Should you buy a cruise drinks package? They can be one of the most confusing and tenuous decisions when you book a cruise. Are they worth the price? Will I drink enough? What is and is not included?
A lot of experienced cruisers will tell you that you should do some Googling, read through some discussion boards and reviews and decide for yourself whether a package is worth your money or not. But I don’t know think you should have to go through all of that effort – I did the research, so you don’t have to!
But I have one question for you that can ultimately decide whether or not you want to keep reading this post:
Can you, or will you, drink an average of five drinks every day of your cruise?
If the answer is “no,” then stop reading now. Even at the risk of lowering my blog traffic, I can definitively say that if you are not going to have an average of five drinks a day, whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic, then a package isn’t for you.
On average, no matter what cruise line you are on, the breakeven point for a drinks package is around five a day. So, if you know that you will only be having a glass of wine with dinner, a drink or two by the pool, or a soda with your lunch, then a package isn’t for you. Problem solved!
But if you’re thinking, “I might drink that much!” then keep on reading. We will figure out whether a package is right for you!
What This Post Covers:
Types of Packages
Cruise drinks packages go by a lot of names: whether they are called beverage packages, soda packages, drinks packages or even something like “Cheers!” they still all follow the same rules. For a fee, you purchase a package that allows you to get either all of the beverages onboard or a certain type of beverage onboard for the duration of your cruise.
Non-Alcoholic vs. Alcoholic Packages
On most cruises, there are usually (at least) two types of packages: non-alcoholic and alcoholic. The non-alcoholic package includes items like coffee, fresh-squeezed orange juice, soda and/or access to Coke Freestyle soda machines, bottled water and energy drinks or bottled juices.
Alcoholic packages include cocktails, liquor, wine, and beer. Alcoholic packages also usually include most if not all of the offerings included in a non-alcoholic drinks package, such as water bottles, coffee, and soda.
Additional Types of Packages
Some cruise ships also offer separate packages in addition to a non-alcoholic or alcoholic package. These can either be purchased separately or in addition to the above packages.
Water Bottle Packages
Water bottle packages include a set amount of bottled water that is delivered to your room. You can purchase this package as many times as you want either before you board or while onboard. These packages can be very cheap and are a great way to keep fresh water in your room, even if you already have another package.
Wine Packages
Wine packages usually include six or so bottles of wine that can be consumed at any point during the cruise. You will be able to select which bottles you want off of a list, and unfinished bottles can be recorked for another night.
These packages used to be included on every line but are now very rare. If you are interested, check with your cruise line to see if they still offer a wine package, or if one can be purchased in addition to another package.
Soda Packages
Non-alcoholic Soda packages include unlimited soda throughout the day. Soda packages usually include canned and/or fountain soda and some may also include coffee, tea, juice, and bottled water. Some cruise ships may also include a souvenir cup for soda (souvenir cups are generally included when the ship has a Coke Freestyle machine).
Coke Freestyle
The inclusion of Coke Freestyle is a part of a cruise drink package and is not a separate package. But if a cruise ship has a Freestyle machine, access to the machine is typically included in alcoholic, non-alcoholic, and/or soda packages. This can be a big selling point to some cruisers, particularly to those with kids.
Cruise Drinks Package Details
What cruise lines have drinks packages? – Almost every cruise line offers a package of some sort. Some cruise lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, frequently offer free packages as incentives when you purchase your cruise. Keep an eye out when you book to see if your cruise line or travel agent offers a free or discounted package when you book!
How to get a Package Discount – Some cruise lines will offer a discount when you book a drinks package online before embarkation. Other cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, will do flash sales randomly and offer different percentages off of a package if you book right then (savings can range from 10 to 30%). Make sure to keep an eye on your cruise line’s online planner to see if a discount pops up and you can get a cheaper cruise drinks package before you board your ship.
Packages with an Alcoholic Drinks Limit – Some cruise drink packages have limits in terms of how much you can order in a single day, especially for an alcoholic package. The time range for a drinks package limit is usually 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. the next cruise day. This limit only includes alcoholic drinks (non-alcoholic drinks like water and coffee typically don’t count). However, once the limit is hit, you can’t order anything else at all (even non-alcoholic drinks or by paying for drinks out of your pocket) until the next cruise day starts.
How to Get Around the Drinks Limit – The best trick to get around a drinks limit is to start paying for your drinks. Keep an eye on how many drinks you have had (bartenders will gladly tell you how many drinks you have left for the day). If you are nearing your limit, tell your bartender you want to continue for the night, but pay for the drinks with your onboard card. Keep paying out of pocket until you’re ready for your last drink.
