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Holland America drink packages: Cost, inclusions and what to know before you buy

Beverage packages aren't for everyone, but they can be a nice way to give your cruise vacation a more luxurious, all-inclusive feel. If you're sailing Holland America , drink packages are available as optional add-ons to your cruise fare. Choose from four different packages, ranging from a simple soda package to an option that includes premium alcoholic beverages.

Sorting out the differences between the packages and understanding what you are actually paying for can be confusing. Most cruisers want to know what exactly they're getting with each drink package and whether or not the packages will save them money.

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If you're considering a Holland America drink package for your next cruise, here's everything you need to know before making your purchase.

What's included in Holland America drink packages?

Holland America alcohol packages aren't the only drink packages available. The line offers two nonalcoholic packages and two options with alcoholic beverages.

All packages allow you to order beverages at most bars, restaurants, entertainment venues and poolside. Exceptions include self-serve draft beer where available and drinks in the Chocolate Seduction and Honor Bar. Packages do not include drinks consumed from in-cabin minibars, ordered from room service or purchased on Half Moon Cay. All packages except the Coca-Cola package have quantity limits.

Related: Cruise ship drink packages: A line-by-line guide

Coca-Cola package

Sodas are not included in your cruise fare, and passengers may not bring them on board. That leaves soda drinkers with the choice to buy a beverage package, pay per drink or get their soft drink fix in ports of call.

The Coca-Cola package covers fountain drinks from bars and bar servers on all ships in the fleet. Three ships — Koningsdam, Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam — have Coca-Cola Freestyle fountain machines that allow you to mix and match your flavors at will. Canned soft drinks are not included in the package, but fountain drinks are unlimited.

You might consider this package if you're the person who relies on soft drinks to quench your thirst throughout the day and drink few, if any, cocktails, mocktails, beer, wine or spirits. It works great for tweens and teens who regularly drink soda.

Quench package

The Quench package includes unlimited fountain soft drinks and up to 15 specialty coffees, bottled water (still and sparkling), fresh juices or mocktails per day.

With this package, you can order your favorite coffee each morning at Explorations Café, drink sodas with your lunch, chill with a frozen mocktail by the pool in the afternoon and grab bottled water before you head out on a day of exploring in port— all without worrying about the individual cost.

Quench would be the Holland America drink package for someone who dives into the vacation spirit with beverage treats throughout the day and evening, but mostly enjoys them sans alcohol.

Signature beverage package

The Signature beverage package is the mainstay Holland America alcohol package. It covers beer, wine, spirits and cocktails priced under $11, plus everything from the Quench package. There is a 15-drink limit, whether alcoholic or non, not counting fountain soft drinks.

You can order a drink with a price higher than the $11 maximum and will be charged only the price difference plus gratuity.

The Signature package satisfies the beverage needs of most cruisers. Unless you prefer top-shelf liquor, you'll be fine with this package. Even the quantity limit of 15 drinks takes care of the average cruiser. If you party into the wee hours of the night, you'd have to order a drink from the package every hour and a half almost around the clock to use all 15.

All adults of legal drinking age within a cabin must buy the same alcoholic drink package. If one person does not drink, they can be granted special permission to buy only the Quench package.

Related: The best drinks to order with a cruise ship beverage package

Elite beverage package

For those who want to eliminate some of the limits on their drink package, Elite is the way to go. This package includes everything from the earlier packages but raises the price limit to $15 per drink. That covers premium beer, wine and spirits.

The daily limit is also removed for nonalcoholic drinks. That means you can drink all the fountain drinks, specialty coffee, bottled water and mocktails you want without touching your 15-drink limit on alcoholic beverages, which for most cruisers, means you're not likely to reach the limit at all.

What does a Holland America drink package cost?

Here are the standard Holland America drink package prices:

Coca-Cola package : $9.44 per person, per day ($8 plus an 18% gratuity) for unlimited fountain sodas, including from Freestyle machines on select ships

Quench package: $21.18 per person, per day ($17.95 plus an 18% gratuity) for unlimited fountain sodas and up to 15 nonalcoholic drinks per day

Signature beverage package: $64.84 per person, per day ($54.95 plus an 18% gratuity) for unlimited fountain sodas and up to 15 alcoholic or nonalcoholic drinks up to $11 each

Elite beverage package: $70.74 per person, per day ($59.95 plus an 18% gratuity) for unlimited fountain sodas, unlimited nonalcoholic beverages and up to 15 alcoholic drinks up to $15 each

I was hard-pressed to find any discounts off the advertised Holland America drink package prices. Even in the midst of Black Friday sales, the only beverage-related discount I found was for the line's Have It All package that upgrades your cruise fare to a more inclusive experience by bundling the Signature beverage package with Wi-Fi, specialty dining and shore excursion credit (with the last two based on the length of the cruise).

It should be noted, however, that the Holland America website states drink package pricing as "starting at." That would imply that the prices could increase from time to time, though I could not find anyone who said they had paid more than the posted prices.

Related: The best cruise ship bars

Drink discounts beyond the drink packages

Before you settle on a drink package, know that it's not your only option for discounted alcohol or inclusive pricing. Holland America offers some add-on items that can be used to supplement or entirely replace a drink package under certain circumstances.

The first is an option to purchase a bundle of wines by the bottle called The Sommelier Suite. You can choose from three different wine lists at three different price points. You can then opt to buy four, six or eight bottles from your preferred list.

Prices start at $119 for a four-bottle package on the lowest-priced list and go as high as $329 for eight bottles on the highest-priced list. These prices are advertised as "up to 25 percent off" the menu price before the 18% gratuity.

