Drink Packages by Cruise Line
How much are drink packages? Are they worth it?
Please note: All prices listed here were accurate when posted but are subject to change by the cruise line. The only way to know for SURE is when you have booked the cruise and log in to your booking on the cruise line’s website where you can select a beverage package and see current prices.
The most important detail to know about drink packages is that cruise lines require ALL folks in your party or who you’re cross-referenced to dine with to have the same package.
So if just one person in your party is a drinker, you have to pay for EVERYONE to be a drinker.
There are kiddy drink packages which include water and soft drinks, and kids too have to get the equivalent kid version of the drink package that the adults are getting.
The thing about most European cruises is that you will be in a port most days, and won’t return to the ship until late afternoon. So, you may not have a lot of time every day to drink enough to get the maximum value from your drink package.
Then again, prepaying for unlimited beverages does give you the peace of mind not to have a bill that catches you by surprise at the end of the cruise, when you have sobered up and reality sets in!
Meanwhile, if you’re on a Caribbean cruise taking a relaxing, party vacation and you have three sea days, an investment in a drink package is easier to recoup.
We’ve found that drinks on cruise ships are not overly expensive. Most drinks average between $4 to $6 for beer, $6 to $8 for glasses of wine, and $6 to 9 for mixed drinks.
If you live in a big expensive city, you’ll find these prices to be relatively inexpensive. If you live in rural Oklahoma, this may be double what you pay at the local tavern.
We’ve gotten the most expensive premium drink package on cruises ourselves. At first it was fun trying a bunch of different mixed drinks and getting tipsy.
But after day four, we were kinda sick of drinking that much, and couldn’t put away the seven drinks necessary to make up for the $57 per person per day we were paying.
The other way we did extract full value from our expensive drink package is we drank bottled water like fishes. Fishes! Large 2-litre bottles of water are $5 to $6 each on most cruise lines.
You can’t get this wrong. Enjoy your cruise! Still unsure? Watch this video that talks about pros and cons and while it talks about Royal Caribbean only, the same logic applies to all cruise lines.
CARNIVAL Beverage Packages
Guests are prohibited from bringing water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages onboard that are packaged in bottles.
A small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, juice, and milk) packaged in cans or cartons may be brought onboard on embarkation day and must be in the guest’s carry-on luggage. A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12 ounces each or less per person.
Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board with the following exception:
At the beginning of the cruise during embarkation day only, guests (21 years of age and older) may bring one 750 ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne per person in their carry-on luggage.
A $15 USD corkage fee (a charge exacted at a restaurant for every bottle of wine served that was not bought on the premises), per 750 ml bottle, will be charged should guests wish to consume their wine or champagne in the main dining room, steakhouse or bar.
All liquor, beer, and other forms of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages outside of the exceptions referenced above are strictly prohibited in both carry-on and checked luggage and such items will be confiscated and discarded and no compensation will be provided.
Carnival offers two drink packages to choose from – one alcoholic and one non-alcoholic.
The Bottomless Bubbles package is an unlimited soda program that lets you indulge in all-you-can-drink soda and juice for the full length of your cruise. This package does not include bottled water
The Cheers! Package* is an unlimited drink program with a 15 drink per day maximum that encompasses all spirits including cocktails, frozen drinks, non-alcoholic cocktails, sodas, wine, and beer valued at $20 or less. This package also gets customers 25% off of bottled water, champagne, and drinks valued over $20. Guests must purchase the program for the entire cruise as no per day purchase is available.
This package is $59.95 per person per day when pre-purchased and $64.95 when purchased on board, plus 18% gratuity, for guests age 21 years or older. If just one person in your cabin wants to purchase it, everyone has to purchase it. This means that if just one person in your party is a drinker, everyone in the cabin must be a drinker.
Bottled water is sold separately. You can purchase a 12-pack of half-liter bottles for $4.50 if they are purchased ahead of the cruise. The price increases to $4.50+15% gratuity for the same 12-pack if purchased aboard the ship.
*Due to state laws, Carnival cannot sell this package until the second day for cruises departing from TX, or NY. The Cheers package price will be for one less day since it will apply for one less day.
Cheers, and the Bottomless Bubbles soda program can be purchased online through Carnival’s funshop once you have booked your cruise.You may also choose to buy individual drinks onboard.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN Beverage Packages
Guests are not allowed to bring beer, hard liquor, fortified wines or non-alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use on boarding day or while in port. Alcoholic beverages seized on boarding day will not be returned.