If you are worried that you will hit your drinks limit easily, don’t be. We went on a Carnival cruise with a group of ten friends who all had the alcoholic package, which had a limit of 15 drinks per cruise day. We all thought we’d hit 15 drinks easily every day, but only one couple hit the limit once. We found that most of us capped out around 12 or 13 drinks, even when we were actively trying to get drunk.
Drinks Packages on Private Islands – Some cruise lines also allow for their drinks packages to work on their private islands. If a cruise line does not allow a drinks package to work on their private island, then you typically will have to pay for drinks on the island even if you have a drinks package onboard. If you think you are going to be drinking a lot when you stop at a private island, pay attention to this when deciding if you want a package or not. Drink prices on islands can be very high, usually higher than the prices onboard the ship.
The Math – Alcoholic Package Pricing and Details
For the numbers-oriented people, I have included three tables to help you understand how a drinks package breaks down in three ways: pricing by cruise line, the average cost of a drink, and a mixed table defining whether or not the package is “worth it” based on what you might drink while onboard a cruise. The goal of these tables is to help you understand how and why your money would be spent on alcoholic beverage packages and give you to see how a cruise drinks package might break down for you, based on the types of alcohol that you drink.
Price of Each Cruise Line’s Drink Package
| Cruise Line & Package Name | Price of Package | Listed Gratuity | 5-Day Cruise Pricing | 7-Day Cruise Pricing | Maximum Price Per Drink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celebrity Standard | $49 | 20% | $294 | $411.90 | $6 |
| Celebrity Classic | $59 | 20% | $354 | $495.60 | $9 |
| Celebrity Premium | $69 | 20% | $414 | $579.60 | $15 |
| Carnival Cheers! | $52 | 18% | $306.51 | $429.11 | $20 |
| Holland Signature | $50 | 15% | $287.21 | $402.10 | $8 |
| Holland Elite | $55 | 15% | $315.96 | $442.35 | $15 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line Wine & Beer | $65 | 20% | $390 | $546 | $15 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line Premium | $99 | 20% | $594 | $831.60 | $15 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line Premium Plus | $128 | 20% | $768 | $1,075.20 | N/A |
| Princess Premiere | $60 | 18% | $353.94 | $495.52 | $12 |
| Royal Caribbean Deluxe | $63 | 18% | $371.70 | $520.38 | $12 |
| Royal Caribbean Deluxe (on certain ships) | $70 | 18% | $413 | $578.20 | $12 |
Average Cost of a Drink by Cruise Line
| Cruise Line | Beer | Cocktail | Shot of Liquor | Frozen Drink | Wine by the Glass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celebrity | $8.03 | $13 | N/A | $10.67 | $13.19 |
| Carnival | $5.45 | $8.95 | $7.16 | $7.50 | $7.45 |
| Holland | $5.26 | $6.95 | $6.77 | $6.95 | $9.76 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | $6.95 | $11.35 | $9.95 | $11.75 | $9.14 |
| Princess | $6.38 | $7.56 | $7.75 | $9.25 | $7.56 |
| Royal Caribbean | $7.22 | $13 | $10.32 | $7.56 | $11.15 |
Cruise Drinks Package Value
| Mix 1 = 5 beers | Mix 2 = 4 glasses of wine | Mix 3 = 3 beers & 2 glasses of wine | Mix 4 = 2 frozen drinks, 2 glasses of wine w/dinner & 2 liquor drinks |
| Mix 1 | Mix 2 | Mix 3 | Mix 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celebrity Standard | $48.21 | $79.13 | $60.57 | $88.45 |
| Celebrity Classic | $48.21 | $79.13 | $60.57 | $88.45 |
| Celebrity Premium | $48.21 | $79.13 | $60.57 | $88.45 |
| Carnival Cheers! | $32.13 | $43.93 | $36.85 | $56.40 |
| Holland Signature | $30.22 | $56.14 | $40.59 | $54.43 |
| Holland Elite | $30.22 | $56.14 | $40.59 | $54.43 |
| Norwegian Wine & Beer | $41.70 | $54.84 | $46.96 | $77.38 |
| Norwegian Premium | $41.70 | $54.84 | $46.96 | $77.38 |
| Norwegian Premium Plus | $41.70 | $54.84 | $46.96 | $77.38 |
| Princess Premiere | $37.67 | $44.58 | $40.43 | $57.49 |
| Royal Caribbean | $42.57 | $65.79 | $51.86 | $74.84 |
| Royal Caribbean Deluxe | $42.57 | $65.79 | $51.86 | $74.84 |
Green = package price per day is cheaper than buying per drink.
