For example, if you have a Gold package and buy a wine that costs $46, the charge for $46 will appear on your stateroom account, followed by a $45 credit."

 

Thank you for the post. My cruise is next year so closer to the date, I will definitely do my searches for the package offered at the time. This thread has been helpful.

[Bogof1]

We have bought the wine package on every princess cruise we have done, it's true it's only 10 days or over but when we did a b2b(21days) we bought the card before the first cruise finished so 2x12 bottles and it was carried over for us. You just need to ask at your first meal