Cruise Ship Drinks Packages: A Line-By-Line Guide
On a cruise ship, it is simple to rack up a monstrous bill by ordering wine, beer, and mixed drinks by the glass. This practice is very common. On cruise ships, the price of alcoholic beverages, particularly cocktails, may run rather high. However, there is a solution to save money on alcoholic beverages for passengers who cruise frequently and consume multiple alcoholic beverages per day: a flat-fee drinks package.
Drink packages with a flat rate are offered by all of the main mass-market cruise lines. These packages can help you save money in certain instances while you are sailing.
What is included in the drinks package offered by a cruise company, and how do the packages work? And, maybe more to the point, what are the prices of the various drink packages offered by cruise lines? Continue reading for the answers to your questions in this comprehensive reference to beverage packages offered by cruise lines.
Scroll down to the second part of the guide for a detailed explanation of the costs, contents, limitations, and fine print associated with the various drink packages.
On a cruise ship, what exactly is included in a beverages package?
You can order as many beverages as you want on your trip for a single, all-inclusive charge when you purchase a drinks package from the cruise line. This eliminates the need to pay for individual drinks as they are consumed.
At some of the lines, there are multiple tiers of drink packages available to choose from. Commonly, only sodas and bottled water are included in the basic tiers. Additional alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails, wine, beer, and speciality coffee drinks will be included in more extensive (and more expensive) tiers of the service. There may be more than one level of coverage available within some of these all-encompassing plans. Some cruise lines now provide passengers with coffee cards, which can be used in an onboard coffee shop to purchase a set number of specialty coffee beverages at a reduced cost. And some companies even provide special deals on wine.
How much does it cost to purchase a bundle of alcoholic drinks on a cruise ship?
The price of drink packages on cruise ships can vary greatly from one cruise line to the next. The primary drinks packages offered by many of the industry’s most well-known cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America, cost approximately $60 per person, per day. These packages contain each and every sort of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage available. A top-tier package from some other companies, like Norwegian Cruise Line, can cost as much as $138 per person, per day for guests to purchase.
Drink bundles that do not contain alcoholic beverages, such as soda bundles, often come at a much more affordable price. Soda packages generally are under $10 per person, per day. Be aware that certain cruise lines provide a discount on their drinks packages if you order them online in advance of your sailing, and some lines also offer periodic promotions on their drinks packages online.
On a cruise, is it possible to buy drinks without purchasing a drinks package?
Yes. When you are on a cruise, you will be able to purchase drinks on an a la carte basis from all of the main cruise lines. On board a ship, the consumption of alcoholic beverages or any other kind of beverage does not need the purchase of a separate drinks package.
On a cruise ship, is it possible to split the cost of an all-inclusive beverages package?
In many circumstances, no. If one adult in a stateroom orders a drinks package, then all adults in the cabin are required to order the package in order to comply with the rule, which is enforced by several of the largest cruise lines, including Carnival, Holland America, and MSC Cruises. Because of this, it will not be possible for more than one person in a cabin to share a single drinks package.
Princess Cruises and Windstar Cruises are two cruise lines that stand out as notable exceptions to this guideline because neither of them adhere to it. In a strict sense, you are not permitted to utilise your package in order to purchase beverages for other individuals.
Is it true that the drinks included in cruise ship packages are unlimited?
It depends. There is a daily maximum of fifteen alcoholic beverages that an individual passenger on certain cruise lines, like as Carnival, is permitted to purchase with the use of a drinks package. That is, without a doubt, an extremely large quantity; much more than the vast majority of individuals will ever desire to order.
Where can you make use of a beverages package on a cruise ship?
Drinks packages purchased through cruise lines are often redeemable in any venue on board the ship where alcoholic beverages can be purchased, including restaurants, bars, and lounges. On the other hand, certain credit cards are typically not accepted when ordering room service to be delivered to your room. In most cases, they do not apply to alcoholic beverages that are taken from the minibars in the cabins. Before placing an order for a drink to be delivered to your room, you should be sure to verify the terms and conditions that are included in the drinks package offered by your specific cruise line. There are certain cruise lines that will even let you use your package on their private islands if you sail with them.
A line-by-line breakdown of the beverage packages available on cruise ships
The following is a line-by-line examination of the various drink packages that are accessible on the major lines that provide them. Please take into consideration that the prices given are on a per-person, per-day basis. In the event that a line provides more than one drinks package, we have highlighted the one that is the most all-inclusive and provided further information about alternative packages that cruisers may wish to explore.
Carnival Cruise Line
Package name: Cheers! Beverage Program
The cost per day is $64.95 when purchased on board, which does not include an automatic gratuity charge of 18%; the cost per day is $59.95 when paid in advance of sailing, which does include the gratuity charge.
