One of the most common questions cruisers ask before setting sail is whether a drink package is worth the price.
Most cruise fares don’t cover alcoholic beverages, meaning you’ll either pay per drink or opt for a beverage package. Cruise lines promote these packages as a way to enjoy unlimited drinks throughout your trip while avoiding an unexpected bar bill at the end.
In all honesty, a drink package isn’t the best fit for everyone. It depends on your drinking habits, itinerary, cruise line, and budget. However, if you enjoy having a drink in hand throughout your cruise, a drink package can end up saving you a significant amount of money.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about cruise drink packages so you can decide if they’re a good investment.
What is a cruise drink package?
A cruise drink package is a prepaid option that allows you to enjoy a wide range of beverages onboard without paying for each drink individually. Depending on the cruise line, packages may include:
- Soft drinks and mocktails
- Specialty coffees and teas
- Bottled water and sparkling water
- Beers, wines, and cocktails up to a certain price limit
- Discounts on higher-end drinks or bottles of wine
Cruise lines sell these packages as a way to simplify your vacation, so you don’t have to think about signing receipts or tracking your tab. There’s nothing worse than racking up a surprise bill at the end of your vacation!
However, the inclusions, restrictions, and fine print vary by cruise line. For instance, Carnival Cruise Line limits cruisers to only 15 alcoholic drinks per day with their CHEERS drink package, and you can’t use your drink package at their private destination, Celebration Key.
On the other hand, Royal Caribbean’s drink package is truly unlimited, and you can use your package ashore at Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island.
Additionally, some cruise lines bundle everything into one “premium” package, while others break it into tiers (non-alcoholic, classic, premium, etc.). For example, Celebrity Cruises breaks down its drink package into Classic and Premium Drink Packages with different thresholds.
How much do cruise drink packages cost?
Prices vary depending on cruise line and package type, but you can expect to pay the following:
- Soda packages: $8–$15 per person, per day
- Non-alcoholic/mocktail packages: $20–$30 per day
- Alcohol packages: $55–$100+ per day
Most cruise lines also charge an automatic gratuity (typically 18–20%) when you buy the package, which adds up quickly. For example, on a 7-night cruise, an alcohol package priced at $75/day plus gratuity will cost nearly $620 per person.
Some cruise lines offered bundled pricing with your cruise fare, such as Celebrity Cruises’ All Included, Norwegian Cruise Line’s More at Sea, Princess Cruises Plus & Premier, and Holland America’s Have It All package.
You can also try our Royal Caribbean drink package calculator
to see exactly how many drinks you’d need each day to make the package pay off.
How many drinks do you need to break even on a cruise drink package?
A common way to evaluate if a drink package is worth it is by calculating the break-even point based on the daily cost.
Most alcohol-inclusive drink packages cost between $65–$100 per person, per day. Don’t forget gratuity (18–20%), which raises the daily total. For example, a $75/day package with 20% gratuity is actually $90/day.
On a 7-night cruise, that’s $630+ per person, and over $1,200 for two adults in the same cabin if required.
You should also look at the average cost of drinks on your cruise line specifically. Most of these are available online, such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Carnival Cruise Line.
In general, you can expect the following prices:
- Beers: $7–$9
- Cocktails: $10–$14
- Glasses of wine: $10–$15
- Specialty coffees: $4–$6
- Bottled water: $2–$4
If your package costs $75/day, you’d need to drink 6–8 alcoholic beverages per day (or a mix of alcohol, specialty coffees, and bottled water) to break even. If you tend to only have a glass of wine at dinner and a cocktail by the pool, the package may not be worth it.
You should also consider how long your cruise is and whether you have more sea days or port days. Longer itineraries would require consistent drinking of 6-8 alcoholic drinks per day for the entire duration of your cruise. Shorter cruises are easier to keep your stamina, but these are often priced higher per day. Similarly, more time onboard the ship allows more opportunity to get your money’s worth.
Pros of a cruise drink package
Convenience and peace of mind: No need to track your spending every time you order a drink. Everything is already prepaid, so you can simply relax and enjoy.
Predictable budgeting: You know exactly what your bar tab will be before your cruise begins. This is especially helpful for travelers who want to avoid sticker shock at the end of the trip.
Variety and experimentation: Drink packages encourage you to try new cocktails, wines, or specialty coffees that you might not order if you were paying à la carte. If you don’t like something, you can try something else!
Covers non-alcoholic drinks: Packages usually include bottled water, sodas, mocktails, smoothies, and specialty coffees. These add up quickly, especially if you grab water for excursions or morning lattes daily.
Better for heavy sea-day itineraries: If your cruise has multiple sea days (where you’ll be on the ship all day), you’re more likely to get full value from a package.
No guilt ordering “one more”: If you want a mojito by the pool, a cappuccino mid-afternoon, or a glass of wine at dinner, you won’t hesitate because the cost is already covered.
Cons of a cruise drink package
High upfront cost: Packages often run $65–$100 per person, per day, plus gratuity. For a weeklong cruise, that’s hundreds extra (or even over $1,000 for two people in a cabin).
Daily pressure to drink: Many passengers feel obligated to drink more than they normally would just to “get their money’s worth.” This can lead to overindulging or simply drinking out of guilt.
Not ideal for port-heavy cruises: On days when you’re off the ship exploring, you’ll use the package much less, which lowers its value.
Exclusions and price caps: Premium cocktails, top-shelf liquors, wine by the bottle, and minibar items are usually excluded. Drinks over a certain dollar limit (often $12–$15) aren’t covered.
Cabinmate rules: Most cruise lines require that if one adult buys the package, all adults in the same cabin must purchase it. This makes it tricky if one person drinks significantly less.
Drink limits: Some cruise lines, like Carnival, place a hard cap (15 alcoholic drinks per day). Others limit the per-drink price that’s included.
Cheaper options exist: Many cruise lines allow you to bring a bottle of wine onboard, and à la carte purchases can be much cheaper if you’re a light or moderate drinker.
When cruise drink packages are worth it
Drink packages tend to make sense for cruisers who drink several alcoholic beverages each day and also enjoy non-alcoholic extras like specialty coffees, sodas, and bottled water. If you can break even, it can save you serious money.
They’re especially appealing if you like the freedom to try new cocktails without checking the price each time, or if you value the convenience of having everything prepaid and hassle-free.
In addition, you might be able to get a good deal on a drink package by bundling your cruise fare. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line’s “More at Sea” is often only a few hundred dollars extra and includes a drink package.
Also, check with a reputable travel agent about group rates that include drink packages – this has saved me hundreds of dollars! Travel agents have access to blocks of cabins with extra perks and benefits that you won’t find directly with the cruise line.
When you should skip the drink package
A cruise drink package isn’t always the best value, and for many travelers, paying as you go makes more sense. If you only drink occasionally, maybe a glass of wine with dinner or the occasional cocktail, you’ll almost certainly spend less by buying drinks individually.
Port-heavy itineraries also make packages less worthwhile since you’ll be off the ship much of the day and won’t have time to use the package. Some cruise lines allow you to bring a bottle of wine per adult onboard, which can cover your dinner drinks without the added cost of a package.
Finally, consider whether you’ll feel pressured to drink more than you’d like just to “get your money’s worth.” If that doesn’t sound like the way you want to spend your vacation, it’s better to skip the package altogether.
