Beverage choices are really confusing

[bettybc]

I was just looking on-line at the beverage choices and somewhat confused by them. This is our first HAL cruise (oosterdam out of SAN in February). Princess had a soft drink card for soda fountain (one price for the cruise) and a coffee card that was stamped. Are these similar to the beverage cards on the website? The cards that include alcohol - is that bar liquor or can you choose - e.g. cosmo martini vs vodka and OJ?

 

Thanks in advance:)

 

Bettybc

[catl331]

The beverage cards on HAL work like a gift card - they are pre-loaded with a value of $50, $100, or $250, and with the general cards you can get any beverage. The price of the drink plus the 15% service charge is deducted from the balance. If you specify brand-name liquor the amount deducted will be higher.

 

These sell for $50, $95, and $225 respectively on-board, but on the HAL site the $50 card is still selling for $45 and the $100 card for $90.

 

With the Non-alcohol type you can get any non-alcoholic beverages. I really don't see the point of these, except you could give one to a minor.

 

With the soda card you get cans of soda - 22 on a face-value $50 card that sells for $25.

 

It really doesn't make much sense to buy sodas on the general cards because the price break is so much better with the soda card, but you could use one for soda if you wanted.

 

If you don't use up the full purchase price of the card you are refunded the remainder.

[Typhoon1]

The great thing about the soda card is you get a full twelve ounce can of soda, not a glass of ice filled with soda from a gun.