Wine And Alcohol Policies

[JRMEL]

I'm planning on sailing on the Volendam next Feburary and I've been watching the postings on the various topics about HAL's policies regarding alcohol. I've seen people talk about buying bottles on the ship at a premium price for consumption in your room. Also bringing your own wine to dinner and paying a corkage fee of 15 dollars plus 15 percent. Also, I've read you can purchase wine in the 15 to 16 dollar range through the gift program.
I've downloaded the wine list from the gift program and most wines prices start in the mid to upper 20 dollar range. The list is dated September 2004.
I get the feeling that HAL's policies are changing on a daily basis.
I would like to get the straight story from very recent cruisers.

TNX
John
Note: We are experienced cruisers but this is our first with HAL.

[Orcrone]

Jrmel,

Under the Onboard Experience link at the top of the HAL web page click on Gifts and Special Occasions. Then on the lower right side of the page click on the gift order form. This will bring up a pdf file that you can print out and fax. On the lower right side of the form are entries for Merlot, Chardonnay and Bon Voyage Champagne, for $18.00 each.

Here is the link for the gift order form (http://www.hollandamerica.com/pdfs/onboard/Gift_Order.pdf).

[dakrewser]

Also, I've read you can purchase wine in the 15 to 16 dollar range through the gift program.
I've downloaded the wine list from the gift program and most wines prices start in the mid to upper 20 dollar range. The list is dated September 2004.
There's wine on two lists, the "wine list" (the one you were looking at with prices in the $25+ range) and the wine packages on the "gift list" which avg. $18. There's also the 6-btl paks on the gift list, but this can also be purchased on board.

[Krazy Kruizers]

HAL's wine list and alcohol lists are changing all the time. And the prices seem to be going up all the time.

[CynBen]

In December, we will take our very first cruise on the Rotterdam for 14 days over holidays, my parents' 50th anniversary, and other family celebrations. There will be 12 of us in 6 verandah suites. We really enjoy drinks before dinner, wine with dinner, wine after dinner, mimosas with breakfast, etc. (We are not wild, noisy maniacs, though!) Most of us are also particular about the wine we choose. I was concerned about paying $6.75 or whatever per drink. Our alcohol bill could be as much as our cruise!

On the website under On-board Policies/Bringing Alcoholic Beverages Onboard: Except for wine and champagne, alcoholic beverages purchased in the vessel's shops or otherwise brought on the ship cannot be consumed on the ship.

I had our TA call HAL to find out if there was a limit to the amount of wine or champagne we could bring on board and they said no. The corkage fee (now $15!) is only applicable if you bring wine to the dining room or special dining room. You just can't bring alcohol for on board consumption.

I think we will be fine! Hmmm, how many cases can I fit into our carry-ons? Has anyone ever fallen off the veradahs?;)

Cynthia

[RuthC]

Has anyone ever fallen off the veradahs?;)

CynthiaNot to my knowledge on HAL (at least not accidentally). But it has happened on other lines.
I know you were joking, but please be careful.

[Southbound]

CYNBEN -- saw your msg on the roll call & left a reply for you. :)