Marella Cruises Frequently Asked Questions - Alcohol
Alcohol - Your Marella Cruises Questions Answered
I have trawled the internet and facebook groups to collate the most frequently asked questions concerning alcohol on Marella Cruises - from what the drinks packages include to where you can buy alcohol on board. I hope you find this useful but if your own burning question isn’t answered here do let me know in comments and I will add it.
What’s Covered in Marella’s Standard All-Inclusive Drinks Package?
Your complimentary drinks package includes a selection of hot drinks, soft drinks, cocktails, mocktails, draught and bottled beers, spirits and wines by the glass available between 10am to 2am daily.
Some well known brands are included, whilst other favourites cost extra (or are included on the Premium All Inclusive package).
Check out my What’s included in Marella Cruises Standard Drinks Package for full list.
Are drinks free 24 hours on a Marella Cruise?
The All-Inclusive window is 10am to 2am. Any drinks purchased outside of the AI times (so between 2 am and 10 am), will be charged to your onboard account at the displayed menu price.
Can you buy drinks not included in Standard All Inclusive Package?
All bar menus show the price of drinks not included in the package. You can choose to buy these on a drink-as-you-go basis and will be asked to sign for the drinks. They will be charged to your onboard account payable at the end of the cruise. Marella Cruises do not operate on a cash basis.
Are Coffees Included in the Standard All Inclusive Package?
Whilst you can get coffee from the buffet/Kitchen during opening hours, fancy coffees from The Coffee Port are excluded from the standard package.
What is Included in the Premium All Inclusive Upgrade Package?
If your morning coffee just has to be a latte, a G&T isn’t pucker unless it’s Bombay Sapphire & Fever Tree, and your go to cocktail is an Espresso Martini then you might want to consider upgrading to Premium All-Inclusive.
Here is a brief round up of the additional upgraded drinks.
✔️ Draught Heineken (pint/half pint)
✔️ Draught Kronenbourg (pint/half pint)
✔️A wider range of bottled beers, ales, and stout (including Old Speckled Hen)
✔️Premium spirits (including Bombay Sapphire, Jack Daniels & Absolut Vodka)
✔️Selected soft drinks (including J2O and branded cans such as Coca Cola)
✔️Upgraded wine list (still by the glass - bottles are charged)
✔️Prosecco by the glass
✔️Upgraded Cocktail list - including Aperol Spritz, Mojito, Mudslides, and more
✔️Mocktails
✔️Lavazza Coffees
✔️Fever Tree Tonics
✔️Red Bull cans
✔️All fountain, canned, and bottled soft drinks
✔️Fresh juices
See my extensive guide for full list of included drinks: Guide to Marella Premium All Inclusive.
Note: You may need to specify a premium brand when ordering, and although the premium cocktails should be made with superior spirits, it is worth checking.
If you want a bottle/can of mixer you should specify when ordering. Fever Tree tonics only available in certain bars (Aperitif for example).
A word about Premium All-Inclusive Wine - whilst there is a comprehensive wine list onboard, most are by the bottle and therefore are charged for. There are usually two-three upgraded reds/whites available and one/two Rosés (not Zinfandel) and only by the glass.
Although special coffees/teas included at The Coffee Port, chocolates and cookies are not and attract additional cost.
How much is the Premium All Inclusive Drinks Package Upgrade on Marella?
If premium drinks are important to you, you can upgrade for a very reasonable £10 per person per night. Note EVERYONE in your cabin will need to upgrade if one of you does.
If you check out the prices in my other posts, you will be able to see if it would be worth your while. Rule of thumb: A morning latte, couple of cocktails, wine with dinner and an after dinner liqueur would exceed the £10 so could be worth it if that’s your routine.
You are talking about an additional £70 pp for a 7 night cruise (£140 for 14 nights).
Where can I upgrade to Marella’s Premium All inclusive Drinks Package?
You can upgrade to Premium All Inclusive when you book or by phoning 0203 451 2688. Once onboard you can upgrade by visiting Guest Services.
Can I take all inclusive drinks back to the cabin on Marella?
Yes, it is acceptable and easy just to pick up a glass (or two) from your nearest bar to enjoy in your cabin. If you are on premium AI, you can pick up cans of soft drinks etc and keep them cool in your fridge (just remember to ask for them not to be opened). You can also ask your cabin steward to supply an ice bucket/lemon slices every day.
Can I bring Alcohol on when we first board the ship?
During embarkation, as with any cruise line, Marella have the right to search luggage and hold any alcohol that they believe has not been purchased on your flight - make sure you retain your proof of purchase. Any alcohol that is not permitted onboard will be taken by security for safe keeping and returned to you on your departure.
Can I buy alcohol in a port and bring it back onboard?
This is a BIG no-no on any cruise line, and Marella is no exception. Your bags (and you) are scanned each time you embark and any alcohol will be confiscated for safe keeping and returned on your last day.
Can you buy alcohol on Marella Ships?
Obviously drinks in the bar are included in your fare, plus you are able to bring bottles you have bought on your TUI flight. You can also buy bottles in the ship’s duty free shop for consumption in your cabin or to take home. Remember shops can only open when at sea, and if buying to take home make sure you are aware of new duty free allowances.
Where can I get water from on the ship?
Whether it is to rehydrate after over-indulging, a drink to take medication, or simply because you want a drink of water, here is what you need to know.
There will be one large bottle of water in your cabin when you board which is complimentary. Further bottles will incur a charge (see my guide of drinks packages for prices) unless on Premium-All-Inclusive in which case you will receive 1.5 litres in your cabin daily.
Water fountains are available on most decks for you to refill the bottles or jugs provided in your cabin.
You can get glasses of iced still water from any bar or restaurant area, and your glass of water will be constantly refilled when dining in any dining room; there is no charge for this.
Can you drink the tap water on Marella Cruises?
As with most cruise ships, water is filtrated onboard and is generally safe to drink from the taps, although you may prefer to fill a carafe or water bottle from one of the free water dispensers found around the ship.
Are all the drinks the same in each restaurant?
Not all drinks are available in every bar - you will need to check the relevant drinks menus.
You can check out some of them in my related post
Are Marella Cruises value for money?
Unlike most mid-price cruise lines, Marella Cruises are all-inclusive and can offer great value for money - provided you get a good deal. Like land-based holidays, cruise prices can fluctuate and I have seen Marella Cruises selling for more than their competitors (even taking the AI factor into consideration).
I have written a comparison guide between Marella Cruises and their nearest rival P&O Cruises which you might find helpful - Marella v P&O Cruises Comparison