Cruise the Vineyards

[matymil]

Has anyone done this recently? Its not a horrible price but i have a couple questions. Can i buy this on board or is this pre cruise only? Are there any hidden fees like a corkage fee or gratuity that arent included? TIA

[mz-s]

Pretty much everything other than the gift shops and bingo/casino are charged a gratuity so expect to pay the 18% gratuity.

[jsglow]

It is ONLY available for purchase onboard as far as I know. No, there's no hidden fees other than the standard 18% that is not included in the list price. We get it nearly every cruise.

[slavigne5577]

I have called funshops before cruise and purchased it. I can see it in drink packages now for our February cruise.

[ninjacat123]

My Cruise Manager for my upcoming January 2024 cruise has it available for purchase, with the 18% gratuity not included in the list price (which I'm sure will be included when I do purchase it) but I'm planning on buying the wine package once onboard. We have Steakhouse the first night and I'm hoping we can buy 4 bottles at 50% off there like we have on previous cruises.  If not, I'll get the package.

[jsglow]

Just now, slavigne5577 said:

I have called funshops before cruise and purchased it. I can see it in drink packages now for our February cruise.

Interesting. Perhaps that's somewhat new or I've simply missed it. Did they leave the paper wine ticket package in your room just like any other pre-purchased excursion?

[slavigne5577]

We got ours from MDR Hostess. They were not in our room, so we asked at Dinner and she went and got them for us. They are at the Cherries on Top, now.

Edited December 23, 2023 by slavigne5577

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, jsglow said:

It is ONLY available for purchase onboard as far as I know. No, there's no hidden fees other than the standard 18% that is not included in the list price. We get it nearly every cruise.

We used to do it every cruise.  Dropped off some in recent cruises.  The only issue we have ever found is when they do not have a wine that we really wanted (available early in the cruise but less so as cruise goes on).  Pretty good deal.  

[grimpil]

25 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

My Cruise Manager for my upcoming January 2024 cruise has it available for purchase, with the 18% gratuity not included in the list price (which I'm sure will be included when I do purchase it) but I'm planning on buying the wine package once onboard. We have Steakhouse the first night and I'm hoping we can buy 4 bottles at 50% off there like we have on previous cruises.  If not, I'll get the package.

All my recent attempts to purchase multiple bottles on the first night were denied "by the manager" of the steakhouse. Seems like it is ship specific if they allow it?

[ninjacat123]

7 minutes ago, grimpil said:

All my recent attempts to purchase multiple bottles on the first night were denied "by the manager" of the steakhouse. Seems like it is ship specific if they allow it?

When I bought 5 bottles at the Steakhouse, it was a cruise before Covid.  We shall see what happens this January cruise....😉

[ruready]

Do you really save money by purchasing it this way?  I recently saw this pop up as a presale online option a month or two ago (first under in room food and beverage, and now under drinks).  We will be in a 15 day cruise, so I was thinking about it.  

[slavigne5577]

24 minutes ago, ruready said:

Do you really save money by purchasing it this way?  I recently saw this pop up as a presale online option a month or two ago (first under in room food and beverage, and now under drinks).  We will be in a 15 day cruise, so I was thinking about it. 

You could each get a 5 bottle package and spend less than $300 for 10 bottles. (I included %18)That's the quote on non premium plan. Online cost per chespest bottle is $32 plus 18% plus delivery fee. So atleast $380 for 10 online. You can only purchase two individual bottles online pre cruise. If not purchasing the packages

Edited December 23, 2023 by slavigne5577

[pinto18]

9 hours ago, ruready said:

Do you really save money by purchasing it this way?  I recently saw this pop up as a presale online option a month or two ago (first under in room food and beverage, and now under drinks).  We will be in a 15 day cruise, so I was thinking about it.  

