A cruise holiday should be about enjoying the journey, not worrying about every drink on your onboard bill. From poolside cocktails and wine with dinner to speciality coffees and refreshing mocktails, beverage packages can make spending at sea feel more convenient. But are cruise drink packages worth it, or could you save money by paying for each drink individually?
The answer depends on your drinking habits, cruise itinerary, package rules and the total price you will pay. A package may offer good value for passengers who regularly order eligible drinks, while occasional drinkers could spend less by paying as they go. Understanding the details before you book can help you avoid paying for benefits you will barely use.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to calculate your break-even point, compare package benefits, account for port days and spot the common mistakes that can make a drink package more expensive than expected.
Overview: Are Cruise Drink Packages Worth It?
- They may be worth it if: You regularly order eligible drinks throughout the day and the total individual cost would exceed the package price.
- They may not be worth it if: You drink only occasionally, spend much of the day ashore or already receive enough drinks through your cruise fare.
- Check the full price: Account for service charges, gratuities, taxes and any required package fees.
- Read the restrictions: Some drinks, venues and destinations may be excluded and daily limits can apply.
- Compare the alternatives: Non-alcoholic packages, drinks included with meals and individual purchases may offer better value.
- Best money-saving tip: Calculate what you would realistically spend rather than assuming you will drink more to get your money’s worth.
The Real Cost of a Cruise Drink Package
Most major cruise lines offer several beverage options, ranging from basic soda packages to premium packages that include selected cocktails, wine, beer, speciality coffees and bottled water.
However, the advertised daily price is not always the final cost. Depending on the cruise line and package, you may need to account for service charges, gratuities, taxes or other fees. Some packages also have limits on the price of eligible drinks or exclude certain brands and venues.
There may also be rules about who must purchase a package. For example, some cruise lines require all adults of legal drinking age sharing a stateroom to purchase the same alcoholic beverage package. Policies differ, so check the terms for your specific sailing before making a decision.
Consider a hypothetical seven-night cruise where a beverage package costs $75 per person per day.
- One passenger: $75 × 7 nights = $525
- Two passengers: $525 × 2 = $1,050
These figures exclude any additional charges that may apply. Also, check how the cruise line counts package days, as the package may apply to the sailing’s scheduled days rather than simply the nights you spend onboard.
Before spending that amount, ask yourself: Would you actually purchase enough eligible drinks to justify the cost if you paid individually?
Travel hack: Check the cruise line’s official beverage package page and your booking confirmation before paying. Compare the final package price with the cost of buying drinks separately, including any mandatory charges. Save a screenshot or copy of the terms so you can refer to them when comparing promotions.
Don’t Forget About Port Days
Your cruise itinerary can make a significant difference to the value of a beverage package.
On an itinerary with several port stops, you might spend much of the day exploring an island, relaxing on a beach or joining a shore excursion. During those hours, you may have fewer opportunities to use a package that charges a daily rate.
Sea days can be different. With more time aboard the ship, you may have more opportunities to enjoy poolside drinks, speciality coffees, wine with dinner and beverages during evening entertainment.
That is why the itinerary matters almost as much as the package price.
A cruise with several sea days may offer more opportunities to use a drink package than a port-intensive itinerary. However, this depends on your habits and the package rules. Some packages may also cover eligible drinks at participating private destinations, while others have exclusions.
Travel hack: Review your itinerary day by day before purchasing a package. Consider how long you expect to spend ashore, whether you plan to return to the ship for lunch and whether drinks are included in any shore excursions. Do not assume that a package will cover drinks purchased off the ship.
Calculate Your Break-Even Point
Instead of guessing, calculate how much you would normally spend on beverages during an average cruise day.
For example, imagine your daily consumption looks like this:
| Drinks | Example cost |
| Two cocktails at $14 each | $28 |
| Two beers at $8 each | $16 |
| One speciality coffee | $6 |
| Two bottled waters at $3 each | $6 |
| Total per day | $56 |
These are illustrative prices, not guaranteed cruise ship menu prices. Actual costs vary by cruise line, ship, itinerary and venue.
If the package costs $75 per day, buying these drinks individually would cost about $56 before any applicable charges. Based on this example, paying individually would be cheaper by $19 per day, or $133 over seven days, before accounting for any differences in taxes or service charges.
However, the calculation changes if you regularly order additional eligible drinks or choose more expensive beverages.
The important thing is to use realistic numbers based on what you normally drink, not the maximum amount you imagine consuming on holiday. You should not feel pressured to drink more simply to justify a package.
Travel tip: Before purchasing a beverage package, try the Cruise Drink Package Calculator from GetCruiseInfo.com. It can help you compare the package price with your estimated individual spending. Use it as a planning aid and verify the current prices, inclusions and fees with your cruise line.
Sometimes the Package Really Is Worth It
A beverage package can offer good value when the drinks you genuinely expect to order would otherwise cost more than the package. It can also make budgeting easier because you pay for the package in advance instead of keeping track of every eligible drink.
