Drink prices on cruises are higher than on land, and most lines charge by the drink rather than including beverages in your fare

A soft drink on a cruise typically costs $3 to $5 per bottle or cup. Alcoholic drinks run $7 to $15 for beer and mixed drinks, depending on the cruise line and the drink type. Specialty cocktails and premium spirits cost more — sometimes $16 to $20. Water, coffee, and tea at meals are free, but bottled water and specialty coffee drinks are not.

The price you pay depends on which cruise line you book, what type of drink you order, and whether you buy a beverage package upfront. Most major lines — Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Norwegian — price drinks individually, though they all offer packages that let you prepay for unlimited drinks over your sailing.

Cruise lines set their own prices, so there is no single "standard" cost. A beer on one line might be $8 while the same beer costs $9.50 on another. Specialty venues like the sushi bar or wine bar charge more than the main bars and poolside stands.

Key Takeaways

  • Soft drinks cost $3 to $5 per serving, and alcoholic drinks range from $7 to $20 depending on the type and venue.
  • Most cruise lines sell drinks individually at the bar, but offer beverage packages that cover unlimited drinks for the length of your cruise.
  • Beverage packages typically cost $15 to $25 per person per day and include beer, wine, mixed drinks, and soft drinks, but exclude premium spirits and specialty venues.
  • Water, coffee, and tea at meals are free on all major cruise lines, so you can reduce drink costs by using these options.
  • Prices vary by cruise line, ship, and venue — a drink at the pool bar may cost more than the same drink at the main dining room bar.

How beverage packages work and what they cover

A beverage package is a prepaid plan that covers unlimited drinks for your entire cruise. You buy it when you book your cruise or up to a few days before you sail. The cost is per person per day and is added to your final bill.

Most packages cover beer, wine, mixed drinks made with standard spirits, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and juice. They do not cover premium spirits like top-shelf vodka or aged rum, bottles of wine you take to your cabin, drinks at specialty restaurants, or drinks ordered through room service. Some lines also exclude energy drinks or charge extra for them.

A basic beverage package on Carnival costs around $15 to $17 per person per day if you prepay, or $18 to $20 if you buy it onboard. Royal Caribbean's package runs $16 to $18 prepaid or $19 to $22 onboard. Disney's package is higher — around $17 to $19 prepaid — because Disney's base drink prices are higher. Norwegian's package is similar to Royal Caribbean's pricing.

If you drink fewer than three or four drinks per day, a package may not save you money. If you drink more than that, a package almost always costs less than buying drinks individually over a week-long cruise.

What you pay if you buy drinks one at a time

Buying drinks individually means you pay per drink at the bar, pool, or through room service. Soft drinks — soda, bottled water, juice — cost $3 to $5 each. A bottle of water is usually $4 to $5, while a cup of soda at the bar is $3 to $4. Specialty coffee drinks like lattes run $5 to $7.

Beer costs $7 to $9 per glass or bottle on most lines. Wine by the glass is $8 to $12. Mixed drinks — rum and coke, margaritas, daiquiris — cost $9 to $15. Premium cocktails, craft drinks, or drinks made with top-shelf spirits run $15 to $20. A bottle of wine you bring to your cabin or buy onboard costs $20 to $60 depending on the label.

Room service drinks cost more than bar drinks. A soda ordered to your cabin might be $5 to $6 instead of $3.50 at the pool bar. Some lines charge a room service fee on top of the drink price.

Over a seven-day cruise, if you order three soft drinks and two alcoholic drinks per day, you would spend roughly $150 to $200 on drinks alone. A beverage package at $15 to $18 per day would cost $105 to $126 for the same week, saving you money if you actually drink that much.

Differences between cruise lines and ship venues

Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Norwegian all price drinks differently. Carnival's base prices tend to be the lowest, while Disney's are the highest because Disney does not allow outside alcohol and controls the entire beverage market onboard. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian fall in the middle.

Within a single ship, prices also vary by location. The main bar and pool bar usually have the lowest prices. Specialty bars — the wine bar, the craft cocktail bar, the sushi bar — charge more. Restaurants and lounges may have different pricing than bars. Drinks ordered through room service cost extra.

