Beverage Cards

[RidleyRider]

What advantage is it to purchase a beverage card. New to cruising

[SandRaven]

It's cheaper per glass than buying a soda or glass of wine. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Some of the ships are no longer selling the cards. If you still the see the cards available on HAL's website -- you can buy it (them) and the ship will honor it.

We used to get the wine card but about a year ago HAL changed the house brand to Coastal Vintners -- that is the only wine you can get with the wine cards. JMO -- but Coastal Vintners is very bitter. NOW -- there is talk -- again -- about HAL changing the house wine to another brand. You won't know what brand it will be until you get on the ship and ask.

[PumpkinPatches]

It's really just best to wait until you board to find out if you want a beverage card or not.. they always have them at the bars.

There's no rush.

[Krazy Kruizers]

It's really just best to wait until you board to find out if you want a beverage card or not.. they always have them at the bars.

There's no rush.

Some ships are no longer selling any of the cards.

[GeriatricNurse]

It's cheaper per glass than buying a soda or glass of wine. :)


The glass of wine will now cost more per (8 oz.) serving with the Beverage Card than it does/did with the Wine Card! Too bad!:mad:

[Hawaiidan]

I bought 8 cards for a 30 day cruise ....for next year and it figgured out to be $3.88 a glass including tip.... thats pretty good it inclused cham. too.
I dont care for a whole bottle at dinner....
Also I figgure it will only go up or away.....:cool:

[Typhoon1]

We have found the soda card to be convenient and always purchase one.

If the new cards are being sold on our next cruise, we'll buy that also.

[PumpkinPatches]

I always did too... but now that I know you can bring your own cases of pop on board.. I'm starting to re-think the soda card for my next cruise.

You can either spend $10 and get 36 cans of pop.. or spend $20 on 20 glasses of pop on board..and small glasses too!!

I think they may give you around 1/2 a cans worth for each glass, they are quite tiny.

[airlink diva]

It's really a matter of choice and convenience Riley Rider.
I don't drink alot of soda,but enjoy a glass with my meals. The cost balance out on me rushing about buying the drinks, lugging them about to the cabin is ready and half the time end up with flat soda that I trash.
I also like the fact that you just show the card and the transaction is quick.
I see that several people mention that some ship either don't offer the beverage cards pre sailing or onboard. On my upcoming Maasdam sailing, they are offering the beverage cards pre sailing. On my other HAL sailings, they were also offered on the first day on board and mid way on my 14 day cruise, they were on sale in the various lounges.
With the wine cards, if you just enjoy a basic glass of wine for a pre dinner or dinner drink, it's a good value. But if you want a certain label that's beyond the basic, you are better off just bringing that bottle on board to enjoy.
I enjoy the cards and have a soda and cocktail card purchased for my sailing.

[KirkNC]

We just returned from the Noordam where they (and the Westerdam) have started using the new beverage cards. There were three options (I am not counting the wine by the glass card here which while not advertised anywhere was still accepted, I purchased mine pre-cruise), ok back to the beverage cards. The three options were 1) the soda card, $50 worth of soda for $25, 2) a $50 beverage card for $45 or 3) a $100 beverage card for $90. The soda cards were good for any cans of soda..da :rolleyes:, while the beverage cards could be used for ANY beverages, coffee, tea, soda, wine, mixed drink etc.

I did not find out about the soda card until later in the cruise but it appears to me to be a pretty good deal, you get the whole can for 1/2 price for $.98 plus tip so if you can drink 45 sodas on a cruise, it seems like a good deal. Another soda option we used was to go to the Ocean Bar or Crows Nest during Happy hour where everything is two for one so I would get a six-pack to go for the same per can price as the soda card.

The beverage cards also appeared useful. You are saving 10%. It is not as good as the wine card which saves about 20% but it gives you a lot of flexibility. Another aspect of the wine card versus the beverage card was the aforemention Happy Hour where you got two for one and could pay with the beverage card saving 10% plus the two for one benefit but you could not get two glasses of wine using the wine card (you could but they would punch two holes ;)).

My guess is that the wine card will be phased out (which I hate as I use it alot :eek:) and the soda and beverage cards will become the new thing.

