Free tool

Is a cruise drink package worth it?

There is exactly one question that matters: how many drinks a day do you really have? Put in your honest number and the maths answers itself.

On an average day, how many do you drink?

Add a few drinks to see the answer.

What each line's package includes

Prices are typical per-person, per-day ranges as of July 2026, shown to set expectations only. Cruise lines change beverage pricing often and vary it by ship, itinerary and sailing date — always confirm the current price with your cruise line before booking.

Royal Caribbean

Deluxe Beverage Package

$65–$105 per person / day

Gratuity
Gratuity typically included in the advertised price
Per-drink cap
Drinks up to a set value (commonly around $14); pay the difference above it
Daily limit
15 alcoholic drinks per day

Includes

  • Cocktails, spirits and liqueurs
  • Beer and wine by the glass
  • Fresh juices and premium coffees
  • Bottled water and soda (fountain and cans)
  • Same package price applies at bars across the ship

Doesn't include

  • Bottles of wine and champagne (a discount usually applies instead)
  • Drinks in port or on private-island vendors not operated by the line
  • Mini-bar items
  • Anything above the per-drink cap (you pay the difference)

Watch out: All adults 21+ sharing a stateroom generally must buy the package — you cannot buy one for a couple.

Carnival

CHEERS! Beverage Program

$60–$90 per person / day

Gratuity
Gratuity added on top; buying pre-cruise is usually cheaper than on board
Per-drink cap
Drinks priced up to roughly $20 each
Daily limit
15 alcoholic drinks per 24 hours, then non-alcoholic only

Includes

  • Cocktails, spirits, beer and wine by the glass
  • Soda, juices and specialty coffees
  • Bottled water (500 ml)
  • Milkshakes at certain venues
  • 25% off bottles of wine and drinks above the cap

Doesn't include

  • Drinks purchased in port
  • Bottled water larger than 500 ml
  • Beverages from the gift shop or room service premium items

Watch out: Must be purchased for the full cruise length, and all adults 21+ in the cabin must buy it.

Norwegian (NCL)

Premium Beverage Package

Often bundled per person / day

Gratuity
A 20% service charge applies even when the package is a "free" promo inclusion
Per-drink cap
Drinks up to a set value (commonly around $15)
Daily limit
No published daily count, but one drink at a time

Includes

  • Cocktails, spirits, beer and wine by the glass
  • Fountain soda and juices
  • Available at all bars, restaurants and the pool

Doesn't include

  • Bottled water in some fare classes
  • Ice bar and specialty venues in some cases
  • Room service beverages

Watch out: Often bundled "free" via Free at Sea — but the 20% service charge on the package value is still billed to you, so it is never truly $0.

MSC Cruises

Easy / Premium Extra packages

$45–$95 per person / day

Gratuity
Service charge generally included in the package price
Per-drink cap
Tiered — each package covers drinks up to a set value
Daily limit
No published daily count on most tiers

Includes

  • Cocktails, beer and wine by the glass within the tier
  • Soft drinks, water and coffee
  • Multiple tiers, so you can buy a cheaper one that fits your drinking

Doesn't include

  • Drinks above your tier value
  • Some premium spirits on lower tiers

Watch out: The tier system is the whole game — the cheapest tier often covers what most people actually drink.

Princess

Plus / Premier fare bundles

$65–$100 per person / day

Gratuity
Bundled into the per-day fare add-on
Per-drink cap
Plus covers drinks up to roughly $15; Premier higher
Daily limit
15 alcoholic drinks per day

Includes

  • Drinks up to the tier cap
  • Crew appreciation (gratuities) bundled in
  • Wi-Fi bundled in
  • Some casual dining and fitness classes depending on tier

Doesn't include

  • Drinks above the tier cap
  • Specialty dining beyond the included allotment

Watch out: Princess sells this as a fare bundle, not a pure drink package — compare it against fare + gratuities + Wi-Fi, not against a drinks-only price.

Celebrity

Classic / Premium Drinks Package

$65–$110 per person / day

Gratuity
Service charge typically included
Per-drink cap
Classic covers drinks to roughly $10; Premium to roughly $17
Daily limit
No published daily count

Includes

  • Cocktails, beer, wine by the glass within tier
  • Sodas, water, specialty coffees and teas
  • Upgrade from Classic to Premium by paying the difference per drink

Doesn't include

  • Drinks above your tier value (you pay the difference)
  • Bottle service and some premium reserve pours

Watch out: Classic is often included in "Always Included" fares — check what you already have before buying anything.

Frequently asked questions

Are cruise drink packages worth it?

It comes down to one number: your break-even drinks per day. Most top-tier packages land between $60 and $110 per person per day including gratuity, and a cocktail runs about $14. That means you typically need 5–8 drinks every single day of the cruise to break even. Count sea days and port days honestly — you are rarely drinking on board while ashore.

Does everyone in the cabin have to buy the drink package?

On most major lines, yes. Royal Caribbean, Carnival and others require all adults 21 and over sharing a stateroom to purchase the package. It is designed to stop one person buying a package and sharing drinks.

Is the drink package cheaper if I buy it before the cruise?

Usually. Lines discount pre-cruise purchases and raise the price on board. Many also run sales during wave season. If you are confident you will use it, buying ahead is normally the cheaper route — and it is often refundable up to a few days before sailing.

What is the per-drink cap?

Most packages cover drinks up to a set value — commonly $14 to $17 depending on the line and tier. If you order something more expensive, you pay only the difference rather than the full price.

Do drink packages work in port?

No. Packages apply on board the ship and, on some lines, at the line's own private island bars. Anything bought from a local vendor in port is a separate cash purchase — which is where the offline currency converter in the ShipTime app comes in handy.

Related reading:how drink packages really workand what your cruise fare already covers.

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