Trying to figure out if you should get a drinks package for your upcoming cruise or just go a la carte? Budgeting your cruise holiday can be a daunting task but it is something that needs to be done beforehand to avoid any unpleasant surprises with your bill at the end of your dream cruise.
First things first, you need to calculate how much you drink – or plan to – and what you drink. Once you have a rough estimate, then you can see information below on what the cruise line charges for drinks versus drinks packages, and that will be the deciding factor. The whole point is to see if you would spend more on drinks without a drinks package to make sure you get your money’s worth. While doing these calculations, bear in mind that you might drink more on sea days and less on port days if you get off the ship.
COSTS & INCLUSIONS PER CRUISE LINE
*Drinks Packages are usually purchased directly with the cruise line, so note that prices are indicative and subject to change by the cruise lines without notice. Prices shown are in currency onboard unless stated otherwise.
Azamara:
What drinks are included:
As an all-inclusive cruise line, select standard spirits, international beers and a changing selection of two red and two white wines, one rose, and one sparkling wine glass are included in your cruise fare throughout your voyage. You can enjoy these in the dining rooms, the ship bars. These are not included via room service though.
Available drinks packages:
If you have a favourite spirit brand and wish to upgrade you have 2 options. The “Premium Package” costs $18.95 per person/per day and includes:
Beer – Bottled Beer: Coors Light, Miller Lite, Corona Extra, Amstel Light, Pilsner Urquell, Leffe, Carlsberg, Heineken, Stella Artois, Heineken Premium Light, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Moretti, Estrella Damn, Guinness Draught Can, Boddingtons Pub Ale, Warsteiner, Grolsch and Murphy’s Irish Stout | Draught Beer: Heineken. Non-Alcoholic Beer: Heineken O.O | Hard Cider: Strongbow | Malt Beverage: Smirnoff | Spirits – Vodka: Absolut, Absolut Citron, Ketel One and Stolichnaya | Gin: Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray | Rum: Bacardi Superior, Captain Morgan Original Spiced, Malibu and Myers’s Original Dark | Tequila: Jose Cuervo Especial Gold | Blended Scotch Whisky: The Famous Grouse, Johnnie Walker Red Label, J&B and Dewar’s White Label | Bourbon: Woodford Reserve | Tennessee Whiskey: Jack Daniel’s | Irish Whiskey: Bushmills Original | Canadian Whisky: Canadian Club and Seagram’s VO | Cognac: Napolean | Grappa: Sandro Bottega | Calvados: Berneroy Fine | Sherry: Dry Sack, Harveys Bristol Cream and Tio Pepe | Liqueurs: Aperol, Campari, Disaronno, Dubonnet, Frangelico, Goldschlager, Jägermeister, Metaxa 5 Stars, Midori, Ouzo, Limoncello Pallini, Pernod, Pimm’s, Sambuca Romana, Southern Comfort and Tia Maria.
The “Ultimate Package” costs $26.95 per person/per day and includes all the ‘Premium Package’ brands -plus:
Spirits – Vodka: Belvedere, Chopin, Ciroc, Grey Goose, Hangar One and Tito’s | Gin: Aviation, Hendrick’s, Tanqueray No. Ten and Plymouth | Rum: Atlantico Reserve, Bacardi 8, Bacardi Black, Kraken Black Spiced, Miami Club and Pyrat XO | Cachaca: Leblon | Tequila: Don Julio Blanco, Patron Silver, Avión Silver, Patron Reposado and Avión Reposado | Blended Scotch Whisky: Chivas Regal 12 Years and Johnnie Walker Black Label | Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Glenfiddich Select Cask, The Glenlivet The Master, Destiller’s Reserve, Highland Park Aged 12 Years, The Balvenie Triple Cask 12 Years, Laphroaig 10 Years and The Macallan Select Oak | Bourbon: Bulleit and Maker’s Mark | Tennessee Whiskey: Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack | Rye Whiskey: Rittenhouse Rye 100 Proof and Bulleit Rye | Irish Whiskey: Jameson Irish Whiskey | Canadian Whisky: Crown Royal | Cognac: Hennessy VS and Courvoisier VSOP | Brandy: Cardenal Mendoza | Pisco: Inca Gold, Porton Mosto Verde and Acholado | Liqueurs: B & B, Baileys Irish Cream, Bénédictine, Chambord, Cointreau, Drambuie, Fernet Branca, Galliano, Godiva, Grand Marnier, St-Germain, Pama Pomegranate, Kahlúa and Linie Aquavit.
