Disney does not sell alcohol packages, but you can prepay for drinks
Disney Cruise Line does not offer bundled alcohol packages the way some other cruise lines do. Instead, Disney sells a beverage package that includes both soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, or you can pay for individual drinks as you go. The beverage package covers most bar drinks, wine by the glass, and beer, but not premium spirits, specialty cocktails, or bottles of wine you want to take to your cabin.
If you want to lock in a price before your cruise, you can prepay for the beverage package when you book your trip or up to a few days before you sail. This costs less per drink than buying them individually on the ship, but the exact price depends on your sailing date and how many days your cruise lasts.
You can also choose not to buy any package and straightforward order drinks at the bar, paying per drink. Some people bring their own wine or beer into their cabin (within Disney's limits) to avoid the onboard markup.
Key Takeaways
- Disney's beverage package includes most bar drinks, wine by the glass, and beer, but excludes premium cocktails and bottled wine.
- Prepaying for the beverage package before your cruise costs less than buying drinks individually on the ship.
- You can add the beverage package when you book or up to a few days before departure, depending on availability.
- Disney allows you to bring a limited amount of your own wine or beer into your cabin, which some guests use to reduce costs.
- If you do not want a package, you can order individual drinks and pay per drink at any bar on the ship.
What the Disney beverage package includes and excludes
The beverage package covers most drinks you would order at a bar: standard cocktails, beer, wine by the glass, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and juice. It also includes drinks at the pool bars, lounges, and dining venues throughout the ship. The package does not include bottles of wine or champagne you want to take to your cabin, premium or top-shelf spirits, specialty drinks that cost extra (marked on the menu), or drinks from room service.
If you order a drink that is not covered, you will pay the individual price at the time you order. The bartender will tell you if a drink is not included in your package. Some guests find it useful to ask the bartender what is covered before ordering, especially for specialty cocktails that may have an upcharge.
How much the beverage package costs
Disney does not publish a fixed price for the beverage package. The cost varies based on your sailing date, the length of your cruise, and demand. A 7-day cruise typically costs more than a 3-day cruise, but the per-day rate may be lower on longer sailings. Prices are usually higher during school holidays and peak travel seasons.
To see the current price for your specific sailing, you log into your Disney Cruise Line account and look at your booking. The beverage package price appears as an add-on option. You can also call Disney Cruise Line directly at 1-800-939-5277 to ask about pricing for your dates. Prepaying before your cruise is almost always cheaper than buying the package onboard, and availability can run out as your sailing date approaches.
When you can add the beverage package to your booking
You can add the beverage package to your reservation at any time after you book your cruise. Most guests add it when they first reserve their trip, but you can also add it later through your online account or by calling Disney Cruise Line. The cutoff to add the package before your cruise is typically 3 to 5 days before departure, though this varies by sailing.
If you miss the prepay important date, you can still purchase the beverage package onboard on the first day of your cruise, but you will pay the higher onboard price. Some guests wait to see how much they plan to drink before committing to a package, though this usually costs more in the end.
Bringing your own alcohol into your cabin
Disney allows you to bring a limited amount of your own wine or beer into your cabin. You can bring up to two bottles of wine or two six-packs of beer per stateroom, per cruise. You cannot bring hard liquor or spirits into your cabin. If you bring wine or beer, you can keep it in your cabin and drink it there, but you cannot bring it to the pool deck, dining venues, or other public areas of the ship.
This policy is useful if you want to have a drink in your cabin without paying the onboard bar prices. Some guests use this to offset the cost of not buying the beverage package, while others use it in addition to the package for drinks they want to enjoy privately. Disney does enforce this limit, so bringing more than the allowed amount may result in the extra bottles being confiscated.
Comparing the beverage package to paying per drink
Whether the beverage package makes financial sense depends on how much you plan to drink. A standard bar drink on a Disney cruise typically costs $12 to $16 per drink. If the beverage package costs $60 per day and you plan to have four or more drinks per day, the package saves you money. If you plan to have fewer than three drinks per day, paying per drink is usually cheaper.
Keep in mind that the package price is per person, so if you are traveling with a family, the cost adds up quickly. Some families buy the package for adults but not for children, or buy it for only part of the cruise. You can also mix strategies: buy the package for some days and pay per drink on other days, though this requires adjusting your package before your cruise.
Other ways to save on drinks during your cruise
Beyond the beverage package and bringing your own wine or beer, there are a few other ways to reduce what you spend on drinks. Some bars and lounges offer happy hour pricing during specific times of day, though Disney does not widely advertise these. Soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water are free throughout the ship, so you can reduce your alcohol spending by mixing in non-alcoholic beverages.
If you are traveling with others, you can also split bottles of wine at dinner rather than ordering by the glass, which sometimes costs less. Some specialty restaurants charge a corkage fee if you bring wine from your cabin, so ask before you do. The main dining room and buffet do not charge corkage, but upscale venues may.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy the beverage package for only some days of my cruise?
Disney does not offer partial-cruise beverage packages. You must purchase it for the entire length of your sailing, or not at all. If you want to save money, you can skip the package and pay per drink on days when you plan to drink more, though this usually costs more overall than prepaying for the full package.
What happens if I buy the beverage package and do not drink much?
The beverage package is non-refundable. If you purchase it and decide you do not want to use it, Disney will not refund the cost. You can still use it for any drinks you do order, but there is no money back if you do not use the full value. This is why some guests wait to see how much they plan to drink before committing.
Can I share one beverage package between two people?
No. Each person who wants the beverage package must have their own. You cannot buy one package and share the drinks between two staterooms or two people. If you are traveling with a partner and only one of you drinks, you can buy the package for that person and have the other pay per drink.
Are gratuities included in the beverage package price?
No. The beverage package price does not include gratuities (tips). Disney automatically adds gratuities to your onboard account, and these are calculated on your room rate and dining charges, not on your beverage package. You can adjust gratuities at the guest services desk if you wish.
Do I have to show my ID every time I order an alcoholic drink?
Yes. Disney requires a valid photo ID to purchase or consume alcohol, even if you have the beverage package. You will need to show your ID the first time you order a drink, and the bartender will note your account. You may be asked to show it again on subsequent visits, depending on the bartender.