Guide to cruise line alcoholic drink packages

Perhaps few offerings by the cruise lines in recent memory have reverborated so positively with guests than the unlimited drink package.

Cruise lines offer a fixed charge for all-you-can-drink packages that include alcohol drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages, such as speciality coffees and sodas. Mainstream cruise lines all offer them these days and you might be wondering what it includes, how much it costs, and if it makes sense.

Here's an overview of what the different cruise lines offer!

Carnival Cruise Line

The Cheers! Package is the only alcoholic beverage offered by Carnival and is available on all Carnival ships, except for the Carnival Spirit and Carnival Legend when they sail from Australia.

It costs 59.95/per person, per day; however if purchased in advance, you can save 10%. It is subject to an 18% gratuity. 

The Cheers! Package includes mixed drinks, beer, wine and spirits valued at $20 or less each, with up to a 15-drink maximum per day. In addition, it includes soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees and teas, most bottled water, milkshakes (where available), Powerade, Vitaminwater, coconut water and Honest Tea. 

It excludes bottles of liquor, beverages sold in souvenir glasses, gangway beverages, and beverages offered through room service or mini bar. Additionally, you cannot use the Cheers! package to purchase floaters, pitchers, tubes, and buckets. 

You'll also receive a 25% discount on bottles of wine and champagne, beverage classes and seminars, and cocktails, spirits or wines by the glass that cost more than $20.

All guests over 21 in the same stateroom must purchase the package, and sharing is strictly prohibited. You can pre-purchase the package up until 11:59pm the day before embarkation. 

Carnival Cruise Line also offers a non-alcoholic soda package called Bottomless Bubbles. For $9.50 per adult, per day, you can indulge in unlimited sodas. 

Celebrity Cruises

Thanks to Celebrity's "Always Included" pricing that was introduced in 2017, every cruise fare now includes a Classic Beverage Package. However, they have other packages available for an additional fee. 

What does the Classic Beverage Package include? It includes all beers, spirits, cocktails, liquors, frozen drinks and wines by the glass values up to $9 each. Additionally, the Classic Beverage Package offers a 15% discount on wines by the bottle. If you purchase a drink that's over $9, the difference will be charged to your SeaPass card. 

Guests have the option to upgrade to the Premium Beverage Package for an additional $12 per day. It includes everything the Classic Package does, plus specialty coffees & teas, craft & artisan beers, spirits, cocktails, frozen drinks, Coca Cola products, premium bottled water and wines by the glass up to $15 per serving. You'll also receive a greater discount of 20% on bottles of wine.

They also offer five different non-alcoholic packages to choose from:

• Premium Water Package
• Soda Package
• Kids' Drink Package 
• Classic Non-Alcoholic Package
• Premium Non-Alcoholic Package

Holland America Line

Holland America Line offers three different alcoholic and two non-alcoholic packages. 

The Signature Beverage Package starts at $54.95/per person, per day. It includes beers, spirits, cocktails, and wines by the glass valued up to $11. In addition, it includes Coca-Cola products, premium coffee, juice, mocktails, and bottled water. There is a 15 daily drink limit, including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. 

The Elite Beverage Package is their mid-tier offering. Starting at $59.99/per person, per day, this package includes everything the Signature Package does, as well as premium spirits, cocktails, and wines valued up to $15. 

The Have It All Package combines the convenience of the Elite Beverage Package with other add-ons, such as shore excursions, speciality dining, and Wi-Fi, starting at $99.00/per person, per day. The benefits of the package vary by cruise length. 

They also offer two non-alcoholic packages: The Quench Package and the Coca-Cola Package. 

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers a few different beverage packages for guests to consider. You are sure to find one that suits your drinking needs. 

First, the Easy Package includes a selection of classic cocktails, house wines by the glass, and mixed drinks, as well as draught beer, non-alcoholic cocktails, soft drinks and fruit juices, bottled mineral water, and classic hot drinks.

It costs $38/ per person, per day on cruises on The Bahamas, Caribbean, and Japan, and 32 Euros on cruises on the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Emirates, and Southern Caribbean.  

Next is the Easy Plus Package, which is priced at $49/per person, per day on cruises to The Bahamas, Caribbean, and Japan, and $44/per person, per day for cruises to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Emirates, and Southern Caribbean. 

The Easy Plus Package includes popular frozen drinks, classic cocktails, well spirits, liqueurs, cordials, a selection of wines by the class valued up to $9, a greater variety of draught and bottled betters, soft drinks, mineral water, non-alcoholic cocktails, coffee, hot chocolate, and teas. It includes a 10% discount on bottles of wine and champagne purchased on board.

The last alcoholic package they offer is the Premium Extra Package. As this is the most inclusive package, it has the highest daily cost: $69/per person, per day on sailings to The Bahamas, Caribbean, and Japan, and 62 Euros on sailings to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Emirates, and Southern Caribbean. 

