Holland America's Elite Signature Drink Package

[ScottC4746]

I am debating on getting this drink package or not. It is my first time on HAL coming from RCCL. They price quoted on my 7 night cruise is $442.33 plus grats. This covers any drink $15 and less and up to 15 drinks a day. I am not usually a heavy drinker. Usually:

Coffee at breakfast along with a juice.

Maybe a soda before lunch

still water throughout the day

Perhaps a martini or double whiskey on the rocks before dinner, repeating during dinner and possibly one during the show.

A nice nightcap perhaps a sherry or cognac.

I found a drink price menu and looks like what I drink is in the $6.95 price range which if that is the current price this package is so not worth it. I would have to drink $63.19 per day to break even.

Any comments or suggestions? It is a cruise to the Mexican Riviera so a Pina Colada may be in order somewhere.

[TAD2005]

Based on what you estimate your beverage consumption will be, I would say no, you will lose money on the Elite package. The regular beverage package is $51.70 per day, including the 15% service charge, but that limits you to drinks with a menu price of $9 or less. Don't consider the 15% SC in that $9 menu price, because that is paid when you buy the package. The break-even point for the regular beverage package ($9 limit) is 5 or 6 drinks. After that you are drinking free. If your 7 day cruise is very port intensive, (every day a new port), then either beverage package will probably not pay off. You should take the drink menus and run a typical day of beverages and see where you are.

We always purchase the SBP, because we usually book cruises of much longer duration with many sea days. That's when the beverage packages really pay off for us, usually to the tune of hundreds of $$$.

[fatcat04]

IF you are not a wine drinker, I think the Signature Beverage package is a better deal. We wineauxs like the Elite Beverage Package because it almost completely covers the wine by the glass menu but the Signature Beverage Package covers most cocktails and non wine alcoholic beverages. :D

[crystalspin]

I too think the Elite will be overkill for you. Heck, I'm a wine drinker and found several spicy reds in the <$9 range I liked well enough.

 

Here is Roger Jett's (Crew News on CC) photo of a recent Beverage Package flyer. Each double column includes the ones to its left (i.e. Elite covers all of Signature includes all of Quench). Although no liqueurs are listed, all but the very high end ones are included in Signature Package.

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Beverage-Packages.pdf

 

 

I used to argue against buying the beverage packages, but having sailed with the Explore4 promo including Signature Package, I'm on the fence and will probably buy for sea-day heavy cruises like TransAtlantics (of which we have two coming up)... It was very nice not to have to think about the cost of each drink, to have an americano or latte instead of Lido coffee (you have to go to the Exploration Cafe for the espresso drinks, so worth it).

Edited September 9, 2018 by crystalspin

[tv24]

The only reason we take the Elite package (and we will again on the Noordam in April, 2019) is because we like to drink wine with dinner and appreciate the expanded wine by the glass options that Elite offers. We can have a white with the appetizer and a red with the main course (or maybe 2 reds). And we have cocktails before dinner. And we love the specialty coffees at the coffee bar, and sodas as well. We get our money's worth, but just barely. But the main reason is the access to wine variety at dinner.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Just reading what you would probably drink each day on the ship, even the regular Signature Drink package is not for you.

I know it is not worth it for us.

[ScottC4746]

Just reading what you would probably drink each day on the ship, even the regular Signature Drink package is not for you.

I know it is not worth it for us.

I had a feeling it was a "gotcha" promotion.

[VMax1700]

I don't think it's worth it for you.

Juice is free at breakfast.

Water is available in the Lido for no charge. (not bottled tho').

You can bring unlimited soda and water onboard at boarding and at intermediate ports.

Get a bottle of whisky/whiskey delivered to your room for pre-dinner drink. (it feels so decadent drinking in the stateroom while getting dressed!)

[ScottC4746]

Get a bottle of whisky/whiskey delivered to your room for pre-dinner drink. (it feels so decadent drinking in the stateroom while getting dressed!)

