Cruise Drinks Packages - Are they worth it?
Is It Worth Getting a Cruise Drinks Package - Your Questions Answered
Deciding if a cruise drink package is worth it comes down to one simple calculation: your daily break-even point. For most major cruise lines, getting your money’s worth means averaging 5 to 6 alcoholic beverages every single day of your holiday to offset the upfront cost and automatic gratuity fees.
If you are preparing for your very first sailing, you have probably noticed a massive question popping up in your cruise planner: Should I buy the drink package? It is easily one of the biggest upfront decisions you will make before stepping onboard. Today we take a deep dive into the cost, the hidden restrictions, and the fine print so you can decide if a beverage package is a smart investment or a total cash drain for your holiday.
Are Cruise Drinks Packages Worth It?
The choice to buy a cruise drink package comes down to simple math: your daily break-even point. For most major cruise lines, this means drinking 5 to 6 alcoholic beverages every single day of your trip to get your money's worth. For first-time cruisers, deciding whether to buy a package means looking closely at your daily habits, checking for hidden fees, and understanding strict cruise line rules.
Do First-Time Cruisers Really Need a Drink Package?
No, you do not need one to survive. First-time cruisers are often surprised to learn that basic drinks are always included in your cruise fare. You can get complimentary tap water, regular coffee, hot tea, iced tea, lemonade, and select juices at the buffet and main dining rooms. If you are happy sticking to these basics, skipping the package will save you a lot of money.
How Much Do Cruise Drink Packages Cost?
Most major lines price their standard alcoholic packages between $55 and $115 per person, per day. Non-alcoholic and soda packages usually range from $10 to $40 per day. As a rule of thumb for beginners: always buy your package online before you sail, as onboard prices are much higher.
What Is Included in a Cruise Beverage Package?
Standard packages cover basic beers, well liquors, house wines, and standard cocktails. Premium packages add top-shelf spirits, specialty coffees, mocktails, energy drinks, and canned water. Always check the package's dollar limit per drink; if you order a premium cocktail that costs more than your package allows, you will have to pay the difference.
How Do the Big Cruise Lines’ Drinks Packages CompareCompare?
The cost of drinks packages vary from line to line. There are usually different choices of packages - here is a comparison of some of the most popular
Royal Caribbean: Offers the "Deluxe Beverage Package" costing between $55 and $115 per day when pre-booked. It features no daily cap on alcoholic drinks, but an 18% gratuity is added at checkout.
Carnival Cruise Line: Offers the "CHEERS!" package priced at $69.95 per day. It enforces a strict limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per day and a mandatory 5-minute wait between orders, plus an 18% gratuity.
P&O Cruises: Offers the "Classic Drinks Package" for £50 per day. It limits alcoholic drinks to 15 per day, includes Costa Coffee, and wraps all gratuities directly into the upfront price.
Ambassador Cruise Line: Offers the "Explorer Package" at £42.95 per day. It caps alcoholic drinks at 15 per day and includes gratuities, but completely excludes bottled water and premium coffees.
Cunard: Offers the "Beers, Wines & Spirits" package ranging from $72 to $85.50 per day. It restricts alcoholic drinks to 15 per day and automatically adds a 15% service charge at checkout.
Fred. Olsen: Offers an "All-Inclusive Upgrade" for £35 per day. It features no strict daily drink cap but only covers house brands, meaning Champagne and premium spirits are entirely excluded.
What cruise line has the best drink package?
The cruise line with the best drinks package has to be Marella Cruises who offer their Standard drinks packages for free (they are an All-Inclusive cruise line).
I would also include Virgin Voyages who, although not having drinks packages as such, have a far more flexible option known as ‘Bar Tab’ where you decide how much to load up in advance and they add a bonus. It can also be used to buy drinks for others.
Find out more about Virgin Voyages BarTab.
Can You Share a Cruise Drink Package?
No. Cruise lines strictly prohibit sharing. To enforce this, most lines require every adult staying in the same cabin to purchase the package if one person buys it. If you are a drinker but your cabin mate is not, this rule can instantly ruin the financial value of the package for your room.
Are There Limits on Unlimited Drink Packages?
Yes, "unlimited" has rules. As mentioned, lines like Carnival impose a strict limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per 24-hour period. Furthermore, you can only order one drink at a time at the bar to prevent sharing, and bartenders will enforce a mandatory waiting period between orders.
Do Drink Packages Work on Port Days?
Your drink package only works while you are onboard the ship or visiting a cruise line's private island (like Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee). If your cruise stops at regular ports like Cozumel or Nassau, your package will not work at local beach clubs or bars. On port-heavy trips, you may not spend enough time onboard to make the package worth it.
What Are the Hidden Fees on Cruise Drink Packages?
Many first-time cruisers get hit with sticker shock at checkout because of automatic gratuities. Cruise lines automatically add an 18% to 20% service charge to the package price when you buy it. While this means you do not need to tip the bartenders per drink on board, it significantly raises your upfront, out-of-pocket cost.
Do Drink Packages Cover Room Service?
No, drink packages generally do not cover room service orders. If you order a beer, soda, or miniature bottle of wine to your cabin, you will be charged full menu price plus a potential room service delivery fee. A rare exception to this rule is the top-tier "Expedition" package on Ambassador Cruise Line, which covers drinks from your cabin’s mini-bar. For most other lines, if you want a drink in your stateroom without paying extra, your best bet is to order it at a nearby lounge bar and carry it back to your room yourself.
Checklist: Calculate Your Personal Break-Even Point
To see if the math works in your favour, check off how many of these you will realistically consume every single day:
Morning: 1 to 2 specialty coffees (Lattes, espressos, or frappes)
Poolside: 2 to 3 beers, fizzy drinks, frozen cocktails (Piña Coladas, Daiquiris)
Dinner: 1 to 2 glasses of wine or premium waters
Evening Show/Lounge: 2 to 3 evening cocktails or spirits
Hydration: 2 to 3 bottles of water or energy drinks throughout the day
Result: If your daily list looks like this, you will hit 6+ drinks easily and the package is worth it. If you only see 2 or 3 items on your daily list, pay as you go.
How Can You Get Free Drinks Onboard Without a Package?
Art Auctions: Attend the onboard art auctions; they almost always serve free glasses of champagne or sparkling wine.
Captain’s Welcome Toast: Check your cruise planner for the welcome party, where waiters pass around complimentary drinks.
Bring Your Own: Most cruise lines allow each adult to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne in their carry-on luggage on embarkation day.
Casino Play: If you spend enough time (and money) playing in the ship’s casino, the casino host will often reward you with free drinks while you play.
Loyalty Status: As you rack up cruises with the same line, higher loyalty tiers grant you free nightly cocktail hours.
The Lowdown
Here is the bottom line from Cruise Lowdown: For your very first cruise, take an honest look at your vacation style. If you love the convenience of ordering cocktails, beers, sodas, and specialty morning coffees without thinking about a running tab, buy the package ahead of time. However, if you plan to spend most of your time exploring port cities, want to utilise the free bring-on-board wine rules, or are travelling with a light drinker, save your cash and pay as you go.
Join the Conversation!
Now it is your turn to weigh in! If you are a seasoned cruiser, do you always buy the package or do you prefer to pay as you go? If you are currently planning your very first cruise holiday, did the daily cost or the cabin-sharing rules change your mind? Drop your thoughts, questions, and any sneaky bar tips in the comments section below - we read and reply to every single one!