Current Princess Plus and Premium Wine Lists

[OzKiwiJJ]

There has been quite a bit of discussion in various threads about the disappointing selection of wines available under the Plus and Premium Fares which, of course, also covers the only wines available by the glass. Those of us who chose these fares based on previous experience of Princess wine list are feeling let down over both the limited selection of wines by the glass, and the very basic quality of those wines, particularly the Plus wines.

 

Today we had a very constructive and in-depth discussion with Coral's Bar Manager. A significant part of the problem is supply issues. Many of the wines on the previous wine list were sourced through the US where there are now wine shortages. Sourcing Australian wines capable of supplying three cruise ships from now through to the end of the summer season was also difficult.

 

The bad news is that the wine lists are unlikely to change this year. 

 

The good news is that we feel that our discussion and concerns about the range and quality of the wines were taken seriously, were understood, and were accepted. However the decisions aren't made at ship level but we hope our concerns and suggestions will be passed up the chain to management.

 

If you have booked a Plus fare on an upcoming cruise you have two choices:

1. Stay with the Plus fare and be prepared to pay extra by the glass for Premium wines, or buy by the bottle at the 25% discount.

2. See if you can refare to the Saver fare and buy your drinks, coffee packages, and Wifi packages individually.

 

[Cbtours]

25 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

There has been quite a bit of discussion in various threads about the disappointing selection of wines available under the Plus and Premium Fares which, of course, also covers the only wines available by the glass. Those of us who chose these fares based on previous experience of Princess wine list are feeling let down over both the limited selection of wines by the glass, and the very basic quality of those wines, particularly the Plus wines.

 

Today we had a very constructive and in-depth discussion with Coral's Bar Manager. A significant part of the problem is supply issues. Many of the wines on the previous wine list were sourced through the US where there are now wine shortages. Sourcing Australian wines capable of supplying three cruise ships from now through to the end of the summer season was also difficult.

 

The bad news is that the wine lists are unlikely to change this year. 

 

The good news is that we feel that our discussion and concerns about the range and quality of the wines were taken seriously, were understood, and were accepted. However the decisions aren't made at ship level but we hope our concerns and suggestions will be passed up the chain to management.

 

If you have booked a Plus fare on an upcoming cruise you have two choices:

1. Stay with the Plus fare and be prepared to pay extra by the glass for Premium wines, or buy by the bottle at the 25% discount.

2. See if you can refare to the Saver fare and buy your drinks, coffee packages, and Wifi packages individually.

 

Glad you could finally get a good discussion going and hopefully help all those it applies too. Well done 🥰

[LC1950]

Thank you so much OzKiwiJJ for taking the time out of your cruise to discuss this issue with management.  It's very much appreciated and hopefully, as you stated, this will be sent up the line to those who do the sourcing and buying of beveridges.

 

 

[Tripmode33]

We have recently returned from the 19-23 June Coral Princess cruise.  Loved the cruise with the exception of the disappointment at the wine list.  Had previously studied the US wine lists and were impressed at the large range of wines per glass so were expecting similar.  People have said that the limited wines included on the 'Plus' in Australia were similar to $8 bottle quality at your local bottleshop. Having tried them on board, I think that comment is quite generous - drank more like a $5-$6 bottle wines.  Very poor. Even though we are not usually Merlot drinkers, the Masterpeace Merlot we found to be the best of the poor selection under $16. We tried to order an $18 above the Plus cap (Tasmanian Pinot Noir) knowing that we would only be charged the difference, ie. $2.  Unfortunately we were charged the full $18.  A trip to the Service Desk confirmed it should have been $2 charge and they corrected it quickly.  Please check your account often as we had to have drinks removed daily (once 9 on one day that we hadn't even ordered) that should have been covered under our Plus packages.  They corrected at Service Desk quickly but you shouldn't have to call there daily.  Never had a problem with anything ordered through the App.  I note though on the App, the more expensive Premier Package per glass wines were not listed for ordering.  You would have to order in person at bar or dining room.  I feel that those drinkers who enjoy spirits or cocktails would get good value from the Plus fare - however, I will consider taking wine if convenient and paying corkage. 

I will attempt to download the dining room wine list that covers all wine - as found on the App under menus in the explore dining section.  This didn't appear to be the same as the paper version in the dining room - would be good to know if the Austrian and French under $16 glass were actually available.  As a side note, in the dining room on the desert menu, there was one port (Portugal) and one imported late harvest desert wine available under the $16 cap.  The port was not that good, but appreciated it being offered just the same.

