Hockeygirl89 Posted March 15, 2017 #1 Share Posted March 15, 2017 Since I live in Hawaii and am going on a cruise around the neighboring islands I was thinking- what are my options for keeping my bar bill manageable? My thought was going to costco or the store on base and getting a bunch of bottles and just paying the corkage fee. Or are there deals that I do not know about since there is no unlimited package? Any ideas other than not drinking would be much appreciated! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triptolemus Posted March 15, 2017 #2 Share Posted March 15, 2017 You can pay corkage for wine, but not booze (liquor, in my vernacular). Establish a reasonable budget and stick to it. If you like to have some drinks and cut loose, figure that into your budget. Don't think you're going to get away with $20 day. Be realistic. If you really are just a glass of wine or two with dinner kind of person, then perhaps bringing your own wine and paying the corkage on a few bottles is the right move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranknBeans Posted March 15, 2017 #3 Share Posted March 15, 2017 Booze is NOT cheap in Hawaii as everything is imported in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockeygirl89 Posted March 15, 2017 Author #4 Share Posted March 15, 2017 Understood. The added advantage is I have is that at the exchange on the military base I have access to the wine is not expensive at all and best of all tax free. I knew that I cannot bring liquor but love wine so it's a win win for me. I heard something about a wine package on board though... any word on that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triptolemus Posted March 15, 2017 #5 Share Posted March 15, 2017 There is a "Corks and Caps" package but it's not available on POA either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ColeThornton Posted March 15, 2017 #6 Share Posted March 15, 2017 Booze is NOT cheap in Hawaii as everything is imported in. I'm sure they know that since they live there. :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanger727 Posted March 15, 2017 #7 Share Posted March 15, 2017 It sounds like bringing wine on would work well for you. There's also a drink of the day every day, believe the DOD is $7.95 (usually a $10-$11 cocktail). There are also tastings throughout the cruise. When I did one a few years back it was $20 and we got pretty close to 4 full size drinks so was a great deal. There's usually a margarita tasting, martini tasting, mojito tasting, etc... but the amount you get probably depends on the bartender doing it, pretty sure it's just supposed to be 4 small drinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare KeithJenner Posted March 15, 2017 #8 Share Posted March 15, 2017 I thought they offered Viva Vino on the POA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pe4all Posted March 15, 2017 #9 Share Posted March 15, 2017 There is a "Corks and Caps" package but it's not available on POA either. I thought they offered Viva Vino on the POA. They definitely do have Viva Vino on POA. Got it this past December. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triptolemus Posted March 15, 2017 #10 Share Posted March 15, 2017 nevermind... I'm stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted March 16, 2017 #11 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Understood. The added advantage is I have is that at the exchange on the military base I have access to the wine is not expensive at all and best of all tax free. I knew that I cannot bring liquor but love wine so it's a win win for me. I heard something about a wine package on board though... any word on that? They have bucket of beer specials like the other ships - pay for 5 get 6. They do have wine bottle specials. It was varying number of bottles with increased savings the more you buy. I posted the details once before and will have to take a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holidayhelen Posted March 16, 2017 #12 Share Posted March 16, 2017 I have just returned - you cannot take liquids on to the ship - not even water. They go through your bags and you have to remove them. There were 'wine deals' but expensive wines. And the beer buckets - buy 5 get one free. All drinks have 18% and tax on top - so the bill goes up quickly. We are in the UK and we were able to put some credit on our account before we cruised - we put $1000 on and we still owed more at the end of the week. Even drinking off the ship in ports is not cheap But the cruise is well worth it - stunning islands and scenery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiser Who Knows Nothing Posted March 16, 2017 #13 Share Posted March 16, 2017 You can buy on board credits from your my NCL account, so you have some money in your account when you board, it's not a way to keep your bill down, but a way to make it easier to pay. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pe4all Posted March 16, 2017 #14 Share Posted March 16, 2017 We used our $100 per cabin obc to purchase a 4-bottle wine package. Cost was $108. Came out cheaper to buy their package (also available in 6 and 8 bottles) than to purchase wine in Hawaii and pay the corkage fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted March 16, 2017 #15 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Yes, you can get Viva Vino, since it is not an "unlimited for fixed price" deal. Suites can also get a 3 bottle of wine set up instead of the bar setup on other ships. Hawaii does not allow "unlimited" drink packages, nor is the POA licensed as a "bottle shop" so it cannot sell full bottles of spirits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted March 16, 2017 #16 Share Posted March 16, 2017 The wording on the Daily said "...choose from a selection of wines....with savings up to 25%....three different packages to choose from....ask any bartender for details". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BostonGal35 Posted March 16, 2017 #17 Share Posted March 16, 2017 back before the UBP, we'd budget $100 per day for 2 of us. we were usually able to stay within that. BUT, the drink prices were much cheaper then. the drinks we prefer are now all $12.95 or $15.95 a piece. we'd be screwed. this honestly is a big part of why we have been hesitant to book POA (coupled with NO casino and consistent year round expensive fares in general - there is never a significant shoulder season on fares) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now