Drink packages rarely save money unless you drink constantly or order premium cocktails
A cruise ship drink package costs between $60 and $200 per person per day, depending on the cruise line and package tier. Whether it saves you money depends almost entirely on what you would actually order and drink if you paid per drink. Most casual drinkers—people who have one or two drinks a day—pay more for a package than they would buying drinks individually. Heavy drinkers and people who order top-shelf spirits or specialty cocktails may break even or come out ahead, but the math is tighter than cruise lines want you to think.
The real question is not whether a package is a good deal in the abstract. It is whether a package changes how much you drink. If you buy a package and drink three times as much as you normally would just because it is "included," you have not saved money—you have spent more on a different product. This guide walks through the actual numbers, what is and is not covered, and how to figure out whether a package makes sense for your specific trip.
Key Takeaways
- Most drink packages cost $60 to $200 per person per day and cover beer, wine, soft drinks, and basic cocktails, but exclude premium spirits and specialty drinks.
- A single cocktail on a cruise ship typically costs $12 to $18, so you need to drink five to ten drinks per day for a package to pay for itself.
- Packages do not cover drinks at specialty restaurants, casino bars, or room service, which are common places where cruise passengers order drinks.
- If you do not normally drink much, a package usually costs more than paying per drink, even if you drink a little more than usual on vacation.
- Splitting a package between two people or buying a package for only part of your cruise are not options—packages are per-person, per-day, and non-refundable.
What a typical drink package actually covers
Cruise lines offer different package tiers, and the names and coverage vary by line. A basic package on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Norwegian typically includes beer (draft and bottled), house wine, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and basic mixed drinks made with well spirits. A premium package adds top-shelf liquor, specialty cocktails, and sometimes drinks at the pool bar or specialty venues.
What a package does not cover matters as much as what it does. Drinks at specialty restaurants (steakhouses, sushi bars, wine bars), drinks ordered in your cabin, drinks at the casino bar, and drinks at adult-only areas like the adults-only pool often have separate charges or are excluded entirely. Some cruise lines exclude energy drinks or charge extra for them. Gratuity (tip) is usually included in the package price, but verify this when you book—some lines add 18 percent on top of the package cost.
Read the fine print for your specific cruise line before you commit. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney, and Norwegian all have different rules about what counts as a covered drink and what does not. A drink that is covered on one line may not be on another.
The per-drink cost math
A single drink on a cruise ship costs $12 to $18 for a basic cocktail, $8 to $12 for beer, and $10 to $16 for house wine, depending on the cruise line and the drink. A premium cocktail or top-shelf drink runs $16 to $25. Soft drinks cost $3 to $5 per drink if you buy them individually, though unlimited soft drink packages are sometimes available separately.
A basic drink package at $80 per day breaks even if you drink about six drinks per day at an average cost of $13 each. A premium package at $150 per day breaks even at about nine drinks per day. Most casual vacation drinkers have two to four drinks per day, which means they would spend $26 to $52 per day buying drinks individually—less than the package cost.
The math shifts if you order premium drinks regularly. If you drink four premium cocktails per day at $20 each, you spend $80 per day without a package. A basic package at $80 per day looks like a wash, but a premium package at $150 per day still costs more. The break-even point for premium drinkers is usually around seven to eight premium drinks per day.
Why packages encourage you to drink more than you plan
Cruise lines sell drink packages because they work—people who buy them drink more than they would otherwise. This is not a conspiracy; it is how psychology works. When something is "included," the mental cost of ordering another drink drops to zero. You are more likely to order a drink at 2 p.m. if you have already paid for it than if each drink costs $15 out of pocket.
If you are the kind of person who has one drink with lunch and one with dinner at home, a drink package may lead you to have three drinks at lunch and three at dinner on a cruise. You feel like you are getting your money's worth. In reality, you have spent $150 on a package and drunk three times as much alcohol as you normally would. That is not a savings—that is a different purchase.
Budget-conscious travelers should ask themselves honestly: do I drink this much at home? If the answer is no, a package is probably not worth it, even if the math looks close.
