What is free, and what is not?

[Bridget.bradshaw]

I'm going on my second cruise on Sept 5 (NYC-Bermuda) and so I've been reading a lot of these boards over the last few days. It was booked by my father very last minute, so I've not really had too much time to plan.

Anyway, looking over the boards about HAL and cruises in general, it appears that some things are free, and others are not. Most of them I understand (ie, free food in MDR but not free alcohol). However, I've noticed people mentioning some other things that are just confusing me. For instance, someone said that you can order a small shrimp thing for free, but if you want the large one thats $18 when not on the menu. I saw something about free pastries if you order a drink, but that was then disputed.

Are there a lot of little things on HAL boats that they suddenly charge you for out of nowhere? Are there ever any awkward/embarrassing moments when you think something is included with the cruise and then a crewmember informs you that you need to pay?

And are there any specifics of things that I will have to pay for on this cruise?

Thanks in advance!

[maxout]

I'm going on my second cruise on Sept 5 (NYC-Bermuda) and so I've been reading a lot of these boards over the last few days. It was booked by my father very last minute, so I've not really had too much time to plan.

Anyway, looking over the boards about HAL and cruises in general, it appears that some things are free, and others are not. Most of them I understand (ie, free food in MDR but not free alcohol). However, I've noticed people mentioning some other things that are just confusing me. For instance, someone said that you can order a small shrimp thing for free, but if you want the large one thats $18 when not on the menu. I saw something about free pastries if you order a drink, but that was then disputed.

Are there a lot of little things on HAL boats that they suddenly charge you for out of nowhere? Are there ever any awkward/embarrassing moments when you think something is included with the cruise and then a crewmember informs you that you need to pay?

And are there any specifics of things that I will have to pay for on this cruise?

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to Cruise Critic! :D

Almost all food is free, with the exception of the Pinnacle Grill ($20 per person charge). Alcohol (beer, wine, aperitifs, mixed drinks etc), bottled water, specialty coffees, sodas are extra. Hal allows you to bring as much Wine/Champagne, soda, bottled water on board as you wish. If you choose to consume your bottles of Wine/Champagne in any of the dining venues or lounges there is a $18 corkage fee. No, no surprise charges.

[timothy998]

Room service orders are also free, but it's always cool to tip the server a few dollars (or Euros depending on your location) for the service. They can also bring any entrees in the MDR to your cabin if you call during the dining room hours.

[fridayeyes]

The free pastries with beverage purchase may be at certain hours - such as mid-afternoon. (Somebody help me - weren't there huge cinnamon rolls for a charge in the am?) It's always ok to ask "How much is...?" At the coffee bar, prices for the drinks are clearly posted. In most lounges, there is a drink menu. Drinks are not free in the casino, a surprise for folks who are used to that in Vegas.

As for the shrimp cocktail - I never knew there was a 'large' one!

In general, you will NOT pay for:

Food or self-serve beverages in the Lido
Food or self-serve beverages on the pool deck
Food in the MDR (except that shrimp cocktail)
Coffee, tea, water or milk in the MDR
Espresso or cappuccino in the MDR
Food, coffee, tea or milk ordered to your cabin as room service (a tip is appropriate)
dining at Canaletto (a dinner restaurant in the Lido)

In general, you WILL pay for

alcohol
sodas
stuff in the mini bar in your cabin (you can ask your steward to clear it out if you like)
beverages left on the desk in your cabin (usually cans of soda or bottled water. Sometimes small bottles of wine/liquor)
specialty coffees at the coffee bar
dining at the Pinnacle (worth it!)
alcohol ordered to your cabin as room service

Also in general, if ask for something and the server asks for your room card, you will be charged.

In your closet, there will be a laundry bag and a price list if you want your steward to do your laundry, pressing or dry cleaning.

Spa and salon services carry a charge.

Certain onboard activities have a fee, too - Bingo, internet time, computer or cooking lessons.

Other activities are free - movies in the movie theatre, DVDs, books from the library, cooking demonstrations, assorted lectures. Whether these things are fee or free will be clearly stated in the daily planner.

If you have kids, you'll need to ask what kind of pay-for-it things there are in the kids' areas - e.g. sodas, smoothies, chips and candy, video games that take quarters, vending machines, etc.

[mudscraper]

During sailaway when your on deck you may find waiters with a tray of premade cocktails strolling the deck and offering you one. They are not complimentary. Just so you know:)

[NordicPrince]

In addition to what has been already posted, additional costs you may incur on the ship include:

- Excursions booked thru the ship - each excursion has a fee depending on the type and length of the activity which can range up to $100+
These are booked thru the excursion desk on the ship.

- Use of the Spa - Use of the Spa services such as massages are extra. DW got good value by buying a $99 package as soon as she got on the Veendam for the use of the Thermal Suite. They only sell about 30-40 of these for the entire week and can be only bought on the ship so move quickly. This gives you use of warm thermal recliners and mineral soaks at very flexible times of operation.

- Additional tips - There is a daily charge to your Sea Pass account to cover tips for the staff. Many cruisers give extra cash to waiters and stewards for service above and beyond.

- Ship's photographers - Use of the ship's photographers will cost you to purchase the photos which can add up.

