Should HAL offer Free Drinks like RSSC?

[bepsf]

"Regent Seven Seas announced it will adopt a "liquor included in the cruise fare" policy in 2007, with certain wines and spirits available at shipboard bars and in the restaurants fleetwide. In the past, fares only included wine with lunch and dinner. Regent president Mark Conroy noted that the policy lends to the air of conviviality onboard -- a spirit they hope to boost with their spirits. Other luxury cruise lines such as Silversea and Seabourne already have this policy, but no mid-range cruise lines do."

Do you think HAL should do this as well?

[bruceh4]

"Regent Seven Seas announced it will adopt a "liquor included in the cruise fare" policy in 2007, with certain wines and spirits available at shipboard bars and in the restaurants fleetwide. In the past, fares only included wine with lunch and dinner. Regent president Mark Conroy noted that the policy lends to the air of conviviality onboard -- a spirit they hope to boost with their spirits. Other luxury cruise lines such as Silversea and Seabourne already have this policy, but no mid-range cruise lines do."

Do you think HAL should do this as well?NO, I dont drink!!

[localady]

I drink rarely and don't want my cruise fare increasing to pay for other's alcoholic beverages, thanks!:eek::eek: :eek:

[peaches from georgia]

HAL would no longer be a mid-range price cruiseline if they did offer wine and alcohol at no extra cost. There is nothing 'free' and cruise fares would have to go up to cover the cost. This is one reason the luxury lines you mention cost more. If HAL pax wanted to pay the price they would be sailing on more premium lines already.

I suppose it depends on how much you drink whether you would want to pay the increased fare for 'free' booze. Some pax would lose money on the deal and for big drinkers it would be a winner. But it come with a cost to all pax free, the same as suite-only amenities are paid for in the price of the suites.

[iceman93]

I drink plenty and I still think this is a bad idea. With RSSC (the only line I've cruised other than HAL), the clientele is not the sort to sauce themselves up just because the booze is free. I've seen enough gluttony on HAL to make me think it wouldn't work here. Just look at the way people swarm and load up at the Mariner party or the captain's cocktail reception.

Nope, let's leave cruise fares the way they are and let those who wish to imbibe pay for the privilege.

[NoNoNanette]

I'd like to see something "in-between". As a drinker, I think that it would be great to pay an extra premium for an "all-inclusive" cruise.

I've seen plenty of charters from various cruise ships offering this out of NOLA and Biloxi, but none of these charters "grabbed" me.

[newmexicoNita]

We do drink, would love to cruise with an all inclusive line, but choose the mass marketed lines because of the cost. Why should those who don't drink or are content to have a glass of wine for dinner only have to pay the cost charged by the luxury lines so I can drink? HAL is still a mass marketed line just like NCL, RCI< Celebrity, Princess and the rest. NMnita

[sail7seas]

We enjoy a drink (or two) but don't think HAL should go 'inclusive'.

[RuthC]

Nope. HAL isn't in the same league as the luxury lines that include liquor. If HAL were to adopt this policy it would more likely than not attract more people who drink to excess. That's not the kind of atmosphere I want to be around.

[sail7seas]

Exactly. You wrote it, Ruth. I agree with it.

[kryos]

Nope. HAL isn't in the same league as the luxury lines that include liquor. If HAL were to adopt this policy it would more likely than not attract more people who drink to excess. That's not the kind of atmosphere I want to be around.

It would also turn away the many loyal HAL cruisers (like myself) for whom liquor is not that big of a deal, and who wouldn't want to be charged all-inclusive fares just to get free liquor. I don't drink that much and that is one of the main reasons I won't sail the luxury lines. For the added cost of the cruise, when compared to the few alcoholic beverages I may consume during the cruise, it's just not worth it.

I think a possible solution that would keep everyone happy would be to have two "tiers" of passenger. If you want liquor "all inclusive," you pay one fare. If you don't want the free pours, you pay another fare. If you opt for the "all inclusive" rate, you get a specially colored cabin card. When you present that at a bar, you are not charged for your drinks. Everyone else signs a chit ... just like they do now.

