You’re staring at the booking screen for a Holland America cruise. The price looks great. Then, the pop-up appears: the Have It All package. It promises the world—or at least the drinks and the Wi-Fi. It’s tempting. But honestly, most people just click "add to cart" without actually doing the math. That’s a mistake. Sometimes it’s a steal. Other times, you’re basically donating extra money to Carnival Corporation.
Let’s be real. Cruising has changed. It used to be all-inclusive-ish, but now every single thing feels like an upcharge. You want a latte? Pay up. You want to tell your mom you arrived in Juneau? Buy a data plan. The Have It All package is Holland America’s attempt to simplify that "nickel and diming" feeling, bundling four specific perks into one daily price.
What’s Actually Inside the Have It All Package?
It’s not a mystery, but the fine print matters.
The core of the offer usually includes shore excursion credits, a beverage package, specialty dining, and Wi-Fi. But it’s not "unlimited" everything. For instance, the shore excursion credit depends on the length of your sailing. If you’re on a 6-to-9-day cruise, you typically get $100 per person. If you’re doing a longer 10-to-20-day journey, that jumps to $200. It’s a use-it-or-lose-it deal. If you don't book an excursion, that money doesn't turn into bar credit.
The Shore Excursions are the trickiest part. You have to book them through Holland America. If you’re the type of traveler who likes to wander off the ship and find a local guide for half the price, this credit is basically worthless to you. However, if you feel safer with the "official" ship tours, it’s a direct discount.
Then there’s the Signature Beverage Package.
This covers up to 15 drinks per day. Most people think "I’ll never drink 15 cocktails." You’re probably right. But this package includes more than just booze. We’re talking about those $5 espressos in the morning, bottled water to take on shore, and sodas at lunch. The price limit is usually $11 per drink. If you want that ultra-premium $18 glass of scotch, you pay the difference.
The Wi-Fi and Dining Nuance
The Wi-Fi included is the "Surf" package. It’s fine for checking email or posting a photo of your glacier view to Instagram. It is not for streaming Netflix or jumping on a Zoom call for work. If you need high-speed data, you’ll have to pay to upgrade to the Premium plan, even with Have It All.
Specialty dining is another tiered benefit. On a week-long cruise, you get one night at a place like the Pinnacle Grill or Canaletto. Longer cruises get more nights. Considering the cover charge for the Pinnacle Grill is usually around $39 to $46 per person, this is a solid chunk of value. The food there is objectively better than the Main Dining Room. The steaks are thicker. The service is quieter. It feels like a real date night.
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The Math: When Does It Make Sense?
Let’s break down a standard 7-day Alaska cruise. Usually, the Have It All package adds about $55 per person, per day to your fare.
Total cost for one person over a week: $385.
Now, look at the individual costs if you bought them a la carte:
- Signature Beverage Package: Roughly $55–$60 per day (plus 18% gratuity).
- Surf Wi-Fi: About $15–$20 per day.
- One Specialty Dinner: $40.
- Shore Excursion Credit: $100.
If you were already planning to buy the drink package, the Have It All deal is a literal no-brainer. You’re essentially getting the Wi-Fi, the dinner, and the excursion credit for free.
But what if you don't drink?
If you’re a teetotaler, the math gets ugly. You’d be paying $385 for about $250 worth of value. You are better off just paying for your Wi-Fi and your one steak dinner separately. Holland America knows this. They’re betting on the "convenience factor" to lure in people who won't actually maximize the benefits.
Common Misconceptions About the Gratuities
Here is where people get tripped up. The Have It All package includes the "beverage service charge." This means you aren't paying that extra 18% on every single beer or latte.
However. It does not usually include the daily Crew Appreciation fee (the general tips for your cabin steward and dining staff). That is a separate daily charge, usually around $16 to $17.50 depending on your room category. A lot of travelers see "All Inclusive" and assume they won't see a single extra charge on their final bill. You will still see those crew tips unless you booked during a specific promotion that explicitly includes "Prepaid Gratuities."
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Always check your booking confirmation. If it doesn't say "Crew Appreciation Included," keep that extra $120 per person in your budget for a week-long trip.
