Cruise Line Drink Packages Explained: Costs, Options, and Tips to Decide

When planning a cruise, one of the most common questions travelers ask is: "Should I buy the drink package?" Cruise lines offer an array of drink packages, from basic soda plans to premium options that include specialty coffees, cocktails, and fine wines. While the idea of unlimited beverages can be tempting, the decision to invest in a drink package depends on several factors, including your personal preferences, cruising style, and the inclusions already provided by the cruise line.

Understanding Cruise Drink Packages

Cruise drink packages typically fall into three categories:

• Non-Alcoholic Packages: These cover sodas, juices, specialty coffees, and sometimes bottled water. They are ideal for families or those who prefer not to drink alcohol.
• Alcoholic Packages: These include wine, beer, cocktails, and often non-alcoholic beverages as well. They’re popular among cruisers who plan to enjoy a few drinks each day.
• Premium Packages: The top-tier option, these cover high-end wines, spirits, and often include perks like premium coffee, bottled water, and smoothies.
  

Average Costs of Drink Packages by Cruise Line

The cost of drink packages varies by cruise line, but here are some averages to help guide your decision:

• Celebrity Cruises: $89 per person, per day for the Premium Beverage Package.
• Royal Caribbean: $56 to $115 per person, per day for the Deluxe Beverage Package, depending on the ship and itinerary.
• Carnival: $59.95 per person, per day for the Cheers! package.
• Holland America: $54.95 per person, per day for the Signature Beverage Package.
• MSC Cruises: $49 to $69 per person, per day for the Premium Extra Package.
• Norwegian: $109 per person, per day for the Premium Plus Beverage Package.
• Princess Cruises: $59.99 per person, per day for the Premier Beverage Package.
  

Limitations of Drink Packages

Before you commit to a drink package, it’s important to be aware of some common restrictions:

• Cabin-Wide Requirements: Many cruise lines require all adults in the same stateroom to purchase the drink package if one person does. This can increase costs significantly if drinking habits differ.
• Daily Limits: Some packages have daily drink limits, typically around 15 alcoholic beverages per day.
• Excluded Drinks: Premium wines, rare spirits, and certain specialty cocktails may not be included and could incur an additional charge.
• Non-Transferable: Drink packages cannot be shared among passengers.
  

Key Considerations Before Buying

Before you commit to a drink package, consider these factors:

• Your Drinking Habits : Be honest with yourself about how much you’re likely to drink. Many drink packages require you to consume several beverages a day to break even.
• Itinerary : Port-intensive cruises often leave less time onboard to enjoy your drink package. Conversely, a sea day-heavy itinerary might make a package more worthwhile.
• Inclusions : Some cruise lines, like luxury and river cruises, already include beverages in the fare. For example, AmaWaterways includes wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, as well as a complimentary happy hour each evening.
• Promotions : Watch for promotions that bundle drink packages with your cruise fare. These can offer significant savings.
• Group Dynamics : Some cruise lines require everyone in the same stateroom to purchase the package if one person does. This can increase costs if everyone’s drinking habits differ.
  

Virgin Voyages’ Unique Bar Tab System

Virgin Voyages takes a different approach by offering a "Bar Tab" instead of a traditional drink package. With the Bar Tab, you prepay a selected amount before embarkation — for example, $300 — and Virgin Voyages adds a bonus to your balance, such as an extra $50. Unlike most other cruise lines, Virgin Voyages includes basic coffee, tea, fountain sodas, and juices in their cruise fare, eliminating the need for a separate package for these beverages. This system allows for flexibility, as you’re not locked into a daily consumption rate and can use the tab at your own pace throughout the cruise. It’s a great option for those who enjoy the occasional drink without feeling the pressure to maximize a package’s value.

Doing the Math

To determine if a drink package offers value, calculate the daily cost and compare it to your anticipated consumption. For example, if the package costs $70 per day and drinks average $10 each, you’d need to drink seven beverages daily to break even. It’s also not uncommon for premium cocktails to cost $15 or more on some lines, and wines by the glass can also be in the $15 range or more on some lines. This means that even a few premium beverages daily could quickly make a package worthwhile.

Received my Beverage Package sticker aboard Royal Caribbean

My Personal Take

Royal Caribbean (Baltic Cruise): On a seven-day cruise departing from Stockholm and visiting Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn, and Riga, I purchased the premium beverage package and played a fundraising game with family and friends back home. The goal was to guess how many drinks I’d have, with proceeds being split between the winner & the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Long port days of 10–13 hours made it tough to consume enough to "break even," and there were days I didn’t want to drink at all. I did manage to beat the "break even" but it was a rough go 1 or 2 nights. Thankfully I did what I used to do best, go hard or go home that first night, which helped up my drink total. Lesson learned: intense shore excursions can impact your ability to enjoy a drink package.

Celebrity Flora (Galapagos): All drinks were complimentary on this cruise, but the selection was limited. For example, there was no Irish whiskey onboard. However, thanks to Jorge, our amazing bartender, I discovered a new favorite: Passionfruit Margaritas. While the limited bar options didn’t bother me much, it’s something to consider if you have specific drink preferences, especially since I had tried to get a full list from Celebrity before I traveled, but could not get a more up to date version than what was provided online at the time, which did not indicate a lack of Irish whiskey.

Virgin Voyages (Caribbean): For this 5 night jaunt, I pre-purchased a $200 Bar Tab, which came with a $25 bonus. Although I went over a little over this amount, I appreciated the flexibility it offered. It’s worth noting that some alcohol-based events, like Grog Walk and Loteria Gigante, don’t allow you to use your Bar Tab, while others, like Afternoon Tea and Bottomless Brunch, do. This approach worked well for me, especially since I wasn’t sure how much I’d drink be drinking considering that I knew ahead of time that some of the activites we were doing included multiple drinks (that I knew I couldn't use my Bar Tab for).

AmaWaterways (Danube River Cruise): The inclusivity of their beverage offerings was a game-changer. Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks during meals, plus a daily happy hour with signature cocktails, meant I spent very little on extra drinks. My total bill for the week was €111, with only €79 spent on drinks (and one night was a round on me!). This setup added to the overall relaxation of the trip.

Each experience taught me something different about the value and limitations of drink packages. Keep your itinerary, drinking habits, and excursion plans in mind

when deciding if a drink package is right for you.

Final Thoughts

Whether a drink package is worth it depends on your preferences and the specifics of your cruise. For many, the convenience of not having to track expenses can outweigh the cost. As a travel advisor, I’m here to help you weigh these options and make the best choice for your vacation. Feel free to reach out to discuss your next cruise and how to tailor it to your tastes — drink package or not!

Ready to book your next adventure? Contact us at Platinum events & travel today to plan the perfect cruise that matches your style. Whether it’s discovering a new favorite cocktail, experiencing a luxurious river cruise, or exploring the seas with Virgin Voyages, we’re here to make it unforgettable. Let’s start planning your dream vacation!