Some lines charge more for drinks ordered during peak hours (evening) than during off-peak hours (afternoon). A few lines offer happy hour pricing on certain drinks at certain times, though this is less common than it used to be.

How to estimate your drink budget before you sail

Start by deciding how many drinks you typically have per day. If you have one or two, a beverage package probably does not make financial sense. If you have three or more, a package usually saves money.

Next, look up the current drink prices for your specific cruise line and ship. Most lines post these on their website or in their onboard pricing guide. Call the cruise line directly if you cannot find them — they will tell you the exact price of a beer, a soft drink, and a mixed drink on your ship.

Multiply your daily drink count by the average price per drink, then multiply by the number of days you will be at sea. (Do not count port days if you plan to buy drinks ashore — they are usually cheaper.) Compare that total to the cost of a beverage package for the same number of days. If the package costs less, buy it before you sail — prepaid packages are always cheaper than buying onboard.

Remember that a beverage package covers drinks you order, not drinks you skip. If you buy a package and drink fewer drinks than you expected, you do not get a refund. Some people buy a package and still spend extra on premium spirits or specialty venues, so the package does not always mean zero additional drink costs.

Ways to reduce drink costs without a package

If you decide not to buy a beverage package, you can still lower your drink spending. Drink water, coffee, and tea at meals — they are free. Many ships have a self-serve coffee station or a beverage station in the buffet area where you can fill a cup for free during the day.

Order soft drinks at meals instead of at the bar. A soda at dinner is usually free if it comes with your meal, but the same soda at the pool bar costs $3 to $4. Some lines let you order a pitcher of water for your cabin at no charge — ask your cabin steward or the front desk.

Drink during happy hour if your line offers it. A few cruise lines discount certain drinks during specific hours, usually in the late afternoon. Check the daily program or ask at the bar.

If you drink alcohol, beer and wine are cheaper than mixed drinks. A beer is usually $1 to $2 cheaper than a cocktail. Wine by the glass is often cheaper than a mixed drink of the same quality.

Some people bring their own drinks onboard. Most cruise lines allow you to bring a limited amount of alcohol in your carry-on luggage — typically one bottle of wine or champagne per person. You cannot bring beer or spirits. Check your cruise line's policy before you pack.

What happens if you go over budget on drinks

All drinks you order onboard are charged to your cabin account. You see the charges on your final bill when you leave the ship. If you did not buy a beverage package and you ordered more drinks than you expected, the charges are added to what you owe.

You can ask the front desk to review your drink charges before you disembark. If there is an error — a drink charged twice, or a price that seems wrong — they can correct it. If you straightforward ordered more than you planned, the charge stands.

Some lines offer a drink limit feature where you can set a daily spending cap on your cabin account. This prevents accidental overspending, though it is not widely advertised. Ask at the front desk if your line offers this option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my own drinks on a cruise?

Most cruise lines allow one bottle of wine or champagne per person in your carry-on luggage. Beer, spirits, and additional bottles are not allowed. You cannot bring drinks in your checked luggage. If you bring alcohol, you cannot open it in your cabin or bring it to public areas — it must stay sealed until you leave the ship.

Are drinks cheaper if I buy them at a port instead of onboard?

Yes, drinks at ports are almost always cheaper than onboard prices. If you plan to spend time ashore, buying a drink at a local bar or café will cost less than ordering from the ship. However, you cannot bring drinks back onboard — they must be consumed at the port.

Do kids' drinks cost the same as adult drinks?

Soft drinks for children cost the same as for adults — $3 to $5. Juice boxes and milk may be slightly cheaper. Most beverage packages include kids' soft drinks and juice at no extra cost. Alcoholic drinks are not sold to minors under any circumstances.

What if I buy a beverage package and do not use it?

Beverage packages are non-refundable. If you buy a package and drink fewer drinks than you expected, you do not get money back. The package covers the days of your cruise only — unused portions do not carry over to a future cruise.

Do specialty coffee drinks count toward a beverage package?

Most beverage packages include regular coffee, tea, and basic coffee drinks. Premium specialty drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, or drinks from a specialty coffee bar may not be included or may require an upcharge. Check your package details before you sail to know what is covered.