Any drinks packages?

[PEMCO007]

Hi there, just wondered if HAL offer any drinks packages (soft drinks, maybe mocktails) like Princess, any details would be good, thanks

[RuthC]

I have no idea what Princess offers, but I do know what HAL has.

You can purchase a soda card for $25. With it you can get up to $50 worth of soda, purchased by the can.
You can purchase an alcoholic beverage card for either $45 for $50 worth of drinks, or $90 for $100 worth.
You can purchase a non-alcoholic drinks card for $45 for $50 worth of drinks.

In all cases you will be refunded the difference between the purchase price and what you have spent, if you don't use it up. In that case, of course, there is no benefit to the card. It's an "up front load" in that you pay full price for the value up to purchase price, then the balance of the value is free product.

There are also bucket of beer offerings, but I don't have the info on those as I don't drink beer.

[Krazy Kruizers]

$50.00 Beverage Card (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/gift/gift/giftMoreDetails.action?giftCatalogItemId=195)cost $45.00

$50.00 Non-Alcoholic Beverage Card (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/gift/gift/giftMoreDetails.action?giftCatalogItemId=193)cost $45.00

$100.00 Beverage Card (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/gift/gift/giftMoreDetails.action?giftCatalogItemId=196)cost $90.00

$50.00 Soda Card (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/gift/gift/giftMoreDetails.action?giftCatalogItemId=547)cost $25.00

The soda card costs $25 but has a face value of $50. Each time you buy a soda with it $2.24 ($1.95 + 15%) is deducted from the value. $50/$2.24 = 22 cans, with $0.72 left over. You can use that $0.72 with $1.52 on your room key card (or another soda card) to get another can.

There isn't a "mocktail" card -- but you could use the NON Alcoholic card to buy the mocktail of the day as well any apeciality coffee drinks in the Explorations Cafe that do not contain alcohol.

[HokiePoq]

Does HAL have Coke or Pepsi products?
TIA

[maxout]

Does HAL have Coke or Pepsi products?
TIA

Coke Products.

[Globaliser]

In all cases you will be refunded the difference between the purchase price and what you have spent, if you don't use it up.An allied question: If I've bought a $50 soda card for $25 and I've used $40 of the value, I obviously won't get a refund of the $10 left. But can I bring it on my next cruise and use the remainder of the card's value?

[jkrislc]

An allied question: If I've bought a $50 soda card for $25 and I've used $40 of the value, I obviously won't get a refund of the $10 left. But can I bring it on my next cruise and use the remainder of the card's value?

No, it's good for the cruise it is purchased on only, which is why they refund the unused difference up to the amount actually paid by you. Thus, as you said, there would be no refund as you "spent" more than the $25 paid and the last $10 of face value would be void. In this case, I'd buy extra to take home or leave them for the steward.

[Globaliser]

Thanks! Good idea about getting extras.

[gte937k]

Keep in mind that any "refund" you receive on unused portions of these cards are applied as OBC, not cash... at least that's how the front desk explained it to me. Obviously this only makes a difference if you somehow have enough OBC to cancel out your hotel service charge, which is unlikely.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

My understanding is that it is in the works to have paxs decide if they want credit to come back on unused cards or if they want to keep it on the card and use for a future sailing. But then I have told they have been working on this for several months and it sill is not in place so who knows if this will ever happen.

[Jalex63]

I am aware of the ability to pre-purchase the beverage cards on HAL's web site following booking. I was wondering, can you also purchase them aboard after sailing?

[RuthC]

I am aware of the ability to pre-purchase the beverage cards on HAL's web site following booking. I was wondering, can you also purchase them aboard after sailing?
Oh, sure. Any steward will be happy to sell you as many cards as you can use. Don't worry about running out!

[CHK]

Oh, sure. Any steward will be happy to sell you as many cards as you can use. Don't worry about running out!

We're taking our first HAL cruise in a long time--so trying to figure out the beverage card details.

Question: If we buy the beverage cards on-board, do they get charged to our on-board account?

