Are Cruise Drink Packages Worth It?
Cruise drink packages can be a great value, but only if your drinking habits, itinerary, and cruise line pricing match up. Some travelers save hundreds, while others discover they overpaid—especially if their itinerary includes multiple port-heavy days, early mornings, or excursions that reduce onboard drinking time. Understanding the real per-day cost and what’s actually included is essential before committing.
Personally, I usually skip the drink package and simply buy drinks as I go. For me, a cocktail like a margarita or martini typically runs around $12 onboard, and I already know I’m probably only going to have two or three drinks per day.
When I actually calculated the numbers on a Royal Caribbean cruise, paying individually for drinks ended up saving me roughly $300 compared to purchasing the full beverage package.
That approach obviously does not work for everyone, but it’s a good example of why travelers should realistically evaluate their own habits before automatically buying the package.
Even without a drink package, there are drinks you should avoid paying for onboard because free alternatives are often available.
Not Sure If a Drink Package Is Worth It?
Use our Cruise Drink Package Calculator to estimate your beverage spending and compare it against typical cruise line package costs.
What’s Included in Most Cruise Drink Packages?
While every cruise line structures its beverage packages differently, most include some combination of:
- Beer, wine, and cocktails up to a certain price limit
- Soda, juices, mocktails, and specialty coffees
- Bottled water (still or sparkling depending on tier)
- Zero-proof beverages like energy drinks or smoothies
Drink Package Rules and Fine Print to Check Before Buying
The advertised daily price is only part of the decision. Cruise lines set their own beverage-package rules, and those restrictions can materially change the value of a package.
Before purchasing, check the specific terms for your cruise line and sailing, including:
- Per-drink price limits — drinks above the package ceiling may require an additional charge.
- Brand and venue exclusions — not every beverage or location is necessarily included.
- Daily drink limits — some cruise lines cap the number of alcoholic beverages covered each day.
- Cabinmate requirements — some lines require other adults in the same cabin to purchase a qualifying package as well.
- Gratuities or service charges — these can increase the real package cost beyond the advertised daily rate.
Rules vary by cruise line and package, so verify the current terms for your sailing rather than assuming one cruise line's policy applies to another.
Average Cruise Drink Prices
Understanding typical drink prices helps determine whether a beverage package will save you money.
| Drink Type | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Cocktails | $11 – $15 |
| Beer | $7 – $9 |
| Wine by the Glass | $9 – $14 |
| Specialty Coffee | $4 – $7 |
| Soda | $3 – $4 |
How Many Drinks Per Day to Break Even?
Most travelers need roughly 5–7 alcoholic drinks per day to break even on a typical beverage package. However, specialty coffees, bottled water, and mocktails can lower that threshold.
| Drink Price | Drinks Needed to Break Even |
|---|---|
| $14 cocktail | 5–6 drinks |
| $10 wine | 7 drinks |
| $7 beer | 10 drinks |
For lighter drinkers, that break-even point often never happens. If you only plan to have a few drinks during dinner, at sail-away, or while watching the sunset from your balcony, paying individually can sometimes be the better value.
Sea Days vs. Port Days Can Change the Math
The number of hours you actually spend onboard can matter almost as much as the price of the package. Sea days give you more opportunities to use a beverage package throughout the day, while port-intensive itineraries can leave much less time onboard.
A package that makes financial sense on a cruise with several sea days may be much harder to justify when you are ashore for long excursions on most days. When estimating your break-even point, calculate what you realistically expect to drink on both sea days and port days rather than assuming the same consumption every day.
Typical Drink Package Prices by Cruise Line
| Cruise Line | Typical Daily Price |
|---|---|
| Carnival | $59 – $79 |
| Royal Caribbean | $65 – $95 |
| Norwegian | $80 – $109 |
Prices usually increase onboard, so purchasing before your cruise often provides the best rate.
When a Drink Package Makes Sense
- You enjoy cocktails or premium beverages throughout the day
- Your itinerary includes multiple sea days
- You drink specialty coffees daily
- You want a predictable onboard budget
- You plan to drink enough to comfortably exceed the break-even point
Who Should Skip the Drink Package
A beverage package is not always the best value.
- Light or occasional drinkers
- Travelers with port-heavy itineraries
- Guests who primarily drink at dinner
- Families cruising with children
- Travelers who already know they only drink a few beverages per day
Many Caribbean itineraries include long shore excursions and beach days, which means less time onboard to use a drink package.
Money-Saving Tips for Cruise Drink Packages
- Buy early — pre-cruise pricing is almost always cheaper
- Watch Wave Season promotions
- Use onboard credit to offset beverage costs
- Bring allowed beverages onboard when permitted
- Calculate your realistic daily drink total honestly
One of the biggest mistakes travelers make is buying a package based on what they think they might drink instead of what they actually drink.
The Best Decision Starts With an Honest Consumption Estimate
A drink package is not automatically a good deal, and it is not automatically overpriced. The value depends on your normal habits, the package price, what is included, your itinerary, and how much time you expect to spend onboard.
Before buying, estimate a realistic day rather than a vacation-day maximum: coffee in the morning, drinks around the pool, beverages with dinner, bottled water, and anything you would genuinely order in the evening. Then compare that total with the full daily package cost, including applicable service charges.
The goal should not be to drink enough to justify the package. The goal is to choose the payment method that gives you the better combination of value, convenience, and spending control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are drinks ever free on cruises?
Water, basic coffee, iced tea, and lemonade are typically free on most cruise lines.
Do all adults in the cabin need to buy a drink package?
Many cruise lines require all adults in the same cabin to purchase the package to prevent sharing.
Are gratuities included in drink packages?
Most cruise lines automatically add an 18–20% service charge when purchasing a beverage package.
Can you upgrade a drink package mid-cruise?
Yes. Most cruise lines allow beverage package upgrades after boarding.
Is bottled water included?
Some packages include still water while premium packages include sparkling water.
Can I cancel a drink package?
Most cruise lines allow cancellations up to 48 hours before sailing.
Do cruise drink packages work on private islands?
Many cruise lines honor drink packages on their private islands, but policies vary by cruise line.
Can buying drinks individually save money?
Yes. Travelers who only consume a few drinks per day often spend far less by paying individually instead of purchasing a full beverage package.