Orange = too close to call between buying and not buying a package.
Red = pay per drink is cheaper than purchasing a cruise drinks package.
NOTE: These numbers are approximate, as of May 2020. Drinks pricing can change at any point – make sure to double-check with your cruise line.
How to Buy & Use a Cruise Drinks Package
When to Buy – Online or Onboard? – This is up to you. If you know that you want a cruise drinks package before you sail, it may be easier or cheaper to purchase before embarkation. Do some research on how or when your cruise line discounts their packages (if at all) and keep an eye out for the best time to purchase. Online purchases can usually be made up to 48 hours before you sail.
If you decide to wait until you’re on the ship, purchasing onboard is also easy. You generally will just give your onboard card to a bartender, sign some paperwork, have a sticker added to your card and that’s it! You have a package. But pay attention to the price. Onboard package prices can be higher for some cruise lines, while other lines offer an incentive for you to wait and purchase onboard.
How to Purchase Online – When you book your cruise, you will be able to manage your booking in your cruise line’s online reservation center. This reservation center is where you can book and manage your packages; keep an eye out here for package discounts too!
How to Purchase Onboard – On embarkation day, there will be stands and desks throughout the ship advertising the cruise line’s different packages and offering any first-day discounts. After embarkation day, you can go to any bar, restaurant or guest service desk onboard to purchase a package.
How to Use Your Package – Once onboard, your cruise pass will have a sticker or some sort of indication that you have a drinks package. If your cruise has an RFID device, then you won’t have a sticker or anything on it – but don’t worry your onboard account will still indicate that you have a package.
All you will need to purchase a drink onboard is your cruise pass – you don’t have to keep your ID or passport with you. When you board the ship, you will take a photo that will help the staff identify for you, so don’t worry about someone posing as you (and don’t take your friend’s cruise card and try to pass off as them!) Some cruise ships may require that you sign a receipt once you receive your drink, so once you are handed your drink, don’t walk away until you know if you need to sign anything or not.
Price Difference – Most cruise ship drinks packages allow you to order alcoholic drinks up to a certain price. Let’s say your package allows you to order any drink on any menu, as long as it is $12 or under. However, you head to the wine bar and you see a type of wine you have to have. The problem? It costs $14 for a glass! You think it isn’t included in your package.
The good news is you can still have that glass of wine. Most cruise lines allow you to use that $12 limit as a “credit” towards drinks that are priced higher. All you have to do is pay the $2 upcharge difference. I like to use this perk when I have a package as a chance to try some nicer wines or liquors for only a few dollar surcharges.
Why You Should & Shouldn’t Get the Package
Reasons to Get a Drinks Package
- Convenience – In my opinion, this is the best reason to get a package. A drinks package makes a cruise feel all-inclusive, which makes your trip that much more relaxing. Instead of worrying about the price of each drink or intentionally buying a drink that’s cheaper to save the money, you can order and enjoy what you want without any of the guilt.
- Spread your bills out – If you purchase a package before you board, you can pay ahead of time for your drinks and you won’t have to settle at the end of a cruise for a huge bill. If you’re worried about finances, spreading out the price of your cruise by buying a package beforehand will help with your budgeting.
- Try new drinks – When I have a drinks package, I take the time to try different drinks that may have piqued my interest in the past. (I keep a note on my phone of drinks that sound interesting but want to try when I don’t have to pay out of pocket for them!) Take advantage and try something new, thanks to your package.
- You’ll drink more than alcohol – If you think you may not be drinking enough alcohol to justify an alcohol package, then step back and think how much you will drink of soda, coffee, bottled water, and juice too. If you will drink enough alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks combined to get you to a break-even price, then a package will be worth it for you. If you’re on the edge about purchasing, this factor is usually a deciding point for most people!
Reasons to not get a Cruise Drinks Package
- Port-intensive itinerary – This is the biggest reason not to get any drinks package. If you’ll be spending a majority of a cruise off the boat, then you will probably not drink enough to justify the price. Even if you have a lot to drink, your average per day will still be lower than someone who spends a majority of their cruise on the ship. This is especially something to consider if you are on the Mediterranean, Western Hemisphere or Alaskan cruise – all of these have so much time off the ship that I would think twice before purchasing!
- Cost – This is another big factor when deciding on packages. Alcohol is expensive. Alcohol on a cruise is even more expensive. If your budget doesn’t allow for a large amount spent on drinks, then you may want to save your money and spend it differently on your trip.
