There are many decisions to make when booking a cruise. Once you have made the most crucial decisions regarding your cruise line, destination, and cabin type, you will need to decide whether or not you want to purchase one of the various cruise beverage packages available onboard.
While drinks have not been included in regular cruise fares for some time, there are a number of different beverage packages that can be purchased as an add-on before you set sail. Occasionally, you may even find a promotion that offers a drink package in the overall cruise fare.
It will be necessary to do some math to figure out what level of drink package (or lack thereof) makes the most sense for you so you can kick back, and sip and save at sea!
There are 5 basic beverage packages that most cruise lines will offer some variation of to purchase prior to sailing. They are:
Table of Contents
The Classic Beverage Packages
Price Range: $40 – $65 per person, per day (prices may vary based on cruise line and itinerary)
The Classic Beverage Packages are the most common all-inclusive drink package that cruise lines offer. Typically, these packages include a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, such as beers, wines, spirits, cocktails, sodas, bottled water, and specialty coffees.
Some cruise lines may even offer frozen drinks and smoothies with their classic beverage package, but if this is important to you, you will want to double check as this can vary from cruise line to cruise line.
The Classic Drink Packages generally cover enough options for most cruisers, and unless you have an affinity for top-shelf liquors or the finest wines, this package will more than likely suit your needs.
With a classic beverage package, you will be able to savor your favorite cocktails poolside or unwind with a glass of wine during dinner without worrying about any additional charges.
The Premium Beverage Packages
Price Range: $60 – $90 per person, per day (prices may vary based on cruise line and itinerary)
For those of you who enjoy those top-shelf liquors and the finest wines, the Premium Beverage Packages will meet your discerning tastes with an expanded selection of premium alcoholic beverages.
In addition to what is already available to you from the Classic Beverage Packages, you will find an assortment of premium liquors, top-shelf spirits, craft beers, and an extensive wine list with Premium Beverage Packages.
So whether you’re a wine enthusiast or you enjoy sipping on top-tier liquors while enjoying a good book, a Premium Beverage Package ensures you will be treated to the very best of what the ship has to offer.
The Non-Alcoholic Beverage Packages
Price Range: $15 – $30 per person, per day (prices may vary based on cruise line and itinerary)
Perfect for families with younger guests and non-drinkers onboard, the Non-Alcoholic Beverage Packages offer a wide assortment of zero proof beverages to quench your thirst while onboard.
Beverages included in this package include soft drinks, mocktails, juices, premium coffee and teas, and bottled water. You may also find frozen drinks and smoothies included in this package, but again, you will want to read the fine print if that is a deal breaker for you.
The Specialty Coffee Beverage Packages
Price Range: $25 – $35 per person, per day (prices may vary based on cruise line and itinerary)
Coffee drinkers rejoice! The Specialty Coffee Packages are tailored to cater specifically to those caffeine cravings of the coffee connoisseurs onboard.
Generally, the Specialty Coffee Packages include unlimited specialty coffees, espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, and iced coffees from onboard cafes and coffee shops.
With this package, you can enjoy a morning latte (or three) as you watch the sunrise, recharge with an afternoon iced mocha after your shore excursion, and indulge in an espresso with your dessert after dinner.
Clearly, this is a package intended for coffee enthusiasts. So, if you are someone who needs to have caffeine coursing through your veins 24/7, this is the package for you.
The Water Beverage Packages
Price Range: $10 – $25 per person, per day (prices may vary based on cruise line and itinerary)
Last but not least, is the Water Beverage Packages. We all know how important it is to stay hydrated, especially when on vacation, and this package will ensure you have access to bottled water for the duration of your cruise.
Water is always readily available to all guests onboard, but if you prefer to drink bottled water and only bottled water, you may want to look into adding a Water Beverage Package to your cruise vacation.
Which Beverage Package to Choose
While every cruise line will offer some form of beverage packages, not all cruise lines will offer all beverage packages. And beverage packages will vary from cruise line to cruise line.
In order to determine if you should purchase a beverage package, you will need to do some basic math to determine the average cost of a drink on your cruise and how many drinks per day you realistically think you will consume.
Always keep in mind your cruise itinerary! If you are on a ship with lots of destinations where you will be spending entire days exploring ports of call, you may not want to purchase any beverage packages. Alternatively, if your cruise will be travelling great distances with long sea days, a beverage package might be of great value to you. Only you will know where to find that sweet spot of savings.
As for which cruise lines offer which beverage packages, my upcoming posts will each highlight a different cruise line with a breakdown of their respective beverage packages. My next post will highlight Princess Cruises.
Please comment below if there is a particular cruise line you would like me to highlight. In the meantime, happy cruising!
