Celebrity Cruise drink packages promise a more all-inclusive experience with the freedom to order unlimited drinks during your cruise. However, you might be torn whether a Celebrity drink package is worth the cost, and if there are coupons or sales to save you money.
Our deep-dive guide unpacks every detail of Celebrity’s drink packages, including cost, comparisons, and rules to know. We also include strategies to lock in the best deal for your cruise and consider some of the downsides of purchasing a Celebrity beverage package.
We will also cover some commonly asked questions from first-time Celebrity cruisers to consider before splurging on a beverage package. Here’s everything you should know before purchasing a Celebrity Cruises drink package.
Table of Contents:
- Overview of Celebrity Cruise drink packages
- Celebrity Cruises drink package cost
- What beverages are included in each Celebrity drink package?
- What is All Included on Celebrity Cruises?
- Is the Celebrity drink package cost worth it?
- What are Celebrity drink package rules?
- How to upgrade your drink package on Celebrity Cruises
- How do drink packages work on Celebrity Cruises?
- What is the basic drink package on Celebrity?
- Is the Premium Drink Package worth it on Celebrity?
- How to get a free Celebrity drink package, including coupons
- Celebrity Cruises beverage package review and tips
- Is there a limit on Celebrity Cruises drink packages?
- Pros and cons of Celebrity drink packages
- Is the drink package worth it on Celebrity Cruises?
Overview of Celebrity Cruises drink packages
Celebrity Cruises drink packages offer great value by letting you enjoy unlimited beverages for one flat rate. With this, you can choose from a wide selection of beverages during your cruise. This includes specialty coffees, bottled water, wine by the glass, beer, cocktails, juice, smoothies, energy drinks, and more!
With a Celebrity drink package, the biggest advantage is that you don’t need to worry about the cost adding up during your cruise. There won’t be an expensive bar tab at the end of your vacation because you’ve already prepaid for your drinks.
Celebrity’s drink packages can be used pretty much everywhere onboard, including all bars, lounges, restaurants, and specialty venues. Just note that room service and minibar items aren’t included. Each package is intended for individual use and can’t be shared with other guests.
Most importantly, you might be wondering what drinks are free with each Celebrity beverage package. Celebrity Cruises offers three different drink packages for you to purchase. Here’s a quick overview of each distinct package.
1. Non-Alcoholic Drink Package (Zero Proof)
Includes fountain sodas, bottled water (usually served in aluminum bottles to cut plastic waste), specialty coffees and teas, mocktails, Red Bull, Vitamin Water, fresh juices from the Spa Cafe, frozen smoothies, plus premium waters like San Pellegrino or Evian.
2. Celebrity Classic Drink Package
You can enjoy wines by the glass, spirits, and cocktails priced up to $12. It also grants a 15% discount on bottles of wine anywhere onboard. You can use the package at every restaurant, bar, and lounge onboard your Celebrity cruise. This beverage package will work for most cruisers who want to order several drinks each day, but they’re not picky about higher-quality alcohol.
3. Celebrity Cruises Premium Drink Package
This is the top-tier alcoholic package on Celebrity Cruises, which includes drinks priced up to $19 per drink. The premium package expands brand choices (like Grey Goose, Patron Silver, and Crown Royal) and includes premium waters and Red Bull. The wine bottle discount increases to 20% too. For those wanting an all-inclusive drink experience with top-shelf liquor, the premium package is the best choice.
Celebrity Cruises drink package cost
Celebrity Cruises uses dynamic pricing similar to Royal Caribbean, meaning drink package costs will vary by ship, itinerary, and sail date. Some itineraries have better sales with lower prices than others.
Watch the Cruise Planner for price fluctuations and be ready to cancel and rebook if you spot a deeper discount.
It’s always best to purchase a Celebrity Cruises drink package before your cruise begins. Once you’re onboard, the cost will almost always be higher than pre-purchasing. You could pay up to 15% more if you wait to purchase onboard.