Guests wishing to bring personal wine and champagne onboard may do so only on boarding day, limited to two (2) 750 ml bottles per stateroom. Additional bottles of wine beyond two (2) bottles that are brought onboard or any alcoholic beverages purchased in ports of call or from Shops On Board will be stored by the ship and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the sailing.
Royal Caribbean requires that guests within the same stateroom have the same drink package.
If one of the passengers in a cabin is pregnant or a non-drinker, you have to buy the ‘refreshment’ beverage package for them which is $29 – $38 per person, per day plus 18% gratuity.
All package prices include the 18% gratuity and all packages must be purchased for the duration of the cruise.
Deluxe Beverage Package
This package comes with virtually unlimited options including coffee, tea, bottled water, juice, soda, cocktails, frozen cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic cocktails up to a value of $12 each or $13 each.
$63-$89 per person per day + 18% beverage gratuities.
There are also bottled water packages. Evian is sold in 12 packs for $39.00 or 24 packs for $69.00 and can be purchased on the ship or prior to your sailing.
A soda package, the price for unlimited fountain soda with CocaCola products and a souvenir cup – is 12.99 – $15.00 per person per day.
It should also be noted that while you are in a port that is owned by the cruise line, such as CocoCay, your drinks on the island are free if you have a drink package!
You can purchase the packages on Royal’s website, or onboard during the first few days of sailing.
Refreshment Package
Start your morning off with a cup of premium coffee or tea and freshly-squeezed juice. Stay hydrated for onboard thrills with bottled water or favorite fountain sodas to fill your Coca-Cola® souvenir cup. And refuel for evening adventure with non-alcoholic cocktails. Onboard pricing is currently $29 – $38 per person per day
NORWEGIAN Beverage Packages
Guests are not permitted to bring bottled water in its original sealed container or any other sealed beverage like juice or soda.
However, tap water, juice, tea, and coffee will be provided for free.
A 20% gratuity and beverage service charge will be added on all beverage packages. These are NOT the service charges for the cruise. It is JUST for the beverage package.
Guests may bring sealed bottles of wine and champagne on board. They will be checked prior to embarkation and a corkage fee applied at that time of $15.00 for a 750 ml Bottle or $30.00 for a 1,500 ml Magnum bottle. Box wines are not allowed on board. If guests do not wish to pay the corkage fee, the wine will be held onboard and returned to the guests at the end of the cruise.
1-liter Aquafina water bottle packages are sold for $33.54 for a 12 pack
Norwegian offers the following alcoholic beverage programs:
The Premium Beverage Package (ages 21 & older)
Formerly known as The Ultimate Beverage Package
Enjoy a wide selection of soft drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer up to and including $15 during your entire cruise.
Prepaid cost: $99 per person per day plus 20% gratuity and beverage service charge.
Beverage packages must be purchased for all guests staying within the same stateroom, additional stateroom, adjoining stateroom or traveling together.
Individuals under the age of 21 will be required to purchase the Soda Package:
$5.95 per child per day for kids ages 3-12
$7.95 per person per day for guests aged 13 and up.
The Premium Beverage Package does not include room service, package sales, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated Super Premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, select Lavazza coffee beverages, energy drinks, vending machines, wine stations or spirits, cocktails, draft or bottled beer and glasses of wine over $15. One (1) beverage per person per transaction. The package can be used in all restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay. Any items over $15 will receive a $15 discount and the guest will be charged the difference to their account.
Including fountain drinks, beer and wine by the glass.
You can only upgrade to the Premium Plus Beverage Package once onboard the ship. Remember when upgrading, you need to pay the difference of the package, plus the 20% charge on that difference. So, you will be paying an extra $29 plus 20% for an additional $34.80 a person, per day.
Hawaii Beverage Package (all ages) – Pride of America only
$99 per person, per day + 20% gratuity
Applicable on Pride of America sailings beginning January 5, 2019 for guests 1-2 on the reservation. Enjoy a wide selection of beverages up to $15 USD during your entire cruise.
Corks and Caps Package
$65 per person per day plus 20% gratuity and beverage service charge.
Norwegian’s Corks and Caps Package includes a variety of draft beer, bottled beer and glasses of wine up to and including $15 USD and unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants and Great Stirrup Cay.
A 20% discount will be applied to all bottles of wine purchased on board. A 20% discount will be applied to all bottles of wine purchased on board. The Corks and Caps Package does not include room service, package sales, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated Super Premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, select Lavazza coffee beverages, energy drinks, vending machines, wine stations, draft or bottled beer and glasses of wine over $15 USD. Two (2) beverages per transaction. Package can be used in all restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay.
Individuals under the age of 21 will be required to purchase the Soda Package (see above).