Frequent cruisers who are members of Holland America's Mariner Society are offered a 25% discount on the Sommelier Suite packages after 75 cruise days and 50% off after 200 cruise days. Even without the Mariner discounts, the package price makes sense for anyone who enjoys wine on multiple nights of their cruise. You can drink the bottles in any restaurant, share them with friends and even take them to your cabin.

Related: How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise

The final alternative to beverage packages on Holland America is to purchase pay-as-you-go drink cards. These are not discounted but offer the ability to control drink spending or simplify drink accounting by pre-purchasing what is essentially a drink debit card. Funds left on the card at the end of the cruise are refundable to your onboard account.

Holland America cruisers I found on social media report buying the drink cards with cruise line gift cards bought at a 10% discount at some grocery stores and websites, essentially gaining a 10% discount on the drinks they purchase with the drink card. (By the same token, you could use the discounted gift cards to buy your standard drink package, as well.)

You can also purchase gift cards with credit cards, such as the American Express® Gold Card , that give you extra points per dollar spent at grocery stores to get additional value from your purchase.

Is a drink package worth it on your Holland America cruise?

Now that you have the facts, it's time to decide if the packages are worth the price. Remember that free drinks on board include drip coffee, hot and iced tea, water, lemonade, milk and punch, available at meals and drink stations. The ship's water is drinkable, and you can bring a refillable water bottle, which is particularly useful on port excursions.

Fountain soft drinks ordered from a bar are cheap on Holland America at $2.50 (plus tip) each, but that's for a small glass. Serious soda drinkers (me included) could suck down a couple of these in a flash on a hot day in the Caribbean.

Since Holland America does not allow even canned soft drinks to be brought on board at embarkation, this package price seems easy to match for those who regularly drink one or more large sodas at home, especially when cruising in a warm destination. On the three ships offering Freestyle machines, the purchase is definitely a no-brainer.

Related: Are cruise line drink packages worth the price? What to know before you buy

This is my favorite package for making me feel like I'm really on a cruise vacation. I'm a lightweight drinker when it comes to alcoholic drinks, but I can slurp frozen mocktails (which average around $8 each) all day long on a sea day.

Since the package also includes unlimited soft drinks, you can have soda with your hamburger at lunch, followed by a virgin mudslide for dessert if that's what makes you happy. Add in the bottled water, which is the only part of any drink package you can take with you to Half Moon Cay, and it all starts to look quite convenient.

If you drink one specialty coffee per day at around $4.50, two or three of the skimpy fountain sodas, and at least one mocktail per day, you'll top the $17.95 package price without even counting the bottled water, which can be as high as $4.50 for sparkling brands.

Holland America's main alcohol package packs in quite a bit for the money, allowing you to enjoy a nice combination of nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks. At $54.95, if you don't drink anything but the $11 drinks allowed by the package, you'd need to drink five per day to break even.

But factor in a specialty coffee every morning, some bottled water on port days and a soda now and then, and your break-even alcoholic drink tally drops to three or four. If that looks like your typical cruise consumption, you'll at least break even on this package.

The best way to get this package, however, might be by purchasing what Holland America calls the Have It All package , which includes not only the drink package, but Surf Wi-Fi, shore excursion credit ranging from $100 for a six- to nine-night sailing up to $300 for cruises longer than 21 nights, and at least one specialty dining night. It is not available on every cruise, but when it is, the $55 price per person, per day is an incredible bargain, essentially throwing in freebies on top of the beverage package.

This package bumps up the price by a mere $5 per day over the Signature package, so if you prefer premium alcohol in your cocktails, or if the beer and wine on the Elite list are more to your liking, you'll cover the difference with just a handful of drinks. It's your vacation, why not splurge a little, right?

I found cruisers on social media who said you can upgrade to the Elite package from the Signature bought within the Have It All package. They said as long as nobody in the cabin has ordered a drink on the Signature Package, it can be upgraded at embarkation at any bar.

Is a Holland America beverage package right for you?

Drink packages are a personal preference. You can certainly cruise with Holland America without one, combining drinks included in the cruise fare with a pay-as-you-drink routine for everything else. If that's what you are most comfortable with, you can easily keep an eye on your drink expenditures using the cruise line app or checking your daily expenses on the in-room interactive TV screen.

You can also earn a discount by buying bottled wine packages or paying with discounted Holland America gift cards.

If, however, you prefer to pay for as much of your cruise experience upfront as possible and not worry about the spending once you are on board, the package that most closely matches your drinking habits will be the one that makes your cruise most enjoyable.

Drink packages allow you to pay once and forget about the price of each individual glass. Even the tipping is bundled into the purchase price for you, though you can add additional tips if you wish.

The bottom line is that Holland America drink packages, while not designed to save you a fortune, certainly allow you to enjoy beverages on your cruise in an all-inclusive fashion if that's the vacation experience you'd prefer.

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Holland America drink packages explained, with prices!

About the hal drink packages.

Holland America offers a variety of drink packages that cater to both alcoholic and non-alcoholic preferences, providing convenience and value for cruise passengers. The packages range from $8 to $59.99 per day plus an 18% service charge. Notably, recent changes allow guests to pay the difference for drinks exceeding the package limit. The Elite Beverage Package and the Signature Beverage Package offer different levels of inclusions and price points. The Quench Non-Alcoholic Drink Package is a good option for non-drinkers or those who prefer soft beverages like coffee and soda.

