The Cellars — A Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar

The Logbook — Real Guest Soundings

Depth Sounding: This is a composite account from multiple guest experiences, edited to our venue standards for clarity. Individual sailings vary by ship, itinerary, and crew.

The Cellars Wine Bar Review: NCL's Most Sophisticated Pour

Introduction. The Cellars Wine Bar (a Michael Mondavi Family partnership) is NCL's premium wine venue, found on Breakaway Plus and Prima class ships. It offers an extensive wine list curated by the Mondavi family, plus wine-by-the-glass pours, flights, and a food pairing menu. It's the most refined drinking experience on the ship outside of The Haven. Drink package holders can access wines up to a certain price point; premium bottles may carry upcharges.

Drinks & Service

The wine list is the deepest on the ship — 40-50+ labels curated by the Mondavi family across Napa, Bordeaux, Tuscany, New Zealand, and beyond. The tasting flights (3-4 pours, $15-30) are the best way to explore. Standouts include the Mondavi Reserve Cabernet, the Pinot Noir from the Continuum range, and a rotating Champagne or Prosecco pour. The by-the-glass selection changes periodically. Cheese and charcuterie pairings ($12-20) are available and well-matched. Beyond wine: a limited spirits menu and craft cocktails are offered, though they feel beside the point. Drink package holders can access the standard-tier wines; premium and reserve bottles carry upcharges of $5-20 per glass.

Service

The sommeliers are genuine wine professionals — they'll walk you through the list, understand flavor preferences, and recommend pours that match your palate and budget. This is the only bar on the ship where the staff have deep beverage expertise that matches a good land-based wine bar. Wine flights include proper tasting notes and the sommelier will talk through each pour. The pace is deliberately unhurried — you're meant to sip, taste, and discover. Service is attentive without being hovering.

Atmosphere

Wine cellar elegance: warm wood panels, soft lighting, backlit bottle displays, and leather seating that invites lingering. It feels like walking into a Napa tasting room, not a cruise ship bar. The tables are set for tasting — proper wine glasses, tasting mats, and space to compare pours. The crowd is wine-curious adults and genuine enthusiasts — this isn't a party bar. The atmosphere is educational and social: couples discussing the Pinot, groups debating Burgundy versus Oregon, the sommelier sharing stories about vineyard visits. On Prima and Viva, the space is more modern; on Breakaway Plus ships, it's more traditional. Either way, it's the most culturally sophisticated bar on the ship.

Conclusion

Rating: 4.2/5. The Cellars Wine Bar is the best wine experience at sea — the Mondavi-curated list, knowledgeable sommeliers, and wine flights make this a genuine destination. It loses points for the premium upcharges on the best wines, the limited non-wine options, and the small food menu. Tip: Start with a three-glass flight to discover your preferences, then order a full glass of your favorite. Ask the sommelier for an off-list recommendation — they often have special bottles. Pair with the cheese board.

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