Do you buy Wine or spirits in port ?

I always go looking for something that is not available at home. In most cases that would be a nice aged sipping rum. I do have a weakness for that. So where ever we go I will usually look up before we go what local rums are available and which are worthy of a trip home with me. Of course tasting them is also a great adventure as well. I will usually return with 2 or 3 bottles of "special" rum which I cherish once home.

I buy liquor/spirits, never wine. I tend to get stuff I can not get in the states/Canada. I plan on getting some this time too. I already have requests from my sister!

We sometimes buy at AH Riese in St Thomas if we see something interesting. Or if they have 2fer specials, or a give away.

We do wine tasting quite often. Almost always as part of a ship shore excursion. I don't buy wine there every time though, I like to do these tours because it is a lot of fun and interesting. If they offer one I rarely miss it. Done so many I've lost track.

On both sides and ends of the Mediterranean there are some real good ones. Australia and New Zealand and of course, France. In recent years we have been doing more northern Europe, the Baltic's and Britain and have ran into some real unique wineries there as well. The first we ever did was during a cruise on the island of Martinique in the Caribbean. One super winery excursion that really sticks out in my mind was just outside of Cape Town, South Africa, a huge old winery that is now owned by a German lady whose rich husband bought it for her as a gift. The Atlantic islands all seem to have them too, the Azores, Madeira Islands and the Canneries.

One time we booked a two week cruise back up to Alaska which started near JusMe's territory, San Fran. I had never spent anytime in San Fran let alone a Napa Valley wine country tour. So we flew down four days early. The wine tour was great, it lasted all day with three other couples in a large limo. I even bought a case at one winery, which they sent to our home in Anchorage.

The ships seem to all have wine tasting events anymore. They usually charge for them but not much, Princess puts on a very good one which Elites get invited to for free, only one that is. We usually do one each segment. I don't care for their timing though, they start too early in the afternoon, 3:00 PM. 4:30 PM would be much better.

We do all the time. It's much cheaper there.

Well, a wine tour in the Azore islands should be really interesting, do you have any to suggest? Here's the one I did in Venice last September, if you're interested. http://www.venetoinside.com/en/tours-in-veneto/tour-details/venetian-savors/

On Princess are you allowed to take on a bottle of wine each? A couple years ago you could and buy 1 in port which we were able to keep in our room as well . Can you still do this on Europe Cruises

I have done them in a few ports. In the Azore Islands, Baja Mexico and Italy. I also try the local food and beer in each port. I loved the Volcanic filtered beer on the Greek Islands.

Yeah, what a great moment! Where did you do your wine tasting excursions?

Only if it is something I can't get at home.