Key Points:

• Holland America offers various drink packages catering to different preferences.
• Prices range from $8 to $59.99 per day plus an 18% service charge.
• Recent changes allow guests to pay the difference for drinks exceeding the package limit.
• The Elite Beverage Package and Signature Beverage Package offer different inclusions and price points. But most people are happy with the Signature package!
• The Quench Non-Alcoholic Drink Package is suitable for non-drinkers or those who prefer soft beverages.

Holland America drink package prices

Drink packages range from $54.95 – $59.99 per day and the non-alcoholic packages are $8 – $17.95 per day PLUS 18% GRATUITY / SERVICE CHARGE

Changes to the beverage packages for Holland America Line

Recently, HAL has made some positive changes to their beverage packages , most notably that when ordering a drink that is more expensive than the maximum amount allowed by the package, you only PAY THE DIFFERENCE .  In the past, if you ordered a cocktail that was more expensive than your package allowed, you’d have to pay the full amount.  Not anymore!

Holland America drink packages compared

There are currently 2 zero alcohol beverage packages and 2 alcoholic drink package options with Holland America Line.

Signature Beverage Package (aka Classic)

The Signature Package price is $54.95 per day per person + 18% Service Charge / Gratuity

For drinks up to $11

The Signature Package is the most basic drink package, but it’s pretty extensive and more generous than many other cruise lines! This package allows any drink including cocktails, wines by the glass, specialty drinks, and classic cocktails such as Martinis, up to $11 to be ordered.

What we love about the Signature package is the fact it includes bottled (or canned) water, juices, and specialty coffee. This level of inclusion at a basic drink package level is not common. Additionally, if you order a drink over the $11 limit with the Signature Beverage Package, you’re only charged the difference + an 18% service charge OF THE DIFFERENCE, not on the entire drink.  This is new for Holland America, as the policy used to be that you’d have to pay for the entire drink + gratuity if it exceeded the beverage package limit. 

Something to be aware of is this package only allows a limit of 15 drinks per day regardless of what they are. In reality, we found it difficult to reach 15 drinks in a day even though we had coffee in the morning, and soda in the afternoon, and didn’t hold back on drinks in the evening. If you think you will drink more than 15 drinks in a day, take a look at the Elite package.

Here’s what’s included in the Signature Beverage Package on Holland America

Everything included in the Alcohol-Free (Quench) package is also included in the signature beverage package.

BEER & CIDER

Amstel Light Coors Light Corona Corona Premier Dos Equis Lager Guinness Irish Stout Heineken Heineken 0.0 Heineken Light Hoegaarden Lagunitas IPA Lagunitas Lil’ Sumpin’ Ale Michelob Ultra Miller Lite Molson Canadian New Castle Brown Ale Samuel Adams Boston Lager Rekorderlig Pear Rekorderlig Strawberry Lime Strongbow Truly Wild Berry

WINE & PORT

Arboleda, Carménère Beringer, White Zinfandel CSM Mimi, Chardonnay CSM, Riesling Clos du Bois, Chardonnay Columbia Crest Estate, Merlot Crios, Malbec Danzante, Pinot Grigio Domaine Chandon, Brut Domaine Houchart, Rosé Dows LBV, Port Errazuriz Estate, Cab. Sauvignon Frescobaldi, Chianti Castiglioni Frescobaldi, Sangiovese La Marca, Prosecco Laurenz, Grüner Veltliner Le Grand Courtage, Brut Rosé McPherson, Shiraz Nobilo, Sauvignon Blanc Pian di Remole, Bianco Robert Mondavi PS, Pinot Noir Sandeman Ruby, Port Sextant, Zinfandel Simi, Sauvignon Blanc Smith Woodhouse Reserve, Port Spellbound, Cab. Sauvignon Sterling, Merlot Warre’s Otima, Port Warre’s Warrior, Port Zonin, Moscato

Bombay Original Bombay Sapphire Hendrick’s New Amsterdam Nolet’s Silver Tanqueray 10 Tanqueray RUM Appleton Signature Bacardi Superior Captain Morgan Goslings Malibu Mount Gay Myer’s Pyrat

Johnnie Walker Black Label Johnnie Walker Red Label Aberfeldy 12yr. Ballantine’s Chivas Regal Cutty Sark Dewar’s 12yr. Dewar’s White Label Glen Deveron Glenmorangie J&B Laphroaig 10yr. TEQUILA 1800 Reposado Cabo Wabo Blanco Cazadores Reposado Herradura Reposado Jose Cuervo Gold Jose Cuervo Silver Patrón Silver

Absolut Belvedere Finlandia Grey Goose Ketel One New Amsterdam Skyy Smirnoff Stolichnaya Tito’s

Buffalo Trace Bulleit Canadian Club Crown Royal Jack Daniels Jameson Jim Beam Jim Beam Red Stag Knob Creek Knob Creek Rye Maker’s Mark Seagram’s 7 Seagram’s VO Wild Turkey Woodford Reserve

CLASSIC COCKTAILS

Americano Aperol Spritz Bloody Mary Caipirinha Cape Cod Champagne Cocktail Chi Chi Collins Daiquiri Gimlet Grasshopper Greyhound Harvey Wallbanger Hot Toddy Kir Royal Long Island Iced Tea Mai Tai Manhattan Margarita Martini –House Mint Julep Mojito Negroni Old Fashioned Paloma Pisco Sour Planter’s Punch Rum Punch Salty Dog Sazerac Sidecar Singapore Sling Vieux Carré Weng Weng Whiskey Sour White Russian

