Sallyandtex

Really! I was told by my HAL agent they now charge $20 usd corkage per bottle .

We did a tour to Kawati caves from Bay of Islands a few years ago. They met us at the ship dock. Maybe look on web for travel times.

Westerdam Syd to NZ and back 15 day 8 Nov. Been to NZ by cruise twice before on RCI ( Radiance and VOTS) but they only have Ovation now (too big for us), and been on HAL once in Alaska, great trip. It seems the drinks thing has changed the rules a lot, I remember taking 2 bottles of red onboard at no corkage from the Bottlo at Vancouver.

Hi, I have been in contact with my HAL agent, and they have changed the policy for bringing your own bottle of wine, it is now $20 USD corkage per bottle!

Just got clarification from the agent it is NOT included, if anyone else had the same query.

Thanks, yes I saw that, but with one of us non drinker, the "have it all" not worth it for us.( as both required to buy the package for 15 days). The Quench looked good as it included proper specialty coffee and all "non alcoholic beverages" but the zero beer is same price as regular beer so not sure if this is included. We also have the $200 per cabin, should pay for my vino 🍷 and a few other things.

No answers on the Holland forum.😐 Found a 2017 Carnival Corp website said the package included non alcohol beer, has anyone done this? On a 2017 website the Quench beverage package says it includes "Quench Beverage Package $17.95 features unlimited nonalcoholic beverages that include any juices, bottled water, nonalcoholic cocktails, nonalcoholic beers and specialty coffees for a price of $17.95 per person, per day." But the newer Hal website says " Only $17.95 per guest/per day* Quench your thirst with our nonalcoholic package which includes an unlimited variety of premium coffees such as espresso and cappuccino, juices, Coca-Cola™ products, our signature mocktails, Red Bull, and bottled waters 500ml Anyone had the quench package and know as to whether the non alcohol beer is included. Heineken 0% is available at one of the bars on the Westerdam. Thanks

Hi, Does anyone know if the non-alcoholic (0.0%) beer, that is available according to the latest drink menu I can find for the Westerdam, is included with the Quench beverage package? The HAL website says "all non-alcoholic drinks" are included, but these beers are $7 USD (same as regular beer) so need to check. Thanks!

OK thanks, it says above, "water in plastic bottles in any quantity are not allowed"...."including ports if call" . Bit confusing. 😁

We finally booked a cruise ex Sydney to NZ in November. I am in the process of planning. I always walk around with my re-fillable water bottle, and definitely take it when going ashore. I am seeing this on the website, I can't buy "cans" of water, and wouldn't want to keep purchasing water on board to throw the bottle away. Can I thus take a non-plastic refillable bottle (aluminium) for the ship and shore? "Items such as sodas, energy drinks or other non-alcoholic items are not allowed on board in any form. Plastic water bottles are not allowed. However, an allowance of six liters, twelve (12) cans or cartons (500 ml in volume or less) or six (6) cans or cartons (1 liter in volume or less) of water are allowed per stateroom. Any amount in excess of this allowance will be not be allowed onboard. Water in plastic bottles will not be allowed onboard in any quantity, including in ports of call. Guests will be asked to discard open beverages in plastic containers prior to boarding. "

Hi Mrs Soap, We are from Australia too, and did a trip to Alaska in 2018. We didn't want a huge flight to Vancouver, so we flew to Tokyo for 3 days to break up the trip, then onto Vancouver, 2 nights then started our cruise. We got a 14 day HAL New Amsterdam Alaska cruise in a balcony and it was amazing! Especially loved the Tracey Arm excursion need to book in advance. I would rather pay the money for the Alaska section rather than the ocean crossing. We then did a Rockies tour 14 days that included a lot, as we didn't want to drive ourselves, and met some lovely lifelong friends. On return, we had only a short stopover in Tokyo to stretch the legs. Hope this helps! (:

P.s forgot to mention Coral is cheaper too by about $500 AUD for balcony but only 1 night less

This was what I was thinking, especially when it comes to tender ports, I have found on other smaller pax numbers it is less stressful. It was a cruise to Queensland coast Australia, mundane compared to Alaska, but we still like viewing the ocean and more of a low key feel.

Thankyou so much for the detailed reply! I suspected Coral would be better but was unsure

Hi, We have never been on a Princess ship. Have been on other lines, HAL my favourite. My elderly parents have asked us to accompany them on a 10 night journey. They are new to cruising . Our group would range 55-85years. I like smaller ships with less crowds, and am worried Majestic too crowded. Has anyone been on both have pro and cons for each regarding activities, shows etc. I was wondering this in terms of social distancing. With the covid situation, are they limiting full capacity on Princess ships? Thanks 😊