Are cruise drink packages worth the price? The short answer is: it depends.
The value of a drink package can vary significantly based on the cruise line’s pricing in comparison to the cost of individual drinks. Prices differ greatly across different cruise lines.
It also depends on how much you typically drink each day and the types of beverages you prefer.
Moreover, consider whether there will be complimentary drinks available on the ship. For example, many river cruise lines include wine and beer with lunch and dinner, meaning you only pay for additional alcoholic beverages if you order them outside of meal times.
In some cases, the question of purchasing a drink package may not even apply, as certain cruise lines include alcoholic beverages in their base fares. Other lines may generally charge for drinks, but often offer promotions that include them for free.
If you’re contemplating whether to buy a cruise drink package or just trying to gauge your drink budget for the trip, keep reading. We’ll explore everything you need to know about whether an alcoholic drink package is right for you while cruising.
What is a cruise drink package?
A major draw for many vacationers is that a cruise fare covers quite a bit, including accommodations, most meals, and a variety of entertainment. However, at many cruise lines, drinks are not included and can become quite costly. For passengers who enjoy cocktails or glasses of wine, it’s easy to accumulate a hefty bar tab during their trip.
This is where drink packages come in. These are all-you-can-drink options that many cruise lines have introduced over the years. For a set daily fee, you can order unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day.
Prices for these packages can vary significantly: Carnival Cruise Line offers packages starting around $60 per day if booked in advance, while Royal Caribbean’s most comprehensive package can climb to $105 per day. For detailed pricing and inclusions, check out Flying Frugal’s ultimate guide to cruise line drink packages.
Advantages of a cruise drink package
If you tend to order several individual drinks onboard, especially pricier items like premium cocktails or wines, purchasing a drink package can be a smart choice. Many premium cocktails can exceed $15 each on certain lines, and even wines by the glass often hover around that price point.
The first step is to analyze how many drinks you typically order on a vacation and the types of drinks you prefer.
As previously mentioned, these packages can be steeply priced, and they only make financial sense if you’re a significant drinker. For instance, Carnival charges $59.95 per person per day for its Cheers! drink package if booked early ($64.95 if booked onboard), and Royal Caribbean packages can go up to $105 per day. These packages are worth it if your daily drink spending exceeds these amounts.
If you’re more of a beer drinker, it might be more economical to pay for each drink individually, as many beers cost approximately $7 to $8. Therefore, you’d need to consume 7-8 beers daily for the package to be worthwhile.
On the other hand, wine drinkers might benefit more, as wines by the glass are often expensive. For example, at Carnival, wine by the glass can cost $10 to $15, meaning ordering just five glasses daily could justify the package’s price.
Related: Best drinks to order with a cruise ship beverage package (and a few to avoid)
In addition to alcoholic options, many drink packages allow unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, such as specialty coffees and soft drinks that typically incur additional fees. For those who regularly order numerous lattes, sodas, and cocktails, a drink package could present excellent value.
For instance, if someone enjoys two or three lattes in the morning, several sodas throughout the day, and a few glasses of premium wine in the evening, getting a drink package would likely save them money.
For some passengers, a drink package acts as a useful budgeting tool. You can purchase it ahead of time, knowing exactly how much you’ll spend on drinks for your entire cruise before boarding. Additionally, having a drink package simplifies bar-hopping on the ship, as you won’t need to worry about paying for each beverage.
Your drink package also gives you the freedom to experiment with new drinks without the fear of making an expensive mistake—if you don’t enjoy it, you can simply order something else.
Disadvantages of a cruise drink package
One significant disadvantage of buying a drink package is that you might not get as much value as you expect.
Keep in mind that cruise lines usually sell drink packages for the duration of your trip, not by day. This means if you embark on a seven-day cruise, you’ll need to pay for the package every day, even if you anticipate not drinking heavily on specific days.
Moreover, if you plan to spend a considerable amount of time off the ship during port days, you may not order as many drinks as you would on a straight sea day. Some cruise lines may not even permit the use of drink packages on their private islands.
Drink packages are most beneficial to those who consistently order numerous drinks each day, including port days.
Related: Can I bring alcohol on a cruise ship? A line-by-line guide
Additionally, it’s essential to consider the drinking habits of everyone in your cabin. Some cruise lines, like Carnival, Holland America, and MSC Cruises, require that if one adult in a room purchases a drink package, all adults in that room must also purchase one. This prevents cabin mates from sharing the package.
This requirement can make purchasing a package impractical unless all adults share a similar drinking preference. If one person drinks moderately while others do not, paying for individual drinks may prove more cost-effective.
Lines such as Princess Cruises and Windstar Cruises do not have such restrictions.
Another drawback to many cruise drink packages is the potential for unexpected exclusions and price limits. Even premium packages may not include specific beverage brands you desire, and many only cover drinks priced below a certain threshold (often around $15). In some situations, cruise lines offer multiple tiers of packages, where a pricier option affords access to a broader range of drink options.
If you have particular wine preferences, you might find that the selections available under drink packages do not live up to your expectations. Usually, these packages cover only wines available by the glass at bars and restaurants, not the vast selection of bottled wines found aboard. However, some cruise lines do offer discounts on bottled wine purchases for drink package holders.
Related: These are the best cruise ship bars
How to score a free cruise drink package
When you can obtain a drink package for free, the decision-making process shifts significantly. Many large cruise lines occasionally offer free drink packages as perks within limited-time or ongoing promotions.
For example, Norwegian Cruise Line has a “More at Sea” promotion that includes free drink packages, specialty dining, excursion credits, and other benefits with new bookings.
Other cruise lines, such as Princess Cruises and Holland America, have similarly run promotions featuring free drink packages, although they also now supply all-inclusive fare bundles that package in drinks and extra perks.
Related: The best cruise booking perks – and which ones are actually free
It’s worth noting that the free drink packages offered during promotions are not always the most premium versions. For instance, Celebrity Cruises provides a drink package with their All Included fare class, but it’s not the top-tier Premium Drink Package. The complimentary package only covers drinks up to $10 and may exclude premium liquor and beer brands. For a more comprehensive selection of options, you may need to upgrade your package at an additional cost.
Moreover, the so-called free drink packages often come with a catch. Customers receiving a complimentary drink package may still be charged a gratuity fee ranging from 15% to 20% of the package’s typical cost. This can lead to your “free” drink package costing over $100 for a week.
Conclusion
Purchasing a drink package on a cruise can be a beneficial choice if it aligns with your drinking habits, but these packages aren’t always suitable for everyone. They tend to be a better fit for those who regularly order many drinks each day or who favor more expensive options like premium cocktails. For those who only indulge in a drink or two a day or prefer lower-cost items like beers, a cruise drink package typically isn’t the most economical option.
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