Celebrity Cruises charges $75–$109/person/day for the Classic or Premium drink packages in 2025–2026, while individual cocktails run $12–$18 each and wine by the glass is $10–$16. Most cruisers break even on the package after 5–6 drinks per day.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Celebrity's drink pricing is designed to make you feel like the package is a no-brainer — and for many cruisers, it genuinely is. But the math only works in your favor if you actually drink enough, and Celebrity's a la carte prices are steep enough to punish those who don't plan ahead.
What Celebrity Charges for Drinks: The Real Numbers
Celebrity operates a tiered drink system. You can buy packages before you sail (always cheaper), buy them at the pier, or just pay as you go. Here's what you're actually looking at in 2025–2026:
| Drink Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| Classic Beverage Package (pre-cruise) | $75–$85/person/day |
| Premium Beverage Package (pre-cruise) | $89–$109/person/day |
| Classic Package bought onboard | $99–$119/person/day |
| Premium Package bought onboard | $109–$129/person/day |
| Cocktail (individual, a la carte) | $12–$18 each |
| Beer (draft or bottled) | $8–$12 each |
| Wine by the glass | $10–$16 each |
| Specialty coffee (espresso, latte) | $5–$8 each |
| Bottled water (500ml) | $3–$5 each |
| Soda (can) | $3–$5 each |
| Smoothies / fresh juice | $6–$10 each |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | $40–$80 |
| Premium cocktails (above Classic cap) | $16–$22 each |
Important: The Classic Package caps at drinks priced up to $10. Anything above that — which includes most craft cocktails, premium spirits, and many wines — requires an upgrade to the Premium Package or you pay the difference out of pocket.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
What the Classic vs. Premium Package Actually Covers
This is where Celebrity gets sneaky. The Classic Package sounds sufficient, but the $10 cap catches a lot of cruisers off guard.
| Feature | Classic Package | Premium Package |
|---|---|---|
| Per-drink price cap | $10 | $17 |
| Beer selection | Standard domestic/import | Craft + premium imports |
| Wine by the glass | House pours only | Premium labels included |
| Spirits | Well + mid-shelf | Top-shelf included |
| Specialty coffee | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Bottled water | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Fresh-squeezed juice | ❌ Not included | ✅ Included |
| Milkshakes / smoothies | ❌ Not included | ✅ Included |
| Red Bull / energy drinks | ❌ Not included | ✅ Included |
| Mini-bar in cabin | ❌ Not included | ❌ Not included |
| Price difference | — | +$14–$24/day |
If you're a cocktail drinker who gravitates toward anything beyond the basic well spirits, the Premium Package is almost always worth the upgrade. The Classic works well for beer drinkers and those who stick to house wine.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Key Factors That Drive What You'll Actually Pay
When you buy matters enormously. Celebrity routinely discounts packages 20–30% during pre-cruise sales, especially in the 90–120 day window before sailing. Buying the same package at the Guest Services desk onboard can cost $30–$50 more per person per day. Never buy the drink package at the pier or onboard unless there's a specific promotion running.
Both adults in a cabin must buy the same package. This is the standard cruise industry rule, and Celebrity enforces it. If one person doesn't drink, the package math falls apart fast — a solo drinker needs to consume 10–12 drinks per day to cover the cost of two packages.
Suite guests and Always Included bookings change the equation. Celebrity's Always Included fare bundles (available on most sailings) include the Classic Beverage Package in the base price. Many suite categories get the Premium Package automatically. If you're comparing fares, always check whether drinks are already bundled before pricing a package separately.
Your ship matters. Edge-class ships (Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent) have a wider range of specialty bars — rooftop bars, the Magic Carpet, Eden — meaning more opportunities to order premium drinks that push past the Classic cap. Older Solstice-class ships have a simpler bar setup.
How to Save Money on Celebrity Drinks
Buy your package early and watch for sales. Sign up for Celebrity's email list and check your cruise planner regularly starting 120 days out. Flash sales on beverage packages happen frequently and can save $15–$25/person/day versus the standard pre-cruise rate.
Upgrade strategically, not blindly. If you're on the Classic Package and find yourself consistently ordering above the $10 cap, you can upgrade to Premium onboard for the difference in daily rate. Don't assume you need Premium from day one — try a day on Classic first and see how often you're hitting the cap.
Use the included options fully. Even the Classic Package includes specialty coffee, bottled water, and sodas — items that add up to $15–$25/day if bought individually. If you're a morning latte person, that alone justifies part of the package cost.
Do the break-even math before you sail. At $85/day for Classic, you need roughly 5–6 drinks at $10–$14 each just to break even. Honest with yourself: are you a 2-drinks-at-dinner person, or a pool-bar-open-to-close person? A light drinker on a 7-night cruise may be better off paying a la carte.
Consider booking through a travel partner with beverage perks. Some booking partners offer onboard credit or package upgrades that offset the cost. Check CruiseHub for current Celebrity fares — bundled packages are often available at competitive rates.
Which Celebrity Ships and Sailings Get the Best Drink Value
For pure drink-package value, longer sailings (10–14 nights) reward package buyers more because the fixed daily rate stays the same while your total consumption opportunities increase. A 14-night transatlantic crossing at $85/day with Classic is a much better deal than a 3-night Bahamas run where you might only drink heavily one night.
Edge-class ships (Beyond, Ascent, Apex, Edge) justify the Premium Package more than older ships — the bar variety is simply broader, and you'll naturally drift toward premium cocktails at Eden or the Rooftop Garden Club.
Caribbean and Mediterranean sailings tend to have more port days, meaning you're off the ship (and not drinking onboard) more often. That reduces package value slightly compared to sea-heavy itineraries like Alaska or transatlantic routes.
The bottom line: Celebrity's drink pricing is on the premium end of mainstream cruising — but so is the product. If you drink 5+ drinks a day, buy the Classic Package early and you'll come out ahead. If you're a top-shelf spirits or premium wine drinker, pay the extra for Premium and don't look back. Use CruiseMutiny to run the numbers on your specific sailing before you commit to any package.