Available on: Every ship, with the exception of those that sail to Europe or Australia.
Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, speciality coffees, teas, and the majority of bottled water are all included in this package. In addition to that, customers who buy wine bottles through this package will receive a discount of 25%.
There are restrictions regarding the price of the drink, such as the fact that it cannot be used for beverages that cost more than $20.
Fine print: More expensive drinks are available at a 25% discount. If one adult in a cabin purchases the package, then other adults staying in that cabin are required to likewise purchase the package. Within a 24-hour period, a person is only allowed to consume a maximum of 15 alcoholic beverages.
Package name: Premium Drink Package.
For passengers who have booked a cruise-only fare, the cost each day is $84; however, this price does not include an automatic gratuity charge of 20%. On Celebrity ships, guests staying in the upscale Retreat areas are entitled to complimentary Premium Drink Packages, which are normally sold for $365 per person.
Available on: Every ship, with the exception of those sailing to the Galapagos Islands (where drinks are included in the fare).
An extensive variety of beers, including craft beers, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, Coca-Cola products, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, speciality coffees, teas, and quality bottled water are all included in this package. Additionally, the bundle includes a discount of 20% off any wine bottle purchases.
There are restrictions regarding the price of the drink, and it cannot be used for beverages that cost more than $15.
Other options include the “classic” drinks package, which includes less alcoholic beverages than the “premium” package but is still included in the price of the cruise as part of Celebrity’s new Always Included ticket structure.
The packages do not include beverages purchased from the shipboard wine dispensing machines or the minibars located in the guest rooms. In addition, alcoholic beverages that are obtained via room service must be paid for separately.
America de Hollanda
Package name: Elite Beverage Package.
The cost per day is $59.99, which includes an additional charge for 18% gratuity.
Available on: Each and every ship
Beer, wine served by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, speciality coffees, teas, and bottled water are some of the beverages that are included in this package.
There are restrictions regarding the price of the drink, and it cannot be used for beverages that cost more than $15.
Other available bundles: Only beverages with a maximum price of $11 are included in the Signature Beverage Package, which is a little more affordable option. The daily rate is $54.95 dollars.
Important information: If one adult in a cabin purchases a package, then all adults staying in that cabin are required to likewise purchase the package. Drinks purchased from in-room minibars or through room service are not included in the price of the package. Half Moon Cay, a private island owned by Holland America, is not included in the package’s coverage.
The name of this package is the Premium Extra Package.
The cost per day is $69, but there is an additional 15% service charge if you book your stay on board. When you pre-book the package, the 15% service charge that is normally added will not be applied.
Available on: Each and every ship
Drinks by the glass, including draught, craft, and bottled beer; a selection of wines and Champagnes 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 are all included in this package. In addition to this, purchasers of wine or Champagne bottles will receive a discount of 25% on their purchases.
There are restrictions regarding the price of the drink, and it cannot be used for beverages that cost more than $15.
Other available bundles: The Easy Plus bundle, which is more affordable, only includes drinks that cost up to $9 each. When sailing in North America, the fee is $49 per day; however, starting in October, the cost will increase to $51 per day. The Easy package is even cheaper, but it only comes with a certain amount of beverages and cannot be used at specialist restaurants that charge additional fees. It will cost you $38 per day to use.
Fine print: If one person in a cabin buys a package, then everyone else in that cabin or travelling group is required to buy a package as well (children in cabins will be charged for a less-expensive, nonalcoholic package). With the exception of sailings to South America, packages are not available for cruises that are less than three nights in length. Please be aware that you can use the package on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which is a private island owned by MSC Cruises in the Bahamas.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Package name: Premium Plus Beverage Package.
The cost each day is $128, which does not include a charge for 20% gratuity (from January 1, 2023, the price will increase to $138).
All ships, with the exception of the Pride of America, have it available.
All alcoholic beverages served by the glass (luxury spirits, cocktails, beer, and wine) in addition to a curated selection of quality Champagne and wine bottles are incorporated into the price. In addition, provides an unlimited supply of Starbucks coffee and specialty drinks, as well as bottled water, soda, juice, and energy drinks. Additionally, the price of other bottles of wine is reduced by forty percent.
There are no restrictions regarding the price of the drink.
Other packages: Norwegian offers two different alcoholic beverage packages, both of which are less all-inclusive and cost less money. Beer, wines by the glass priced up to $15, soda, and juices are included in the Corks and Caps Wine and Beer Package, which has a daily rate of $65 and is available for purchase. The Unlimited Open Bar Beverage Package currently costs $99 per day, but starting January 1, 2023, the price will increase to $109, reflecting the addition of spirits and cocktails with prices ranging up to $15. Even if many passengers are eligible to get a free beverages package as part of Norwegian’s Free at Sea campaign, you are still required to pay gratuities equal to 20% of the total cost of the package. The Hawaii-based Pride of America now offers a single beverages package for $99 per day; however, beginning January 1, 2023, the cost of this package will increase to $109.