This is the only way I can see that will keep everyone happy. If HAL went totally all-inclusive I think they would probably lose more passengers than they would gain. After all, HAL appeals to the "older" cruiser ... and many of them have medical conditions that preclude doing much drinking (due to various medications they may be taking). If HAL went all inclusive, I think a lot of these passengers would be forced to try other lines, rather than pay the high cost of a cruise on an all-inclusive line.

As a sidenote, it is specifically because of the all-inclusive prices of the luxury lines that I will not sail them. I can't see paying those extremely high prices just to get free drinks. I just don't consume enough drinks (even soft drinks) to make the difference in price anywhere near worth it. I think a lot of others probably feel the same way and that's why you'll find them sailing on HAL. HAL seems to be the closest in luxury to lines such as Regent and Silversea, but without the all-inclusive features ... and, of course, the all-inclusive price.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Bucky3]

I agree, no free liquor is a good thing!

[OVgirl]

Since nothing is actually "free", it would be the same as offering a 'Liquor/Wine Card'. I'm sure that the price wouldn't be cheap. How many people would pay their $ for drinks upfront?
;)Just bring your bottle with you.

[sail7seas]

Only wine and champagne are permitted to be brought aboard.

[kikiwik]

I don't think it should be included. I don't drink and wouldn't want it to be, I would also not like to be in that type of Atmostphere. I think if people want to drink they should have to pay for there own it's not like you go out to dinner and get free booze.

[bruce-r]

I drink rarely and don't want my cruise fare increasing to pay for other's alcoholic beverages, thanks!:eek::eek: :eek: My feelings exactly.

On the other hand, I would very much enjoy having sodas included in the complimentary beverage choice in the dining room for lunches and dinners.

[gizmo]

My feelings exactly.

On the other hand, I would very much enjoy having sodas included in the complimentary beverage choice in the dining room for lunches and dinners.

I feel the same way about soda as many feel about including booze. I do not drink much soda, maybe 1 can a month, and I do want my fare increased to have soda included.

[FoxyTerrier]

We enjoy a coctail or wine before dinner - rarely at lunch.

I think it would be fine to offer an option to have wine/coctails included in the cost of a cruise. When the bean counters figure out how much extra this would be I think most people would choose the no liquor option as I'm sure it would be outragous. I know we would go with the current system.

I think it would be easy to implement a with or without plan as it could be coded in the room card. When you order a drink just give the card and at the end of the cruise the statement would just say no charge. I do think the all people in one stateroom would have to have the same option or we would have cheaters. (The free person might be buying drinks for thier traveling companion)

I too am not a soda drinker so I don't want that included. I do enjoy sparkling water. Does HAL offer sparkling water? If so would that count for the soda card offer 20 for $18?

[JohnR49er]

I'll pay for what I drink. Once it becomes included I'll have to wait longer to get my drink because the number of drinks served will surely go up. It's like the massive plates of wasted food beong brought to the tables in the buffet............. they have to get their moneys worth...............

[cruiserfromohio]

In answer to the question -- no. That said, I do belive that HAL should be more reasonable in the prices they charge for wine and liquor -- especially wine. The markup charged on wine is just too much. Charging a 3 - 4 time markup on retail for a $7 - $9 bottle is ureal. Fix the prices not make the wine and liquor free!:)

[newmexicoNita]

I feel the same way about soda as many feel about including booze. I do not drink much soda, maybe 1 can a month, and I do want my fare increased to have soda included./Totally agree: I drink, maybe one a year while others drink several a day; why do I want to see the rates go up and they would so soda drinkers can have them included in their fair. I am all for keeping prices down and let us decide what we want to pay extra for. We budget x number of $$ per vacation:we decide where we want those dollars to go. NMnita

[elmorejj]

I might go for a drinks card, similar to the soda card. Of course it would depend on the cost. I wouldn`t want sodas to be free, I don`t drink them, not even as a mix in my alcoholic drinks..........jean:cool:

