What the fare covers, what it doesn't, and how this itinerary actually runs.
4 sea days
The pool loungers and the shaded spots go early on a sea day — by eight in the morning on a full ship, and this one carries 1,220 guests. Reserving one and leaving it is against the rules on most lines and crew do clear them, so send someone early rather than at ten.
This one earns the balcony
4 of 10 nights are at sea, so you will actually be in the cabin in daylight. Roughly $500 more per person here — the one upgrade worth arguing about on a sea-day-heavy sailing.
4 port days back to back
Early tenders and late returns, several days running, with no sea day to recover in. Pick the two ports you actually care about and let one of the others be a lie-in — the itinerary is not a checklist.
Day one and the last day are half-days
A 10-night cruise is really 9 full days. Boarding runs into the afternoon and you are off the ship early on the last morning.
Money on board · Holland America Line
Already in the fare
Your stateroom accommodation is included in the base fare, with daily housekeeping service.Most meals are covered in the main dining rooms, the Lido Market buffet, and casual venues like Dive-In and New York Pizza.Access to various entertainment options, including mainstage productions, live music in bars and lounges, and enrichment lectures, is included.Use of the main pools, hot tubs, and the fitness center equipment is part of the fare.Children's programming in Club HAL for ages 3-17 is provided at no extra cost.
The drinks package
The Signature Beverage Package typically costs around $65-80 USD per person, per day, including the automatic service charge.
Break-even: It generally takes about 5-7 alcoholic drinks or premium non-alcoholic beverages daily, each valued up to around $15 USD, for the package to be comparable to individual purchases.
This package suits those who plan to enjoy multiple cocktails, glasses of wine, or specialty coffees daily, but light drinkers may find individual purchases more economical.
- Gratuities
- An automatic daily service charge of typically around $17 USD per person, per day, is added to the folio for standard staterooms, with a slightly higher amount for suite guests. These charges can often be prepaid before sailing or adjusted at Guest Services on board.
- Wifi
- Connectivity costs vary by package; the basic 'Surf' plan, usually around $15-25 USD per day, allows for browsing, email, and social media, but typically does not support video streaming or video calls. Higher-tier plans are available for more demanding usage.
Costs that surprise people
- ◆Specialty Dining. Restaurants like Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto, and Rudi's Sel de Mer carry an additional per-person cover charge or à la carte pricing.
- ◆Shore Excursions. Any tours or activities booked through the cruise line for port days will be charged to your onboard account.
- ◆Spa and Salon Services. Treatments at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, as well as access to the Thermal Suite, incur separate charges.
- ◆Photo Packages. Professional photos taken by the ship's photographers are available for purchase, either individually or as part of a package.
- ◆Room Service After Hours. While many room service items are included during the day, a small delivery charge may apply for orders placed late at night, and some premium items always carry a fee.
- ◆Casino and Arcade. Money spent on casino games, bingo, and arcade machines is charged to your account.
Ways to spend less
- ◆Pre-book Packages. Booking drink packages, specialty dining packages, or internet plans before your cruise often results in a lower price compared to purchasing them onboard.
- ◆Use Included Dining. Dining in the main dining rooms, Lido Market, and casual venues like Dive-In is included in your fare, providing many meal options at no extra cost.
AI-written guidance, not a quote. Prices and policies change and vary by sailing — confirm anything that matters with the cruise line before you book.
