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Is bringing a bottle of wine on board for stateroom consumption OK?

Apologies if this has been answered, but could not find a answer in this thread.

Is bringing a bottle of wine on board for stateroom consumption OK?

 

Apologies if this has been answered, but could not find a answer in this thread.

Taken from HAL's website:

"Revised Policy effective 2/4/15

Each guest 21 years^ and older may bring one bottle of wine or champagne (no larger than 750ml) onboard in carry-on luggage at the beginning of the voyage. This bottle will not be subject to a corkage fee if consumed in the stateroom. Additional wine or champagne bottles (no larger than 750ml) in carry-on luggage are welcome, but will incur a US$18.00 (subject to change) corkage fee each, irrespective of where they are intended to be consumed. Guests are not allowed to bring beer, boxed wine, or other liquors and spirits onboard. Holland America Line reserves the right to remove all alcoholic beverages from any guest luggage that violates this policy. Any alcoholic beverage found will be removed and returned on the last evening of the voyage. Guests will not receive any monetary compensation for alcoholic beverages that were removed from luggage.

^For voyages that depart from and return to Australia and/or New Zealand, this policy applies to guests 18 years and older.

Wine and champagne bottles (no larger than 750ml) purchased in ports of call are welcome to be brought onboard subject to a US$18.00 (subject to change) corkage fee each, irrespective of where they are intended to be consumed. Alternatively guests can choose to have these bottles stored and returned on the last evening of the voyage at no charge. All other alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports of calls as well as all alcoholic beverages purchased from onboard shops will be stored and returned on the last evening of the voyage at no charge.

In-Room Dining offers reduced-price stateroom beverage packages for in-stateroom consumption of alcoholic beverages (a 15% Service Charge on all beverage items and packages with beverages will be added)."

Enjoy!:)

Is bringing a bottle of wine on board for stateroom consumption OK?

The short answer is yes.

The more thorough answer is that every adult may bring aboard, carried on at embarkation, one bottle of wine without corkage charge. That bottle is to be consumed in the cabin.

Every adult may bring aboard, carried on at any port, as many additional bottles as he/she wishes. Each bottle has a corkage charge of $18, regardless of where it will be consumed.

Thank you Tango and Ruth!

Hey everyone this thread is becoming more and more informative as I read. I am a HAL newbie but have been on 4 Carnival Cruises. I am in the early planning stages of planning a 7 day trip of the Eastern Caribbean in December with plans to propose on Half Moon Cay. As I have only cruised on Carnival what is the onboard activities and entertainment like on HAL. We are in our 30's and enjoy an occasional drink but everyone who has been on Carnival knows it is a party atmosphere. I am just curious as to what to look forward to on HAL.

Thanks in advance!!

Hey everyone this thread is becoming more and more informative as I read. I am a HAL newbie but have been on 4 Carnival Cruises. I am in the early planning stages of planning a 7 day trip of the Eastern Caribbean in December with plans to propose on Half Moon Cay. As I have only cruised on Carnival what is the onboard activities and entertainment like on HAL. We are in our 30's and enjoy an occasional drink but everyone who has been on Carnival knows it is a party atmosphere. I am just curious as to what to look forward to on HAL.

 

Thanks in advance!!

As you have requested, I am providing a link to the daily activities (On Locations) we had on the Nieuw Amsterdam last December as an example of typical days at sea:

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/eastern-caribbean-ms-nieuw-amsterdam-on-locations-daily-activities-2014-15/

As I have only cruised on Carnival what is the onboard activities and entertainment like on HAL. We are in our 30's and enjoy an occasional drink but everyone who has been on Carnival knows it is a party atmosphere. I am just curious as to what to look forward to on HAL.

You will find HAL much more sedate than Carnival. There are no raucous belly flop, or hairy legs contests. The most action you'll find around the pool is (maybe) some music at lunchtime.

There will be a Trivia contest every day, and perhaps a different one in the early evening.

For entertainment, there's a daily movie, a classical strings duo, piano bar, dance band, and an evening show. There will most likely be a guitar player at some venue or another for a little while.

Depending on the ship, there is either a disco or a nightclub in the late evening.

Oh, as far as proposing on HMC. It's a lovely idea, but do have a back-up plan in mind. The tenders can't always get in to HMC. Chances are you will, but there's no guarantee.