Obviously the markup on any wine/alcohol is crazy...these are probably 8 dollar bottles of wine retail ..but it does save you money compared to buying buy the glass or by the bottle if you plan to drink enough wine anyway

[DallasGuy75219]

9 hours ago, ruready said:

Do you really save money by purchasing it this way?  I recently saw this pop up as a presale online option a month or two ago (first under in room food and beverage, and now under drinks).  We will be in a 15 day cruise, so I was thinking about it.  

No, it's the same price as buying a wine package onboard. 

[matymil]

16 hours ago, jsglow said:

It is ONLY available for purchase onboard as far as I know. No, there's no hidden fees other than the standard 18% that is not included in the list price. We get it nearly every cruise.

It showed up on the website for my cruise in a couple of days. Never seen it before so i guess thats new

[matymil]

17 hours ago, mz-s said:

Pretty much everything other than the gift shops and bingo/casino are charged a gratuity so expect to pay the 18% gratuity.

Thats weird that its not in the description. I tip at the bar obviously but I dont see why 18% would be applied for literally just buying a bottle of wine. 

[matymil]

3 hours ago, pinto18 said:

Obviously the markup on any wine/alcohol is crazy...these are probably 8 dollar bottles of wine retail ..but it does save you money compared to buying buy the glass or by the bottle if you plan to drink enough wine anyway

6-12 dollar bottles lol...i priced it out 

[DallasGuy75219]

55 minutes ago, matymil said:

but I dont see why 18% would be applied for literally just buying a bottle of wine. 

No different from a land-based restaurant, where you'd be expected to tip for a bottle of wine you ordered. 

[matymil]

1 hour ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

No different from a land-based restaurant, where you'd be expected to tip for a bottle of wine you ordered. 

I've never ordered an entire bottle of wine at a restaurant in my life

[DallasGuy75219]

19 minutes ago, matymil said:

I've never ordered an entire bottle of wine at a restaurant in my life

If you don't know the status quo for ordering wine by the bottle (on land or at sea) yet you're baulking at the markup and gratuity, it's probably best that you stick to bringing on the one allotted bottle of wine per passenger.

[matymil]

58 minutes ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

If you don't know the status quo for ordering wine by the bottle (on land or at sea) yet you're baulking at the markup and gratuity, it's probably best that you stick to bringing on the one allotted bottle of wine per passenger.

Yeah don't really know where you got "baulking at the markup" from any of my comments because I actually think it's reasonably priced but thanks for your participation Dallas, stay classy and keep cruise criticing 

[MagnoliaBlossom]

We have not gotten the wine program in a few years.  Seemed like when they changed the name, it dropped off my radar.  We used to order it onboard and you had the option to have it delivered to your. Cabin.  I’m guessing they no longer do that as yu have to pick up your Diamond gift at pixels.   But, to get to my question, you can get a bottle at any bat, or is it only restaurants?  Thanks.

[mz-s]

28 minutes ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

We have not gotten the wine program in a few years.  Seemed like when they changed the name, it dropped off my radar.  We used to order it onboard and you had the option to have it delivered to your. Cabin.  I’m guessing they no longer do that as yu have to pick up your Diamond gift at pixels.   But, to get to my question, you can get a bottle at any bat, or is it only restaurants?  Thanks.

 

The Cruise the Vineyards program is specifically for the restaurants. 

[Drazil65]

Got off MG yesterday, ordered the 5 bottles presale (15% off offer) before cruise.  Requested 4 of the bottles at different restaurants at dinner and 5th at a bar to bring back to cabin.  They were also selling on embark day in a couple different places on ship.  

Edited December 24, 2023 by Drazil65

[grimpil]

17 minutes ago, Drazil65 said:

Got off MG yesterday, ordered the 5 bottles presale (15% off offer) before cruise.  Requested 4 of the bottles at different restaurants at dinner and 5th at a bar to bring back to cabin.  They were also selling on embark day in a couple different places on ship.  

When was the 15% discount offered in relation to the sail date? Did you receive an email or how did you know about the discount?