The cruise beverage package is an optional add-on that gives you unlimited drinks for a fixed price. You can enjoy alcoholic beverages, sodas, smoothies, and coffee. The drink-all-you-can package makes sense if you are a heavy drinker.
How Much are Cruise Beverage Packages?
Cruise Beverage packages are expensive. The premium beverage package is $80 to $100 per person per day. What makes it even more expensive is that the cruise line requires every adult in your party to buy a cruise beverage package to prevent sharing. There are also non-alcoholic drink package options, which are cheaper, around $30 to $45 per person per day.
What’s Included in the Cruise Drinks Packages?
The alcoholic beverage packages on cruises typically include unlimited beer, wine, liquor, cocktails, mocktails, soda, non-alcoholic drinks, bottled water, specialty coffee, smoothies, and more. The non-alcoholic drinks package usually includes soda, water, and juices.
Buy Cruise Beverage Packages Early
An easy way to save money on the cruise beverage package is to buy it early from the cruise website, even before you board the ship. Cruise lines will give discounts as low as 40% off if you buy it early. Never buy drinks package onboard the ship. It will always be more expensive than buying early.
Watch for Flash Sales
You should keep checking the cruise website for flash sales to get the lowest price on the cruise beverage package. Some cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise, will let you cancel your original package, and then you can rebuy the package at a lower price. Check out 8 Reasons Why Cruise Ship Beverage Packages are a Waste of Money
Choose the Right Package for You
Cruise lines offer several beverage packages. Don’t automatically buy the most expensive one. Take your time to review the differences and make sure you choose the right one for you.
The premium drinks package is the most expensive and includes top-shelf liquor, premium wine, cocktails, beer, non-alcoholic drinks, and specialty coffee. There are usually cheaper alcoholic drinks packages, including less premium well drinks, liquor, cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks, and coffee. Most cruise lines have a soda package that includes sodas and bottled water. There are also varying levels of non-alcoholic drinks packages; some include smoothies, specialty coffee, and milkshakes. Check out 21 Smart and Easy Ways to Save Money on a Cruise
Use Onboard Credit
If you have a lot of onboard credit, you can reduce the cost of your cruise beverage package by using onboard credit to pay for it. It will feel less expensive than it is. Most cruise lines will let you use your onboard credit on the drinks package you buy before boarding the ship. However, some won’t let you use your onboard credit until you’re on the ship. Check out 8 Easy Ways to Get Free Onboard Credit on a Cruise
Look for Bundle Deals
Some cruise lines offer discounted packages that include WiFi, beverage packages, and specialty restaurants. Do some research and compare the prices to find the best deal for you. Check out 13 Easy Ways to Get Free Things on a Cruise- If you Ask
Loyalty Perks
Before buying any beverage package, check the details of your cruise loyalty perks. Some cruise lines will offer discounts on cruise beverage packages as a loyalty perk. Other cruise lines will give you free drinks every day.
For example, on Celebrity Cruise, you get free drinks at the bar daily during happy hour if you reach the Elite level and up. This includes wine, beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages. If you have reached that level, there is no need to waste your money on a beverage package (unless you’re a big drinker). Check out I’ve Been on Over 25 Cruises, Here is How I Cruise on a Budget
Bring Your Own Wine
An easy way to save money on cruises is to bring your own drinks. Most cruise lines will allow each adult to bring a bottle of wine or champagne. Some cruise lines will allow you to bring a few cans of soda.
You need to bring your wine on embarkation day; otherwise, the cruise line will confiscate and store the wines brought onboard during port days. Check with your cruise line to find out what’s allowed. Check out 42 Banned Items you can’t take on a cruise