Over the past 12 months, I’ve taken five cruises and spent $2,400 on drink packages — and I have no regrets.
Cruise drink packages are expensive, but they're not always a smart investment. Personally, though, I've found that cruising without a drink package feels more limiting. I hate constantly keeping an eye on my onboard statement when I'm supposed to be relaxing.
Instead, I've learned to include packages in my budget for each voyage. As a result? I've been able to try new cocktails that I wouldn't normally order, kickstart my day with specialty lattes, and hydrate with premium bottled water.
The freedom to indulge without overthinking or counting every dollar is what makes drink packages a must-have for me
Although cruise fares are pretty inclusive, add-ons, including Wi-Fi, shore excursions, and specialty dining, can inflate your final bill.
Additionally, aside from basic drinks like drip coffee, water, tea, and lemonade, most beverages cost extra. I've learned — through painful experiences — that it's easy to rack up more charges on drinks than you realize without a package.
As such, buying a drink package in advance helps me stick to a budget without overcontemplating every drink on the ship. At the end of the day, I’m paying to avoid feeling nickel-and-dimed on vacation, which is worth the cost to me.
Drink packages aren't always hundreds of dollars, either. Sometimes, cruise lines even bundle beverages with other add-ons, which really helps make the experience feel all-inclusive.
For example, last October, I paid $60/day for Princess Plus. Not only did the price include Princess' lower-tier drink package, but it also covered Wi-Fi, gratuities, two casual specialty meals, and more.
I've also paid a small upcharge to upgrade my drink package from Celebrity's Basic package, which is included in their All Included fare, to the Premium option.
In both cases, the upgrade for two passengers was less than $130. This felt worth it, considering we could indulge in handcrafted martinis and higher-quality wines without worrying about being charged the difference.
Even still, some cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean, don't allow passengers to bundle their fare with a drink package. As such, my partner and I recently paid a whopping $990 for the Deluxe Beverage Package during our weeklong cruise on Icon of the Seas.
Even though we have four free drinks per day thanks to our loyalty status with Royal Caribbean, the Deluxe Beverage Package was a must because we were worried about feeling restricted.
The free beverages can be redeemed faster than you think, especially on sea days or at Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas. For example, starting our morning with a specialty latte would have left us with just three vouchers for the rest of the day.
Aside from the monetary aspect, drink packages let me ease into a vacation mindset. For example, I don't have to study the cocktail menu, debating whether a certain drink is worth the price or not.
Instead, I can order whatever seems tasty. There's no pressure to finish the drink if it's not my favorite — I can be adventurous without feeling like I'm being financially irresponsible.
It's especially true when sailing on a new cruise line. Earlier this year, I boarded a short 4-night cruise on Margaritaville at Sea's Islander to Mexico. Having never cruised with Margaritaville before, I knew a drink package would let me experience more of the laid-back lifestyle that the brand is known for.
When Islander launched in mid-2024, she featured 7 new bar menus designed to reflect an island-inspired vibe and pay tribute to Buffett's life. Naturally, I wanted to try as many unique libations as possible without sticking to my tried-and-true favorites, like a standard vodka soda.
Although Margaritaville gifted my travel partner and me their drink package (valued at $647), I can confidently say that I would have purchased the package on my own dime for the same freedom.
Still, drink packages aren't for everyone
While drink packages work for my style of cruising, many prefer to pay for their beverages individually. There's no denying that they're expensive, and if you're sailing with guests who don't drink a lot, it might not be worth the investment.
There are plenty of ways to save money on cruise drinks, too. Did you know you can typically bring a bottle of wine onboard with you on embarkation day? Many lines also let guests bring soda, which helps keep a stocked mini-fridge in your stateroom.
Keep an eye out for daily drink specials, too. Royal Caribbean recently started offering happy hour margaritas, meaning you could order a house marg for just $6.
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!
