Cruise ship water packages typically cost $4–$10 per bottle à la carte, or $6–$30 per person per day for a bundled water/non-alcoholic package, depending on the cruise line. Buying a pre-cruise water package or bringing your own sealed bottles aboard is almost always cheaper than paying onboard prices.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Cruise lines charge a staggering markup on bottled water — sometimes 300–500% above retail. A single 1-liter Evian that costs $1.50 at a grocery store can run you $5–$7 onboard. Here's exactly what you'll pay, and how to avoid getting soaked.
What Cruise Ship Water Packages Actually Cost
Most cruise lines sell water either à la carte by the bottle, as a standalone water package (a case or bundle of bottles), or bundled into a non-alcoholic or "soft drink" package. Below are real 2025–2026 market rates:
| Option | Budget Lines (Carnival, MSC) | Mid-Range (Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess) | Premium (Celebrity, Holland America, Virgin) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single 1L bottle (onboard) | $3.50–$5.00 | $4.50–$6.50 | $5.00–$7.50 |
| 12-pack water bundle (pre-cruise) | $18–$22 | $22–$28 | $28–$38 |
| Non-alcoholic package (incl. water, soda, juice) | $10–$16/person/day | $15–$22/person/day | $20–$30/person/day |
| Unlimited soda package (no bottled water) | $8–$12/person/day | $12–$18/person/day | $15–$22/person/day |
Key reality check: Royal Caribbean's Refreshment Package (water, juice, mocktails, soda) runs $28–$35/person/day once gratuities are added. On a 7-night cruise, that's $196–$245 per person just to stay hydrated and sip the occasional lemonade.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Drive the Cost
1. Pre-cruise vs. onboard pricing Every major cruise line charges less for water packages booked before you sail. Carnival's 12-pack of 500ml water bottles is around $4.50 onboard per bottle but drops to roughly $1.50–$2.00 per bottle when you buy a pre-cruise bundle through their Bon Voyage gift department or cruise manager portal. Book it at least 5–7 days before departure.
2. Cruise line policy on bringing water aboard This is where real savings live. Here's the breakdown by line:
| Cruise Line | Can You Bring Water Aboard? | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival | ✅ Yes | One 12-pack of 500ml bottles per person at embarkation |
| Royal Caribbean | ✅ Yes | Up to 12 sealed 500ml bottles per person |
| Norwegian | ✅ Yes | Up to 12 sealed 500ml bottles per person |
| Princess | ✅ Yes | One case (up to 12 bottles) per person |
| Celebrity | ✅ Yes | Up to 12 sealed bottles per person |
| MSC | ⚠️ Limited | Policies vary by ship/itinerary — check before you pack |
| Disney | ✅ Yes | Reasonable quantities for personal use |
| Virgin Voyages | ❌ No | Beverages must be purchased onboard |
3. Cabin type and perks If you book a suite on Celebrity, Holland America, or Princess, complimentary bottled water is often included in your suite amenities. Royal Caribbean suite guests in the Sky Class and above get a mini-fridge stocked with water. Always check what's already included before buying a package.
4. Destination matters On Alaska, Mediterranean, or Northern Europe sailings, tap water in ports is generally excellent — refilling a reusable bottle costs nothing. On Caribbean or Mexico sailings, you're more reliant on bottled water both onboard and in port.
5. Package gratuities add up fast Every beverage package has an 18–20% gratuity added automatically. A non-alcoholic package listed at $20/day becomes $23.60–$24/day before you even consider whether you'll drink enough to break even.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Practical Tips to Save Money on Cruise Water
Bring your own at embarkation. This is the single best move. Pack one 12-pack of 500ml sealed water per person in a small rolling bag or tote. On a 7-night cruise for two people, that's 24 bottles — enough for your cabin — at a cost of roughly $4–$6 total at a grocery store versus $48–$78+ onboard.
Buy a pre-cruise water bundle. If your line restricts what you can bring aboard (looking at you, Virgin Voyages), order a 12-pack through the cruise line's pre-order portal. It'll still be marked up, but far less than onboard impulse prices.
Use a filtered refillable bottle. Ships have perfectly safe drinking water from taps and free water stations near the buffet. A LifeStraw or Brita filtered bottle eliminates any taste concerns. This costs you nothing onboard and is the smartest play for eco-conscious travelers.
Don't buy the non-alcoholic package just for water. Unless you're a heavy soda and juice drinker, the math almost never works in your favor. At $15–$28/person/day, you'd need to consume 4–6 beverages daily just to break even — and that's not counting water you bring yourself.
Skip the deluxe beverage package if you mainly drink water. The Deluxe Beverage Package on Royal Caribbean runs $75–$95/person/day with gratuities. If you drink water, coffee, and the occasional beer, that package will cost you $525–$665 per person on a 7-night cruise. Do the math before you click "add to cart."
Time your purchase right. Cruise lines frequently discount beverage packages during pre-cruise sales events — Black Friday, Wave Season (January–March), and the 90-day pre-sailing window. Sign up for your cruise line's email list and watch for flash sales that can cut package prices by 20–30%.
Bottom Line: What Should You Actually Do?
For most travelers, the smartest approach is a three-part strategy:
- Bring a 12-pack of sealed water per person to embarkation — check your line's policy first.
- Pack a refillable insulated bottle and use the ship's free water stations throughout the day.
- Skip the non-alcoholic package unless you genuinely drink 4+ sodas or juices daily.
Doing this on a 7-night cruise for two people saves $150–$300 compared to buying onboard bottled water or a non-alcoholic package — money better spent on a shore excursion or a dinner at a specialty restaurant.
Want to see how water packages, beverage packages, and other cruise add-ons stack up against your specific sailing? Run your numbers through CruiseMutiny to get a real cost picture before you book.