Corkage Fees?

[zebra]

Some cruise lines allow one to bring wine onboard at embarkation. Holland America is one of these cruise lines. What do you think about the corkage fees? HAL charges $18!! I personally think this is outrageous and prefer to drink our wine in our stateroom. How do you feel?

[JohnG]

They, of course, are trying to promote the wines they sell onboard, and protect that by charging the corkage fee. The fees are similar to those state that let you bring a bottle to a restaurant.

Some years back I checked 2 cases of wine with my luggage onboard a Celebrity ship. While we drank bubbly in the stateroom, I took bottles to dinner, prepared to pay the fee. The first night I tipped the sommolier and he didn't charge any corkage the entire time. The only time we were charge was the night he was off.

On Princess, they used to charge the corkage only if it was a wine they also carried onboard. Don't know how they do it now.

While we usually bring a bottle of 2 aboard at embarkation when allowed, we don't ship any quantities anymore for fear of breakage and airline baggage charges.

[scalise12]

WE BRING A SMALL CORK SCREW WITH US,

[gogetter]

I also bring my own corkscrew with me. Could be a Carnival one.

Take a bottle that is a twist off lid......lol......I like riunite Lambrusco, a big bottle atr Sams cost about 8 bucks.