Wines by the Glass – Champagne & Sparkling: Nicolas Feuilatte, Brut, Chouilly (France), Santa Elvira, Prosecco, Extra Dy, Treviso (Italy), Domaine Chandon, Brut, Classic (California) | White Wine: Wairau River, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough (New Zealand), The Seeker, Chardonnay (California), Bertani Velante, Pinot Grigio, Venezie Giulia (Italy), Selbach “Fish Label”, Riesling Kabinett, Mosel (Germany) and Gérard Bertrand Réserve, Spéciale, Viognier, Pays d’Oc (France) | Rosé Wine: Beringer, White Zinfandel (California), Caves D’Esclans “Whispering Angel” and Rosé, Côtes de Provence (France) | Red Wine: Penley Estate “Phoenix”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra (Australia), Matanzas Creek Winery, Merlot, Sonoma County (California), Sokol Blosser, Delinea 300, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley (Oregon), Callia Alta, Malbec, San Juan (Argentina) and Poggio Tempesta, Chianti DOCG, Toscana (Italy).
The Wine Lover Packages include all bottles of wine valued at $50 or less. With more than 80 wines to choose from, including 5 sparkling wines, 35 white wines, 5 rose wines, and 35 red wines. The price for a 5-bottle package is $180, for a 7-bottle package $235, for a 10-bottle package $315 and for a 12-bottle package $350.
Finally, the Wine Connoisseur Packages include all bottles of wine valued at $51-$75. More than 50 wines to choose from, including 3 sparkling wines, 15 white wines, 30 red wines, and 2 dessert wines. Expect to pay $315 for a 5-bottle package, $415 for a 7-bottle package, $560 for a 10-bottle package and $630 for a 12-bottle Package.
What you need to know:
You can buy a beverage package throughout your voyage. Once a beverage package has been purchased, it is not refundable and cannot be downgraded to a lower tier package. A few select champagnes are included in the wine package. Beverage packages are per person, so only one drink may be ordered at a time. If you have purchased a beverage package, you can order a drink through room service, during standard bar operating hours. However, the select complimentary spirits, beer, and wine are not available through room service.
You may bring your own favourite liquor, beer or wine for private consumption in your suite or stateroom. If you wish to consume your liquor, beer or wine in any shipboard restaurant, bar or dining venue, each bottle is subject to a corkage fee of $10.
The minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on Azamara Club Cruises ships sailing from North America is 21. The minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on Azamara Club Cruises ships sailing from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand is 18.
Carnival Cruise Line:
What drinks are included:
Drinks are not included in your base fare on a Carnival cruise. However, in the main dining room and buffet you can get free non-bottled water, lemonade, coffee, hot tea, iced tea, and hot chocolate. If you were to buy your drinks a la carte, you can expect a beer to cost $7 – $8.95, a glass of wine $9 – $15, soft drinks $2.5, water $1.25 – $6, energy drinks $4.95 and up, mixed drinks $6.95-$20, and specialty cocktails $8.95 – $13.95 (excluding souvenir glassware and premium selections).
Available drinks packages:
Carnival offers 2 Packages to choose from. The “Bottomless Bubbles” unlimited soda program offers you ice-cold refreshments anytime you want. This unlimited soda program lets you indulge in all-you-can-drink fountain soda by the glass (16oz) and juice by the glass (10 oz) for the full length of your cruise. Soda flavours may vary but generally include Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Sugar, Caffeine Free Pepsi, Diet Pepsi Caffeine Free, Sierra Mist, Sierra Mist Zero Sugar, Mug Root Beer, Mountain Dew, Diet Mountain Dew, Bubly Lime Sparkling Water, Bubly Grapefruit Sparkling Water, Bubly Orange Sparkling Water. Juices include orange, cranberry, tomato, pineapple and grapefruit. This package costs $9.50 per day for adults and $6.95 per day for kids.