This package includes a wide variety of frozen and classic cocktail; premium spirits, liqueurs, and cordials; glasses of wine and champagne up to $15 in value; all draught, craft, and bottled beers; soft drinks, fruit juices, mineral water, energy drinks, coffee, hot chocolate, and hot tea. It also includes a 25% discount on bottles of wine and champagne purchased on board.

MSC Cruises offers two non-alcoholic packages: The Alcohol-Free Package and the Minors Package.

Be advised that you are only able to use this beverage packages in certain venues including bars, buffets, the main dining rooms, and private destinations. You will not be able to use them in speciality restaurants and signature venues, like Lavazza Coffee Shop or Jean Philippe Chocolate. 

Norwegian Cruise Line

If you opt to take advantage of Norwegian's "Free at Sea" offer and include a beverage package in your base fare, you'll receive their Unlimited Open Bar Package. Normally valued at $109/per person, per day, this package includes premium cocktails, spirits, beer, and wine valued up to $15, as well as unlimited soft drinks and juices. On embarkation day, you'll get 6 1 litter bottles of water delivered to your stateroom. And don't forget to take advantage of the 20% discount on all bottles of champagne and wine! 

The next alcoholic package they offer is the Premium Plus Beverage Package, which starts at $138.00/per person, per day. It includes top-shelf cocktails, spirits, beer, and wine, as well as unlimited soft drinks and juices, still and sparkling water, Starbucks drinks, and energy drinks. In addition, you get select premium bottles of wine and champagne with dinner and 40% off all other bottles. 

If you're sailing on the Pride of America in Hawaii, regardless of age, your only option is the Hawaii Beverage Package. You'll get to enjoy a selection of beverages valued up to $15. 

Norwegian Cruise Line also offers a Soda Package and Unlimited Starbucks Package. 

Oceania Cruises

Oceania offers two all-inclusive beverage packages: Prestige Select and House Select.

House Select includes unlimited champagne, wine, and beer with lunch and dinner for $39.95/per person, per day.

Prestige Select includes premium spirits, beer, wine and champagne in all venues throughout the day for $59.95 per person, per day.

They also give guests the option to purchase 7 wines by the bottle for $47.50 per bottle.

Note that Oceania includes in its cruise fares items such as soft drinks, bottled water and specialty coffees.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises offers two alcoholic and three-non alcoholic packages for guests to choose from. 

The cheaper alcoholic package, the Plus Beverage Package, is offered at $59.99/per person, per day. It includes beer, spirits, wine by the glass and cocktails valued up to $12.00, as well as sparkling and still bottled water, fountain soda, juice, speciality coffees and teas, and Red Bull energy drinks. It also includes a 25% discount on all bottles of wine, one-liter bottles of water and canned sodas.

The Premier Beverage Package is $79.99/per person, per day and includes all beer, spirits, wine by the glass and cocktails valued up to $18.00, plus sparkling and still bottled water, fountain soda, juice, speciality coffees and teas, and Red Bull energy drinks. Similarly to the Plus Beverage Package, it includes a 25% discount on all bottles of wine, one-liter bottles of water and canned sodas.

In terms of non-alcoholic packages, guests can choose from a Coffee & Soda Package, Classic Soda Package, and New Grounds Coffee Package. 

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean offers a single alcoholic beverage package, the Deluxe Beverage Package, that ranges from $65 - $98 per person, per day. As the prices fluctuate so frequently, we recommend checking your Cruise Planner often. You are able to cancel and rebook if you find a better price. 

The Deluxe Beverage Package includes cocktails, spirits, beer, and wine by the glass up to $13 in value, non-alcoholic beverages, premium coffee and tea, bottled still and sparkling water, fresh-squeezed juices, and  fountain sodas with a souvenir Coca-Cola cup. In addition, guests receive a 40% discount on wine bottle purchases up to $100 and a 20% discount on wine bottles more than $100. 

Guests are also able to choose from a few non-alcoholic packages:

• The Refreshment Package
• Classic Soda Package
• Water Package
• Cafe Select Coffee Card

Disney Cruise Line

Unlike other mainstream cruise lines, Disney Cruise Line does not offer an all-inclusive alcohol package. Additionally, they include soda and other select beverages in their base fare. That being said, they allow guests to purchase a set number of cans or bottles in advance and enjoy a discount.

• 6-pack of select beers can be purchased for $33.75 (or a little over $5.60 each). 
• 6-pack of select Truly or White Claws can be purchased for $25.00 (or a little over $4.15 each). 
• 3-bottle classic wine package for $98 (a little over $32.65 per bottle). 
• 3-bottle premium wine package for $148 (a little over $49.30 per bottle).
• 4-bottle classic wine package for $128 ($32 per bottle). 
• 4-bottle premium wine package for $196 ($49 per bottle). 
• 5-bottle classic wine package for $153 ($30.60 per bottle)
• 5-bottle premium wine package for $240 ($48 per bottle). 
• 7-bottle classic wine package for $206 (a little over $29.40 per bottle). 
• 7-bottle premium wine package for $316 (a little over $45.14 per bottle). 

If you are a beer lover, you can purchase a souvenir mug for $16, and get a 20oz draft beer for the price of 16oz throughout the voyage!