is Holland America meal plan worth it?
 

We're taking a sea and land cruise, with meals provided only while we're on the ship. They offer a meal plan for land. It would include 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and seven dinners for a cost of $499. We'll be in Alaska -- Fairbanks, Dawson, Whitehorse, Skagway. Even at Alaska food prices, this seems very high to me. If I bought a $20 breakfast, I'd need to buy a $50 dinner to break even. Dinners include soup or salad (which I presume means no starters), an entree, non-alcoholic beverage, dessert, and gratuity. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Sally

Personally, I prefer to do my own thing for most meals, though I like to have breakfast included when I'm traveling. I would probably not opt for the meal plan for the cruise tour part of the trip. I agree with you that it seems a bit steep. But expecting to spend $50 for a dinner isn't that much off-base; if you typically just have a drink and an entree, then you're not getting a good deal, but if you usually get courses, I think you'll find that to be a fair price. But I think your figures are correct. I don't think you'll spend dramatically more than $500 on food for 6 days, but that's not an abnormally huge food budget, but it is a bit high.

I am surprised they sell breakfast in the package, isn't in Alaska like everywhere else in the US, breakfast is included in the hotel stay? And why only one lunch? Sorry, this meal package looks strange.

I'm not sure where you're staying, Dayenu, but while the inclusion of breakfast in the hotel rate is the norm in some countries in Europe (but not France, for example), that's really not the case here. Breakfast is only included in some mid-range chain hotels (Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, and others). But not even in Hilton Garden Inn and never in a big chain hotel like a regular Marriott or Hilton, so it really depends on where you stay and the rate the cruise line negotiates. Most hotels offer a room and breakfast rate, but the basic room rate simply doesn't include it.

Doug, it looks like the OP is buying a land tour before or after the cruise - the tours usually reserve hotels/motels that have breakfast included.

Our tour is a combination land/cruise tour all by the same company. It owns the hotels where we'll stay and the meal plan means eating at their hotels. Since I've learned that and have looked at restaurants near our hotels, we've decided to go on our own. If time or circumstances require, we can always eat with the rest of the tour. Thanks for your help everybody.

Sally