Signature Beverage Package

Let me add to my prior post, DW and I both had Explore 4 access (no separate cards any longer, just the room card for each of us) and one of us would order using one of our 2 room cards, not both. That charged the room, but both credited back to zero on the bill.

HAL's rule is that everyone in the cabin over the age of 21 must purchase the Signature Beverage Card and each card must be presented to buy a drink. No sharing of cards.

Now if you have the regular Beverage Cards -- only one is needed and you can order as many drinks as you want at a time -- no limits -- on the one card.

Got that. 2 of us in the cabin. We will be purchasing 2 packages. As I said, we will each drink more than 7 a day and (way) less than 15. Question was, does hubby order 2 drinks (one for each of us) or does he order his one drink and I have to order my one drink, each time?

We were able to get 2 drinks one card. Since it goes to the same stateroom and our drinks were distinctly different (I was plowing through the drink menu and hubby always got beer or Jameson) that might have helped. We also had the same servers each day and in the casino they didn't even need our card, just used the room # after the first night. I think 6177 was burned into the touchscreen by the end of the cruise!

The last night, a bartender told my husband he could have a double and it would still go on his beverage package. The receipt showed Jameson X2, 5.95 X2 and it worked.

We were able to get 2 drinks one card. Since it goes to the same stateroom and our drinks were distinctly different (I was plowing through the drink menu and hubby always got beer or Jameson) that might have helped. We also had the same servers each day and in the casino they didn't even need our card, just used the room # after the first night. I think 6177 was burned into the touchscreen by the end of the cruise!

The last night, a bartender told my husband he could have a double and it would still go on his beverage package. The receipt showed Jameson X2, 5.95 X2 and it worked.

Thanks Betty. You've answered my question :). Hubby will be pleased to know that Jameson is allowed in this package. Surprised that the Jameson x 2 worked :)

Bizarre....Jameson X 2 worked, but I couldn't get an Absolute martini (with no vermouth) anywhere! Which makes no sense since there is a drink made with Cabo Wabo Silver and one martini made with Grey goose! Also, it worked for Grey Goose Bloody Marys from the cart....

So how much did you have to slip the bar tender to get 3 different drinks on the SBC at one time when the limit is "one drink every five minutes"?

I tipped servers $1 from time to time in the bars we frequented (mostly the Crows nest and Mix). I probably spent a total of less than $10. We always offered both cards, but once they knew us and knew we both had cards, it got pretty casual. If Sandy couldn't find her card, they just put it on mine.

BTW the 'card' is just a red sticky dot on your room card.

Re 'martinis'. Keep this in mind: a grey goose martini is over $7. The following are under $7: grey goose on the rocks...grey goose neat.....grey goose chilled and served in a martini glass.

We are heading on a "special cruise" with HAL. My understanding is that there are no sales, no specials, etc. when it comes to pricing - as whoever it is that is putting on the theme cruise gets to set all the rules. Has anyone been on such a cruise? I'm just wondering if the Beverage Package will be offered on such a cruise?

We are heading on a "special cruise" with HAL. My understanding is that there are no sales, no specials, etc. when it comes to pricing - as whoever it is that is putting on the theme cruise gets to set all the rules. Has anyone been on such a cruise? I'm just wondering if the Beverage Package will be offered on such a cruise?

Just going from memory, but I recall several people posted about being on various charters - everything from an Irish themed cruise, to the Soul Train Cruise, to RVSP - and, if memory serves, the Signature Beverage Package was not necessarily offered. Your best bet would be to contact the cruise organizers.

If it's not a full charter, and you are just part of a large group, I think that anything available to the general public would be available to you.

DH and I have been on three themed cruises on HAL, two political and one knitting. In each case we were part of a group, twice about 400 people and the third time, about 50. The amenities were determined by the group organizers and the travel agent they worked with. There were special cocktail parties, lots of meetings and lectures on sea days. With the larger groups, gratuities were included in the package, dining was fixed with other members of the group and the speakers rotating tables so we could interact with more people. It was very pleasant. My only complaint was the price which was understandably higher because of all the speakers and staff. I'm sure those who wished to do so, bought the beverage package on board.

I tipped servers $1 from time to time in the bars we frequented (mostly the Crows nest and Mix). I probably spent a total of less than $10. We always offered both cards, but once they knew us and knew we both had cards, it got pretty casual. If Sandy couldn't find her card, they just put it on mine.

