Is a drinks package worth it? Here’s everything to consider

Ultimate Guide to Cruise Drinks Packages

Updated February 2026.

Most people who get a cruise ship will at some point be faced with the dilemma of, “should I get a drinks package” or not.

To many, the experience of being able to lounge by the pool and order a drink without having to tap a card or worry about their final is an experience almost synonymous with cruising.

However, while the convenience is extremely appealing, making the decision isn’t so easy for everyone. On some cruise lines, the drinks package can cost nearly as much as the cruise fare itself and its a big financial commitment, particularly for those who are drawn to cruising for how economical it is.

Whether you’ve cruised a couple of times or are gearing up for your first cruise, it can be overwhelming trying to decide whether to go for the drinks package or not. With this mind, we’ve put together a full break down of everything you need to consider in order to make the best decision for yourself.

From surprising drinks package limits you might not know exist to different structures for drinks packages for different lines, here’s everything you need to know.

So, is the drinks package worth it? The key considerations

The eternal debate for cruisers, is the drinks package really worth it? While no one can tell you exactly whether the package is worth it to you or not, here are some things to consider as to whether a drinks package is worth it to you.

• The simplest answer: The drinks package is likely only worth it if you plan on drinking relatively heavily throughout your cruise. If you see yourself drinking upwards of seven or eight alcoholic beverages per day throughout your entire cruise, the drinks package is likely worth it to you. This is because while those drinks alone may not recoup the cost, if you are also enjoying other benefits of the drinks package such as unlimited soft drinks, bottled water, specialty coffees and so on, then you will likely recoup the value of the package. If you are not a big drinker, it is unlikely you will recoup the value of your drinks package.
• If you’d like to – you can always do the math on your particular sailing and simply add up an estimate of how much you think you’ll drink and compare that to the price of the package. While the rule above is a general one, doing the math and making an estimate of your own habits is the only way to know for sure if the drinks package is worth it to you.

However, there are a host of other considerations that can help you decide whether the drinks package is the right option for you or not. 

1. The length of your cruise: The longer your cruise, the longer you will have to keep up your pace of drinking in order to see value for your package. If it’s a short cruise and you intend on indulging, this is likely a better deal for you. 
2. Which cruise line you’re sailing with: For Aussie lines, drinks packages are generally most expensive on Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruises. With Princess Cruises you can generally get a package which also includes wifi and other benefits, meaning you don’t need to drink quite so much alcohol for the package to be worth it.
3. How much time do you intend on spending on/off the ship: If you plan on hopping off at each port and spending the full day out, remember that this is time where your drinks package isn’t being used. However, if you plan on lounging about on port days and enjoying the empty ship, the drinks package has more values. Also to note, if you are sailing in the Caribbean or somewhere where the cruise line has its own private destination as a port, you can check if your drinks package also applies for that destination. It generally should.
4. Do you enjoy convenience? A big factor in driving drinks package sales is simply the convenience. Many cruisers enjoy not having to watch their bill rack up and instead just having peace of mind over the final cost. 
5. Be aware of your drinks packages limits: Ordering a drinks package does not necessarily mean you have an endless stream of booze to enjoy for your cruise. For example, if you enjoy more premium spirits, cocktails and other upscale beverages, your drinks package may not cover this. Furthermore, cruise lines like Carnival can have strict restrictions such as not being able to order doubles and 15 drinks per day limit. Most cruise lines will also not allow you to share your drinks package, meaning you can’t order drinks for others. You should carefully read the policies of your chosen cruise line and make sure the package is still worth it to you. 
6. Do you use the casino? If you’re a big gambler, then getting a drinks package might be throwing your money away. Casinos often give away drinks for free, so if you’re already spending time there, it’s probably not worth it to spend the extra on a package. 
7. Can you bring alcohol onboard? Different lines have different policies on how much alcohol you can bring onboard. Many cruise lines allow at least a couple of bottles of wine. Some cruisers even get other family members who don’t plan on drinking to bring extra for them. If you are able to do this, this should of course factor into your decision of how much more alcohol you think you will need. 
8. Remember that you AND your travel partner need the drinks package: A very important point to note is that unless all adult members of your cabin are big drinkers, it’s unlikely that the package is worth it. This is because nearly all cruise lines make all adult members of a cabin get a drinks package if at least one person wants one. This is done to prevent sharing, but it means that for example, if you’re a big drinker and you’re travelling with someone who doesn’t drink much, a package is unlikely to be worth it. 
9. Got kids in your cabin? Beyond just your partner having to get a package, cruise lines often make kids get a basic soda package as well if they’re travelling with an adult who gets a drinks package. This is another extra cost of getting a package. 
10. Don’t be afraid to ask your travel agent: Travel agents may be able to get you a better deal on your drinks package or bundle some services together. Therefore, if you have an agent, it’s worth asking them about this before buying the package yourself.
    
