Rare LAFFNVEGAS Posted July 27, 2013 #1 Share Posted July 27, 2013 The New Wine Policy went into effect yesterday on Hollands America Ships. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BROUGHT ON BOARD Each guest 21 years and older may bring one bottle of wine or champagne (no larger than 750ml) onboard in their carry-on luggage at the beginning of the voyage. Guests are not allowed to bring beer, boxed wine, or other liquors and spirits onboard. Holland America Line reserves the right to remove all alcoholic beverages from guest luggage that violates this policy. Any alcoholic beverage found will be removed and returned on the last evening of the voyage. Guests will not receive any monetary compensation for alcoholic beverages that were removed from luggage. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports of calls or from onboard shops will be stored and returned on the last evening of the voyage. A corkage fee of US$20.00 (subject to change) applies to wine and champagne brought to the restaurants or bars for consumption. In-Room Dining offers reduced-price stateroom beverage packages for in-stateroom consumption of alcoholic beverages (a 15% Service Charge on all beverage items and packages with beverages will be added). Guests who violate any of our alcohol policies (e.g., attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time, provide alcohol to guests under age 21, over consume, or demonstrate irresponsible behavior), may be denied boarding or may be disembarked at their own expense. It has already been updated in the online "What you need to know" booklet on page 6 http://www.hollandamerica.com/assets/cruise-vacation-onboard/KBYG.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomAmes Posted July 27, 2013 #2 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Ouch! That would have significantly reduced my enjoyment of our recent Alaskan cruise aboard the Zuiderdam. Many of my most memorable moments were sitting on our balcony enjoying the scenery with a glass of wine. I'm not sure just how much that enjoyment would have been dampened if the wine had been what I consider to be quite overpriced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted July 27, 2013 #3 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Thank you Lisa for the information. I am glad to see that HAL is no longer allowing people to bring on cases of wine. I like the idea that HAL is doing what most cruise lines are doing -- 1 bottle of wine or champagne per person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solocanadian Posted July 27, 2013 #4 Share Posted July 27, 2013 It's about time. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted July 27, 2013 #5 Share Posted July 27, 2013 I think it was a long time coming. I hope Hal will drop their wine prices because they are overpriced compared to other lines. Thx for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted July 27, 2013 #6 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Well, as one who never brought on a case of wine or asked it to be delivered to the cabin - I am a bit disappointed to say the least. I have no problem with one bottle at embarkation but nothing in the ports? I would happily pay the corkage fee to bring on a bottle from the wonderful European ports that I will be visiting. If you are only allowed one bottle of wine the entire cruise (I think I am reading the new policy correctly?) then the corkage fee becomes moot. Too bad they hadn't done what another cruise line does - they let you bring it on but you pay a corkage fee then and there and you can take the bottle to the MDR or drink it in your room. To me, that would have been fair ball. Guess we know why the new package came out. Let's hope HAL improves their wine selections. Or at least brings some on in interesting ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted July 27, 2013 #7 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Well, as one who never brought on a case of wine or asked it to be delivered to the cabin - I am a bit disappointed to say the least. I have no problem with one bottle at embarkation but nothing in the ports? I would happily pay the corkage fee to bring on a bottle from the wonderful European ports that I will be visiting. If you are only allowed one bottle of wine the entire cruise (I think I am reading the new policy correctly?) then the corkage fee becomes moot. Too bad they hadn't done what another cruise line does - they let you bring it on but you pay a corkage fee then and there and you can take the bottle to the MDR or drink it in your room. To me, that would have been fair ball. Guess we know why the new package came out. Let's hope HAL improves their wine selections. Or at least brings some on in interesting ports. I think I've ever only brought one bottle on and that was on Celebrity. I do think they should have the option to be able to bring some on if people pay corkage. It will be interesting to see if the policy gets modified. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windsailer Posted July 27, 2013 #8 Share Posted July 27, 2013 I've never brought a case of wine onboard either, but have been less than impressed with the quality and prices of HALs wine. I would be very interested to hear from those who currently are on board HAL ships - especially those in Europe - if they have been having the wine they bring on in ports confiscated and if this new policy has been communicated to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted July 27, 2013 #9 Share Posted July 27, 2013 I think I've ever only brought one bottle on and that was on Celebrity. I do think they should have the option to be able to bring some on if people pay corkage. It will be interesting to see if the policy gets modified. I believe both NCL and Princess apply a corkage when you bring on more than one bottle. This rule that HAL has set may be fine on a 7 day Caribbean cruise - but we have a 30 day cruise booked in Europe in some areas where the wine is very good and definitely ones we cannot get here. I don't want to spend my time in port drinking - I want to go exploring - and have a bit of vino from the port when i get back on board;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted July 27, 2013 #10 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Duck, Lisa...