Planning a cruise with Holland America Line is an exciting experience filled with fine dining, world-class entertainment, and stunning ocean views. But one question that often arises before booking is: How many drinks can you get a day with a Holland America Line drink package?
Cruise drink packages are one of the most talked-about amenities on any ship. They promise convenience and cost savings, especially if you plan to enjoy a few cocktails, wines, or coffees each day at sea. Holland America Line, known for its premium and elegant cruising style, offers several beverage packages that cater to different tastes and budgets. However, there are specific daily drink limits, inclusions, and fine print details that every traveler should know before purchasing.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything about Holland America’s drink packages, from the daily drink limit and price details to which beverages are included — and whether the package is truly worth it for your cruise.
Holland America Line offers a variety of drink packages to suit every kind of cruiser. Whether you enjoy a morning cappuccino, an afternoon mocktail, or an evening martini, there’s a plan for you. Before diving into the daily drink limits, it’s helpful to understand what types of beverage packages the cruise line offers.
As of the 2025 season, Holland America provides four main types of drink packages:
Quench Beverage Package – Non-alcoholic package for soft drinks, mocktails, coffee, and juices.
Signature Beverage Package – The most popular option covering alcoholic beverages up to a certain price limit.
Elite Beverage Package – Premium package including top-shelf spirits and higher-priced wines.
Coca-Cola Package – Basic soda package for casual drinkers.
Each package comes with its own inclusions, daily cost, and drink limit rules — which we’ll explore in detail below.
The daily drink limit on Holland America Line’s beverage packages depends on which package you choose.
For alcohol-inclusive packages, Holland America enforces a daily limit of 15 drinks per person per day. This rule is consistent across most major cruise lines and applies to both the Signature Beverage Package and the Elite Beverage Package.
Here’s the breakdown:
Signature Beverage Package: 15 alcoholic drinks per day (up to $11 each)
Elite Beverage Package: 15 alcoholic drinks per day (up to $15 each)
Quench Beverage Package: Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks (no 15-drink cap applies)
Coca-Cola Package: Unlimited fountain sodas and refills
So, if you’re purchasing an alcoholic beverage package, you’ll be allowed to order up to 15 drinks in a 24-hour period, starting from 6 AM to 6 AM the next day.
This limit includes all alcoholic beverages like wine, beer, cocktails, and spirits. Once you hit your 15-drink limit, any additional drinks you order that day will be charged at menu price.
The 15-drink limit might seem restrictive to some, but it’s primarily for responsible alcohol consumption and safety at sea. Cruise lines have a duty to ensure guests enjoy themselves without excessive intoxication or potential risks.
For most travelers, 15 drinks per day is more than sufficient. Imagine starting your morning with a mimosa, having a few beers by the pool, a glass of wine at lunch, a couple of cocktails before dinner, and a nightcap at a lounge — you’d still have a few drinks left in your daily allowance.
Even frequent cruisers agree that hitting the 15-drink cap is rare unless you’re drinking consistently from sunrise to midnight.
It’s important to understand that only alcoholic beverages count toward the 15-drink limit.
This includes:
Beer (draft, bottle, or can)
Wine by the glass
Cocktails and mixed drinks
Spirits and liqueurs
However, if you order non-alcoholic drinks such as coffee, soda, bottled water, or juice under the Signature or Elite package, those do not count toward your 15 alcoholic beverages.
That means if you’re sipping espresso in the morning or ordering sparkling water during dinner, those won’t eat into your daily drink quota.
Let’s take a closer look at what each beverage package offers, how much it costs, and what’s included.
The Signature Beverage Package is Holland America’s most popular option for travelers who enjoy a balanced mix of beer, wine, and cocktails without going overboard on premium spirits.
Price: Around $60 to $65 per person per day (plus 18% service charge)
Drink Limit: 15 alcoholic beverages per day
Price Cap: Drinks up to $11 each are included
Includes: Beer, wine by the glass, spirits, cocktails, soft drinks, specialty coffees, and bottled water
Excludes: Drinks priced above $11, minibar items, room service drinks, and full bottles of wine or liquor
This package is ideal for moderate drinkers who enjoy variety but aren’t necessarily after high-end labels.
The Elite Beverage Package caters to those who prefer top-shelf spirits, fine wines, and premium cocktails.
Price: Around $75 to $80 per person per day (plus 18% service charge)
Drink Limit: 15 alcoholic beverages per day
Price Cap: Drinks up to $15 each
Includes: Premium liquors, craft cocktails, fine wines, specialty coffees, sodas, and bottled water
Excludes: Drinks over $15, room service beverages, and full bottles
The Elite package also includes 15% off bottles of wine and discounts on wine tastings and mini-bar purchases. It’s perfect for those who enjoy quality over quantity.
For those who don’t drink alcohol, the Quench Package is the go-to choice. It provides unlimited access to non-alcoholic beverages all day long.
Price: Around $17.95 per person per day
Drink Limit: Unlimited
Includes: Fresh juices, mocktails, smoothies, bottled water, soda, coffee, and tea
Excludes: Alcoholic drinks and premium bottled waters
Since it’s unlimited, there’s no 15-drink limit here. You can have as many soft beverages as you wish.
If all you want is soda refills, this package keeps it simple.
Price: Around $8 per person per day
Drink Limit: Unlimited fountain sodas
Includes: Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, and other soft drinks
Excludes: Bottled water, mocktails, and juices
This package is popular among families and younger travelers.