[newmexicoNita]

In answer to the question -- no. That said, I do belive that HAL should be more reasonable in the prices they charge for wine and liquor -- especially wine. The markup charged on wine is just too much. Charging a 3 - 4 time markup on retail for a $7 - $9 bottle is ureal. Fix the prices not make the wine and liquor free!:)this seems to be a complaint we all have with every line today. My clients come back is shock at the cost of liquor and I share their feelings. Only Princess seems to have less expensive, managable prices. NCL used to, but they have joined the rest of the lines. I guess cruiselines realize they have a captive audience and take advantage of that. NMNIta

[kakalina]

A resounding NO! DH doesn't drink alcohol at all while I rarely drink. We would not want to pay for others to drink nor would we wish to be around the atmosphere of party time that such a step would doubtless incur.

If we wished to be around "party animals" we would not be sailing exclusively on HAL.

[sail7seas]

A resounding NO to soda included. We may drink 6 a year and don't need or want additional costs for it to be included.

[periwinkle2757]

Absolutely not. I can just imagine how much they would go up of their fare. Nothing is free. I don't drink; so why should I pay for others to enjoy. Just like the suites; nothing is free; it is just included in the expensive fare.

[PRINSENDAM]

/Totally agree: I drink, maybe one a year while others drink several a day; why do I want to see the rates go up and they would so soda drinkers can have them included in their fair. I am all for keeping prices down and let us decide what we want to pay extra for. NMnita



One the other hand...... the sale of alcohol on board makes a considerable contribution to on-board revenue. In other words, those that drink make it possible for the cruise lines to charge less money for the cruise fare. Is that fair to the drinkers? And don't foget the 15% service charge on drinks. Without that money the $10 standard tip would have to increase.

I would like to see it evened out a bit more. Reduce the cost of alcohol and wines on board and make a small increase in the cruise fare.

In fact, I would even suggest that an increase in the cruise fare is not necessary. An overall reduction on the price of alcohol and wine on board would lead to increased comsumption anyway. Then everyone would be happy!

Stephen

[KAKcruiser]

I agree totally. Onboard revenue is important to keep the cruise prices down. And drinking is very personal. There are extreme differences in the amount of alcohol individual passengers consume.

[newmexicoNita]

One the other hand...... the sale of alcohol on board makes a considerable contribution to on-board revenue. In other words, those that drink make it possible for the cruise lines to charge less money for the cruise fare. Is that fair to the drinkers? And don't foget the 15% service charge on drinks. Without that money the $10 standard tip would have to increase.

I would like to see it evened out a bit more. Reduce the cost of alcohol and wines on board and make a small increase in the cruise fare.

In fact, I would even suggest that an increase in the cruise fare is not necessary. An overall reduction on the price of alcohol and wine on board would lead to increased comsumption anyway. Then everyone would be happy!

Stephen



Stephen, I agree with you on the reduction of prices for drinks 110%. It would also minimize the smuggling of booze onto the ship. We drink less than we used to unless we have liquor in our cabin. It is just too costly. Now, many nights, instead of splitting a bottle of wine, we just each order 1 glass. Instead of having a drink in the showroom we forget it, the same with going to the bar prior to dinner; we might some nights, but not every night for sure. NMnita

[dot73]

Definitely no because:
1. I don't like the way liquor is abused at all-inclusive resorts and what it does to people's behaviour;
2. The hike in the cruise price would put HAL out of my reach.
I'm probably in the minority, but I don't think that the price of liquor is that excessive on HAL. It is actually lower than in some bars and restaurants on shore.

[elmorejj]

I suppose everyone subsidizes other pax in one way or another. The profits made onboard from bingo, drinks in the bars, wine in the DR, purchases in the shops, photos, shore excursions etc all contribute to how the cruise fare is set. OTOH, the only alternative would be going to what EasyCruise is doing, pay for everything as you go JMHO...........jean:cool:

[djallar]

Stephen is quite right. The revenue generated from beverages helps pay for a lot of non-revenue generating activites onboard.

