It is remarkably easy to run up a substantial bill when ordering wine, beer, and mixed drinks by the glass on a modern cruise ship. The cost of alcoholic beverages—particularly handcrafted cocktails—on ocean liners and cruise vessels can accumulate quickly over the course of a vacation. However, for travelers who regularly consume several alcoholic drinks a day while at sea, there is a reliable way to mitigate these expenses: a flat-fee drink package.

Nearly all major mass-market cruise lines offer flat-fee beverage packages that, under the right circumstances, can yield significant financial savings for vacationers. The notable exceptions within the industry are Disney Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages, though both brands provide alternative methods for passengers to save on beverage purchases rather than relying on traditional à la carte pricing.

Understanding what is included in a cruise ship drink package, how these programs operate, and how much they cost requires navigating a complex maze of rules, tiers, and fine print. While some travelers swear by the convenience and predictability of an all-inclusive beverage plan, others find that the daily investment outweighs their actual consumption habits.

What is a Drink Package on a Cruise Ship?

Cruise ship drink packages generally allow passengers to order as many drinks as they want—or up to a set daily limit—while on a cruise for one flat fee, effectively replacing the need to pay for individual beverages one at a time.

On many cruise lines, operators structure their offerings into several tiers of drink packages. Basic tiers often include only sodas, juices, and bottled water. More elaborate and expensive tiers expand these offerings to incorporate alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails, wine by the glass, draft and bottled beer, and specialty coffee drinks. In certain cases, cruise lines provide multiple tiers of these all-encompassing plans to accommodate varying preferences and budgets.

Beyond comprehensive alcohol packages, some lines offer specialized options such as coffee cards, which allow guests to secure a set number of premium coffee drinks at a shipboard coffee bar at a discounted price, as well as wine-specific packages tailored to oenophiles.

How Much Do Alcoholic Drink Packages Cost on Cruise Ships?

The cost of cruise ship drink packages varies widely across different cruise operators. At several of the biggest cruise brands—including Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Holland America—the primary drink packages that encompass all types of beverages typically range from $29 to $95 per person, per day. Other major brands, such as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, command higher rates, frequently charging more than $100 per person, per day for a top-tier package.

Drink packages that exclude alcoholic drinks, such as dedicated soda packages, generally cost far less and are often priced under $12 per person, per day. Travelers should note that many cruise lines offer discounts on drink packages if purchased online in advance of sailing, and some operators run periodic promotional sales on their digital booking portals.

Can You Buy Drinks on a Cruise Without a Drink Package?

Yes. All major cruise lines permit passengers to purchase drinks on an à la carte basis throughout the duration of the cruise. A drink package is not a prerequisite for enjoying alcoholic beverages or any other type of beverage while on board a ship.

Can You Share a Drink Package on a Cruise Ship?

In many cases, sharing a beverage package is strictly prohibited. Several of the largest cruise lines—including Carnival, Holland America, and MSC—enforce a mandatory rule stipulating that if one adult in a cabin purchases a drink package, all other adults staying in the same cabin must also purchase the package. This policy is designed to prevent multiple guests from sharing a single package.

Two prominent lines that notably do not enforce this shared-cabin rule are Princess Cruises and Windstar Cruises. Even on lines where single-cabin purchases are permitted, however, passengers are strictly forbidden from using their package to purchase drinks for other travelers.

Are Drink Packages on Cruise Ships Really Unlimited?

The answer depends heavily on the specific cruise line. While some operators market their packages as unlimited, lines such as Carnival impose a daily ceiling, limiting the number of alcoholic drinks that any single person can order with a package to 15 per 24-hour period. Industry experts note that 15 drinks per day represents an extraordinarily high volume that far exceeds the consumption habits of the vast majority of guests.

Where Can You Use a Cruise Ship Drink Package?