If just one person in your party wants a package, everyone in the cabin must buy the same package (including a non-alcoholic version of the package for kids.)
You may also choose from the non all-inclusive choices or buy individual drinks on board. You can order the unlimited package as well as packages of just beer coffee, cocktails, soda, water, wine, and more through Norwegian’s site once you have booked.
PRINCESS Beverage Packages
You are not allowed to carry on any alcohol on your Princess cruise except one bottle of wine or champagne per adult of drinking age (no larger than 750 ml) per voyage, which will not be subject to a corkage fee if consumed in the stateroom.
Additional wine or champagne bottles are welcome, but will incur a $15 corkage fee each, irrespective of where they are intended to be consumed. Liquor, spirits or beers are not permitted.
Princess offers the following beverage programs:
Premier Beverage Package:
This program includes cocktails, wine, beer, sodas, lattes, cappuccinos, and bottled water valued at up to $12. This package does not include room service or mini bar items.
The package is $70.79 per person per day including the gratuity charges.
Unlimited Soda & More:
This program includes fountain sodas, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and Barq’s Root Beer, orange soda, soda water, tonic water, ginger ale, refreshing juices, and fruity mocktails.
Premier Coffee & Soda Package:
Enjoy premium and specialty coffees and teas along with fountain sodas, fruit juices, hot chocolate and “zero-proof” mocktails throughout your entire cruise with this new beverage package.
This package costs $23.59 per person per day including the gratuity charges.
Classic Soda Package:
This package includes all fountain sodas, fruit juices, mocktails and smoothies.
This package costs $11.79 per person per day including the gratuity charges.
New Grounds Coffee Package:
Sip your favorite espresso-based beverage or tea with the pre-purchase of a specified number of specialty coffees (numbers vary by itinerary) during the voyage of purchase, as well as complimentary brewed coffee and hot chocolate.
Water Package:
You can purchase a case of 12 500ml water bottles for $7.08
On Princess Cruise Lines it is not mandatory for everyone to purchase a drink package if one person does.
HOLLAND Beverage Packages
Water, coffee, tea, and some juices will be provided for free. Additionally, each guest 21 years and older may bring one bottle of wine or champagne (no larger than 750ml) onboard in carry-on luggage at the beginning of the voyage. This bottle will not be subject to a corkage fee if consumed in the stateroom.
Additional wine or champagne bottles (no larger than 750ml) in carry-on luggage are welcome, but will incur a $18.00 (subject to change) corkage fee each, irrespective of where they are intended to be consumed. Guests are not allowed to bring beer, boxed wine, or other liquors and spirits onboard.
It is mandatory for everyone to purchase a drink package if one person does on Holland.
Bottled water is available for purchase on the ship. Pricing ranges from $1.95 for a small bottle to $3.95 for a large bottle. Bottled water can also be purchased by the case.
Signature Beverage Package
This is Holland America’s most comprehensive beverage package. Guests 21 years of age and older can enjoy a variety of wines, beers, spirits, and cocktails, (including non-alcoholic) of up to an $8 value, after dinner coffee, and refreshing sodas and beverages poolside and at the lounges, bars and restaurants.
This package is $51.69 per person per day including the gratuity charges when purchased in advance and $57.44 per person per day when purchased onboard.
The Signature Beverage Package can only be purchased up to 5 days before sailing on Holland’s website, or purchased on the cruise ship on the first day of sailing.
Elite Beverage Package
The Elite Beverage Package features any premium spirits, cocktails, wines, beers, coffees, nonalcoholic beverages, bottled water and sodas up to a value of $15 each. On ms Koningsdam, the package also includes the Coca-Cola Freestyle program, where guests can enjoy more than 100 unique Coca-Cola flavors. This package is $63.19 per person per day including the gratuity charges.
Quench Beverage Package
This package features unlimited nonalcoholic beverages that include any juices, bottled water, non-alcoholic cocktails, nonalcoholic beers and specialty coffees for a price of $21.64 per person, per day including gratuities.
Coca-Cola Package
This package includes unlimited fountain sodas for $9.20 per person, per day including gratuities. On ms Koningsdam this package also includes the Coca-Cola Freestyle program with more than 100 unique Coca-Cola flavors.
Water Package
The Water Package offers 12 1-liter bottles for a price of $36.80 including gratuities.
Cellar Master Package
Wine enthusiasts will enjoy the Cellar Master Package, consisting of a choice of five wine bottles, a standard and a premium wine tasting, one Pinnacle Grill dinner, a wine accessory gift set and a Holland America Line commemorative bottle of wine. Cellar Master Package prices begin at $252 per person.
