Berlin Bear Posted April 20 #1 Share Posted April 20 A simple question - are non-alcoholic beers and wines included at mealtimes? As we now drink very little alcohol, it’s not really worth us getting the SSP, but we would be very happy to drink something other than water, juice or lemonade with our meals. We‘ve had the SSP in the past, so I know that non-alcoholic beer and wine are available on board, just not sure whether they are included. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike07 Posted April 20 #2 Share Posted April 20 You can order soda, and I think I heard a table over from me order a non alcohol wine. I don't know about NA beer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photopro2 Posted April 20 #3 Share Posted April 20 Simple answer too 😁 yes those non alcoholic drinks are included. The non alcoholic lager, Heineken 0 I think, became our standard drink at lunchtime. We also tried ice tea for the first time, which we enjoyed. It is available in sweetened and non sweetened versions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berlin Bear Posted April 20 Author #4 Share Posted April 20 Many thanks for these speedy replies. I can imagine it being the case for non- alcoholic beer, but was less sure about the wine. I know, non-alcoholic wine is not always particularly palatable, but at least it gives us the choice 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photopro2 Posted April 20 #5 Share Posted April 20 Though I can confirm they are included, availability is a slightly different matter! As you say, non alcoholic beer is readily available. Non alcoholic wine was not always "to hand" however waiters usually found some of the sparkling type. On one occasion the bartender in the Aquavit bar made me up a special alcohol-free cocktail as an apology for not having the wine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berlin Bear Posted April 20 Author #6 Share Posted April 20 Thanks for the tip. We frequently cruise on the German Mein Schiff (TUI Cruises). They have a really good selection of non-alcoholic cocktails which are not too sweet. But no wine of the non-alcoholic variety at all unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LindaS272 Posted April 20 #7 Share Posted April 20 I have had non-alcoholic wine at Chef’s Table before, both red and white. The white was not too bad, but the red wasn’t great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berlin Bear Posted April 20 Author #8 Share Posted April 20 1 minute ago, LindaS272 said: I have had non-alcoholic wine at Chef’s Table before, both red and white. The white was not too bad, but the red wasn’t great. Thanks for confirming. Was that included in the „complimentary inclusive wines, beers and soft drinks at mealtimes“? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LindaS272 Posted April 20 #9 Share Posted April 20 Just now, Berlin Bear said: Thanks for confirming. Was that included in the „complimentary inclusive wines, beers and soft drinks at mealtimes“? I think I may have asked for a non-alcoholic wine at dinner in the Restaurant once after having tried it at CT. So yes, it was included. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berlin Bear Posted April 20 Author #10 Share Posted April 20 You are all so helpful - thanks for answering my question! Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_BJ Posted April 22 #11 Share Posted April 22 (edited) Was that included in the „complimentary inclusive wines, beers and soft drinks at mealtimes“? We've cruised both ocean and river and experienced differences 'tween BUT in every case the 'included wine' was a choice of the day - a red and a white - but ONLY that one and not anything from the wine list. On our river cruise the included beer was the 'tap' beer which was Carlsberg as I recall. On subsequent ocean trips it appeared they would provide any beer they had (can) at lunch/dinner under 'included'. At both meals on both o and r at lunch and dinner no charge for coke, coke sugar free, <sometimes 'zero' some times the EU product of Diet Coke ...> can not comment beyond other to say they have ice tea which I always take unsweetened Edited April 22 by Capt_BJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berlin Bear Posted April 23 Author #12 Share Posted April 23 9 hours ago, Capt_BJ said: Was that included in the „complimentary inclusive wines, beers and soft drinks at mealtimes“? We've cruised both ocean and river and experienced differences 'tween BUT in every case the 'included wine' was a choice of the day - a red and a white - but ONLY that one and not anything from the wine list. On our river cruise the included beer was the 'tap' beer which was Carlsberg as I recall. On subsequent ocean trips it appeared they would provide any beer they had (can) at lunch/dinner under 'included'. At both meals on both o and r at lunch and dinner no charge for coke, coke sugar free, <sometimes 'zero' some times the EU product of Diet Coke ...> can not comment beyond other to say they have ice tea which I always take unsweetened Aha - thanks for this additional information. As it’s an ocean cruise we’re looking at at the moment, I can probably rely on being able to order „complimentary“ non-alcoholic beer with lunch and dinner, but possibly/probably not non-alcoholic wine. OK, I can live with that 😄. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LindaS272 Posted April 23 #13 Share Posted April 23 3 hours ago, Berlin Bear said: Aha - thanks for this additional information. As it’s an ocean cruise we’re looking at at the moment, I can probably rely on being able to order „complimentary“ non-alcoholic beer with lunch and dinner, but possibly/probably not non-alcoholic wine. OK, I can live with that 😄. Please see my posts at #7 & #9. My experience is different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berlin Bear Posted April 23 Author #14 Share Posted April 23 4 hours ago, LindaS272 said: Please see my posts at #7 & #9. My experience is different. Thank you. That is good to hear. So, I shall simply presume that these drinks are included at mealtimes and go ahead and order them 😊. If refused, I shall refer to all your experiences. i love this crowdsourcing function of CC! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LindaS272 Posted April 23 #15 Share Posted April 23 59 minutes ago, Berlin Bear said: So, I shall simply presume that these drinks are included at mealtimes and go ahead and order them 😊. If refused, I shall refer to all your experiences. 