DALE DEGROFF COCKTAILS

Another Shade of Greyhound Bee’s Knees Blue Florida Blue Ice Brilliante Brooklyn Classic Negroni Cosmopolitan Fashionista Flor De Jerez Gallery Gimlet Hemingway Daiquiri Miami Beach Spritz Patrona Poloma Penicillin Perfect Manhattan Pusser’s Painkiller Red Stag Derby Rotterdam Martinez Strange Brew Trader Vic’s Mai Tai Tuscan Lemon Drop Whiskey Smash Yuzu Margarita

Elite Beverage Package

The Elite Package price is $59.99 per person per day  + 18% Service Charge / Gratuity

For drinks up to $15

The Elite Package is the top-tier drink package offered by Holland America. This cruise drink package has a price limit of $15 per drink and includes everything that the Quench package and Signature Package include. While the higher price threshold per drink is $15, that’s not the real value. The Elite package removes the limit of 15 drinks per day, but only for non-alcoholic drinks. Effectively, this keeps your non-alcoholic drinks from counting towards your alcoholic drink allowance. Elite packages still have a daily limit only applied to alcohol (15).

• NEW! Use our Holland America Drink Calculator to see if a Beverage Package is worth it on your next cruise!

Quench Non-Alcoholic Drink Package

The Quench drinks price is $17.95 per person per day + 18% Service Charge / Gratuity

The Quench Package is basically HAL’s non-alcoholic package for minors and non-drinking adults. This package includes soft drinks, mocktails, bottled water, and fresh juices. The package also includes specialty coffee-based drinks as well as espresso. It’s important to know that there is a daily drink limit of 15 beverages included in the Quench package, but still, a great value if you’re a coffee, tea, bottled water, or soda drinker.  If you go over 15, you’ll pay the full price per drink for the rest of the day.

Included drinks in the Quench Beverage Package

The “Quench Package” is one of the better deals at sea considering it includes everything except alcohol. So for people who really enjoy coffee, smoothies, and bottled water, this is a great value at only $17.95/day.

Americano Cappuccino Espresso Latte Explorations Café Specials

Cool as a Cucumber Daiquiri Virgin Mary Frozen Peach Margarita Ginger Mango Splash Grapefruit Not-A-Cosmo Iced Sunshine Lemonade Melon Mint Nojito Non-Alcoholic Bloody Caesar Orange Pineapple Spritzer Pina Not-A-Colada Roy Rogers Shirley Temple Sugar-Free Berry Lime Fizz

SMOOTHIES & JUICE

Banana Smoothie Banana Strawberry Cranberry Juice Grapefruit Juice Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider Orange Juice Orange Smoothie Piña Colada Smoothie Pineapple Berry Pineapple Juice Pineapple Passion Pineapple Smoothie Strawberry Smoothie

WATER & SODA

Bitter Lemon Coca Cola Soft Drinks Mineral Water-330ml Red Bull Energy Drink Red Bull Sugarfree Canned Water-1202

Soda (Coke) Package

The unlimited soft drinks price is $8 per person per day + 18% Service Charge / Gratuity

If Unlimited Soda is your thing, then this package makes sense. For $8 per person per day, the Holland America Soda Package or “Coca-Cola” package allows for bottomless and unlimited fountain soda drinks. This is a great value for soda drinkers considering sodas are $2.75 each onboard. 

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The Have it All Promotion includes a beverage package (NEW!)

But wait! There’s more! 🙂

Recently Holland America introduced the “HAVE IT ALL” package or HIA. This is by far the most valuable nearly all-inclusive package at sea. For an average of $50 per day, you receive wifi and specialty dining but most importantly it includes the Signature drink package! So you’re getting a lot of extras for less money.  More on the Have it All Package .

Drink Prices on Holland America Line

Most cans of soda are $2.75, beer is $7.75 and there are plenty of wine options for under $13. Most classic cocktails are $11 or less and very few are more than $15

• See all bar menus and drink prices for Holland America

Holland America drink package gratuity?

Every drink you order will have a gratuity line item (18%), but the amount is included in your drink price if you’re using a package. For example, an $11 Martini would have an 18% gratuity in addition to the drink price if you purchase it separately, but that 18% is included in the cost of the drink when using your package. 

Drink Package Prices Have Additional Gratuity Added

When seeing the advertised price of a drink package on Holland America, it does NOT include an addition 18% added to the package price.

A Few notes about the HAL Drink Packages

• Drinks in the mini bar (in the cabins) are not included in the drink package
• Just pay the difference of the drink price if your drink is more expensive than your package limit allows
• Drink packages are not valid on Half Moon Cay private island (bummer!)
• Everyone in the cabin has to purchase a drink package if one person chooses a package. They’ll need to be the same drink package (except for minors, which will be downgraded to a soda package)
• Bottled water is included in the Elite, Signature, and Quench packags.
• You don’t need a drink package for the included drinks which are: tap water, tea, and coffee in the buffet as well as some juices (from the machines). 

Holland America Drink Packages Are Worth It!

Even though some packages have a daily limit, it’s very generous, and we had a hard time reaching 15 drinks. I know some people will undoubtedly get there when trying to break even… but for all practical purposes, the packages are definitely worth it, especially with the new policy where Holland America allows you to just pay the difference in more expensive drinks!

Do you have a comment?

Did we miss something? Have you had a different experience? Did we get it wrong?

Cruise Gear Editor

I'm a global nomad at heart, and the dedicated editor behind CruiseGear. For the past two decades, I've experienced exciting voyages across the world, discovering countless ports from the decks of dozens of ships, visiting 40+ countries (and living in some of them for years). It's been an exhilarating journey to say the least! I want to share everything I've learned and hope to make your next cruise vacation as enjoyable as possible.

