Complete Guide to Holland America Line Drink Packages

Are you wondering if you should purchase a Holland America Line Beverage Package? You are not alone. We get this question quite often from fellow cruisers. So, here we’re breaking down all the plans and pricing in this Complete Guide to Holland America Line Drink Packages to help you decide if purchasing one is right for you.

Complete Guide to Holland America Line Drink Packages (2024)

While there are many benefits of buying a beverage package on a cruise, there are also many reasons why cruise ship drink packages can be a waste of money.

So, whether or not you purchase one for your next vacation should be an individual decision that depends on your own drinking habits. Essentially, you will need to decide if you will consume enough to make the purchase “worth it.”

While it varies based on the cruise line’s packages and pricing, we usually save money by purchasing a beverage package. Plus, we like the added convenience of not worrying about the bill the end of the cruise.

Holland America Line Drink Package Basics

There are some basic things you need to know about the Holland America Line drink packages before you make your decision.

Each Holland America drink package is priced per day, per person. Further, the package must be purchased for the entire duration of the cruise.

There is also an 18 percent service charge automatically added to all Beverage Packages. Additional taxes may be added at the time of purchase for certain itineraries or ports of embarkation. 

These packages may be purchased pre-cruise using your online cruise planner or once onboard the ship during the first or second day of your cruise. These packages are non-transferrable and non-refundable.

Further, there is no sharing of drink packages.

All adults of legal drinking age staying in the same stateroom must purchase the same Holland America Line alcoholic drink package. Underage guests must purchase the Quench Package.

The Elite Package allows for 15 alcoholic beverages per day and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages. The Signature and Quench Packages are limited to 15 beverages per day total. Further, you can only order one drink at a time.

Beverage packages work at any onboard bars, lounges, cafes, The Dining Room, and specialty restaurants.

However, these packages exclude the mini-bar, Honor Bar, Chocolate Seduction, In-Room Dining, and any self-service draft beer. Beverages on the private island of Half Moon Cay are also not included.

Of note, Holland America Line does offer a variety of complimentary beverages which do not require the purchase of a drink package. These include juice and milk during breakfast, lemonade, non-bottled water, hot and iced tea, and brewed coffee.

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Holland America Line Alcoholic Drink Packages

Elite Drink Package

Holland America Line’s Elite Drink Package is the most inclusive option. This package is $59.99 per day (+18% gratuity).

With the Elite Beverage Package, you can enjoy all drinks priced $15 and under, which includes premium cocktails, spirits, beers, and wines. This package also includes unlimited non-alcoholic beverages. These options include specialty coffees, mocktails, smoothies, juice, soft drinks, bottled water, and Red Bull energy drinks.

Signature Drink Package

The Signature Drink Package is $54.95 per day (+18% gratuity). This package includes premium beers, spirits, cocktails, and wines by the glass priced $11 and under.

Unlike the Elite package though, all beverages count towards the daily limit — even non-alcoholic ones.

If a drink does cost more than the maximum dollar amount, guests will only have to pay the difference, not the entire menu price. If you aren’t concerned about drinking premium brand spirits, wines, or beers, chances are the $11 allotment will cover nearly all of the beverages you plan to drink.

However, if you must have certain liquors/spirits or think you will drink more than 15 total alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages a day, then you should upgrade to the Elite Package.

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Holland America Line Non-Alcoholic Drink Packages

Quench Drink Package

The Quench Drink Package is Holland America Line’s non-alcoholic drink package. This package is $17.95 per day (+18% gratuity). With this drink package, guests are entitled to 15 non-alcoholic beverages.

These beverages include premium coffees such as espresso and cappuccinos, juices, Coca-Cola products, signature mocktails, juices, energy drinks, and sparkling and still bottled water.

Coca Cola Drink Package

The Holland America soda package is $8 per day (+18% gratuity). This package includes unlimited fountain soda. On Rotterdam, Koningsdam, and Nieuw Statendam, this package also includes the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines.

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Are Holland America Line Drink Packages Worth It?

Now, the question becomes whether Holland America Line’s drink packages are worth it for you to purchase.

If we look at the alcoholic drink packages, you would need to spend at least $60 a day to break even with the Elite package and $55 to break even with the Signature package. This would equate to about 5-6 cocktails or glasses of wine. This number would be more like 7-8 beers.

Obviously, this figure could be less if you plan to drink a good number of specialty coffees, bottles of water, or sodas.

If we look at the Quench package, you would need to spend at least $18 a day to break even. This would equate to about four specialty coffees, bottles of water, or any combination of the two.

Using the list below, you can do the quick math to see if you would routinely hit the daily “break even” point for the above drink packages.

Here are some example prices:

• 16 oz. bottled water: $5
• 12 oz. canned water: $3.75
• San Pellegrino water (large bottle): $6
• Perrier sparkling water (small bottle): $3.75
• Soda: $2.75
• Red bull energy drinks: $5
• Specialty coffees: $4.50
• Beer: $7.75
• Wine by the glass: $11-$13
• Mixed drinks: $11
• Specialty cocktails: $13

Have It All Cruise Package

However, Holland America Line also offers the Have It All Cruise Package. This pricing offers additional services and amenities beyond the standard cruise fare.

For a seven-day cruise, this package provides one shore excursion up to $100, one night of specialty dining, a WiFi Surf package, and the Signature Beverage Package.

The Have It All package costs $55 per person, per day. So, when you consider that you are only paying $55 per person, per day for the Signature drink package (which is how much it costs on its own) PLUS shore excursion credit, dining credit, and a basic wifi package, it makes this package a great choice for most cruisers.

If you have the Have It All package and want to upgrade your beverage package from Signature to Elite, you may do so once you board the ship as long as no one from your cabin has purchased a beverage yet. You may upgrade your package at any bar onboard.

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Comments

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