catlet Posted June 1, 2012 #1 Share Posted June 1, 2012 We are new to Holland America and are taking the Zaandam Alaska cruise June 24th. They allow you to pre-order wine packages, liquor for delivery to room and Anniversary packages. Does this save money? Can we also order these once we have boarded? They also list a soda card. When we cruised on Princess and bought the soda package they refill your thermos bottle for the duration of the cruise. Do they have a similar system? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cruise Posted June 1, 2012 #2 Share Posted June 1, 2012 The best thing to do about wine packages etc. is to buy them once you get on board. You will have no trouble finding someone to sell them to you and then you have them. John C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted June 1, 2012 #3 Share Posted June 1, 2012 There is no price difference whether you pre-order or order once on the ship. A few people have been disappointed with the wine packages. When they went to order the packages -- some of the wines were not available. So -- best to wait until you are on the ship and ask what wines your ship has. We do pre-order alcohol for the cabin. And if we run out -- we just call room service to order another bottle. Information on Beverage cards: $50.00 Beverage Card cost $50.00 (No Savings) $50.00 Non-Alcoholic Beverage Card cost $50.00 (No Savings) $100.00 Beverage Card cost $95.00 ($5 Savings) $250 Beverage Card cost $225 ($25 Savings) $50.00 Soda Card cost $25.00 The soda card costs $25 but has a face value of $50. Each time you buy a soda with it $2.24 ($1.95 + 15%) is deducted from the value. $50/$2.24 = 22 cans, with $0.72 left over. You can use that $0.72 with $1.52 on your room key card (or another soda card) to get another can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okie1946 Posted June 1, 2012 #4 Share Posted June 1, 2012 (edited) We are new to Holland America and are taking the Zaandam Alaska cruise June 24th. They allow you to pre-order wine packages, liquor for delivery to room and Anniversary packages. Does this save money? Can we also order these once we have boarded? They also list a soda card. When we cruised on Princess and bought the soda package they refill your thermos bottle for the duration of the cruise. Do they have a similar system? The one thing that is really nice about Holland America - they will allow you to bring your own wine on board - as long as it is consumed in your cabin. If you have to have it opened by a wine steward, HAL will charge you a corkage fee. We paid $18.00 on our first cruise but have since learned to stick an inexpensive one in our luggage. The soda cards purchase cans of soda with a glass of ice. Should you have thermos' - I presume you would purchase the number of cans that would be needed to fill it for the day. Whichever way you decide to go - have a great cruise. Previous Cruises: Alaska - Westerdam - September 2009 Alaska- Rotterdam - September 2010 Mexican Riveria - Oosterdam - April 2011 Smile - :D - it will confuse an oncoming frown. Edited June 1, 2012 by Okie1946 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandij Posted June 1, 2012 #5 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Our next cruise will be to the Med and that requires a flight so can't take something with us and will order the liquor for the cabin. HAL actually has great prices compared to other lines, we did Carnival this year and they were outrageous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted June 1, 2012 #6 Share Posted June 1, 2012 The only advantage is if you want something in cabin when you arrive (but order delivery at sea to avoid any potential tax - it will still be in your cabin 99.99% of the time ). the other advantage is if you are as foolish as me - I like to have a few things paid for before I get on board so I don't have too much on board charge shock;) But there is no discount to order early versus being onboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonnudie Posted June 2, 2012 #7 Share Posted June 2, 2012 This will be my first HAL cruise. The soda card on NCL is $50 and gives you UNLIMITED soda, but not cans... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted June 2, 2012 #8 Share Posted June 2, 2012 This will be my first HAL cruise. The soda card on NCL is $50 and gives you UNLIMITED soda, but not cans... Two versions ago, HAL also had an unlimited soda card. Some people ruined it for all by sharing one card among entire families---and beyond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonnudie Posted June 2, 2012 #9 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Two versions ago, HAL also had an unlimited soda card. Some people ruined it for all by sharing one card among entire families---and beyond. People always have to scam and ruin it for everyone.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contessa30 Posted June 2, 2012 #10 Share Posted June 2, 2012 There is no price difference whether you pre-order or order once on the ship. A few people have been disappointed with the wine packages. When they went to order the packages -- some of the wines were not available. So -- best to wait until you are on the ship and ask what wines your ship has. We do pre-order alcohol for the cabin. And if we run out -- we just call room service to order another bottle. Information on Beverage cards: $50.00 Beverage Card cost $50.00 (No Savings) $50.00 Non-Alcoholic Beverage Card cost $50.00 (No Savings) $100.00 Beverage Card cost $95.00 ($5 Savings) $250 Beverage Card cost $225 ($25 Savings) $50.00 Soda Card cost $25.00 The soda card costs $25 but has a face value of $50. Each time you buy a soda with it $2.24 ($1.95 + 15%) is deducted from the value. $50/$2.24 = 22 cans, with $0.72 left over. You can use that $0.72 with $1.52 on your room key card (or another soda card) to get another can. Hello: I am curious if you can use the Soda Card to pay for Soda ordered from Room Service? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted June 2, 2012 #11 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hello:I am curious if you can use the Soda Card to pay for Soda ordered from Room Service? Thanks! I don't think so - but what you CAN do is use the soda in your 'fridge' and then replace it when you go to the bar by buying the replacements with your soda card. Or buy some - keep it in the room and just replace the cold ones in the fridge:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contessa30 Posted June 2, 2012 #12 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Great idea! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northshorecruisers Posted June 3, 2012 #13 Share Posted June 3, 2012 We always order a bottle of Bailey's ahead of time for in the cabin. We take a few bottles of favorite wine with us - sometimes we'll take one to dinner & pay the corkage - otherwise we use them in the cabin. I like to try new wines at dinner. We wait till we board to buy the soda card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJSULIBRARIAN Posted June 3, 2012 #14 Share Posted June 3, 2012 I agree with others. Wait and order your wine package while on board. There you will know which wines are still available, and what might be substituted. Sometimes they will substitute for a no longer available wine and sometimes they won't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruising cockroach Posted June 3, 2012 #15 Share Posted June 3, 2012 Do these pre-orders count towards credit for Mariner Society sailing days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted June 3, 2012 #16 Share Posted June 3, 2012 Do these pre-orders count towards credit for Mariner Society sailing days? Yes. Mariner sailing days are based on expenses attributed to your booking number. The expense does not have to be incurred while on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruising cockroach Posted June 3, 2012 #17 Share Posted June 3, 2012 So if I, say, prepay for Le Cirque, it counts towards days (per $300). Does it accrue to both occupants of a cabin or only one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted June 3, 2012 #18 Share Posted June 3, 2012 So if I, say, prepay for Le Cirque, it counts towards days (per $300). Does it accrue to both occupants of a cabin or only one? Both:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandij Posted June 3, 2012 #19 Share Posted June 3, 2012 Does anyone know the size of the bottles you can order, such as Meyer Rum or Bacardi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doh15 Posted June 3, 2012 #20 Share Posted June 3, 2012 I'm pretty sure they are 1 liter bottles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted June 4, 2012 #21 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Does anyone know the size of the bottles you can order, such as Meyer Rum or Bacardi. They are definitiely 1 litre bottles:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dockman Posted October 8, 2013 #22 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Do you receive the mariner discount on bottles of liquor ordered onboard ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted October 8, 2013 #23 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Do you receive the mariner discount on bottles of liquor ordered onboard ? No discounts on bottles of Alcohol or bottles of wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish Eyes Are Sailing Posted October 8, 2013 #24 Share Posted October 8, 2013 People always have to scam and ruin it for everyone.. Isn't that the truth.........! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipity1499 Posted October 8, 2013 #25 Share Posted October 8, 2013 The one thing that is really nice about Holland America - they will allow you to bring your own wine on board - as long as it is consumed in your cabin. If you have to have it opened by a wine steward, HAL will charge you a corkage fee. We paid $18.00 on our first cruise but have since learned to stick an inexpensive one in our luggage. The soda cards purchase cans of soda with a glass of ice. Should you have thermos' - I presume you would purchase the number of cans that would be needed to fill it for the day. Whichever way you decide to go - have a great cruise. Previous Cruises: Alaska - Westerdam - September 2009 Alaska- Rotterdam - September 2010 Mexican Riveria - Oosterdam - April 2011 Smile - :D - it will confuse an oncoming frown. I bolded your first sentence.. This was recently changed for all cruises starting end of January 2014..It is now only one bottle on embarkation on all cruises..Suggest you look at this thread, as it has garnered lots of postings & other threads about HAL's new wine policy: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1890524 Many posters are hoping that the policy will be tweaked & that HAL will permit you to carry more than one bottle per cruise, which seems only fair.. Betty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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