Cruise drinks packages: are they worth it?
Packages can save money or waste it. How to work out which one you actually need.
Few cruise decisions cause as much last-minute maths as the drinks package. Whether it is worth it depends entirely on what you drink, how much and what your fare already includes — not on the headline price alone.
What a drinks package usually includes
Packages vary by line, but most fall into two or three tiers.
- Classic / basic: house wines, beer, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks up to a price cap.
- Premium: branded spirits, better wines and a higher cap per drink.
- Non-alcoholic: specialty coffee, soda, juice and bottled water — often sold separately.
- Included drinks: some fares already cover basic drinks, which changes the maths completely.
Check your fare first. Paying for a package that duplicates drinks already included is one of the most common onboard overspends.
Package vs paying as you go
| Drinks package | Pay as you go | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Fixed per person, per day | Only what you drink |
| Good if | You drink several a day | You drink little |
| Freedom | Try new drinks with no worry | You may hesitate |
| Risk | Paying more than you consume | A surprising final bill |
The break-even point depends on your habits: a package only pays off once your daily drinks would cost more than the package itself.
Limits and rules to know
- Packages are usually per person, per day and must be bought for everyone in the cabin of drinking age on many lines.
- There is often a per-drink price cap; anything above it is charged in full or in part.
- Packages typically cover one drink at a time and cannot be shared.
- Some lines do not include room service, minibar or premium bottles.
- Port days can lower your daily consumption — worth factoring in.
Coffee, soda and water packages
You do not have to buy the full alcohol package. If you mainly drink soft drinks or specialty coffee, a non-alcoholic package is often better value.
- Soda package: good for families and heavy soft-drink drinkers.
- Coffee package: worth it if you drink several specialty coffees a day.
- Water package: compare with simply buying bottles or refilling on board.
Doing the maths
- Start with what your fare already includes.
- Estimate your realistic daily drinks — not your holiday best intentions.
- Multiply by the number of days and compare with the package price.
- Check the per-drink cap and whether it covers what you actually order.
- Remember port days, when you may drink less on board.
- Only then decide.
Sharing and common mistakes
- Sharing a package is not allowed and can have it removed.
- Buying for one person and not the other often isn't permitted if both are of drinking age.
- Forgetting gratuities on drinks — some packages include them, some don't.
A drinks package is a budgeting tool, not a bargain in itself. Decide with your real habits, and check what is already included in our guide to what's included in a cruise.