The fine print states that if one passenger in a cabin buys a package, all of the other passengers in that cabin as well as other cabins that are connected to the same mode of payment are required to buy the package as well. Children are eligible for a discount on a non-alcoholic and less costly option. Drinks purchased from in-room minibars or through room service are not included in the price of the package. It is important to note that the beverage packages can be used not only aboard Norwegian ships but also on Great Stirrup Cay, which is a private island owned by Norwegian in the Bahamas.
Oceania Cruises
Package name: Prestige Select Beverage Package.
The daily rate is $59.95, and that includes the gratuities.
Available on: Each and every ship
Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, and cocktail service are all part of the package. When you cruise with Oceania, soda, bottled water, and speciality coffees are already included in the price of your ticket. In addition to that, you will receive a discount of 20% on wine-pairing dinners at Oceania’s Marina and Riviera restaurants.
There are no restrictions regarding the price of the drink.
Oceania also has other types of packages, such as the more affordable House Select package, which features alcoholic beverages with both lunch and dinner. It will cost you $39.95 every day to use. There is also a wine bottle package available for purchase.
Fine print: None.
Package name: Premier Beverage Package.
The cost each day is $79.99, however it does not include an additional charge for 18% gratuity. The package is priced at 113.99 Australian dollars ($76.03) per day on cruises that depart from Australia. The Australian package does not include any additional fees for service.
Available on: Each and every ship
Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, smoothies, milkshakes, speciality coffees, teas, and bottled water are some of the beverages that are included in this package. A discount of 25% will also be applied to any purchases of wine bottles made with this bundle.
There are restrictions about the price of the drink, and it cannot be used for beverages that cost more than $18.
Other packages: Princess also provides a Plus Beverage package that is available at a lower cost and may be used for drinks that cost up to $12 each.
The fine print states that you are only allowed 15 alcoholic beverages per day. Itineraries departing from Australia that are less than seven nights long and journeys departing from all other locations that are less than two nights long are not eligible for the package.
The Royal Caribbean (RCL)
Package name: Deluxe Beverage Package.
Prices range from $63 to $89 per night, without including an additional 18% charge for gratuities (pricing varies by ship and itinerary).
Available on: Each and every ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet.
Beer, wine by the glass, spirits, mixed drinks, cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, speciality coffees, teas, and premium bottled water are all included in this package. The purchase of wine bottles in the range of up to $100 can be made with a discount of 20% thanks to this package deal. There is a discount of 20% applied to more expensive bottles.
Regarding the price of the drink, there are restrictions: you can’t use it for anything that costs more than $13.
The fine print states that if one adult of legal drinking age in a cabin or among those flying under the same booking number buys a package, then all of the adults of legal drinking age in that cabin are required to buy it as well. The drinks purchased from the in-room minibar or through room service are not included in the price of the package. The package does not include beverages that are served in souvenir glasses or speciality brews, nor does it include beverages that are served inside licenced Starbucks cafes that are located aboard ships.
Viking
Package name: Silver Spirits Beverage Package.
The price per day is $19.95, and that includes the gratuities.
All ships, including river and expedition ships, are equipped with this amenity.
Included are alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, and cocktails (soda, beer and house wines by the glass ordered at lunch and dinner already are included in the fare at Viking; so are specialty coffees and teas at all hours). Additionally, the package entitles the purchaser to a discount of 15% on wine bottles and other luxury beverages with a price tag of more than $15 that are purchased separately from the bundle.
There are restrictions regarding the price of the drink, and it cannot be used for beverages that cost more than $15.
Fine print: None.
Windstar Cruises
The Captain’s Exclusive Beverage Package is the name of the package.
The cost each day is $59, although it does not include a gratuity charge of 15%. Additionally, Windstar has began providing cruises at rates that come with the option of All-Inclusive Pricing, which includes an endless supply of alcohol at no additional cost.
Available on: Each and every ship
What’s included: a selection of alcoholic beverages (beer, wine by the glass, spirits, and cocktails). On Windstar cruises, the price of the ticket already accounts for the cost of various sodas, gourmet coffees, and other nonalcoholic beverages. Additionally, purchasers of wine bottles costing up to $100 will receive a discount of 30% on such purchases when they buy the package.
There are no restrictions regarding the price of the drink.
Other options include the Topmast Discoveries Beer and Wine Package, which costs $49 a day and includes a selection of beers and fine wines, but excludes spirits and cocktails from the offering.
Fine print: None.
