Not all drinks packages are created equal, so if you’re looking to invest in a drinks package on your next cruise, it’s worth knowing your options to find which one gives you the best value for money!
:focal(923x580:941x604):quality(70))
Comparing cruise line drinks packages
:quality(70))
And no matter your tipple of choice, there’s a package to keep your tastebuds satisfied, even if alcohol isn’t your bag. So, if you’re new to the idea of a cruise line drink package, or you simply can’t decide what to go for, let us help with this handy guide.
:quality(70))
What is a Drinks Package on a Cruise Ship?
Does the thought of paying for drinks individually fill you with dread? Or have you ever found yourself with a huge tab at the end of your trip that ends up taking the edge off a relaxing holiday? Worry no more, because a cruise line drinks package is designed to let you enjoy every last sip, stress-free.
:quality(70))
A drinks package on a cruise ship lets you pay a one-off charge that covers most alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks while you’re onboard. Cruise lines will typically offer different types of drinks packages to suit all passengers, with some including premium drinks and spirits while others cover beer and wine only. It’s also worth mentioning that on many cruise ships, tea, coffee, water and fruit juice is usually complimentary and can be found in the buffet restaurants.
:quality(70))
Are Cruise Drinks Packages Worth It?
Whether you’re tee-total or you enjoy a wine or two, there’s a drinks package to suit your lifestyle – but is it better to pay for a package or just simply pay for drinks as you go?
Do your homework and a take a look at the different drinks packages available on your cruise (we’ve got a handy comparison below for this!) and don’t forget to have a nosey at the cost too. Take a look at how much drinks are on your chosen ship individually too, as this can help you to decide whether it’s worth investing in a package for your whole trip.
:quality(70))
Remember that not all drinks packages cover everything, so get familiar with what the package offers before you buy. For instance, some will include only glasses of wine, rather than bottles.
While there are plenty of drinks packages available to choose from, you might find it more useful to look at which cruise lines offer the best value for money overall. Some have all their drinks, even premium options, included in their standard fare, so make sure you’re looking at all the ins and outs.
:quality(70))
Can You Buy Drinks on a Cruise Without a Package?
Don’t worry, if you don’t like the thought of committing yourself to a package and feeling the pressure of making the most of it, you can just buy drinks individually as you would anywhere else.
:quality(70))
Just remember that each drink will likely have an additional gratuity charge when you come to pay.
:quality(70))
Choosing a Cruise Drinks Package: 5 Things to Consider
)
)
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival offers drink packages for every taste, from unlimited sodas with Bottomless Bubbles to cocktails and wine with Cheers or Cruise the Vineyard.
Bottomless Bubbles Package
$11.21 per adult per day / $8.20 per child per day. Includes unlimited sodas and juices available whenever you want.
Cheers Package
$70.74 per person per day. Includes: All spirits, cocktails and beer/wine by the glass with a $20 or lower menu price, sodas, non-alcoholic drinks, coffee, tea, and 25% discount off menu price for spirit or wine by the glass above $20 / wine and champagne by the bottle/beverage seminars and classes. Please note – 10% discount applies if you purchase before you sail & you will be limited to 15 alcoholic beverages per day.
Cruise the Vineyard Wine Package
$95.58 per person. Includes: Featured wines from Argentina, Armenia, California, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and Washington. Please note - An 18% service charge will be added to your beverage charge & unconsumed wine will not be refunded but you may take home unopened bottles.
Cruise the Vineyard Premium Wine Package
$146.32 per person. Includes: Everything in the standard vineyard wine package, plus an additional wine selection. Please note - An 18% service charge will be added to your beverage charge & unconsumed wine will not be refunded but you may take home unopened bottles.
)
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises offers drink packages for every preference. Enjoy beers, cocktails, and wines with the Classic Package, upgrade to Premium for top-shelf selections, or choose Zero Proof for non-alcoholic options.
Classic Package
$89 per person per day. Includes: Choice of beer, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs and wines by the glass up to $10, and 15% off wines by the bottle.
Premium Package
$109 per person per day. Includes: Same as classic but also specialty coffees and teas, craft beers and more spirits, cocktails, frozen drinks and Coca Cola products, wines by the glass up to $17 and 20% off wines by the bottle.
Zero Proof Package
$30 per person per day. Includes: Juices, coffees and teas, bottled water, smoothies and non-alcoholic cocktails.
)
Celestyal
Celestyal
Celestyal Cruises offers a range of drink packages to suit every guest. Sky’s The Limit provides premium cocktails, spirits, and wines, while Sky High includes a selection of beers, wines, and soft drinks. Non-alcoholic options include Clear Skies for juices and mocktails, Sweet Treat for kids, Hydration for bottled water, and Caffeinator for coffee lovers.