Ruth Thank you so much for your info. I enjoy the speed of activity on Carnival however a relaxed vacation is a perfect thing. We usually like the pool area and the shows with an occasional stint in the casino. Does HAL have activities during the day like culinary classes and such? I know they have the digital photo type classes and the dancing with the Stars classes. I just want to be able to enjoy the days at sea with some activities but not an all out party.

Ruth Thank you so much for your info. I enjoy the speed of activity on Carnival however a relaxed vacation is a perfect thing. We usually like the pool area and the shows with an occasional stint in the casino. Does HAL have activities during the day like culinary classes and such? I know they have the digital photo type classes and the dancing with the Stars classes. I just want to be able to enjoy the days at sea with some activities but not an all out party.

I'm not Ruth, but I can say that on our last cruise of 20 days there was lots to keep you occupied during the day. Yes, culinary classes, guest lecturers, bingo, wine or beer tastings (for a charge), and so on.

Lizzie more than adequately answered your question, so I won't repeat her answers.

I would say, though, that on the type of cruise you're looking at, I wouldn't expect to have enrichment lectures. Those are typically reserved for longer cruises, with many sea days.

Lizzie, thank you for your help as well. I'm sure we will be busy with stuff around the ship to keep us occupied. Are the additional cost restaurants worth it or would eating in the MDR be sufficient?

I'm not Lizzie (returning the favour here ;)), but I'll speak up about the extra-charge restaurants---

Yes! They are worth it! At least the Pinnacle Grill restaurant is worth it once (maybe more). I don't care for Canaletto, but if you love Italian food, it may be worth a try.

You haven't said which ship you're looking at (or I missed it), but if you're on the Eurodam, and like Pan-Asian food, try the Tamarind Restaurant.

I find the dining room is fine for every night dining. I just like a treat in the specialty restaurant about once a week.

We will be on the Westdam out of Ft. Lauderdale

We will be on the Westdam out of Ft. Lauderdale

we just got off the Westerdam a couple of months ago. If the Pinnacle Grill on your cruise is even close to what it was when we were on, you will be in for a very good experience :)

we just got off the Westerdam a couple of months ago. If the Pinnacle Grill on your cruise is even close to what it was when we were on, you will be in for a very good experience :)

How was the Westerdam as a whole?

BB77, You might want to check out the reviews submitted recently for your ship- click on "Reviews" at the top of the page. It'll take you to them. They look pretty solid.

How was the Westerdam as a whole?

It was a great cruise! Really good service, great crew and a great roll call on board. I did do a live thread and there are definitely comments there.

Pinnacle Grill was great as was Le Cirque. Food was pretty dam edible in the MDR. The Cellar Master, Ingo was tremendous and we enjoyed him every night as well as at the wine tastings.

CD was good and the ship seemed very well organized. Captain is definitely a favourite :)

In fact, the 20 days was good enough to make us book another 33 day cruise on her next year ;)

It was a great cruise! Really good service, great crew and a great roll call on board. I did do a live thread and there are definitely comments there.

 

Pinnacle Grill was great as was Le Cirque. Food was pretty dam edible in the MDR. The Cellar Master, Ingo was tremendous and we enjoyed him every night as well as at the wine tastings.

 

CD was good and the ship seemed very well organized. Captain is definitely a favourite :)

 

In fact, the 20 days was good enough to make us book another 33 day cruise on her next year ;)

Where is your live thread?

Where is your live thread?

Here ya go:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2193855

(pack a lunch before you start reading ;))

Hello - my mom and I are cruising to Alaska July 19. It is our first ever cruise. How formal are the formal nights? We don't plan on wearing super casual clothes, but we don't want to wear formal wear either. My mom has been retired for 15 years and does not own formal wear.

Is there an alternative to dining in the main dining room on those nights?

If we wear nice, festive tops and slacks will that be ok?

Hello - my mom and I are cruising to Alaska July 19. It is our first ever cruise. How formal are the formal nights? We don't plan on wearing super casual clothes, but we don't want to wear formal wear either. My mom has been retired for 15 years and does not own formal wear.

 

Is there an alternative to dining in the main dining room on those nights?

 

If we wear nice, festive tops and slacks will that be ok?

Welcome to CC and to Holland America Lines.

We returned from Alaska in May and Gala Nights (formerly called "Formal Nights") saw only a smattering of tuxedos and long dresses.