Packages excluded from specialty venues and restaurants
One of the biggest gaps in drink packages is specialty dining. If you book a steakhouse dinner, wine bar, or specialty restaurant on the ship, drinks there are almost never included in a basic package and sometimes excluded from premium packages too. These venues charge full retail prices, which can be $20 to $40 per drink.
Similarly, drinks at the casino bar, the adults-only pool bar (on some lines), and room service are typically not covered. If you plan to spend an evening at the casino or order a drink to your cabin, those charges will be separate. This is where many people discover they have paid for a package that does not cover the drinks they actually wanted.
Before you book a package, look at the ship's bar and restaurant map. Identify where you plan to spend time and drink. If most of those places are excluded from the package, the package is not worth buying.
When a drink package actually makes financial sense
A package makes sense if you meet one or more of these conditions: you drink eight or more drinks per day on average; you regularly order premium or specialty cocktails; you are traveling with a group and want to simplify payment; or you want to avoid the temptation to check your bill and prefer a fixed cost upfront.
Heavy drinkers—people who have multiple drinks throughout the day—usually come out ahead with a package, especially a premium one. If you order a cocktail at breakfast, beer at lunch, wine at dinner, and drinks at the evening show, a package pays for itself. If you are a wine drinker and plan to have wine with lunch and dinner every day, a premium package that includes wine may be worth it.
Some travelers buy packages for the psychological benefit of not worrying about the bill. If you find yourself hesitating to order a drink because you are watching costs, a package removes that friction. That is a real value, even if the math does not work out perfectly in dollars.
Alternatives to buying a full package
You do not have to choose between a full package and paying per drink. Some cruise lines allow you to buy a package for part of your cruise—for example, for three days instead of seven. This works well if you know you will drink heavily on certain days (formal nights, port days) and lightly on others.
Another option is to buy a soft drink package separately if you drink a lot of soda or juice. These cost $10 to $15 per day and can save money if you would otherwise buy five or more soft drinks per day at $3 to $5 each.
Some cruise lines offer drink packages that include only beer and wine, excluding spirits. These are cheaper than full packages and may work if you do not drink cocktails. Compare the cost of a beer-and-wine package to what you would spend on those drinks alone.
If you are undecided, wait until you board the ship. Most cruise lines allow you to buy a package on the first day of your cruise, and some offer a discount if you buy it onboard rather than in advance. This gives you time to see the drink prices and decide whether the package is worth it for your specific trip.
How to calculate whether a package works for your trip
Start by listing the drinks you actually plan to order. Be honest—not the drinks you think you should order, but the drinks you will order. If you drink coffee in the morning, beer at lunch, and wine at dinner, that is three drinks per day. Multiply that by the number of days on your cruise.
Look up the individual price for each drink on your cruise line's website or call the cruise line directly. Add them up for one day. Multiply by the number of days. Compare that total to the package cost for the same number of days.
If the package costs less, it may be worth buying. If the package costs more, skip it unless you think you will drink significantly more on vacation than you normally do. If they are close, consider whether the convenience of not tracking drinks is worth the extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a drink package for just one person in my group?
Yes. Packages are sold per person, so you can buy one for yourself and not for your travel companion. This is useful if one person in your group drinks heavily and the other does not. Keep in mind that the person without a package will pay per drink, which can add up quickly if they change their mind.
What happens if I buy a package and do not drink much?
The package is non-refundable. You cannot get a refund or credit if you drink fewer drinks than the package cost covers. This is why the math matters—if you buy a $600 package for a seven-day cruise and drink only two drinks per day, you have spent $600 on $182 worth of drinks.
Are gratuities included in the drink package price?
On most cruise lines, yes. The package price includes the tip for bartenders. However, verify this with your specific cruise line when you book, because policies vary. Some lines add gratuity on top of the package cost.
Can I share a drink package with someone else?
No. Packages are tied to your room key or account and are non-transferable. You cannot buy one package and have two people use it. Each person who wants package coverage needs their own package.
Do drink packages work at ports of call?
No. Packages cover drinks only on the ship. Drinks at bars and restaurants in port are not covered and must be paid for separately.