Wine/Beer on Rotterdam

[lesliew]

Good Day,

We will be sailing on The Rotterdam in October.

I was looking to pre-order some wine and noticed the online pricing seems very high - and when compared to alcohol it seem ridiculous.

The cheapest wine is $45-$50 per bottle, while a Litre of Vodka or Rum is $40!

Beer is $42 a 6 pack for American Beer, which we don't drink.

 

My question is - are the prices for wine any better while onboard?  And is there a better selection?

Are they other beers available besides American flavours?

 

I understand we are able to bring a bottle of wine on at Embarkation.

Can we also purchase a bottle while in Ports?  or will they confiscate?

Thank you for any input.

[RuthC]

You can purchase wine packages, both before boarding and after. They tend to be cheaper on a per bottle basis. 
You can bring as much wine on board as you can carry. You get one 750 ml bottle corkage free per adult, so long as you drink it in your cabin; you pay $18 per bottle corkage for every bottle after the first. Those bottles can be consumed anywhere.
You can bring wine on board at initial embarkation, and every port. If you bring it on at a port there is a corkage charge, unless you purchased it on a HAL winery tour. 

[TAD2005]

The Rotterdam has all kinds of beer in bottles or cans.  They also have Heineken and other draft beers.   The prices are usually around $7 for a 12 oz beer.   US Domestic beer is cheaper, imports are a little more. 

[lesliew]

Thank you both for the replies.

We will each bring on a bottle at embarkation and then check the selection.

If it makes sense we'll purchase more while in Port.

$7 a beer seems reasonable.  

 

One other question, can you carry on water bottles or soft drinks?

Thanks again.

[puppycanducruise]

You can carry on as much water and pop as you want. 

[TAD2005]

On 9/6/2019 at 8:14 AM, lesliew said:

Thank you both for the replies.

We will each bring on a bottle at embarkation and then check the selection.

If it makes sense we'll purchase more while in Port.

$7 a beer seems reasonable.  

 

One other question, can you carry on water bottles or soft drinks?

Thanks again.

Yes, you can carry on as much water or soda as you can handle, in any port, but the key word here is "Carry" on.   You are not supposed to put any beverages in your luggage, or even wrap a 24 pack flat of sodas with duct tape and hand it to the porter.   The porters at cruise terminals are as bad as airline baggage handlers.   The bags are all stuffed into huge metal cages with hundreds of pounds of luggage on top of your bag.  That whole cage is fork-lifted into the hold of the ship and distributed to your cabin.   HAL x-rays every bag looking primarily for prohibited items, (knives, guns, drones), but they also pickup cans or bottles of liquid.   On the x-ray they can't tell if your six-pack wrapped in your underwear in your luggage is soda or beer.   And the bottles of liquid may be vodka or water.   So they have to set aside every bag with cans or bottles of liquid and page you to come and open your bag.   That could cause a huge delay getting luggage distributed, so HAL has a flat rule that anything can or bottle of beverage you bring must be carried on as part of your hand carry bags.

[kazu]

On 9/4/2019 at 4:32 PM, lesliew said:

are the prices for wine any better while onboard?  And is there a better selection?

 

I think everyone else has answered your other questions.

 

Pricing is not better on board but there is a much better selection than what you see on line.  There are also wine packages available which include a selection of wines you can choose from each evening (or more often if you want).  It works out a bit cheaper I think.

There is also a Happy Hour which allows you to buy one drink and get the 2nd for $2.

And there is a bucket of beer deal as well.

Lots of beer choices on board.  Being Canadian, we don’t like American beer (not the same strength or taste) so we opt for the European ones if DH wants a beer.

[corkpopr]

five years ago, happy hour was two for one.  starting two years ago, the second drink was a dollar.  if the new policy is a second drink for 2 dollars that is still a good deal.  the wine choices on HAL are weak at best.  A little better on the Pinnacle Reserve list but we bring on wine and pay the corkage fees.

[kazu]

8 hours ago, corkpopr said:

five years ago, happy hour was two for one.  starting two years ago, the second drink was a dollar.  if the new policy is a second drink for 2 dollars that is still a good deal.  the wine choices on HAL are weak at best.  A little better on the Pinnacle Reserve list but we bring on wine and pay the corkage fees.

 

Actually with the new Happy Hour (buy one get the 2nd for $2) you can purchase any wine on the listing.  You are not restricted to the cheaper ones. There are some decent wines priced at $15/$16 per glass.  Buying them at Happy Hour they get reasonably priced 🙂 

[wesport]

You can also buy beer at Happy Hour and not open it, take it back to you cabin refrigerator. 

[lesliew]

Happy Hour!  🍷  LOL my new best friend!

Very good tips, thank you to one and all.

[DeeniEncinitas]

Also if your into Happy Hour get there early in The Crows Neat to enjoy the view and get a relaxing chair and ottoman!

We enjoy our cocktails prior to our dinner 

plans!

Have fun on your cruise.

Denise😊