Are Cruise Drink Packages Still Worth It?

Planning a cruise involves a major financial question: should you pay for the unlimited drink package? With major cruise lines raising individual beverage prices across the board, the upfront cost of an all-inclusive package might seem like a smart move. Let us look at the exact math to see if buying the drink package will actually save you money.

The Current Cost of Cruise Drink Packages

Cruise lines have steadily increased the prices of their beverage packages over the last two years. The cost varies significantly depending on the cruise line, the specific ship, and when you purchase the package. Buying your package online before you sail almost always guarantees a lower price than buying it at the guest services desk on the first day.

Here is what you can expect to pay for unlimited alcohol packages on the major lines right now:

  • Carnival Cruise Line: The Cheers! package costs $59.95 per person, per day if purchased before your sailing. If you wait until you are on the ship, the price jumps to $64.95 per day.
  • Royal Caribbean: This cruise line uses dynamic pricing. The Deluxe Beverage Package can cost anywhere from $55 to $105 per person, per day. The price depends on the specific ship and the time of year you are sailing.
  • Norwegian Cruise Line: The Premium Beverage Package has a retail value of $109 per person, per day. However, most passengers select this as part of NCL’s “Free at Sea” promotion. Under this promotion, the package itself is free, but you are required to pay a 20% gratuity on the retail value. This comes out to exactly $21.80 per day out of pocket.
  • Celebrity Cruises: The Classic Package costs around $89 per day, while the Premium Package runs about $109 per day.

A Look at Individual Drink Prices

To figure out if the package is worth buying, you need to know what individual drinks cost on a cruise ship. While prices vary slightly by menu and venue, you can generally expect to pay the following amounts:

  • Cocktails and Mixed Drinks: $12 to $15
  • Wine by the Glass: $9 to $14
  • Beer: $7 to $9
  • Specialty Coffee (Lattes, Cappuccinos): $4 to $6
  • Soda: $3 to $4
  • Bottled Water: $2 to $4

Doing the Math: The Breakeven Point

The easiest way to decide if a drink package makes sense is to calculate your personal breakeven point. This is the exact number of drinks you need to consume every single day to make the package cheaper than buying drinks individually.

Let us use an average package cost of $75 per day. We will assume an average cocktail costs $13 and a beer costs $8.

If you only drink cocktails, you need to drink six cocktails every single day to hit $78 and break even. If you only drink beer, you need to drink about ten beers a day to make the package worth it.

However, you also need to factor in non-alcoholic beverages. Most premium alcohol packages also include soda, specialty coffee, fresh juice, and bottled water. Here is a sample daily consumption for a passenger who breaks even on a $75 package:

  • Two specialty coffees in the morning: $10
  • Two bottled waters for a shore excursion: $6
  • Two poolside beers in the afternoon: $16
  • One glass of wine with dinner: $12
  • Three evening cocktails at the shows and casino: $39

In this scenario, the passenger consumed $83 worth of beverages. This puts them $8 ahead of the $75 daily package cost. If this looks like your typical vacation drinking habit, the package is a great deal. If you only plan to have two beers a day and a single glass of wine at dinner, you will lose money on the package.

Hidden Rules to Watch Out For

Cruise lines attach several strict policies to their drink packages. You must understand these rules before you hand over your credit card.

The Gratuity Surprise

The advertised daily rate for a drink package is never the final price. Every major cruise line automatically adds an 18% or 20% gratuity charge when you purchase the package. On Royal Caribbean, a $75 package actually costs $88.50 per day once the 18% gratuity is added. You must factor this final number into your breakeven math.

The All-Adults Rule

If one person in a stateroom buys an alcoholic drink package, every other passenger in that room who is 21 or older must also buy it. Cruise lines strictly enforce this rule to prevent guests from sharing drinks. If you are a heavy drinker but your spouse rarely drinks, you will likely lose money because you are forced to pay for two expensive packages.

Daily Limits

Not all unlimited packages are truly unlimited. Carnival Cruise Line imposes a strict limit of 15 alcoholic beverages per person over a 24-hour period (starting at 6:00 AM). Once you hit 15 drinks, the bartenders will not serve you another drop of alcohol, even if you offer to pay out of pocket. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line do not have hard daily limits on alcohol.

Port Days vs. Sea Days

Drink packages are charged per day for the entire length of the cruise. You cannot buy the package for just two or three days. If you are on a very port-heavy itinerary in Europe or Alaska, you might spend eight hours a day off the ship. You are still paying for the drink package while you are exploring a city on land. Drink packages offer the highest value on Caribbean cruises that feature multiple relaxing sea days.

Alternatives to the Unlimited Alcohol Package

If the math does not work in your favor, you still have ways to save money on cruise ship drinks.

Almost all cruise lines allow you to bring one or two 750ml bottles of wine or champagne onboard in your carry-on luggage on embarkation day. You can drink this wine in your cabin for free. If you bring it to the main dining room, the staff will charge you a corkage fee of around $15.

You can also purchase non-alcoholic packages. A classic soda package usually costs between $9 and $15 per day. A zero-proof package (which includes mocktails, premium coffee, and soda) typically runs about $30 per day. These are excellent options for passengers who want the convenience of an all-inclusive experience without the high price tag of liquor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do cruise drink packages work on private islands? It depends on the cruise line. Royal Caribbean allows you to use your drink package on their private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Norwegian Cruise Line allows package use at Great Stirrup Cay. However, Carnival does not allow the Cheers! package to be used at Half Moon Cay or Princess Cays.

Can I share my drink package with someone else? No. Sharing a drink package is strictly prohibited on all cruise lines. If you are caught giving a drink to a passenger who does not have the package, the cruise line can immediately cancel your package without a refund.

Are top-shelf liquors included in the package? Most packages cover drinks up to a specific dollar amount, usually $15 or $20 per drink. If you order a premium pour of liquor that costs $25, your package will cover the first $15, and you will just pay the $10 difference to your onboard account.