What Princess Charges for Drink Packages

Princess Cruises offers two main drink packages: the Unlimited Beverage Package and the Premium Beverage Package. Prices vary by ship, sailing length, and how far in advance you book. On a typical 7-day Caribbean sailing, the Unlimited Beverage Package costs between $65 and $85 per person per day if you purchase it before your cruise, and $75 to $95 per day if you buy it onboard. The Premium Beverage Package runs about $20 to $30 more per day than the Unlimited option.

Shorter cruises (3 to 5 days) have lower daily rates, usually $55 to $75 for Unlimited. Longer voyages and sailings to Alaska or Europe may cost more. Princess also runs promotions—sometimes offering the first person in a cabin at a discount or waiving the package for one guest—so checking the Princess website or calling their reservations line before you book can save money.

You can purchase a drink package for your entire cruise or just for certain days. If you buy it for the full sailing, the per-day cost is lower than adding it day by day once onboard.

Key Takeaways

  • The Unlimited Beverage Package costs roughly $65 to $85 per person per day on a 7-day cruise if booked in advance, with higher prices if purchased onboard.
  • The Premium Beverage Package includes top-shelf spirits and costs $20 to $30 more per day than Unlimited.
  • Prices depend on ship, sailing length, and destination, so the same package costs different amounts on different itineraries.
  • Booking a drink package before your cruise is cheaper than buying it onboard, and Princess occasionally offers promotions that reduce the cost for one or more cabin guests.
  • You can buy a package for the full cruise or add it for individual days, though per-day rates are higher when purchased onboard.

What the Unlimited Beverage Package Covers

The Unlimited Beverage Package includes non-alcoholic drinks (soft drinks, coffee, tea, juice, water), beer, wine by the glass, and most spirits. It covers drinks at bars, the buffet, dining room, and poolside venues. You order at the bar or from your server, and the charge goes to your onboard account—no separate payment at each location.

The package does not cover bottles of wine or spirits you want to take to your cabin, premium wines (usually those over a certain price point), or drinks at specialty coffee shops that charge extra. Bottled water and energy drinks also typically cost extra. Tips are not included in the package price, though many guests add a gratuity when ordering.

Soft drinks ordered in your cabin (via room service) are usually covered, but confirm this when you purchase the package, as policies can vary by ship.

What the Premium Beverage Package Covers

The Premium Beverage Package includes everything in the Unlimited package plus top-shelf and premium spirits, premium wines by the glass, and specialty cocktails. It also covers drinks at specialty venues like the champagne bar or wine bar, which the Unlimited package may not include.

Like Unlimited, Premium does not cover bottles to take to your cabin or premium wines above a certain threshold. The main difference is access to higher-end spirits and the ability to order premium cocktails without an upcharge.

How to Buy a Drink Package

You can purchase a drink package when you book your cruise on the Princess website, by phone at their reservations line, or through a travel agent. Buying before your cruise locks in the lower pre-cruise price. You can also add or upgrade a package onboard at the beverage desk, usually located near the main dining room or atrium, though you will pay the higher onboard rate.

If you purchase before your cruise, the package is automatically added to your onboard account. You do not need to do anything else—just order drinks and they will be charged to your package. If you decide to buy onboard, visit the beverage desk on your first day to set it up.

Some cabins come with a drink package included as part of a promotion or suite upgrade. Check your booking confirmation to see if one is already attached to your reservation.

When a Drink Package Makes Financial Sense

A drink package is worth the cost if you plan to order multiple drinks per day. On a 7-day cruise, if you buy the Unlimited package at $75 per day, you are spending $525 total. If you order three or four drinks daily at bar prices (typically $8 to $15 each), you would spend $168 to $420 just on drinks—so the package pays for itself. If you drink less than two drinks per day on average, paying per drink as you go is cheaper.

The Premium package makes sense if you prefer top-shelf spirits or plan to visit specialty bars. If you mostly drink beer and basic cocktails, Unlimited is usually sufficient.

Keep in mind that gratuities are not included, so factor in an extra $1 to $2 per drink if you tip. Some guests choose not to purchase a package and instead set a daily drink budget, paying as they go.

Promotions and Discounts on Drink Packages

Princess regularly offers promotions on drink packages, especially during wave season (January through March) and for last-minute bookings. Common deals include discounts for the first or second guest in a cabin, free packages for suite guests, or a percentage off the package price when you book early.

You can also find promotions through travel agents, who sometimes have access to deals not advertised on the main Princess website. Signing up for Princess's email list will alert you to upcoming promotions for your sailing dates.

If you have already booked and a promotion comes out later, contact Princess to see if you can adjust your reservation to take advantage of the new offer. They sometimes honor price reductions if you call within a certain window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share a drink package with someone else in my cabin?

No, drink packages are individual. Each person who wants one must purchase their own. However, if one person in your cabin has a package and another does not, the person without the package can still order drinks and pay per drink at the bar.

What happens if I buy a drink package and do not use it much?

Drink packages are non-refundable once purchased. If you buy one and decide you do not want it, you cannot get your money back. This is why some guests wait to see how much they actually drink on the first day before committing to a package onboard.

Do I have to tip on top of the drink package price?

Tips are not included in the package price. Most guests add $1 to $2 per drink as a gratuity, either in cash or by signing the receipt. Some bars have a suggested tip line on the receipt, but tipping is your choice.

Can I buy a drink package for just part of my cruise?

Yes, you can purchase a package for specific days rather than the entire sailing. The per-day rate is higher when you buy it this way, but it is an option if you only want coverage for certain days of your trip.

Are there any drinks not covered by the Unlimited package?

Bottles of wine or spirits for your cabin, premium wines above a certain price, specialty coffee shop drinks, and bottled water are typically not covered. Confirm the full list when you purchase, as coverage can vary slightly by ship.