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Packages do not include room service, mini bar purchases, vending machines, or pre-cruise wine bottle purchases. Packages can be used in onboard restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay, though not on Harvest Caye, nor sailings that are two days or less. An Alcohol-Free Package includes zero proof cocktails, fresh fruit and protein cocktails, energy drinks, sodas, hot drink selections and soft serve ice cream. The package is not applicable in specialty restaurants or signature venues. No Doubts Premium Drinks offers 10 top-shelf specialty cocktails, liquor, beer and wines by the glass.
Do I have to finish my bottle of wine in one sitting?
From time to time, cruise lines roll out great cruise vacation deals which bundle a cheap base cruise fare with one or more added perks. Oftentimes this includes a free drinks package, or onboard credit. From caffeine craving to soda sipping, from cocktails to mocktails, favorite brews and more, our drink and beverage packages satisfy every preference. There’s a Classic Soda Package and a Refreshment Package to cover nonalcoholic options — perfect for kids. Or sip your way across the fleet’s world-class bars and lounges with a Deluxe Beverage Package.
Princess Cruises Drinks Packages
However, sodas, bottles of water, specialty coffees (many ships have Starbucks) and pretty much any bottled drink (ranging from energy drinks to sparkling water) will come with a charge. In addition, it depends on whether you'll have access to any free drinks on a ship before paying up for a drink package. On many river cruise ships, for instance, wine and beer with lunch and dinner are included in base fares. You only pay extra for other alcoholic drinks served at meals or outside of meal times. If you plan on drinking more than three or four cocktails and a few premium coffees, the package pricing is likely your best deal. It’s the perfect hassle-free vacation style for many people who crave the easy life and no-nonsense trip planning.
Turkish Desserts to Sweeten your Vacation
As of 2024, Carnival Cruise Line offers a variety of drink options for guests. This comprehensive guide provides information on the current drink prices, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, available on Carnival cruises. Anyone can purchase a drink package, though alcohol packages are restricted to passengers who meet drinking age restrictions (typically 18 or 21, depending on the cruise line). In most cases, for instance, kids would need to opt for a nonalcoholic package if their parents are buying an alcoholic one. Many cruise lines post lists of the included drink types and brands on their websites, or you can ask for a list when onboard. The package fine print will often list price maximums for included beers, wine and cocktails, where applicable.
The minimum drinking age aboard Windstar Cruises is 21 years old. The Unlimited Beverage Package includes all domestic and imported beer, more than 30 varieties of wine and sparkling wine, cordials and cocktails, along with mini-bar items. An Unlimited Soda Package offers endless fountain soda for adults and children ages three and up.
How much do drink packages cost?
So if you are a couple and one person drinks and the other doesn’t, then it’s going to be much harder to get your money’s worth. The cost for MSC’s highest-tier package ($88 per person, per day) is in line with what many other cruise lines charge for their packages. Alcoholic PackagesMSC offers several different options for those wanting to drink their fill of cocktails and beer on the ship. This includes the Easy Package, the Easy Plus Package, and the Premium Extra Package.
Carnival vs. MSC: 11 Major Differences Between the Two Cruise Lines
There are even special bundles that let you save on drinks while also enjoying amenities like VOOM®, the fastest internet at sea. Plus, you can use your drink packages on shore at our private destinations Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee. There are three ways to upgrade your cruise vacation with a Beverage Package. Enjoy unlimited fountain soda and Coca-Cola® Freestyle beverages by purchasing a Classic Soda Package.
Carnival Cruise Line drink package
If you prefer plain water, Carnival has you covered with bottled water options. You can purchase a single bottle of water for $1.50 or opt for a 12-pack for $9.95. This is a convenient option for staying hydrated throughout your cruise, especially if you’re planning on spending time in the sun or participating in active excursions. Some lines offer a discount on the packages if you purchase them before your cruise rather than once on the ship.
Everything to Know About Alcohol & Drinks on a Cruise (Costs, Rules, & More)
Another favorite at the Schooner Bar is the rum old fashioned, a sweeter and more tropical version of the traditional drink. Not only does the lavender drink taste wonderful, but its purple color makes it one of the prettiest drinks you can order on any Royal Caribbean ship. If so, there’s no better drink to try than the lavender daiquiri, one of the bar’s signature drinks. About half of the Carnival fleet has a SkyBox sports bar where you can watch the game on the big screen and sample one of these cocktails. You can find the SkyBox Sports Bar on the Conquest, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Liberty, Miracle, Pride, Spirit, Radiance, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor, and Vista.
This covers most drinks on the ship, but some high-end beverages may still be an extra cost. When preparing for your Carnival cruise, it’s important to know what drinks you can bring on board. Carnival Cruise Line has specific guidelines regarding the beverages guests are allowed to bring. Each guest 21 years or older is permitted to bring one 750ml or smaller bottle of wine or champagne. Additionally, guests are allowed to bring a maximum of twelve 12-ounce cans or cartons of non-alcoholic beverages such as soda.
If you're on a seven-day cruise, you'll have to pay the steep per-day rates for all seven days — even for days when you don't plan to drink heavily. For some cruisers, drink packages also prove to be a valuable budgeting tool. You typically can buy a drink package in advance and know exactly what you're going to spend for drinks for your entire cruise before you even step on board. Having a drink package also makes bar-hopping on ships easy, as you don't have to worry about paying for drinks as you go. The price of such packages varies widely from line to line, from around $60 a day at cruise giant Carnival Cruise Line (if booked in advance) to $138 a day at Norwegian Cruise Line. For more on what's included in such packages and a line-by-line breakdown of what they cost, see TPG's ultimate guide to cruise line drink packages.
Cruises undoubtedly offer superb value for money, but a few drinks each day can seriously blow your planned vacation budget out of the water. If you have a taste for beer, wine or hard liquor you could effectively see that ultra-cheap short cruises almost double in price. There is no getting away from the fact that shipboard drinks are expensive, even before gratuities are factored in. From $8 beers to $15 cocktails, drinking on a cruise can easily rack up an onboard bill of hundreds of dollars. Buying a drink package on a cruise ship instead of paying for drinks individually can be a good way to save when cruising.
