Purchasing beverage package onboard

After 60 cruises on other lines, I'm cruising HAL next month. I have lots of onboard credit and plan to use it to purchase a beverage package. If I purchase it from a bartender or server, rather than a table staffed by ship personnel, will it "help" that individual? In other words, will the person get an extra spiff for selling a package, or does everything get credited to "the house"? I'll probably purchase shortly after embarkation.

For recent Eurodam cruisers - can you recommend a server or bartender from whom I should purchase the package?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Liz

It really doesn't help the person you buy it from.

The 15% service charge is split among all the bar staff.

It really doesn't help the person you buy it from.

The 15% service charge is split among all the bar staff.

Good to know - thank you! I think I was on a Princess ship that was giving points to the servers who sold a certain number of packages. I like to help the crew whenever I can.

Liz

This is a great question, if you buy on board, will you get the "cruise day credits" for money charged to your account opposed to pre-purchasing it before the cruise?

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This is a great question, if you buy on board, will you get the "cruise day credits" for money charged to your account opposed to pre-purchasing it before the cruise?

Yes.

Another thing to consider is if you purchase the Signature Beverage Package (SBP) online, ahead of your cruise, it costs $44.95 per day. If you wait to purchase it onboard from any bartender, it costs $49.95 per day, both prices plus the 15% service charge. It doesn't matter if you use OBC while onboard, they jack up the price by $5. This increase for purchasing onboard does net (yet) apply to the Elite Beverage package, which is $54.95 per day, plus 15%. The reasoning is that HAL wants you to spend your OBC on higher markup items like shore excursions, spa treatments, etc. They would rather you spend your own cash to purchase the SBP, online.

This is a great question, if you buy on board, will you get the "cruise day credits" for money charged to your account opposed to pre-purchasing it before the cruise?

 

 

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You do earn "cruise day credits" either way.

Thank you! I didn't know they "upped" the charge if bought on board. Technically $10 per day (2nd person also has to buy package) really adds up on longer cruises. This is why I love this site!

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You do earn "cruise day credits" either way.

Good to know-we have pre-paid for an expensive excursion. I would be upset if I did not get any "cruise day" credit for this purchase.

Thanks! I knew it would cost more onboard, and originally planned to purchase pre-cruise, but my obc will almost pay for the package so I decided it made sense to wait. I'd forgotten about the cruise day credits - so much to learn about HAL!

Liz

I think the servers may get a little credit. The servers at the Sea View Bar were sure pushing packages and wine tasting on our recent Zuiderdam cruise

I think the servers may get a little credit. The servers at the Sea View Bar were sure pushing packages and wine tasting on our recent Zuiderdam cruise