Cruise Ship Minibars: Why I Always Avoid Them

Cruise cabins feel like nice hotels, and the minibar is often sitting there looking tempting but I will never touch it, unless I am travelling on a luxury cruise line.

There are lots of reasons I don’t use the minibar in my cabin, but the cost is the main reason.

Unless you are sailing with a luxury cruise line or staying in a luxury suite, the mini bar is not included in your cruise fare. You will be charged for anything you take out – and it isn’t cheap.

These Are The Reasons I Avoid The Minibar

The Price is Often Very High

• Drinks from the minibar usually cost way more than at the bars onboard.
  • • You’re paying for the “convenience” of not walking to the nearest bar.
• Surprise Service Charges.
  • On many cruise lines, a gratuity (often 15 – 20%) is added to the cost, even when you get it yourself from the fridge.
  • That doesn’t feel like good value when you have literally had no service, and the drinks are overpriced anyway.
• Drinks Packages Don’t Cover It.
  • Most cruise drink packages exclude the minibar.
  • People assume because they have spent a lot of money on their drinks packages, they won’t have any further costs once onboard – but nope – it’s a separate minibar bill.

On Celebrity Edge, not only did they have expensive drinks with an extra 20% service charge in the minibar, they also left chargeable food items on the desk in the cabin to try and tempt me!

…I am not spending $5/£3.70 ($4 + a $1 service charge) for a small packet of crisps! (or potato chips if you are American).

Limited Selection

• The minibar stock is tiny, usually a few soft drinks, a couple of beers, and maybe mini bottles of spirits.
  • You probably aren’t going to find your drink of choice anyway.
  • There will be a much better selection available in the bars around the ship.
• You Can Bring Drinks Back From the Bar Anyway
  • On almost all cruise lines, you’re welcome to order a drink from any bar and take it back to your cabin.
  • It might be less convenient, but you get a way better choice, and it’s included if you’ve got a drinks package.

I was lucky enough to book the cheapest cabin onboard Azamara Onward at a very good price. As a “luxury” cruise line, drinks in the minibar were included in the fare along with a range of drinks in the bars.

The cabin steward asked what we would like to drink, and filled the minibar up with my favourites on a daily basis.

Although it was a luxury cruise cabin, the bathroom was the smallest I had ever seen on a cruise ship. Have a look at that here:

Before You Go

Find out what else you might be charged extra for when you are on a cruise here:

Onboard Expenses – What Costs Extra On A Cruise? Gratuities, Wi-Fi And More…

If you cruise with the British cruise line Marella, you won’t be tempted to take anything from the mini bar – as they don’t have them! There is a range of drinks, and all tips are included in the fare, though. Find out more about Marella here:

7 Important Things to Know Before Your First Marella Cruise