When planning a cruise, one of the most tempting add-ons is the drink package. The thought of sipping endless cocktails, wine, and specialty coffees without worrying about your final bill is enticing for many cruisers. But is it really worth it?
Experienced cruisers will tell you that drink packages can be more trouble than they’re worth—and in many cases, they may end up costing you more than you expected. Based on personal experiences, stories from fellow travelers, and insights from seasoned cruisers, here are solid reasons why you might want to skip the drink package on your next cruise.
1. Drink Packages are More Expensive Than You Think
Drink packages are marketed as a convenient, all-you-can-drink option, but they can quickly become an expensive add-on. On most cruise lines, drink packages cost between $60 and $100 per person, per day. At first glance, that might seem reasonable if you’re imagining yourself indulging in 5+ cocktails every day. But think about it—how many drinks are you really going to have? To make sure you avoid this mistake, you should check out drink package mistakes to avoid on your next cruise.
For a drink package to pay off, you’d need to drink around 5 to 6 alcoholic beverages daily. That’s a lot of drinks! Many cruisers, including myself, found that even on sea days, when lounging by the pool all day seems perfect for a cocktail in hand, hitting that number can be difficult. One frequent traveler shared, “I thought I’d drink more, but after a few days, I realized I wasn’t even close to getting my money’s worth.”
2. Port-Heavy Itineraries Mean Less Time on the Ship
If your cruise is packed with exciting ports of call, chances are you’ll be spending more time exploring than lounging on the ship. Here’s the catch—most cruise lines don’t allow drink packages to be used off the ship (unless you’re on a cruise line’s private island). That means the days you spend ashore don’t count towards getting your money’s worth.
Some cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, allow drink packages to be used on their private islands, such as Perfect Day at CocoCay or Great Stirrup Cay. However, you can’t use the package at regular port stops.
One cruiser summed it up perfectly: “We were out at port most days, and by the time we got back to the ship, we were too tired to take full advantage of the package.” If your cruise has a lot of stops, you’re less likely to drink enough on the ship to justify the cost of a beverage package.
3. You Don’t Drink Enough to Justify the Cost
Let’s be real—some of us aren’t big drinkers, and that’s totally fine! Not everyone is going to have 5 or more alcoholic drinks per day. If you’re someone who enjoys a casual glass of wine with dinner or a cocktail at sunset, the drink package might not be worth it.
One fellow cruiser shared this advice: “I don’t drink much, so buying a package would’ve just made me feel like I had to overindulge to break even. Paying for drinks individually was a much better option.” This resonates with many cruisers who prefer moderation over constant drinking, making a pay-as-you-go approach much smarter. For more tips like these, check out the common mistakes new cruisers make all the time.
4. You Can Bring Your Own Wine
Did you know that most cruise lines allow you to bring a bottle of wine or champagne on board? This is a great option for wine lovers who don’t want to commit to a full drink package.
For example, Royal Caribbean allows one 750ml bottle per person, while Carnival lets you bring one bottle per adult in your carry-on. Keep in mind that if you bring your own wine to the dining room, you’ll usually need to pay a corkage fee of $15–$30. This can still save you money compared to buying a drink package if you only plan to have a few drinks.
5. Free Drinks Are Available
Believe it or not, there are plenty of opportunities to get free drinks on board. Many cruise lines offer free champagne during special events, such as art auctions, captain’s welcome parties, or even at some onboard shopping events. If you’re someone who enjoys mingling and attending ship activities, you can often score free glasses of bubbly without having to splurge on a drink package. To make sure you don’t miss out, check out some unbeatable cruise tips and hacks.
Another seasoned traveler shared this: “We ended up with several free drinks at events throughout the cruise. It really made the package seem unnecessary.” So, keep an eye out for those free drinks—your wallet will thank you.
6. You Already Have Loyalty Perks
If you’ve cruised with the same line multiple times, check your loyalty program perks before buying a drink package. Many cruise lines reward loyal cruisers with free drinks at special events, daily vouchers, or even complimentary bottles of wine.
For instance, Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society and Norwegian’s Latitudes Rewards offer free or discounted drinks depending on your loyalty tier. One veteran cruiser mentioned, “Thanks to my loyalty status, I get free drinks at parties and events, so I never need a drink package.” Be sure to explore your loyalty benefits before purchasing a package—you might already have access to free drinks that could save you hundreds of dollars.
7. Drink Packages Often Don’t Cover Premium Liquors
If you prefer top-shelf liquors or have a taste for premium wines, drink packages might not give you the value you’re expecting. Most cruise lines have a cap on the price of drinks included in their packages. For example, if your drink package covers cocktails up to $12, and you want something premium that costs $18, you’ll have to pay the difference.
Many cruisers, myself included, found this frustrating: “I enjoy trying new and premium cocktails, but the package didn’t cover many of the drinks I wanted to try.” Before committing to a drink package, check the fine print to see what’s actually included—especially if you have particular tastes.
8. Casinos Offer Free Drinks When You Play
Are you planning to spend some time in the casino during your cruise? If so, you might not need to buy a drink package at all! Many cruise lines reward players with complimentary drinks once they reach a certain level of play. So, if you’re someone who enjoys a night at the slots or playing blackjack, you may be able to enjoy free drinks just by gambling.
However, keep in mind that this benefit usually kicks in only after you’ve accumulated enough points or time at the tables. If you’re someone who enjoys a night at the slots or playing blackjack, you may be able to enjoy free drinks just by gambling.
