It’s easy to run up a monster bill ordering wine, beer and mixed drinks by the glass on a cruise ship. The cost of alcoholic drinks on cruise vessels — particularly cocktails — can be pricey. But for those who regularly order several alcoholic drinks a day when cruising, there’s a way to save: a flat-fee drink package.
Nearly all the major mass-market cruise lines offer flat-fee drink packages that, in some cases, can save you money when cruising. The exceptions are Disney Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages, though both offer alternative ways to save on beverage purchases.
What’s included in a cruise ship drink package, and how do they work? And, perhaps more to the point, how much do cruise drink packages cost? Read on for the answers in this ultimate guide to cruise drink packages.
For a line-by-line guide to drink package costs, inclusions, limitations and fine print, scroll to the second half of the guide.
What is a drink package on a cruise ship?
Cruise ship drink packages let you order as many drinks as you want while on a cruise for one flat fee. This takes the place of paying for drinks one at a time.
At some lines, there are several tiers of drink packages. Basic tiers often include just sodas and bottled water. More elaborate (and expensive) tiers will add alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails, wine, beer and specialty coffee drinks. In some cases, there will be more than one tier of such all-encompassing plans.
Some lines also offer coffee cards that let you get a fixed number of fancy coffee drinks at a shipboard coffee bar for a discounted price. Some lines also offer wine-specific packages.
How much do alcoholic drink packages cost on cruise ships?
The cost of cruise ship drink packages varies widely by line. At several of the biggest cruise brands, including Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America, the main drink packages that include all types of drinks cost about $60 per person, per day. Other brands, such as Royal Caribbean, charge as much as $105 per person, per day for a top-tier package.
Drink packages that don’t include alcoholic drinks, such as soda packages, typically cost far less. Soda packages are often under $10 per person, per day. Note that some cruise lines discount drink packages if you buy them online in advance of sailing, and others offer periodic sales on their drink packages online.
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Related: How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise
Can you buy drinks on a cruise without a drink package?
Yes. All major cruise lines will let you buy drinks on an a la carte basis when cruising. You don’t need a drink package to be able to drink alcoholic beverages or any other type of beverage on a ship.
Can you share a drink package on a cruise ship?
In many cases, no. Several of the biggest cruise lines, including Carnival, Holland America and MSC Cruises, have a rule that if one adult in a cabin orders a drink package, all adults in the cabin must order the package. This is to prevent two or more people in a cabin from sharing a single drink package.
Two lines that notably don’t have such a rule are Princess Cruises and Windstar Cruises. Technically, you are not supposed to use your package to buy drinks for other people.
Are drink packages on cruise ships really unlimited?
It depends. Some cruise lines, such as Carnival, limit the number of alcoholic drinks that any one person can order using a drink package to 15 in a day. That is, of course, an enormous number — more than most people will ever want to order.
Related: 8 best drinks to order with a cruise ship beverage package (and 3 to avoid)
Where can you use a cruise ship drink package?
Cruise ship drink packages generally are honored anywhere you can order a drink on a ship (think: bars, lounges and eateries). However, you usually can’t use them when ordering room service. They also generally don’t apply to drinks taken out of cabin minibars. Be sure to check the fine print in your particular line’s drink package before placing an order for a drink to your room.
Some cruise lines also let you use your packages when visiting their private islands.
A line-by-line guide to cruise drink packages
Below is a line-by-line look at available drink packages at the major lines that offer them. Note that the pricing listed is per person, per day. In cases where a line offers more than one drink package, we’ve highlighted the most inclusive package in detail while also noting other packages cruisers can consider.
Carnival Cruise Line drink package
Package name: Cheers! Beverage Program
Cost per day: $64.95 when purchased on board, not including an 18% automatic gratuity charge; $59.95 plus the gratuity charge when purchased in advance of sailing
Available on: All ships except those sailing in Europe or Australia
What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and most bottled water. The package also features a 25% discount on wine bottle purchases.
Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $20
Fine print: More expensive drinks are available at a 25% discount. If one adult in a cabin purchases the package, all adults in the same cabin also must purchase it. There’s a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per person in a 24-hour period.