Or sitting on the veranda. Last balcony cruise I had was RCCL in December two years ago in the Caribbean and it was so hot and humid it was unpleasant.

[EMc&DrS]

If you purchase either drink package in advance, it says that "a 15% service charge will be automatically applied to your purchase."  I'm assuming that means they will charge 15% on the cost of the package, but then no additional service charge charged per drink while on the cruise.  Is this correct, or do you buy the package and then pay the 15% fee per drink as you go?

[crystalspin]

55 minutes ago, EMc&DrS said:

If you purchase either drink package in advance, it says that "a 15% service charge will be automatically applied to your purchase."  I'm assuming that means they will charge 15% on the cost of the package, but then no additional service charge charged per drink while on the cruise...

You are correct, the service charge is figured on the cost of the package and not on what you actually drink. ETA: And it is added to the daily cost at the same time. 

Edited December 21, 2018 by crystalspin

[dogo88]

On 9/8/2018 at 7:09 PM, ScottC4746 said:

I am debating on getting this drink package or not. It is my first time on HAL coming from RCCL. They price quoted on my 7 night cruise is $442.33 plus grats. This covers any drink $15 and less and up to 15 drinks a day. I am not usually a heavy drinker. Usually:

Coffee at breakfast along with a juice.

Maybe a soda before lunch

still water throughout the day

Perhaps a martini or double whiskey on the rocks before dinner, repeating during dinner and possibly one during the show.

A nice nightcap perhaps a sherry or cognac.

I found a drink price menu and looks like what I drink is in the $6.95 price range which if that is the current price this package is so not worth it. I would have to drink $63.19 per day to break even.

Any comments or suggestions? It is a cruise to the Mexican Riviera so a Pina Colada may be in order somewhere.

 

The operative word in your post is: "...Usually:". 

 

You will be on a cruise. It's hot and steamy. Many around you will be partaking of a few adult beverages during the day. Easy enough to get caught up in the "moment" and order. After a couple of drinks or days you may wish you bought the SBP. An yes you can get free water at the Lido or from your bathroom faucet. And you can order a bottle for the room. But as you are lounging around on deck do you want to schlep back to the room and mix a drink, or order one where you are at?

 

For us, we can order when we want and what we want (based upon the package selected). Every hour is happy hour so we don't need to try and plan what venue has the deal and at what time. Plus we don't have to review all the purchases on our statement in case there was an incorrect charge. And we have experienced incorrect charges. Do we do 15 drinks a day? nope. How many do we do? Don't have to count.   

 

The 5-6 drinks a day is a good rule of thumb. It includes the usual adult beverage list plus specialty coffees, soda, water and Pellegrino sparkling water. 

 

Just some info to think about. 

[TAD2005]

When you either buy the SBP or EBP, or get the SBP with Explore-4, the 15% service charge is paid and you do not have to worry about it.  There's no additional service charges added to your account.

The break-even point with the SBP, based on an average drink price of $7.50 plus the 15% is 6 drinks.  After that, you are drinking free.  And on most HAL ships, the 15 drink limit only applies to alcoholic beverages.  Specialty coffees, sodas, and bottled water do not count in your daily 15.   This does not agree with HAL's official policy stated on their website, but, as is normal with HAL, what Seattle says bears little resemblance to what happens onboard.

[kazu]

Looking at your situation, I agree with the rest.

 

You don't need the Elite package.  If you WANT it, the SBP would do the trick easily.

 

IMO, the Elite package only benefits those that like wine 😉 

 

 

[mark71mark]

So, a couple questions in regards to the 15 drink per day limit that I haven't ever seen mentioned...  Has anyone gone over the limit and actually been charged extra for those drinks?  If someone thinks they are at the limit, would a bartender be able to look up your package and see how many drinks you have left for the day?