BTW the 'card' is just a red sticky dot on your room card.

Re 'martinis'. Keep this in mind: a grey goose martini is over $7. The following are under $7: grey goose on the rocks...grey goose neat.....grey goose chilled and served in a martini glass.

When we had the Signature Beverage Cards via the Explore4 program, back in February / March we still had the separate cards. And the staff in the Ocean Bar and the Pinnacle Grill got to know us quite well -- 21 days on the ship -- and we were still required to turn over each card.

We just like our Grey Goose on the rocks so it is covered.

Just going from memory, but I recall several people posted about being on various charters - everything from an Irish themed cruise, to the Soul Train Cruise, to RVSP - and, if memory serves, the Signature Beverage Package was not necessarily offered. Your best bet would be to contact the cruise organizers.

 

If it's not a full charter, and you are just part of a large group, I think that anything available to the general public would be available to you.

DH and I have been on three themed cruises on HAL, two political and one knitting. In each case we were part of a group, twice about 400 people and the third time, about 50. The amenities were determined by the group organizers and the travel agent they worked with. There were special cocktail parties, lots of meetings and lectures on sea days. With the larger groups, gratuities were included in the package, dining was fixed with other members of the group and the speakers rotating tables so we could interact with more people. It was very pleasant. My only complaint was the price which was understandably higher because of all the speakers and staff. I'm sure those who wished to do so, bought the beverage package on board.

Thanks for your responses. It is a full charter - the whole ship - and, yes, much more expensive due to all the bands playing each night. Further research on the organizer's site led me to a paragraph about the Beverage cards - so at least there will be that option. Can't check in, pick excursions, or anything like that till 4 to 6 weeks out from the cruise when they will send us our booking number. I'm not used to waiting so long, :p. But, I'll survive. :)

We have a cruise booked the includes the Explore 4 package. My husband drinks one drink a day before dinner. He likes a Bourbon Manhattan made with Makers Mark. I see the Maker's Mark is about the $7. limit but Jack Daniels isn't. He might be happy with that. Has anyone ordered a Manhattan without the whiskey and then ordered a shot of Bourbon 5 minutes later and combined the two to make a premium drink?

I always take a small bottle of red vermouth (airline bottle) to add to my bourbon (forego the bitters). I also pay close attention to cocktail descriptions that include brand names. Bartenders often try to make them with bar booze, but I point out to them that the drink as specified is under $7.

I'll be interested to see if they have all done away with cards. Sounds confusing.

I also pay close attention to cocktail descriptions that include brand names. Bartenders often try to make them with bar booze, but I point out to them that the drink as specified is under $7.

Always good advice.

We received the Signature Beverage Package on our cruise that ended recently.

In our stateroom was a card with this printed on it:

The Signature Beverage Package is programmed in your Stateroom Keycard.

The package is up to 15 drink maximum per day.

Includes beverages priced at a $7.00 or lower menu price. Participants may order a maximum of three drinks at a time, otherwise, it will be charged to your onboard account. Upgrading your drinks to premium by adding $1 will be charged to your onboard account as well. Package excludes mini bar and in room dining. Package is not transferable or refundable.

Beverage management reserves the right to revoke the package if misused and reserves th right to refuse service for any reason.

Hope this info is of use.:)

We received the Signature Beverage Package on our cruise that ended recently.

In our stateroom was a card with this printed on it:

 

The Signature Beverage Package is programmed in your Stateroom Keycard.

The package is up to 15 drink maximum per day.

Includes beverages priced at a $7.00 or lower menu price. Participants may order a maximum of three drinks at a time, otherwise, it will be charged to your onboard account. Upgrading your drinks to premium by adding $1 will be charged to your onboard account as well. Package excludes mini bar and in room dining. Package is not transferable or refundable.

Beverage management reserves the right to revoke the package if misused and reserves th right to refuse service for any reason.

 

Hope this info is of use.:)

Thanks. That's very helpful - especially the $1 upgrades.

Interesting.

The 3 drinks per order is new. Last year we always had some difficulty ordering a Perrier + a glass of wine at dinner because of the one drink at a time rule.

Wondering how the $1 upgrade to premium works though.

