TIC Examines: Holland America Alcohol Policy
I do not know if it is by design but Holland America really needs to rewrite their alcohol policy. While it does state what can or cannot be brought onboard the presentation of the policy is among the most cryptic of any cruise line I have come across. If you want to take a second to read what it says, here you go:
Bringing Alcoholic Beverages Onboard
Except for wine and champagne, alcoholic beverages purchased in the vessel’s shops or otherwise brought on the ship cannot be consumed on the ship. Bottles and other containers will be collected for safekeeping and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the voyage.
A corkage fee of US$15.00 applies to wine and champagne brought to the restaurants or bars for consumption.
Room Service offers reduced-price stateroom beverage packages for in-stateroom consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Maybe I am a bit strange but I like official policies to be explicit and inclusive. Holland America’s Alcohol Policy is neither of those things. After reading the policy I am left with a feeling of wonder that makes ask, “what did they leave out”. My suggestion would be if you have any questions on what you can or cannot do, call someone. In any case, here is my take on HAL’s alcohol policy.
Onboard all HAL ships the drinking age is 21 years old, no matter the ship nor destination. Liquor is not allowed to be brought onboard at either embarkation or in port. Any liquor brought onboard the ship will be taken and stored until the final day of your cruise; this includes any bought in the ships duty-free shops. Wine is allowed but is subject to a 15-dollar corkage fee.
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Related posts:
- TIC Examines: The Carnival Cruise Alcohol Policy
- TIC Examines: The Celebrity Cruises Alcohol Policy
- The Intelligent Cruiser Examines: Cruise Line Alcohol Policies
- Additional Costs of Cruise Vacations
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Comments
The policy is titled “Bringing Alcohol on Board” not “What it costs to have a bottle corked.” The policy provides NO information regarding the subject stated. Might as well be in Dutch.
We have 15 Carnival cruises under our belts (just got back Friday) Carnival’s is very simple, you can each bring one .750 bottle of wine which can be drank in your cabin, or brought to the restaurant and you pay a $10.00 corking fee (we did that the last night of a 3/4 day back to back, and our waiter did not charge us, so we added it to his tip) THIS MUST BE CARRIED ON!! IF YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR BAG THEY WILL LIKELY FIND AND HOLD IT UNTIL THE LAST DAY!!! (never got a satisfactory answer why on that one, some feable excuse that they needed to control underage drinking????????) Any sealed bottles of liquor will be taken and held as above, unsealed will be dumped out!!! You can also bring 12 cans of soda and we bring 6 quart bottles of water, in a small wheeled carry on, because again: IT MUST BE CARRIED ON!!
Now we are going to take a 7 day Bermuda cruise on HAL, and I can’t for the life of me get a straight answer!!! Boy, a $15 dollar corking fee is a bit “STIFF” Since HAL is now owned by Carnival, as is Princess, Costa, Cunard, and Windstar, you would think they would standardize everything, but alas, No!! THEY DO NOT CHARGE IF YOU DRINK THE WINE IN YOUR CABIN THAT YOU BRING ON, ONLY IN THE RESTARAUNT! I GOT THAT MUCH OUT OF THEM!! I actually like the fact that the drinking age is 21. On shore, if you run into a bunch of 18 year old drunks, you can go elsewhere!! On a ship, there is no place to hide!! At age 60, I really don’t want to have my wife and I wind up in the middle of a Beer bottle fight! Don’t laugh, it happened in St. Thomas on the Dream!!! We were moored just ahead of them, and they had to throw 40 people off the ship after a wedding brawl!! Kicked them off bag and baggage and waved by by!!
“A corkage fee of US$15.00 applies to wine and champagne brought to the restaurants or bars for consumption.”
No corkage fee for room consumed vino.