The “Cheers!” beverage program offers you virtually all drinks priced up to $20. This includes cocktails, spirits, beer & wine by the glass, Zero-Proof frozen cocktails, energy drinks, milkshakes, smoothies, juices, sodas, specialty coffees, hot tea and 500ml bottled water & packaged water in the Dining Room & Specialty Restaurants. It also gives you a 25% discount on drinks priced above $20, as well as bottles of wine and champagne. This package price starts from $59.95 per person, per day, depending on the length of the cruise and when you buy it. If you buy it in advance you save 10%!
What you need to know:
You will also have to pay an 18% gratuity on top. When the ship is within US waters (docked in port) you will also have to pay an extra 10% sales tax on each drink. Carnival’s Cheers drink package limits guests to 15 alcoholic drinks per day. Once the limit is reached, the guest will not be served ANY additional alcoholic drinks. Sodas and other applicable non-alcoholic beverages remain unlimited and will not be counted toward the 15 alcoholic beverages limit. You can only order one drink at a time and there is a 5 minute wait time between orders. You cannot share a drinks package. In fact, every adult sharing a stateroom must purchase the same package. ‘Cheers!’ is not offered on 2 day cruises, charter cruises, on ships sailing from Australia (Carnival Spirit and Carnival Splendor) and beverage purchases made at Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays in The Bahamas
On a Carnival cruise, each adult can bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne in their carry-on luggage. Each person can also bring 12 cans or cartons of non-alcoholic beverages such as water, soda, energy drinks, juice or milk. You can drink your own wine in your stateroom. If you wish to drink it in a bar or restaurant, you will be charged a corkage fee of $15 per bottle. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to be served alcohol on board.
Celebrity Cruises:
What drinks are included:
As of 2020, Celebrity Cruises offers an all-inclusive cruise fare as an upgrade to their ‘No Perk’ fare. Known as “Always Included”, every cruise can include a Classic Drinks Package, and Wi-Fi. This drinks package includes all drinks valued at up to $9, such as selection of beers, wines, spirits, cocktails, soda, juices, bottled water and premium teas and coffees. If you order something that costs more than $9, you simply pay the difference. This package also offers you a 15% discount on all wines by the bottle.
If you book “the All-Included fare” you can get your perks from £35 per person per day. If you wish to purchase the drinks package separately, it can cost you approximately $89 per person per day.
Available drinks packages:
If you would like to upgrade to something a little more ‘extra’ you can upgrade to the “Premium Drinks Package” by opting for one of the advanced cruise fare options “Elevate” (for $30 per person per day) and “Indulge” (for $60 per person per day). The former will not only include the premium drinks package, but also add an up to $200 Shore Excursion Credit per person, your tip and unlimited Wi-Fi. The latter will add up to $200 Onboard Spending money per person on top of the “Elevate” inclusions. The amounts depend on the length of sailing.
The “Premium Beverage Package” includes All Carbonated Drinks, Premium Bottled Water, Freshly Squeezed and Bottled/Canned Juices, San Pellegrino, Red Bull, Vitaminwater, Honest Iced Teas and Premium Coffees and Teas as well as beer, spirits, cocktails and wines by the glass up to $15 per serving. Bottles of wine are not included but you will get a 20% discount on them.
What you need to know:
20% gratuity is not included in the package. You are generally not permitted to bring alcoholic beverages onboard except on embarkation day when you are permitted to bring onboard up to two bottles of wine (which are, of course, subject to a corkage fee) per guest. A corkage fee does not apply to guests with the Classic Beverage Package or Premium Beverage Package.
Guests must be 21 years old to drink and possess beverage packages on ships sailing from North America & Canada and the United Arab Emirates as well as visiting the liner’s private destinations. The minimum age for a guest to drink on ships sailing from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand is 18. In all other cases, the drinking age of the home port shall determine the legal drinking age for the sailing.
Celestyal Cruises:
What drinks are included:
Another beloved all-inclusive cruise line, Celestyal offer alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for you to enjoy while sailing the Aegean Sea. With your standard “Inclusive Fare” you can choose from a selection of drinks with meals. If you upgrade your cruise fare to “Enhance” you will get a wide selection of cocktails, select spirits, beer & wine by the glass, coffee & tea (hot and iced), soft drinks, juices and water by the glass at any time of the day.