DISNEY Beverage Packages
Guests are allowed to bring prepackaged, non-home-made unopened snacks onboard.
Disney Cruise Line Guests 21 years and older may bring a maximum of 2 bottles of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or 6 beers (no larger than 12 ounces) on board at the beginning of the voyage and at each port of call. These beverages must be packed in carry-on (not checked) bags or luggage. Guests wishing to consume wine or champagne that they have brought on board in one of the dining rooms will be charged a corking fee of $25.00 per bottle.
Soda, tea, coffee, water, and ice cream is available for free at the beverage station on the same deck as the pool and in the dining rooms.
Disney has various wine, beer, and water bottle packages for sale but they do not offer any unlimited mixed drink packages.
For $33.75 plus tax and gratuity, you can enjoy a 6-pack of Corona, Pub Ale, Guiness, or Heineken.
Additionally, domestic beer costs $33.75 plus tax and gratuity for a 6 pack of 16 oz aluminum bottles. Brands include Bud Light, Bud Light Lime, Budweiser, Michelob Ultra, Miller Light, and Coors Light.
Disney also offers both classic and premium wine packages. These packages start at $97 for three classic bottles of wine and go up to $315 for seven premium bottles.
Bottled Dasani water can be purchased for $10 for a 6-pack or you can purchase the 24 pack for $40 plus tax and gratuity.
To purchase one of Disney’s packages, call Disney at 1 (888) 325- 2600 with your booking number, the item number, and your preferred payment method.
Please note that passengers will be allowed to bring a maximum of two unopened bottles — no larger than 750 milliliters — of wine or champagne. And guests boarding with beer will be able to bring six 12-ounce bottles at most. However, any amount of liquor will be prohibited.
CELEBRITY Beverage Packages
Guests are not allowed to bring any beverages on board. Tap water, milk, hot chocolate, coffee, iced tea and lemonade will be provided for free all day. Apple and orange juice are complimentary at breakfast.
There are many beverage packages offered by Celebrity for the duration of your cruise. Additionally, it is not mandatory that everyone purchase a beverage package on Celebrity.
Classic Beverage Package:
With the classic package, you may choose from beers, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs and frozen drinks, and wine-by-the-glass valued at up to $9 per serving. Wines by the bottle are discounted by 15%.
This package costs $59 per person per day. An 18% gratuity will be added to each check.
Premium Beverage Package:
Celebrity also offers a premium beverage package that comes with virtually unlimited options including craft beer, top-shelf spirits, cocktails, and wine by the glass valued at up to $15 per serving. Wines by the bottle are discounted by 20%.
This package will run you $69 per person per day. An 18% gratuity will be added to each check.
You can purchase the beverage package through Celebrity’s website, or onboard during the first few days of sailing. It is not mandatory that everyone purchase a beverage package on Celebrity.
This way, you can see if you think you’ll be better off to purchase an unlimited beverage package or buy your drinks individually.
Non-alcoholic packages
Bottled water:
Celebrity offers unlimited premium bottled water packages for $16 per person per day which includes Evian, Perrier, and Pellegrino. You can also purchase them individually.
Soda package:
Unlimited fountain and canned soda from a selection of flavors including newer popular flavors such as Coke Zero, Barq’s Root Beer, Sprite Zero, and Caffeine-Free Diet Coke. $9 per person per day plus gratuities!
Classic Non-Alcoholic Package
Includes the full soda selection as well as juices, premium coffee and tea, and bottled water for $18 per person per day plus gratuities.
Premium Non-Alcoholic Package
Includes everything available in the classic package plus premium bottled water from Evian, Perrier, and San Pellegrino brands, specialty coffee, organic tea, frozen drinks and smoothies, Red Bull energy drink, coconut water, and vitamin water. This package costs $22 per person per day plus gratuities.
COSTA Beverage Packages
Guests are not allowed to bring any beverages on board.
Tap water, juice, and coffee will be provided for free at the buffet.
Costa has rolled their drink packages into the price of the cruise.
So at the time you book a Costa Cruise, you can choose the MYCRUISE price which does not include drinks, or the MYDRINKS price which does.
In general, the price that includes drinks is about $240 more per person. So if you are going to drink more than 4 drinks a day, it’ll pay for you to have the drink package.
What does the My Drinks package include?