Sky’s The Limit
€47 per person per day. Includes: Over 100 classic and premium drinks, including cocktails, mocktails, spirits, liqueurs, wines by the glass and beer on draft up to €10 per drink, coffee, tea, juice, energy drinks and soft drinks. Please note - If you choose to purchase drinks not included in your package that are over 10 €, you’ll simply pay the extra as a supplement.
Sky High (included in the Celestyal plus+Experience package)
€30 per person per day. Includes: Wines, spirits, mocktails, cocktails and draught beers up to €7 per drink, hot & cold beverages, soft drinks, and water and juice up to €3 per drink. Please note – a supplement will be added for any drinks not included in your package.
Clear Skies
€27 per person per day. Includes: All non-alcohol drinks up to €8, including coffees, mocktails, juice and smoothies.
Sweet Treat
€16 per person per day (guests aged between 4 and 17 years old only). Includes: Monster milkshakes, regular milkshakes, slushies and water by the glass, juices, soft drinks, non-alcohol cocktails and hot chocolates.
Hydration
€8.50 per person per day. Includes: Premium bottled mineral water and six small bottles of your choice per day.
Caffeinator
€10 per person per day. Includes: Hot and cold Nespresso coffees, hot and cold selection of herbal teas including Turkish tea, and still and sparkling mineral water by the glass.
Refresh
€10 per person per day. Includes: Soft drinks by the glass, concentrated juices by the glass, and still and sparkling mineral water by the glass.
)
Costa Cruises
Costa Cruises
Costa Cruises offers drink packages to enhance your experience. My Drinks includes coffee, wines, soft drinks, beer, and select spirits, while My Drinks Plus adds premium cocktails, beers, and spirits for Suite guests.
My Drinks Package (included with Comfort Plus rate)
Includes: Tea, coffee, unlimited wines by the glass, soft drinks, select beer, select cocktails, liqueurs and spirits.
My Drinks Plus Package (Included with Comfort Plus rate when you book a Suite cabin)
Includes: Everything from My Drinks plus a wider choice of beer, cocktails and a premium selection of spirits.
)
Cunard cruises
Cunard cruises
Cunard offers a variety of drink packages to suit every guest. Choose from Soft Drinks or Premium Soft Drinks for non-alcoholic options, or indulge in unlimited specialty coffees with the Speciality Hot Drinks package. For a full selection of beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails, the Beers, Wines & Spirits package provides the perfect upgrade.
Premium Soft Drinks Package
$40.50 per person per day ($45 when purchased onboard). Includes: Soft drinks, small bottled waters, juice, speciality hot drinks, non-alcoholic cocktails and a 20% discount on any further non-alcoholic drinks not already included.
Speciality Hot Drinks Package
$15.75 per person per day ($17.50 when purchased onboard). Includes: Unlimited speciality coffees, teas and hot chocolate.
Soft Drinks Package
$13.50 per person per day ($15 when purchased onboard). Includes unlimited draught soft drinks, selected fruit juices and cordials.
Beers, Wines and Spirits Package
$72 per person per day (for voyages between 5 & 14 nights - $80 when purchased onboard). $85.50 per person per day (for voyages less than 5 nights - $95 when purchased onboard). $67.50 per person per day (for voyages between 15 & 84 nights - $75 when purchased onboard). $49.50 per person per day (for voyages over 85 nights - $55 when purchased onboard). Includes: All benefits of Premium Soft Drinks package as well as beers, wines, spirits, liqueurs and cocktails up to $13.50, 20% off drinks above $13.50, some bottles of wine and Cocktail Master Class activities.
)
Disney cruises
Disney cruises
Disney Cruise Line does not offer traditional drinks packages but allows guests to purchase alcohol through Onboard Gifts.
Onboard gifts - drinks purchases
Disney offer the opportunity to buy alcohol through their Onboard Gifts, which allows you to buy packs of 6 beers, or 3, 4, 5 or 7 bottles of wine as a package. Other drinks can only be purchased individually onboard.
)
Fred Olsen.
Fred Olsen.
Fred. Olsen offers a Drinks Package Upgrade. This includes selected wines, house beers, spirits, soft drinks, and 50% off premium drinks.
Drinks Package Upgrade
£34.99 per person per day for cruises over 6 days when purchased onboard, or £45 per person per day for cruises of 5 nights or less when purchased onboard. Includes: Selected white, red, rose, sparkling and non-alcoholic wines by the glass, selected house beers, house spirits and soft drinks all day, and 50% off selected premium and branded drinks. Please note – you can add your upgrade up to 6 days prior to your cruise departing.
)
Holland America
Holland America
Holland America offers a range of drink packages to suit every guest.
