Gangway crossed, drink package purchased, Princess Medallion® in hand. It was time to attempt a feat of exploration and endurance: Tasting all of the available wines before disembarkation day on a 7-day Caribbean cruise.
Buying the drink package presented an irresistible opportunity. Normally, I have to pay for the glasses and bottles I review for The Wine Fairy blog, while also having money left over for non-beverage necessities like food and housing. That necessarily limits the number of wines I can taste (and write about).
But with wine-by-the-glass included in my cruise fare, I was limited mainly by time and the fortitude of my stomach and liver.
As I strolled across the gold-and-white Piazza atrium on the Enchanted Princess, a 360-degree panorama of bars and restaurants glittered from the decks above. Vest- and bowtie-clad servers were polishing glasses. I felt like a kid in a candy store (or maybe more accurately, a suburbanite in the sample aisle at Total Wine).
One important constraint: I had opted for Princess Cruises’ “Princess Plus” package, which includes all drinks priced under $15. But most of the premium wines onboard are priced higher than that. To access them without an additional charge, you have to upgrade to “Princess Premier.”
Fortunately, I knew there were at least a dozen varietal wines included on my package. Those fancy-shmancy Silverados and Whispering Angels would have to wait for a future voyage. House wines in the house, bay-beeee!!
Last fall, I published a long-form article (The wino’s guide to Princess Cruises) about how to find the best wine experiences onboard a Princess ship. Now, as promised, I’m zooming in on the wines themselves.
Compiling this list of tasting notes took a bit of sleuthing. At most bars onboard (and at the basic drink package level), the labels of the house wines are not listed or displayed. But my intrepid travel companion and I stuck our snoots over the bar to find out what gets poured when you order that mystery “Merlot,” “Pinot Grigio,” or “rosé.”
Not Fine Wine, Just Fun Wine
Some people and forums–looking at you, Reddit–act as though it’s silly to review sub-$12 bottles. As if the only purpose of these wines is to get drunk, and their quality is irrelevant.
I don’t believe that. This cheap-ass, mass-market wine is the stuff that most people drink, most of the time. It does vary in quality. And unlike mid-shelf and premium wines, there’s not a lot of detailed reviews to tell you what these bottles taste like.
Perhaps you would like to know which of the dizzying selection of drink-package wines to target (or avoid) on your Princess Cruise vacation. Perhaps that’s why you’re here. Welcome!
About Your Humble Critic
Reviews are always more useful when your taste matches the reviewer’s. Or at least if you know where they’re coming from. So here’s my Wine Reviewer Elevator Speech:
Hi, I’m Michelle! I drink and enjoy all styles and regions. No permanent favorites. I tend to rate intensity over subtlety–give me dramatic, spicy reds and aromatic whites of any sweetness level. I put a lot of weight on price/value. I don’t believe that great wine needs to be expensive. I love fine Bordeaux and dearly-priced Napa fruit bombs, but pour me a $12 Spanish Garnacha or basic Chianti and I will drink it with pleasure and pride.
With that out of the way, let’s get to the wines. In true somm-y fashion, I’ll be serving you the sparkling wines first, followed by the roses/whites, the reds, and finally a selection of dessert wines.
All of these wines were included with Princess Plus on the Enchanted Princess sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale in late 2025. (They’re going to be the same or similar on other U.S. departures.)
Sparkling Wines Available on Princess Plus
Let’s begin with a toast: To bubbles at sea!
Val d’Oca Extra Dry Prosecco DOC (Veneto, Italy)
If I had to guess what single wine Princess pours the most of, it would be this one. Princess serves bathtubs full of Val d’Oca. It’s available everywhere, from the spa deck to the pool to the atrium floor. I first encountered it in the namesake cocktail at Bellini’s Cocktail Bar, where the bubbles flow fast and furious into flutes primed with fruit juice and liqueurs.
On its own, Val d’Oca is an innocuous light-bodied, lightly-scented typical Prosecco with bright acidity. Fine fizzy bubbles conceal just a touch of sugar. (“Extra Dry” actually means “slightly sweet” in Prosecco-land…it’s wacky, I know.) If you can find any aromas in your glass, they might theoretically be Bartlett pear, jasmine, and lemon zest.
