Cruise Drink Packages: Prices, Rules, And Value

Cruise drink packages promise unlimited beverages for a flat daily fee, but their value depends on your drinking habits, itinerary, and cruise line policies. While they can save money for heavy drinkers who enjoy variety, light drinkers or those with many port days often find them overpriced.

What Are Cruise Drink Packages?

Cruise drink packages bundle unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks into one prepaid fee, typically ranging from $60 to $110 per day per person, plus gratuities. They cover cocktails, beer, wine by the glass, sodas, specialty coffees, and bottled water, but exclude premium top-shelf liquors and drinks over a set price point on most lines.

• Common inclusions: Cocktails up to $14-$20, beer, wine by the glass, sodas, energy drinks, specialty coffee, and non-alcoholic frozen drinks.
• Typical exclusions: Drinks above the package cap (with discounts sometimes applied), bottles of wine/champagne, minibar items, and room service beverages.
• Key rule: Packages must be purchased for all adults (21+) in the same cabin on lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

Packages encourage experimentation with new drinks without per-drink worry, but require consistent onboard time to justify the cost.

Cruise Drink Package Prices: What to Expect

Prices fluctuate by cruise line, ship, itinerary length, and booking timing—pre-booking online saves 10-30% versus onboard rates. Here’s a breakdown from recent sailings:

For a 4-night Carnival cruise, two adults might pay $660 total for CHEERS!, cheaper than Royal Caribbean equivalents. Onboard prices jump, so book early via the cruise planner.

What’s Included in Popular Cruise Drink Packages?

Carnival CHEERS! Package

Carnival’s CHEERS! covers most drinks up to $20: spirits/cocktails, beer/wine by the glass, sodas, zero-proof cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffee, tea, 500ml water, and packaged water in dining rooms. Premium drinks over $20 get 25% off. Unique limit: 15 alcoholic drinks per 24-hour period (6am-6am).

• Signature spots: RedFrog Rum Bar, Alchemy Bar (try Peach Cosmopolitan), BlueIguana Tequila Bar.
• Bonus: Daily lattes at JavaBlue Cafe (~$6 each with gratuity).

Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package

Includes drinks up to $14: cocktails (~$14 each), beer/seltzers (~$8), sodas, coffees, juices, and mocktails. No daily alcohol limit, but all cabin adults 21+ must buy it. Pitchers (~$18 for 60oz) boost value for groups.

Other Lines

Celebrity’s Premium covers up to $19 with premium brands; basic promo packages cap at $12. Non-alcoholic options like Royal’s Refreshment ($20/day) suit light drinkers.

Cruise Drink Package Restrictions and Rules

Packages come with caveats that can erode value:

• Cabin-wide purchase: All adults 21+ in the cabin must buy, even non-drinkers—raises total cost for couples/families.
• Alcohol limits: Carnival caps at 15/day; others monitor for ‘excessive’ use.
• Port days: Packages don’t work in ports; sea days maximize value.
• Gratuities: 18% added daily, not always included in advertised price.
• Upcharges: Premium liquors, bottles, or over-cap drinks extra (discounts vary).

Free promo packages (e.g., Celebrity All Included) often exclude premiums, requiring upgrades.

Are Cruise Drink Packages Worth It? Break-Even Math

To determine value, calculate break-even: divide package cost (with gratuity) by average drink price. Cocktails average $12-$15 +18% gratuity (~$14-$18 total).

• Carnival CHEERS! ($80 + gratuity = ~$95/day): Need 6-7 cocktails/day to break even. Add coffees/sodas to tip scales.
• Royal Deluxe ($78-$90 + gratuity = ~$92-$106): 6-8 drinks/day; beer drinkers need 8+ ($8/beer).

For a 3-day cruise at $265/person (Carnival), you’d need ~15-20 total drinks. Heavy drinkers (10+/day) win; light (2-3/day) lose. Port-heavy itineraries reduce onboard drinking time.

Groups partying on Carnival or trying bar menus (e.g., watermelon martini at steakhouse) maximize ROI.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Cruise Drink Package

Pros

• Cost predictability: Fixed budget, no end-of-trip shock.
• Variety freedom: Try new cocktails (e.g., Carnival’s Cruiser: vodka, rum, schnapps, juices) without risk.
• Non-alc value: Unlimited sodas/coffees add up ($6/latte x 3 = $18/day).
• Group fun: Ideal for party crowds hitting multiple bars.

Cons

• Overdrinking temptation: Some cruisers drink more to ‘justify’ cost, risking health.
• Cabin mandate: Non-drinkers subsidize.
• Short/Port itineraries: Less onboard time = poor value.
• Alternatives cheaper: Soda packages ($13/day) or bring-your-own wine (first bottle free on some lines).

Frequent cruisers note: After 50+ voyages, packages rarely break even unless heavy daily drinking.

Cruiser Experiences: Real Stories

One Carnival sailor on a 4-night Mexico trip found $660 for two worthwhile for bar-hopping (RedFrog, Alchemy), coffees, and trials like peach cosmopolitans—despite a 3-night ‘cruise to nowhere.’ A Royal Caribbean first-timer tried 12+ new drinks, loving the no-worry vibe. Conversely, a Symphony of the Seas cruiser skipped Deluxe, as 8 beers/day was unrealistic. Another bought Carnival Cheers! for $265/3-days, valuing adventure (mocktails, unknowns) and upfront pricing over limits.

Alternatives to Cruise Drink Packages

• Non-alcoholic packages: Royal Refreshment ($20/day) for sodas/juices/coffees.
• Bring your own: Wine/champagne (corkage fees apply); spirits banned.
• Happy hours: Discounted drinks at select bars.
• Promos: Free packages with bookings, though basic.
• Per-drink: Best for light drinkers/port days.

Smart cruisers skip packages in 2024+ for shorter trips or sobriety trends.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do all adults in the cabin need a drink package?

A: Yes, on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and most lines—21+ adults only; kids get separate soda packages.

Q: Can you buy drink packages onboard?

A: Yes, but 10-30% more expensive than pre-booking online.

Q: Is there a daily drink limit?

A: Carnival limits alcohol to 15/24 hours; others monitor but no hard cap.

Q: Do drink packages work in ports?

A: No, only onboard the ship.

Q: What’s the cheapest way to get drinks on a cruise?

A: Soda packages for non-drinkers, happy hours, or buy individually if moderate.

This article is general information, not personal financial advice. Consider your own situation, or speak with a licensed adviser, before acting on it.