- You won’t drink enough – If you have looked at the different pricing and gauged that against the amount that you normally drink and you still can’t justify the cost, then a drinks package probably isn’t for you. You will save money by paying for each drink out of pocket, and you won’t have the added worry of “Am I drinking enough?” each time you order!
- You drink premium liquor – If you are the kind of person that likes premium or ultra-premium liquors, then a package isn’t for you. You are already probably going to spend more than what a package costs AND have to pay out of pocket for it all. Save yourself the trouble (and the potential drink limit) and enjoy it without the package.
- You might drink more than a cruise line has a limit for – If you think you are probably already going to be paying out of pocket to get yourself past the drink limit, then you aren’t saving any money. Skip the hassle and pay as you go so you can have as much as you want!
The Fine Print and Some Details
Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re thinking about buying a cruise drinks package.
- Service charges and/or gratuities are not included in a drink package’s initial price. Charges can range from 18 – 20% and will be included when you purchase your package.
- Once gratuity is included in your package, you don’t need to tip each bartender as their service charge has already been paid. However, we recommend that you tip bartenders that go out of their way to provide great service! We like to go around on the last night and give $20 or so to anyone who made us feel special during the week.
- Bottles of liquor and wine, souvenir glasses, minibar drinks, buckets and yards of beer and anything else that seems too good to be true are not included in alcoholic packages. You will have to pay for these separately. However, most packages do include a discount off bottles of wine.
- Packages can’t be shared. They are meant for the use of one person only. If a cruise line catches you sharing, you will be banned from your package for the rest of your cruise. To prevent this, most cruise lines require that both people in a stateroom must purchase a package.
- If one stateroom guest purchases a package, both people in a stateroom must purchase it. If there are more than two people in the stateroom, then at least two people must purchase the package. This is not always true with soda, water, and wine packages. You may also be able to combine alcohol and soda packages (i.e. one person purchases an alcohol package, and one person purchases a soda package). If there is a medical reason why you can’t have an alcoholic package, like pregnancy, you can obtain an exception to this rule. Check with your cruise line.
- You can’t pick and choose what days you want to buy a cruise drinks package. It’s either for the whole cruise (or what’s left of your cruise) or not at all.
- If you want to buy a package while on board, there is a limit to how late in the cruise you can purchase. It’s usually only a few days once the ship has embarked. If you want one, don’t wait!
- Drinks packages are typically not offered on shorter cruises, such as cruises that are three days or less.
- Since ports are not owned by cruise lines, packages won’t work in your port stops. You will have to pay for any drink you want on land out of pocket. However, some packages do work on a cruise line’s private island (See chart above).
Bottom Line
There are a variety of reasons to purchase and not to purchase a cruise drinks package. And while I can’t tell you what to do, I hope this post helped you understand what goes into the decision of buying a package. However, I do want to stress that cruises are fun – so don’t stress about your decision. if you’re on the fence about buying one, and you think you can drink enough to justify the price, then do it! You can always order more drinks – and if not, you know not to buy one next time. But don’t stress! You are on vacation after all 😜
Any Questions?
No matter what your choice, now you know the wide range of options offered to you by a cruise drinks package. If you have any questions, or if I can clarify anything for you, feel free to ask in the comments and I will get back to you ASAP!
Want to see more of my time on some of my recent cruises? Take a look at my Instagram Stories (just look for any story ending in “cruise” – there may be multiple ones for the same cruise). Have you taken a cruise? Did you purchase a drinks package? Are you thinking of purchasing one? Leave a comment below!
And don’t forget to save this post for later via the images below.
My husband and I are considering an 11 day Mediterranean cruise in Sept, 2020 w/ NCL Jade…there are no sea days so we will be non stop at each port. We are considering an interior cabin because in reality, we will only be in the cabin to sleep. With that being said, NCL will offer 1 of their perks…our guess is that we may have a cocktail or 2 before/during dinner and maybe a bottle of wine to share each night. From your perspective, knowing we only have 1 perk…would you suggest the drink or dinner upgrade package? Thanks so much ~
Hi Gayle! Good questions. A dining package with NCL for 11 days is worth $189/person, making it ~$11 a day. However, using the tables above, it seems that a few drinks a day on Norwegian typically add up to around $30-$40 per person. Because of that, I’d recommend you go with the drinks! Especially since you will probably not eat at the specialty dining every day, but you will with drinks, making the overall value that you would save higher on drinks.