Festive tops and slacks will be fine.

You can order the same meal served on Gala Nights in the MDR via Room Service if you order during the serving time. Dining on your verandah is great if the weather is tood. There is also the Lido Restaurant.

Here ya go:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2193855

 

(pack a lunch before you start reading ;))

I resent that implication :D:p;) Can I help it if the roll call got involved? (LOVED IT)

Hello - my mom and I are cruising to Alaska July 19. It is our first ever cruise. How formal are the formal nights? We don't plan on wearing super casual clothes, but we don't want to wear formal wear either. My mom has been retired for 15 years and does not own formal wear.

 

Is there an alternative to dining in the main dining room on those nights?

 

If we wear nice, festive tops and slacks will that be ok?

You know what? you will be fine with that. If the slacks are a tad dressy, even better. I don't think you will have a hard time at all ;)

If you prefer - you can certainly go to the Lido for dinner or the Canaletto or you can ask for room service but I think you will probably be fine. A little bling (if you want) in the way of jewellry and you will be flying. And it doesn't have to be real:D

I resent that implication :D:p;) Can I help it if the roll call got involved? (LOVED IT)

 

 

 

You know what? you will be fine with that. If the slacks are a tad dressy, even better. I don't think you will have a hard time at all ;)

 

If you prefer - you can certainly go to the Lido for dinner or the Canaletto or you can ask for room service but I think you will probably be fine. A little bling (if you want) in the way of jewellry and you will be flying. And it doesn't have to be real:D

Welcome to CC and to Holland America Lines.

 

We returned from Alaska in May and Gala Nights (formerly called "Formal Nights") saw only a smattering of tuxedos and long dresses.

 

Festive tops and slacks will be fine.

 

You can order the same meal served on Gala Nights in the MDR via Room Service if you order during the serving time. Dining on your verandah is great if the weather is tood. There is also the Lido Restaurant.

Hi, we decided to cruise again after a 15 year "sabatical". Booked for a week on MS Rotterdam to Norway. HAL is filling my inbox with pre-cruise stuff they feel we need to buy. Not sure if we should - but quite reluctant to do:

We will plan our own shore excursions. It used to be to leave ship 45 min after docking to avoid the rush. IS THAT STILL VALID?

We will not make Restaurant reservations for the grills and what not - guess we can do "on the fly" during the cruise. IS THAT STILL VALID?

We will not buy beverage cards or packages (are there still soft-drink bev cards available?) and bring some bottles of our own wine. Water and ice-tee availabe for free. IS THIS STILL VALID?

I could not find a proper time for first=main seating. What is the timing?

Are they still serving dinner / buffet on the Lido?

OK - lost of Qs - lets hope for some As to get us cruising again! Thanks Forum from Stefan, Gabriele and Axel

Hi, we decided to cruise again after a 15 year "sabatical". Booked for a week on MS Rotterdam to Norway. HAL is filling my inbox with pre-cruise stuff they feel we need to buy. Not sure if we should - but quite reluctant to do:

 

We will plan our own shore excursions. It used to be to leave ship 45 min after docking to avoid the rush. IS THAT STILL VALID?

 

We will not make Restaurant reservations for the grills and what not - guess we can do "on the fly" during the cruise. IS THAT STILL VALID?

 

We will not buy beverage cards or packages (are there still soft-drink bev cards available?) and bring some bottles of our own wine. Water and ice-tee availabe for free. IS THIS STILL VALID?

 

I could not find a proper time for first=main seating. What is the timing?

 

Are they still serving dinner / buffet on the Lido?

 

OK - lost of Qs - lets hope for some As to get us cruising again! Thanks Forum from Stefan, Gabriele and Axel

You will notice lots of changes over the past 15 years, and yet not so many:)

1 Bottle carry on wine per person of legal drinking age. I believe you can bring 1 on at each port also, but not 100% positive of that.

Beverage cards, alcohl and soda can be purchased on board, as can the othrs that you mentioned.

1st fixed dining is 5:30 or 5:45pm depending on the night (formal and/or last night)

Lido is still on going and for the 1st 48 hours their is a "Code Orange" which is they change serving tongs every 45 minutes (I think that's the time frame)

You will see Purell stands everywhere on the ship and as you disembark and embark at every port.

Welcome back to HAL and Welcome to Cruise Critic:)

Joanie