😂🫠May not help with Viking—but good luck! I hope you can swing it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch1994 Posted April 28 #16 Share Posted April 28 It would be interesting to know how many people would have wine at lunch, etc. if it wasn't included and they had to pay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OneSixtyToOne Posted April 28 #17 Share Posted April 28 (edited) 2 hours ago, hutch1994 said: It would be interesting to know how many people would have wine at lunch, etc. if it wasn't included and they had to pay. We have had the SSP included twice and even then only had wine at lunch less than half the time. Wine and a meal before an afternoon excursion and I’d be sleeping on the bus. Prefer to be caffeinated. Edited April 28 by OneSixtyToOne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike07 Posted April 28 #18 Share Posted April 28 1 hour ago, OneSixtyToOne said: We have had the SSP included twice and even then only had wine at lunch less than half the time. Wine and a meal before an afternoon excursion and I’d be sleeping on the bus. Prefer to be caffeinated. With the way Viking river cruises are organized... I agree. I tend to drink 3-4 cokes at lunch to get rehydrated and take the caffeine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike07 Posted April 28 #19 Share Posted April 28 4 hours ago, hutch1994 said: It would be interesting to know how many people would have wine at lunch, etc. if it wasn't included and they had to pay. I'm not one that needs wine or beer at lunch or dinner. Though, I know some households that open a bottle of wine almost every evening meal. Truth be told, I think alcohol consumption would plummet on a Viking ship if said drinks were with a package or by the glass/bottle. When TH says Viking is for the "thinking" crowd, sometimes I roll my eyes as the lectures are too basic, IMHO. But, I would say the crowd Viking attracts is not really the drink, smoke, and joke crowd either. I don't really envision the Viking crowd to be the ones that are on Viking one week and then down in Margaritaville the rest of the time trying to stay forever young and soaking up the sun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch1994 Posted April 28 #20 Share Posted April 28 2 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said: We have had the SSP included twice and even then only had wine at lunch less than half the time. Wine and a meal before an afternoon excursion and I’d be sleeping on the bus. Prefer to be caffeinated. We also have had the package and just either have ice tea or water at lunch. Just wine at dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch1994 Posted April 28 #21 Share Posted April 28 1 hour ago, Mike07 said: I'm not one that needs wine or beer at lunch or dinner. Though, I know some households that open a bottle of wine almost every evening meal. Truth be told, I think alcohol consumption would plummet on a Viking ship if said drinks were with a package or by the glass/bottle. When TH says Viking is for the "thinking" crowd, sometimes I roll my eyes as the lectures are too basic, IMHO. But, I would say the crowd Viking attracts is not really the drink, smoke, and joke crowd either. I don't really envision the Viking crowd to be the ones that are on Viking one week and then down in Margaritaville the rest of the time trying to stay forever young and soaking up the sun. Good call. Lots of people on these cruises only drink the included wine because it's free. Otherwise, they probably in a lot of cases wouldn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duquephart Posted May 8 #22 Share Posted May 8 Couple of dark beers go very well with a dog (or burger) at the pool grill! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rothbear13 Posted September 4 #23 Share Posted September 4 We are on the Orion from Alaska next June and I am glad to hear about the iced tea at meals as it is my drink of choice. I don't drink any soft drinks at all and prefer sweet wines if any at all. My question is.......I know you can get coffee throughout the day on the ship, but can you get teas and iced tea all day as well? Neither one of us drinks coffee at all, but we both like tea. I know about the afternoon tea that I'm looking forward to it. I'm just wondering if we need to bring along water enhancers with us if we can't get iced tea. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OneSixtyToOne Posted September 4 #24 Share Posted September 4 (edited) 1 hour ago, rothbear13 said: We are on the Orion from Alaska next June and I am glad to hear about the iced tea at meals as it is my drink of choice. I don't drink any soft drinks at all and prefer sweet wines if any at all. My question is.......I know you can get coffee throughout the day on the ship, but can you get teas and iced tea all day as well? Neither one of us drinks coffee at all, but we both like tea. I know about the afternoon tea that I'm looking forward to it. I'm just wondering if we need to bring along water enhancers with us if we can't get iced tea. Thanks. Hot tea is available 24/7 in the World Cafe as is coffee. I believe iced tea is considered a soft drink, although you could brew a cup of hot tea and add your own ice. If in a DV or above stateroom, soft drinks are replenished daily and you can request what to stock. I’m not sure if they have canned or bottled iced tea, as I’ve only seen it served in a glass. You can also request the in-room coffee machine be replaced with a tea kettle. Edited September 4 by OneSixtyToOne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rothbear13 Posted September 5 #25 Share Posted September 5 5 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said: Hot tea is available 24/7 in the World Cafe as is coffee. I believe iced tea is considered a soft drink, although you could brew a cup of hot tea and add your own ice. If in a DV or above stateroom, soft drinks are replenished daily and you can request what to stock. I’m not sure if they have canned or bottled iced tea, as I’ve only seen it served in a glass. You can also request the in-room coffee machine be replaced with a tea kettle. Thank you for your response! We are in a PV, so will ask our steward about the tea and ask about getting the tea kettle and maybe some tea bags. Also good suggestion about making my own. Now that I know they have regular tea available 24/7 I will probably do that. My hubby drinks soda but I don't....gave it up years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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