No, Holland America does not allow sharing of drink packages. Each guest who wants to enjoy unlimited beverages must purchase their own package.
If one person in a stateroom buys an alcoholic drink package, all adults (21+) in that same stateroom are required to purchase one. This rule prevents sharing and ensures fairness across all guests.
However, if one adult doesn’t consume alcohol for medical or personal reasons, Holland America may make exceptions, allowing them to buy the Quench Package instead of a full alcohol package.
If you’re planning to maximize your Holland America drink package, here are a few insider tips to get the best value for your money:
Start with specialty coffees in the morning. Enjoy cappuccinos or lattes that would otherwise cost $4–$6 each.
Mix alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day. Stay hydrated while keeping within your 15-drink limit.
Try different bars and lounges. Each venue on board offers unique cocktails and themed drinks.
Use your package for bottled water. Take a few bottles for shore excursions.
Avoid wasting drinks. Since you can only order one drink at a time, finish your glass before ordering another.
Once you’ve reached your daily limit of 15 alcoholic drinks, the system will automatically charge you the menu price for any additional beverages you order. Bartenders have access to your digital record and will politely inform you when you’ve hit the cap.
If you’ve been ordering responsibly, this is rarely a problem — but it’s something to keep in mind, especially during sea days or long evening events.
Whether a drink package is worth it depends on your drinking habits and preferences. Let’s break it down with a realistic example.
If you enjoy:
Two cappuccinos in the morning ($10)
A glass of wine at lunch ($10)
Two cocktails by the pool ($22)
A glass of wine at dinner ($10)
One or two drinks at a show or bar ($20)
That adds up to about $70 in drinks per day — roughly equal to the cost of the Signature Beverage Package.
If you tend to drink less (say, just a glass of wine at dinner and a beer in the afternoon), then paying per drink may be more cost-effective. However, the convenience and peace of mind that come with knowing your drinks are already covered often make the package worthwhile for most guests.
Holland America Line enforces strict drinking age policies:
The minimum drinking age is 21 on cruises departing from the U.S.
For cruises departing from Europe, Asia, or South America, the age may be 18 depending on local laws.
Crew members will check your cruise card to confirm eligibility, and anyone under the legal age cannot purchase or consume alcoholic beverages on board.
Your drink package works at almost every bar, lounge, and restaurant on the ship, including:
Main dining rooms
Specialty restaurants
Poolside bars
Piano lounges
The Crow’s Nest
Casino bars
Ocean Bar
Explorations Café
However, drinks ordered from room service or your mini-bar are not included in the beverage packages. Those will be charged separately to your onboard account.
To see whether the package offers real savings, consider typical onboard prices:
Beer: $7–$8
Glass of wine: $9–$12
Cocktails: $10–$15
Specialty coffee: $4–$6
Soft drinks: $2.50–$3
If you plan to have more than 6–8 alcoholic drinks per day, the Signature or Elite package will likely save you money. For light drinkers, however, buying drinks individually may cost less overall.
Even if you’re not a heavy drinker, Holland America’s packages provide value through premium non-alcoholic options, including:
Starbucks-style espresso beverages
Freshly squeezed orange juice
Smoothies from the spa café
Sparkling and still bottled waters
Non-alcoholic mocktails
Energy drinks (in the Elite package)
These beverages can easily add up to $20–$30 a day on their own.
Buy in advance. Holland America often discounts beverage packages if purchased online before your cruise.
Use onboard credit. If your cruise fare includes onboard credit, you can apply it toward your drink package.
Watch for promotions. Holland America frequently includes the Signature Beverage Package as part of their “Have It All” promotion — which bundles drinks, dining, Wi-Fi, and shore excursions.
Upgrade wisely. If you receive the Signature Package through a promotion, you can upgrade to the Elite package for a small daily difference.
1. Can I order two drinks at once?
No. You can only order one drink at a time per person. Bartenders will not serve double drinks or allow sharing.
2. Are bottled wines included?
No, full bottles of wine or champagne are not included, but you can receive discounts with certain packages.
3. Can I use the drink package at Half Moon Cay?
Yes. The beverage package works at Holland America’s private island, Half Moon Cay, during port days.
4. What happens on embarkation day?
Your drink package becomes active as soon as you board, so you can start ordering right away.
5. Do you pay gratuities on top of the package?
An 18% service charge is automatically added at the time of purchase, so no additional gratuities are required for each drink.
The 15-drink-per-day limit on Holland America’s alcoholic packages is designed to balance enjoyment with responsibility. Most passengers find it generous enough — especially when non-alcoholic beverages don’t count toward the total.
For an average cruiser who enjoys several drinks a day, the Signature Beverage Package is the sweet spot between value and variety. The Elite Package is a solid upgrade for those who prefer premium spirits or wines by the glass.
If you prefer a sober experience, the Quench Package still gives you full beverage freedom without worrying about limits or additional charges.
So, how many drinks can you get a day with a Holland America Line cruise drink package?
In short, you can enjoy up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day with the Signature or Elite Beverage Package — plus unlimited non-alcoholic beverages. For most cruisers, this is more than enough to enjoy your sea days, dinners, and entertainment venues without ever feeling limited.
With its elegant atmosphere and top-notch service, Holland America Line ensures that whether you’re sipping champagne on the balcony or enjoying a latte at sea, your drink package makes your cruise smoother, simpler, and more enjoyable.
Choosing the right package simply depends on your preferences and drinking habits — but one thing is certain: when you’re on board a Holland America ship, every drink feels like a toast to unforgettable ocean adventures.
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