Cruise drink packages typically cost $50–$120 per person, per day when purchased in advance, with the industry average around $70/day. They're worth it if you drink 5–6 drinks daily — but the math varies significantly by cruise line and your personal drinking habits.
Photo: Travel Mutiny
Most cruisers either obsess over drink packages or ignore them entirely — and both camps are usually leaving money on the table. Here's the honest breakdown of what these packages actually cost, when they make financial sense, and when you should skip them entirely.
What Cruise Drink Packages Actually Cost
The industry average for a pre-purchased drink package runs about $70 per person, per day — but that number hides a massive range depending on the cruise line, the package tier, and how early you book.
| Package Tier | Typical Daily Cost (Pre-Cruise) | What's Usually Included |
|---|---|---|
| Budget / Soda Only | $10–$15/person/day | Fountain soda, juice, sometimes mocktails |
| Beer & Wine Only | $35–$50/person/day | Draft beer, house wine, sometimes canned beer |
| Standard Alcoholic | $50–$75/person/day | Well cocktails, domestic beer, house wine, some spirits |
| Deluxe / Premium | $75–$95/person/day | Premium spirits, craft cocktails up to $13–$15 cap |
| Top-Tier Unlimited | $95–$120/person/day | Premium cocktails, top-shelf spirits, sometimes specialty coffee |
Important: These prices do NOT include the 18–20% service charge most lines automatically add. On Carnival and Norwegian, that's now 20%. Factor in an extra $10–$20/day on top of the package price.
Also critical: drink packages must typically be purchased for all adults in the cabin. You can't buy it for just one person.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Key Factors That Drive the Cost
1. The drink price cap matters more than anything. Every package has a per-drink ceiling. Royal Caribbean's standard package caps at $14/drink — order anything above that and you pay the difference plus gratuity. Celebrity's Classic package caps at $12. Carnival's package covers drinks up to $20, which is genuinely generous. Know your cap before you buy.
2. Individual drink prices on board are steep. Here's what you're paying à la carte without a package (before 18–20% gratuity):
| Drink Type | Typical On-Board Price | With 20% Gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic beer | $7.50 | ~$9.00 |
| Imported/craft beer | $9.00 | ~$10.80 |
| Well cocktail | $11.50 | ~$13.80 |
| Signature cocktail | $13.50 | ~$16.20 |
| Premium cocktail (top shelf) | $16.00 | ~$19.20 |
| Wine by the glass | $11.00 | ~$13.20 |
| Specialty coffee | $6.00 | ~$7.20 |
| Bottled water | $4.00 | ~$4.80 |
The break-even point is 5–6 drinks per day — and that includes specialty coffees, bottled waters, and non-alcoholic drinks if your package covers them. For a lot of people on a sea-day-heavy itinerary, that's easy. For a port-intensive trip where you're off the ship all day, it's tougher to justify.
3. When you buy dramatically changes the price. Pre-cruise pricing in your cruise planner (typically 60–120 days out) is almost always cheaper than buying on boarding day. Watch for flash sales — lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival regularly discount packages by 20–30% in the weeks before sailing. Never buy on embarkation day without checking the pre-cruise price first.
4. Itinerary type is the biggest wildcard. A 7-night Caribbean cruise with 4 sea days? Package math works in your favor. A 7-night Mediterranean cruise hitting a new port every single day? You'll be ashore 8–10 hours drinking local wine for $4 a glass. The package math falls apart fast.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Practical Tips to Save Money (or Skip the Package Smartly)
- Track your typical drink consumption honestly. Most people overestimate how much they drink. If you're averaging 3–4 drinks a day, pay as you go.
- Check if gratuities are already included in your fare. Virgin Voyages, Oceania, Regent, Silversea, and several luxury lines include gratuities — and often drinks — in their base fare. You may not need a package at all.
- Buy the soda package if you're a caffeine addict. At $3.50 per soda at the bar (not the free buffet soda), frequent soda drinkers can recoup a $12–$15/day soda package quickly.
- Specialty coffee is usually NOT included — even in premium alcohol packages on most lines. Starbucks on Royal Caribbean and Norwegian is always extra. Budget separately.
- Never pay for bottled water with a package. If your package covers it, fill your refillable bottle from the buffet or ask for a glass of water at any bar — it's always free.
- Watch for the couples loophole disappearing. Some lines briefly allowed one partner to skip the package. Most mainstream lines have closed this. Don't plan around it.
- Price your exact sailing — drink packages are dynamically priced. A holiday sailing costs more than a January repositioning cruise. Your Cruise Planner is the only source of truth for your specific departure.
Which Lines Offer the Best Drink Package Value?
| Cruise Line | Package Name | Approx. Daily Price | Drink Cap | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival | Cheers! | $65–$85/person/day | $20/drink | Best cap in the industry; 15-drink daily limit |
| Royal Caribbean | Deluxe Beverage | $75–$95/person/day | $14/drink | Wide bar selection; cap catches premium spirits |
| Norwegian | Premium Open Bar | $70–$110/person/day | ~$15/drink | Often bundled in Free at Sea promotions |
| Celebrity | Premium Package | $80–$100/person/day | $19/drink | Best for wine lovers; solid spirits selection |
| MSC | Easy/Premium Extra | $50–$80/person/day | Varies | Best budget value; great for European sailings |
| Princess | Premier Package | $80–$120/person/day | Unlimited | Bundled with WiFi and gratuities — compare carefully |
| Disney | N/A (no package) | Pay-per-drink only | N/A | No drink package sold; budget accordingly |
| Virgin Voyages | Bar Tab included | Included in some fares | N/A | Bar tab credit model — unique and worth reading the fine print |
Bottom line: drink packages make financial sense for drinkers who average 5+ drinks a day on sea-heavy itineraries, and they're a waste of money for light drinkers or port-intensive trips. Run your own numbers before you commit — the cruise line is counting on you not to.
Not sure if the math works for your specific sailing? Use CruiseMutiny to model the real cost of your cruise add-ons before you book a single thing.