The "Early Booking" Version of Have It All
Sometimes, Holland America runs a promo called "Have It All Early Booking Bonus." This is the "God Tier" of cruise deals.
When this is active, they often throw in the Elite Beverage Package (which covers drinks up to $15 instead of $11) and, more importantly, the Crew Appreciation/Gratuities. When the tips are included, the value proposition shifts from "maybe" to "definitely." It’s the closest you can get to a Regent Seven Seas or Silversea experience on a premium-mid-market line.
If you see the "Early Booking" tag, grab it. The inclusion of gratuities alone covers a massive chunk of the daily cost.
Why Some Frequent Cruisers Skip It
Not everyone loves this bundle. I’ve talked to "Mariner Society" members (Holland’s frequent flyers) who skip it every time. Why?
- Status Perks: If you are a 4-star or 5-star Mariner, you already get discounts on specialty dining and sometimes even free laundry or Wi-Fi minutes. The package loses its luster when it’s giving you something you already have a discount for.
- Port-Intensive Itineraries: If you are on a Mediterranean cruise where you’re off the ship from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM every day, are you really going to drink enough to justify $55 a day? Probably not. You’ll be too tired, and you’ll likely be drinking local wine at a cafe in Rome anyway.
- The "Hidden" Cost for Two: You can't just buy it for one person. If two people are in a cabin, both must buy the Have It All package. If one person is a heavy drinker and the other prefers tea, you’re still paying $110 a day for the room. That’s a lot of tea.
How to Maximize the Benefit
If you do go for it, don't be shy.
Use the beverage package for the premium stuff. Get the large bottles of San Pellegrino at dinner. Get the fresh-pressed juices at the Crow’s Nest in the morning. These are the things that pad the value.
For the shore excursion credit, use it on something that is just slightly over the credit amount. If you have a $100 credit, find a $110 tour. You’ll only pay $10 out of pocket. If you use a $100 credit on a $60 tour, you just "lost" $40 of the package value because the remainder doesn't roll over or credit back to your account.
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Also, book your specialty dining the second you get on the ship (or better yet, on the Navigator app before you sail). The popular times at the Pinnacle Grill fill up fast, especially on sea days. If you paid for the package but can't get a table until 9:30 PM on the last night, you haven't really won.
Is It Right For You?
Choosing the Have It All package comes down to your personal travel style.
It is for you if:
- You enjoy 3+ alcoholic drinks a day plus specialty coffees.
- You want the peace of mind of a (mostly) fixed vacation cost.
- You plan on booking at least one ship-sponsored excursion.
- You aren't a high-level loyalty member with existing perks.
It is NOT for you if:
- You are a light drinker or prefer to bring your own wine (Holland America allows one bottle per person at embarkation, though there is a corkage fee).
- You prefer booking private, third-party excursions.
- You want to "disconnect" and don't need the Wi-Fi.
- You are on a very tight budget and would rather spend that $400 on something else in port.
Practical Next Steps for Your Booking
First, look at the "Base Fare" versus the "Have It All" fare. Write down the difference. If that difference is $50–$55 per day, proceed to the next step.
Second, be honest about your drinking. Go to the Holland America website and look at the bar menus. A standard cocktail is $10–$12. A glass of wine is $9–$15. If you see yourself ordering a latte in the morning, a beer by the pool, a glass of wine at dinner, and a nightcap, you’re already at $45 or so. Factor in the $18-per-day Wi-Fi cost, and you’ve already crossed the break-even point.
Third, check the "Promotions" tab. If there is a "Free Gratuities" offer running separately, compare it to the Have It All offer. Sometimes the "Standard" fare with a separate "Free Tips" promo is actually a better deal for non-drinkers than the Have It All bundle.
Finally, if you decide to buy, do it at the time of booking. Adding it later can sometimes be more expensive, and the "Early Booking Bonus" version with the extra perks is almost always restricted to new bookings made during the promotional window. If you've already booked, call your travel agent and ask them to "re-fare" you into the Have It All rate to see if the math still holds up. It usually takes five minutes and can save you hundreds in the long run.