Every Celebrity Cruises drink package has a 20% automatic gratuity added at checkout. Here’s a range of typical costs per person, per day without gratuities:
- Non-Alcoholic: $45 – $55
- Classic: $65 – $90
- Premium: $80 – $105
- Classic to Premium upgrade: $15 – $20
What beverages are included in each Celebrity drink package?
Celebrity Classic Beverage Package List (Drinks up to $12)
- Gins: Beefeater, Gordon’s, Prairie Gin
- Aperitifs, Liqueurs & Cognacs: Frangelico, Kahlua, Sambuca Romana, Southern Comfort, Limoncello, Pimm’s
- Rums: Bacardi, Captain Morgan’s, Malibu, Myers’s, Wray & Nephew
- Tequilas: Cazadores Reposado, Exotico Blanco
- Vodkas: New Amsterdam, Smirnoff, Wheatley
- Whiskeys & Bourbons: Dewar’s White Label, Famous Grouse, Jameson, Jim Beam, Johnnie Walker Red, Seagram’s 7, Wild Turkey
- Wines (by the glass): A rotating selection of red, white, and rosé from regions like California, France, Spain, Chile, and Argentina
- Beers: Bud Light, Coors Light, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, Heineken, Heineken 0.0, Heineken Silver, Red Stripe, Corona, Estrella Damm Daura (gluten-free), Samuel Adams
- Non-Alcoholic: Juices, bottled water, premium coffees, non-alcoholic cocktails (frozen and non-frozen), teas
Does not include smoothies or Spa Café fresh juices. Includes 15% off bottles of wine.
Celebrity Premium Beverage Package List (Drinks up to $19)
- Gins: Bombay Sapphire, Gunpowder, Hendrick’s, Plymouth, Tanqueray 10
- Aperitifs, Liqueurs & Cognacs: Aperol, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Campari, Courvoisier VSOP, Disaronno Amaretto, Drambuie, Galliano, Grand Marnier, Hennessy VS, Licor 43, Rémy Martin VSOP, Tia Maria
- Rums: Bacardí 8 Años, Brugal 1888, Bumbu Rum, Flor de Caña, Gosling’s, Mount Gay, Pyrat XO
- Tequilas: Don Julio Blanco, Don Julio Reposado, Ilegal Joven Mezcal, Patrón Silver, Teremana Blanco, Teremana Reposado
- Vodkas: Belvedere, Grey Goose, Ketel One, Ketel One Botanicals
- Whiskeys & Bourbons: Aberfeldy 12, Bulleit Bourbon, Bulleit Rye, Dewar’s 12, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Black, Jameson Black Barrel, Johnnie Walker Black, Maker’s Mark, Monkey Shoulder, The Glenlivet, The Glenfiddich
- Wines (by the glass): Higher-end selections from global regions, including sparkling and dessert wines
- Craft & Premium Beers: Asahi, Blue Moon, Dogfish Head 90 Minute, Franziskaner, Grolsch, Guinness, Kirin, Kronenbourg 1664, Lagunitas Ale, Leffe Blonde, Moretti, Peroni, Sierra Nevada, Stella Artois, Terrapin Luau, Topo Chico Seltzer, Newcastle Brown Ale
- Premium Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Acqua Panna, Evian, Red Bull (including Editions), San Pellegrino sodas, Spa Café fresh juices, premium teas, and espresso-based coffees
Celebrity Cruises Non-Alcoholic Drink Package
The Non-Alcoholic Drink Package provides a wide variety of non-alcoholic beverages. This includes Acqua Panna, Evian, Red Bull and Red Bull Editions, San Pellegrino, coconut water, bottled iced teas, Spa Café fresh juices, premium espresso drinks (like cappuccinos and lattes), Teas Forte, Vitamin Water, soda, and non-alcoholic cocktails (both frozen and regular).
What is All Included on Celebrity Cruises?
