Ultimate Guide to Cruise Drinks Packages
Table of Contents
Updated August 2025
A wide array of drinks packages to choose from could be overwhelming for a cruiser.
It is always advisable for guests to know what they want, as well as the budget they have allotted for drinks and beverages. A clear-cut understanding of these packages, the inclusions as well as the restrictions, and most importantly, the cost is key to choosing the best deal.
Drinks packages have advantages like the convenience of all-inclusive pricing instead of signing frequent drink checks. Yet some packages restrict the menu options or venues you can utilise them in. As cruise lines update their respective package features, qualifications, and pricing, it is a must that cruisers get to have an idea of what these updated package features are.
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.
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$110 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.
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.
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 $10 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.
Bear in mind, a 20 per cent service charge is added to Classic, Premium, and Non-Alcoholic Drink Package prices upon checkout.
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 Soft Drinks Option includes unlimited consumption of sodas, selected fruit juices, cordials, and squash, and has a starting price of USD$13.50 per person per day on cruises of less than five nights to cruises of 75 nights or more.
On the other hand, the Specialty Hot Drinks Option includes coffees, teas, and hot chocolates, and is priced at USD$15.75, which is one of the line’s popular drink packages. This is the price for all sailings.
The line also offers a Premium Non-Alcoholic Option, which is priced $40.50 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$85.50 for cruises less than five nights, USD$72 for 5 to 14 night- itineraries, USD$67.50 for 15-74 nights cruises, and USD$49.50 for 85 nights and beyond. This package includes a wide selection of beers, wines, spirits, liquors, and cocktails of up to $13.50 per serving plus all the inclusion on the Premium Soft Drinks Option. In addition, guests are also entitled to a 20 per cent on drinks priced above $13.50 per serving.
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.
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.
Holland America Line’s zero-alcohol bundles are the Quench. The Quench is priced at USD$17.95 per guest per day and includes Coca-Cola products, coffees, mocktails, and water. There’s also a 15-drink daily limit per guest. Finally, the Coca-Cola bundle offers unlimited fountain sodas for $8 per guest per day.
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.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line offers four drink packages for cruisers onboard.
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.
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.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises has four drink packages for passengers onboard to choose from. The Plus Beverage Package which includes beers, cocktails, wine by the glass, coffees, fountain sodas, bottled water, fresh juices and smoothies, a new juice bar, mocktails of up to $22 per serving, as well as crafted cocktails by Mixologist Rob Floyd is priced at $140 per guest per day. In addition, the bundle also offers a 25 per cent off on wines by the bottle and one-litre bottles of water.
On the other hand, the Premier Beverage Package includes everything listed in the Plus Beverage Package with a price limit of $30 for top-shelf beverages. The Premier Beverage Package also includes a 25 per cent discount on wines by bottle, canned sodas, and one-litre bottles of water. A one-litre bottle of sparkling water is also included in the package when dining at specialty restaurants.
Princess Cruises also offers a two-tiered No-Alcohol Drink package. The Classic Soda Package that includes all sodas, mocktails, smoothies, and fruit juices, is priced at $23 per guest per day.
The Zero-Alcohol Package which includes premium coffees, teas, sodas, fresh juices, smoothies, hot chocolates, mocktails and bottled water, is priced at $45 per guest per day.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to buy a drinks package before a cruise?
Most cruise lines will offer savings of up to 10 to 20 per cent if you pre book your drinks packages before you sail. Lines like Cunard have huge discounts, while others like MSC will also offer up to 15 per cent off the price.
Can two people use a drinks package on a cruise?
For nearly all cruise lines, all adults in the same stateroom must purchase a drink package, even if one person doesn’t drink alcohol. Though exceptions can be made for medical or other reasons.
How much is a Carnival Cruise Line drinks package?
Carnival’s drinks packages start from AUD$10.95 for children for a Bubbles Package. The Cheers package which includes alcohol, starts from AUD$110 per person.
What’s included in a drinks package?
Drinks packages vary, but they will cover a range of options like juices, bottled water, coffee, tea, cocktails, beer, wine and spirits. This will depend on the tier and the cruise line. There are also a large range of non-alcoholic drinks packages too.
How much do they cost?
This again will vary on whether you purchase a drinks package with alcohol or without. Cruise lines now will offer bundled packages with dining options, WiFi, and onboard credit.
Are gratuities included?
Gratuities are often not included in the price of the package and will be added on top.
Can I purchase a drinks package onboard my ship
Yes you can but bear in mind, it will be more expensive than when you pre-purchase. Some cruise lines will offer discounts of up to 20 per cent.
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Would like to here from any MSC Cruise passengers who purchased the
“Easy Plus Package” was it worth it and are there any catches?
We’re sailing on 03/03/2024 out of Miami.
Warren