MSC Cruises is reportedly planning significant changes to its popular unlimited drink packages in 2025, capping the daily number of alcoholic drinks at 15.
The news was first shared in a post on an MSC Cruises Voyagers Club Facebook Group and included a statement issued by the cruise line: "Discover our updated drinks packages to complement your guests on board experience, starting from 18th December 2024 for sailings from 1st April 2025 onwards."
"Our incredible drinks packages all include an unlimited number of nonalcoholic drinks and up to 15 alcoholic drinks per person per day. There'll be plenty of time to savour all our delicious cocktails, beers, wines, and spirits, while also promoting a healthy and balanced approach to indulgence, allowing us to maintain high-quality service whilst creating an enjoyable and responsible atmosphere for all our guests."
Non-alcoholic beverages, such as bottled water and specialty coffee, will remain unlimited, and the new rules don't apply to guests staying in MSC's luxurious Yacht Club. However, the 15-drink limit will apply in other areas of the ship.
Additionally, passengers may still use their drink packages ashore at MSC's private island, MSC Ocean Cay, in The Bahamas.
Guests have until December 18 to purchase a drink package for an upcoming sailing to enjoy the previous terms. After that, MSC's drink packages will become more restrictive. The new rules go into effect on cruises departing April 1, 2025, and after.
Read more: Is a drink package worth it on MSC? I tried it to see whether it was worth the money
Capping drink packages isn't a new phenomenon in the cruise industry
Popular lines like Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line all cap passengers at 15 drinks per day.
While MSC is following suit with the daily allowance permitting with the drink package, they're allowing guests to purchase additional beverages once they've reached the limit. Other cruise lines, like Carnival, don't allow guests to purchase additional drinks once they've hit their limit, making MSC's policy more flexible.
Royal Caribbean and Norwegian take a different approach. Rather than limiting the number of drinks allowed daily, they cut passengers off when they're visibly intoxicated. Moreover, Royal Caribbean only permits guests to order one drink per SeaPass card at a time.
MSC Cruises has three alcoholic drink packages: the Easy Package, Easy Plus Package, and Premium Extra Package. There are also two non-alcoholic options called the Alcohol-Free Package and the Minors Package.
The Easy Package is the most restrictive, while the Premium Extra Package includes a wider selection of premium and International cocktails as well as fresh fruit cocktails and all non-alcoholic drinks.
MSC is a popular choice for cruisers on a budget because of their bundled fares. The cruise line often runs a promotion that includes Wi-Fi and a drink package. For example, the cruise-only fare for MSC World America's sailing departing on Sept. 13, 2025, starts at $744 per person. However, if you bundle the fare with an Easy Drink Package and Wi-Fi, you'd spend $1,066 per person or just an extra $46 per day.
Some passengers have expressed disappointment with the new cap. Others, however, have welcomed the change to prevent overindulgence and maintain a more family-friendly atmosphere on MSC cruises.
"MSC easily has the best drink package deals, so I understand there being a limit. It’s actually cool they don’t count cappuccinos and other non-alcoholic drinks towards the limit," commented jambr380 on a post shared to the r/cruise Reddit thread.
Desmoot added, "I think this actually encourages good behavior. I know if I had to count waters or coffees along with my 15 drinks I probably wouldn’t get them. However, knowing I can get as much bottled water along with my booze drinks, I think helps for a good balance."
Read more: 13 of the best tips and tricks for an MSC Cruise
Other drink package changes
Recently, Carnival quietly raised the price of its CHEERS! drink package for guests on sailings six nights and longer. Because they didn't give a warning, passengers couldn't pre-purchase the package for the lower price.
Now, the onboard price for CHEERS! is $88.44, regardless of the length of sailing. Passengers may prepay for the package in advance to save 10% off the daily price, bringing the total to $82.54 with gratuities included.
Despite the higher price tag, cruisers are still limited to 15 drinks per day, and the package doesn't work ashore at Half Moon Cay, Carnival's private island.
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.
