Is Cruise Drink Package Worth It? 2025 Cost Calculator

Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package: $70-89/day (cocktails, beer, wine <$14, sodas, specialty coffee, bottled water, fresh juice). Carnival Cheers Package: $60-70/day (cocktails, beer, wine, sodas, energy drinks, bottles water - 15 drinks/day limit). Norwegian Cruise Line Unlimited Beverage Package: $99-128/day (all drinks <$15, premium cocktails, wine). Celebrity Premium Package: $70-85/day (all drinks <$17, includes gratuities). All require both cabin guests purchase if sharing. Prices vary by ship, itinerary, season.

Royal Caribbean example: $80/day package ÷ $12 average drink cost = 6.7 drinks to break even. You need 7+ drinks daily to save money. Breakdown: 2 morning coffees ($12), 2 afternoon cocktails by pool ($24), 2 wine glasses at dinner ($24), 2 evening drinks ($24) = 8 drinks, $84 value. Package costs $80, saves $4/day. Over 7 nights = $28 savings. Marginal but prevents spending anxiety. If drinking 10+ daily, saves $200-400 per person per cruise.

Moderate-heavy drinkers (5+ drinks daily). Travelers who enjoy specialty coffee ($6 each - 2 daily = $84/week). Wine lovers drinking 3+ glasses daily at dinner. Travelers hating nickel-and-dime tracking. Groups celebrating (weddings, birthdays, reunions). Vacation mindset 'drinks whenever I want.' Caribbean summer cruises (hot weather = more drinking). The 'prevents spending stress' value matters even if breaking even financially.

Light drinkers (0-3 drinks daily). Budget travelers prioritizing cost control. Non-drinkers or occasional wine-with-dinner only. Travelers comfortable with tap water vs bottled. Cold weather cruises (less pool/deck drinking). Short cruises (3-4 nights) where package value harder to achieve. Families with teens (teen packages separate, expensive). Calculate honestly: Will you drink 6-8 drinks daily every day? If no, skip package.

Bring wine aboard (most lines allow 1-2 bottles, $15-25 corkage in dining room, free in cabin). Drink at happy hours (select bars offer 2-for-1 certain hours). Order tap water, free coffee, free juice at buffet. Share bottles of wine vs glasses (save 30-40%). Bring insulated water bottle, fill at buffet. Skip specialty coffee, use free options. Pre-game before dinner with wine in cabin. Buy drink cards (10-pack discounts on some lines). Cape Liberty cruisers can pre-load wine in luggage before embarkation.

Must purchase for entire cruise (can't buy 3 days of 7). Both guests in cabin must buy if sharing (one person can't buy solo). 18-20% gratuity included in package price (sometimes additional). Purchase deadline: Usually 2 days before cruise or day-of for premium. Refund policies: Rarely refundable after purchase. Drink limits: Carnival caps at 15/day, others typically unlimited. Specialty bottles, shots, entire bottles wine usually excluded. Read fine print carefully before buying.