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32 Comments

Thanks for all the helpful info! I love the calculator but I don’t see mocktails listed on the Quench package to see if buying them would help me break even – am I missing how to calculate in mocktails? Thank you!!

Jo- Good point! I never thought about including mocktails. I will do that soon!

We have two rooms, non drinking wife with teen who enjoys coffee juice soda and smoothies. If I get the child the Quench package does my wife have to get the quench as well? Would the soda package for my wife suffice?

It’s my understanding that everyone in the room must book the same package, however I know exceptions can be made when booking on the phone with the cruise line. So it MIGHT be possible to avoid everyone getting the same package when adding this with an agent over the phone. I’d be interested to know what you experience!

Quick question: We’re a family of 4 and we got two inside rooms. My husband is rooming with our son and I’m rooming with our daughter (both under 18). My husband and I both plan to buy the Elite Package. Because our children are both minors, will the cruise line impose a mandatory non-alcoholic package for both of our children, because my husband and I are getting the Elite Package?

Hi Cherrel – I think you’ll be stuck having to buy the soda / non alcoholic package for the kids since they’ll be sharing a room with someone that has a beverage package. I know some people have gotten lucky and been able to CALL the cruise line and get exceptions for various reasons, but it’s not common. If the kids don’t drink much soda and can’t make the package add up from a value perspective, I’d definitely call and see if they’ll waive it. When I look at the travel agent portal for booking – selecting an adult beverage package with a traveling minor, it does add a required package for the second passenger. The agent on the phone will have ultimate discretion on the matter, so a little sweet talking never hurt 🙂

Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you for your quick response. I am waiting to add the Elite Package once HAL pushes my reservation to the app. (Just booked about an hour ago.)

[BTW: I’m not sure why my phone autocorrected “rooming” to “running”, but again I appreciate you answering my question.]

Have you considered the Have It All Package? It includes a beverage package that you can upgrade on the ship (though we didn’t see the need since almost everything was covered). It would still end up with a Quench package for the kids but adds a lot more value! It’s worth doing the math for sure.

[ I’ve corrected your running 🙂 ]

We have. We may do that since we will definitely be doing a specialty restaurant; however, I’ll have to check to see what excursions HAL may have. We generally book excursions “off ship”.

Many thanks! Cherrel.

I just wanted to thank you and let you know how helpful this was to us!

Hi Phil As a guest travelling by myself, would I be sharing a cabin with the same gender or a single cabin. Cos I am booking a twin share for a tour which includes the cruise.

Hey There! If you book a shared cabin with an outside company, they’ll be the one to contact. If you book solo with the cruise, you’re never going to be sharing. You either book a solo cabin or book a regular cabin and pay a supplement for traveling solo. I can’t imagine any tour booking people that don’t know eachother, so I can only guess that you’re actually booked alone but definitely confirm with them! There’s not enough room in these cabins to share with a stranger! 🙂

Thanks Phil 😊

Cruise sept 24 Looking at the Have it all as includes wifi…With 2 of us in the cabin you only need one wifi per cabin? But we both have to buy same package. Can one buy have it all and one buy the quencher?( and pay cash for the odd drink)

Hi Jenny – The Have it All is applied to everyone in the same cabin, I do not think it is possible to have just one person in the cabin with the package. When we booked, it was a “fare type” meaning, that everyone in the cabin was on the same fare which was the Have it All fare. I hope this helps!

I purchased two quench drink packages and two internet packages for an upcoming cruise. Since buying these Holland American now offers a have it all package that will offer more for a better price. Can I cancel the previously purchased packages and buy the have it all package? If so, how do I accomplish it? I do not see any instructions for such a situation.

Hi Nancy – you can cancel the package you’ve purchased. Adding the Have it All was not a problem after booking – but both have ti be done on the phone with Holland America unfortunately.

Purchased the 2024 HA Have it All package but can’t figure out if smoothies are included. Please advise and thanks!

Nancy – Everything that is in the “Quench” package is also included in the Have it All Package including these smoothies: Banana Smoothie Banana Strawberry Cranberry Juice Grapefruit Juice Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider Orange Juice Orange Smoothie Piña Colada Smoothie Pineapple Berry Pineapple Juice Pineapple Passion Pineapple Smoothie Strawberry Smoothie

Yay! Thank you‼️‼️‼️

Hi, One correction to the article above: if you order a drink more expensive than the threshold, HAL will charge the extra, plus 18% gratuity on the total. e.g. you buy a $16 drink, they charge you $16 + 18%, and deduct the base $11

Hi Bert – Thanks for this comment. I was sure when I was on the Rotterdam a few weeks ago that when I bought something that was, for example, $12 that my ticket was for $1.18 (the $1 overage + 18% on that $1)

I’ll make sure your comment is posted, in case I’m wrong and I’ll correct after I go back and look at my receipts.

Hi Phil We are cruising with HAL for the first time in March 2024. We have the Have it all package with signature drinks included. Do you know if it is possible to upgrade to elite package within the have it all deal? Thanks Jill

Hi Jill, good question! So I was told repeatedly that the upgrade was possible once on the ship. I saved all HAL Correspondence stating as such. However, on the first day when I tried to upgrade to the elite package, the staff all looked at me like I was a little crazy. No one could figure it out so it escalated to the food and beverage manager who confirmed that it’s NOT possible to upgrade on the ship. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to do it but that there was no facility to enable such an upgrade in their systems. It was a bit of a bummer, but in the end, I just bought what I wanted along the way and after doing the math, I think we actually saved money by NOT upgrading. Almost every drink was covered within a dollar or two where we just paid the difference. In the end it worked out ok. Just know that it’s not possible to do the upgrade in case someone has told you it is. Here’s more on the Have it All package

Thanks for this Phil. I contacted our TA and he said it would be possible on board to upgrade or I could do it online within 3 months of sailing……. I will check 3 months before. I think he was just fobbing me off. I will send him the info you have given me. Thanks again Jill

Sure thing! Keep in mind when the TA says you can upgrade, it’s probably because you USUALLY can. So if you’ve purchased the Signature package and want to upgrade to the Elite, that’s never a problem… it’s just the fact they bundle these things and they didn’t have a way to upgrade from the bundle. Enjoy your cruise!