Princess bars use Val d’Oca as a mixer, and honestly it tastes like one (soda water). It’s clean and refreshing and dangerously easy to drink in immoderate quantities.
Suggested retail: $13
“Love by Britto” Prosecco (Veneto, Italy)
A collaboration between artist Romero Britto and winemaker Villa Sandi. This wine is part of the “Love Line” series of Princess-exclusive beverages.
A Prosecco made in a far richer and riper style than the standard sparkler above. Light golden color with a nose of orange zest and ginger. Fruit flavors of soft green melon, peach, and pear are carried by its medium body and well-calibrated Brut sweetness. Lingering finish of citrus and crushed apple skins. Um, this one’s really good. Worth sipping all by itself.
Wino tip: You have to ask for the “Love” Prosecco by name, and Bellini’s was the only bar where I saw it on my cruise. If you order sparkling wine or a mimosa without specifying, you’ll almost certainly get the Val d’Oca Prosecco.
Suggested retail: N/A (Princess Cruises exclusive)
Domaine Chandon Extra Brut Espumoso (Mendoza, Argentina)
A historic Champagne dupe from Argentina. (This is the only traditional-method sparkling wine included on the Princess Plus package.) Energetic bubbles, moderate acidity, flavors/aromas of green apple, sourdough, and toast. Fresh and youthful, super dry, uncomplicated. I also found this bottle on the wine list at Bellini’s.
Suggested retail: $14.99
White Wines Available on Princess Plus
Princess Cruises offers a broad selection of white house wines from dry to sweet, some of which are depicted below.
Here are your options with the Princess Plus package:
Canyon Road Pinot Grigio (California)
Pale gray in color, it has obvious aromas of pear and heavy florals. Crisp acidity and a touch of body from its flirting-with-off-dry sweetness. When it warms up, it shows a slight bitterness and musky flavors of melon and hay.
Don’t let the retail price dissuade you too much from liking this wine. Canyon Road Pinot Grigio is an adequate summer guzzler and cruisers were pounding frosty glasses of it by the dozens. You’re on vacation–there are no rules! If you find it too sweet or bitter, add ice, lemon, and/or soda to make it your own.
Suggested retail: $6.99
Santa Helena Sauvignon Blanc (Chile)
A value Sauvignon Blanc from Chile. On our recent cruise, it was tag-teaming with the Pinot Grigio as Princess’s crowd-pleasing white.
Fuller in body and darker in color than is typical for Sauv Blanc, it nonetheless displays pure varietal characteristics of tropical fruit (passion fruit, pineapple), citrus, and grassiness. Refreshing grapefruit flavors complement adequately bright acidity. Pretty unbelievable for the price. It’s also the most versatile of the main dining room wine selections, ready to pair with salads, appetizers, seafood entrees, or to enjoy as a pre-dinner drink.
Suggested retail: $6.99
Crane Lake Riesling (California)
Finally, a dud. A glass I got early in the cruise was oxidized, so I ordered it again from another bar. The second glass was in better condition, but barely better in taste.
Almost no characteristic Riesling aromas. Primary flavors of pasteurized apple and pear juice. Unbalanced and heavy, with an unpleasant waxy/plastic aftertaste. Far too sweet for its limp acidity and lackluster fruit. All of the other white wines are at least a couple of points better than this.
Suggested retail: $10.99
Canyon Road Chardonnay (California)
If you order cheap Cali Chard, you know what you’re getting, right? Apple, pear, ripe melon, lemon cream, butter, oak. Medium body and intensity. Lightly oaked, some residual sugar, soft and approachable. With all the other options on the menu, I probably wouldn’t drink this on its own. But with buffet chicken, maybe–why not?
Suggested retail: $7.99
Caposaldo Moscato (Italy)
Goodness, this is sweet! But if you enjoy the floral, honeyed flavor of Moscato, this lightly sparkling wine from Italy’s Lombardia region is a very good example of the style. Pronounced peach, pear, and honeysuckle aromas are joined by exotic Tuscan melon.