However, we really appreciate you OzKiwiJJ making the effort to seek out and have a constructive discussion with the relevant staff member.  Thank you.

[OzKiwiJJ]

No, those wines are not available by the glass in the MDRs. I'll post the current MDR lists below.

[OzKiwiJJ]

[OzKiwiJJ]

[OzKiwiJJ]

[OzKiwiJJ]

[OzKiwiJJ]

[OzKiwiJJ]

[OzKiwiJJ]

[OzKiwiJJ]

Sabatinis wine list.

 

 

[Tripmode33]

Thanks OzKiwiJJ.  We have the Plus Package again and will try some of the Premier Wines from the dining room list and pay the 'difference' using our OBC.  Hopefully by next year, the list will have expanded considerably if enough wine lovers give them feedback and supplies are restored.

[stki]

Thanks Julie for doing this. Supply is obviously a problem, but we shouldn't be penalised for cruising in OZ

 

We are cruising on NCL later this year and they have had a change in their T & C's for bringing on wine. We have the Beverage package included, so no corkage payable if we bring on our own. Maybe they are having supply issues too, and want to keep their passengers happy.

 

For those with any Beverage Package but who have a preference for a specific wine that NCL does not provide on board there has been a major Ts&Cs change.

 

Wine & Champagne Policy 

Guests may bring bottles of wine and champagne on board. When bottles are brought on board and served or consumed in any restaurant, public room area or in their stateroom, a corkage fee will be charged according to bottle sizes noted below.

750 ml Bottle: $15.00 USD

1,500 ml Magnum: $30.00 USD

Wine or champagne sent directly to the ship by travel agents, friends, family, etc. or from another retail source, are subject to the same fees. Box wines are not allowed on board.

Corkage Fee is not applicable to guest with beverage package.

 

 

 

[windsor26]

Let us hope that supply problems are sorted by the world 2023 cruise   There is only 1 cider and that has a lime taste added  urg    no white zin etc  very poor selection for us  but we will get tasters before we order the final glass each

[martin jenkins]

  Unfortunately we were charged the full $18.  A trip to the Service Desk confirmed it should have been $2 charge and they corrected it quickly.  can anyone confirm this i always thought you got charged the full amount??.

[OzKiwiJJ]

1 minute ago, martin jenkins said:

  Unfortunately we were charged the full $18.  A trip to the Service Desk confirmed it should have been $2 charge and they corrected it quickly.  can anyone confirm this i always thought you got charged the full amount??.

Not on Princess. You only get charged the difference in price here.

[Tripmode33]

They have the two page 'rules' of the beverage package at the service desk, and on second page clearly states only the difference will be payable on drinks over the $16 cap if buying more expensive drinks.

[OzKiwiJJ]

We ventured into the land of Premium wines tonight.

 

The Leasingham Riesling was very pleasant and went well with our seafood appetiser.

 

The Henchke GSM was gorgeous.

 

Rolf said the Shaw + Smith Chardonnay was a touch overoaked for his taste but he enjoyed the Noble One.

[martin jenkins]

good to know, so on the plus pkge you can get 5 glasses of cloudy bay suave blanc i.e 1 bottle for $30

[martin jenkins]

4 minutes ago, Tripmode33 said:

They have the two page 'rules' of the beverage package at the service desk, and on second page clearly states only the difference will be payable on drinks over the $16 cap if buying more expensive drinks.

thanks for that much appreciated

[Tripmode33]

It will be interesting to see once we're on other Princess ships from Australia that if they have a Vines wine bar, will the selection of wines per glass be more extensive. One can only hope.

[OzKiwiJJ]

14 minutes ago, martin jenkins said:

good to know, so on the plus pkge you can get 5 glasses of cloudy bay suave blanc i.e 1 bottle for $30

Yes, $6 extra a glass. That's $6 too much IMHO. 🤣 

 

I grew up in NZ and the Cloudy Bay marketing story was an interesting lesson in marketing. When I moved to Australia, 26 years ago, I was very tempted to try to offer a wine class on the ABCB of NZ wines - Anything But Cloudy Bay! But life was too busy back then, and now I've completely lost touch with the NZ wine industry.

[OzKiwiJJ]

19 minutes ago, Tripmode33 said:

It will be interesting to see once we're on other Princess ships from Australia that if they have a Vines wine bar, will the selection of wines per glass be more extensive. One can only hope.

Majestic has Vines but Grand doesn't. Who knows what the wines will be like.