Available drinks packages:
This liner recently added upgrade packages, such as the “Platinum All-Inclusive Package” which includes classic and premium drinks as well as specialty cocktails, beer, wine, bottled mineral water, energy drinks, premium hot and cold coffee, monster milkshakes, smoothie. Refreshing soft drinks, fresh mint lemonade and fresh healthy juices, for €27 per person per day.
The ”Non-Alcoholic Package” costs €16 per person per day, the ‘Kids Refreshing Package” €11 per person per day, and the “Platinum Water Package” €7.50 per person per day.
What you need to know:
Alcohol consumption is allowed to the people who have completed their 18 year of age on board a Celestyal cruise. If you have purchased alcoholic beverages from their onboard shops or during an excursion, they will be held and please ensure you collect them before disembarking.
Cunard Line:
What drinks are included:
Drinks are not included in your Cunard Fare so unless you get a drinks package, you’ll be paying for your drinks a la carte. Typically, a beer will cost you $5 – $7.50, a glass of wine $7 – $15 and a cocktail $8 – $17. Sodas and juice are priced at $2.50 – $5.95, while teas & coffee at $2.75 – $8.75.
Available drinks packages:
Cunard offers a variety of packages that are priced per person per day. The “Soft Drinks Option” includes unlimited draught soft drinks, selected fruit juices, squash and cordials and costs $10.80 per person per day.
The “Speciality Hot Drinks Option” includes unlimited Illy specialty coffees, Tea Forté infusions and hot chocolates, also costs $13.50 per person per day.
The “Premium Soft Drinks Option” includes unlimited refreshments from a range of soft drinks, small bottled waters, freshly squeezed juices, speciality hot drinks and non-alcoholic cocktails, and is priced at $36 per person per day.
Finally, the “Beers, Wines & Spirits Option” includes an incredible array of beers (including their new Cunard Craft Beers, exclusively brewed for them by award-winning micro-brewery Dark Revolution), wines by the glass, spirits, liqueurs and cocktails up to $12 per serving, as well as all the benefits of the Premium Soft Drinks option. You will also receive a 20% discount on drinks above $12, some bottles of wine, and large bottles of water. This package will cost you between $49.50 and $85.50 per person per day.
What you need to know:
Alcoholic drinks are limited to 15 within 24 hours, excluding room service and mini-bar beverages which are not included in the packages. Packages are not to be shared and only 1 drink can be ordered at a time, with a minimum of 10 minutes between orders. All Guests sharing a cabin must buy the same package. Packages can be purchased on sailings of five nights or more and they can be used in all restaurants, bars and cafes onboard. Packages should also be purchased in the first two days of sailing. A 15 percent gratuity charge is also included.
Holland America Line:
What drinks are included:
Soda prices start at $2.50, beer $7, cocktails $11, a gin & tonic $9, a glass of wine $9, and bottled water $4.50. You may find tap water, ice tea, lemonade, non-specialty coffee and hot tea for free in specific areas.
Available drinks packages:
Holland America’s “Signature Beverage Package” costs $54.95 per person per day and offers you a variety of wine, beer, spirits, cocktails (alcoholic and non), sodas and coffee, valued up to $9. It would be of better value to upgrade to the “Have It All’ promotion as you will get the “Signature Drinks Package” for all guests in stateroom, Specialty Dining, Wi-Fi and Shore Excursions. The price to upgrade depends on the length of the cruise, however “Have It All” is valued at $99 per guest for a seven-day cruise and you save 50% of more off the included amenities compared to purchasing them individually.
HAL also offers the “Elite Beverage Package” which costs $59.99 per person per day and includes a stunning array of premium spirits, cocktails and wines values up to $15.
What you need to know:
The beverage package has a daily limit of 15 drinks and sharing is not permitted. Bar Services charges are included in the package. Cruisers are allowed to bring one standard size (no larger than 750 ml) bottle of wine or Champagne per passenger on embarkation day. The bottle must be carried onboard in cruisers’ carry-on luggage. Additional bottles may also be brought onboard, both on embarkation day and during port calls, but these will be subject to a corkage fee per bottle.
MSC Cruises:
What drinks are included:
Tea, iced tea, coffee, tap water and milk are free in the main dining room, the buffet and a few bars. Juice is also free at breakfast only. A soft drink can cost from £3, a glass of wine from £8, a beer from £7.5, a G&T from £8 and a cocktail from £10.
