Beverage packages

Thank you for the information. . When you go on a 24 day cruise and get an alcohol package.... that's $2400 for two. You want to make sure you are doing the best fit plan based on how we drink.

For those of you who don't go to the "Funny...." page:

I would not quite sum-up the responses to your question this way. Depending on the cruise line what is included with which level of beverage package or drinks card can vary widely. It is best to consult the cruise line"s website for exact details of what their fare or drink packages includes and excludes.

On most cruises self-service coffee, hot tea, coco, reduced fat milk (& milk alternatives like soy or almond), and filtered iced water at a ship's buffet is included gratis with your base fare, along with the waitstaff at any restaurant on the ship also serving these at no additional charge during mealtimes. On USA departure cruises unsweetened iced tea, lemonade, and some sort of 10% juice blend are generally available during lunch and dinner times, while breakfast hours will have a certain selection of include from concentrate juices. Access times may vary or be tied to the operational hours of the eatery, such as in the case of NCL or accessible at the buffet 24/7 like on Carnival. On many cruise lines iced "tap" water can be ordered at the bars and lounges without charge. Ships, even from the same line with a predominant North American departure base, when leaving out of other countries as a home port may have slightly different inclusive soft drinks at the buffet or other self service areas.

BUT depending on the cruise line what other soft drinks are included with your initial fare may vary. On most mass market cruise lines soda is not included without purchase, even at meal times, either by the can,cup, or by having at least the base level drink or soda package. Then you get into further specifications like on Royal and Celebrity you need the Refreshment package to be able to get juice (from concentrate) outside of breakfast service hours or to have fresh squeezed juice at anytime included, though if you wish to you can pay per cup.

I haven't sailed on Holland America Line, so I have no first hand experience with exactly the beverages they offer as fare included vs what they include in their various drink packages or cards programs.But they are considered a premium line in mass market cruises and could offer more at meal times than the 4 lines I've included. From the HAL FAQs....

" Onboard, Holland America Line offers a variety of beverage packages and cards for purchase as gifts or personal use. Guests can purchase individual items, multi-day wine packages or an array of convenient beverage cards (for alcoholic, non-alcoholic or soda fountain beverages).

Try one of our drink packages which offer great value and a convenient way to enhance your cruise experience.

ELITE PACKAGE

Only $59.95 per guest/per day*

Enjoy all the benefits from our Quench and Signature Packages and more! With the Elite Beverage Package you can enjoy all drinks menu priced $15 and under including Dale DeGroff’s Original Cocktails!

SIGNATURE PACKAGE

Only $54.95 per guest/per day*

Our Signature package includes everything from our Quench Package along with your favorite premium beers, spirits, cocktails, and wines by the glass priced $11 and under.

EVIAN™ WATER PACKAGE

12 liter bottles of Evian natural spring water delivered to your stateroom for only $42 per guest* 6 liter bottles only $24 per guest*

QUENCH PACKAGE

(NON-ALCOHOLIC)

Only $17.95 per guest/per day* Quench your thirst with our nonalcoholic package which includes an unlimited variety of premium coffees such as espresso and cappuccino, juices, Coca-Cola™ products, our signature mocktails, Red Bull, and bottled waters 500ml and under.

COCA-COLA™ PACKAGE

Only $8.00 per guest/per day*

The Coca-Cola™ Package includes unlimited fountain sodas for $8.00 per person, per day. On the Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam this package also includes the Coca-Cola™ Freestyle program with more than 100 unique Coca-Cola™ flavors available.

* Prices are per person per day. Please see your server or bartender for a full list of items included in each package.

A 15% service charge will be automatically applied to your purchase. Beverage packages must be purchased for the entire duration of the voyage.

All adults of legal drinking age for the respective itinerary that are booked in the same stateroom must also purchase the package.

The Signature and Elite packages have a daily limit of 15 alcoholic beverages, which includes all alcoholic beverages with a menu price of $15 or less (Elite Beverage Package), or $11 or less (Signature Beverage Package). The Quench Beverage Package includes unlimited non-alcoholic beverages and bottled waters 500ml and under.

The packages exclude purchases made in the Mini Bar, Honor Bar, Chocolate Seduction, In-Room Dining, beverages purchased on Half Moon Cay and any self-service draft beer.

Freestyle Coca-Cola is currently only available on the Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam.

Packages are non-transferrable and non-refundable. No sharing is permitted.

Participants may order only one drink at a time and must be of the legal drinking age for the respective itinerary.

Beverage Management reserves the right to revoke the package if misused. Beverage Management reserves the right to refuse service for any reason, including refusing service of alcoholic beverages to intoxicated guests.

You may order gifts for yourself or guests booked on any cruise. If ordering for friends or family, all you need is their last name and booking number.

For information regarding bringing your own alcohol, please refer to the 'Can I Bring Alcoholic Beverages Onboard?' section of our FAQ.
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If you need to order via phone, please call Ship Services at 1-800-541-1576. "

I think most lines do that. It is a really good idea to reconcile your receipts every night. Not having to add up drink receipts every night is yet another advantage to the drink package.

It all goes the card. I know with Carnival you can monitor your account spending on the TV in your cabin. You may want to check it daily, things add up quickly on a cruise.

We are going to get the Soda package and plan to pay for alcohol drinks as we go along (No package). How does this happen? Should we buy beverage cards or does our ID cards connect to our spending account? (We go to the bar, ask for a drink and they scan our ID card)?

Yes

Thank you, so at any sit down (dining room) or buffet meal we can get a coffee (not special coffee) or a soda ( any non-special, nonalcoholic drink) regardless of our beverage package.

If you mean regular coffe, like what you get ar the buffet , yes.