Signature Beverage Package
$54.95 per person per day. Includes: Beers, spirits, cocktails and wines by the glass priced at $11 and under, and everything from the Quench soft drinks package. Please note – 15-drink daily limit for both alcohol and non-alcoholic beverage.
Elite Beverage Package
$59.99 per person per day. Includes: Benefits of Signature and Quench packages, as well as premium spirits, cocktails and wines $15 or under. Please note – 15-drink daily limit for alcoholic drinks, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages.
Quench Package
$17.95 per person per day. Includes: Coca Cola products, premium coffee, juices, mocktails and bottled water. Please note - 15-drink daily limit.
Coca Cola Package
$8 per person per day. Includes: Unlimited fountain sodas.
Have It All package
With Holland America’s Have It All Package, you can have a drinks package, Wi-Fi, specialty dining and shore excursions for £55 per person per day.
)
MSC cruises
MSC cruises
MSC Cruises offers a variety of drink packages to fit different preferences. The Easy Package includes classic cocktails, spirits, wine, and soft drinks. The Easy Plus Package adds frozen cocktails, protein shakes, and a discount on wine. For a premium experience, the Premium Extra Package offers champagne, premium spirits, and higher-priced options. For non-drinkers, the Alcohol-Free Package includes mocktails and energy drinks, while the Minors Package offers similar non-alcoholic options for younger guests.
Easy Package
$35 per person per day. Includes: Selected classic and international cocktails, spirits, draft beer, house wines, soft drinks including non-alcoholic cocktails, fruit juice, soda, water and hot drinks.
Easy Plus Package
$62 per person per day. Includes: Frozen and classic cocktails, spirits, liqueurs, wines by the glass, draught and bottled beer, non-alcoholic drinks, protein shakes, water and hot drinks all priced up to €9 / $10. Also includes a 10% discount on bottles of wine purchased onboard.
Premium Extra Package
$79 per person per day. Includes: All the benefits of the Easy Plus Package, along with champagne by the glass and premium brand spirits and liqueurs all priced up to €14 / $16. Also includes a 25% discount on bottles of wine and champagne.
Alcohol-Free Package
$17 per person per day. Includes: Non-alcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, sodas, hot drinks and soft serve ice cream.
Minors Package
$17 per person per day. Includes: Non-alcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, sodas, hot drinks and soft serve ice cream.
)
NCL
NCL
NCL offers drink packages with premium spirits, wine, and beer in the Enhanced Premium and Premium Plus options. For sodas and coffee, choose the Unlimited Soda or Unlimited Starbucks package.
Enhanced Premium Beverage Package (included with your reservation if you booked with a Free at Sea Fare)
Includes: Unlimited premium spirits from brands such as Grey Goose, Casamigos & Makers Mark, cocktails, wines, draft beer, juice and soda.
Premium Plus Beverage Package (available as an upgrade from the Unlimited Open Bar Package included with Free at Sea)
$138 per person per day. Includes: All top-shelf cocktails and spirits, all beer, red wine, white wine and NCL’s exclusive brand of rose, champagne by the glass, select premium bottles of wine with dinner including NCL’s exclusive rosé champagne, as well as unlimited soft drinks, bottled water and Starbucks coffee. Also includes 40% off all other bottles of champagne and wine.
Unlimited Soda Package
$9.95 per person per day. Includes: Unlimited fountain soda including Coke, Sprite, Fanta and soda water.
Unlimited Starbucks Package
$12.95 per person per day. Includes: Everything from classic coffees and teas to specialty beverages like Frappuccinos.
)
Oceania cruises
Oceania cruises
Oceania Cruises offers standard inclusions like soda, specialty tea, coffee, Vero water, juices, and smoothies. For a premium experience, the Prestige Drinks Package provides unlimited wine and spirits.
Included as standard
Soda, speciality tea, coffee, still and sparkling Vero water, juices and smoothies.
Prestige Drinks Package
$59.95 per person per day. Includes: Unlimited wine and spirits.
)
P&O
P&O
P&O Cruises offers drink packages including the Classic Package with beers, wines, and cocktails, and the Deluxe Package with an extended range of drinks. The Refresh Package includes soft drinks and juices, while the Alcohol-free Package adds non-alcoholic beers and cocktails. Early booking discounts are available.
Classic Package
£48.85 per person per day (10% discount when purchased before your holiday). Includes: Non-alcoholic drinks as well as beers and ciders, select cocktails, 125ml glasses of Prosecco, selected 175ml glasses of wine, selected 25ml spirits. Also includes a 20% discount on drinks not included in the package and a complimentary Refresh package for children aged 17 and under.