Available drinks packages:
MSC offers 5 different packages to choose from. Prices are no longer on their public website so we’ll give you a rough estimation below, but you’ll need to log into your account once you’ve booked to see the exact price. The “Easy Package” ($46-$56pp/pd) includes draft beer, wine by the glass, a selection of cocktails and mocktails, soft drinks & fruit juices by the glass, water and hot drinks (espresso, cappuccino, café latte, hot tea). The “Easy Plus Package” ($61-$74pp/pd) gets you all drinks priced up to €8/$10 – so all the above with more to choose from, including bottled beers, spirits and liqueurs. You also get a 10% discount on bottles of wine purchased on board. With the “Premium Extra Package” ($85-$101pp/pd) you get all beverages priced up to €13/$16, including premium brand spirits, the entire selection of wines and champagne by the glass, energy drinks and a 25% discount on wine & champagne bottles purchased on board. Keep in mind that MSC regularly runs promos with the Premium Drinks package and you can secure it by upgrading your fare in the booking, from £33 per person per day!
The “Alcohol-Free Package” ($25-$30) will get you anything from a mocktail, flavoured water, hot drinks, sodas & juices to soft-serve ice cream! The “Minors Package” ($17pp/pd) offers the same but at child-friendly prices (for children aged 3 to 17 on European cruises and aged 3 to 20 on North American and Caribbean cruises.)
What you need to know:
No drink limitation per day is in place, but you must always drink responsibly. All Guests travelling together must have the same drinks package, except children over 3 who must get the “Minors Package”. If you buy your MSC drinks package before your cruise, you’ll get it 15% cheaper than if you purchased on board. Your package will work on MSC Cruises’ private island, Ocean Cay and in all bars onboard (except the Starship Club on MSC Virtuosa). The “Easy package”, the “Alcohol-Free Package” and the “Minors Package” will not work in speciality restaurants.
Guests are not permitted to take on board any liquor for use during the voyage, in fact, if they find it, they will confiscate it.
Norwegian Cruise Line:
What drinks are included:
In the buffet and restaurants you can get free tea & coffee, iced tea, lemonade and water by the glass. You can also get fresh fruit juices at breakfast. You can only get free tap water at the bars onboard. A soft drink will cost you $3, a beer $9, a glass of wine starts from $8, a cocktail or a gin tonic from $10.
Available drinks packages:
There are 6 packages available to purchase on an NCL cruise. The “Corks & Caps” package costs $75 per person per day and includes fountain soda and juices, beer and wine by the glass (up to $15). The “Open Bar” (AKA “Ultimate Beverage Package”) costs $109 per person per day and includes all the above, plus bottled beer, spirits and cocktails (up to $15). The “Premium Plus” package costs $138 per person per day and includes all the above plus bottled water, energy drinks, specialty coffee (including Starbucks and Lavazza), ultra-premium spirits, Veuve Cliquot by the glass and selected bottles of wine during dinner. The “Unlimited Soda Package” costs $9.95 per person per day and gives the gift of endless fountain soda including Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mt. Dew, Ginger Ale, Club Soda and Tonic Water. The “Unlimited Starbucks Package” includes everything from classic coffees and teas to the delicious Frappuccino® favourites and other speciality beverages you love. Finally, the “Hawaii Beverage Package” applies only to sailing onboard Pride of America, costs $99 per person per day and is very similar to the “Open Bar” package as it includes a wide selection of beverages up to $15. All above packages do not include a 20% gratuity which is automatically added at checkout when you purchase.
However, bear in mind that if you book the “Free At Sea” promotion to include your drinks, you will get the “Open Bar” package and not be charged the 20% gratuity.
What you need to know:
All guests travelling together must share the same package and children are charged for a non-alcoholic package. Packages are not available for sailings of 2 days or less.
You can bring any amount of wine and champagne with you during your sea voyage. However, no spirits or beer are allowed on board, only wine or champagne. The liner also charges a corkage fee if guests are planning to have their own drinks in staterooms, bars, and restaurants. This includes a $15 fee for a 750 ml bottle and a $30 fee for a 1500 ml bottle. You can however always get liquor for yourself from the port and/or the duty-free shops on board and they will be kept in storage for you to collect at the end of your cruise. Passengers must be 21 years of age or older to purchase or consume alcohol. Local laws may modify the age requirement however this is the norm across the fleet.
