Unused drink package credits on a cruise are forfeited — they do not roll over, get refunded, or convert to onboard credit. Every major cruise line sells beverage packages as a flat daily rate with no per-drink tracking, so there's nothing to "save" for later.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Most cruisers figure this out at 11pm on the last night, suddenly ordering rounds they don't want. The drink package system is deliberately designed so unused value disappears — and cruise lines have made billions banking on that math.
The Blunt Truth: All Unused Drink Package Value Is Lost
Cruise beverage packages are not credit-based systems. You're not buying a bank of drink credits — you're buying unlimited access for a flat daily fee. There's no ledger tracking how many drinks you've had versus how many you "paid for."
When the ship docks on debarkation day, your package expires. Full stop. No refund. No onboard credit. No transfer to a future sailing. This applies industry-wide:
| Cruise Line | Package Structure | Unused Value Policy | Daily Pre-Cruise Rate (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | Deluxe Beverage Package | Forfeited | $65–$95/person/day |
| Carnival | CHEERS! | Forfeited | $60–$80/person/day |
| Norwegian | Open Bar Package | Forfeited | $70–$110/person/day |
| Celebrity | Classic / Premium | Forfeited | $75–$105/person/day |
| MSC | Easy / Premium / Deluxe | Forfeited | $50–$90/person/day |
| Princess | Plus / Premier Fare | Forfeited | Bundled in fare |
| Disney | Premium Beverage Package | Forfeited | $80–$100/person/day |
| Holland America | Have It All (bundle) | Forfeited | Bundled in fare |
| Virgin Voyages | Bar Tab (credit-based) | Partially refundable* | $300–$600 pre-loaded |
*Virgin Voyages is the one real exception. Their "Bar Tab" system is actually credit-based — you pre-purchase a set dollar amount (e.g., $300) at a discount. Unused Bar Tab credits are reportedly refunded to your original payment method after the voyage, though Virgin's policies have evolved, so confirm current terms before sailing.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
What Actually Drives Your "Unused" Loss
1. Sea days vs. port days Most cruisers drink significantly less on port days — you're off the ship, buying drinks ashore, or exhausted from excursions. If your 7-night Caribbean itinerary has 5 port days and only 2 sea days, you may drink far below the break-even point on most days.
Break-even benchmark: At a typical pre-cruise rate of $70/day, you need to consume 5–6 drinks per day (including specialty coffee and non-alcoholic beverages) just to break even, factoring in the 18–20% gratuity that's already baked into package pricing.
2. You got sick, seasick, or just didn't feel like drinking It happens. One rough sea day or a stomach bug and you've "donated" $70–$120 to the cruise line with nothing to show for it.
3. Early debarkation mornings Bars open late (or not at all) on the final morning. That's often 6–8 hours of paid package time you simply cannot use.
4. The premium drink upcharge trap On Royal Caribbean, the Deluxe Package caps covered drinks at $14 per drink. On Celebrity Classic, it's $12. Order anything above those thresholds and you pay the difference — those upcharges are not covered by the package. Carnival is more generous at a $20 cap; Celebrity Premium covers up to $19. Order premium top-shelf cocktails ($13–$20 before gratuity) on the wrong package and you're paying extra on top of a package you already paid for.
5. Gratuities are already included — but rarely mentioned upfront Package prices already incorporate the 18–20% service charge. Individual drinks are $7.50–$16+ before gratuity depending on type. The package math only works if you're a consistent drinker throughout the voyage.
Photo: MSC Cruises
How to Avoid Wasting Money on Unused Package Value
Calculate your honest break-even before buying
Use this quick math:
- Package cost ÷ days = daily cost
- Daily cost ÷ average drink price (post-gratuity) = drinks needed per day
- Be honest about port days, late nights ashore, and your actual drinking habits
At $75/day, you need roughly 6 drinks per day at ~$13 post-gratuity to break even. If you're doing a 5-port Caribbean itinerary, that math gets brutal fast.
Buy the package for sea-heavy itineraries only The package wins on transatlantic crossings, Alaska (fewer "beach bar" ports), and repositioning cruises with 4+ consecutive sea days. It's a much harder sell on Bahamas or Western Caribbean runs where you're ashore half the trip.
Consider à la carte for light drinkers If you're having 2–3 drinks a day, pay as you go. Even at $13.50 post-gratuity per cocktail, three drinks a day is ~$40 — well below most package prices.
Buy the package only for certain travelers in your group Most lines require all adults in the same cabin to purchase the same package (to prevent sharing). But if you and your travel companions are in separate cabins, you can each make independent decisions.
Watch for last-day pricing drops Some lines (particularly Norwegian and MSC) occasionally offer discounted package rates after embarkation day. Check the app or guest services on Day 1 if you didn't pre-purchase — though this is increasingly rare as lines push pre-cruise purchases.
Pre-purchase, never onboard If you do buy, always purchase through the cruise line's Cruise Planner (or equivalent) before you sail. Pre-cruise pricing is typically 20–35% cheaper than the onboard rate. Check your specific sailing in the planner — dynamic pricing means the same package varies by sail date, ship, and itinerary length.
Which Lines Handle This Best (and Worst)
Best for value transparency: Carnival's CHEERS! at $60–$80/day with a generous $20/drink cap is straightforward and includes most drinks you'd actually order. No nasty upcharge surprises.
Most confusing: Royal Caribbean's $14 cap paired with individual drink prices that regularly hit $15–$20 for anything top-shelf. You'll pay upcharges constantly if you drink premium spirits.
Most punishing for light drinkers: Norwegian's Open Bar at $70–$110/day is aggressive pricing that only makes sense if you're genuinely drinking heavily every single day.
Best alternative system: Virgin Voyages' Bar Tab credit system is the most consumer-friendly in the industry — it's credit you actually use, and unused amounts reportedly come back to you.
Best for non-drinkers: MSC's soda/water packages at the low end of their tier structure ($20–$30/day) or simply buying à la carte.
The bottom line: the cruise industry built the flat-rate beverage package specifically because unused value profits them, not you. Go in with eyes open, run the break-even math for your specific itinerary, and never let a "fear of missing out" on a package override what the numbers actually say.
Run the numbers for your exact sailing — including drink prices, sea days, and package caps — with CruiseMutiny before you decide whether to buy.