Joyfull Traveller

Hi again

We've heard that pick pockets are rife in the areas that we will be cruising on the Koningsdam.  Any suggestions of personal safety and prevention would be appreciated.  TIA

26 minutes ago, kerryincork said:

I find u drunk a lot more alcohol when have the package opposed to when I don't. If you like one drink at night and a couple of coffees during the day then it might not be worth it.

If you are doing a cruise in Europe, you might be off the ship 8 hours a day, not much drinking time in the evening & you don't want to drink so much you can't enjoy your day in port the next day..

there is also free drinks in the Buffet (water, tea, coffee & flavoured water).

so when I have cuppachino in the morning, one glass of wine with dinner and a cocktail after dinner. My bar bill is under US$200.

 

I hope this helps. Its really difficult to work out.

Thanks Kerryincork, does help us, much appreciated.

4 minutes ago, Crew News said:

Another point to be considered, whether to purchase a drinks package or not, is the hours you will be aboard the ship to use it. 

Good point as we are looking at disembarking at each port.

25 minutes ago, Crew News said:

 

As requested, here is the HAL Beverage Menu (Note that some bars have special additonal drinks):

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Pool-Bars.pdf

Thanks again, what currency or denomination are quoted in the prices i.e. US $, AUD $, Euros?

7 minutes ago, Crew News said:

 

As requested, here is the HAL Beverage Menu (Note that some bars have special additonal drinks):

Thanks, we have the gratuities covered.  Just doing the sums on whether a package is for us or not.

7 minutes ago, Crew News said:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Pool-Bars.pdf

7 minutes ago, Crew News said:

 

As requested, here is the HAL Beverage Menu (Note that some bars have special additonal drinks):

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Pool-Bars.pdf

On 1/21/2019 at 7:02 PM, Joyfull Traveller said:

I think that we have it now, if we take and pay for for a drinks package the package pays for any gratuities so we are not slugged with a 15% charge on our room bill. Thanks

Hi all, I think that we are now on track and have gratuities sorted.  Just looking for peoples thoughts on the drinks packages i.e. are they worth it, what are the average costs of drinks?  We are looking at the middle package around $50 per person per night, so want ideas on what the drinks actually cost to help calculate value for money or not.  Any assistance, comments or ideas would be great fully appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

7 hours ago, cb at sea said:

The nightly charge covers your cabin attendant, and waitstaff for all meals.....any gratuity charge on packages or drinks goes to the bartenders.

No further tips are needed.

 

I think that we have it now, if we take and pay for for a drinks package the package pays for any gratuities so we are not slugged with a 15% charge on our room bill. Thanks

21 minutes ago, Crew News said:

Here is a link to HAL beverge packages and FAQ:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Beverage-Packages.pdf

Thanks for this information but I wanted to make 100% sure that we do not have to an additional 15% on top of the beverage package price the package details state "A gratuity of 15% will be added to the purchase price.  You will not have to pay additional gratuities unless you desire to do so".  To my thinking, no, we do not have to pay the additional 15% gratuity as it is covered by our initial payment for the beverage package.  So if we purchase the beverage package for $49.50, we will not have to pay 15% of what we actually consume i.e. 5 drinks at $7.00 is $35.00 (gratuities would have been $5.25 extra).  Just want to be clear on this as we don't pay gratuities in Australia.

Being our first cruise we haven't the foggiest idea on what we should or should not do with the drinks packages yes or no?  Does the signature package on HAL Koningsdam cover the extra 15% service fee when ordering drinks.  We understand that there is a $14.50 services levee charged per person per night, so we need to pay the additional 15% charge on top of this and if so is it covered in the drinks package?