I don't drink tea...shouldn't my fare be lower? Of course not, just like I don't expect to be charged extra to have my dinner heated.

All that being said, I'm not a fan of all-inclusives and I don't want to be forced to pay for things I don't want. I do think, though, that drink prices, whether alcoholic or not are too high.

Sorry about rambling...

[thomasale]

We love our cocktails, I love my beer by the pool, we love our wine with dinner. I don't mind paying for the service. I believe if it was included my level of service would go down as the freeloaders would be loading up.

Keep it just the way it is as it is BEAUTIFUL now...

[gizmo]

Stephen,

I agree about the reduction on the prices of drinks and wine. I too feel it would lead to increased revenue do to increased comsumption.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I agree with everyone else a great big NO WAY:D But the comment about the price of drinks, well.... living in Las Vegas gives me a little bit different look at it. Alcohol of any kind in Las Vegas is expensive so when we go on the ship the price actually seems a bit cheaper to us. I prefer to drink champagne and our favorite we drink on a HAL ship is about $2.00 less than we find similiar here in Vegas but then when they had their 15% and we have sales tax it come about about the same. Even for when Tom drinks beer it really is the same. Now if you want to compare prices compare them to resorts in Hawaii, it is far more expensive. Let alone what the price of a room with an ocean view and eating in a fine dining restuarant:eek: I think we need to put things into prospective and look what all we are actually getting for the price.

[Randyk47]

I'd vote no because I know there are a lot of non-drinkers out there and, on the other hand, people who would abuse "free" drinks. It would make sense, at least for us, to get a "drink card".....kind of a version of the soda card.

[mafig]

A drink card or....

I was reading on the Costa board that they have a deal where for about $140 you are entitled to 7 bottles of wine and 10 bottles of water.

Something like that I might go for.

[newmexicoNita]

Definitely no because:
1. I don't like the way liquor is abused at all-inclusive resorts and what it does to people's behaviour;
2. The hike in the cruise price would put HAL out of my reach.
I'm probably in the minority, but I don't think that the price of liquor is that excessive on HAL. It is actually lower than in some bars and restaurants on shore.you are correct about being less than some restaurants and bars is true for those who come from the big cities, but for many of us it is much more expensive plus, remember, at least for us, when we vacation we drink more. At home if we go to dinner we will have a glass of wine or cocktail before dinner and a glass of wine with dinner; on a cruise we will drink 2 or 3 times more. I agree about the all-inclusives: cruising is a totally different concept. NMnita

[RuthC]

Those of you suggesting a HAL drink card may not know that once upon a time there was such a thing.
Back in '98 on the Veendam they had a "smart-card" for sale @$50. For that you got $60 worth of drinks; it's was refillable, too, so that the excess change wasn't wasted.

They must have lost a bundle on it (I suspect my husband cost them a LOT!) because I never saw it offered again.
I have seen drink cards for glasses of wine as recently as last summer on the Maasdam. (Don't know if they were offered on the 3/06 Noordam, though.)

[Randyk47]

Ruth - Thanks for the information. I wasn't aware that HAL had even tested a "drink or wine card" much less actually offered one. Our cruise history was '93-'95, '98 and then a big break until 2004 and now every year since then. None of those cruises had anything other than the "soda card" and I don't recall that being around until 2004 but sodas might have been free before then.

[RuthC]

Randy, I started on HAL in '78 and have been a regular since '92. I don't ever remember soda being complimentary. Ever.
Now, I also don't remember drinking soda on the '78 cruise, but since then, yes. I do. And it was on the bill.

[caviargal]

No, I don't think they should.

Actually, there are some things I think all cruise lines should charge extra for, like the children's programs which are costly to run and which many of us do not use but have to pay for as part of our fare.

I would, however, like to see HAL add a good "house wine" to their offerings. I was on MSC last summer and cruised with my mom, who does not drink. The half carafe of house wine, which was of decent quality for a very fair price - was a great option for me. And, they had high end wines available by the glass in the afternoons for incredibly reasonable rates.