The $1 upgrade is very reasonable. It was a shame to have the drink card but have to pay the full $8 for premium.

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One other change we experience last week which I'm not sure has been reported here: you are now able to get bottles of water that are available at the gangway when you reach port. Used to be a problem since they do not have scanners to charge your room card but they must have resolved it because when we forgot water in our cabin and had to get bottles here, they wrote down our room number and we were not charged for them so somehow they applied our beverage package to cover it.

Another hint: I wanted the souvenir cordial glasses that come with the cordial of the day but did not want to try all those odd combinations. Our MDR wine steward gladly brought us all 6 colors of glasses (over 3 nights) plus the box to get them safely home. We were charged $2.95 per glass but it was covered by the beverage package so there was ultimately no charge for them.

One other change we experience last week which I'm not sure has been reported here: you are now able to get bottles of water that are available at the gangway when you reach port. Used to be a problem since they do not have scanners to charge your room card but they must have resolved it because when we forgot water in our cabin and had to get bottles here, they wrote down our room number and we were not charged for them so somehow they applied our beverage package to cover it.

 

Another hint: I wanted the souvenir cordial glasses that come with the cordial of the day but did not want to try all those odd combinations. Our MDR wine steward gladly brought us all 6 colors of glasses (over 3 nights) plus the box to get them safely home. We were charged $2.95 per glass but it was covered by the beverage package so there was ultimately no charge for them.

Thanks for the heads up. It looks like they've gone a long way towards addressing the program's shortcomings. If they figure out how to handle the Half Moon Cay charges, they'd be almost there.

Any idea if the $1 upgrade could be used for better wines by the glass? That would make a big difference to a lot of folks.

No kidding. We have the SBP as part of the Explore4, and the wine choices under $7 are distinctly lacking. I'd happily pay $1 for an upgrade.

Thanks for the heads up. It looks like they've gone a long way towards addressing the program's shortcomings. If they figure out how to handle the Half Moon Cay charges, they'd be almost there.

 

Any idea if the $1 upgrade could be used for better wines by the glass? That would make a big difference to a lot of folks.

POA,

I didn't even investigate the $1 upgrade because we were in Canaletto the first night and I tried the Montepulciano there and it was so enjoyable that I continued to drink that. It wasn't always easy getting it in all venues but with a little charm I was able to get it by the glass at several different locations on board even though it is officially only available at Canaletto.

One other change we experience last week which I'm not sure has been reported here: you are now able to get bottles of water that are available at the gangway when you reach port. Used to be a problem since they do not have scanners to charge your room card but they must have resolved it because when we forgot water in our cabin and had to get bottles here, they wrote down our room number and we were not charged for them so somehow they applied our beverage package to cover it.

 

Another hint: I wanted the souvenir cordial glasses that come with the cordial of the day but did not want to try all those odd combinations. Our MDR wine steward gladly brought us all 6 colors of glasses (over 3 nights) plus the box to get them safely home. We were charged $2.95 per glass but it was covered by the beverage package so there was ultimately no charge for them.

Thanks for this information.

The Signature Beverage Package is programmed in your Stateroom Keycard.

The package is up to 15 drink maximum per day.

Includes beverages priced at a $7.00 or lower menu price. Participants may order a maximum of three drinks at a time, otherwise, it will be charged to your onboard account. Upgrading your drinks to premium by adding $1 will be charged to your onboard account as well. Package excludes mini bar and in room dining. Package is not transferable or refundable.

Beverage management reserves the right to revoke the package if misused and reserves th right to refuse service for any reason.

A modest, but significant, improvement. I like the three drinks at once, since that means doubles! :D

Thanks for letting us know.

A modest, but significant, improvement. I like the three drinks at once, since that means doubles! :D

Thanks for letting us know.

I like your way of thinking. "Barkeep!Bring me a double, plus one for the on deck circle!"

Color me curious. I completely get the double. But why the third drink? Don't get me wrong, I'm sure that one of my enlightened CC friends is going to supply the reason why 3 is the magic number. I'm just missing it at the moment.

Color me curious. I completely get the double. But why the third drink? Don't get me wrong, I'm sure that one of my enlightened CC friends is going to supply the reason why 3 is the magic number. I'm just missing it at the moment.

Two me, one for you. :D You buy next time.

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

Gerry