Cellar Master Package; Good deal or not?

[lazey1]

I am considering the Cellar Master Package which is new to me for my Nov. cruise. It is not very well described on the HAL website. Cruisers that have done this package please describe it and give me your opinions..Would you do this package again or would you do the Signature Beverage Package if the pricing was approximately the same?

[RocketMan275]

I am considering the Cellar Master Package which is new to me for my Nov. cruise. It is not very well described on the HAL website. Cruisers that have done this package please describe it and give me your opinions..Would you do this package again or would you do the Signature Beverage Package if the pricing was approximately the same?

maybe this will help;

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wine-Packages.pdf

[kazu]

Jane,

 

You are 4* by your signature, so no it's not a good deal for you. (For someone else who is not, maybe - we did it once when we were not 4*).

 

The package includes the 5 pack Navigator pack (which is now a different package) but you can get that at 50% off.

 

The package includes the 2 wine tastings - but you get the first one complimentary.

 

The package includes PG which you get at 50% off.

 

The Cellar Master package is totally different than the SBP as you can see and to me, for a 4* Mariner does not have value. The math just doesn't work for me when I compare to doing it separately as a 4 or 5*.

 

If you enjoy drinks and the all inclusive - no billing or worry scenario, I'd get the SBP and do what portions that appeal to you of the Cellar Master package on your own booking and take advantage of your Mariner discounts.

 

JMO.

Edited September 11, 2018 by kazu

[lcand1923]

I do not have a very sophisticated palate. I do like wine with my dinner. I've purchased the Cellar Master Package on three of four cruises. (I didn't post it on the fourth cruise because it was short.)

 

I normally can find at least two wines that I like among the offerings, so that takes care of my "wine with dinner" requirement. I like the Pinnacle Grill, so find the reservation useful. The Wine Tastings are a pleasant way to spend an hour or so.

 

I've had Signature Beverage Package as a promo on a cruise quite a few years ago. I am a beer and wine drinker. It was good because it was free, but I would not buy it for myself as I would not get full value for the purchase.

 

I am only 3 Star, so the discounts mentioned by Kazu do not apply to me. Since you are 4 Star, I don't think the Cellar Master Package would be of much value to you since you do not get a discount on it.

Edited September 11, 2018 by lcand1923
4 Star vs 3 Star

[lazey1]

maybe this will help;

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wine-Packages.pdf

 

Thank you for your reply and the link to the Sommilier package. This is not helpful to me for this cruise but I am sure that others will benefit.

The Cellar Master Package is different and includes 2 wine tastings, 6 bottles of wine and a Pinnacle Grill dinner. I really want to know what kind of wines, are they strictly the Cellarmaster's choice or can I chose my own and can I chose the day for my Pinnacle dinner.

[kazu]

Thank you for your reply and the link to the Sommilier package. This is not helpful to me for this cruise but I am sure that others will benefit.

The Cellar Master Package is different and includes 2 wine tastings, 6 bottles of wine and a Pinnacle Grill dinner. I really want to know what kind of wines, are they strictly the Cellarmaster's choice or can I chose my own and can I chose the day for my Pinnacle dinner.

 

The wines are from the lowest level package. The time we booked it, they mucked up and delivered wines not of our choosing to our cabin. that was fixed fast ;)

 

Yes, you are supposed to be able to choose the wines from the package and yes, you are supposed to be able to choose your PG dinner, but you have to wait until you are on board and will be subject to availability.

[lazey1]

Thank you to all that have replied to my questions. You have definitely given me some things to think about. My title may have misled you. I was more curious about the quality of the wines and whether I could pick my own wines and date for the Pinnacle. I do not have a sophisticated palate regarding wines, my favorite Chardonney is available in the lowest class level and my favorite White Zinfadel has always been available onboard but not as part of a package.

 

Now you may conclude that I am crazy but the 4* discount would be a disadvantage to me on this cruise. I am going aboard as 4* only lacking 13 days to become 5*. I have made it a priority to be 5* eligible when I depart. Since this is a 10 day cruise I have to spend more online or onboard than I normally would. (If only the casino counted it would be so much easier.)

[kazu]

Thank you to all that have replied to my questions. You have definitely given me some things to think about. My title may have misled you. I was more curious about the quality of the wines and whether I could pick my own wines and date for the Pinnacle. I do not have a sophisticated palate regarding wines, my favorite Chardonney is available in the lowest class level and my favorite White Zinfadel has always been available onboard but not as part of a package.

