Beverage Package Question

[teamflames]

We just purchased the SBP for our family of 4 for our late May cruise. I can't imagine going over the 15 drink/day limit because I just don't think we will have enough waking hours in the day to drink that much. Anyway, we are not too concerned about getting our money's worth or breaking even. We are looking forward to the convenience of having what we want, when we want it. Since we are not too selective about wine or liquor brands, we think it will work out great for us!

 

Look for our review in June!

 

 

 

If you have bottled waters, specialty coffees etc and a bit of a party on a sea day 15 is possible

 

 

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[EeyoreFan1967]

If you have bottled waters, specialty coffees etc and a bit of a party on a sea day 15 is possible

 

 

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We will give it our best go and get back to you about it!

[teamflames]

We will give it our best go and get back to you about it!

 

 

 

Hard to drink tap water after living on San Pellegrino [emoji6]

 

 

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[Seavoyage]

Do they give you cans of soda?

[teamflames]

Do they give you cans of soda?

 

 

 

Yes and unopened so you can take them back to your cabin. When we were under the impression it was 15 drinks total we regularly grabbed a few cans before heading to bed and placed them in the fridge and even took them off the cruise when finished.

 

 

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[kathyemma]

I am really on the fence with the drink package. If we were going to the Caribbean I would get it in a heartbeat but we are going to Alaska. Two days we will be off the ship until 9 or 10 pm. I don't think I will drink more than one glass of wine before falling asleep on those days. The other days I will have plenty of opportunity to drink wine and sparkling water. What do you guys suggest? The beverage package or a wine package? The only drinks I will really order are sparkling water and red wine.

 

TIA

[POA1]

I am really on the fence with the drink package. If we were going to the Caribbean I would get it in a heartbeat but we are going to Alaska. Two days we will be off the ship until 9 or 10 pm. I don't think I will drink more than one glass of wine before falling asleep on those days. The other days I will have plenty of opportunity to drink wine and sparkling water. What do you guys suggest? The beverage package or a wine package? The only drinks I will really order are sparkling water and red wine.

 

TIA

 

I'd get a wine package and order reds. Your wine steward will keep the opened bottles for you and you'll get two days per bottle, assuming two people drinking a glass a day. I'd simply pay for the bottled water - or, if you can make it to a happy hour, buy them there with the buy one, get a second at $2 happy hour price.

[kathyemma]

I'd get a wine package and order reds. Your wine steward will keep the opened bottles for you and you'll get two days per bottle, assuming two people drinking a glass a day. I'd simply pay for the bottled water - or, if you can make it to a happy hour, buy them there with the buy one, get a second at $2 happy hour price.

 

That sounds like a good idea. We will be on the Westerdam. Do you know the times and location for happy hour?

 

Thanks!

[funji1]

Another question re: HAL SBP.........Will a Rusty Nail (scotch and drambuie) or a Manhattan count as 1 or 2 drinks. Some people like myself enjoy a Rusty Nail that is equal parts scotch and drambuie. If they are "charging" by the "shot" a Rusty Nail would only be a jigger, correct? Or would it be 2 jiggers ? Not that I will drink more than 2 a night, just wondering so I know how to order.:):)

THANKS for all the help on this board.

[sprockie]

If you have bottled waters, specialty coffees etc and a bit of a party on a sea day 15 is possible

 

 

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Well said. I agree wholeheartedly.

[teamflames]

Another question re: HAL SBP.........Will a Rusty Nail (scotch and drambuie) or a Manhattan count as 1 or 2 drinks. Some people like myself enjoy a Rusty Nail that is equal parts scotch and drambuie. If they are "charging" by the "shot" a Rusty Nail would only be a jigger, correct? Or would it be 2 jiggers ? Not that I will drink more than 2 a night, just wondering so I know how to order.:):)

THANKS for all the help on this board.

 

they are included as one drink - considered a cocktail. Might be different if you want a particular brand of spirit that is above the price limit

If you like Manhattans try their Brooklyn cocktail - I loved it.

[johnnycruise]

Will the Signature Beverage Package cover martinis made with branded gin/vodka? Last time we sailed on HAL, the house gin/vodka was poor and the only type the bartenders would use under the (then) $8 max.

[kazu]

This is research from last year. We aren't planning to sail until later this year. I'll update it then, but this should suffice. It's compiled from Roger Jett's Fall 2017 scans.