Kirk

[dobiemom]

Another soda option we used was to go to the Ocean Bar or Crows Nest during Happy hour where everything is two for one so I would get a six-pack to go for the same per can price as the soda card.
Great idea, thanks! ;)

[RoupMom]

Over the years I've read several discussions about soda cards. Our son bought one on our Volendam cruise at the end of June at the check-in desk. I learned two things: you can share them, as he often ordered a soda for me; and you can ask for a can when ordering, instead of a glass, and they will bring you that. Our son had a small case he carried his room key, the soda card, and a wine card and found it very convenient.

[Niz]

I just purchased a wine card, can it be used anywhere on the ship or only in the diningroom

[LindaM]

Just got off Amsterdam. In the past year, it seems that HAL has lowered the price of some wines. Their house pour is $4.50, so you do save some money using the wine card. Not as much as previously, though. They seemed to offer more "happy hour 2 for 1". We would get this between 10 and 11 in the Crow's Nest and in the piano bar. Also found out (when our wine card ran out) that they were offering 25% off in the show lounge. I don't know if this was going on for the whole cruise, or just the last several days.

It may vary from ship to ship. Perhaps the people on the Amsterdam weren't spending money in the lounges!

[Cruizer Bill]

Technically, the old soda cards were good only for that cruise. I found out the hard way. I saved my soda card from the Ryndam cruis in 2009 and took it out from my wallet and proudly gave it to a barkeeper on the Volendam in April 2010. He said they could not accept the card. So, i went to another bar and just ordered a soda and handed the guy my card. He did not check and took it. Just a heads up, use the card up if you can.

[Typhoon1]

Technically, the old soda cards were good only for that cruise. I found out the hard way. I saved my soda card from the Ryndam cruis in 2009 and took it out from my wallet and proudly gave it to a barkeeper on the Volendam in April 2010. He said they could not accept the card. So, i went to another bar and just ordered a soda and handed the guy my card. He did not check and took it. Just a heads up, use the card up if you can.

That's correct. The card is good for one cruise only. Someone gave me an unused soda card on the last day of our 2008 cruise. I brought it on our 2009 cruise, and used it without question.

[tcook052]

I too will probably buy a soda card for an upcoming Eurodam cruise but wish 2 things were improved: it was an unlimited card even if it were a slightly higher price and that it was more user friendly than the staff literally punching holes in a thin plastic card, which isn't that attractive. Call me fussy but there surely there has to be a better way.

[jtl513]

I too will probably buy a soda card for an upcoming Eurodam cruise but wish 2 things were improved: it was an unlimited card even if it were a slightly higher price and that it was more user friendly than the staff literally punching holes in a thin plastic card, which isn't that attractive. Call me fussy but there surely there has to be a better way.HAL used to have an unlimited soda option, but it was abused, with entire families "sharing" one card. It won't be back.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I too will probably buy a soda card for an upcoming Eurodam cruise but wish 2 things were improved: it was an unlimited card even if it were a slightly higher price and that it was more user friendly than the staff literally punching holes in a thin plastic card, which isn't that attractive. Call me fussy but there surely there has to be a better way.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

A number of years ago when HAL first introduced the soda cards it was unlimited. But families really abused it.

We watched one family at the Lido Pool -- first one child went up to the bar and get a glass of soda. Then he came back and passed the card onto the next person. And this continued until all 4 of them had their sodas. An hour or so later -- they did the same procedure again.

You'll never see the unlimited soda cards on HAL in the future.

[tcook052]

Thanks for the background though know other cruise lines have unlimited cards so either look the other way at abuse or don't have that much. :) I understand the why but wish the how was a bit better done as the plastic punch card is so amateur to me. Couldn't HAL find the technology to do something better? Why not buy a mag-stripe card with a pre-loaded number of soda orders and when it's empty reload it or return it for reuse? That way if you failed to use the full amount on that cruise you could keep it for another cruise or pass it to a family member or friend who could use it. HAL would benefit from any who never use the loaded amount and it would be a more elegant and user friendly system for a premium cruise line while still preventing abuse.

Starbucks has a card reloading system online and I use it often and it is a very user friendly system. I just can't help think there's a better way out there and wish another way could be found, though it's a relatively small matter in the big picture HAL experience.

