How are drink prices on HAL

[Schplinky]

I'm afraid I'll give the wrong impression if I ask too many questions about drinking but I'm wondering how the drink prices on HAL might compare with RCL or Celebrity. When we chose Westerdam for our winter cruise this year, we chose it over Norwegian Jewel, Caribbean Princess and Mariner or Radiance of the Seas. I was surprised in investigating Princess and NCL how different their drink prices were, with RCL coming in the middle of those two (Princess was by far the cheapest). We don't drink so much that it will make a big difference but I was wondering how much drinks are on Hal. For discussions sake, what would a Cosmopolitan, a maragarita or a daquiri cost? I seem unable to find anything like a current bar list online.

[venicecruiser]

My last cruise on HAL was in March and I thought the drink prices were better than Celebrity...Sorry, but I cannot remember any exact prices.

Claudia

[doone]

I have found that HAL's drink prices are very reasonable. I don't remember the exact prices either, but they weren't any higher than restaurants I frequent at home.

[Schplinky]

Thanks. If they're better than Celebrity, they're likely just about the same as RCL. I recall when we we went to Celebrity after RCL that everything seemed just about a dollar more on Celebrity.

These are the current RCL prices; would you say they're close to HAL?

http://schplinky.smugmug.com/gallery/1485941/3/71135474

[RuthC]

In March on the Noordam a daiquiri was $6.25, or ($6.15, I forget exactly) plus service charge. This was an increase from my cruise last summer.
Now, this was your plain, garden variety daiquiri---not top shelf liquor, or frozen, or flavored, or anything like that.

[Sayyadina]

I think $6.25 sounds like what we paid for mixed drinks on the Maasdam in March. I think beer was $4 something. They also have a drink of the day at $4.50, I think.

[AlohaPride]

I think $6.25 sounds like what we paid for mixed drinks on the Maasdam in March. I think beer was $4 something. They also have a drink of the day at $4.50, I think.

I'm actually kind of relieved! These seem like regular shore prices here at home, so the money shouldn't be that much different. YAY! I usually get cosmos and long islands, so I'm glad to see they are still only about $6ish. And beer is only $4ish (DH only drinks beer and wine). I'm also extremely interested in the wine packages! Reisling happens to be my favorite, but we are more than willing to try others and this might be a GREAT excuse. :D

[obriendan]

On the Maasdam, our standard nightcap, a Cointreau and a Drambuie, was $11.00 ($12.66 with 15% gratuity). Looking at the Enchantment of the Seas menu, the price of $5.25 to $7.75 is pretty much the same for these kinds of drinks.

[Navy_Chief]

Normally I go for Beer, DW does White Z. Beers are about $4.35 after the 15%. Best deal going is the Bucket of Beer for $12.00 +15%, 4 beers and they serve them one at a time to you. Occasionally, I drink Rum and Coke which is about $6 something. I usually leave the hard stuff until the captain's reception when he's buying :D

[newmexicoNita]

I think $6.25 sounds like what we paid for mixed drinks on the Maasdam in March. I think beer was $4 something. They also have a drink of the day at $4.50, I think.
That sounds pretty standard compared to most lines. Yes, Princess is by far the lowest, but they also charged 3% if you go to the casino and want to gamble by putting cash on your key card. I guess it all works out about the same. Schplinky, don't worry we all know what it's like to be on the ocean, so does the ship staff. We are a captive audiance and we will drink if we want; they know it and we know it. go have a good time and don't worry about th $2000.00 bar bill. LOL

[duck tune]

DH and I were on the Zaandam June 2 - 9. Pina Colada was $5.95 and Martini made with Tanquery was $6.25 plus 50 cent charge added for requesting in "on the rocks". Wine by the glass: Cabernet (St. Michelle) $7.50 per glass, White Zin $5.75/glass one night and $5.25 another - didn't notice the price difference until just now looking at my receipts!

Not too thrilled about the extra charge for "on the rocks" but have run into that situation in several restaurants when traveling.

[chasetf]

Normally I go for Beer, DW does White Z. Beers are about $4.35 after the 15%. Best deal going is the Bucket of Beer for $12.00 +15%, 4 beers and they serve them one at a time to you. Occasionally, I drink Rum and Coke which is about $6 something. I usually leave the hard stuff until the captain's reception when he's buying :D
As I remember they are higher than Princess which we frequent more. The HAL beer sounds a little higher Princess.

The other thing I remember and was turned off by HAL was there foo foo drinks Pina Colada, Margaritas, Rum Runners, etc.. were more expensive and smaller on HAL. So we usually passed on them.

[krewzin]

DH and I were on the Zaandam June 2 - 9. Pina Colada was $5.95 and Martini made with Tanquery was $6.25 plus 50 cent charge added for requesting in "on the rocks". Wine by the glass: Cabernet (St. Michelle) $7.50 per glass, White Zin $5.75/glass one night and $5.25 another - didn't notice the price difference until just now looking at my receipts!

Not too thrilled about the extra charge for "on the rocks" but have run into that situation in several restaurants when traveling.

What's up with that? Why charge more for getting a drink w/ice...I just don't understand that?

[RuthC]

What's up with that? Why charge more for getting a drink w/ice...I just don't understand that?
There's only one possible valid explanation I can think of: is the on the rocks drink larger because it's served in a different glass?
Somehow I doubt it, but I suppose maybe...?

I would be very angry if I were to to charged more for a drink for the single reason that I wanted it over ice. Sheesh! I would be sorely tempted to ask for it neat, then go to my cabin to retrieve my ice bucket. Would serve 'em right.

[poorsusan]

A drink on the rocks is closer to 2 shots of liquor rather than the one that is a regular mixed drink.....my husband owns a bar.

[Schplinky]

That's interesting, it never occurred to me that they would put more in to fill up the glass more.

[krewzin]

I used to manage a Bennigan's Tavern, and if someone wanted a certain drink on the rocks rather than straight up, it was simply poured into a highball glass with ice added.

Price was never changed, nor were the levels of the alcohol.

But if true and you're getting another shot of liquor... then I understand the additional .50. Guess I don't get out enough anymore.