Are Drink Packages Worth It on Your First Cruise
For most people on a first cruise, a drink package costs more than paying for each drink. It only pays off if you would drink six or seven paid drinks a day without trying, and it only makes sense on itineraries with plenty of sea days.
The break-even, worked out
A typical alcoholic package runs about US$70–110 per adult per day, plus an automatic service charge of around 18–20%. It is charged for every day of the sailing, including days you spend ashore.
Premium packages count specialty coffees, fresh juices, bottled water and mocktails, which helps. But dinner wine and two cocktails is only three drinks, nowhere near the target.
Sea days vs port days
The itinerary matters as much as your habits. Here is one adult paying as they go on a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing from Fort Lauderdale with three sea days, at typical onboard prices:
| Day type | Typical order | Cost with 18% |
|---|---|---|
| Sea day | 2 lattes, 1 soda, 3 cocktails, 2 glasses of wine | about US$94 |
| Port day | 1 latte, 1 cocktail back on board, 1 glass of wine | about US$37 |
| Week (3 sea, 4 port) | about US$430 | |
| Package for the same week | about US$700 |
The rules that tip the maths
- The all-adults rule: most lines make every adult in the cabin buy the same package, so a light-drinking partner doubles your target.
- One drink at a time: package drinks are poured individually, for the card holder, on board only.
- Daily caps: some packages limit you to around 15 alcoholic drinks a day.
- Price ceilings: most packages cover drinks up to a set menu price, and you pay the difference on anything above it.
Who comes out ahead
Packages tend to win for
- Couples who both enjoy cocktails and would order five or more each anyway
- Sailings with four or more sea days, such as a Panama Canal or a transatlantic crossing
- Anyone who values a fixed cost over watching the tab, as long as you know that is what you are paying for
Pay-as-you-go tends to win for
- Wine-with-dinner couples and port-heavy itineraries
- Anyone averaging under four drinks a day
- Coffee lovers who only need a non-alcoholic or coffee package, at a fraction of the price
Basic drinks such as drip coffee, tea, water and some juices are free on every line. The guide to what drinks are included shows what you get without paying.
Drink package prices by cruise line
Prices are per person per day at recent rates, usually plus a service charge, and vary by ship and sailing.
| Line | Package | Price per person per day | The catch | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | Deluxe Beverage | $70–105 USD + 18% | All adults in cabin must buy | Royal Caribbean drink package |
| Carnival | Cheers! | $70–75 USD + 20% | 15 alcoholic drinks a day | Carnival drink package |
| Norwegian | Unlimited Open Bar | $100–120 USD retail | Usually via Free at Sea (pay the 20% charge) | Norwegian drink package |
| Princess | Princess Plus bundle | ~$60 USD | Also includes wifi and gratuities | Princess drink package |
| Celebrity | Classic | $65–100 USD + 20% | Bundled in All Included fares | Celebrity drink package |
| Holland America | Signature | about $61 USD + service charge | 15 drinks a day | Holland America drink package |
| MSC | Premium Extra | About $85–100 USD incl. 18% | Only alcohol package on North American sailings; 15-drink daily cap | MSC drink package |
| Disney | Beer and wine bundles | Varies by quantity | No unlimited package | Disney drink package |
Four lines bundle drinks into a fare or package rather than only selling them alone: Celebrity (All Included), Princess (Princess Plus), Holland America (Have It All) and Norwegian (Free at Sea, where you still pay the service charge). On North American sailings MSC now sells only one alcohol package, Premium Extra. Disney has no unlimited package, and since June 2026 its bring-your-own allowance is one bottle of wine or six beers per adult, as set out in cruise line alcohol policies compared. For every line's rules side by side, see cruise line policies compared.
Have a question about this? A licensed cruise expert can answer it for free — no booking required, no pressure.
Ask a cruise expert →The version that beats both
Fares that include drinks come up regularly, and when the booking carries the package, the debate disappears. Compare the total of each fare, not just the headline, and see what "all-inclusive" really means on a cruise before you assume a drinks perk covers everything.
Want this priced up for your dates? Speak to a licensed cruise expert — same price as booking direct, plus perks like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities the websites don't show. No fee, no obligation, and you can book online if you'd rather.
Get a quote or book online →Frequently asked questions
Do both adults in a cabin have to buy the drinks package?
On most major lines, yes. All adults sharing a cabin must buy the same alcoholic package, which doubles the cost for a couple where one person barely drinks.
Are drink packages cheaper before the cruise?
Usually. Pre-cruise sales in the line's online planner often undercut onboard prices by 10–30%, and fares that bundle drinks can beat both. Check the planner a few times before sailing, since prices move.
Can I share a drink package with my partner?
No. Packages are tied to one person's cruise card, and bartenders generally serve one drink per card at a time. Lines can cancel a package without refund if they catch sharing.
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Booking essentials: Is It Cheaper to Book a Cruise Through a Travel Agent · What Are Expedia Extras on a Cruise Booking · Onboard Credit Explained and How to Get More · Cruise Line Policies Compared: 8 Lines Side by Side (2026)