While booking your cruise, Celebrity offers an “All Included” upgrade that bundles the Classic Drink Package with basic Wi-Fi for every guest in a cabin. This can make your cruise feel more all-inclusive, and you can save money if you already intended to purchase both add-ons.
The cruise line states you can save anywhere from $200 to $800 with All Included bundled pricing.
The upgrade cost for All-Included has reportedly dipped as low as $35 per person, per night (plus 20% gratuity). This is more than half the cost of paying for Wi-Fi and the Classic Drinks Package separately.
Once you book the All Included fare, you have the option to upgrade to Celebrity’s premium drink package with a per-night rate.
Is the Celebrity drink package cost worth it?
If you’re planning to invest in a Celebrity Cruises drink package, you’ll want to consider whether the investment is worthwhile. To see if a package makes financial sense, divide the daily cost (including gratuity) by the average Celebrity drink price.
For instance, a Classic Beverage Package with a cost of $107.99/day would require you to drink about seven $15 cocktails each day to break even.
Keep in mind:
- If you have more sea days or a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, you might be consuming more drinks. Don’t forget, you can also use your drink package at CocoCay!
- Port-intensive sailings or cooler-climate cruises often mean more time ashore and less time on the ship.
- Specialty coffees, bottled water, mocktails, and smoothies count toward your package total.
Also, make sure you consider drink fatigue. This is the tendency to over-indulge and order more than you want in order to justify your package investment. Ordering out of obligation rather than enjoyment can throw off your break-even math.
What are Celebrity drink package rules?
Celebrity’s drink packages come with a few important rules to remember:
- No sharing allowed: Each guest must have their own drink package. Sharing your drink package with other passengers is not permitted.
- One drink per order: You are supposed to only order one alcoholic drink at a time, though some bartenders may allow a soda or water alongside it.
- Cabin policy: If one adult in a stateroom purchases a drink package, all other adults must as well, unless an exemption is granted for a non-drinker, who can buy the Non-Alcoholic Package instead. All guests of legal drinking age must have the drink package if one guest does.
- Responsible use: There’s no hard drink limit, but service can be refused if a guest appears visibly intoxicated.
How to upgrade your drink package on Celebrity Cruises
If your cruise fare includes the Classic Package, such as with Celebrity’s All Included or a group rate with your travel agent, you can upgrade to the Premium Package before your sailing. You can also upgrade once you’re onboard.
The easiest way to upgrade pre-cruise is through the Cruise Planner on Celebrity’s website, where you’ll usually see an option to pay the price difference for the higher-tier package. Make sure you upgrade at least 48 hours before your cruise departs.
Onboard, visit Guest Services or any bar to ask about upgrading. The cost is prorated based on how many days are left in your sailing, and many guests report that the upgrade is often offered at a discounted daily rate compared to full price. This is a great way to test out the Classic Drink Package and switch to Premium only if you feel you’ll use the extra perks.
How do drink packages work on Celebrity Cruises?
Celebrity Cruises’ drink packages are simple once you understand the basics. You pay a flat daily rate (plus 20% gratuity) before your cruise or during the first day onboard. Once the drink package is active, you can order drinks at nearly any bar, lounge, restaurant, or café across the ship without worrying about individual prices.
The package is tied to your SeaPass card, which is scanned anytime you order a drink. You can enjoy unlimited beverages within your package’s limits (drinks up to $12 with Classic or $19 with Premium). You can technically only order one drink at a time.
The package covers most drinks onboard, though room service, minibar items, and souvenir cups are not included. There’s no cap on how many drinks you can have each day, but staff may limit service if you appear intoxicated.
What is the basic drink package on Celebrity?
If you see the term “basic drink package” used on a Celebrity cruise, it usually refers to the Classic Drink Package. This is the lower-tier drink package that includes alcoholic drinks priced up to $12 each.
