Did you recently book a Celebrity Cruise and are wondering if you should purchase a drink package? Are you wondering if you will get your money’s worth if you purchase a drink package?
Well, drink packages can be an amazing deal for some, and a complete waste of money for others. The only way you will know for sure which one is true for you is by determining how much you plan to drink while on the ship. One important factor to keep in mind when calculating this number is how many ports you will be visiting, and ultimately, how much time you will be onboard and able to enjoy your drink package.
Celebrity Cruises drink packages cost anywhere from $36 to $130 US per person per day. Unlike Princess Cruises, who offer a host of different beverage packages, Celebrity Cruises only offers 3 different tiers of drink packages: Classic, Premium, and Zero Proof.
Now, keep in mind that you if you booked the all-inclusive option with your cruise you won’t need to worry about adding a beverage package. However, if you booked a cruise only fare, the following are your drink package add-on options:
Table of Contents
Celebrity Cruises Classic Drink Package
The Celebrity Cruises Classic Drink Package includes all drinks up to $10 USD ($12 for sailings departing from UK and AUS ports), which includes:
- Cocktails
- Wines by the glass
- Beer
- Specialty coffees & teas
- Non-alcoholic beverages
In addition to the above, you will also receive:
- 15% discount on all bottles of wine
Package Price as of August 2023: $89 USD per guest, per day, plus 20% gratuities (Total of $106.80 USD)
This drink package will suit the needs of most cruisers, as it covers a little bit of everything. Although, if you are particular about your vintage of wine or only drink top-shelf liqueurs, then you will want to opt for the Premium Drink Package.
Celebrity Cruises Premium Drink Package
The Premium Drink Package offered by Celebrity Cruises includes all drinks up to $17 ($20 for sailings departing from UK and AUS ports), which includes:
- All drinks included in Classic Package & Zero Proof Package
- Top-shelf spirits
- Craft cocktails, large martinis, long drinks
- Champagnes and high end wines by the glass
- Specialty beers
In addition to the above, you will also be entitled to:
- 20% discount on all bottles of wine
Package Price as of August 2023: $109 USD per guest, per day, plus 20% gratuities (Total of $130.80 USD).
This package will be the closest you can get to an all-inclusive vacation, as most drinks will fall under the $17 USD threshold. While there are still a select few specialty beverages that are not included in this fare, it is important to point out that you will only be charged the difference in price if you decide to indulge. So, if your drink of choice is $19, you will only see a charge of $2 on your final bill.
Celebrity Cruises Zero Proof Drink Package
And finally for the underage cruisers and non-drinkers, Celebrity Cruises offers the Zero Proof Package, which encompasses all non-alcoholic beverages onboard. This includes:
- Premium Coffees & Teas
- Acqua Panna Water
- Evian Water
- San Pellegrino
- Vitamin Water
- Red Bull
- Iced Tea
- Sodas
- Spa Café Fresh Juices
Package Price as of August 2023: $30 USD per guest, per day, plus 20% gratuities (Total of $36 USD).
This may also be a great option for those who are mostly non-drinkers, but may enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail at dinner. This way the majority of your beverages are included and you will only be charged for one or two extra drinks per day.
Celebrity Cruises All-Included Fare
The above three packages are the only drink packages that are currently offered by Celebrity Cruises. If you are considering booking a cruise with Celebrity Cruises, you may also want to consider booking an all-inclusive fare if you think you would be interested in a drink package. All-inclusive fares with Celebrity Cruises include:
- Classic Drink Package
- Basic Wi-Fi
- Gratuities
While the all-inclusive fares vary depending on the cruise and ship you are booking, they will always end up being a better deal than paying for each add-on individually. So if you think you will drink enough non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages to make up for the $89 charge per day, you should probably book the all-inclusive fare at the time of booking your cruise.
Alternatively, if you don’t feel as though you could possibly spend $89 per day on beverages while onboard, then you are probably better off to just pay for drinks as you go, and pay for your Wi-Fi and gratuities separately.
One final note, AquaClass and Retreat staterooms automatically come with an all-included package.
AquaClass Staterooms include:
- Classic Drink Package
- Basic Wi-Fi
- Gratuities
Retreat Staterooms include:
- Premium Drink Package
- Premium Wi-Fi
- Gratuities
- Onboard Credit (1-5 nights $200 per person, 6-9 nights $300 per person, 10+ nights $400 per person)
Drink Packages - All Things Considered
So, what, if any, package would I recommend? Well, considering that I am not much of a drinker, if I were going to purchase any beverage package I would probably purchase the Zero Proof Drink Package and then pay separately for the odd alcoholic beverage. On average this would probably be about 2 drinks per day, so I would not get my money’s worth with a more expensive drink package.
Rather than purchasing a drink package though, my preference is always to book the all-inclusive option, as then all my fees are paid up front and I can enjoy whatever I want whenever I want without worrying about receiving a bill to pay at the end of my vacation.
So whatever you decide, it will be the right decision as long as you are enjoying yourself. After all, that is what cruising is all about.