Oceania Cruises:
What drinks are included:
You’ll find a number of drinks free of charge such as soft drinks, juices, bottled water, teas and coffees in the restaurants and bars. Most drinks start from $10-12$ plus the 18% gratuity. If you get to Happy Hour though you will be able to buy a drink and get another free
Available drinks packages:
The “House Select” package is included in your cruise fare as part of the “simply MORE” offer and offers you champagne, wine and beer. Note that it applies to lunch and dinner only.
If you prefer to drink whenever and whatever you want, you can opt for the “Prestige Select” package which includes unlimited premium spirits as well and costs from $30.00 per person per day.
You’ll also receive a 20% discount on any exclusive wine-pairing dinners in La Reserve on board Marina and Riviera.
What you need to know:
Packages include gratuities and are non-refundable.
P&O Cruises:
What drinks are included:
You can always get water, tea, coffee, cordial and milk free of charge from the buffet restaurant. During breakfast, you can also get free fruit juices. Prices for a soft drink start from £2.25, beer from £4.50, wine from £4.75, cocktails from £6.95, and spirits from £3.50.
Available drinks packages:
P&O offers 4 different packages to choose from. The “Classic Drinks Package” (£44.95pp/pd) includes drinks up to £6.95, such as beer, wine by the glass, cocktails and mocktails, spirits and liqueurs, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, bottled water, draught soft drinks and juices. You also get a 20% discount on items excluded from the package. The “Deluxe Drinks Package” (£54.95pp/pd) includes everything from the Classic drinks package and even more! This includes 25ml and 50ml measures of most spirits, a wider selection of wines by the glass (including 250ml), a further selection of cocktails and the full range of Costa Coffee. The “Alcohol-free Drinks Package” (£24.95pp/pd) includes mocktails, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, bottled water, draught soft drinks and juices. The “Refresh Drinks Package” (£10.95pp/pd) includes an unlimited selection of soft drinks.
What you need to know:
Prices of the packages are the same if you pre-book or book onboard. You’re allowed a maximum of 15 alcoholic drinks per day. You’re allowed a maximum of 15 alcoholic drinks.
With the “Ultimate Drinks Package” if you order a drink that costs £7.95 (over the £6.95 limit), you’ll be charged £7.95 minus 20% (£6.36) for that drink. The “Children’s Drinks Package” is included for free when the adults have purchased the “Ultimate Drinks Package”.
The liner allows each adult to bring up to one litre of alcohol onboard the ship to drink in their cabin. You can also bring an unlimited amount of water and soft drinks at the start of your cruise and at each port of call. If any additional alcohol is purchased (onboard or ashore) it will be confiscated until the end of your cruise.
Princess Cruises:
What drinks are included:
Water, lemonade, hot & iced tea, brewed coffee can always be found for free on Princess Cruises ships. You can also find fruit juice with breakfast only. All other drinks are paid for. Soft drinks cost $2, beer prices start from $6.25, a glass of wine from $8, a cocktail from $7.50 and a spirit or liqueur from $7.50. An 18% gratuity charge is added to all drinks purchased on board.
Available drinks packages:
Another cruise line that offers plenty of options to choose from. The “Plus Beverage Package” includes fountain soda, bottled water, wine, beer, spirits, cocktails, tea, specialty coffees and other individual beverages up to $15 each and costs $64.99 per person per day. The “Premier Beverage Package” includes a wider variety on the above as well as more premium brands and costs $84.99 per person per day. Both the Plus and Premier Beverage Package will also get you a 25% discount on bottles of wine, one-litre bottles of water and cans of soda. Note that it is makes more sense to upgrade your cruise fare to “Princess Plus” or “Princess Premier” as for almost the same price you get so many more perks, such as tips, Wi-Fi, room service & specialty dining – just to name a few. The “Zero Alcohol Package” includes premium and specialty coffees & teas along with fountain sodas, fruit juices, Red Bull, milk shakes, hot chocolate and “zero-proof” mocktails, and costs $29.99 per person per day. The “Classic Soda Package” (perfect for children!) includes all fountain sodas, fruit juices, mocktails, and smoothies, and costs $14.99 per person per day. The above prices include the 18% gratuity.
