First-Time Cruisers

What Drinks Are Included in Your Cruise Fare by Default

Published 11 April 2026 · 2 min read · Cruise Questions Canada editorial team

Quick answerStandard included drinks on virtually every mainstream cruise line are water, coffee and tea (regular, not specialty espresso drinks), various juices at breakfast, and lemonade or similar non-alcoholic options at meals — everything beyond these basics, including alcohol, sodas and specialty coffee, typically requires a package or individual purchase.

Before evaluating whether a drinks package makes sense, it's worth knowing exactly what baseline is already included in every cruise fare, since this varies less than people expect.

What's genuinely included everywhere

Standard tap or pitcher water in dining venues
Regular brewed coffee and tea at breakfast and throughout common dining areas
Juice options (typically orange, apple, sometimes others) at breakfast
Lemonade, iced tea or similar non-alcoholic fountain-style drinks at meals on many lines
Milk, typically available at breakfast

What requires payment or a package

Bottled water: even though tap water is free, bottled water specifically usually carries a charge
Specialty coffee: espresso, lattes, cappuccinos from a dedicated coffee bar typically cost extra unless covered by a specialty coffee package
Sodas: fountain soda often requires a soda package or individual purchase, varying by line
Alcohol of any kind: beer, wine, cocktails and spirits are never included in a standard fare baseline
Fresh-squeezed or premium juices: standard juice is included, but fresh-squeezed or specialty juice blends sometimes cost extra

Why understanding this matters for package decisions

Evaluating whether a drinks package is worth the cost requires accurately knowing your realistic daily consumption of things NOT already included — someone who's satisfied with included coffee, tea and water, occasionally treating themselves to one paid drink, has a very different package math than someone who wants specialty coffee and soda constantly plus evening cocktails (see Are Drink Packages Worth It on Your First Cruise).

Line-by-line variation

While the basics above hold true across virtually every mainstream line, premium and luxury lines increasingly include more as standard — some bundle basic alcohol, wifi or specialty coffee into the base fare specifically as a differentiator from mainstream competitors, worth checking your specific line's current inclusions rather than assuming mainstream-line rules apply universally.

The smart first-day check

Confirming your specific ship's exact included/excluded drink list (available in your cabin information or the ship's app) on embarkation day, before ordering anything, prevents the mild surprise of an unexpected charge for something assumed to be included.

Want this priced up properly? Speak to a licensed cruise consultant — same price as booking direct, plus perks like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities the websites don't show. No fee, no obligation. You can get a quote or book online.

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Understanding your baseline before deciding on packages

Knowing precisely what's already included at no cost helps make an accurate, informed decision about whether any paid drinks package adds value for your specific habits — rather than guessing based on general cruise reputation alone.

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Frequently asked questions

Is coffee free on a cruise ship?

Standard brewed coffee is included at no charge in the dining room and buffet on virtually every mainstream line, while specialty espresso drinks (lattes, cappuccinos) from a dedicated coffee bar typically require a separate purchase or specialty coffee package.

Is water free on cruise ships?

Tap water and standard pitcher water served in the dining room are included at no charge, while bottled water — either purchased individually or as part of a beverage package — carries a separate fee, a distinction worth understanding before assuming all water is complimentary.