- VERGNANO teas and herbal teas, coffee and cappuccino
- SAN BENEDETTO 0.5 l bottles, 1 per person per day
- AN UNLIMITED selection of wines by the glass
- PEPSI and 7UP soft drinks
- HEINEKEN draught beer
- APEROL SPRITZ and CRODINO aperitifs, as well as mocktails
- Bitter liqueurs and spirits such as AMARO DEL CAPO, AVERNA, DISARONNO, SAMBUCA
- Cocktails such as MOJITO, GIN AND TONIC or BACARDI BREEZER
- And if you’re traveling with children, unlimited soft drinks and fruit juices are included in the price, too!
If you’d like to upgrade your drink package to the My Drinks PLUS package, you can do that once you’re on board. This package includes: (in Costa’s words)
- the most sophisticated cocktails or the most prestigious brands of bitter liqueurs and spirits
- unlimited bottles of San Benedetto water
- And all the drinks in your mini-bar, which is restocked daily.
More Drink Package info:
– Available at all bars on board, excluding themed bars.
– The package must be purchased by all guests on the same reservation number and/or traveling in the same cabin.
– The package for children and teenagers aged 4 to 17 does not include alcoholic beverages.
REMEMBER – Costa’s lowest rates DO NOT INCLUDE any beverage package.
MSC Beverage Packages
Why should you book your drink package BEFORE you board?
SERVICE CHARGES: Pre-paid drink packages include a 15% service charge within the price. On board, a service charge of 15% will be applied to drink packages upon purchase of the package.
| EASY PACKAGE $46 per Day, 7+ Nights |
| A selection of classic cocktails, house spirits, mixed drinks, non-alcoholic cocktails, select house wines by the glass, beers, soft drinks, mineral water, and a variety of other non-alcoholic beverages. |
| EASY PLUS PACKAGE $61 per Day, 7+ Nights |
| Frozen and classic cocktails; a variety of spirits, liquors, and cordials; select wine by the glass; a 10% discount on bottled wines; a variety of draft and bottled beers; soft drinks, mineral water, and a variety of other non-alcoholic beverages. |
| PREMIUM EXTRA PACKAGE $85 per Day, 7+ Nights |
| A variety of frozen and classic cocktails; premium spirits, liquors, and cordials; select wine and champagne by the glass; a 25% discount on bottles of wine and champagne; our entire beer selection; and a variety of other non-alcoholic beverages. |
| ALCOHOL-FREE PACKAGE $28 per Day, 7+ Nights |
| A wide choice of alcohol-free cocktails, sodas, energy drinks, mineral water, flavored water, fruit juices, classic coffee drinks and specialties, hot chocolate, hot teas, and soft-serve ice cream. |
| MINORS PACKAGE $19 per Day, 7+ Nights |
| A choice of alcohol-free cocktails, sodas, energy drinks, mineral water, flavored water, fruit juices, select coffee drinks, hot chocolate, hot tea, and soft-serve ice creams. (Available for minors only.) |
No beverage of any kind – not even a bottle of wine or champagne – can be brought onboard. Exceptions are only made for medically necessary reasons, such as distilled water needed for medical devices or infant formula.
MSC prohibits their guests from bringing bottled water on board. Mineral water is served at the dinner table every evening at no charge.
If you purchase a beverage package, all adults traveling in the same cabin must purchase the same package.
Kids aged 3-11 in the cabin will get the kids package. Kids aged 12-20 will get the adult non-alcoholic package.
If you are dining with passengers who are booked in another cabin, then passengers in one cabin can book with no beverage package even if the other cabin has one.
WANT TO UPGRADE your drink package! Can you do that?
TERMS & CONDITIONS
*This package is for personal use only and valid for one booking at a time. The ID card issued with the package is non-transferable. Abusing the terms of the package may result in the service being withdrawn and the remaining days not being refunded. The price of the package applies to each day of the cruise, except for the day of disembarkation; the package cannot be purchased on a daily basis. If the package is purchased prior to the cruise, you will not be charged the 15% service charge (a 15% savings); while if the package is purchased onboard, a 15% service charge will be applied. If you would like to pre-book a package, this must be done 48 hours prior to the sailing date. Once activated on board, the package cannot be terminated and refunded. The package must be booked by all guests occupying the same stateroom, or traveling together, including minors who must book the Child version of the package. Adult packages are for guests 21 and older; a child who is between 12 – 20 years old at time of sailing, will be charged $29 per person / per day; a child who is between 3 – 11 years old at time of sailing, will be charged $17 per person / per day. Prices are subject to change without notice. Purchase of a beverage package is not required for children under the age of 3 (i.e. who have not yet reached their 3rd birthday). The following items are not included in the package: tobacco, souvenir glasses, ice cream menu, retail items, minibar and room service. For the Premium and Premium Plus package, select drinks will be available on Ocean Cay. Excludes ice cream on Ocean Cay.
