How Many Drinks Are Included In Holland America Line: What Holland America Line Guests Should Know for 2026
Plenty of Holland America Line guests ask about included drinks and beverage packages, so here's a clear rundown of how it actually works.
What's actually bundled comes down to the beverage package structure: A daily hotel service charge is added automatically to your onboard account, similar in structure to other premium lines, and can be adjusted or removed at Guest Services if you prefer to tip crew members individually instead.
If included drinks and beverage packages affects an upcoming trip, call +1-800-406-8495 and we'll walk through it with you. It's worth asking whether a package needs to be purchased before boarding to lock in a lower rate versus buying it once onboard. That detail alone can save some back-and-forth later.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many drinks are included in Holland America?
It depends entirely on your fare type and any beverage package you've purchased - base fares typically include only water, coffee, tea, and juice, while paid packages unlock unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails. Comparing the package cost against your expected daily consumption is the most reliable way to know if it's worth it for your trip. Not a bad idea to keep that in your back pocket.
Is water and coffee always free onboard?
Yes, basic non-alcoholic beverages like water, coffee, tea, and often lemonade or iced tea are included in virtually every cruise fare. This can also depend on whether you're sailing during a promotional period, when packages are sometimes discounted or bundled with other perks. Not a bad idea to keep that in your back pocket.
Do I need to buy a drink package for everyone in my cabin?
Most lines require all adults in the same cabin to purchase the same beverage package, rather than letting one person buy it and share. Comparing the package cost against your expected daily consumption is the most reliable way to know if it's worth it for your trip. That's the short version, at least.
Can I buy individual drinks instead of a package?
Yes, à la carte drink purchases are always available and charged to your onboard account, which can make sense if you don't drink often enough to justify a package. For groups sharing a cabin, it's worth checking whether everyone in the room is required to buy the same package. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Is the beverage package worth it for a week-long cruise?
It depends on your habits - if you'd normally have 4+ drinks a day, a package often pays for itself, but light drinkers usually come out ahead paying per drink. Pricing for packages tends to be updated periodically, so confirming the current rate before your cruise avoids surprises at checkout. Worth keeping in mind either way.
What beverage package options does Holland America offer?
Our advisors can walk through current package pricing and what's included - call +1-800-406-8495. It helps to check whether gratuities are already included in a package price or added separately at checkout. Not a bad idea to keep that in your back pocket.
Are mocktails included if I don't buy the alcohol package?
Non-alcoholic specialty drinks like mocktails are sometimes included in a non-alcoholic beverage package, though a basic fare without any package usually only includes water, coffee, tea, and similar basics. Menus and package details can vary slightly by ship, so it's worth checking what's currently offered on your specific vessel. That's the short version, at least.
Does Holland America count a bottle of wine as 'one drink' toward package limits?
Package terms vary - some treat a bottle of wine as several drink equivalents against a daily cap, while unlimited packages don't cap it at all; check your specific package's fine print. For groups sharing a cabin, it's worth checking whether everyone in the room is required to buy the same package. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Can I gift my unused drink package days to someone else in my cabin?
Generally no, drink packages are tied to the individual guest who purchased them and aren't transferable to other travelers in the same cabin. Specialty dining venues sometimes have their own separate rules from the main dining room, so it's worth asking about those specifically. Not a bad idea to keep that in your back pocket.
Is the drink package cheaper if purchased for the whole cruise versus day by day?
Yes, buying the full-cruise package almost always works out cheaper per day than purchasing single-day packages, especially if bought in advance rather than once onboard. If dietary restrictions are a factor, flagging them with the cruise line ahead of time usually gets a better result than asking once onboard. Good to know before you finalize anything.