[elmorejj]

Ruth, I remember the wine card. I think it was $19.95 for one glass of wine each evening of a 7 day cruise. Quite a bargain if you don`t mind drinking the cheaper wines............jean:cool:

[Randyk47]

Ruth - You're probably right, quite frankly I don't drink sodas on my cruises. My drink of choice is the standard martini on the rocks....Bombay please. :) My ex was addicted to Coke....unfortunately my first two cruises were with her....and she probably just didn't tell me what kind of soda bill she was running up. She could easily go through 12 cans a days and that's a lot especially considering she'd only drink regular and not diet Coke. :eek:

[iceman93]

Interesting opinions...

Just as an aside, RSSC has always provided unlimited complimentary soft drinks, a full in-cabin bar setup upon embarkation, and complimentary house wines with dinner. The change starting in 2007 is that all drinks ship-wide (except for a reserve wine list and certin clearly premium spirits) will be free.

How about if HAL adopted this system? Fares go up a little (let's say 2%), sodas are free everywhere, house wines are poured freely in the dining room at night (not the Lido or room service), and all other drink prices stay the same.

[cruznon]

I agree. NO alcoholic inclusive fare for HAL. I t would definitely change the demographics of HAL cruisers. I like the quiet atmosphere on HAL. DOn't want to be on a party ship.

[Bramcruiser]

I agree. NO alcoholic inclusive fare for HAL. I t would definitely change the demographics of HAL cruisers. I like the quiet atmosphere on HAL. DOn't want to be on a party ship.

I wouldn't exactly say including the alcohol in the fare is a starting point for a whole new demographic of partiers. Carnival doesn't include alcohol in their fares and yet its not the same as the crowd on HAL. I forsee any attempt to make the fares alcohol inclusive would go skyward and thus turn HAL into a high end item rather than party central.

However, whichever way it goes I - and yes I do have the occassional drink so I won't pretend to be a tea totaller - do not believe HAL should go the route of RSSC. Let's keep the niche that HAL - that as the premium end of the mass market lines. Classy enough and yet somewhat affordable by those who can afford it. I'll be willing to continue to pay for the drinks I have.

[PRINSENDAM]

I agree. NO alcoholic inclusive fare for HAL. I t would definitely change the demographics of HAL cruisers. I like the quiet atmosphere on HAL. DOn't want to be on a party ship.


Do you think the demographics will change on the RSS ships? Seabourn has an all inclusive system and I don't think they have 'gone to the dogs'. Most likely they just do not attract the type of passenger that would abuse the system.

But I think you are quite right. We would not like to alter the existing atmosphere on board HAL ship. We just wouldn't mind a price reduction either! :rolleyes:

Stephen

[TriGirl]

I just have to add my 2 cents. I don't think that including alcohol will attract a different demographic, nor do I think it will encourage people to get drunk and act rowdy. We went to an All inclusive for our honeymoon and alcohol was included. I didn't see anyone falling down drunk and I don't think it was abused. We don't drink much normally but on vacation we tend to have a few cocktails and it was nice to have them included in our stay, but I don't think HAL should include them.

I like the idea of a card, or instead of a drink of the day special, happy hour specials. We often go to a restaurant near us that has Happy Hour specials from 5-7.

[Jim Gallup]

Foxyterrier makes a very good point. It is an issue that the cruise lines have struggled with for quite a long time. Wouldn't it be great if you could opt to have an all-inclusive cruise fare, while your neighbors were able to have a pay as you go cruise fare?
With today's technology, it should be possible. Your cabin key could be programmed so that if you are on an all-inclusive fare, the charges for drinks, spa, medical, wine, photos - or whatever you have paid for to be all-inclusive - would just disappear.

In a sense, it has already been tested. Many cruise lines tried the unlimited soda cards or packages. What happened? A big family buys one package or one card and then gets free sodas for a family of 15. The cruise line catches on quickly, as the service staff is getting stiffed on the tips as well. So the unlimited soda package has pretty much been removed.

