sackman Posted October 28, 2013 #1 Share Posted October 28, 2013 I haven't been on a HAL cruise for several years. On Princess, they have a specialty coffee shop and will sell you a punch card good for 10 coffees. Does HAL offer something similar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtl513 Posted October 28, 2013 #2 Share Posted October 28, 2013 (edited) I haven't been on a HAL cruise for several years. On Princess, they have a specialty coffee shop and will sell you a punch card good for 10 coffees. Does HAL offer something similar?HAL has the Explorations Cafes with specialty coffees but the punch card system is long gone. You can buy a general beverage card to cover all non-free drinks, but since it's no bargain we don't bother.http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1913463 Edited October 28, 2013 by jtl513 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sackman Posted October 28, 2013 Author #3 Share Posted October 28, 2013 HAL has the Explorations Cafes with specialty coffees but the punch card system is long gone. You can buy a general beverage card to cover all non-free drinks, but since it's no bargain we don't bother.http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1913463 Thanks. That's great to hear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted October 28, 2013 #4 Share Posted October 28, 2013 HAL got rid of the punch coffee cards a long time ago. HAL does have Beverage Cards that you buy -- no savings -- but using the cards means that you have less sales slips to keep track of at the end of the cruise. You do get a receipt each time you order something -- coffees, cocktails, etc. showing what you have left on the card. They also take the 15% gratuity off the card as well. Each time we get a new receipt, I just throw away the old one. $50.00 Beverage Card cost $50.00 (No Discount) $50.00 Non-Alcoholic Beverage Card cost $50.00 (No Discount) $100.00 Beverage Card cost $100 (No Discount) $250 Beverage Card cost $250 (No Discount) $50.00 Soda Card cost $25.00 The ships have now changed from giving you a can to just about 6 ounces of fountain soda. Your soda card is charged $1.50 + 15% gratuity ($0.23) for a total of $1.73 for each “glass” of soda. Without a soda card, you can buy a “can” of soda for $1.95 + 15% gratuity ($0.30) for a total of $2.25 per can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted October 28, 2013 #5 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Explorations Café Coffees and Teas HOT Espresso Single - $1.20; Double - $1.70 Americano 12 oz - $1.60; 16 oz - $2.10 Caffe Latte 12 oz - $2.10; 16 oz - $2.60 Cappuccino 12 oz - $2.10; 16 oz - $2.60 Caffe Mocha 12 oz - $2.35; 16 oz - $2.85 Caramello Latte 12 oz - $2.55; 16 oz - $3.05 Hot Chocolate 12 oz - $2.10; 16 oz - $2.60 Tazo Chai Tea Latte 12 oz - $1.85; 16 oz - $2.00 Tazo Premium Hot Teas 12 oz - $1.60 (no 16 oz listed) Daily Special 12 oz - $3.95; 16 oz $4.45 Extra Shot of Espresso - $0.45 Natural Flavor Syrups - $0.50 COLD Iced Americano 12 oz - $1.60; 16 oz - $2.10 Iced Caffe Latte 12 oz - $2.10; 16 oz - $2.60 Iced Caffe Mocha 12 oz - $2.35; 16 oz - $2.85 Classic Latte Creamice 12 oz - $2.55; 16 oz - $3.05 Cioccolato Creamice 12 oz - $2.55; 16 oz - $3.05 Caramello Creamice 12 oz - $2.55; 16 oz - $3.05 Tazo Iced Chai Latte 12 oz - $1.85; 16 oz - $2.00 Daily Special 12 oz - $3.95; 16 0z - $4.45 Specialty Waters and Sodas -- $2.75 A 15% service charge will be automatically applied to your bar and beverage purchases Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovely other Posted October 28, 2013 #6 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Just a small thing but if your picky about your coffee it might pay to find a decent coffee shop in ports instead. I found they heated the milk too high and scorched the coffee. But then I used to be a Barista so i'm a bit fussy :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sackman Posted October 28, 2013 Author #7 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Just a small thing but if your picky about your coffee it might pay to find a decent coffee shop in ports instead. I found they heated the milk too high and scorched the coffee. But then I used to be a Barista so i'm a bit fussy :p I'm not terribly picky. My wife, on the other hand... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fouremco Posted October 28, 2013 #8 Share Posted October 28, 2013 I suggest that you try the coffee at Explorations Cafe before buying a beverage card. We found the coffee to be only marginally better than that served free elsewhere on the Noordam. As Lovely other (great handle!) suggests, look for decent coffee shops in ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darjeeling Posted October 29, 2013 #9 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Explorations Café Coffees and Teas HOT Espresso Single - $1.20; Double - $1.70 Americano 12 oz - $1.60; 16 oz - $2.10 Caffe Latte 12 oz - $2.10; 16 oz - $2.60 Cappuccino 12 oz - $2.10; 16 oz - $2.60 Caffe Mocha 12 oz - $2.35; 16 oz - $2.85 Caramello Latte 12 oz - $2.55; 16 oz - $3.05 Hot Chocolate 12 oz - $2.10; 16 oz - $2.60 Tazo Chai Tea Latte 12 oz - $1.85; 16 oz - $2.00 Tazo Premium Hot Teas 12 oz - $1.60 (no 16 oz listed) Daily Special 12 oz - $3.95; 16 oz $4.45 Extra Shot of Espresso - $0.45 Natural Flavor Syrups - $0.50 COLD Iced Americano 12 oz - $1.60; 16 oz - $2.10 Iced Caffe Latte 12 oz - $2.10; 16 oz - $2.60 Iced Caffe Mocha 12 oz - $2.35; 16 oz - $2.85 Classic Latte Creamice 12 oz - $2.55; 16 oz - $3.05 Cioccolato Creamice 12 oz - $2.55; 16 oz - $3.05 Caramello Creamice 12 oz - $2.55; 16 oz - $3.05 Tazo Iced Chai Latte 12 oz - $1.85; 16 oz - $2.00 Daily Special 12 oz - $3.95; 16 0z - $4.45 Specialty Waters and Sodas -- $2.75 A 15% service charge will be automatically applied to your bar and beverage purchases Thank you for posting this coffee/tea list! Darjeeling (Donna) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowPrincess Posted October 29, 2013 #10 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Just a small thing but if your picky about your coffee it might pay to find a decent coffee shop in ports instead. I found they heated the milk too high and scorched the coffee. But then I used to be a Barista so i'm a bit fussy :p I suggest that you try the coffee at Explorations Cafe before buying a beverage card. We found the coffee to be only marginally better than that served free elsewhere on the Noordam. As Lovely other (great handle!) suggests, look for decent coffee shops in ports. I've found the people working at the Explorations Cafe very willing to work with me to find the brew/mix that I enjoy. Once we get it figured out there's no problem replicating it :) And I am fussy about my coffee ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lis2065 Posted October 30, 2013 #11 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Only thing that disappointed me on the Oosterdam was the coffee - it was horrible. Definitely go to coffee shops when in port to get your fix! The Batista's at Explorations cafe are a delight however I don't think the coffee they have to work with is good at all.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted October 30, 2013 #12 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Thank you for posting this coffee/tea list! Darjeeling (Donna) You are welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comcox Posted October 30, 2013 #13 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Can you get a cup of just hot milk anywhere on the ship? I'm real picky about my hot chocolate and travel with my favorite brand of cocoa, but I need a mug of hot milk to mix it. Will I have to pay for this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted October 30, 2013 #14 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Can you get a cup of just hot milk anywhere on the ship? I'm real picky about my hot chocolate and travel with my favorite brand of cocoa, but I need a mug of hot milk to mix it. Will I have to pay for this? You can ask at Explorations Café. I can't think of any other place on the ship that has hot milk. I don't know if there will be a charge or not. You could ask in the Lido, but I think that's a long-shot, especially as compared to Explorations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GmaPajama Posted October 30, 2013 #15 Share Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) A Cafe Mocha from the Explorations Cafe has become a part of my daily routine when onboard. About 10am, it really hits the spot - and I find it's done every bit as well as at my local Starbucks. Just thinking about it makes me want to get on a ship, ASAP! Edited October 30, 2013 by GmaPajama Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loma linda ca a & j Posted November 22, 2013 #16 Share Posted November 22, 2013 HAL got rid of the punch coffee cards a long time ago. HAL does have Beverage Cards that you buy -- no savings -- but using the cards means that you have less sales slips to keep track of at the end of the cruise. You do get a receipt each time you order something -- coffees, cocktails, etc. showing what you have left on the card. They also take the 15% gratuity off the