Cruise ship drink packages are generally honored anywhere guests can order a beverage on a ship, including bars, lounges, and specialty dining venues. However, packages typically cannot be used when ordering room service, nor do they generally apply to items removed from cabin minibars. Passengers are strongly advised to review the specific fine print of their chosen cruise line’s beverage policy before placing an order for delivery to their stateroom. Additionally, some cruise lines extend package privileges to their private island destinations, while others exclude them.

Is a Drink Package Worth It?

Determining whether a drink package is worth the investment requires careful consideration of individual consumption habits. If a traveler plans to consume several alcoholic drinks each day—particularly higher-priced options—alongside premium nonalcoholic beverages such as specialty coffees, bottled water, sodas, energy drinks, and mocktails, a package can easily justify its cost.

Conversely, passengers who intend to limit their consumption to a couple of glasses of wine per day, a morning latte, and sparkling water with dinner may end up spending significantly more on a package than they would by paying for individual items as they go.

The most effective approach is to perform a straightforward cost calculation before departure. If a package costs between $60 and $70 per day and a passenger knows they will consume five or six cocktails or glasses of wine priced at $10 or more each, alongside specialty coffee, tea, and bottled water, the package is likely to provide good value. Travelers are cautioned against the pitfall of consuming alcohol purely to justify the upfront price of a package, a behavior that often suggests a pay-as-you-go approach would have been more suitable.

A Line-by-Line Guide to Cruise Drink Packages

Pricing details for major cruise lines reflect rates valid at the time of publication and remain subject to change. Listed pricing is calculated per person, per day. Where lines offer multiple tiers, the most inclusive package is detailed alongside alternative options.

Carnival Cruise Line offers the Cheers! Beverage Program. The cost per day is $74.95 when purchased on board and $69.95 when purchased in advance, with gratuities included. Available on all ships except those operating two-day or charter cruises, the package covers beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, zero-proof frozen cocktails, soda, juices, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas, and most bottled water, alongside a 25% discount on wine bottle purchases. The package cannot be used for drinks priced over $20. A strict fine-print rule mandates that if one adult in a cabin purchases the package, all adults in that stateroom must purchase it as well, subject to a 15-drink daily limit. The package is not valid on Carnival’s private islands, including Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay, and Princess Cays, and on departures from New York, Texas, and Virginia, the package activates on Day 2 at 6 a.m. Nondrinkers can opt for the Zero-Proof Package starting at $29.95 per day.

Celebrity Cruises features the Premium Drink Package. Prices vary by sailing but start at $100 per day, though passengers staying in The Retreat receive the package automatically. Available on all ships except those in the Galapagos where drinks are included, the package covers premium beers, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, Coca-Cola products, juices, mocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas, and premium bottled water, with drinks capped at $19 and a 20% discount on bottled wine. Celebrity also offers a less inclusive Classic package and a nonalcoholic alternative. Packages do not cover minibar items or room service.

Holland America operates the Elite Beverage Package, priced at $60.95 per day plus a 20% gratuity charge. Available fleetwide, it includes beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, soda, juices, mocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas, and bottled water for drinks priced up to $16. A slightly cheaper Signature Beverage Package covers drinks up to $12 for $55.95 per day, while the Quench nonalcoholic package costs $17.95 per day. Stateroom sharing rules apply, a 15-drink daily limit is enforced for alcohol, and room service, minibar items, and Half Moon Cay are excluded.

MSC Cruises provides the Premium Extra Package. Pricing is scaled by cruise length, costing $60 per day if pre-booked or $95 on board for short sailings, dropping to $55 pre-booked ($85 on board) for four- to nine-night cruises, and $50 pre-booked ($82 on board) for longer voyages. MSC does not add service charges to package purchases. The plan covers draft, craft, and bottled beer, wine and Champagne by the glass, premium spirits, liqueurs, cordials, frozen and classic cocktails, soda, juices, mocktails, energy drinks, hot chocolate, specialty coffees, teas, and bottled water for drinks up to $16, alongside a 25% bottle discount. Alcohol-free and minors packages are also available, stateroom-sharing rules apply, a 15-drink daily limit is enforced, and the package is valid at the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Norwegian Cruise Line features the Free at Sea Beverage Package, priced at $32 per day for short sailings of two to five nights and $28.50 per day for sailings of six nights or longer. Fleetwide availability includes cocktails, wine by the glass, soft drinks, and beer, with discounts on ultra-premium selections. An upgraded Free at Sea Plus package costs $49.99 per day and adds Starbucks beverages, signature wine and Champagne, bottled water, energy drinks, fresh juices, and top-shelf spirits. Everyone in a cabin must purchase the package if one guest does, and numerous exclusions apply, though the package is valid at Great Stirrup Cay.

