We received a question from Dave S. about beverage options while sailing on a Holland America Line cruise ship to Alaska this summer:
I looked at the Holland America website for info on non-alcoholic drink package and didn’t find anything. I wondered how coffees and soda drinks are charged?
Beverages included in Holland America Line Cruise Fares
Guests on Holland America Line cruises can enjoy coffee and hot tea, as well as ice tea and water free of additional charge. These options are served at all restaurants during dining hours, as well as 24 hours a day in the Lido buffet restaurant or ordering the beverages from room service. In addition, a variety of juices are served during breakfast hours, and lemonade or fruit punch during lunch and dinner hours in the Lido restaurant.
Sodas, espresso-based coffee drinks and non-alcoholic beverages such as mocktails are served for an additional charge in restaurants and bars throughout the ship, as well as in the Explorations Cafe.
Purchasing Non-Alcoholic Drink Packages on Holland America
Holland America Line does offer five different beverage package options that include non-alcoholic drinks. These are in the form of a Beverage card which you can purchase in advance of your cruise via the Holland America website. The five beverage card options are:
- ITEM #1525 $50 Soda Fountain Value Card — Purchase a pre-paid $25.00 fountain soda card for $25 and receive $50 toward fountain soda purchases.
- ITEM #1526 $50 Non-alcoholic Beverage Card. This beverage card can be redeemed for a variety of beverage 50.00 selections from soda and espresso to non-alcoholic beverages.
- ITEM #1527 $50 Beverage Card. This beverage card can be redeemed for a variety of beverage selections 50.00 from soda, espresso and non-alcoholic beverages, to wine, beer and spirits.
- ITEM #1162 $100 Beverage Card. This beverage card can be redeemed for a variety of beverage selections 100.00 from soda, espresso and non-alcoholic beverages, to wine, beer and spirits.
- ITEM #1163 $250 Beverage Card. This beverage card can be redeemed for a variety of beverage selections.
NOTE: only the Soda Fountain Value Card offers any discount compared to simply buying a soda or coffee or other beverage on the ship. Beverage cards, however, are nice gifts if you have friends or family members cruising. Purchasing the beverage cards in advance for your cruise helps you “pre-pay” for anticipated expenses in advance, and reduce your charges to your on board account.
These are some of the non-alcoholic beverages available on Holland America cruises.
How to Purchase A Beverage Card
To purchase one of the beverage cards for yourself or for friends or family members who are taking a Holland America cruise, you need to visit the Holland America website.
Look for the “Already Booked” link at the top right corner of the home page. (See yellow highlight in screen shot above.)
Once you click on “Already Booked”, look for the “Book Excursions, Flights, Indulgences, Dining & Spa” link on the left-hand side of the web page. (See the yellow highlights above.)
You will need your booking # for the cruise. Enter it, and your last name, then click on “FIND BOOKING” to purchase a beverage card.
When you reach the GIFTS & INDULGENCES screen, you can click on the “Beverages” link on the left side of the screen. This takes you to a long list of choices. Alternatively, you can click on the “Download our Gift Brochure” to view all of the options and prices, which also can be booked by calling Holland America Line Ship Services at 1-800-541-1576 (for guests in the U.S.)
The Signature Beverage Package
If you want the ability to drink most beverages offered on a Holland America cruise for one daily price, you will want to take a look at the Signature Beverage Package. This option – which costs a total of $51.69 per person per cruise day, must be purchased for your entire cruise by all adults sharing the same stateroom.
We’ve shared our experiences with Holland America’s Signature Beverage Package several times on this blog. This beverage package includes a wide variety of wine, beer and spirits, as well as soda, espresso and non-alcoholic beverages such as mocktails. You can review those posts which include photos of drink menus by clicking on these links:
- All of the “Fine Print” Details of Holland America’s Signature Beverage Package
- An Improved Signature Beverage Package on Holland America Cruises
- An Update on the Signature Beverage Package on Holland America Cruises
- Is the Signature Beverage Program on Holland America Cruises A Good Deal?
If you are not consuming any alcoholic beverages, the Signature Beverage Program will probably not be financially advantageous. Purchasing Beverage Cards, or simply charging beverages to your shipboard account as you consume them will likely be a better option.
Do you like to purchase beverage cards or beverage packages before your cruise? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
These posts are on drink packages offered by other cruise lines:
- Details About The Ultimate Beverage Package on Norwegian Cruise Line
- Is the All-Inclusive Beverage Package on Princess Cruises a Good Deal?
- Is the Premium Beverage Package on Royal Caribbean Cruises A Good Deal?
Follow us on Twitter or interact with us on Facebook
Or, check out our boards on Pinterest and/or our photos on Instagram.