Cruise ship drink packages are pricey add-ons that make your onboard experience feel more inclusive. However, the convenience comes at a cost. Sometimes, paying $80 per day for drinks isn't economical, especially if you're a light drinker or on a port-intensive cruise.
Having been on over 30 cruises, I've learned savvy ways to keep my onboard spending to a minimum while still indulging in fun cocktails — vacation is no fun if you're constantly stressing about every dollar!
Here are five things I always do to save money on drinks while on a cruise.
Bring wine and soda onboard
Many cruise lines let guests bring on limited quantities of alcohol on embarkation day.
Most recently, I bought a 750ml bottle of wine in Seattle before my Alaskan cruise aboard Carnival Luminosa. This cost around $15 — a steal compared to the ship's alcohol prices. In the Vela dining room, for instance, one glass of pinot grigio costs $12.50 before the added 18% gratuity.
One important thing to note is that cruise lines may charge you a corkage fee if you want to open the bottle in the dining room.
However, there's no charge for pouring a glass in your stateroom and taking it with you. You can either ask your cabin steward for wine glasses or any bartender. Overall, this slight inconvenience is worth the cost savings, especially if on a strict budget.
I also opted to bring a 12-pack of soda onboard, as Carnival charges over $2.50 per can. Though not as costly as alcoholic beverages, hauling soda on the ship was more economical. Plus, I had a convenient stash of drinks in my stateroom!
Just be sure to pack wine and soda in your carry-on luggage, as they may be confiscated if stored in checked bags and left with a porter.
Additionally, cruise lines have different policies regarding bringing drinks onboard. While you're allowed one bottle of wine per person on a Royal Caribbean or Carnival cruise, MSC doesn't allow guests to embark with any beverages.
Read more: I brought a 12-pack of soda on a Carnival cruise — Here's why it was a smart hack
Drink of the day specials
Many lines feature a daily cocktail for a reduced price, usually anywhere from $8.00 to $11.00. Popular specials on Royal Caribbean ships include the Portside Punch, Rum Runner, and Blue Hawaiian. You can learn more about whether your cruise has daily specials at the bars or in the daily newsletter.
Some lines offer happy hour deals for cheap drinks, too. While the deals vary, they range from two-for-one cocktails to discounted beer. Royal Caribbean, for example, recently began offering $6 margaritas from 4:00pm to 6:00pm and two-for-one draft beers in the pub.
Though the selection is typically limited, drinks of the day can help you save money. You can also try new beverages that you might otherwise overlook.
Carnival ships don't have a daily special, but they usually have a deal where you can make a drink a double for just $4 more. So, for example, if you order a double house vodka soda, you'd pay less than $16, including the mandatory service charge.
Read more: Carnival Cruise Line Drink Menu and Prices
Utilize loyalty perks
Certain cruise lines reward their most loyal cruisers with free beverages. After your first Carnival cruise, you can redeem a complimentary 1.5L bottle of water at any bar or restaurant onboard. You may also crack open the bottle in your stateroom for no extra charge — this is a relatively new update!
Additionally, Gold cruisers within the VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Club receive a free cocktail on cruises 5+ nights. It's redeemable at any venue and automatically applies to the first transaction onboard.
I finally reached the Gold tier (minimum of 25 nights) on my recent Carnival Luminosa cruise. Though Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have better loyalty benefits, I appreciated the gesture and used my free drink on embarkation day to kick off my weeklong Alaska cruise. After dinner, I sipped on a Lychee Martini in the atrium while listening to live music before the comedy show!
Other lines have more lucrative drink perks. For example, Diamond Crown & Anchor Society cruisers (minimum 80 points) receive four free drinks per day, regardless of the cruise's length. The number increases to five upon reaching the Diamond Plus tier (175 points) and six for top-tier Pinnacle Club cruisers (700 points).
Stick to the complimentary coffee
An easy way to keep your drink budget to a minimum is to stick to the included beverages, including coffee. While I prefer specialty lattes, paying $3.00 or $4.00 per drink quickly adds up. Plus, I usually drink more than one coffee per day.
Coffee is available throughout the day in the buffet and other self-service drink stations, and you can help yourself to as many cups as you'd like as part of your cruise fare. For example, I'd often start mornings aboard Carnival Luminosa on Deck 9 with a complimentary cup of coffee, taking in the scenic views of Alaska.
However, the coffee is pretty basic. You likely won't have any flavored syrups to add, and you might have to ask a crew member for a non-dairy milk alternative. Still, if you manage your expectations, drinking the included coffee will save you money throughout your cruise.
Order drinks in port
Drinking ashore may be more cost-effective than sipping cocktails by the pool onboard. Not only are alcoholic beverages cheaper in ports like Nassau, Costa Maya, and Roatán, but venturing off the ship to dine at a local restaurant is also a great way to immerse yourself in the port's culture (pro tip: avoid tourist traps like Señor Frogs).
Many excursions, especially in the Caribbean, include alcohol in the price, too. For instance, my partner and I booked a snorkeling excursion through Royal Caribbean while sailing from St. John to St. Thomas, which included unlimited rum punch, champagne, and soda.
Even if the price isn't noticeably different, you can often try local brews. For example, I visited the Red Onion Saloon in Skagway and tried a draft cider from Alaska Ciderworks for $8. The generous pour was also greater than what I'd get aboard!
That said, be mindful of the all-aboard time if you aren't on a cruise line-sponsored tour. Don't slam drinks and get too intoxicated while ashore, as your cruise ship might not be there when you sober up.
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 traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