    

Are non-alcoholic drinks packages worth it?

These days nearly every cruise line has an option for a non-alcoholic drinks package. Depending on the exact package, these may even include alcoholic substitutes, such as non-alcoholic beer and wine, as well as mocktails. 

Other common inclusions on packages like these are specialty teas and coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks, smoothies, fresh juices and more. 

The biggest consideration to have for these packages is to know what’s already free. Cruise lines generally already include a range of basic coffee and teas, soft drinks, lemonade, iced teas, breakfast juices and more.

Broadly speaking, these packages often clock in at about $30 to $45 per day, so it does take a fair bit of consumption for the package to be worth it. If you just want a specialty coffee every morning it’s probably a better move to just buy it outright, however, if you plan on fresh juices, premium coffee and tea everyday and prefer bottled water, it could be worth it to consider a non-alcoholic drinks package.

Bundled v non-bundled drinks packages – why it’s important 

Some cruise lines offer drinks packages, but they are bundled in with other perks as well. The most common example of this is Princess Cruises, who offer Princess Plus and Princess Premier. As mentioned above, these packages also included wifi and other benefits, and are generally priced a bit lower as a whole than other line drinks packages. This means a package like Princess Plus might provide value even to a moderate drinker, not just a heavy drinker like a package for Carnival or Royal Caribbean for example.

Other lines such as Holland America and Celebrity offer a bundled price for drinks and wifi. If you know you’d get wifi anyway, then this can help you get some extra value on your drinks package. 

Like always, it’s best to do the math to work out if the package is for you, but when it comes in a bundle, you can generally get better value. 

Fixed versus dynamic pricing for drinks package 

Most cruise lines have a fixed price for their drinks package which you can find on their website, however, some cruise lines use dynamic pricing. This means that the price of the package changes according to demand.

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises are the main cruise lines that do this in Australia, and packages can vary hugely in price from cruise to cruise or even from day to day. There are a few basic tips to help make sure you get the best deal with dynamic packages like these.

1. Know that if you book and then see a better price, you can cancel your package and then rebook at the new price.
2. Drinks packages often go on sale on occasions such as Black Friday, so make sure to check your cruise planner during sales.
3. Patience is the name of the game, if you keep checking your cruise planner when you can, you give yourself the best chance of finding the best price. 

Package prices

• With all of this in mind, here are the prices of major cruise lines drinks packages in 2026.
• As mentioned above, some lines don’t have fixed prices, such as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.
• Remember to check if your cruise line (or travel agent) offers any sales, promotions or bundles for your drinks package that can get you better value.
• If you’re cruising overseas, your drinks package may have a service charge added to it. If you’re cruising in Australia, this will generally be included in the price.
• Packages generally cost more if booked once already onboard, it’s best to book beforehand.

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Azamara Cruises

Azamara has changed its structure of packaging, where guests now have the option to purchase an Experience More package, which will include shore excursions onboard credit, WiFi, beverage packages for two, onboard spa credit and more.

But for those looking just to purchase beverage packages, there are three tiers that Azamara offers – Complimentary, Premium and an Ultimate Package.

The Complimentary option includes a range of beers and ciders, including Carlsberg Draught, Heineken, as well as non-alcoholic beers. For spirits, there are options like Smirnoff vodka, Flore de Cana Rum, Gordon’s gin, Jim Beam whisky and Napoleon cognac. Other beverages like sodas, tonics, espresso-based coffees, sparkling water and wine are available throughout the voyage.

Azamara’s Premium Package starts from USD$31.95 per person, per day and includes all of the beverages in the Complimentary package but also has additional options like Becks, Budweiser, Guinness and more for beers, Absolut Citron, Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Bacardi Superior, Malibu rum, Frangelico, Southern Comfort, Hennessy VS and more.

