Alcohol Packages on HAL

[jkgourmet]

We are considering a repositioning cruise with HAL in the spring with another couple. We've done many other cruise lines, but HAL remains one of our favorites, particularly the Big Band reposition cruise we took from NYC to Seattle about ten years ago.

 

But we haven't sailed HAL since, mostly because we've done very few cruises since then (wanted to do land based trips while we physically could still manage them).

 

Our last cruise was on Celebrity and we ALL loved the pre-paid wine, alcohol, special coffee package. It saved us money, but more importantly, it saved us even thinking about the over-priced wine and drinks. We just ordered and enjoyed.

 

Does HAL have anything like that? (I believe that RCCL has started one of these, and maybe Carnival, but neither of those cruise lines particularly appeal to us. And I know that the luxury cruise lines often include some wine or alcohol, but I doubt our budget will stretch that far.)

[Krazy Kruizers]

HAL has Beverage Cards that you can buy -- but there is no savings on them. We buy them just for the convenience of not having to check tons of receipts at the end of the cruise.

There is a drink package. It is about $50 per day. Each person in the cabin must buy the drink package. It can only be bought on embarkation day or the next day. You can only buy drinks worth up to $7. It does not include premium alcohols. It only covers house wines. And you are limited to 15 drinks a day.

For us -- it is not worth it. We could never drink that much in a day.

[jkgourmet]

Thanks for the info. That's about the same price as what they offered on Celebrity, but a bit more restrictive. Does the HAL program include the fancy coffee drinks?

 

Maybe I should have prefaced this question by asked how much a glass of house wine, a regular house brand cocktail and a call martini are on HAL these days?

 

Like the prices of a house cabernet, a daiquiri or vodka and tonic by the pool and an absolute martini in the lounge?

Edited December 3, 2013 by jkgourmet

[Mr and Mrs CIQ]

You can buy the signature beverage package online prior to sailing from HAL website. The cards will be in your room on embarkation. For the op remember that the signature beverage package cards only cover drinks of 7.00$ and less,also a maximum of 15 drinks per day.If you buy this package you must take your key card along with the beverage card on the first purchase, then all you will need for drink purchases would be the beverage card.

[jkgourmet]

You can buy the signature beverage package online prior to sailing from HAL website. The cards will be in your room on embarkation. For the op remember that the signature beverage package cards only cover drinks of 7.00$ and less,also a maximum of 15 drinks per day.If you buy this package you must take your key card along with the beverage card on the first purchase, then all you will need for drink purchases would be the beverage card.

 

So what can you buy for a $7 drink? If you buy a more expensive drink, say a $10 martini, are you charged for the entire $10 or just the $3 difference?

[SeaBands]

no cards in the room about the drink packages and no info sheet on the selection and prices for bottles for the room.

[nana51]

From what I understand you cannot order a $10.00 drink and only pay $3.00. The cards can only be used for anything $7.00 and under. This includes fancy coffees also. Most of the mixed drinks are under $7.00. They have quite a few on the menu.

[jkgourmet]

no cards in the room about the drink packages and no info sheet on the selection and prices for bottles for the room.

 

I suspect that's because you have to buy these packages BEFORE departure?

[Mr and Mrs CIQ]

If you prebuy the signature beverage package your cards will be in your room upon embarkation. The cost of the drink must be seven dollars or less.

Another option is to buy a beverage card (not the signature beverage package)which has a specific dollar amount. This card could be used for drinks over seven dollars. With this card the cost of drinks is deducted from the price til the account(purchase price) is depleted.

[Krazy Kruizers]

no cards in the room about the drink packages and no info sheet on the selection and prices for bottles for the room.

 

 

We got off the Nieuw Amsterdam 2 1/2 weeks ago.

No -- they do not leave information in the cabins about the drink package. You would have had to check HAL's site before you left home or asked any bar tender once on the ship. The drink package must be bought on embarkation day or the next day.

No lists for the prices of alcohol are in any cabin on any ship. You can see the price list on HAL's site -- I have also posted it here many times. You can pre-order bottles of alcohol for your cabin via HAL's site, or by calling Ship Services or by calling room service once on the ship. We always rep-order a couple of bottles for our cabin.