Celebrity Cruises drink package
Package name: Premium Drink Package
Cost per day: $104.99, not including a 20% automatic gratuity charge, for passengers who have purchased a cruise-only rate. Passengers staying in The Retreat on Celebrity ships receive the Premium Drink Package for free.
Available on: All ships except those in the Galapagos (where drinks are included in the fare)
What it includes: A large selection of beers, including craft beers, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, Coca-Cola products, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and premium bottled water. The package also offers a 20% discount on wine bottle purchases.
Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $17
Other packages: Celebrity also offers a less inclusive “classic” drink package that is included in the fare for its sailings if you choose the All Included fare (rather than the cruise-only fare). When purchased separately, it costs $89.99 per person, per day, not including a 20% automatic gratuity charge.
Fine print: Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars or drinks ordered through room service.
Related: Best cruise ship bars
Holland America drink package
Package name: Elite Beverage Package
Cost per day: $59.99, not including an 18% gratuity charge
Available on: All ships
What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and bottled water
Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $15
Other packages: The slightly less expensive Signature Beverage Package only includes drinks costing up to $11. It costs $54.95 per day. Additionally, the line offers a nonalcoholic drink package called Quench that brings unlimited bottled water, juices, specialty coffees, Coke products and mocktails. It costs $17.95 per day. There’s also a Coca-Cola Products package available that covers purchases of Coke products on ships for $8 per day.
Fine print: If one adult in a cabin purchases a package, all adults in the same cabin must also purchase it. Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars or ordered through room service. The package is not valid on Holland America’s private island, Half Moon Cay, or for minibar charges.
Related: How to book a cruise using points and miles
MSC Cruises drink package
Package name: Premium Extra Package
Cost per day: $81 for sailings of seven nights or more if booked in advance; $100 if booked on board. Pricing is $88 and $104, respectively, for sailings of six or fewer nights.
Available on: All ships
What it includes: Drinks by the glass, including draft, craft and bottled beer; a selection of wine and Champagne by the glass; premium-brand spirits, liqueurs and cordials; a variety of frozen and classic cocktails; soda; juices; nonalcoholic cocktails; energy drinks; hot chocolate drinks; specialty coffees; teas; and bottled water. The package also offers a 25% discount on wine and Champagne bottle purchases.
Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $16
Other packages: A less expensive Easy Plus package is available that only includes drinks priced up to $10. It costs $61 per day for sailings of seven nights or longer when booked in advance ($72 when booked on board). Easy Plus package pricing for shorter sailings is $64 per day ($76 when booked on board).
An even cheaper Easy package is available. It only includes a limited number of drinks and is not valid in extra-charge specialty restaurants. It costs $46 to $60 per day, depending on when it’s booked and the length of the sailing.
MSC Cruises does not add service charges to drink package purchases, in contrast to the policy at most lines.
Fine print: If one person in a cabin purchases a package, all people in the same cabin or traveling group must also purchase a package (children in cabins will be charged for a less expensive nonalcoholic package). Packages are not available on sailings shorter than three nights, with the exception of South America sailings. They’re also not available on South Africa and China sailings. Note that the package is valid on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas.
Related: Can I bring alcohol on a cruise ship? A line-by-line guide
Norwegian Cruise Line drink package
Package name: More at Sea Unlimited Beverage Package
Cost per day: $30 for passengers who book a sailing of seven nights or fewer with a More at Sea package. The daily rates are lower for longer sailings. Passengers who opt out of the More at Sea package that bundles several inclusions will pay $89 per day, not including taxes and fees.
Available on: All ships
What it includes: A variety of cocktails, wine by the glass, soft drinks and draft and bottled beer. The package also brings $15 off the listed price for ultra-premium selections in Norwegian’s Connoisseur Collection of drinks, including brands like Johnnie Walker Blue, Clase Azul Tequila and Veuve Clicquot.
