Key Aspects:
- Bottled water will no longer be available as part of drink packages on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America.
- Vero Water dispensers are being added throughout the ship for guests to refill bottles and cups.
- Guests can still buy bottled water a-la-carte if desired, but it is not included in packages.
Staying hydrated is important on any cruise, but is particularly critical in tropical regions such as the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. It is in Hawaii, however, that Norwegian Cruise Line is adjusting its drink packages and will no longer include bottled water.
The cruise line has reached out to travel agents and booked guests with the update on what water is and isn’t included aboard Pride of America, the only cruise ship offering 7-night inter-island Hawaii sailings.
“To help reduce single-use plastics onboard, we’re including eco-friendly unlimited premium Vero Water and discontinuing the use of bottled water in both our Hawaii Beverage and Water Packages,” the cruise line confirmed.
This is part of Norwegian Cruise Line’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability, which is particularly critical to preserving the natural beauty of the Aloha State.
Many cruise lines have adopted other sustainability measures to reduce or eliminate single-use plastic, such as no longer offering straws and switching to wooden coffee stirrers.
Vero Water will be available through dispensers at various locations onboard, including on the pool deck, the main dining rooms, and different cafes and restaurants. A water station is also “coming soon” to the gangway to ensure easy fill-ups as guests depart to explore ports of call.
“Just bring your favorite bottle or cup and refill as often as you like,” the cruise line said.
Guests with the beverage or water package will need to activate the dispensers with their keycard as well as bring along their own bottle or cup for refilling.
Pride of America reusable keepsake water bottles are also available for purchase ($14.95 USD) at any bar. On embarkation day, sales tables will also be available in the ship’s atrium, at the Aloha Cafe on Deck 11, and on the pool deck.
To be clear, the Hawaii Beverage Package does include unlimited Vero Water, but not the reusable bottle, which must be purchased separately. The bottle is included with the Vero Water Package, which costs $29.95.
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Guests will still be able to purchase bottled water individually if desired, which can be especially helpful for port visits or if one doesn’t want the souvenir bottle.
Vero Water is filtered water and part of the Culligan brand, a US-based company familiar worldwide in corporate, restaurant, hotel, and home settings.
Multiple Drink Package Changes
Several cruise lines have been updating their beverage packages in recent weeks.
In June, Carnival Cruise Line announced the impending switch from Pepsi to Coca-Cola products, which should be rolled out fleetwide in early or mid-September.
Sister line Princess Cruises also tweaked its add-on packages and which drinks are and aren’t counted toward daily limits.
Just days ago, Royal Caribbean confirmed that it has tightened the “everyone must purchase” policy on its all-inclusive beverage package, ending an exemption loophole that has grown out of control.
Regardless of which cruise line guests enjoy or which beverages they toast their next sailings with, package terms and conditions are always subject to change. It is not unusual for cruise lines to adjust offerings based on popularity, guest feedback, and corporate contracts.