I’ve been told by different HAL associates that you can pay for an upgrade once onboard. However they could not give me the upgrade dollar amount. The Elite package is better for my husband and I he drinks an endless amount of water. While he drinks just as much. I would not water the water to go against his 15 drinks per day. Same for me I like fancy coffee and fresh juice. I just don’t want that to interfere with my 15 drinks.

Tanitta – You share the same concern I had, which was drinking soda, coffee, water, etc would “dip” into my other adult beverage limit. So in the Have it All included beverage package, it is in fact the 15 drinks of any variety per day. Just like you, I wanted to upgrade and I spoke extensively with customer service and even had a screen shot of a chat I had stating I could upgrade after I boarded. But unfortunately, I was unable to. It escalated all the way to the Food & Beverage manager that basically would have done the upgrade if possible, but there was no way to process an upgrade from the Have it All included beverage package. So as recently as a month ago, it was NOT possible to upgrade on the ship. I haven’t yet spoken to anyone that has been able to upgrade, so if anyone has, I’d love to hear about it! -Phil

Are you able to use your beverage package for a bottle of wine with dinner or do you have to wait for a waiter to fill your glass? regards

Hi Paul – The package includes wines by the glass not a bottle. However, I never had a problem getting a refill quickly! There are discounts on bottles of wine, but didn’t fine the value in that. I hope this helps! Enjoy your cruise!

Thanks Phil, I figured as much. All good!!

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• Beverage Packages / Cruise Line Restaurant, Room Service, and Bar Menus / Cruising

Holland America 2023 Bar Menus

by Prof. Cruise · Published January 31, 2023 · Updated April 14, 2023

Holland America Releasing NEW Bar Menus for 2023

Holland America released NEW bar menus for 2023 . So, what’s changed?

What’s Changed on the New Holland America Bar Menus?

The prices , for one! This is the line’s first fleet-wide price increase on beverages since 2019 and, while unwelcome, was to be expected in light of inflation (honestly, I’m surprised it’s taken this long). The line reports that the price of goods has gone up over 30% in the last year.

But it’s not all bad news, here are some positive additions to the new menus :

New Beverage Offerings on Holland America in 2023

Wines: Kendall Jackson Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Decoy Cabernet by Duckhorn Murphy Goode Merlot and Cabernet

Beers: Stella Artois Peroni Coors Edge NA

150th Anniversary items: De Lijn Gin (You can read about De Lijn Gin HERE ) HAL Pils (You can read about HAL Pils HERE )

Here are the new menus…

Holland America Bar Menus and Drink Prices 2023

Not every ship will have every bar, so double check before you start compiling your drink list. Those who make it to the end of these menus without giving into temptation and booking another Holland America cruise (like I did half way through reading them) will be rewarded with some photos of my favorite Holland America cocktails from my most recent cruise onboard the Noordam! And if you still don’t book a Holland America cruise after that, well, your willpower surpasses that of a stray dog who waits for scraps on the outside of a wide-open steakhouse door. Here are the menus…

INDEX (jump to):

BB King’s Billboard Onboard Casino Bar Crow’s Nest Gallery Bar James Suckling’s Wine List Lido/Seaview/Cabana Bar Mix Bar Ocean Bar Pinnacle Bar Rolling Stone Rock Room Sommelier Program Standard Holland America Bar

BB King’s Blues Club Bar Menu on Holland America in 2023

Billboard Onboard Bar Menu on Holland America in 2023

Casino Bar Menu on Holland America in 2023

Crow’s Nest Bar Menu on Holland America in 2023

James Suckling’s Wine List on Holland America in 2023

Lido/Seaview/Cabana Bar Menu on Holland America in 2023

Mix Bar Menu on Holland America in 2023

Ocean Bar Menu on Holland America in 2023

Pinnacle Bar Menu on Holland America in 2023

Rolling Stone Rock Room Bar Menu on Holland America in 2023

Sommelier Suite Program on Holland America in 2023

Standard Holland America Bar Menu 2023

Holland America Drinks to Try

You made it to the end! As your reward, here are photos of my favorite drinks from my recent Holland America cruise onboard the Noordam. Some are from the menus and some are off menu. All were delicious! Now go book another Holland America cruise!

And with that…

Class Dismissed!

Don’t forget to share these menus with your cruising companions and social media groups and PIN so you can refer back to them later!

Homework (10 points): More updated 2023 Holland America menus coming, so be sure to check back. In the meantime, share to the comments your thoughts on the new Holland America drink menus. And share your favorite Holland America cocktail. Also, be sure to follow Prof. Cruise on your favorite social media sites:

Twitter  (@cruiseprof)

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5 Responses

• Pingbacks 2

HAL needs to put a little more effort in their beer selection. Get a beer guy, like you have a wine guy.

This is great – just what I was looking for. Worth noting that finally they have accepted that if you have a package you only need to pay the difference – Cudos HAL for listening to that feedback! Now I am more likely to splash out for a posh drink now and again.