 

If my cruise next month on the Nieuw Amsterdam happens to not count the non-alcoholics, then I'll be happy to upgrade from Signature to Elite.  Wife and I drink lots of bottled water with our wine and cocktails, and also enjoy multiple specialty coffees and sodas each day.  We would hate to use up over half our daily ration on "cheap" beverages if we got the Elite.

Edited March 4, 2019 by mark71mark

[Jareds_mommytoo]

30 minutes ago, mark71mark said:

 

 

If my cruise next month on the Nieuw Amsterdam happens to not count the non-alcoholics, then I'll be happy to upgrade from Signature to Elite.  Wife and I drink lots of bottled water with our wine and cocktails, and also enjoy multiple specialty coffees and sodas each day.  We would hate to use up over half our daily ration on "cheap" beverages if we got the Elite.

I see on the boards they dont count the non alcoholic but even today customer service is still saying 15 total, we are on the NA in 3 weeks

[ottahand7]

We had the Elite on the Rotterdam last month.  I don't think that they really do count the alcoholic drinks as they kept bringing Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc to my fiancee' in the casino.  We had had drinks in the Crow's Nest before that.  It works out well because the only bill at the end of the trip is the hotel service charge for your cabin not bar drinks or service charge.  No surprises.   

We had large bottles of Pellegrino with dinner, pick up bottles of Evian before the gym, Coke Zero at the pool, sparkling wine or champagne at breakfast or in the Lido etc.  We became regulars at the Exploration coffee bar too.    Want a good ice tea ask them to brew you one at the coffee bar.   Other benefits was the martini and mixology classes count for one $15 drink.  We were always topped off with the excess.   There are many more specialty bourbons, scotches, tequilas that are not on the lists.   We even had Coravin pours in the PG.     

[fatcat04]

As I typed elsewhere, we were on the NA first week of February. While they registered every drink ordered, only the alcoholic drinks counted toward our limit of 15. We did not go over however we came close one day.

We got our monies worth out of the Elite Beverage Package but we knew we would going in as we are wine and cognac drinkers and we knew we would ask for higher end liquors in our cocktails. Just run the numbers and add a bit. You are on vacation after all. 

Edited March 4, 2019 by fatcat04

[tv24]

On our upcoming Pacific crossing we will probably buy the Elite package starting on the second day.  We will have a lot of sea days, so lots of lunches on board and lots of cocktail hours.  We are wine drinkers and like to try different good wines with dinner.  I think we will be happy with the package.

[Overhead Fred]

52 minutes ago, tv24 said:

On our upcoming Pacific crossing we will probably buy the Elite package starting on the second day.  We will have a lot of sea days, so lots of lunches on board and lots of cocktail hours.  We are wine drinkers and like to try different good wines with dinner.  I think we will be happy with the package.

 

The cost will be the same whether you buy on the first or second day. It will not be prorated, so you might as well get it as soon as you board and start enjoying!

[tv24]

Thanks for your reply Fred!  I will look into this.  But...on a previous HAL trip we had a Signature package as a promotion.  We upgraded to the Elite, but waited until the second day and were not charged for the upgrade on the first day.  So I will check this out and do what is advantageous.  Bottom up!

[Overhead Fred]

Skol!

[Ms. Alpha]

Thanks for the post.  DH is not a big drinker (maybe a drink or 2 per month at home, probably a bit more on ship) so because the packages must be ordered by both passengers we will probably only do the Quench package to cover soft drinks, water, mocktails and coffee drinks.  I could still buy a wine package to get a glass or two with dinner.  Something to think about but we don't cruise till Oct.

Edited March 5, 2019 by Ms. Alpha

[1964IceCreamLady]

Yes, 15 ALCOHOLIC drinks are the limit.  Yes, if you go over you get charged per drink (not too happy that I know that).  Also, on th KDam (dunno about NS) there is a self serve beer tap.  That cannot be used with the SBP.  

[ScottC4746]

OMG if I ever had 15 drinks in one day my next vacation would be to Betty Ford's.