 

Now you may conclude that I am crazy but the 4* discount would be a disadvantage to me on this cruise. I am going aboard as 4* only lacking 13 days to become 5*. I have made it a priority to be 5* eligible when I depart. Since this is a 10 day cruise I have to spend more online or onboard than I normally would. (If only the casino counted it would be so much easier.)

 

Jane, if you are in a suite, then you already have double days.

 

If you are not, you can't get the 13 days on a 10 day cruise, sorry. The most you can get is 10 days if you spend the full $300 per day or close enough (HAL rounds up generously).

 

I am 5* and really, the 5* is not the be all to end all IMO. Ok a few free PG's IF you get it without having to fight and a spa day when you are in port.

 

And a whole 1/2 off the 100 minute package for internet (IIRC correctly, it's around $28).

 

Oh, and priority disembarkation (maybe, didn't happen for me, did happen for my 5* friends?)

 

I'm not discounting the benefits, I do appreciate them - but I don't know if it's worth spending $ to try to get there.

 

The 4* benefits offer the best benefits. The next level is nominal. JMO ;)

[TrolleyGirl]

If you are not, you can't get the 13 days on a 10 day cruise, sorry. The most you can get is 10 days if you spend the full $300 per day or close enough (HAL rounds up generously).

 

Why do you say that? On a 7 day cruise I’ve gotten credit for 7 days sailing days and 5 days for spending. I don’t think there is a limit you can earn on spending.

 

Maybe I miss understood what you are trying to say?

[POA1]

Why do you say that? On a 7 day cruise I’ve gotten credit for 7 days sailing days and 5 days for spending. I don’t think there is a limit you can earn on spending.

 

Maybe I miss understood what you are trying to say?

 

You can earn spending credit up to the length of your cruise. On a 7 day cruise you earn 7 days. You can up to 7 additional for spending. You also earn additional 7 if you are in a suite.

[kazu]

Why do you say that? On a 7 day cruise I’ve gotten credit for 7 days sailing days and 5 days for spending. I don’t think there is a limit you can earn on spending.

 

Maybe I miss understood what you are trying to say?

 

I was simply pointing out that the most you can get is one day for each day of your cruise.

 

If the OP only needs 13 days with their sailing days, then they will be fine.

 

I might have misread the post but I thought they needed an additional 13 days to get to 5*. They are on a 10 day cruise. The max per the rules is the number of days you are sailing for on board spending. So the max they can get is 10 days credit for on board spending.

 

If they only need the 3 days spending, they will be fine with or without the cellar master IMO. By the time you get your drinks, a PG dinner or two and the HSC it all adds up.

 

Apologies if I misread or misunderstood.

[lazey1]

Jacqui, POA1 and Trolley Girl

 

I believe this is called a failure to communicate beginning with my origional post and my follow up post. I apologize for all the confusion. I have been following both Jacqui and POA1 ever since you joined Cruise Critic for both of your excellent advise and analysis. I am not in a suite, as of today I have 487 days, At the end of the cruise I will have 497 days. Since 500 days is required to become 5* I need to spend a minimum of $900 or $300 a day 3 times to reach 5*

 

I agree the extra benefits are not worth spending extra money. My decision to reach 5* is personal. When my husband my alive we had a paid reservation on the 50 day Hawaii/So.Pacific cruise that would have brought both of us to 5* in 2015. That cruise was cancelled because of his rapidly declining health. After his death I promised myself that I would not pull myself into a hole and close the lid, rather that I would continue my life as best I could without him. Obtaining 5* became a goal for me and now after 3 years I will accomplish this.

 

I am sorry if this is to much information but it helps me to express this..

[kazu]

Jacqui, POA1 and Trolley Girl

 

I believe this is called a failure to communicate beginning with my origional post and my follow up post. I apologize for all the confusion. I have been following both Jacqui and POA1 ever since you joined Cruise Critic for both of your excellent advise and analysis. I am not in a suite, as of today I have 487 days, At the end of the cruise I will have 497 days. Since 500 days is required to become 5* I need to spend a minimum of $900 or $300 a day 3 times to reach 5*

 

I agree the extra benefits are not worth spending extra money. My decision to reach 5* is personal. When my husband my alive we had a paid reservation on the 50 day Hawaii/So.Pacific cruise that would have brought both of us to 5* in 2015. That cruise was cancelled because of his rapidly declining health. After his death I promised myself that I would not pull myself into a hole and close the lid, rather that I would continue my life as best I could without him. Obtaining 5* became a goal for me and now after 3 years I will accomplish this.