What you need to know:
Passengers are not allowed to share drinks packages, therefore all Guests travelling together must get the same package. Packages can be purchased up to 4 days before sailing or on embarkation day only. Alcoholic drinks are limited to 15 beverages per 24-hour period. Non-alcoholic drinks do NOT have this limitation nor do they count toward this maximum. Packages can be used on the liner’s private islands, as well as onboard.
Royal Caribbean International:
What drinks are included:
Whilst drinks are not included in a Royal Caribbean cruise fare, you will find free tea, coffee, hot chocolate, flavoured water, lemonade and milk, as well as fruit juice at breakfast. The average price for a cocktail is $10-$12, while a G&T will cost you $10, a beer $8 and a glass of wine up to $20 if you choose to pay a la carte. If you plan on drinking a lot, a drinks package might be what you need.
Available drinks packages:
Royal Caribbean has three all-inclusive drinks packages to choose from. The “Classic Soda package” ($13-$15 per person per day) includes Coca-Cola (classic, diet, zero, caffeine-free, strawberry/cherry/lime flavoured), Fanta, Sprite, Dr.Pepper (classic & diet), Powerade, Vitamin water, Seagrams ginger ale, Bary’s root beer and crème soda, Minute Maid orange & lemonade, and flavoured or sparkling water. You also get a refillable souvenir cup which you can use at self-service machines across the ship, thanks to an embedded microchip which will only work for the entirety of your cruise. The “Refreshment Package” ($29-$38 per person per day) includes non-alcoholic drinks such as mocktails, premium teas & coffees, freshly squeezed juices, sodas & soft drinks, as well as bottled water. Finally, the “Deluxe Beverage Package” ($63-$115 per person per day) includes all the above plus beer, wine by the glass, spirits and liquors, and cocktails.
What you need to know:
You can purchase these packages up to 72 hours before you sail or onboard on the first day of you cruise. We strongly recommend you purchase it online as it will be cheaper than getting it onboard. There is no daily limit to the drink packages on Royal Caribbean, however you can only order 1 drink at a time and sharing is not allowed. Your drinks package can also be used in the liner’s private island Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. You can bring your own alcohol on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Two bottles of wine or champagne per cabin can be taken onboard during turnaround and embarkation day. Any alcohol brought onboard on port days will be held by security until you disembark the ship.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises:
What drinks are included:
Luxury operator, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, has everything included, including unlimited beverages of your choice. Your all-inclusive cruise fare on a luxurious Regent Seven Sea ship means that you can enjoy a variety of wine, beer, mixed drinks, as well as coffee beverages, teas and hot chocolate, deliciously paired with baked goods in Coffee Connection. Furthermore, back in your suite, your mini-bar is replenished daily with soft drinks, beer and bottled water — all complimentary.
Available drinks packages:
No packages are available, however, a Connoisseur’s list of ultra-premium wines and liquors are available at extra cost.
What you need to know:
Bringing alcohol onboard at embarkation, as well as purchasing in port to bring onboard, are both allowed without any restrictions and there are no corkage fees. So you can bring a few of your favourite bottles to enjoy in your suite or restaurant.
Seabourn Cruise Line:
What drinks are included:
Another luxury liner that has your every need covered. You can enjoy complimentary champagne, fine wines and spirits onboard, at lunch and dinner and throughout the ships.
Available drinks packages:
Since everything is included in your cruise fare there are no packages on offer, however you can find some ultra-premium or rare bottles of wine available for an extra fee.
What you need to know:
Once again, you are allowed to bring alcohol onboard without any limitation and without corkage fees. But do remember everything is included so there is no point in bringing beer or spirits, maybe just a bottle of your favourite wine (don’t bring more so you can try new ones onboard)
*Note that prices are indicative and subject to change by the cruise lines without notice. Prices shown are in currency onboard unless stated otherwise.
As you can see, there is a lot of information to take in. If you need further argumentation, whether to buy a drinks package or not, you can read our latest article on the matter.
And don’t forget, you’re going on a cruise to explore the world and have fun. You do not want anything ruining your trip and especially a huge bill at the end of your cruise, so planning is key!
Search & compare the best deals among 15,000 itineraries from 15 major cruise lines at www.supercruises.com and Book All-Online 24/7!
