On most major cruise lines, you need to drink 5–8 alcoholic beverages per day to break even on a cruise drink package, depending on the line and package cost — typically $75–$109/person/day divided by an average drink price of $13–$16.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Most cruise passengers overpay for drink packages. The math isn't complicated — but the cruise lines are counting on you not to do it before you board.
The Break-Even Formula — Here Are the Real Numbers
Breaking even on a cruise drink package comes down to one simple equation:
Break-Even Drinks Per Day = Package Daily Cost ÷ Average Drink Price
Here's how that plays out across the major cruise lines in 2025–2026:
| Cruise Line | Package Daily Cost (per person) | Avg. Drink Price Onboard | Drinks/Day to Break Even |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival (CHEERS!) | $59.95–$79.95 | $11–$14 | 5–7 drinks |
| Royal Caribbean (Deluxe) | $89–$109 | $13–$16 | 6–8 drinks |
| Norwegian (Premium Plus) | $99–$119 | $14–$17 | 7–9 drinks |
| Celebrity (Classic/Premium) | $79–$109 | $12–$16 | 6–8 drinks |
| MSC (Premium Extra) | $49–$69 | $10–$13 | 5–7 drinks |
| Princess (Plus/Premier) | Bundled into fare | $13–$15 | N/A — baked in |
| Disney (Beer/Wine Only) | $29–$49 | $9–$12 | 4–5 drinks |
| Virgin Voyages (Bar Tab) | $40–$60 credit | $14–$18 | Credits-based |
| Holland America (Pinnacle) | $69–$89 | $11–$14 | 6–8 drinks |
Important: These are per-person, per-day figures. On most lines, if you buy the package, your travel companion must also buy it — so double the math for couples.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Key Factors That Drive Your Break-Even Point
1. What counts as a "drink" Most packages cap individual drink prices at $13–$17. Order a premium whiskey or top-shelf cocktail above the cap, and you're paying the difference out of pocket. Your daily 5-drink target just got harder to hit if you drink premium spirits.
2. Sea days vs. port days Be brutally honest here. On a 7-day Caribbean cruise with 3 port days, you might only be on the ship — actively drinking — for 4 full days. If you consume 8 drinks on sea days but only 2 on port days, your actual average tanks. Run the math over the whole cruise, not just your best drinking day.
3. Tips and gratuities are usually included This is where packages quietly win back ground. Onboard drinks carry an automatic 18–20% gratuity. A $14 cocktail actually costs $16.52–$16.80 when you order à la carte. Factor that into your average drink price — it lowers your break-even point by roughly half a drink per day.
4. Non-alcoholic inclusions Most premium packages include specialty coffees ($5–$8), fresh juices, smoothies, and bottled water. If you'd buy two lattes and a water per day anyway, that's $15–$20 in daily value subtracted from your break-even calculation before you order your first beer.
5. Pre-purchase discounts Cruise lines routinely offer packages at 10–30% off if you buy before sailing. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian in particular discount heavily on their pre-cruise sales. That's a direct reduction in your daily cost — and your break-even target.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Practical Tips to Break Even (or Decide Not To Buy)
Do the math for your actual trip — not a fantasy one. Before you buy, write down: how many days are sea days, what you realistically drink per day, and whether your travel partner also needs to buy in.
Track your drinks on a similar vacation. If you went to an all-inclusive resort and averaged 4 drinks a day, you're probably not a 7-drinks-a-day cruise passenger either. Wishful thinking makes cruise lines rich.
Price out your specific drinks, not the average. If you drink craft IPAs and premium bourbon, find out exactly what those cost on your ship. Many cruise lines post menus on their apps or cruise community forums like Reddit's r/Cruise.
Consider the hybrid strategy. Some passengers buy the package for sea days only on cruises that allow single-day purchases (rare, but it happens on some lines). More commonly: skip the package, set a per-drink budget, and stick to it.
Don't forget port alternatives. On Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries, you'll find $3–$6 beers and $8 cocktails on shore. If you do your heavy drinking at port bars and go light onboard, the package math falls apart entirely.
The package makes clear sense if you:
- Drink 6+ beverages per day including coffee, water, and cocktails
- Are on a cruise with 4+ sea days
- Would also pay for premium coffee and specialty drinks
- Got the package at a pre-cruise sale price
Skip the package if you:
- Average fewer than 5 drinks per day honestly
- Have more than 2 port-heavy days
- Drink premium spirits above the package cap
- Are traveling solo and your partner doesn't drink
The Honest Verdict by Cruise Line
| Cruise Line | Package Worth It? | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| MSC | ✅ Best value — low daily cost | Light-to-moderate drinkers |
| Carnival CHEERS! | ✅ Good value if pre-purchased | Average drinkers on sea-day-heavy itineraries |
| Celebrity Classic | ✅ Strong if you drink specialty coffee | Coffee + cocktail types |
| Royal Caribbean Deluxe | ⚠️ Only if 7+ drinks/day | Heavy drinkers, sea day cruises |
| Norwegian Premium Plus | ⚠️ High bar to clear | Heavy drinkers only |
| Disney | ✅ Low break-even, low pressure | Families where adults drink wine/beer |
| Holland America | ✅ Moderate value | Moderate drinkers on Alaska/longer sailings |
The drink package question is one of the most important financial decisions you make before a cruise — and most people get it wrong because they overestimate how much they'll drink and underestimate how many port days eat into their onboard time. Run your real numbers, not the fun ones.
Use CruiseMutiny to calculate your personal drink package break-even point before your next sailing — plug in your itinerary, sea days, and drink preferences and get a straight answer on whether the package pays off for you.