For example, a cruise passenger may receive beverage benefits through a booking promotion. On a previous Alaska cruise aboard Norwegian Encore, the writer found that the beverage benefits included with the booking offered substantial value compared with purchasing the drinks individually.
The important distinction is whether those benefits were included as part of a promotion or purchased separately at the full package price. A promotion may have different terms and additional charges, so it is worth checking the total cost rather than focusing on the word “included”.
Cruise lines sometimes bundle beverage benefits with promotional fares, dining credits, Wi-Fi or other amenities. These offers can be useful, but they are not necessarily free of extra costs. A promotion may require a service charge, a higher fare or payment for other components.
Travel hack: Compare two complete booking quotes: one with the beverage promotion and one without it. Check the final fare for everyone in your cabin, including taxes, fees and required package charges. This helps you see whether the promotion offers genuine savings compared with booking the cruise and buying only the extras you need.
Watch for These Common Mistakes
A few common mistakes can make a beverage package seem better value than it really is.
Buying a package because everyone else does. Your drinking habits may be completely different from those of your travelling companions. Work out your own likely spending before following someone else’s recommendation.
Ignoring the fine print. Packages may have price limits, daily drink limits, exclusions or restrictions at certain venues and destinations. Check whether your preferred drinks are covered.
Forgetting about drinks already included. Depending on the cruise line, ship and venue, your fare may already cover selected drinks such as tap water, regular coffee, tea and some juices. Check what is included in your particular fare instead of assuming every basic drink is free.
Overestimating your consumption. It is easy to imagine ordering several cocktails, coffees and bottled drinks every day. Your actual habits may be different, particularly when you are ashore or busy with activities.
Failing to compare promotions. A beverage package offered with a promotional fare may provide better value than purchasing it separately. However, compare the total booking cost and all required charges before deciding.
Assuming every drink is covered. Premium brands, speciality venues, room service, minibar purchases or drinks at selected destinations may be excluded. Read the current package terms to avoid unexpected charges on your onboard account.
Travel hack: Before sailing, make a short list of the drinks you are most likely to order. Check their onboard menu prices and package eligibility. This simple step gives you a more realistic estimate than relying on a package’s long list of advertised benefits.
What About Non-Alcoholic Packages?
You do not have to drink alcohol to benefit from a beverage package.
Passengers who regularly enjoy speciality coffees, mocktails, smoothies, premium bottled water or soft drinks may find a non-alcoholic package worthwhile. Families might also consider soda packages for children and teenagers.
However, non-alcoholic packages have their own terms, exclusions and price limits. Some cover fountain soft drinks but exclude bottled drinks, while others include a wider selection of speciality beverages.
Compare the package price with the drinks each person is likely to order. If you usually drink water, tea or regular coffee that is already included with your fare, a separate package may not be necessary.
Travel hack: If you are travelling as a family, calculate the cost separately for each person. One passenger might benefit from a speciality coffee package, while another may be better off paying for occasional soft drinks individually. Also check whether children’s packages have different rules or whether a purchase by one adult affects the requirements for other guests in the cabin.
Do the Maths Before You Buy
There is nothing wrong with purchasing a beverage package simply because you value the convenience. For some travellers, knowing that most eligible beverage purchases are covered makes budgeting easier and the holiday more relaxing. That peace of mind can be worth something, too.
However, if saving money is your priority, do not assume that a package is automatically the better deal just because the cruise line promotes it as good value.
Look at your itinerary, estimate how much time you will spend ashore, check which beverages are included and calculate your likely daily spending. Remember to account for service charges, taxes and any rules that require other guests in your cabin to purchase a package.
If your estimated individual spending is comfortably below the package’s full cost, paying as you go may be the better choice. However, when your realistic spending is higher and the drinks you want are covered, the package may be worthwhile. When the totals are close, consider whether the added convenience justifies the difference.
The best cruise drink package is not necessarily the most expensive one or the package with the longest list of benefits. It is the option that fits your drinking habits, itinerary and holiday budget without encouraging you to spend more than you intended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually, paying individually is worth considering if you only have a few drinks a day. Compare the cost of your usual choices with the package’s full daily price, including applicable charges. If your estimated spending is lower, a package may not save you money.
It depends on the cruise line, package and destination. Some packages cover eligible drinks at participating private destinations, while others have restrictions. Drinks purchased at independent bars, restaurants or beach clubs during a port visit are generally separate purchases unless specifically included in an excursion or offer. Check the package terms before sailing.
Some cruise lines require all adults of legal drinking age sharing a stateroom to purchase the same alcoholic beverage package, but policies vary. Check the rules for your cruise line and booking before assuming that only one passenger needs to buy it.
Pre-cruise offers can sometimes be cheaper than onboard prices, but this is not guaranteed. Compare the current price for your sailing with any onboard offer and include service charges or other fees. Also check whether the package must be purchased for the entire cruise and whether the purchase can be cancelled or refunded.
Yes. Check which drinks are already included in your fare, order individual drinks when you want them and compare any available beverage promotions before booking. You can also set a daily drinks budget and review your onboard spending during the cruise. This helps you enjoy your holiday without paying for a package you may not use enough.