Hi – Thanks for posting these! Going on HAL next year, so was interesting to get a feel of what they offer. I was wondering though was page 4 missing from the section “James Suckling’s Wine List on Holland America in 2023”. I was looking for white wines by the glass and it skips right to page 5, which has reds. Thank you!

[…] ***HOLLAND AMERICA HAS JUST RELEASED NEW BAR MENUS FOR 2023. SEE THE NEW MENUS HERE!*** […]

[…] BB King’sBillboard OnboardCasino BarCrow’s NestGallery BarJames Suckling’s Wine ListLido/Seaview/Cabana BarMix BarOcean BarPinnacle BarRolling Stone Rock RoomSommelier ProgramStandard Holland America Bar […]

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About Prof. Cruise

Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. With a concentration in cruising.  Home port: Seattle.  Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human.  Lover of books and dessert.  Fancies herself a bit of a comedian – you’ve been warned.

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Holland America Introduces ‘Dutch Day’ Culinary Experiences on Every Cruise

• April 28, 2024

Holland America Line is introducing a new “Dutch Day” culinary experience celebrating the cruise line’s history on every sailing in Alaska, Europe, Asia or the Caribbean, according to a press release.

The focal point of Dutch Day will be a themed Dutch Dinner served once per cruise in the main Dining Room, with many dishes also available in the Lido Market. Additionally, Holland America Line’s Orange Party will be held on Dutch Day, and guests can enjoy fresh-made poffertjes in Crow’s Nest Café.

“Holland America Line remains deeply connected to our roots in the Netherlands, and Dutch Day is the perfect way to honor our history through experiences that celebrate the culinary culture of the country,” said Michael Stendebach, vice president of food, beverage and rooms division for Holland America Line. “Our guests appreciate special touches like Daelmans Stroopwafel for turn down or a dish in the dining room that is distinctly Dutch, and we’re excited to expand the cultural experience for an entire day to showcase more of our heritage.”

The special Dutch Dinner features both classic and contemporary Dutch delicacies. The selection of starters features a Bay Shrimp Cocktail with Dutch cocktail sauce, Erwten Soep (Dutch Pea Soup), and Mushroom Cream puff pastry with hollandaise sauce.

Dutch-inspired main course options include Bami Goreng, a stir-fried noodle dish with chicken sate and peanut sauce; Pan-Fried Dover Sole with lemon butter; and Hodge Podge Klapstuk with chateau potatoes. For dessert, options include a Bosche Bol, Tompouce or a slice of traditional Dutch Apple Pie.

In collaboration with Daelmans Stroopwafels, Dutch Day will also feature Stroopwafel Cheesecake for dessert on the dinner menu in the Dining Room and Lido Market and a Stroopwafel Napoleon at tea time. Additionally, instead of the traditional stateroom turn-down chocolate, guests will find a Daelmans Stroopwafel waiting for them on their pillow.

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Cruise Drink & Beverage Packages

Our cruise drink and beverage packages take you from the morning’s frothy cappuccino to dinner paired with exquisite wine to evening cocktails with new friends. Cheers to a great value!

Drink Packages For Adults (21 And Up)

Relax, refresh or wine down with spirited cruise beverage packages.

€65 Per Person, Per Day*

Have It All Package

Our Signature Beverage Package combined with other high-value extras: shore excursions, specialty dining, crew appreciation and Wi-Fi.

US $59.99 Per Person, Per Day*

Elite Beverage Package

A stunning array of premium spirits, cocktails, and wines US $15 or under, including Dale DeGroff’s Original Cocktails and all the benefits of Signature & Quench. 15-drink daily limit, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages.

US $54.95 Per Person, Per Day*

Signature Beverage Package

Enjoy beers, spirits, cocktails and wines by the glass priced at US $11 and under, plus everything from our Quench package. 15-drink daily limit for alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages.

*Prices are in USD and subject to change. See Terms & Conditions below for more details and daily drink limits for each package. 

Zero-Alcohol Beverage Packages

Delight in freshly squeezed juice, soothing teas, espresso-based beverages and more.

Starting at US $17.95 Per Person, Per Day

Refresh with Coca-Cola™ products, premium coffee, such as espresso and cappuccino, juices, mocktails and bottled water (sparkling and still). 15 drink daily limit.

Starting at US $8 Per Person, Per Day

Let it flow. Unlimited fountain sodas for US $8 per guest/day*. Coca-Cola™ Freestyle program on Pinnacle Class ships.

Find Your Beverage Package

Use the table below to find the package that’s right for you.

* Fresh Juices not included from Gelato Juice bar

BAR AND LOUNGE VENUES ON BOARD

Terms & conditions.

* Prices are USD per person per day. See your server or bartender for a full list of items included in each package. An 18% Service Charge is automatically applied to all Specialty Restaurant Cover Charges and all For Purchase A La Carte Menu Items. Local Sales Taxes Applied where required.

All adults of legal drinking age for the respective itinerary that are booked in the same stateroom must also purchase the package.

* Prices are per person per day. See your server or bartender for a full list of items included in each package. An 18% Service Charge is automatically applied to all Beverage Purchases, Bar Retail Items, Specialty Restaurant Cover Charges and all For Purchase A La Carte Menu Items. Local Sales Taxes Applied where required. All adults of legal drinking age for the respective itinerary that are booked in the same stateroom must also purchase the package. The Elite package has a daily limit of 15 alcoholic beverages with a menu price of $15 or less. Unlimited non-alcoholic beverages. The Signature package has a daily limit of 15 alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks with a menu price of $11 or less. The Quench Beverage Package is limited to 15 non-alcoholic drinks daily. The packages exclude purchases made in the Mini Bar, Honor Bar, Chocolate Seduction, Room Service Dining, beverages purchased on Half Moon Cay and any self-service draft beer. Freestyle Coca-Cola is only available on  Rotterdam ,  Koningsdam  and  Nieuw Statendam . Packages are non-transferrable and non-refundable. No sharing is permitted.