 

Non-Alcoholic - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP

Mineral Water 1.5L - $3.95 - Yes - Yes

Mineral Water 0.5L - $1.95 - Yes - Yes

San Pelligrino 1.0L - $4.50 - Yes - Yes

Perrier 750ml - $3.25 - Yes - Yes

Juices - All - $2.75 - Yes - Yes

Soda - All - $2.25 - Yes - Yes

Red Bull - $4.50 - Yes - Yes

Red Bull Sugar Free - $4.50 - Yes - Yes

Please note that both plans include mocktails and smoothies.

 

WINE - HAL Price - HAL SBP # - HAL EBP #

House Sparkling - $6.50 - 1 - 1

Prosecco - $6.75 - 1 - 1

Other Sparkling - $9.50 - 0 - 1

Champagne - $12.50 - 0 - 1

Pinot Grigio - $6.50-$11.00 - 1 - 2

Chablis - $13.50 - 0 - 1

Chardonnay - $6.50-$9.75 - 2 - 4

Riesling - $7.25-8.50 - 2 - 2

Moscato - $8.50 - 1 - 1

Sauv Blanc - $8.50-$9.75 - 1 - 2

Barbera - $9.75 - 0 - 1

Claret - $13.50 - 0 - 1

Malbec - $8.50 - 1 - 1

Merlot - $6.50-$12.25 - 1 - 2

Cabernet Sauv - $6.50-$9.75 - 3 - 5

Shiraz/Syrah - $7.25-$14.75 - 2 - 3

Pinot Noir - $9.75 - 0 - 2

Zinfandel - $6.50 - 1 - 1

White Zin - $6.50 - 1 - 1

Dessert Wine - $7.95 - 1 - 1

Number Wines Available - - 19 - 34

 

BEER 12 oz - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP

Amstel Light - $5.95 - Yes - Yes

Beck's - $5.95 - Yes - Yes

Blue Moon - $5.95 - Yes - Yes

Corona - $5.95 - Yes - Yes

Guinness Stout - $6.25 - Yes - Yes

Heineken - $5.95 - Yes - Yes

Molson - $5.95 - Yes - Yes

Sam Adams Boston Lager - $5.95 - Yes - Yes

Stella Artois - $5.95 - Yes - Yes

 

BEER 16 oz - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP

Boddington's - $6.25 - Yes - Yes

Bud - $6.25 - Yes - Yes

Bud Light - $6.25 - Yes - Yes

Bud Light Lime - $6.25 - Yes - Yes

Coors Light - $6.25 - Yes - Yes

Grolsch - $7.25 - Yes - Yes

Michelob Ultra - $6.25 - Yes - Yes

Miller Genuine Draft - $6.25 - Yes - Yes

Miller Lite - $6.25 - Yes - Yes

 

CIDERS/OTHER - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP

Crispin Cider - $5.75 - Yes - Yes

NA Beer - $4.25 - Yes - Yes

Rekordling Pear - $6.50 - Yes - Yes

Rekordling Strawberry/Lime - $6.50 - Yes - Yes

Smirnoff Ice - $5.25 - Yes - Yes

Strongbow Cider - $5.75 - Yes - Yes

 

VODKA - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP

Absolut - $7.25 - Yes - Yes

Absolut Citron - $7.25 - Yes - Yes

Absolut Mandarin - $7.25 - Yes - Yes

Absolut Vanilla - $7.25 - Yes - Yes

Belvedere - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes

Chopin - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes

Finlandia - $6.25 - Yes - Yes

Grey Goose - $7.95 - Yes - Yes

Grey Goose Citron - $7.95 - Yes - Yes

Grey Goose 'Orange - $7.95 - Yes - Yes

Grey Goose La Poire - $7.95 - Yes - Yes

Ketel One - $7.50 - Yes - Yes

New Amsterdam - $6.95 - Yes - Yes

Skyy - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Skyy Pineapple - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Smirnoff - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Stolichnaya - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Tito's - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Vox - $6.95 - Yes - Yes

RUM - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP

Appleton - $7.25 - Yes - Yes

Bacardi - $7.00 - Yes - Yes

Bacardi 8 - $7.00 - Yes - Yes

Bacardi Gold - $7.00 - Yes - Yes

Bacardi Limon - $7.00 - Yes - Yes

Bacardi Oakheart - $7.00 - Yes - Yes

Bacardi Razz - $7.00 - Yes - Yes

Brugal - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Captain Morgan - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Cruzan - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Gosling's Black Seal - $7.25 - Yes - Yes