With Celebrity Cruises’ Classic Drink Package, you can enjoy a variety of beers, wines by the glass, and standard cocktails made with well-known brands like Bacardi, Smirnoff, Beefeater, and Dewar’s White Label. It also includes non-alcoholic drinks like soda, bottled water, juices, and premium coffees or teas.
Celebrity Cruises’ Classic Drink Package is often included when you book an All Included fare. And for many cruisers, it covers just about everything they want to drink during a cruise. It’s not the most extensive package Celebrity offers, but it’s generous enough for anyone who isn’t focused on high-end spirits or craft cocktails.
Is the Premium Drink Package worth it on Celebrity?
The Premium Drink Package is Celebrity’s top-tier alcoholic beverage package, and it unlocks a wider range of higher-quality drinks. You’ll get access to cocktails, wines, and spirits priced up to $19 each, plus an expanded selection of craft beers, upgraded bottled water (like Evian and Acqua Panna), Red Bull, smoothies, and juices from the Spa Café. You’ll also receive a 20% discount on wine bottles, compared to 15% with the Classic Package.
So, is it worth it? Of course, this depends on your personal preference. If you enjoy top-shelf liquor or want the full range of drink options without limitations, the Premium Package can absolutely be worth the upgrade. However, if you’re mostly drinking casual cocktails or house wines, you might not see a big difference between Classic and Premium.
One smart tip: If your fare includes the Classic Package, you can often upgrade to Premium onboard for a discounted rate per day, which gives you the best of both worlds.
How to get a free Celebrity drink package, including coupons
While most cruisers pay out of pocket for their drink package, there are a few smart ways to score one for free, or at least bundled into your cruise fare so it feels like a freebie.
The most common way is by booking a cruise under Celebrity’s All Included fare, which bundles the Classic Beverage Package and basic Wi-Fi into the total cost of your cruise.
But here’s the trick: sometimes you can get the same cruise with a group rate through a travel agent that includes the same perks, or even better ones, than booking directly with Celebrity Cruises. If you’re working with a travel advisor, always ask if they have access to group rates that come with added benefits like a drink package or onboard credit.
On a recent cruise, I saved money by booking the same cruise and cabin category with my travel agent, and it included the Classic Drink Package and Basic Wi-Fi! Had I booked directly with the cruise line, I would have paid more to receive less.
Another way to get a free drink package is through Celebrity’s casino program, Blue Chip Club.
If you’ve cruised before and played in the casino, you may receive a future offer for a complimentary cruise that includes a drink package, especially for inside or oceanview cabins. Even first-time guests can receive these comps if they play enough onboard.
Some of the best casino rates include both the Classic Beverage Package and Wi-Fi, so it’s worth checking your Celebrity account or calling the casino line directly.
Look for specific events onboard during your cruise, such as art auctions or jewelry sales. You can usually score some free drinks, like a glass of champagne.
And if you’ve achieved Zenith status with Celebrity’s Captain’s Club loyalty program, meaning you’ve earned 3,000 Club Points or more. One of the best perks is that you’ll receive the Premium Drink Package for free on every sailing. Zenith is the top-tier status though, so it takes many cruises (or high spend in suites) to get there, but it’s one of the best perks in the loyalty program.
Celebrity Cruises beverage package review and tips
Celebrity’s drink packages can offer great value, but there are a few insider tips and tricks that can help you get the most out of your purchase.
From knowing when to buy and how to upgrade, to understanding what’s really included, these strategies can maximize your savings and enhance your onboard experience.
- Mix and match packages in a cabin: If one guest wants alcohol and another doesn’t, pair a Classic or Premium package with a Non-Alcoholic package to save hundreds.
- Specify your package or brand: Bartenders sometimes serve the cheapest spirits by default. Saying “I’d like a Premium gin and tonic with Bombay Sapphire” helps avoid up-charges.
- Watch for sales and reprice: Purchase early, then monitor the Cruise Planner. If a deeper discount appears, cancel and repurchase at the lower price—this works right up to 48 hours before sailing.
