Holland America Alcohol Policy
Thinking of cruising Holland America Line and have questions? We break down the Holland America Alcohol Policy so you are in the know.
Holland America is a premium cruise line offering cruises from the Caribbean and Alaska to round-the-world adventures. Having been lucky enough to sail with Holland America on itineraries around the world on every class of their ships, I know the in’s and out’s of Holland America Line.
Holland America Alcohol Policy
We’ll dive into the details, but here’s the quick version:
- You need to be 21 to drink except some regions when it is 18 or 20
- You can bring one bottle of wine onboard per guest
- $20 corkage fee per bottle
- or no corkage fee if from a HAL shore excursion
- Other alcohol brought onboard is taken and stored until you disembark
- There are a couple non-alcoholic items you can bring onboard such as water (not in plastic bottles), and distilled water for medical purposes/baby formula (factory sealed)
How old do you need to be to drink alcohol on Holland America?
The drinking age onboard Holland America Line ships is 21 in accordance with their alcohol policy.
However, voyages that depart from and return to Europe, China, Hong Kong, Singapore or Taiwan the drinking age is 18. Additionally, voyages departing from and returning to Japan the drinking age onboard is 20.
For those guests not old enough to drink alcohol onboard the staff are very accommodating with mocktails.
What alcohol can I bring on a Holland America cruise?
The Holland America alcohol policy states there are two ways that you can bring alcohol onboard from land.
- Each guest can bring up to 750ml of wine or champagne onboard. There is a $20 corkage fee per bottle.
- If you are on a company sponsored shore-excursion that includes local wineries each guest can bring one bottle of wine (750ml) back onboard without paying a corkage fee.
✅ ⚓ Click here to see current pricing and availability
for Holland America Line cruises
Can I bring non-alcoholic beverages onboard a Holland America cruise?
For the most part you cannot bring non-alcoholic beverages onboard a Holland America cruise with a couple of exceptions.
- Up to six liters of water in cans or cartons
- in either 6, 1 liter bottles, or 12, 500mL bottles
- plastic bottles are not allowed
- Purified or distilled water for use with medical devices – to be packed with the device in checked luggage
- factory sealed plastic containers are acceptable
- Purified or distilled water for use with infant formula
- factory sealed plastic containers are acceptable
- must be for a cabin with an infant on the reservation
- click here for more information about cruising with babies
Can you still bring a bottle of wine onboard?
Yes! The Holland America Alcohol policy stipulates that you can bring a bottle of wine onboard. There will be a $20 corkage fee unless purchased while on a Holland America shore excursion visiting a local winery. The bottles cannot be more than 750ml.
If you are thinking of enjoying a few beverages a day or more it could be worth considering a Holland America Beverage Package or perhaps their all-inclusive Have-It-All option.
What if I bring more than one bottle?
If you bring more than one bottle of wine or you purchase other alcohol while ashore that you would like to take home you can still bring it onboard. It will be taken at the gangway and held for you during your cruise and will be returned typically the night before you leave.
How old do you have to be to drink alcohol on Holland America?
The general drinking age for alcohol is 21 years old. However, the Holland America alcohol policy also states that the “legal drinking age onboard will be 18 for voyages which depart from and return to Europe, China, Hong Kong, Singapore or Taiwan, and the legal drinking age onboard will be 20 for voyages which depart from and return to Japan.”
✅ ⚓ Click here to see current pricing and availability
for Holland America Line cruises
FAQ’s:
What bars are available on Holland America?
Each Holland America ship has a variety of bars onboard with some being themed around either the experience or the drink offered.
Most notably on Pinnacle Class ships is Notes, a whisky bar.
What beverages are free on Holland America?
There are a number of beverages available as part of your base cruise fare when cruising with Holland America. At breakfast there are a few extra options as there are a variety of fruit juices as well as different types of milk such as oat, almond, and lactose free available.
Throughout the day you can find lemonade, iced tea, milk, coffee, tea and tap water available in the buffet area – open 24 hours a day. You could also get a glass of water from any bar for free.
For the Captain’s Toast early on in the cruise in the show lounge there is also a free glass of sparkling wine for the toast. Better yet to not worry about the cost – read about 9 ways to get extra onboard credit here.
Can you wear jeans to dinner on a Holland America cruise?
Yes and no. Your ratty pair of jeans that you’ve had for 30 years – no. The stylish pair of dark jeans paired with some nice shoes – as long as it’s not a dressy night, yes, you can.
If you join any passenger forum on social media you will see a plethora of opinions on this, both in favor or against with plenty of complaints about the cruise line being either too relaxed or too strict with their policy.
The official policy is that jeans, shorts, and t-shirts are not allowed in the formal or specialty dining rooms and are only allowed in the casual dining restaurants.
Conclusion: Holland America Alcohol Policy
The Holland America Alcohol Policy follows pretty standard rules amongst the cruise industry including having the minimum age for guests to consume alcohol be 21 years of age and older. They do adjust this on certain itineraries that age is lowered to 18 or 20.
Guests are allowed to bring on a small amount of wine to consume onboard but there is a corkage fee. The policy also allows for non-alcoholic beverages for medical devices or baby formula to be brought onboard.
✅ ⚓ Click here to see current pricing and availability
for Holland America Line cruises