Malibu - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Myer's Dark - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Pyrat XO - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

BOURBON - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP

Buffalo Trace - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Jack Daniels - $7.50 - Yes - Yes

Jack Daniels Honey - $7.50 - Yes - Yes

Jim Beam - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Jim Beam Red Stag - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Knob Creek - $7.95 - Yes - Yes

Maker's Mark - $7.95 - Yes - Yes << Only thing that matters. Seriously. ;)

Tatoosh - $7.95 - Yes - Yes

Wild Turkey 101 - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

 

RYE/IRISH WHISKY - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP

Canadian Club - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Crown Royal - $7.00 - Yes - Yes

Jameson Irish - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Seagram's 7 Crown - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Seagram's VO - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Tatoosh Rye - $7.95 - Yes - Yes

 

SCOTCH - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP

Aberfeldy - $7.75 - Yes - Yes

Ballentine's - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Chivas Regal - $7.25 - Yes - Yes

Cutty Sark - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Dalmore - $10.25 - Excluded - Yes

Dewar's 12 Year Old - $7.25 - Yes - Yes

Dewar's White - $7.00 - Yes - Yes

Glen Deveron - $8.50 - Yes - Yes

Glenfiddich - $10.25 - Excluded - Yes

Glenlivet - $8.95 - Yes - Yes

Glenmorangie - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes

Highland Park - $11.95 - Excluded - Yes

J&B - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Johnnie Walker - Black - $7.75 - Yes - Yes

Johnnie Walker - Red - $7.00 - Yes - Yes

Laphroaig - $8.95 - Yes - Yes

Macallan Select Oak - $11.95 - Excluded - Yes

 

GIN - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP

Bols Dutch Jenever - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Bombay - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Bombay Sapphire - $7.50 - Yes - Yes

Hendricks - $8.00 - Yes - Yes

Tanqueray - $7.50 - Yes - Yes

Tanqueray 10 - $7.50 - Yes - Yes

TEQUILA - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP

Cabo Wabo Blanco - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes

Cazadores Anejo - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes

El Jimador Silver - $7.75 - Yes - Yes

Herradura Reposado - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes

Herradura Silver - $9.75 - Excluded - Yes

Jose Cuervo 1800 - $7.75 - Yes - Yes

Jose Cuervo Gold - $6.95 - Yes - Yes

Patron Anejo - $13.95 - Excluded - Yes

Patron Reposado - $11.95 - Excluded - Yes

Patron Silver - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes

 

APERITIF - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP

Aperol - $6.50 - Yes - Yes

Campari - $6.50 - Yes - Yes

Dubonnet - $6.00 - Yes - Yes

Pernod - $6.25 - Yes - Yes

Vermouth - $6.00 - Yes - Yes

 

COGNAC/ARMAGNAC - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP

Armagnac - $8.95 - Yes - Yes

Courvoisier Napoleon - $10.95 - Excluded - Yes

Courvoisier VS - $7.50 - Yes - Yes

Courvoisier VSOP - $8.50 - Yes - Yes

Hennessey VS - $7.95 - Yes - Yes

Hennessey VSOP - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes

Hennessey XO - $19.95 - Excluded - Excluded

Remy Martin VSOP - $10.95 - Excluded - Yes

Remy Martin XO - $18.95 - Excluded - Excluded

 

DIGESTIF - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP

Aquavit - $5.95 - Yes - Yes

Grappa di Alexander - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Grappa di Cabernet - $6.50 - Yes - Yes

Grappa di Prosecco - $6.25 - Yes - Yes

Limoncello - $6.50 - Yes - Yes

Villa Massa Limoncello PGI - $7.00 - Yes - Yes

LIQUEUR - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP

Amaretto Disaronno - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Baileys Irish Cream - $6.95 - Yes - Yes

Chambord - $6.25 - Yes - Yes

Cointreau - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Crème de Menthe - $6.25 - Yes - Yes

D.O.M. Benedictine - $6.50 - Yes - Yes

Drambuie - $6.95 - Yes - Yes

Frangelico - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Galliano - $6.25 - Yes - Yes