Oceania Cruises offers the Prestige Select Beverage Package for $79.95 per person, per day, with 50% discounts available for guests selecting specific promotional amenities. Fleetwide inclusions cover unlimited Champagne, wine by the glass, beer, spirits, and cocktails at any venue and via room service during bar hours, while soda and specialty coffees remain free for all guests. Bottled water is provided as still and sparkling Vero Water.

Princess Cruises features the Premier Beverage Package, costing $84.99 plus an 18% service charge, totaling approximately $100 per day (with equivalent regional pricing in Australia). Fleetwide, it covers top-shelf spirits, premier wines and Champagne by the glass, crafted cocktails, fountain sodas, juices, mocktails, energy drinks, smoothies, milkshakes, specialty coffees, teas, and bottled water for drinks priced up to $20, alongside a 25% bottle discount. A broader Princess Premier package includes Wi-Fi and specialty dining for a slightly higher fee, while a Plus package covers drinks up to $15 and a Zero-Alcohol package is also available. A 15-drink daily limit applies, packages are non-shareable, and usage extends to Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays, while Celebration Key is excluded.

Royal Caribbean operates the Deluxe Beverage Package, with pricing varying by ship and itinerary. Fleetwide inclusions cover beer, wine by the glass, spirits, mixed drinks, cocktails, soda, juices, mocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas, and premium bottled water for drinks priced up to $14, along with bottle discounts. A nonalcoholic Refreshment Package is also available. Stateroom-sharing rules apply for adults of legal drinking age, room service and minibars are excluded, and packages can be used at private destinations including Perfect Day at Coco Cay and Labadee.

Viking offers the Silver Spirits Beverage Package for $27 per day, inclusive of gratuities. Available across all ocean, river, and expedition ships, it covers beer, select wines and house Champagne by the glass, and mixed drinks and cocktails priced up to $18, with standard soda, beer, and house wine at meals already included in base fares. The package is unavailable on Egypt itineraries.

Windstar Cruises features the Captain’s Exclusive Beverage Package, priced at $79 when purchased up to five days prior to sailing or $89 thereafter. Fleetwide inclusions cover beer, wine by the glass, spirits, and cocktails, while nonalcoholic beverages are already included in base fares. Windstar also offers an All-In Package incorporating drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities for an additional upcharge.

Information About Cruise Lines Without Formal Drink Packages

Disney Cruise Line does not offer traditional beverage packages. Base fares include complimentary soft drinks, coffee, tea, water, milk, and juice at meals, alongside 24-hour access to pool deck beverage stations. Passengers are permitted to bring one bottle of wine or Champagne or a six-pack of beer per person on board at embarkation. Alternative savings include wine packages, beer packs, discounted drinks of the day, and onboard happy hours, with cocktails generally ranging from $10 to $14.

Virgin Voyages includes soda, non-pressed juices, regular coffee, tea, and water in its basic fares. Guests wishing to consume alcoholic and premium nonalcoholic beverages can prepay for a Bar Tab before sailing to receive bonus drink credits. Passengers staying in RockStar or MegaRockStar Quarters gain access to Richard’s Rooftop for a daily sunset happy hour featuring complimentary Champagne and cocktails. Additionally, passengers may bring up to two bottles of wine and 12 cans of nonalcoholic beer per cabin.