"No-Host" mini bar means...?

[helen haywood]

What does "no-host" mini bar mean? I'm sailing on Oosterdam next week and see on the HAL web site that this is in my cabin.... Having not sailed on HAL before, I'm unfamiliar with what this means...

[Krazy Kruizers]

There will be a few small bottles of alcohol in your refrigerator. If you use them, you will pay for them plus a 15% gratuity. Sorry - Nothing is free.

[helen haywood]

I'm a suspicious type....don't expect anything to be free....but why do they call it "no-host?"

[middle-aged mom]

I'm a suspicious type....don't expect anything to be free....but why do they call it "no-host?"

A hosted bar is one where a host pays for the drinks. In this case, you are the host, and you are paying for the items. There is no host who is paying for the minibar, but you.

Does that help?:)

[happycat Bainbridge Is]

I agree it's confusing, but "no host" means there is no host paying for the drinks (you pay). You see this expression once in a while at receptions, but for the most part people have just gone to the clearer term: "cash bar."

If you know you are not interested in consuming and paying for any of the sodas, mixers, alcoholic beverages or anything else in the 'fridge, you can ask your cabin steward to clear it out so that you can put your own bottle of water or wine in there to keep it cool.

It's more like an old fashioned ice box than a true refrigerator, so I wouldn't leave something perishable in there for any significant length of time and then eat it.

Have a lovely trip!

[Roz]

Helen,

Thank you for asking this question. I've wondered about this ever since I've been cruising. Was afraid to ask, not wanting to appear to be an unsophisticated idiot.

"No host" always seemed to imply to me that you shouldn't expect a bartender in your cabin. :D

Roz

[gooselace]

There will be a few small bottles of alcohol in your refrigerator. If you use them, you will pay for them plus a 15% gratuity. Sorry - Nothing is free.


I knew about paying for what is used, but wasn't aware of the gratuity - odd as there is no service and any clean-up would seem to be included in the steward's auto tip - plus. Also, in hotels, there normally is a price list for the various items, but I've never seen one on a cruise ship (have only been on half a dozen). If you ask, does the steward have a price list?

[jtl513]

In addition to the items inside the refigerator, the bottles of water on the desk are also not free.

It's more like an old fashioned ice box than a true refrigerator, ...It's a refrigerator, but since it has no compressor it can only cool to about 25 degrees below ambient room temperature. If you want things in your refrigerator to be colder, turn down your room thermostat. :)

[bookworm0911]

I knew about paying for what is used, but wasn't aware of the gratuity - odd as there is no service and any clean-up would seem to be included in the steward's auto tip - plus. Also, in hotels, there normally is a price list for the various items, but I've never seen one on a cruise ship (have only been on half a dozen). If you ask, does the steward have a price list?
The 'service' is provided by the bar or wine steward who stocks and restocks the mini-bar in your room and gets the normal 15% gratuity for liquor sales. That is not done by your cabin steward. We have always found a price list in the cabinet above the refrig. I'm sure your steward could get you one.