It’s thick (and slow-acting) at only 7% ABV. But the heaviness is offset by a smattering of lazy bubbles and some welcome acidity. Caposaldo Moscato is available at many bars–but you’re certain to find it at Crown Grill Bar, where it’s served as a sidecar with one of their new cocktails.
Suggested retail: $10.99
Seven Daughters Moscato (Veneto, Italy)
A (slightly) drier Moscato option from Italy’s Veneto region. Almond, orange zest, and lychee with stone fruit and a hint of effervescence. Finishes clean, with pear juice and minerals. Semi-sweet.
Suggested retail: $12.99
Laurenz V Singing Grüner Veltliner (Niederösterreich, Austria)
A sort of Easter egg for lovers of dry wines, this Austrian Grüner is worth seeking out onboard. It may be the best white wine on the Princess Plus package. Select bars have it in the wine fridge–check with Bellini’s first.
Highly aromatic with citrus, grapefruit, some green notes, and a bright mineral finish. Yum.
Suggested retail: $17.99
Rosé Wines Available on Princess Plus
Ready to rosé all day onboard your Princess cruise? There are currently three rosé wines included on Princess Plus.
Hampton Water Rosé (France)
The French rosé with a cute name, from American rocker Bon Jovi. A whisper-soft, light-bodied rosé with faint florals, cherry water, and melon. Finishes dry and tart with a rumor of strawberries.
Few bars actually have it and the snug glass stopper is a big pain, so the bartender will look at you like, “really?” when you order it and pour you half the bottle so you’ll go away. Other than that, it’s fine.
Suggested retail: $16.99
Hampton Water Bubbly Rosé (France)
But wait! Hampton Water Rosé also comes in a sparkling style. It’s fuller in flavor and in body than the still version. The Bubbly Rosé also has “water” in the name…but at least this one tastes like wine.
Pale salmon in color with pink strawberry, Rainier cherry, green melon, papaya, and blood orange juice. Dry, medium-bodied with high acidity and persistent bubbles. Aging on lees and the use of some reserve wine (from 2020 onward) contribute texture and subtle flavors of biscotti and dried apricot.
This is a really tasty sparkling rosé if you can locate it onboard! (I found my glass at the Good Spirits bar.) Blend of 47% Pinot Noir, 30% Grenache, 23% Chardonnay.
Suggested retail: $24.99
Gran Araucania Reserve Rosé (Central Valley, Chile)
Princess’s house rosé is another South American oddity. Unless you specifically ask for something else, this is the rosé you’ll likely get when you order by the glass at the bars and restaurants onboard. But it’s not for everybody.
Pale salmon in color, it has light aromas of wet rose petals, carnation, and yellow cherries. Very dry and light-bodied, its fruits lean toward unripe strawberry and tart cherry.
Chilean terroir sneaks into this pink wine, dropping earthy, vegetal notes of green bell pepper and even spinach. Many will find the combination off-putting–some will find it expressive and fun.
I taste Carménère traits all over this rosé and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s bled off the Reserve Carménère that Gran Araucania also produces. It pairs well with many Italian and Mediterranean foods onboard, from pizza at Gigi’s to gyros and salad from the buffet.
Red Wines Available on Princess Plus
Prefer reds? Here ya go:
Morpho Helena Merlot (Chile)
The Morpho Helena Merlot is available everywhere, and it may be the best overall red on the Princess Plus package for drinking alone or pairing with food. Ripe raspberry, blackberry, chocolate, with some herbaceous notes. New vintages have a distinctive green bell pepper flavor (love it or hate it) and older vintages show dried cherry, meat, and smoke. I suspect this may also be blended with some Carménère, and it kinda works. See my full review here.
Suggested retail: $14.99
Morpho Helena Malbec (Chile)
A full-bodied Malbec with a deep purple color and dark fruit flavors. Black plum, berry jam, vanilla, black pepper and cardamom spice. It’s very dry, high in alcohol, and available in the main dining room. Another fine option for a dinnertime red if you like your wines on the bolder side.