Many cruise lines offer an unlimited drinks package to groups. What happens? The guys in the group go to the swimming pool or disco and use their package to buy drinks for every pretty girl in the disco or pool. The cruise line loses a bundle, the wait staff get ripped off again, and the package disappears.

Unless / until somebody comes up with a smarter system, the dishonesty of the average mass market cruiser will prevent this concept from working unless EVERYBODY buys the package. Judging from the comments on this thread, that's just not going to happen.

[fireofficer5]

Drink up. Include booze in the cruise fare.

[annierie]

I have 43 days on HAL, but have stopped sailing them because since they added the Vista class, they are slipping towards mass market cruising.

The newer cruisers want the bargain prices to get on board, and they are smuggling booze, booking their own excursions, etc. etc. in order to cruise cheaply.

There is no way to avoid them other than sailing on the Prinsendam or exotic itins such as segments of the world cruise where prices are steeper. Otherwise HAL is pricing such that the bargain hunters are booking more and more.

We moved away from HAL in 2002 and haven't come back -- even though friends are trying to entice us to do a Hawaii cruise. I've been monitoring the boards to see what has been transpiring recently, and it doesn't seem to have changed.

We sail small ships now. RSSC is one of our favorites although we are ticked at them for selling the Diamond.

We were just on Navigator. Our bar bill was $24 for 8 nights. We do drink wine at dinner and like single malt scotch as a nightcap. The set up in our bar was amazing. We had a full fridge of sodas, mixers and water. We asked our stewardess for a couple of limes, and we would order cranberry juice from room service. Our friends would pop in for cosmos or G&Ts since they had the gin and vodka and we had the scotch. One night a fellow CCer had room service deliver (gratis) smoked salmon appetizers, cheeses and crackers, and veggies with dip to host twelve of us for a cocktail party. We brought our own booze, had mixers available or brought them from our fridges, they gave us enough plates etc. to sample whatever we wanted. It was a great CC party.

Four beers in the fridge to start and we brought beer onboard from ports once or twice if we wanted to try local beers during sailaways. Never had to worry about them taking it. Liter bottles of water always in the cabin. Pint bottles of water lined up on tables during disembarkation in ports and upon return after a hot day in port.

Four cocktail parties included in an eight night cruise. Free drinks at Princess' private island which we used our last day out. This was a great day. There were 450 of us on Princess' private island. We had a covered area with 20 chairs in it for four of us. My husband had a chair in the shade, one in the sun and one down by the water with his towel on it while he was swimming. No crowds. No lines.

I never saw anyone drunk. Some of us drank so much of the bottled water daily that we could have surpassed bar bills on some lines if we had been charged for it. Drinking a couple of liters daily between the two of us. I loved club soda with lime when I came back after being ashore. Didn't have to pay for it.

By the way, our last trip on HAL was in a suite for $2500 per person for ten nights. This trip on RSSC, $1700 per person for 8 nights, tips included, bar setup, cheaper excursions, wine at dinner --- why would we come back to HAL and pay more per day? We could have had a balcony suite for $500 more pp but friends on their first RSSC were with us and had only ever sailed Carnival and NCL prior to this. They paid $2000 per person and weren't ready to shell out $500 more pp to get a balcony. Now that they are eligible as past passengers to get the discounts they will probably move to balconies with us. They thought they had died and gone to heaven on RSSC.

I used to love HAL and watched from 1998 to 2002 as they declined in service to fill the ships. Wish they would give us back the experience we first had in the Panama Canal on Maasdam. Building the Vista class diluted their staff to cover three to four times the passenger load. Service went down. Ships got crowded. Food declined. What happened to that marvelous lunchtime seafood buffet? What happened to really wonderful appetizers in the lounges (not the fried stuff in there now)? What happened to the amazing selection of ice creams and exotic toppings at the ice cream bar? It's all lessened from what it was, and it's a shame.

