Have It All Review: Is Holland America’s Package Worth It?
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services I personally use for my own cruises. Thank you for supporting No Point Left Behind.
Holland America’s Have It All package is one of the most talked‑about add‑ons in the cruise world — and after sailing with it and sailing without it, I finally feel like I can give the honest, real‑life review people actually need.
On past cruises, I’ve purchased Have It All and loved the convenience. On my most recent Zuiderdam sailing, I skipped it — and that gave me a totally different perspective on what you really use, what you don’t, and when the package is actually worth the cost.
This review breaks down everything: what’s included, who gets the most value, when to skip it, and how it compares to paying à la carte on this trip.
Thinking about sailing Holland America? You can check current cruise deals here.
⚓ New to Holland America? Start Here!
Before we dive into whether the Have It All Package is worth it, make sure you’ve explored my fullHolland America Cruise Hub— it’s your one‑stop guide to cruising smarter, saving money, and getting the most out of every sailing.
⚓ What’s Included in Holland America’s Have It All Package
Here’s what you get when you purchase Have It All:
Shore Excursion Credit
Specialty Dining (varies by length of cruise)
Wi‑Fi Surf Package
Beverage Package (up to $11 drinks)
Crew Appreciation (on some promos)
It’s designed to bundle the most common add‑ons into one predictable price — which is great for budgeting, especially for families.
🍹 My Experience When I Did Have It All
On past cruises, I loved the convenience:
I didn’t think about drink prices.
Specialty dining was already covered.
Wi‑Fi was included.
Shore excursion credits made planning easier.
It felt like an all‑inclusive upgrade without the stress of tracking every little charge.
For someone who cruises as often as I do, the simplicity alone was worth it.
🚫 Why I Skipped It on This Zuiderdam Sailing
This time, I decided to skip Have It All — partly because I wanted to compare the experience, and partly because I knew this would be a more relaxed, low‑spend cruise.
Here’s what I noticed:
I didn’t miss the drink package at all.
I only booked one specialty dining meal (Pinnacle Grill Review).
I used the spa more than anything else (Zuiderdam Spa Pass Review).
Wi‑Fi - see below
Shore excursions were simple to book separately (How I Book Shore Excursions).
Because of that, skipping the package actually saved me money.
📶 Buy Your Wi‑Fi Before You Board (Trust Me on This One)
I thought I bought our Wi‑Fi package in advance… but apparently I never completed the transaction. So when we got onboard, I ended up paying $50 more than I needed to.
The only silver lining? My son and I shared one package instead of buying two separate ones — which saved us a little. But still… that $50 mistake stung.
If you already know you want Wi‑Fi for messaging, checking email, or using the Navigator app, go ahead and buy it before you sail. It’s always cheaper pre‑cruise, and it saves you from doing the “did it go through?” panic dance once you’re onboard.
💸 Cost Breakdown: When It Saves You Money
Have It All is worth it when:
You drink 4–5 alcoholic beverages per day
You plan to book at least one specialty dining meal
You want Wi‑Fi every day
You’ll use the shore excursion credit
You prefer the “all‑inclusive” feel
It’s not worth it when:
You’re a light drinker
You prefer spa days over excursions
You only want one specialty restaurant, and you are ok visiting at lunch
You don’t need Wi‑Fi
You’re doing a port‑heavy itinerary
On this trip, I fell into the “not worth it” category — and I’m glad I skipped it.
🧭 Who Gets the Most Value From Have It All?
Best For:
Couples who enjoy cocktails + wine
First‑time cruisers who want simplicity
Travelers who love specialty dining
People who want predictable budgeting
Not Ideal For:
Families with kids who don’t drink
Spa‑focused travelers
Port‑intensive itineraries
Light drinkers
Anyone who prefers flexibility
🍷 Don’t Bring Wine on Holland America (They’ll Take It… Ask Me How I Know)
Holland America is one of the few cruise lines I sail that does not let you bring wine onboard without paying a corkage fee. And yes — we tested it.
We brought a bottle with us, fully expecting it to be fine… and they took it away at security. The good news? They gave it back to us on the last day of the cruise, and they didn’t charge the fee. But still — it was a whole thing.
If you’re used to sailing lines like Princess or Virgin (where bringing wine is totally normal), this rule can catch you off guard. So here’s the Lazy Girl takeaway:
If you want wine in your cabin, plan to buy it on board. It’s easier, it avoids the awkward “sorry, we have to hold this” moment, and it keeps your embarkation day stress‑free.
🍹 When the Have It All Package Isn’t Worth It — and When It Totally Is
When I sailed with my son, the drink package made zero sense for us. He doesn’t drink, and I’m not about to buy a full package just for myself when half the value comes from having two adults using it. In that situation, skipping it was absolutely the right call.
But when I sailed with my best friend? Totally different story.
We both enjoy a cocktail by the pool, a glass of wine at dinner, and a nightcap while listening to live music — and suddenly the math worked. Between the drinks, Wi‑Fi, specialty dining, and shore excursion credit, the Have It All package ended up being a genuinely good deal for us.
🔗 Related Posts to Help You Plan Your HAL Cruise
⭐ About the Author
Julie is the founder of No Point Left Behind, where she helps travelers cruise smarter, spend less, and make every trip count with simple, beginner‑friendly travel‑hacking strategies. She sails 8–10 times a year, reviews every cruise line she personally experiences, and shares honest, real‑life tips that make planning easier for busy families.
