Buying a Drinks Package? 5 Things Many People Don’t Realise Until It’s Too Late

Cruise lines often try to give you the impression that you need to buy a drinks package to get the most value and enjoyment out of your cruise.

Drinks packages sound simple, pay once and then you can drink what you like without having to think of the cost.

It doesn’t quite work like that. There are terms and conditions for drinks packages. These vary by cruiseline, but most share the same unwelcome surprises!

I would disagree that a drinks package is necessary to have a good cruise. Unless you intend on drinking multiple drinks a day, then they just don’t offer value for money – for me at least.

Often, you are off the ship during the daytime, enjoying time in port. You are only onboard in the evening, so will you really get through over $100 worth of drinks in an evening?

I certainly wouldn’t, that is why I often choose the “Pay As You Go” option.

Here are some of the rules and regulations you should be aware of before you decide to buy a cruiseline drinks package :

#1. – There Are Daily Price Limits on Drinks

If you have a particular favourite expensive drink, you might find that you have to pay extra for each drink you order.

Only drinks up to a certain price are included, so if you have expensive tastes, you may end up paying more.

Drinks up to $15 are included on the Norwegian premium drinks package, for example. If your drink costs more than that, it is not covered. Other lines have similar price caps.

On most lines you will be charged the difference between the actual price and the $15 limit – plus an additional 20% gratuity on that difference. On some lines you’ll be charged the entire price, the same as you would without any drinks package.

Rules vary from one cruise line to another, but most have a price cap on drinks included in the drinks package.

#2. The Number Of Drinks Per Day Is Limited

Many drinks packages only entitle you to 15 drinks a day. I could never get through more than 15 drinks a day, but I have friends who definitely could!

With P&O, for example, you’re entitled to up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day, per package. After that, any drinks will be charged at the normal price with a 20% discount.

All non-alcoholic drinks included in the package are unlimited with P&O.

#3. Time Limits And Cut-Offs

Some cruise lines restrict when drink packages can be used.

On MSC, you will find that you can’t use your drinks package in speciality restaurants onboard or in particular bars.

I have been caught out by this. I received a free speciality meal with my MSC loyalty status, and I had thought I wouldn’t end up without any extra charges because I had purchased a drinks package.

This wasn’t the case, I was charged for the drinks because I was in a speciality restaurant. That seems a little unfair to me.

I went to the Speakeasy Bar onboard MSC World Europa. We bought one expensive cocktail each – and then left! Again, I had a drinks package, but it wasn’t accepted in that bar.

MSC Cruises has hidden speakeasy bars, most notably on the MSC World Europa and MSC World America, accessible through a red telephone booth and requiring an exclusive token for entry. These bars have a limited number of tokens per day, limited capacity, and are often not included in standard drink packages. The experience includes a unique, dimly lit atmosphere with live music, handcrafted cocktails, and a Prohibition-era vibe.

MSC Cruise Lines

Have a look at that – and everything else I got up to on MSC World Europa here:

Alcoholic drinks are limited to 15 beverages per 24-hour period (6 a.m. to 6 a.m.) if you sail with Cunard

Other cruise lines have similar time constraints.

It is common with many cruise lines that you can’t use your drinks package if you order room service.

You can’t take drinks out of the minibar either, you will be charged extra, even if the drinks in the minibar are normally included in your drinks package.

The package may not be valid on disembarkation day, even if you have a later disembarkation.

#3. Both People In The Cabin Need To Buy The Same Package

Most cruise lines require all adults in the same cabin to buy exactly the same drinks package.

That is annoying if one of you drinks alcohol and one of you doesn’t! You both have to buy the more expensive alcoholic drinks package.

Cruise lines say this is because people have been known to try and share an alcoholic drinks package. They don’t want your cabin mate buying shots or spirits for you to add to your orange juice, for example!

Find out more about that here:

You Can’t Share a Drinks Package on a Cruise – Here’s Why

#4. Private Islands And Ports May Be Excluded

Drinks at Cruiselines’ private islands sometimes are included – and sometimes they aren’t!

If you are sailing with Royal Caribbean, Princess or MSC, drinks at private islands are included.

If you sail to Norwegian or Carnival’s private islands, you will be charged extra.

This seems a little odd, as Carnival are the parent company of Princess – but different rules apply to different cruise lines’ private islands, so make sure you check to avoid unnecessary surprises!

#5. Service Charges!

You might think that if you are splashing out for an expensive drinks package, all the costs will be covered.

It might come as an unpleasant surprise to find that you might be charged an additional service charge when you buy your drinks package.

American-owned cruiselines are generally the ones that will charge you extra.

(This is, of course, in addition to the daily service charges you are probably paying anyway.)

Cruise lines that add gratuities on top of drinks packages include:

• Carnival Cruise Line
  • An 18% service charge is automatically added to all beverage purchases and packages.
• Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Add a 20% gratuity and beverage service charge on the retail value of the package.
• Princess Cruises
  • An 18% service charge is applied to all drinks packages.
• Royal Caribbean International
  • An 18% gratuity is automatically added to the package purchase price.
• Celebrity
  • A 20% gratuity will be added to the drinks package when you purchase it.

Non-American owned cruise lines like Ambassador, Fred. Olsen, MSC, and P&O don’t add an additional service charge when you buy the drinks package. Any service charges are always included within the price.

Other Things To Think About:

Sea Days vs Port Days – The Value Varies

Drinks packages are better value on sea days, when guests are onboard longer and have more chance to use them.

So if you are taking a repositioning cruise with many days at sea, a drinks package would probably offer better value for money.

Cruisers who spend long days in port might not get their money’s worth out of the package.

Soft Drink And Coffee Packages Also Have Their Own Rules

Soda packages can be a cheaper option, but often only include fountain soda, not cans.

The quality of fountain soda varies considerably between one line and another!

Coffee packages may exclude certain venues and certain speciality coffees on the menu. Always check the small print for extra charges!

Before You Go

Find out about the free drinks options that are available on cruise ships here:

Do Cruises Include Drinks? Don’t Miss These FREE Options (Tea, Coffee, Juice & More)

Marella includes drinks as standard. Find out more about this, and the other things I love about Marella here:

5 Things I Love About Marella Cruises (Inclusions, Entertainment, Drinks and More)