Lena Savoie
There are two ways to pay for alcohol on a cruise: pay-as-you-go or drink packages. The former is straightforward, with drinks charged to your onboard account via your room keycard. Drink packages, on the other hand, are typically sold by the cruise, not by the day, and can be a valuable budgeting tool. They usually offer unlimited drinks for a fixed daily price, ranging from $50-60 to $70 per person, per day, including gratuity. However, they may not be cost-effective for light drinkers or those spending little time on the ship. Additionally, packages often have restrictions, such as upper limits on drink prices or exclusions for certain beverages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Payment methods | Room keycard, cash, or credit card |
| Drink packages | Unlimited drinks for a fixed daily price |
| Drink package pricing | $50-60 per person per day, plus service charge |
| Drink package limitations | Must be purchased for the entire cruise, and by all adults in the same stateroom |
| Drink package savings | Best for passengers who order a large number of drinks daily |
| Drink package restrictions | Upper limit of $12-$15 per drink; wine by the glass covered, but not bottles |
| Drinks included in base fares | Wine and beer with lunch and dinner on some cruise lines |
| Bringing your own drinks | Some cruise lines charge a "corkage fee" |
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What You'll Learn
Paying for individual drinks
Paying for drinks individually can be a costly affair on a cruise. Cocktails on cruise ships usually cost around $10–14 per drink, excluding gratuity. With gratuity, you can expect to pay around $12–$16.50 per beverage. Thus, if you plan on drinking a lot, drink packages can save you money.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when considering drink packages. Firstly, they are typically sold by the cruise and not by the day. So, if you're on a seven-day cruise, you'll be paying for all seven days, even if you don't plan on drinking every day. Secondly, drink packages usually have limitations. For example, there may be a limit of 15 alcoholic beverages per day, and certain drinks, such as premium single malt Scotch, may not be included in the package, and you'll have to pay the difference in price. Additionally, if one adult in the cabin purchases a drink package, all other adults in the same cabin must also purchase it.
When paying for individual drinks, you don't need cash or a credit card. Instead, you can use your room keycard, which is charged to your onboard account. You may also give your room number, and the staff will charge your account accordingly. Once charged, you'll be presented with a receipt to sign for your drink.
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Pre-paid drinks packages
There are several benefits to pre-paid drinks packages. Firstly, they can offer good value for money, especially for those who consume a large number of drinks throughout the day. This includes specialty coffees, sodas, and alcoholic beverages, which can add up when purchased individually. Secondly, pre-paid packages allow passengers to budget for their drinks in advance, as they know exactly how much they will spend on drinks for the entire cruise. This can make bar-hopping more convenient, as there is no need to worry about individual drink prices or running up a large bar tab.
However, there are also some restrictions and drawbacks to consider. Pre-paid drinks packages are typically sold by the cruise and not by the day, so passengers pay the same daily rate even on days when they may not drink as much. Additionally, some packages have a unit cost upper limit, and if passengers wish to consume more expensive drinks, they may have to pay the difference. Certain packages also exclude beverages purchased at specific locations, such as private islands or certain ports.
It is worth noting that not all pre-paid drinks packages are created equal, and it is essential to review the specific inclusions and exclusions before purchasing. Some packages may offer discounts on wine bottle purchases or have restrictions on the number of alcoholic drinks per day. Additionally, some cruise lines require that all adults in the same stateroom purchase the same package, which can be a consideration for groups with varying drinking preferences.
Overall, pre-paid drinks packages can be a convenient and cost-effective option for passengers who plan to consume a significant number of beverages during their cruise. However, it is important to carefully review the package details and consider one's drinking habits to determine if it is the best option for their specific needs.
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Drinks packages: worth the cost?
Whether a drinks package is worth the cost depends on several factors. Firstly, how expensive the drinks package is compared to the cost of drinks purchased individually. This varies significantly between cruise lines; for instance, Carnival Cruise Line offers a package for $80 a day if booked in advance, whereas Royal Caribbean offers a package for $105 a day.