 

I am sorry if this is to much information but it helps me to express this..

 

Oh Jane, this breaks my heart <|3

 

Here I was giving practical advice and didn't realize what it meant to you :(

 

You go for it, $900 is not that hard to get to.

 

I totally understand my heart <3 is with you.

 

Have a fabulous cruise.

[VennDiagram]

After his death I promised myself that I would not pull myself into a hole and close the lid, rather that I would continue my life as best I could without him. Obtaining 5* became a goal for me and now after 3 years I will accomplish this.

<3 congratulations on your determination and your desire to continue on. I am very sorry for your loss. I'm sure that keeping moving forward hasn't been easy <3

 

lazey1, remember when you are calculating your spending, the HSC is part of your onboard spend. And any shorex through the ship is included in your onboard spending. Also (ahem) any "trinket" you might purchase in the ship shops as a physical reminder of this cruise will add to your spending "days". (If I had to spend to get to another star level, I'd buy a wine package and share it with my dinner table mates, do a couple of HAL shorex, and then buy a nice piece of jewelry in the onboard shop, as a reminder <3 ) That's me, though, not you :)

[lazey1]

<3

 

lazey1, remember when you are calculating your spending, the HSC is part of your onboard spend. And any shorex through the ship is included in your onboard spending. Also (ahem) any "trinket" you might purchase in the ship shops as a physical reminder of this cruise will add to your spending "days". (If I had to spend to get to another star level, I'd buy a wine package and share it with my dinner table mates, do a couple of HAL shorex, and then buy a nice piece of jewelry in the onboard shop, as a reminder <3 ) That's me, though, not you :)

 

Thank you, I had forgotten about the HSC being part of the onboard spending, that should offset my OBC this cruise.

[lazey1]

Oh Jane, this breaks my heart <|3

 

Here I was giving practical advice and didn't realize what it meant to you :(

 

You go for it, $900 is not that hard to get to.

 

I totally understand my heart <3 is with you.

 

Have a fabulous cruise.

 

I did ask for practical advise and I tried to so in an impersonal way so as not to invite myself and/or others to a pity party.

Thank you for your kind words, that means a lot. and I am sure that I will have a fabulous cruise. I fully believe that any one would have to work awfully hard to not enjoy cruising with HAL.

Now I am going to your future cruise thread and if I have not allready done so I will put you too work entering my info. Thank you for everything.

[SeaBands]

we bought the cellar #3 package but only ordered the Drylands SB and the Hangtime PN. With our 4* discount it brought the wines to about $24 a bottle. Will do it again on our 21 day cruise as 5*.It will be about $20 a bottle. That will be almost like paying corkage on my own wine.

[kazu]

we bought the cellar #3 package but only ordered the Drylands SB and the Hangtime PN. With our 4* discount it brought the wines to about $24 a bottle. Will do it again on our 21 day cruise as 5*.It will be about $20 a bottle. That will be almost like paying corkage on my own wine.

 

I don't disagree with you on the value and yes, we get package #3 as well.

 

But, I don't understand how the cost of your bottle is going down because you are 5*?

 

The discount is the same whether you are 4 or 5*. What am I missing?

[ski ww]

What is the difference between the Cellar Master package and the Sommelier package? You get one day credit for each day sailing & another day credit for each $300 spent, so if you spent a lot of money you can rack up days pretty quick, right?Allan

[kazu]

What is the difference between the Cellar Master package and the Sommelier package? You get one day credit for each day sailing & another day credit for each $300 spent, so if you spent a lot of money you can rack up days pretty quick, right?Allan

 

there is no difference Allan.

 

What used to be called the Sommelier dinner and Sommelier package is not usually called the Cellar Master dinner and Cellar Master package.

 

No difference in the things included and not much difference in the price.

 

They are one and the same IMO.

[ski ww]

Thanks Jacqui.

Allan

[SeaBands]

the price goes down when you book larger packages. We will be sailing for 21 days instead of just 7.

[kazu]

the price goes down when you book larger packages. We will be sailing for 21 days instead of just 7.

Oh yes it does for sure.

 

My reference was in the pricing per bottle for 4* and then 5*.

 

I thought that was what the bottle price was referring to.