Grand Marnier - $6.95 - Yes - Yes

Jagermeister - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Kahlua - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

Patron Cafe XO - $11.95 - Excluded - Yes

Patron Citronage - $6.25 - Yes - Yes

Sambuca - $6.95 - Yes - Yes

Southern Comfort - $6.95 - Yes - Yes

Tia Maria - $6.75 - Yes - Yes

 

PORT/SHERRY - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP

Dow's LBV - $7.95 - Yes - Yes

Harvey's Bristol Cream Sherry - $6.00 - Yes - Yes

Graham's Six Grapes - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes

Sandeman - $6.50 - Yes - Yes

Smith Woodhouse Reserve LBV - $6.50 - Yes - Yes

Tio Pepe Sherry - $6.25 - Yes - Yes

Warre's Otima - $6.50 - Yes - Yes

Warre's Warrior Tawny - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes

 

Will the Signature Beverage Package cover martinis made with branded gin/vodka? Last time we sailed on HAL, the house gin/vodka was poor and the only type the bartenders would use under the (then) $8 max.

 

Absolutely unless the choices that POA1 listed above (which I have quoted) to help don't suit.

 

Even Grey Goose is included.

 

these were posted earlier in this thread.

 

I don't drink a lot of martinis, but I do like a good one. I haven't had a bad one on HAL and I'm pretty fussy. Just ask and they will do it, I'm sure. ;)

[TAD2005]

My DW likes Espresso Martinis, and they make really great ones at the Mix martini bar on the Rotterdam. She orders it with Grey Goose and we had the SBP. On the receipt, you can see that a call brand was specified with the martini, and an additional .50 cents was added, but we never saw any additional charges on our account folio. Before dinner, I like a Vodka Gimlet. I order a double with Absolute. The receipt shows a double with Absolute as a call brand, and the drink total, including service charge was over $17, but no extra charge on our bill. Yes, a double is counted as 2 of the daily 15 limit.

[Meralda17Sue]

Does the cost of the beverage package already include the 15% service charge on drinks, or would that be additional? We are debating doing a package vs pay as you go.

[johnnycruise]

My DW likes Espresso Martinis, and they make really great ones at the Mix martini bar on the Rotterdam. She orders it with Grey Goose and we had the SBP. On the receipt, you can see that a call brand was specified with the martini, and an additional .50 cents was added, but we never saw any additional charges on our account folio.

 

Is the espresso martini made with a call brand considered 1 or 2 of the daily limit?

[dogo88]

Does the cost of the beverage package already include the 15% service charge on drinks, or would that be additional? We are debating doing a package vs pay as you go.

 

Yes SBP includes the service charge.

Dan

[Meralda17Sue]

Yes SBP includes the service charge.

Dan

Thanks Dan

[dogo88]

Thanks Dan

 

And don't forget the package includes bottled water, sparkling water (San Pellegrino) and specialty coffees.

[Lyndihop]

We did the SBP with Explore 4 promo. My question is will the $9 limit for wine etc be an issue in the specialty restaurants ??

[dogo88]

We did the SBP with Explore 4 promo. My question is will the $9 limit for wine etc be an issue in the specialty restaurants ??

 

Wasn't for us. Just told them we had it and what we wanted.

[Lyndihop]

So, you just told them to bring wine?? that would be included in your SBP? No problems?

[dogo88]

So, you just told them to bring wine?? that would be included in your SBP? No problems?

 

I like reds and DW likes white. Told them we have the SBP and I wanted a glass of Merlot and DW wanted a glass of Chardonnay. The wine steward went and got the order. Refills weren't an problem either. Did this in all the specialty restaurants.

[Meralda17Sue]

The more I read about the beverage package I am so bummed that we had it and lost it when we had to change our cruise to a week later :(

[TAD2005]

Is the espresso martini made with a call brand considered 1 or 2 of the daily limit?

 

The espresso martini can be made with any brand vodka you choose, but it is made with Vanilla Absolute vodka on the Rotterdam. And it counts as only one of your 15 drinks with the SBP.

As an ultimate judge of the SBP, you can order a Wang Wang. It is made with Vodka, Tequila, Brandy, Bourbon, Scotch and Rum, with a dash of Grenadine, plus Orange and Pineapple Juice. With all of that booze, it counts as only one drink of your 15. You can have a 2nd, if you can stand up sufficiently to reach the bar.