Free bottle of wine nightly?

Going on The Mariner in a few weeks and did the free bottle of wine
nightly special through my TA online (Icruise). Has anyone done this
before? What kinds of wine do you get, do you pick it yourself and is
it delivered to your cabin nightly. Is there a corkage fee applied as
well? Any help is appreciated.



Thanks

Kevin

I have not used your TA and have not been on the Mariner OTS but I have some
speculation to offer.
On most RCI cruises on which I have traveled, they offer a wine package the
first day of boarding. It does provide you with a bottle per night. The
sales table has some very expensive reserve wines shown but if you get the
package you have a somewhat limited list from which to choose. It includes
a variety of selections of both reds and whites ... maybe 15-20 selections
from which to choose. The offerings were popular, mid-priced wines in the
$20-$30 range. In my opinion acceptable but not exclusive or a special
treat.

I have never purchased the package because I would rather splurge on an
exceptional wine one or two nights instead of having the same offerings I
might have at home for seven nights.

That said, the package was a good value and the wines were respectable.
Since the purchase is being made from the cruise line, there is no
additional corkage charge. The 15% gratuity is also added to the package
just as if you made individual purchases.

Again, I am speculating that this offering is what your TA is ordering for
you. It is a very nice bonus.

Mike in Ohio

"kevin" wrote in message
oups.com...
Going on The Mariner in a few weeks and did the free bottle of wine
nightly special through my TA online (Icruise). Has anyone done this
before? What kinds of wine do you get, do you pick it yourself and is
it delivered to your cabin nightly. Is there a corkage fee applied as
well? Any help is appreciated.



Thanks

Kevin

"Plasma" wrote in
:

I have not used your TA and have not been on the Mariner OTS but I
have some speculation to offer.
On most RCI cruises on which I have traveled, they offer a wine
package the first day of boarding. It does provide you with a bottle
per night. The sales table has some very expensive reserve wines
shown but if you get the package you have a somewhat limited list from
which to choose. It includes a variety of selections of both reds and
whites ... maybe 15-20 selections from which to choose. The offerings
were popular, mid-priced wines in the $20-$30 range. In my opinion
acceptable but not exclusive or a special treat.


Actually the problem is that for those who drink wines on a regular
basis these wines are lower quality than what they would like to drink
with fine dining. For those who don't ordinarily drink wine, such a
package is a lot of wine. This is why some people choose to stretch
their wine dollar by either ordering one bottle every other night of
more expensive wines or bring their own and pay the corkage. (Note that
it does not pay to bring an $8 a bottle wine and pay the $15 corkage fee
since one can buy that same grade of wine on board for about $24, a
small mark up for a lot less hassle) On the other hand if you wish to
drink a good California Cabernet Sauvignon or French Burgundy which set
you back $25- $30 at your local wine shop the resultant cost of $40-$45
is actually cheaper than the $50-$60 that similar bottles would cost on
board, the down side is that if your bottle is corked it cannot be
returned for another-hence the need for stelvin closures (read screw
tops) on fine wines.

Not that all ship board wine is expensive. On a Costa Cruise in the Med
a few years ago we enjoyed an Amarone for $25 that I couldn't touch for
under $45 back home. (Sad to say I saw the same wine in a grocery store
in Genoa before the cruise for a tear inducing $15 equivalent!! so the
Costa price was shockingly high for the Italian passengers)

I have never purchased the package because I would rather splurge on
an exceptional wine one or two nights instead of having the same
offerings I might have at home for seven nights.


--
Joseph Coulter
Cruises and Vacations
http://www.josephcoulter.com/

I'd bet it is the wines only available to agents. They have a corkage fee
applied if you take them to the dining room. They have a Chardonnay,
Merlot and White Zinfandel.

Bobbye

"kevin" wrote in message
oups.com...
Going on The Mariner in a few weeks and did the free bottle of wine
nightly special through my TA online (Icruise). Has anyone done this
before? What kinds of wine do you get, do you pick it yourself and is
it delivered to your cabin nightly. Is there a corkage fee applied as
well? Any help is appreciated.



Thanks

Kevin