Thanks--Carolyn

[Krazy Kruizers]

We're taking our first HAL cruise in a long time--so trying to figure out the beverage card details.

Question: If we buy the beverage cards on-board, do they get charged to our on-board account?

Thanks--Carolyn

Yes

Don't know what port you will be sailing from -- but if it is from Ft Lauderdale -- if you buy the card before the ship sets sail - you will be charged a Florida tax - I think it is 7 %. You might wait until the ship is "at sea" -- I forget how far out you need to be before the tax is dropped -- maybe 10 miles.

[m steve]

is the one I pack in my suitcase.

[kazu]

[quote=m steve;31029384]is the one I pack in my suitcase.[/quote

you are so bad;):D:)

[yatsunil]

$50.00 Beverage Card (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/gift/gift/giftMoreDetails.action?giftCatalogItemId=195)cost $45.00

$50.00 Non-Alcoholic Beverage Card (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/gift/gift/giftMoreDetails.action?giftCatalogItemId=193)cost $45.00

$100.00 Beverage Card (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/gift/gift/giftMoreDetails.action?giftCatalogItemId=196)cost $90.00

$50.00 Soda Card (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/gift/gift/giftMoreDetails.action?giftCatalogItemId=547)cost $25.00

The soda card costs $25 but has a face value of $50. Each time you buy a soda with it $2.24 ($1.95 + 15%) is deducted from the value. $50/$2.24 = 22 cans, with $0.72 left over. You can use that $0.72 with $1.52 on your room key card (or another soda card) to get another can.

There isn't a "mocktail" card -- but you could use the NON Alcoholic card to buy the mocktail of the day as well any apeciality coffee drinks in the Explorations Cafe that do not contain alcohol.


Thanks for listing all the beverage cards. Seems like that for someone who drinks 1-2 coffees a day and maybe a glass or two of wine during dinner plus the very occasional Diet Coke, there's no real saving to using any of these cards. I might as well just be charging them to my room card. Is my thinking right?:confused::confused:

[Wehwalt]

Thanks for listing all the beverage cards. Seems like that for someone who drinks 1-2 coffees a day and maybe a glass or two of wine during dinner plus the very occasional Diet Coke, there's no real saving to using any of these cards. I might as well just be charging them to my room card. Is my thinking right?:confused::confused:

Yes, and obviously you'll be drinking more than you would to try to get value out of it. It's no bargain if normally you'd manage without the drinks. Given that we all have our room cards, there is no actual need for these cards. HAL wants your money. Jeez, bring a few cans of coke in your bag, then stock up at the first Mexican port.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for listing all the beverage cards. Seems like that for someone who drinks 1-2 coffees a day and maybe a glass or two of wine during dinner plus the very occasional Diet Coke, there's no real saving to using any of these cards. I might as well just be charging them to my room card. Is my thinking right?:confused::confused:

Using the Beverage Cards -- I don't have all those receipts to keep track off -- easier for the shipboard account not to have to constantly keep checking those receipts.

[Krazy Kruizers]

is the one I pack in my suitcase.

The best drink package we have is the one we pre-order so that we can have cocktails on the verandah. ;)

[yatsunil]

Using the Beverage Cards -- I don't have all those receipts to keep track off -- easier for the shipboard account not to have to constantly keep checking those receipts.

That's true. Although I read in another thread that you gotta be careful that the waiters and stewards return the right beverage card to you especially if you're sharing a table.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I always check the numbers on the receipts -- the code numbers for the card.

Since we only tables for 2 -- that is not a problem.

But on the ships where the cards are allowed to be used for happy hour -- I do check to make certain that we get the correct card back. I just wrap the old receipt around the card -- then remove the "wrap" when we are ready to pay a bill.

[socmft]

Are beverage cards allowed for happy hour on Oosterdam?

[Shmoo here]

OK, it's morning here and my brain isn't fuctioning well, yet.

