Holland America Drink Packages: The Ultimate Guide

If you are taking a Holland America Line cruise, knowing the drink packages will help you enjoy your vacation without the sticker shock at the end. Be it a cocktail enthusiast, wine expert, or coffee and soda lover, the beverage packages at Holland America want to satisfy the taste and pocket of every guest.

We will go through what is included in each drink package, their current pricing, and above all, whether a drink package is worth buying on your cruise.

What's included in Holland America Drink Packages?

Holland America provides a total of four sets of beverage packages: non-alcoholic and alcoholic ones:

1. Coca-Cola Package

In the Holland America drink packages, one gets unlimited fountain sodas that include Coca-Cola product. Guests aboard Pinnacle Class vessels will have unlimited Coca-Cola Freestyle as an added bonus: Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Koningsdam. The self-serve Coca-Cola Freestyle machines have more than 100 mixes to choose. No daily allowance is applicable and each passenger is free to take as many sodas as he/she desires during his/her cruise.

2. Quench Package (Premium Non-Alcoholic)

Quench Package is a high-end non-alcoholic drink which provides up to 15 non-alcoholic beverages daily. Such beverages include espresso and cappuccino, specialty coffees, premium teas, mocktails, energy drinks, a wide range of juices, Coca cola, and sparkling and still bottled water, as well as a range of non-carbonated drinks. Although your daily non-alcoholic drink limit is 15, you can also have limitless fountain sodas during the cruise, and therefore it is a great option to feel refreshed drinking non-alcoholic beverages.

3. Signature Beverage Package

The Signature Beverage Package covers the contents of the Quench package as well as all the alcoholic drink such as beers, spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass up to the price of $11. The maximum beverage allotment to a guest is 15 drinks per day of a combination of alcoholic and non-alcoholic non-premium beverages, and unlimited use of fountain sodas. One of the exclusive benefits of this Holland America cruises drink packages is as follows; suppose you order a drink that costs more than 11 dollars, you do not have to pay the total amount of that drink instead, you just pay the extra amount. This is a good alternative to those who desire more diversity in drink types and not miss out the flexibility of the Quench package.

4. Elite Beverage Package

Elite Beverage Package is basically similar to the Signature Package and Quench, but with a considerable improvement. It grants you the access to alcoholic beverages up to $15 that lets you experience fine spirits, less-traveled cocktails and higher-end wines by the glass. The package comes with up to 15 alcoholic drinks daily and the non-alcoholic beverages are unlimited which includes soft drinks, mocktails, specialty coffees and many more. This is why the Elite package is a right solution when one needs to have more variety in terms of beverages, including premium drinks, during the cruise.

How Much is the Drinks Package on Holland America?

The Holland America drink packages Cost may change with the duration of your voyage, the package you want, and whether you will buy it in advance or onboard the ship. The following is a broad pricing guideline:

Note: The Holland america cruises drink packages prices can differ a bit depending on sail and ship. The Signature Package comes frequently with the Have It All bundle that additionally includes Wi-Fi, shore excursion, and speciality dining credit.

Is a Drink Package Worth it on Your Holland America Cruise?

The value of a drink package is a highly subjective variable, and it may be worth it or not depending on your personal drinking practices, itinerary and cruise objectives. The following are some of the aspects to be weighed when ultimately deciding:

• How many drinks do you realistically consume?

Assuming you normally have a couple of cocktails by the pool, and a glass of wine with dinner, and possibly some coffee in the morning, you might easily exceed the daily limit provided in the Signature or Elite packages. Averaging about $10-$15 a drink, even 4-5 drinks a day, would cover the cost of the package.

• Are you planning to spend more time onboard or ashore?

During port heavy cruises, you can spend the whole day off ship and drink a couple of drinks during night. In this instance, you may not take full advantages of a package. Nevertheless, when the sailing is sea day-intensive or longer duration, unlimited drink provision can make the trip all that much more worthwhile.

• Do you enjoy premium coffee or non-alcoholic drinks?

It might pay off to buy the Quench package, even though you are not drinking alcohol, as long as you order espresso beverages, smoothies, energy drinks, and bottled water on a regular basis. These can be costly when purchased by yourself.

• Do you want a stress-free, all-inclusive feel?

Convenience is one of the greatest advantages of Holland America drink packages. There is no fear of keeping track of what you have been charged in a bar, worry of how much you have spent or fear of ordering something that you may like to drink. To many guests, that peace of mind is worth the kind.

• Look out for promos and bundles

Holland America sometimes offers the Signature Beverage Package as part of a promotion or in a bundled fare, which means you can significantly boost the overall value of your cruise without having to fork out additional costs to drink even more. It can be wise to book during such promos when you are already inclined to a package.

What is the Drink Policy on Holland America?

Holland America has a pretty laid-back drink policy that allows guests to have a good time while they still keep things respectful on board. These are the major highlights of Holland America line beverage policy that one should keep in mind:

Alcoholic Drinks

• Minimum drinking age is 21, but excludes sailings departing and returning to and/or that will visit the following countries:
  • Europe, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan,, and New Zealand: drinking age is 18
  • Japan: legal limit of taking a drink is 20
• At embarkation, each guest is allowed a single bottle (maximum 750ml) of wine or champagne. There is a corkage charge per bottle, even when you drink it in your cabin.
• When you buy wine during a Holland America shore excursion at one of the local wineries, they allow you to take one bottle on board, regardless of corkage fee.
• As per Holland America alcohol package rule, alcohol in the form of beer, liquor or otherwise is not allowed on board. Any extra bottles of wine and any other alcohol bought, when you are ashore will be stored and retrieved at the expiry of your voyage.

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

• Water bottles made of plastic are not permitted. You are allowed to bring a maximum of six litres of water per stateroom in cans or cartons (not plastic bottles). This is twelve 500ml cans or cartons or six 1-liter cans or cartons.
• Medical device or baby formula distilled/purified water (factory sealed) should be carried in case needed during special needs.
• Excluding the above-mentioned exception on water and medical use, non alcoholic products such as sodas, energy drinks are prohibited.

Onboard Drink Packages

• As per Holland America line beverage packages rule, beverage packages can be purchased and the majority will allow each passenger a daily total of 15 alcoholic beverages or non-alcoholic beverages (this includes packages like Signature and Elite Packages).
• The packages include drinks ($11 and below); all adults in the cabin are required to buy the package in case one buys it.

Free Drinks

• As part of your cruise fare: Tap water, coffee, tea, regular milk, lemonade, iced tea, and choices of select juices will be offered at breakfast.
• The Captain gives free sparkling wine in the Captain Toast event.

Important Notes

• Breaking of the drink policy (bringing additional alcohol, plastic water bottles or unauthorized beverages) can lead to confiscation.
• Corkage fees and drink policies are subject to change at any time.

The drink policy of Holland America will enable you to consume various drinks, but at the same time, it will make certain that passengers drink in a responsible manner.

Conclusion

Packages by Holland America offer a variety of drinks to suit any taste starting with non-alcoholic to the best alcoholic drinks. The packages are flexible and convenient and give guests the freedom to take their favorite drinks without any fears of incurring extra expenses. Consider your pattern of consumption and route and then determine whether a package is worth it. When you make the right choice, you will improve your experience in cruise as well as make a vacation that is minus stress with refreshing drinks.

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