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arewethereyet Posted July 27, 2013 #11 Share Posted July 27, 2013 I wonder if HAL is smart enough to couple this new policy with a MAJOR upgrade in their wine list. As it is, there are few wines on HAL's wine list that I'm inclined to buy, regardless of their "bring aboard" policy. It is mostly over-priced grocery store wines. Having said that, I'm pretty sure they aren't clueless enough to ignore that side of the equation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvertoGold Posted July 27, 2013 #12 Share Posted July 27, 2013 I think it was a long time coming. I hope Hal will drop their wine prices because they are overpriced compared to other lines. Thx for the info. Don't hold your breath waiting! We like to buy the occasional bottle (note: singular) of wine in ports, especially in Europe. Too bad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted July 27, 2013 #13 Share Posted July 27, 2013 I've never brought a case of wine onboard either, but have been less than impressed with the quality and prices of HALs wine. I would be very interested to hear from those who currently are on board HAL ships - especially those in Europe - if they have been having the wine they bring on in ports confiscated and if this new policy has been communicated to them. I would be very willing to say HAL is not going to confiscate wine from people already on the ship. If HAL permitted them to bring it aboard, they will not take it from them. From here on out, the policy is now different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thebes Posted July 27, 2013 #14 Share Posted July 27, 2013 You guys all seem too happy with the new policy , can I ask for your rationale please ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising-along Posted July 27, 2013 #15 Share Posted July 27, 2013 I'm disappointed but not surprised. :( Makes sense now, the timing of the new promotion. It's a good thing that we had already decided to bring NO wine on our next European cruise, because with the added Explorer4, that would be just too much. :eek: I guess if we want to sample local wines we'll have to just get a glass with lunch in port. Thanks Lisa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted July 27, 2013 #16 Share Posted July 27, 2013 (edited) You guys all seem too happy with the new policy , can I ask for your rationale please ? Did you read my post? I'm certainly not. I knew/felt a change was coming - but I didn't think it would be this BAD. I think some got tired of those who said 'slap a luggage tag on the case of wine and it will be delivered to your cabin'. To me that was too much. To others, it was the policy so it was ok. another 'hot' discussion on the boards so to speak. BUT Lisa is just sharing the info - I don't shoot the messenger Edited July 27, 2013 by kazu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyk47 Posted July 27, 2013 #17 Share Posted July 27, 2013 It actually doesn't directly impact us as we don't live anywhere near a port and the idea of wandering around town the night before a cruise collecting wine has never appealed to us. Understand some will be really put off by this though. Maybe I hadn't noticed before but it seems to me they've also raised the stakes on "smuggling" liquor on the ship too. Another thing we're not interested in but I know it happens. Of course I don't see that HAL will turn around and "compensate" cruisers now by lowering their on-board wine prices as I assume this was done with revenue and the bottom line as the goal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arewethereyet Posted July 27, 2013 #18 Share Posted July 27, 2013 You guys all seem too happy with the new policy , can I ask for your rationale please ? I'm not happy with it. HAL's previous wine policy was one of the differences that went into the plus column when shopping for cruises. Going to a policy like most cruise lines takes that out of the plus column. Couple that with HAL's over-priced, weak wine list, and it moves to the minus column. Everyone will have their own personal perception. This is just mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
startwin Posted July 27, 2013 #19 Share Posted July 27, 2013 (edited) Well, they sure as heck need to improve the variety and cost of wine available onboard. That was one thing that HAL apart, and I've never seen the old policy abused or drunks onboard due to bringing on your own wine in unlimited quantities. And I believe that what HAL now allows is less than RCI - where they recently changed their policy to allow two bottles per person. At least that's what my niece and her DH took on their recent RCI cruise, and no problem. Edited July 27, 2013 by startwin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cashew14 Posted July 27, 2013 #20 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Well, sorry to say.....they made restrictions on smoking, now on alcohol...being a smoker, I hope all non smoking guys know now how it feels....;) I am saying this tongue in cheek though as I don't drink :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thebes Posted July 27, 2013 #21 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Did you read my post? I'm certainly not. I knew/felt a change was coming - but I didn't think it would be this BAD. I think some got tired of those who said 'slap a luggage tag on the case of wine and it will be delivered to your cabin'. To me that was too much. To others, it was the policy so it was ok. another 'hot' discussion on the boards so to speak. BUT Lisa is just sharing the info - I don't shoot the messenger Sorry just read it. Too bad I was really looking forward to bring 5 my fav bottles onboard our next carribean. And I don't live near the port. So that has nothing to do with it. Imo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rafinmd Posted July 27, 2013 #22 Share Posted July 27, 2013 No personal axe one way or the other as I don't drink but if I did I don't think I'd be happy about this: "Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports of calls or from onboard shops will be stored and returned on the last evening of the voyage." I guess I really don't understand the onboard shops, why buy onboard if you can't use it. It seems pretty draconian in the light of HAL's penchant for longer cruises. Do you get a second bottle on changeover day on collectors cruises? Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSTSmom Posted July 27, 2013 #23 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Well I guess that frees up about 10lbs in my luggage. I was planning on bringing 3 of my favorite bottles for my upcoming 72 day cruise. I'm going to have to make that one bottle last unless I can find one they serve that is similar, or I just go without. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Drool Posted July 27, 2013 #24 Share Posted July 27, 2013 I am disappointed and so will some of the crew. I bring a box of wine on board and the last day give the left over, usually about half, to the crew member that made me laugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kakalina Posted July 27, 2013 #25 Share Posted July 27, 2013 I so rarely drink wine and DH doesn't indulge at all. :rolleyes: I prefer a cocktail over wine and would never think to bring my own. I can't mix a mango daiquiri or chocolate martini in my cabin! :D It doesn't affect us one way or the other. I have seen many get carried away. I remember two ladies traveling together who brought 8 cases of wine on for a 30 day cruise. A bit much IMO. :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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