The $50 soda card is for sodas only?
the $50 non-alcoholic beverage card is for_______? Sodas, coffee, tea, hot chocolate?

Also, does each person get his/her own card, or can a couple share a card?

:)

[Mary Ellen]

The soda card is for sodas. ;) The non-alcoholic card is for any beverage which doesn't have alcohol in it. ;) One may use their card to purchase beverages for anyone they to do so. :)

[jkrislc]

The best drink package we have is the one we pre-order so that we can have cocktails on the verandah. ;)

That's actually a good point. The OP may not realize that you can purchase liquor for your cabin as well as a mixer package.

[Expo67]

Can the drink packages such as bottle of CC and mixer be purchased after sailing to save on the 7% tax or do they have to be pre purchased. Also is the soda package cans of soda or fountain soda.

[RuthC]

Can the drink packages such as bottle of CC and mixer be purchased after sailing to save on the 7% tax or do they have to be pre purchased. Also is the soda package cans of soda or fountain soda.
Room Service will always be happy to sell you a drink set-up. Just be sure to order it after you are out to sea to avoid the sales tax that some US states charge. If you wish to order it in advance of sailing, just request that it be delivered "at sea". Most likely, it will still be in your cabin when you arrive.

Soda is sold by the can.

[Expo67]

Thanks for the info Ruth.

[mick70]

Check out Celebrity's board and look at their drink packages. HAL should think about it.

[Expo67]

Consider me strange but I like to have Coke in the morning rather than coffee. Anyone know if I can use the soda card to get a couple of unopened cans to take to the cabin for the next morning to consume before the bars open.

[Mary Ellen]

Depending upon your ship, you may have a 'no-host' mini bar in your cabin. This will have various cans of soft drinks in it. Just let the beverage person restocking it know that all you want is the Coke. They can change out the other cans for Coke.

You'll find these in all cabins on the Prinsendam, Vista, and Signature class ships. On the R & S class ships, only in cabins with verandahs.

[RuthC]

Anyone know if I can use the soda card to get a couple of unopened cans to take to the cabin for the next morning to consume before the bars open.
I've never done it myself, but can think of no reason you would be refused. Just make your request clearly, so the cans aren't opened, and you should be well taken care of.

[bet410]

Consider me strange but I like to have Coke in the morning rather than coffee. Anyone know if I can use the soda card to get a couple of unopened cans to take to the cabin for the next morning to consume before the bars open.

I was able to do it with caffeine free Diet Coke on my last cruise. They didn't have much of the caffeine free left on the ship, so I asked the wine steward if he'd give me two cans. He willingly obliged. BTW I understand completely about the Coke in the morning. I used to do that all the time. My first stop at school was the teachers' lounge where I'd get a can of Tab (and later Diet Coke) right away... That was a lifetime ago! (The Tab really dates it! ;))

The only problem with using the mini-bar (as mentioned by Mary Ellen) would be that I don't think the cans you drink would come off your soda card. I may be wrong on that...

[Mary Ellen]

The only problem with using the mini-bar (as mentioned by Mary Ellen) would be that I don't think the cans you drink would come off your soda card. I may be wrong on that... Excellent point. I didn't consider someone wanting to use their soda card. :o

[kenorus]

Check out Celebrity's board and look at their drink packages. HAL should think about it.
Yes for 45 a day you can drink all you want. We did it last year and it was only 36 at that time. 0 balance was great coming off the ship and yes we got our moneys worth, not only with the alcohol but with the fresh juice, coffee and smoothies.

[Brklynguy]

We always get the gin and tonic set up for afternoons on the verandah - very reasonable, actually, and my wife gets a soda card. I drink with the weather - pina coladas, beers, or coffee. Hey...it's a vacation, I always wait for a good deal (one third off on recent sale) and I don't worry about over the money.

[Jean1946]

I still drink TAB and will be bringing a case of those bad boys with me. If you see me with a can, let me know and I'll share one with you. That's what I have with my breakfast every morning. So you can figure out how old I am. LOL!