card as well. Each time we get a new receipt, I just throw away the old one. $50.00 Beverage Card cost $50.00 (No Discount) $50.00 Non-Alcoholic Beverage Card cost $50.00 (No Discount) $100.00 Beverage Card cost $100 (No Discount) $250 Beverage Card cost $250 (No Discount) $50.00 Soda Card cost $25.00 The ships have now changed from giving you a can to just about 6 ounces of fountain soda. Your soda card is charged $1.50 + 15% gratuity ($0.23) for a total of $1.73 for each “glass” of soda. Without a soda card, you can buy a “can” of soda for $1.95 + 15% gratuity ($0.30) for a total of $2.25 per can. thanks for the info - we are considering a veendam cruise to hawaii on 21 jan 2014 - it would be first time on HAL figured for 18 days the cards would be nice to have - do you buy them on board or precruise online ? can you buy coffee with the regular bev card or do you have to use the non alcohol card ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbluff Posted November 22, 2013 #17 Share Posted November 22, 2013 ... for us. Between ports, we use Starbucks Via or an Americano from the Explorations Cafe for that all-important jumpstart in the morning. I have never been a fan of instant but the Via is very flavorful, especially the darker roasts. I also do this at hotels which often have bad or weak coffee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashley@cruisecritic Posted November 22, 2013 #18 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I'm not a coffee connoisseur by any means, but I found the stuff from Explorations on Volendam (was on it in September) to be decent. The hot chocolate, however, was phenomenal -- possibly the best I've had, and that's saying something. The prices aren't bad, either, especially when you compare them with Starbucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted November 22, 2013 #19 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I'm pretty sure the coffee prices have gone up a LOT since KK posted this. On the Eurodam it seems to me I was paying pretty much what I'd pay at home for a skinny latte which is about $4.25. This is before my 50% discount but after the 15%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
green frog Posted November 26, 2013 #20 Share Posted November 26, 2013 I was on the Eurodam last week. A large cafe latte was $3.15 +15% service charge. I got a 25% Mariner discount so I paid a total of $2.83 including the service charge. It was as good as any cafe latte I've had anywhere in North-America. (and they have cinnamon sticks to put in your coffee, not powder) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the2ofus Posted November 27, 2013 #21 Share Posted November 27, 2013 (edited) Just off the Noordam yesterday. My daily carmello creamice grande was $2.24 with the 4-star Mariner 50% discount. Nice way to get my coffee fix. Zaldy was the person I usually saw there. He was also on the Lido port side at dinner. Warm, friendly personality and efficient as well. A great representative of HAL service. Coffee preference is very subjective, of course. The Exp. Cafe Americano was far too robust for my taste. Edited November 27, 2013 by the2ofus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madera1 Posted November 27, 2013 #22 Share Posted November 27, 2013 I was able to order a hot chocolate with Bailey's on our Alaska cruise. Best hot chocolate ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted November 27, 2013 #23 Share Posted November 27, 2013 The good coffee deals on HAL happen when you get to the 3 Star Mariner level where you get 25% off the coffee drinks. We are 4 Star and get 50% off which means a nice cappuccino only costs about $2. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
startwin Posted November 27, 2013 #24 Share Posted November 27, 2013 A Cafe Mocha from the Explorations Cafe has become a part of my daily routine when onboard. About 10am, it really hits the spot - and I find it's done every bit as well as at my local Starbucks. Just thinking about it makes me want to get on a ship, ASAP! That's exactly my routine around 10 am as well. I find it just as good as the one I get at Starbucks. I sit and do the daily crossword while enjoying it.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvercruiser Posted November 27, 2013 #25 Share Posted November 27, 2013 Are the hours that Explorations Cafe are open the same on all HAL ships? And what are they? I've never noticed, but since I have 90 days booked on various HAL cruises I'd like to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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