Beverage Cards on HAL Oosterdam

[garnet115]

Hello all. I am a HAL newbie and will be traveling with my 7yo daughter to Alaska on the Oosteram next week. I am trying to figure out which - if any - beverage card to purchase for the week. My daughter mostly drinks milk, juice and water (although she would probably love soda if I let her have it). I like to drink soda, also the premium coffee drinks in the morning and a cocktail or two in the evening. Any recommendations for which card to purchase? Is there any advantage to purchasing in advance vs. waiting until I am on board?

Thanks in advance!

[Krazy Kruizers]

We buy our Beverage Cards once on the ship.

It doesn't make any difference whether you buy the cards in advance or on the ship. The price will be the same.

There are three different cards: (yes they are physical "debit" type cards.)

One for alcohol drinks, wine, beer etc. you buy for $90 you get $100 in value (save 10%) or for $45 you get $50.

Non Alcoholic Beverage card covers all other beverages, coffees etc. (same pricing)

Soda card for $25 you get $50 value (about 22 sodas after tax/tip) Full 12oz cans.

When you use the cards -- the 15% gratuity is also taken out.

[kazu]

Just to add, you won't need any type of card for your daughter. Milk, juice and water (as long as it isn't bottled water - and yes the ship's is safe) are all at no charge:)

[catl331]

If you intend to buy some alcoholic drinks and some non-alcoholic you do not need both types of cards. The general beverage card can be used for everything, including sodas. I don't see any advantage of buying one of the non-alcoholic types, since the general card covers every possible choice and is the same price.

If you intend to drink a lot of sodas it's not a good idea to use a general beverage card because the discount is much better using the soda-only card.

[garnet115]

Thanks for the info. How expensive are cocktails and premium coffee drinks? I am wondering if I can get away with just the $100 beverage card for the entire trip. Figuring 1 coffe drink, two or three sodas and one or two alcoholic beverages per day.

Thanks again!

[catl331]

I am wondering if I can get away with just the $100 beverage card for the entire trip. I would suggest that you start with one $50 card and buy more on board if needed. Or start with two $50 cards. The reason for this is that if you don't use up at least the purchase price (90% of face value) you will have gotten no discount at all. If you buy a $100 card and spend $90 you will get no money back and will have paid full price for every drink. If you use $50 of one $50 card plus $40 of another one you will get $5 back, so you will have saved $5.

If you're wondering about a small residual balance on the $50: that can be transferred to another beverage card or supplemented with your room key card to use it up and get another beverage.

[FulltimeRVer]

We buy our Beverage Cards once on the ship.

It doesn't make any difference whether you buy the cards in advance or on the ship. The price will be the same.
Our cruise starts in San Diego, CA. Will buying the card ahead of time or on board before we are international waters mean that we will incur sales tax?

[maxout]

Our cruise starts in San Diego, CA. Will buying the card ahead of time or on board before we are international waters mean that we will incur sales tax?

I don't believe there would be tax either way as you are only buying credit for something not a physical item.

[Mary Ellen]

I don't believe there would be tax either way as you are only buying credit for something not a physical item.I just tried buying a beverage card, on-line, to be delivered in port for FLL. Sure enough, sales tax showed up at check out. When I changed the order to be delivered at sea (same day), the sales tax was removed.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Our cruise starts in San Diego, CA. Will buying the card ahead of time or on board before we are international waters mean that we will incur sales tax?

No Sales Tax cruising out of San Diego.

So it won't matter when you purchase the card.

[maxout]

I just tried buying a beverage card, on-line, to be delivered in port for FLL. Sure enough, sales tax showed up at check out. When I changed the order to be delivered at sea (same day), the sales tax was removed.

I don't think that would be the case here in California but I guess just picking them up while onboard would easily solve the problem. Thanks for checking it out. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

I don't believe there would be tax either way as you are only buying credit for something not a physical item.

I just tried buying a beverage card, on-line, to be delivered in port for FLL. Sure enough, sales tax showed up at check out. When I changed the order to be delivered at sea (same day), the sales tax was removed.

I haven't bought a drink card online in Florida -- but did buy one while we were still docked in Ft Lauderdale and we were not charged a sales tax.

Interesting.

I wonder if this is something new?

[jtl513]

IMO the safest bet is to buy them on-line saying that you want them delvered at sea ... and they will probably be in your cabin when you get there anyway. If not, just buy your first drink or two on your account.

[Typhoon1]

Our cruise starts in San Diego, CA. Will buying the card ahead of time or on board before we are international waters mean that we will incur sales tax?

No tax. If you order online, the card will be waiting in your cabin, even if you choose delivery at sea.