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$49-a-day standby cruise offer that includes Whittier sailings could be a dream, or a nightmare

A cruise ship in port at Whittier in 2023. (Anne Raup / ADN)

For last-minute adventure seekers or those who love a good deal, Holland America Line has introduced a unique Standby List Program , offering travelers the chance to cruise for as little as $49 a day.

The concept is simple: Travelers add their names to a standby list for a specific itinerary, and if unsold rooms become available, they’ll be notified two to seven days before departure.

Cruise ships participating in the program depart from Whittier, Alaska; Seattle; San Diego; Boston; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Montreal; Quebec City; and Vancouver, B.C.

Although the program offers huge savings, it has a few catches. Standby passengers do not have control over their stateroom category, must be ready to embark on short notice and must be prepared for the possibility of not being selected (in which case they’ll receive a full refund). Young families are also excluded, because the fares are available only to those 21 and older.

“Travelers who want to benefit from a standby fare should keep in mind that once confirmed, Holland America Line assigns their room,” Rob Clabbers, founder and president of the agency Q Cruise + Travel, told Condé Nast Traveler . “While that might result in savings, it means travelers may end up in the last remaining and likely less preferred location — above a theater or night club (or) all the way forward or aft. While this may work for some, it is definitely not recommended for those who fear seasickness, have mobility issues, would like to be close to travel companions, (or) want to be near or away from elevators,” he said.

However, the payoff could be significant for those willing to roll the dice, especially for group travelers. The third and fourth guests in a stateroom can sail almost for free, paying only taxes and fees.

Despite the uncertainties, the allure of deeply discounted fares and the excitement of a last-minute adventure may be enough to entice daring travelers. As one Reddit user put it, “I feel like (a) 7-day notice for going to Hawaii is the kind of anxiety I need in my life.”

You're guaranteed to see a glacier on these Alaska cruises – or you get a credit

Glaciers are a major draw for many Alaska cruise passengers. But on the chance you don’t see one as advertised during your voyage, Holland America Line will give you money back.

The cruise line is adding a Glacier Guarantee for its cruises and cruisetours around the Last Frontier through September 2025. If Holland America doesn’t visit one it planned to, passengers will get a future cruise credit worth 15% of their fare.

"Our guests, and especially first-time guests, are understandably as obsessed with Alaska's glaciers as we are, and our new Glacier Guarantee underlines our confidence in providing unforgettable glacier sightings on our Alaska cruises and Cruisetours," Kacy Cole, the line’s chief marketing officer, said in a news release . "We know our guests are going to return home from their cruise with special memories of these icy wonders. In fact, we guarantee it."

What are the terms of Holland America’s Glacier Guarantee?

The guarantee applies when a visit to a glacier – think scenic cruising to Dawes Glacier – on a published itinerary is canceled, according to its terms and conditions . Guests must be at least 21 years old and complete a form within 30 days of their trip ending in order to claim the credit. Credits are limited to one per guest.

The offer is available to passengers who complete their cruise or cruisetour between May and September of 2024 or 2025.

Northern Lights Promise: If you don't see the northern lights from these cruises, you'll get a free trip

The guarantee will not apply when only one of multiple glacier visits on a cruise or cruisetour has been canceled, and select Yukon cruisetours are ineligible.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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• HAL-Holland America Line introduces Glacier Guarantee for Alaska...

HAL-Holland America Line introduces Glacier Guarantee for Alaska cruises

HAL-Holland America Line has introduced a "Glacier Guarantee" to ensure guests have the opportunity to view one or more glaciers during their Alaska cruise. Acknowledging that glacier viewing is a top draw for Alaska cruise travelers, this guarantee promises that guests will not be disappointed.

The Glacier Guarantee applies to Alaska departures from now through September 2025. If the cruise does not include a visit to an Alaska glacier, guests are eligible to receive a future cruise credit equivalent to 15% of their cruise fare.

Holland America Line holds more permits to visit Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve than any other cruise line, in addition to other glacier visits including College Fjord, Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier , and the Twin Sawyer Glaciers in Tracy Arm Fjord .

In a new addition for the 2024 season, Holland America Line has introduced "Glacier Day" as part of its "We Love Alaska" onboard experience on Alaska cruises. Glacier Day features designated sighting times, commentary, presentations, informational viewing stations, photo opportunities, glacial ice cocktails, and talks by Glacier Bay National Park Service rangers.

Apart from glacier viewing, Holland America Line offers multiple opportunities to observe wildlife in Alaska. A wildlife expert onboard assists guests in spotting whales, eagles, bears, moose, otters, seals, sea lions, and more. Wildlife sightings are announced for guest viewing between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

For the 2024 and 2025 seasons, guests can embark on Holland America Line's Alaska cruises and Cruisetours aboard ships like Eurodam , Koningsdam , Nieuw Amsterdam , Noordam , Westerdam , and Zaandam . In addition to 7-day itineraries, guests can choose from 14-day voyages and a 28-day Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice cruise. The line also offers Cruisetours that venture into the Yukon, combining a cruise with a visit to Denali National Park & Preserve .

The Glacier Guarantee applies to all Alaska cruises and Cruisetours except select Yukon Cruisetours that include a 3-day cruise experience.