On North American MSC sailings (Caribbean, Alaska, Canada/New England), the only alcoholic drink package is the Premium Extra at $85/person/day (4+ night sailings) or $95/day (3-night sailings), with the Alcohol-Free Package at $33/day and a Minors Package at $22/day as the other options.
Photo: MSC Cruises
If you're sailing MSC out of a North American port and were expecting to comparison-shop multiple drink package tiers, I have news for you: MSC eliminated that choice. As of April 1, 2025, there is exactly one alcoholic drink package available on Caribbean, Alaska, and Canada/New England sailings — the Premium Extra. Here's everything you need to know before you click "add to booking."
MSC Drink Package Prices in 2025 (North American Sailings)
MSC restructured its North American package lineup in December 2024. The old Easy and Easy Plus packages are gone for North American cruisers — don't let outdated blog posts convince you otherwise. The Premium Extra Package is your only alcoholic option, and it prices out like this:
| Package | Who It's For | 4+ Night Price (per person/day) | 3-Night Price (per person/day) | Alcoholic? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Extra | Adults who drink | $85/day | $95/day | ✅ Yes |
| Alcohol-Free | Non-drinkers, designated drivers | $33/day | $35/day | ❌ No |
| Minors Package | Ages 3–20 | $22/day | $25/day | ❌ No |
All prices above already include the mandatory 18% service charge. What you see is what you pay — no surprise fees at checkout.
⚠️ Buy pre-cruise. MSC charges 15% more if you purchase onboard. On a 7-night sailing, that difference is roughly $89 extra per person. Book through your Cruise Planner before you board.
Photo: MSC Cruises
What Does the Premium Extra Package Actually Cover?
At $85/day, you're not buying a stripped-down well-drink package. The Premium Extra is MSC's top-shelf alcoholic offering, and it covers a wide range:
Included (alcoholic):
- Cocktails and spirits up to $16/drink — covers most of the standard bar menu
- Wine and champagne by the glass (up to $16)
- Draft and bottled beer
- Premium spirits and signature cocktails (most fall under the cap)
Included (non-alcoholic — unlimited, no daily cap):
- Specialty coffee: cappuccinos, lattes, espressos
- Sodas, juices, energy drinks, still and sparkling water
- Smoothies, iced teas, hot chocolate
Works at: All bars and lounges, buffet, main dining room, specialty restaurants, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (private island).
Does NOT work at: Venchi 1878, Jean-Philippe Chocolate/Coffee/Gelato signature venues, room service, or the minibar.
Daily alcohol limit: 15 drinks per person. That's the cap introduced December 18, 2024. Note: Yacht Club guests are exempt from this limit within Yacht Club areas — and they get Premium Extra included automatically.
Bottle perk: You get 25% off bottled wines and champagnes purchased onboard even with the package — useful if you want a bottle at dinner.
Photo: MSC Cruises
Key Factors That Affect Your Total Cost
Cruise length matters a lot. The 3-night price ($95/day) is noticeably higher than the 4+ night rate ($85/day). If you're doing a weekend Bahamas run, your package cost jumps meaningfully.
| Sailing Length | Premium Extra Total (per person) | Alcohol-Free Total (per person) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights | $285 | $105 |
| 5 nights | $425 | $165 |
| 7 nights | $595 | $231 |
| 10 nights | $850 | $330 |
MSC's cabin policy is actually traveler-friendly: Unlike Royal Caribbean or Norwegian, MSC does NOT require every adult in the same cabin to buy the same package. Your travel partner can grab the Alcohol-Free at $33/day while you do Premium Extra at $85/day. That's real money saved if you're traveling with a non-drinker.
The $16 drink cap: Most standard cocktails and spirits on MSC fall under $16, but if you're eyeing premium bottles or high-end pours, confirm the price before ordering. Drinks over $16 are charged the difference — the package covers up to $16 and you pay the overage plus the 15% bar surcharge.
Break-even math: You need roughly 5 cocktails/day at a $14 average (plus your specialty coffees) to break even on the Premium Extra. Light social drinkers — 2–3 drinks a day — likely won't recoup the cost. Heavy sea-day drinkers and espresso-every-morning types? The package pays off fast.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Your MSC Drink Package
1. Always buy pre-cruise. The onboard price is 15% higher than the pre-cruise rate. On a 7-night sailing, that's the difference between $595 and roughly $684 per person. Prices are dynamic — lock it in as soon as your sailing goes on sale in the Cruise Planner.
2. Use the non-alcoholic perks aggressively. The unlimited specialty coffee inclusion alone is worth $6–$9/day at MSC's prices. If you're getting a latte every morning and afternoon, that's $12–$18/day in covered drinks before you order your first cocktail.
3. Exploit the mixed-package cabin policy. Have one non-drinker in your cabin? Put them on the Alcohol-Free at $33/day instead of forcing them onto the $85/day Premium Extra. You'll save $364 on a 7-night sailing for that person.
4. Add the Minors Package if you have kids. At $22/day (4+ nights), the Minors Package covers mocktails, sodas, specialty coffees, juices, and soft-serve for ages 3–20. It's only available when at least one adult in the party purchases an adult package, and it's genuinely good value if your teens are specialty-coffee obsessed.
5. Don't bother with signature venues expecting package coverage. Venchi 1878 and Jean-Philippe venues are excluded. Plan your budget accordingly if you want premium chocolates or specialty gelato — those come out of pocket regardless of your package tier.
6. Skip the package if you're a light drinker on a port-heavy itinerary. If your 7-night Caribbean cruise has 5 port days and you spend most of the day ashore, you're paying $85/day for a package you'll barely use at sea. Run your own numbers honestly before committing.
MSC Drink Package: Is It Worth It?
| Traveler Type | Verdict | Best Package |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate-to-heavy drinker, 4+ sea days | ✅ Worth it | Premium Extra ($85/day) |
| Light drinker (1–2 drinks/day) | ❌ Probably not | Pay as you go |
| Non-drinker who loves specialty coffee | ⚖️ Maybe | Alcohol-Free ($33/day) |
| Teen or young adult in your party | ✅ Yes | Minors Package ($22/day) |
| Yacht Club guest | ✅ Already included | Premium Extra included |
| Port-heavy itinerary, rarely on the ship | ❌ Skip it | Pay as you go |
MSC's pricing is straightforward compared to Royal Caribbean's layered package maze or Norwegian's Free At Sea math gymnastics. You've got one real decision: Premium Extra or not. The math isn't complicated — just be honest with yourself about how you actually vacation.
Use CruiseMutiny to calculate whether the Premium Extra breaks even for your specific sailing length, drinking habits, and cabin configuration — before you commit $595+ per person to a package you might not need. You can also compare live MSC fares through our booking partner CruiseHub to see which sailings include promotional perks that might offset the package cost.