Suggested retail: $14.99
Canyon Road Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
Oh, Canyon Road. You put out a passable $6 Pinot Grigio–how could you stumble over Cabernet this badly? Looks like MegaPurple, tastes like stewed plums and vanilla extract. Thick, limp, and cooked-tasting. Sorry, Canyon Road–time to walk the plank.
Suggested retail: $8.99
Morpho Helena Pinot Noir (Chile)
Pale-ish, fruit-forward Pinot Noir from Chile. Red cherry, red plum and vanilla with some cough-drop herbal aromatics. It finishes dry and leafy with medium acidity. Not awful to drink, but certainly nothing special.
Suggested retail: $14.99
Aqui Red Blend (Mendoza, Argentina)
A bold and meaty red blend from Mendoza, Argentina. Pronounced aromas of cassis, blackberry, smoke, and beef. The fruit is characterized by overripe Malbec flavors of soft blackberry and raisins and the palate is a little flat.
Let it sit for a while and it may release intriguing whiffs of grilled poblano, fennel seed, and sour cherry. This is a wine that smells much better than it tastes–but you could do worse for a frugal steak wine.
Suggested retail: $9.99
Errazuriz Carménère (Aconcagua, Chile)
A surprising red from the Errazuriz estate vineyards in Aconcagua. By surprising, I mean it’s surprisingly savory for a house wine selection. A challenge for some palates…a treat for others.
Packed with umami, this Carménère exhibits bell pepper, wood smoke, soy sauce, and very little fruit. It tastes like fajita marinade–but in a good way. There is a little dash of Syrah and Petite Sirah in the blend, adding dark plums on the finish and peppery spice.
Suggested retail: $14.99
Lindemans Bin 50 Shiraz (Australia)
A budget Aussie Shiraz that’s hard to dislike. Smooth and approachable with jammy currants and plum. A thick layer of vanilla-chocolatey oak is enlivened by clove and peppery spice. Full-bodied with high (but discreet) alcohol and a touch of sweetness on the finish.
Suggested retail: $8.99
Dessert Wines Available on Princess Plus
Sadness! I found no Sherry onboard my recent Western Caribbean cruise. A bartender told me that they used to stock Harvey Bristol’s Cream Sherry but that they hadn’t seen it in a while.
Oh well–if you can’t go a week without a Sherry nightcap, maybe you are being too picky. There’s so many options onboard that I barely thought about Sherry after the first sea day.
Aside from a respectable selection of cognac, liqueurs, and cordials, these two dessert wines are included with Princess Plus.
Errazuriz Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc (Chile)
Hailing from coastal Chilean vineyards, this unctuous white wine is made primarily from Sauvignon Blanc picked at its phase of complete ripeness. Sometimes they use Gewurztraminer in the blend, too. It’s by far the sweetest by-the-glass wine onboard. (Yes, even sweeter than that Caposaldo Moscato.)
You’ll find this yummy treat in the main dining room (it’s on the after-dinner drink menu) and many of the indoor bars.
Suggested retail: $12.99 (375 ml)
Sandeman 20 Year Tawny Port (Portugal)
Yes, Sandeman 20 Year Tawny is on the Plus package! At over $50 retail, it’s by far the most premium wine on this list. I’m surprised Princess hasn’t 86’d it by now. If you’re on a cruise, please don’t ruin this small blessing for everyone by ordering a double and mixing it with Diet Coke or something.
Suggested retail: $53.99
Well, there you have it! Tasting notes and details for 23 wines included with the Princess Plus drink package. (I’m sure I overlooked a couple of house wines on my voyage…but not too many.)
A big Texas “howdy” to the excellent bar crew on the Enchanted Princess and Caribbean Princess. They treated me with immense patience (and occasional bemusement) as I took notes and pictures of wines all week long. Cheers, and happy sailing!
Review disclosure: I was not compensated or provided any free products for this review. Opinions expressed on The Wine Fairy blog are entirely my own.
Leave a Comment