Their Ultimate Package, which starts from USD$39.95, has the same beer, spirits and wine inclusions as the Premium and Complimentary Package but has additional spirit options like Kraken Black Spiced, Baileys Irish Cream, Cointreau and more. Guests will also get the option of French Champagnes, Australian reds as well as American whites.

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Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line is offering four drinks packages for guests on board. The Bottomless Bubbles is an unlimited soda deal good for the duration of the voyage. This is priced at AUD$10.95 per child per day and AUD$14.95 per adult per day.

For guests who are into spirited beverages, The Cheers Beverage Program is a good deal with a starting price of AUD$111 per person per day. This program includes all spirits and cocktails, beer, and wine by the glass with a menu price of AUD$25 or lower, sodas, and packaged water in Dining Room and Specialty Restaurants. By purchasing the Cheers Beverage Program, guests are also entitled to a 25 per cent discount on selected spirits or wines outside of the program, 25 per cent off beverage seminars and classes and 25 per cent off bottles of wine in Fahrenheit 555, Luke’s Bar & Grill and Trattoria.

Carnival also offers a non-alcoholic drinks package which starts at $39.99 per day. Controversially, this package does NOT include specialty coffees and teas.

In addition, the line also offers a Premium Cruise the Vineyard Wine Package and Deluxe Cruise the Vineyard Premium Wine Package, which allow guests to enjoy world-class wines at a discounted price. With a starting price of AUD$180 for the Deluxe Cruise Vineyard Wine Package and AUD$260 for the Premium Cruise the Vineyard 5 Bottle Package, these drink packages feature wines from Italy, Chile, France, Argentina and more. Meanwhile, an 18 per cent service charge is added on top of the beverage charge. There’s no refund for unconsumed wines, but passengers may take home unopened drinks. 

Hot tip: The cut-off to pre-book your drinks packages is 48 hours before your departure. Packages will be more expensive if you purchase them onboard.

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Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises has three-tiered drinks packages for passengers to enjoy. The Classic Drink Package which includes bottled water, premium coffees and teas as well as a selection of cocktails, spirits, beers, liquors, wine by the glass and frozen drinks for up to $12 per serving. In addition, guests are entitled to a 15% discount for the purchase of wines by the bottle. 

Meanwhile, the Premium Drink Package entitles guests to drinks included in the Classic package plus drinks up to $17 per serving. Wines by the bottle can be purchased at 20 per cent off.

The Non-Alcoholic Drink Package includes premium bottled water such as Perrier, Aqua Panna, Vitamin Water, and Evian. Also included are coffees, organic teas, bottled iced teas, fresh juices from The Spa Café, frozen smoothies, and soda selections.

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Cunard

Cunard is offering a four-tiered A World of Drinks program with varying prices depending on the length of the cruise as part of their drinks packages.

The alcohol-free collection includes unlimited consumption of sodas, selected fruit juices, cordials, and squash, and has a starting price of USD$18.00 per person per day on cruises of less than five nights to cruises of 75 nights or more.

The line also offers a Premium Non-Alcoholic Option, which is priced $45.00 for all sailings. This package includes a range of sodas, small bottled waters, juices, specialty hot drinks, and non-alcoholic cocktails. Guests are entitled to a 20 per cent off on non-alcoholic drinks excluded from the package. 

The Beers, Wines and Spirits Option is priced at USD$94.50 for cruises less than five nights, and goes down as low as USD$49.50 for voyages of 75-nights or more. A more premium beverage collection option starts from USD$94.50.

All prices in the drinks packages are charged on a per-person per-night basis. 

Hot tip: If you book your drinks package before you sail, you can save 10 per cent off all packages. If you opt to purchase your package onboard, the prices below are shown in brackets.

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Holland America Line

Holland America Line’s Cruise Drink and Beverage Packages are divided into five bundles: three for adults (21 and up) and two for zero-alcohol beverage bundles.

The ultimate Have It All Package is priced at AUD$85 per person per day, and is the line’s signature offering. This package also includes other premium extras such as specialty dining, WiFi access, and excursions.

The Elite Beverage Package offers a 15-drink limit per day from an array of the line’s collection of premium spirits, wines, and cocktails of up to $15 price per serving. The bundle also includes all those included under Signature and Quence bundles, plus original cocktails by Dale DeGroff. The Elite bundle is priced at USD$59.99 per person per day. 

