MSC Cruises plans to streamline its beverage program. Instead of offering three alcoholic packages, the cruise line will reduce the number of options to one simplified plan.
Historically, guests sailing with MSC could select the Easy, Easy Plus, or Premium Drink Package. Effective December 18, 2024, the only alcoholic package available on sailings departing on or after April 1, 2025, is the Premium Extra Package, which eliminates the cheaper packages.
The Premium Extra Package includes 15 daily alcoholic beverages up to $16 and features a wide selection of cocktails, spirits, wines, and draft and bottled beer. Guests will also receive a 25% discount on bottled wines and champagne.
It also includes all non-alcoholic beverages with no daily cap, so cruisers can enjoy unlimited soft drinks, still and sparkling water, energy drinks, tea, specialty coffee, and hot chocolate.
If guests consume 15 alcoholic drinks, they can purchase additional beverages at the full menu price. Moreover, the 15-drink limit only applies to beverages ordered in areas outside of the Yacht Club areas.
For the July 19, 2025, cruise aboard MSC World Europa, the Premium Extra Package costs $68.57 per day, per person, totaling $480 for the 7-night cruise.
The new drink package updates apply to all ships sailing in the Caribbean, North American, and Pacific Ocean regions. Those who purchased an MSC drink package before Dec. 18, 2024, will not be impacted by the overhaul.
Note that the Premium Extra Package can still be used at all bars and dining venues on board, as well as ashore at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Non-alcoholic drink packages
The Alcohol-Free Package is available for adults who want an inclusive drink experience but don't care about alcoholic beverages.
As such, it includes alcohol-free cocktails, sodas, energy drinks, flavored water, fruit juices, coffee, and ice cream. The cost of the Alcohol-Free Package on the July 19, 2025, cruise aboard MSC World America is $210 or $30 per day.
There's also the Minors Package designed specifically for younger cruises and includes alcohol-free cocktails, sodas, energy drinks, flavored water, fruit juices, coffee, and ice cream.
Not the first cruise line to condense its drink packages
Royal Caribbean used to offer different drink packages tiers. However, the cruise giant simplified its beverage program a few years ago, eliminating the Select, Premium, and Ultimate Packages and creating the Deluxe Beverage Package.
The popular all-you-can-drink package includes beverages valued at up to $14 and varies in price depending on the sail date, ship, and itinerary. However, you can normally expect to spend at least $65 for the Deluxe Beverage Package.
Unlike MSC, however, there's no limit as to how many alcoholic drinks Royal Caribbean cruisers can order per day. The policy is left to the discretion of the bartender, who has the right to refuse service if a guest appears intoxicated.
That said, MSC is following in the footsteps of other popular cruise lines with daily drink package limits. Popular companies like Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line all cap passengers at 15 drinks per day.
Read more: Carnival quietly raises drink package price without warning
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