Secondly, it depends on how much you drink and what you drink. Some drinks packages have a unit cost upper limit of $12-$15 per drink, so if your drink of choice is more expensive than this, you will have to pay the difference. Wine by the glass is typically covered, but whole bottles are not. However, some lines offer wine packages with sizable discounts of up to 40%. If you are a beer drinker, packages are generally not a good deal as you would have to drink a large number of beers per day for the package to pay off. Packages may be better value for wine drinkers, as the cost of wine by the glass on cruise ships is often high. Packages may also be good value for those who drink a lot of non-alcoholic beverages, such as specialty coffees and sodas, which normally come with an extra charge.
Thirdly, it depends on whether you will have access to any free drinks on the ship. On some river cruise ships, wine and beer with lunch and dinner are included in the base fare, and some cruise lines include all or most alcoholic drinks in their base fares. Some drinks packages must be purchased for the entirety of the cruise, which may not be worth it if you plan to spend a lot of time off the ship or don't plan to drink every day.
Overall, drinks packages are likely to be worth it if you are a big spender on drinks, particularly pricier drinks, and plan to spend a lot of time on the ship. However, if you are an occasional drinker or prefer beer, you may be better off ordering à la carte.
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Bringing your own drinks
While some cruise lines include alcoholic drinks in their base fares, others charge extra for alcoholic drinks served at meals or outside of mealtimes. Some lines even offer drink packages that must be purchased for the entirety of the cruise. These packages can be a good value for money for those who consume a lot of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
However, if you are particular about bringing your own drinks, you may need to be aware of the cruise line's policies. Alcohol policies vary widely from line to line, and many lines charge a corkage fee if you want to consume your purchase in a public space. For instance, Royal Caribbean Cruises does not allow guests to bring beer or hard liquor onboard for consumption or any other use. But they do allow guests to bring one 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne for each individual sailing. Additional bottles will be stored by the ship and delivered to the stateroom on the first day of each new voyage.
If you are set on bringing your own drinks, it is important to check the policies of your chosen cruise line. Some lines may allow a small amount of alcohol to be brought on board, while others may have a strict no-alcohol policy. It is also worth noting that some people may choose to sneak alcohol onboard to get around these policies, but this is not recommended as it could result in fines or other penalties.
Overall, bringing your own drinks on a cruise can be a great way to save money, but it is important to be aware of the cruise line's policies and any associated fees or restrictions.
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Paying with a room keycard
When on a cruise, you don't need to carry cash or a credit card to buy drinks. Instead, you can simply hand over your room keycard, which acts as a charge card for your onboard account. You may also be asked for your room number, which staff will use to charge your account. Once charged, you will be given a receipt to sign for your drink. If you have a drink package, the bar staff will know when your card is swiped that you have the package and you won't be charged for the beverage.
It's worth noting that drink packages are usually sold by the cruise, not by the day. So, if you're on a seven-day cruise, you'll be paying the daily rate for all seven days, even if you don't plan to drink every day. Additionally, most cruise lines mandate that if one person in a stateroom buys a drink package, every other adult in the same room must also purchase it.
Drink packages can be a good value if you plan to drink a lot or if you want to include non-alcoholic specialty drinks, like lattes or sodas, which often come with an extra charge. However, it's important to do your research, as not all drink packages are created equal, and each comes with its own restrictions. For example, some packages have a unit cost upper limit of $12-$15 per drink, and if you order a more expensive drink, you'll have to pay the difference. While wine by the glass is typically covered, whole bottles of wine are not, although significant discounts of up to 40% may be offered on wine bottle purchases.
If you choose to pay as you go, be prepared for high prices. Cocktails on cruise ships usually cost around $10-14 per drink before gratuity, which can add up to $12 to $16.50 per beverage.
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Frequently asked questions
You can either pay as you go or buy a drinks package. To buy a drink, you just need to hand over your room keycard, which acts as a charge card for your onboard account.
Drinks packages usually include an unlimited amount of certain drinks, though there are different types of packages available. Some packages include alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, while others are just for soft drinks.
The cost of drinks packages varies depending on the cruise line and the type of package. Alcohol packages can range from around \$50 to \$60 per person per day, or from \$62 to \$138. Soft drinks packages are generally cheaper, with an average cost of \$23.
It depends on how much you drink, what you drink, and whether you'll have access to any free drinks. If you're a light drinker, you may be better off ordering drinks individually.
It depends on the cruise line. Some lines charge a 'corkage fee' if you want to drink your own alcohol in the bars or restaurants, while others allow you to bring drinks onboard at embarkation.