Limitations related to drink cost: None
Other packages: None
Fine print: If one passenger in a cabin purchases a package, everyone in the same cabin must purchase the package, too. Children are charged for a less expensive, nonalcoholic package. Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars, super-premium brands or bottled water. Beverage packages can be used on Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay.
Related: $12 for a drink made with leftover banana peels? My strange night out at Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ‘zero waste’ cruise ship bar
Oceania Cruises drink package
Package name: Prestige Select Beverage Package
Cost per day: $59.95 per guest, per day, including gratuities, if purchased prior to the cruise. If purchased on board, expect to pay $69.95 per guest, per day, including gratuities.
Available on: All ships
What it includes: The Prestige Select package allows for ordering beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks and cocktails at any time. Soda, sparkling water, still water and specialty coffees are already included in the fare on Oceania sailings. The Prestige Select package also comes with a 20% discount on wine-pairing dinners on Oceania’s Marina, Riviera, Vista and Allura.
Limitations related to drink cost: None
Fine print: Premier spirits and sake are not included in the package, nor are premium bottled waters such as Evian and Perrier.
Princess Cruises drink package
Package name: Premier Beverage Package
Cost per day: $84.99. On Australia cruises, the package costs 140 Australian dollars (about $93) per day. Note that for just a few dollars more, you can buy a broader Princess Premier package that includes not just a Premier Beverage Package but Wi-Fi access and specialty restaurant dinners, among other extra-charge items. The Princess Premier Package currently costs $90 per person, per day.
Available on: All ships
What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, fountain soda, juices (including juice bar offerings), nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, smoothies, milkshakes, specialty coffees, teas and bottled water. The package also brings a 25% discount on wine bottle purchases.
Limitations related to drink cost: Drinks that cost $20 or less are included. Passengers who order drinks that cost more than $20 must pay the difference between the purchase price and $20. The cost cutoff for packages on Australia sailings is AU$30 (about $19.60).
Other packages: Princess also offers a less pricey Plus Beverage package that can be used for drinks priced up to $15 (AU$20 on Australian sailings). It’s priced at $64.99 (AU$110 on Australian sailings).
Fine print: There’s a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per day.
Royal Caribbean drink package
Package name: Deluxe Beverage Package
Cost per day: $56 to $105, not including an 18% gratuity charge (pricing varies by ship and itinerary)
Available on: All Royal Caribbean ships
What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, spirits, mixed drinks, cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and premium bottled water. The package also offers a 40% discount on wine bottle purchases for bottles priced up to $100. More expensive bottles come with a 20% discount.
Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $14
Fine print: If one adult of legal drinking age in a cabin or traveling under the same booking number purchases a package, all adults of legal drinking age in the same cabin also must purchase it. Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars or those ordered through room service. Drinks served in souvenir glassware, specialty beers and beverages served inside licensed Starbucks stores on ships are not covered by the package. Beverage packages can be used on Royal Caribbean’s private islands, Perfect Day at Coco Cay and Labadee.
Viking drink package
Package name: Silver Spirits Beverage Package
Cost per day: $25, including gratuities
Available on: All ships, including river and expedition ships
What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks and cocktails priced at up to $18. Soda, beer and house wines by the glass ordered at lunch and dinner are already included in the fare at Viking; so are specialty coffees and teas at all hours. The package also brings a 15% discount on wine bottles and premium beverages costing more than $15 that aren’t included in the package.
Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $18
Fine print: None
Windstar Cruises drink package
Package name: Ultimate Beverage Package
Cost per day: $79 when purchased up to five days prior to your cruise. If purchased later, it’s $89 per day. Windstar has also begun offering optional All-Inclusive Pricing rates for cruises that include unlimited drinks at no extra charge.
Available on: All ships
What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, spirits and cocktails. Soda, specialty coffees and other nonalcoholic beverages are already included in the fare on Windstar sailings. The package also brings a 30% discount on wine bottle purchases for bottles costing up to $100.
Limitations related to drink cost: None
Other packages: Windstar also offers an All-In Package that gives passengers included drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities for an upcharge of $99 per day when booked up to five days prior to the cruise. After that, it costs $109 per day.
Fine print: None
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