When I retire in two years, I will probably do Prinsendam to the Amazon because I believe the HAL magic is still there, but won't set foot on a Vista class because they aren't HAL in my mind.

[kryos]

In a sense, it has already been tested. Many cruise lines tried the unlimited soda cards or packages. What happened? A big family buys one package or one card and then gets free sodas for a family of 15. The cruise line catches on quickly, as the service staff is getting stiffed on the tips as well. So the unlimited soda package has pretty much been removed.

I never could understand someone being that cheap. It's a shame there wasn't some way to encode the keycards when a soda package was purchased and then have something whereby if you bought one soda on the card, you wouldn't be able to get another for at least half an hour. That would put a stop to the sharing of soda cards. I'm sure johnny wouldn't be happy to have to wait for a half hour for his soda because mom had just gotten one for sis on the card.

I know this sounds strange ... but our transit system cards work like that. Once you swipe it through the turnstyle, it can't be swiped again for something like 15 minutes. While this doesn't totally eliminate sharing transit passes, it does make it extremely inconvenient since even if there was some way for big brother to toss his transit pass to his sister waiting outside the bus ... she would then have to let that bus go and wait for the next one before she could board. Needless to say, this system has pretty much made it impossible for multiple people to share a transit pass ... at least while traveling together. Putting a sticker denoting gender designation ... "M" or "F" ... on the cards has also made it at least a little easier to spot when someone is "borrowing" another's pass ... especially if the two are of the opposite sex. Since in cases like this, the bus operator can confiscate the pass, it discourages people from sharing since the owner of the pass stands to lose if the person he loaned it to gets caught.

I think a similar strategy would work great for the sharing of soda or wine or liquor cards as well. Sure, you can still share ... if the three adults in the sharing arrangement don't mind each having to wait 30 minutes to get their pour.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[damomom]

I agree with lowering the prices on alcohol. Wine is way overpriced. We are in the liqour industry and always bring our own wine due to the prices. 2 or 2 1/2 mark-up would sell more wine. We would not pack it for that. #3-4 times mark-up for an inferior wine is ridiculous and well worth paying the corkage.

I think the new soda cards are smart. We don't consume much, but I do like club soda or tonic. I do feel a soda at dinner should be included for children. No refills.

We have been to several all-inclusives and never seen a bunch of drunks. Should the demographics change due to a change in alcohol policy we would re-think our vacations.

[iceman93]

Actually, HAL's wine prices are on a very interesting sliding scale. Yes, the lower end wines are serious marked up. Beringer White Zinfandel for $20??!! But at the top of the list there are some real bargains, with markups only 25-50% over retail. Check out the price of Opus One or Caymus Special Select--they are far lower than what you'll find in any land-based restaurant.

I chalk it up to supply and demand. There are probably a lot of people who order the white zinfandel, despite the markup, simply because it's the cheapest bottle on the menu. To put it simply, they charge $20 because they can. But at the higher end, with fewer passengers willing to pay (but a small yet important slice of their clientele demanding finer wines), they have to keep the markups down.

[Navy_Chief]

No freebees. If you want a freebee, put on your Tux and go to the Captain's reception. He'll be glad to buy you a round! :D

[sunflowerstarr]

i havent cruised yet but am looking forward to doing so in nov. i have been researching the prices of drinks nad they seem a bit steep to me as well. i think it would be a good idea to have a package you can purchase be it a wine package or wine and liquor that will save on shipboard spending. i do not think it should be forced upon everyone though.

busch gardens here used to put your picture on your season pass so no one could use it. i assume the costs were higher for that than they wanted and it disappeared last year. that is a system hal could look into though as a way of keeping people honest. if you have a soda card or whatever and you have to present it itd be obvious if it was really you. and as far as the time suggestion that would be great as well. theres always a way to do it, just always depends on the level of hassle to do so and cost.

[iceman93]

i think it would be a good idea to have a package you can purchase be it a wine package


HAL offers two pre-purchased wine packages, with the more expensive one offering a slightly higher class of wines to choose from. They are good deals if the wines included in the packages are acceptable to you.