[Krazy Kruizers]

If you read post #11 -- you will see that HAL is slowly doing away with the old "punch" type of soda cards on the various ships.

[tcook052]

If you read post #11 -- you will see that HAL is slowly doing away with the old "punch" type of soda cards on the various ships.

$50 of soda for $25 and no punch card is a better way, though I was going on what was showing under indulgences on my online account which is the $20.70 version (20 for 20 +15% svc charge). Perhaps they haven't rolled it out to Eurodam yet but glad it seems like they will.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Even though we don't drink soda -- I checked a couple of our booked cruises and the new cards are listed there yet.

Some peope have mentioned that they were given the cards by their TA's -- a few others have been able to buy them on the ship -- I didn't keep track of which ships are selling them.

[VermeulT]

Can anyone say anything to the $50 Beverage Card I will be getting from my TA as a booking gift? How does it work - like a debit card for any beverages?

[TMWeddle]

I just purchased a wine card, can it be used anywhere on the ship or only in the diningroom


Niz, Anywhere on the ship. Though they are supposed to be phasing them out, I was able to order wine card and drink cards for our February cruise.

[aliaschief]

Over the years there have been claims that people have left unused drink/coffee cards inside the cabins Bible. Personally, I have never found one.

[debsjc]

We just returned from the Noordam where they (and the Westerdam) have started using the new beverage cards. There were three options (I am not counting the wine by the glass card here which while not advertised anywhere was still accepted, I purchased mine pre-cruise), ok back to the beverage cards. The three options were 1) the soda card, $50 worth of soda for $25, 2) a $50 beverage card for $45 or 3) a $100 beverage card for $90. The soda cards were good for any cans of soda..da :rolleyes:, while the beverage cards could be used for ANY beverages, coffee, tea, soda, wine, mixed drink etc.

I did not find out about the soda card until later in the cruise but it appears to me to be a pretty good deal, you get the whole can for 1/2 price for $.98 plus tip so if you can drink 45 sodas on a cruise, it seems like a good deal. Another soda option we used was to go to the Ocean Bar or Crows Nest during Happy hour where everything is two for one so I would get a six-pack to go for the same per can price as the soda card.

The beverage cards also appeared useful. You are saving 10%. It is not as good as the wine card which saves about 20% but it gives you a lot of flexibility. Another aspect of the wine card versus the beverage card was the aforemention Happy Hour where you got two for one and could pay with the beverage card saving 10% plus the two for one benefit but you could not get two glasses of wine using the wine card (you could but they would punch two holes ;)).

My guess is that the wine card will be phased out (which I hate as I use it alot :eek:) and the soda and beverage cards will become the new thing.

Kirk

Thanks for this information.

Is there anyone just off the Eurodam in the last couple of weeks, that could let me know if they are offering the new $25 soda card yet please?

[jtl513]

Can anyone say anything to the $50 Beverage Card I will be getting from my TA as a booking gift? How does it work - like a debit card for any beverages?Yes. :)

Over the years there have been claims that people have left unused drink/coffee cards inside the cabins Bible. Personally, I have never found one.We left a partially used coffee card on the Amsterdam, room 3385.

[slotl]

HAL used to have an unlimited soda option, but it was abused, with entire families "sharing" one card. It won't be back.

Princess gives you unlimited "fountain" drinks with your soda card. The soda card is a sticker on your room key. Whatever comes out of the bar fountain: coke, diet coke, sprite, club soda, tonic, ginger ale. Also on Princess, they sell "coffee cards".....good thing because Princess coffee is swill (they use syrup and call it coffee). The best part about the "coffee cards" is that you get all you can drink PLAIN BREWED coffee (decaf or regular) with no punches to the card. The punches are for the latte, Cappachino, Expresso, or other "specialities". We used the coffee card for "plain" coffee at breakfast or after dinner....but the "poor waiter" must go to the coffee bar to get the brewed coffee.

As far as HAL, we usually purchase cans of soda at a port we visit and put the cans in our refridge. There is no problem bringing the soft drinks on the ship.

[slotl]

Some peope have mentioned that they were given the cards by their TA's -- a few others have been able to buy them on the ship -- I didn't keep track of which ships are selling them.