Deluxe Package
£60.50 per person per day (10% discount when purchased before your holiday). Includes: The same selection as other packages, as well as craft beers, extended range of cocktails, extended range of 250ml glasses of wine, extended range of 50ml spirits, full range of specialty tea and coffee. Also includes a 20% discount on drinks not included in the package and a complimentary Refresh package for children aged 17 and under.
Refresh Package
£14.45 per person per day (10% discount when purchased before your holiday). Includes: Soft drinks on tap and fruit juice.
Alcohol-free Package
£26.95 per person per day (10% discount when purchased before your holiday). Includes: Everything from the Refresh package, plus non-alcoholic beers, ciders, cocktails, wines and spirits, alongside selected specialty tea and coffee and an extended range of soft drinks.
)
Princess cruises
Princess cruises
Princess Cruises offers two drink packages: the Plus Beverage Package ($50/day) includes cocktails, wine, beer, and specialty coffees, with discounts on bottles. The Premier Beverage Package ($75/day) adds top-shelf spirits, reserve wines, and extra perks like premium dining and Wi-Fi. Both are included in the Princess Plus and Premier packages.
Plus Beverage Package (included in the Princess Plus package)
$50 per person per day for the Princess Plus package. Includes cocktails, wine by the glass, beer, specialty coffees, fountain sodas, bottled water, fresh juices and smoothies, mocktails. Also includes a 25% discount on wine bottles (including rare vintages) and a 25% discount on large bottles of water and cans of soda. With the Princess Plus package, you’ll also benefit from MedallionNet® Max Wi-Fi (1 device per guest), room service delivery, crew appreciation, 2 fitness classes per cruise, 2 casual dining meals per cruise and premium desserts.
Premier Beverage Package (included in the Princess Premier package)
$75 per person per day for the Princess Premier package. Includes everything from the Plus package, as well as top shelf spirits, reserve wines by the glass and high-end cocktails, private Woodford Reserve bourbon selection, personalised Jack Daniel’s whiskey single barrel. Also includes a 25% discount on wine bottles (including rare vintages) and a 25% discount on large bottles of water and cans of soda. With the Princess Premier package, you’ll also have MedallionNet® Max Wi-Fi (up to 4 devices per guest), crew appreciation, premium desserts, a photo package, Princess prizes, reserved theatre seating, room service delivery and unlimited specialty dining.
)
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean offers several drink packages: the Deluxe Beverage Package includes unlimited drinks up to $14, the Refreshment Package covers soft drinks and juices, the Classic Soft Drinks Package offers fountain sodas, and the Water Package provides bottled water.
Deluxe Beverage Package
$55 to $95 per person per day. Includes: Unlimited drinks including fountain soft drinks, Coca Cola drinks, non-alcoholic cocktails, water, premium coffees and teas, fresh juice, cocktails, spirits, liqueurs, beer and wine by the glass. The package covers drinks up to $14 in value. Also includes a 40% discount on bottled wines up to $100 and a 20% discount on bottle wines above $100.
Refreshment Package
$29 per person per day. Includes: Fountain soft drinks, Coca Cola drinks, non-alcoholic cocktails, water, premium coffees and teas, and fresh juices.
Classic Soft Drinks Package
$12.99 per person per day. Includes fountain soft drinks and Coca Cola drinks.
Water Package
Includes: 6, 12 or 24 packs of water delivered to your stateroom.
)
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages don't offer drinks packages per se, as they already include essential soft drinks in their fares. They do however offer Bar Tabs to pre-purchase as follows: $200 Bar Tab (an extra $25 to spend and a total of $225 in drinks to share), $300 Bar Tab (an extra $50 to spend and a total of $350 in drinks to share), $500 Bar Tab (an extra $100 to spend and a total of $600 in drinks to share), $750 Bar Tab (an extra $175 to spend and a total of $925 in drinks to share), $1000 Bar Tab (an extra $250 to spend and a total of $1250 in drinks to share)
What are some all-inclusive cruise lines?
)
Azamara Cruises
Azamara Cruises
With Azamara, you’ll get beers, wines, house spirits and soft drinks included as standard at no extra charge.
)
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas offer an all-inclusive fare, so there are no hidden extras and essentially nothing else to pay for once you board your ship. This includes all drinks across the bars and restaurants.
)
Silversea
Silversea
Silversea Cruises are all-inclusive, which means you don't have to worry about choosing a drinks package or paying for drinks individually, because it's all included in the cost of your holiday!
)
Seabourn
Seabourn
Seabourn offers a luxury all-inclusive cruise experience, so complimentary premium spirits and fine wines are available at all times alongside a selection of soft drinks.
)
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Crystal is an all-inclusive cruise line as standard. Beverages line wine, champagne, premium spirits and all non-alcohol drinks like water, soft drinks and specialty coffees are already included in suites and guest rooms.
Cruise Drink Packages: Key Things to Note
)
