Three major have announced significant changes to their drink packages which will cost passengers more money.
Though these adjustments aim to streamline the beverage experience, prioritize safety, and improve overall service, they reflect an industry-wide trend toward higher cruise costs.
The changes affect passengers sailing with Norwegian, MSC, and Carnival, with some cruisers likely to pay an additional $80 or more for drink packages on a 7-night cruise in 2025.
What are cruise drink packages?
Because mainstream cruise lines aren't all-inclusive, each offers beverage packages for cruisers who want a more inclusive vacation experience.
Depending on the cruise line and tier, packages typically cover a range of drinks, from cocktails to wine, soft drinks, and specialty coffees. Additionally, some cruise lines have unlimited drink packages, while others implement a 15-drink daily cap.
Drink packages are some of the most expensive cruise add-ons, with some lines charging over $70 per day for their alcoholic packages.
While they might seem enticing, pricey drink packages aren't always worth the investment. For example, if you can't envision drinking 6+ cocktails daily, you likely won't get your money's worth. However, some cruisers prefer the convenience of a drink package, which frees them from constantly calculating the cost of each drink.
Carnival raised the price of its CHEERS! drink package
Carnival's singular alcoholic drink package is popular amongst its clientele, with cruisers looking to let loose and enjoy adult beverages at sea on the line's fleet of "FUN" ships.
Previously, the CHEERS! drink package was $70.74 per night for cruises 6 nights or longer when purchased before embarkation. However, Carnival's recent price increase raised the cost to $82.54, with the onboard price now set at $88.44 to standardize the drink package's rate regardless of the cruise's duration.
This means that passengers on a 7-night cruise will pay at least $82.70 more for the CHEERS! package than before.
Carnival's CHEERS! package includes an extensive selection of alcoholic drinks valued at up to $20, including spirits, cocktails, wine by the glass, and beer. It also includes soda, zero-proof cocktails, specialty coffee, hot tea, energy drinks, and 500ml bottled water.
However, passengers should be mindful of the 15-drink cap, which limits the number of alcoholic beverages they can enjoy daily. The limit doesn't apply to non-alcoholic drinks. Even if Carnival cruisers consume 15 alcoholic beverages within 24 hours, they can still enjoy cold sodas, specialty coffees, and bottled water. However, they cannot purchase additional alcoholic drinks.
Moreover, if one guest purchases the drink package, all passengers 21+ in the same cabin must also purchase it. Carnival strictly enforces this rule to prevent guests from sharing drink packages.
Read more: What's the cost of a drink package on Carnival?
MSC Cruises streamlined its beverage program for North American cruisers
Effective December 18, 2024, guests sailing with MSC Cruises to the Caribbean, North America, or Pacific Ocean regions no longer have three alcoholic drink packages to choose from for sailings departing on or after April 1, 2025.
Moving forward, the only option is the Premium Extra Package, which costs $70 per day, eliminating the most affordable packages. That said, the Easy and Easy Plus Packages will still be available outside the Caribbean, North America, and Pacific Ocean areas. If you bought a package before Dec. 18, even if your cruise's departure is after April 1, MSC will honor the price and package originally purchased.
The revamped Premium Extra Package specifies the maximum number of daily alcoholic beverages included, which is a first for MSC. Unlike Carnival, however, once that number is reached, additional drinks can be purchased for full price.
The Premium Extra Package offers 15 alcoholic beverages per day, each valued up to $16, featuring a wide variety of cocktails, spirits, draft and bottled beers, and wines. Guests also receive a 25% discount on bottled wines and champagne.
MSC Cruises kept both non-alcoholic packages, with the Alcohol-Free Package serving as a great option for adults who can't necessarily justify the cost of the Premium Extra Package but want to enjoy zero-proof cocktails, sodas, flavored water, and specialty coffee—all for just $30 per day.
Finally, the Minors Package is the only drink package for children. It includes zero-proof cocktails, sodas, energy drinks, flavored water, coffee, fruit juices, and ice cream.
Norwegian's new "More at Sea" drink package
Norwegian Cruise Line revamped its popular "Free at Sea" program to offer guests a more inclusive and valuable cruise experience, starting with the drink package.
All NCL cruises departing on or after January 1, 2025, will feature the "More at Sea" drink package including unlimited premium spirits, cocktails, wines, draft beers, juices, and sodas. Not only that but there's a wider selection of offerings, with new brands like Casamigos, Grey Goose, Makers Mark, and more. It also got rid of the $15 cap.
However, with the "More at Sea" package effectively replacing the old Unlimited Open Bar Package, cruisers can expect a higher daily cost, even when bundling the drink package with their cruise fare.
While the package is technically "included," guests are required to pay $30 per day to cover the gratuities on the package's value. In other words, expect to pay $210 on a 7-night cruise for the new NCL drink package. Previously, the daily charge was around $21.80 or $152 for a weeklong sailing.
Cruisers who booked a Norwegian cruise before the "More at Sea" program was announced will automatically benefit from the upgraded drink package for their 2025 cruise and beyond.
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.