- Leverage free beverages: All guests can refill water bottles, enjoy drip coffee, hot tea, iced tea, lemonade, fruit punch, and milk at the buffet or in dining venues at no extra cost. You may also bring onboard one bottle of wine per adult, and up to 12 cans of soda or non-alcoholic drinks.
- Use loyalty status: Captain’s Club members receive complimentary specialty coffee, wine discounts, and pre-cruise package discounts up to 20%, which can nullify the value of an onboard package for frequent cruisers. Elite and Zenith members also have access to nightly Elite Cocktail Hours during their cruises with free drinks.
Is there a limit on Celebrity Cruises drink packages?
One of the best things about Celebrity’s drink packages is that they’re truly unlimited. So, you’re not capped at a certain number of drinks per day like you are on some other cruise lines (like Carnival Cruise Line). But, there are a few important rules to know.
You can technically only order one alcoholic drink at a time, so no doubling up. Some bartenders might let you grab a soda or water with your cocktail. Don’t count on getting two margaritas in one order.
While there’s no official drink limit, Celebrity reserves the right to cut you off if they think you’ve had too much. So yes, it’s unlimited, but still within reason.
Pros and cons of Celebrity drink packages
Like anything cruise-related, drink packages have their upsides and drawbacks. Here’s a list of the pros and cons of a Celebrity beverage package.
Pros of a Celebrity Cruises drink package
Convenience: You won’t have to worry about any surprise bills at the end of your cruise. You’ve already paid for your drinks ahead of time, now you can just enjoy them! This makes budgeting easier, too.
Try new things: Have the freedom to try new drinks, wines, specialty drinks, or premium spirits without worrying about the price tag. If you don’t like what you order, just order something different.
Other drinks are included: Your drink packages include more than just alcohol. You’ll have access to bottled water, specialty coffee, juices, smoothies, Red Bull, coconut water, fresh juice, and more.
Good value for high-consumption days: If your cruise itinerary has more sea days, you’ll be onboard more to take advantage of your drink package. Consider how much time you’ll spend on the ship and whether you’ll have enough opportunities to use your drink package.
Discounts on wine bottles: If you are a wine lover who prefers bottled wine, you can receive a discount of between 15–20% with your drink package.
Use at Perfect Day at CocoCay: If your itinerary features a stop at Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, you can use your drink package while ashore.
Cons of a Celebrity Cruises drink package
Expensive investment: The drink packages are not cheap. If you’re a light drinker, it can be difficult to justify the cost, especially if your cruise is filled with long port days, where you’ll be off the ship.
Overconsumption: Drink fatigue can be very real for some guests. This is where you might feel added pressure to order more than you want just to get your money’s worth. If you’re someone who stresses over making your investment worthwhile, the drink package might not be worth it.
All-or-none cabin rule: If you’re sailing with someone who doesn’t drink, it can complicate things for couples or friends traveling together if one person drinks and the other doesn’t.
Port-heavy itineraries: You may drink far less on days with long excursions or cool-weather destinations. When you’re spending your days off the ship, this means you won’t have as many chances to order drinks from the bars.
Not everything is included: Room service, mini-bar items, and drinks in souvenir glassware may cost extra.
Is the drink package worth it on Celebrity Cruises?
Celebrity’s drink packages offer enormous convenience, but also require careful planning to deliver true value. If you’re a heavy drinker or cruising for a special occasion, the drink package could be worthwhile.
Moderate drinkers might consider investing in a drink package depending on a few factors, including price and itinerary. These cruisers will want to calculate the breakeven point for their purchase, typically between 6-8 cocktails each day.
Those who only order one or two drinks each day likely wouldn’t get the value from a drink package. You can always pay-as-you-go for drinks. In addition, port-intensive itineraries might not be worth it.
If you value zero-stress ordering and freedom to try new drinks without the fear of racking up a budget, the drink package can be worthwhile. If you are someone on a tight budget or you’re a light drinker, you should probably pay for drinks individually.