- Internet time - You can purchase time for the use of the Internet while on the ship at a charge to you, unsure of the exact cost for the packages.

- Culinary classes and Wine Tasting - Some of these have user charges to attend the sessions.

- Souvenir shirts, hats, jewelry, package goods (booze) etc purchassed from the ship's stores

I know there must be a few more but that's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Have a great trip to Beautiful Bermuda.

[fridayeyes]

During sailaway when your on deck you may find waiters with a tray of premade cocktails strolling the deck and offering you one. They are not complimentary. Just so you know:)

Indeed! The ONLY free alcohol you are likely to find will be at a Welcome Aboard reception attended by the Captain or other officers. And even then it will be one glass of champagne. This will be listed in the daily planner (including the complimentary champagne part).


Other stuff - photogs will take your picture for free, including portrait sittings. You pay for the pics you want.

If you are departing for a port day in a hot, beachy location, there may be staff offering bottled water or big, beefy beach towels. The water is not free, and the towels are either pay-for-it or 'we charge you if you don't bring it back.'

Cold towels offered on your return are free. :)

Fruit in the fruit bowl in your cabin is free.

Oh, and in the MDR, second helpings if you really like something, or an extra entree/dessert to share with a tablemate are free, too.

[mudscraper]

Realistically nothing is free. You have paid `upfront` for your free meals,transportation and entertainment.

[NordicPrince]

Realistically nothing is free. You have paid `upfront` for your free meals,transportation and entertainment.

Yada Yada Yada, been there, done that... ad nauseum.

[78232]

Unlike the main dining room, the Pinnacle charges for a second entree.
Marcia

[ariawoman]

Juices are also included in your fare, and I've heard Cappuccino in the MDR.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have never had our name or cabin number taken down when we picked up a beach towel -- thus if we would accidently leave one behind -- we could not be charged for it.

Speaking of beach towels -- the majority of the time they are right down at the gangway on a table as you leave the ship. Only a couple of times have we had them on a table on shore at the end of the gangway.

Cappucinos -- you can order them in the main dining room for breakfast, lunch and dinner -- no charge. But should you order one at a bar or the Explorations Cafe -- there is a charge.

The Pinnacle charges $20 per person for dinner and $10 per person for lunch. You can not make reservations for lunch until you are on the ship. You can make reservations for the Pinnacle on line -- go to HAL's website and to booked quests. You will need your confirmation to access that area and a credit card to pay for the reservation. Or you can book the Pinnacle by calling 1-800-541-1576 (still need confirmation number and credit card). Or you can wait until you are on the ship. Sometimes the Pinnacle books up fast -- other times -not filled.

The Canaletto is open only for dinner -- free -- must make reservations once you are on the ship.

[Bridget.bradshaw]

Wow, so many responses!! Thanks a lot everyone, hopefully I'll be able to keep track of all my money on this cruise!!

[scottjeanne]

In the OP, you mentioned hors d'oeuvres and pastries. They are free-hot hors d'oeuvres and nuts are served in the lounges before dinner. You are not required to order a drink. Pastries are available in the Explorations cafe where you can order specialty coffees. They do charge for the beverage, but not the sweets.

We had a gentleman seated at our table on our last cruise who had a standing order for shrimp cocktail to be served to him each evening. He often ordered another appetiser, but he received his shrimp none the less. There was no charge for it.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Wow, so many responses!! Thanks a lot everyone, hopefully I'll be able to keep track of all my money on this cruise!!

Go to the front office halfway through your cruise and ask for a copy of your bill up to that date -- thay way you can see how much you have spent.

[Krazy Kruizers]

In the OP, you mentioned hors d'oeuvres and pastries. They are free-hot hors d'oeuvres and nuts are served in the lounges before dinner. You are not required to order a drink. Pastries are available in the Explorations cafe where you can order specialty coffees. They do charge for the beverage, but not the sweets.

We had a gentleman seated at our table on our last cruise who had a standing order for shrimp cocktail to be served to him each evening. He often ordered another appetiser, but he received his shrimp none the less. There was no charge for it.

Hope HAL is going back to its old ways. On our last cruise -- only once in a while were there appetizers one hour before dinner. Nuts -- rarely seen -- mostly Gold Fish.

[babygirl722]

I'm going on my second cruise on Sept 5 (NYC-Bermuda) and so I've been reading a lot of these boards over the last few days. It was booked by my father very last minute, so I've not really had too much time to plan.

Anyway, looking over the boards about HAL and cruises in general, it appears that some things are free, and others are not. Most of them I understand (ie, free food in MDR but not free alcohol). However, I've noticed people mentioning some other things that are just confusing me. For instance, someone said that you can order a small shrimp thing for free, but if you want the large one thats $18 when not on the menu. I saw something about free pastries if you order a drink, but that was then disputed.

Are there a lot of little things on HAL boats that they suddenly charge you for out of nowhere? Are there ever any awkward/embarrassing moments when you think something is included with the cruise and then a crewmember informs you that you need to pay?

And are there any specifics of things that I will have to pay for on this cruise?

Thanks in advance!

I suggest you read the HAL Secrets thread for some great info. Here's the link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1259139

Enjoy your cruise. I LOVED the Veendam and HAL is now my cruiseline of choice.