I ask my TA for a soda card instead of the bottle of champagne. If she "forgets", I turn in my bottle of champagne at the pursers desk and "exchange" it for a soda card. HAL credits my account for the champagne then charges my account for the soda card.

[cruisemom42]

I ask my TA for a soda card instead of the bottle of champagne. If she "forgets", I turn in my bottle of champagne at the pursers desk and "exchange" it for a soda card. HAL credits my account for the champagne then charges my account for the soda card.

Now that is a great idea!! :) Methinks I'll be trying it shortly...

[Kay240]

I ask my TA for a soda card instead of the bottle of champagne. If she "forgets", I turn in my bottle of champagne at the pursers desk and "exchange" it for a soda card. HAL credits my account for the champagne then charges my account for the soda card.

HOWEVER... we had been given BOTH a "$50" soda card and wine/champagne. We ended up with lots of soda!! :eek:

BTW we had been using up a soda card and purchasing a new one on one cruise, which would be used up on the next cruise, etc. Finally, it was refused because HAL had changed from "paper" to "plastic", so they knew it was not from the current cruise!

[debsjc]

I ask my TA for a soda card instead of the bottle of champagne. If she "forgets", I turn in my bottle of champagne at the pursers desk and "exchange" it for a soda card. HAL credits my account for the champagne then charges my account for the soda card.

I didn't even realise you could do that.

We had a bottle of chanpagne left in our cabin last, thought I'm not sure why because it wasn't from our travel agent. Anyway we just left we it, as we don't drink wine or champagne. Would have been great to exchange it for something else.

[bonafidebeachbum]

Does anyone know if the wine cards are still available on the Ryandam??? We were able to buy them in late June this year on the Oosterdam. Also, I've heard lots of mention of soda cards, and champagne, etc as gifts from TA's. Is this the norm??? We booked 2 cruises (our first and our upcoming Ryandam) with the same TA, and we did not have any gifts on our first cruise in June, nor has there been any mention of gifts for our upcoming Ryandam cruise. If this is the norm then I will find another TA the next time we plan a cruise.

[jtl513]

Does anyone know if the wine cards are still available on the Ryandam???They're probably still available on the HAL site: For Booked Guests > Book ... Indulgences.

[slabeaume]

I had heard you could get OBC for the $50 soda cards that agents give you. Can that be done on the Eurodam?

[slotl]

Does anyone know if the wine cards are still available on the Ryandam??? We were able to buy them in late June this year on the Oosterdam. Also, I've heard lots of mention of soda cards, and champagne, etc as gifts from TA's. Is this the norm??? We booked 2 cruises (our first and our upcoming Ryandam) with the same TA, and we did not have any gifts on our first cruise in June, nor has there been any mention of gifts for our upcoming Ryandam cruise. If this is the norm then I will find another TA the next time we plan a cruise.

Your TA makes a "generous" commission on your booking. A TA gift to you should be considered a "tip/gratuity/thank you" for your business by the TA.

BTW, wine cards and soda cards were available on the Prinsendam last March for our 50+ day Grand Med/Black Sea Cruise. Our tablemate had a wine card fo 90 glasses which she used at the bars and at dinner.

[nasa1974]

Can anyone say anything to the $50 Beverage Card I will be getting from my TA as a booking gift? How does it work - like a debit card for any beverages?

I called Holland America and asked about the soda card. It is good for 20 8 ounze glasses of soda and it is not poured from a can. Only a few ships still offer it. I was told that you can bring your own soda on board.

[slotl]

It is good for 20 8 ounze glasses of soda and it is not poured from a can.

Ask the bartender for "light" ice, otherwise you will get a glass full of ice and not very much soda.

[slabeaume]

I called Holland America and asked about the soda card. It is good for 20 8 ounze glasses of soda and it is not poured from a can. Only a few ships still offer it. I was told that you can bring your own soda on board.

That doesn't seem like much for a $50 soda card!

[jtl513]

I called Holland America and asked about the soda card. It is good for 20 8 ounze glasses of soda and it is not poured from a can. Only a few ships still offer it. I was told that you can bring your own soda on board.

That doesn't seem like much for a $50 soda card!The punch-cards that are being phased out gave you the 20 glasses (10 cans) for $20.70. The new "$50 soda cards" sell for $25 and give you 22 cans.