One cruiser shared, “I earned enough points at the casino to get free drinks for the rest of the trip—totally worth it!” If casino time is on your itinerary, this could save you from buying a drink package altogether.
9. Staying in a Suite? You May Get Free Drinks Anyway
If you’ve splurged on a suite, check to see if it comes with any perks. Many suites offer complimentary drinks, either through a stocked mini-bar or at exclusive cocktail parties for suite guests. In some cases, the drink package is even included when you book a suite.
As one suite guest shared, “We had a fully stocked mini-bar and got invited to exclusive parties, so there was no need for a package.” If you’re booking a suite, look into what’s already included—you may not need that drink package after all.
10. Drink Packages Can Encourage Overindulgence
One of the biggest pitfalls of drink packages is the temptation to drink more than you would otherwise, just to “get your money’s worth.” This can lead to overindulging, feeling tired, and even waking up with hangovers that might ruin your plans for the day.
As one experienced cruiser shared, “I felt like I had to drink constantly just to make the package worthwhile, and I ended up feeling awful. It wasn’t worth it.” Remember, you’re on vacation to relax and enjoy—not to feel pressured to drink more than you want.
For those focused on health and wellness, skipping the drink package might be the better option. You’ll likely feel more energized, stick to your fitness goals, and enjoy the cruise without the pressure of overconsumption.
11. Some Cruise Lines Offer Free Non-Alcoholic Beverages
If you’re more interested in non-alcoholic beverages, such as coffee, tea, and juice, you might not need to pay extra for a drink package. Many cruise lines offer free basic beverages with your cruise fare, such as:
- Water
- Iced tea
- Lemonade
- Basic coffee
- Juices at breakfast
For example, on Disney Cruise Line, you’ll find free soda available at self-serve drink stations. Other cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival, provide complimentary coffee, iced tea, and juices in their buffet areas. So, if you don’t plan to drink alcohol or premium coffee drinks, you might find that the free options are enough to satisfy your thirst without needing a package.
12. Hidden Restrictions in Fine Print
Cruise drink packages often come with a long list of terms and conditions that are easy to overlook. You might assume that a drink package covers everything, but there are often restrictions that catch passengers off guard. Here are some common limitations:
- Drink limits: Some cruise lines, such as Carnival, have a daily cap on the number of alcoholic drinks you can order (usually around 15 per day). Even with “unlimited” packages, there’s often a limit.
- Price limits: Most packages only cover drinks up to a certain value—often around $12 to $15. If you order a specialty cocktail or premium wine that costs more, you’ll have to pay the difference.
- Venue restrictions: Some drink packages aren’t valid at certain venues on the ship, such as specialty restaurants, lounges, or even private islands (depending on the cruise line).
These restrictions can make a drink package less flexible than it seems at first glance. Many cruisers find themselves paying extra or discovering too late that their package doesn’t cover their preferred drinks.
13. You Can Use Onboard Credit for Drinks Instead
If you receive onboard credit as part of a booking promotion or loyalty perk, you might be able to use it to pay for drinks. This can be a great alternative to purchasing a full drink package, especially if you plan to have only a few drinks during your cruise.
Onboard credit is often given as part of cruise line promotions or as an incentive for booking early. You can use this credit to cover the cost of individual drinks without committing to a full drink package. This gives you more flexibility to choose when and where to spend your money, instead of feeling pressured to drink enough to justify the package.
One cruiser shared, “We had $200 in onboard credit, which we used for drinks and specialty dining. It was more than enough to cover everything, so we skipped the drink package entirely.”
14. Specialty Dining Packages Offer Drink Deals
If you’re planning to purchase a specialty dining package, you might not need a full drink package. Many specialty dining restaurants offer wine pairings or special drink deals that make it unnecessary to buy a separate drink package.
For instance, some cruise lines offer wine pairings with certain meals, or they may provide a discount on cocktails or wine when dining in a specialty restaurant. If you’re planning to enjoy a few fine dining experiences during your cruise, you can take advantage of these offers without committing to a full drink package.
15. Drink Packages Don’t Always Cover Room Service
Many cruisers enjoy the convenience of ordering drinks via room service, especially on lazy sea days or when relaxing in their cabin. However, some cruise lines don’t allow drink packages to cover beverages ordered through room service.
For example, on some ships, you’ll need to pay extra if you want a glass of wine, a cocktail, or even a soda delivered to your cabin. Before purchasing a drink package, check whether it covers room service orders—especially if you enjoy lounging in your room with a drink in hand.
Final Thoughts: Is the Drink Package Really Worth It?
For many cruisers, the answer is no. While drink packages can seem like a convenient way to enjoy unlimited drinks, the reality is that they often cost more than they’re worth. Between the high daily prices, limited usage during port days, and pressure to drink more than you normally would, it’s easy to see why skipping the package is often the smarter move.
Before your next cruise, consider your itinerary, drinking habits, and any perks you might already have. Avoid falling into the same traps by reading up on drink package mistakes to avoid, as this can help prevent overspending or miscalculations.
In addition, there are several other common mistakes new cruisers make that can impact your experience, so it’s worth familiarizing yourself with these. If you want to ensure a hassle-free trip, explore unbeatable cruise tips and hacks that seasoned cruisers swear by. For more insider knowledge, don’t miss out on secrets cruise lines don’t want you to know and surprising cruise rip-offs to help you avoid costly mistakes.