The line’s Signature Beverage Package entitles guests to enjoy spirits, beers, cocktails, and wines of up to $11 per serving. This bundle also includes everything listed under the Quench bundle. Guests who purchase this bundle are given a 15-drink daily limit for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The Signature bundle is at USD$50.95 per guest per day. 

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MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers five drink packages for its guests to choose from.

The line’s Easy Package includes select classic cocktails, non-alcoholic cocktails and mixed drinks, spirits, house wines, draft beer Heineken and bottled beer Heineken. Also included are sodas, bottled Mineral Water, and classic hot drinks like espresso, cappuccino, caffèlatte, hot tea, and hot chocolate are also part of the bundle.

The Premium Extra Package covers all beverages valued up to USD$16, including premium and international cocktails, non-alcoholic cocktails and drinks, premium brand spirits, cordials and liqueurs, an array of fine wines by the glass, and champagne by the glass. Also included are draft and bottled beers, bottled mineral water, and classic and specialty hot drinks. Additionally, there’s a 25 per cent off for bottled wine and champagne onboard purchase.

The line’s Alcohol-Free Package includes non-alcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, sodas, flavoured water, fresh fruit and protein cocktails, ice cream, and a selection of hot drinks.

The Minors Package includes non-alcoholic drinks for passengers below 21 years old, where guests can get mocktails, soft drinks, fruit juices and smoothies, energy and sports drinks. 

Gratuities are already included in all prepaid and postpaid drinks packages. 

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Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line offers four drink packages for cruisers onboard.

Nearly all NCL cruises offer ‘Free at Sea’, where guests can elect to include a drinks package with their sailing, for generally only a small amount added to their fare.

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The first one is the Unlimited Open Bar Package, which guests could enjoy on board as well as at Great Stirrup Cay. Guests can choose from premium spirits and cocktails as well as beers and wine by the glass below USD$15 per serving. Some of the spirit inclusions are Patron Silver, Grey Goose vodka, Hendrick’s Gin, Appleton Estate Signature Rum and much more. There’s also a large array of cocktails on offer, like Mai Tais, Bellinis, and Old Fashioneds, to name a few. Guests are also entitled to a 20 per cent discount for all champagnes and wines by the bottle. This bundle entitles guests to enjoy unlimited sodas and juices. 

The line’s Unlimited Soft Drink Package bundles endless fountain sodas for the entire duration of the cruise. This package is priced at USD$12.50 per person per day. 

Finally, NCL also offers Unlimited Starbucks® Package, which includes all coffees and teas for USD$16.50 per guest per day. 

Furthermore, a 20 per cent gratuity is added on top of all these bundles at checkout. 

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Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises‘ “Simply MORE Included” all-inclusive package includes the House Select bundle where guests get to enjoy champagne, wine and beer with lunch and dinner in any of the dining venues onboard.

In addition, guests may opt to upgrade their beverage bundle to Prestige Select to enjoy unlimited premium spirits and all the other drinks included in the House Select bundle. The Prestige bundle is priced at USD$30 per guest per day. 

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Princess Cruises

Purchasing a stand alone drinks on Princess is not common, as it does not offer value. It makes more sense to get a Princess Plus or Premier package. Below are the inclusions.

Princess Premier Package $129 per day 

• A new shore excursion credit, varying by voyage length: $100 (6–9 days), $200 (10–20 days), and up to $300 for voyages of 21+ days.
• Premier Beverage Package
• Unlimited casual and specialty dining,
• Four-device Wi Fi
• Fees waived for OceanNow®
• Room service delivery
• Unlimited digital professional photos 
• Reserved seating for theatre shows

Plus package $79 per day

• Four casual dining meals (up from two)
• Plus Beverage Package
• Single device wi-fi
• Fees waived for OceanNow®
• Room service delivery

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Royal Caribbean Line 

Royal Caribbean Line has three drinks packages.

The Classic Soda Package offers unlimited fountain pops and  Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages.

In addition, the second bundle option is the Refreshment Package and includes everything that’s in the Classic bundle list plus premium coffees and teas, fresh squeezed juices, bottled water, non-alcoholic cocktails, and milkshakes at Johnny Rockets.   

Meanwhile, the Deluxe Beverage Package offers everything in Classic and Refreshment bundles plus cocktails, spirits, liquors and beer, as well as wines by the glass.  

Hot tip: Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing and some cruisers have said you can save hundreds. Read our guide here.

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Frequently Asked Questions