The MSC Premium Extra Package costs $85/person/day (4+ night sailings) or $95/day (3-night sailings), with the 18% service charge already included. It's worth it if you drink 5+ cocktails or mixed drinks daily — light drinkers and non-drinkers are better off paying as they go.
Photo: MSC Cruises
If you're sailing MSC in the Caribbean or Alaska and want an alcoholic drink package, you don't have a choice of tiers anymore — there's exactly one option. MSC eliminated its lower-tier packages for North American sailings in December 2024, leaving the Premium Extra Package as the sole alcoholic beverage package available. So the real question isn't "which package?" — it's "is this package worth $85 a day, or should I pay out of pocket?"
What the MSC Premium Extra Package Costs
The price is $85/person/day on sailings of 4 nights or more, and $95/person/day on 3-night sailings. That 18% service charge? Already baked in — no surprise add-on at checkout. But don't wait to buy it onboard: the ship charges 15% more than the pre-cruise rate. Buy it through the MSC Cruise Planner before you sail.
| Cruise Length | Pre-Cruise Price/Day | Onboard Price/Day (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights | $95 | ~$109 |
| 4+ nights | $85 | ~$98 |
For a couple on a 7-night Caribbean cruise, that's $1,190 total at the pre-cruise rate. That number needs to justify itself.
Photo: MSC Cruises
What's Actually Covered (And What Isn't)
The Premium Extra covers a lot — and the $16/drink cap is generous enough that most standard cocktails, wines by the glass, draft beer, and premium spirits fall under it.
Included:
- Cocktails and spirits up to $16/drink (covers most of the menu)
- Wine and champagne by the glass (up to $16)
- Draft and bottled beers
- Specialty coffee: cappuccinos, lattes, espressos
- Sodas, juices, energy drinks, water, smoothies, hot chocolate (all unlimited — no daily cap on non-alcoholic drinks)
Not included:
- Drinks over $16 (you pay the difference)
- Venchi 1878 chocolate/coffee/gelato venues and Jean-Philippe signature venues
- Room service and minibar
- Bottled wine (though you get 25% off bottle purchases)
Daily alcohol limit: 15 drinks. This cap took effect December 18, 2024. If you're thinking "I'll never hit 15 drinks in a day" — most people won't. But it exists, and it applies across all MSC bars, buffet, MDR, specialty restaurants, and even at Ocean Cay private island.
One genuinely good policy: Unlike Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, or Celebrity, MSC does not require all adults in the same cabin to buy the same package. If one of you drinks and one doesn't, that's fine — buy one Premium Extra and one Alcohol-Free package.
The Break-Even Math: Does It Pay Off?
At $85/day with gratuity already included, here's what you need to drink to break even:
| Drinks Per Day | Avg Cost Per Drink (after 15% gratuity) | Daily Bar Tab | Break Even? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 cocktails + 2 coffees | $14 cocktail / $6 coffee | ~$54 | ❌ No |
| 4 cocktails + 2 coffees + 1 beer | $14 / $6 / $8 | ~$74 | ❌ Close |
| 5 cocktails + 2 coffees + 2 beers | $14 / $6 / $8 | ~$98 | ✅ Yes |
| 6+ cocktails/mixed drinks + incidentals | $14+ avg | $100+ | ✅ Clear win |
The honest break-even point: roughly 5 alcoholic drinks per day, factoring in specialty coffees and the occasional beer. On a sea-heavy itinerary with long pool days and pre-dinner cocktail hours, that's realistic for moderate-to-social drinkers. On a port-intensive trip where you're off the ship by 8am and back by 5pm? You might struggle to hit that number.
Photo: MSC Cruises
Key Factors That Determine If It's Worth It
Itinerary type matters enormously. A 7-night Caribbean sailing with 3 sea days and 4 port stops is much harder to break even on than an Ocean Cay-heavy itinerary where you're on or near the ship drinking all day. The package works at Ocean Cay, which helps.
Your drinking habits — be honest. If you typically have 2 drinks at dinner and one by the pool, pay as you go. A $14 cocktail + 15% gratuity = $16.10. Three of those per day is $48.30 — well under the $85 package price.
The non-alcoholic value is real. Specialty coffees alone — two lattes per day at ~$6 each = $12 — offset a meaningful chunk of the cost. If you're a coffee drinker who also enjoys cocktails, the package becomes more attractive.
Yacht Club guests don't need to decide. If you're sailing in MSC's Yacht Club (their ship-within-a-ship luxury tier), the Premium Extra is included in your fare. The 15-drink daily limit also doesn't apply in Yacht Club areas.
Tips to Get the Best Value
Buy pre-cruise, always. The onboard markup is 15%, which on an $85/day package adds up fast. On a 7-night cruise for one person, that's roughly $89 in savings by purchasing in advance.
Check your Cruise Planner for flash sales. MSC occasionally discounts packages in the Planner — not always, but worth monitoring in the weeks before sailing. Prices are dynamic.
Non-drinkers and light drinkers: the Alcohol-Free Package at $33/day is a legitimate option. It covers mocktails, sodas, energy drinks, juices, specialty coffee, and soft-serve. For someone who wants unlimited sparkling water and lattes without the alcohol, that's solid value.
Traveling with a teen or young adult (ages 3–20)? The Minors Package is $22/day and requires at least one adult in the party to have purchased the Premium Extra. It covers all non-alcoholic drinks including specialty coffees.
| Package | Price/Day (4+ nights) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Extra | $85 | Moderate-to-heavy drinkers, 5+ drinks/day |
| Alcohol-Free | $33 | Non-drinkers, specialty coffee lovers |
| Minors (ages 3–20) | $22 | Kids/young adults (requires adult package) |
| Pay As You Go | $0 upfront | Light drinkers, port-heavy itineraries |
The Verdict
The MSC Premium Extra Package is genuinely good value for social drinkers who plan to spend time at the pool bar, enjoy pre-dinner cocktails, and drink specialty coffee daily. The $16 drink cap covers the vast majority of MSC's cocktail menu, the service charge is already included, and the non-alcoholic inclusions add real everyday value.
It is not worth it for light drinkers, anyone on a port-intensive itinerary where you're off the ship most of the day, or people who are only interested in beer and wine at dinner. In those cases, pay as you go — you'll spend less.
The cabin flexibility (you don't have to buy the same package as your cabin mate) is a genuinely traveler-friendly policy that sets MSC apart from most competitors. Use it.
Want to see exactly what your MSC sailing's drink package costs and whether it pencils out for your specific trip? Run the numbers with CruiseMutiny before you commit.