Soda Card ??

[mhb1757]

My BIL is a Mtn Dew addict... we are cruising this summer on the Volendam and I was wondering if HAL had soda cards....if so, how much are they for the 7 day cruise? Where would we get one for him? Anyone know if they have coke or pepsi products on board??

Where is the card good on board?

Thanks for the info.

[QuitMyDayJob]

We get the soda cards each time we cruise with HAL. Let's see:

1. HAL charges $27.50 per card for a seven day cruise last time I checked.
2. There is a gift order form you can download from the HAL website and fax in to HAL in advance, and I would bet you can buy it once onboard too.
3. No idea whether it's pepsi or coke. Really don't recall.
4. Last time we cruised with HAL it was good pretty much everywhere (bars, dining room, etc.)--but only for fountain soda--not cans. I read somewhere on the boards recently that they may've moved away from fountain soda, but I'm not sure about this.

[spcl4cs_gal]

The soda card is $27.50 when you order it in advance but $35 when you buy it onboard. HAL serves Coke products and the card is good anywhere except in your room and on HMC...I especially liked it in the diningroom where the wine steward would always bring me a CAN of Diet Coke and have it poured prior to my arrival at dinner. :)

[mhb1757]

Thanks so much for the info...we will order it in advance.


By the way....whats HMC??

[spcl4cs_gal]

HMC = Half Moon Cay, only the most beautiful private island in the Caribbean. :)

[Sierrachik]

The soda card is $27.50 when you order it in advance but $35 when you buy it onboard. HAL serves Coke products and the card is good anywhere except in your room and on HMC...I especially liked it in the diningroom where the wine steward would always bring me a CAN of Diet Coke and have it poured prior to my arrival at dinner. :)

I think the card that is $35 on board includes HMC, at least it did with our cruise. We had no problems at all getting soda with our card on HMC. I could be mistaken but think you can purchase the card for $27.50 if you don't want to use it on HMC.

[spcl4cs_gal]

Hmmm maybe but I would find it strange that HAL wouldn't mention the price difference on their online order form. The only thing they have listed is the $27.50 card. I bought mine in advance but never used it on HMC because we had the butler package but you could be right.

Has anyone on CC ever bought one on board for $27.50?

[Sierrachik]

I believe you'd have to know about it and ask for it, otherwise they sell you the $35 card. They did not mention the lower priced card when we purchased ours.

[mhb1757]

Well we are cruising to Alaska....so the HMC question is sort of a moot point for me....but I do appreciate the info. I downloaded the form and all it has on it is the 27.50 soda card for the 7 day cruise and a 10 day card for $43.13


Thanks for the scoop!!

[QuitMyDayJob]

Hoping not to be too OT, but what is "the butler package"?

[Sierrachik]

Hoping not to be too OT, but what is "the butler package"?

It is offered when you rent a cabana on Half Moon Cay. The following description is from HAL's website:


This special service upgrade is available to those guests who have purchased a Half Moon Cay Private Cabana Package (guests who are waitlisted for a Private Cabana should not purchase this upgrade until they have cleared the waitlist and secured a confirmed Private Cabana booking). The Butler Service Upgrade Package includes:
- Unlimited beverages that are available from the various bars on Half Moon Cay. Drinks made from house brand liquor, all beers, soft drinks, bottled water and wine.
- A picnic lunch consisting of appetizer, entree, and dessert.
- Butler escort from your cabin to assist you ashore carrying all belongings to and from the ship.
- Your Butler will see to whatever needs you have on the island including shopping from the island shops and any Shore Excursion bookings you may like to make on Half Moon Cay. The Butler Service Upgrade Package price is applicable for up to 4 guests. For groups of more than 4 guests, each additional guest must purchase an Extra Person Surcharge for the Butler Service Upgrade.

The Butler Service Upgrade Package is an add-on to the Private Cabana Package. Butler Service is available only to those guests who have purchased a Private Cabana Package (guests who are waitlisted for a Private Cabana should not purchase this upgrade until they have cleared the waitlist and secured a confirmed Private Cabana booking).
This service is not available with the Yellow Cabana.

[QuitMyDayJob]

Wow, and I thought I'd read every word on the HAL website, LOL! That sounds positively fabulous.

[Sierrachik]

Wow, and I thought I'd read every word on the HAL website, LOL! That sounds positively fabulous.

I think it is a somewhat recent addition to services offered. Not sure if it appears on the regular portion of the website, when logged into shore excursions with your booking number and last name it appears under the shore ex. for HMC.

Wish I had a butler at home, LOL :)

I should add that we booked the pink cabana for our upcoming cruise, alas no butler service though....

[spcl4cs_gal]

This was a definite plus to our day at HMC! An official from the Hotel Department visited our cabin the night before and went over the menu with us. There was so much food involved that we really didn't need dinner that night! We had lobster sandwiches, this nice cold soup that was served in a pineapple "shell", salad, filet mignon, chocolate cake, and a carved out watermellon that was filled with fruit swimming in rum. This all started with a champagne toast out in the water with our butler carrying our drinks on a tray. It was definitely an experience to remember and our two butlers, Nyoman and Anggi were fantastic. :) This is definitely something to think about if you want to do something really special for your cabana day at HMC....and don't forget the Aquatrax excursion. ;)

[QuitMyDayJob]

Ah, I did see the butler-in-the-water pictures being taken last time on HMC, but I assumed they were just another themed photo opportunity.

Lobster sandwiches? Sounds wonderful.

[spcl4cs_gal]

They were...as was the whole package! :D

[richnorto]

I just posted a reply, but it didn't go through. Coke products on the ships! Have BIL bring his own Mt dew and a cooler. The steward will keep it full of ice if you ask. We just got off the Zaandam and I had to do that as I NEED my caffine and I can't drink coffee.:)

[mhb1757]

Thanks richnorto....I hadn't thought about that but it might help to do that....