Theo Nash
Cruising and drinking often go hand in hand, but alcoholic drinks on cruise ships can be expensive. Many cruise lines offer drink packages that allow guests to purchase a fixed number of drinks or unlimited drinks for a flat fee. Some cruise lines include alcoholic drinks in their fares, but these tend to be higher-end cruise lines. Examples of cruise lines that include alcoholic drinks in their fares include AmaWaterways, Avalon, Azamara, and Tauck.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cruise lines with drink packages | Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, AmaWaterways, Tauck, Uniworld, Vantage, Viking, Avalon, Azamara, Celestyal, Virgin Voyages |
| Types of drink packages | Basic packages include sodas and bottled water; more expensive packages include alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails, wine, beer, and specialty coffee drinks |
| Drink package costs | Vary by line, ranging from $30 for shorter sailings to $60-$100 per person, per day |
| Onboard drinks without a package | Can be pricey, with individual drinks charged at restaurant prices |
| Other options | Pre-purchasing a bar tab or drink card for a fixed number of drinks at a discount |
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What You'll Learn
Cruise lines with alcohol included in the price
There are several cruise lines that include alcoholic drinks in their fares. Here are some examples:
AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways offers a selection of complimentary local wines and beers during lunch and dinner on itineraries in Europe, Africa, and Vietnam and Cambodia.
Tauck
Tauck includes house wine, beer, premium liquor, non-alcoholic drinks, and a fully-stocked in-room mini-bar with water and soft drinks.
Uniworld
Uniworld cruises in Europe, Asia, and Egypt include complimentary wine, beer, and spirits, though this may depend on your itinerary.
Vantage
Vantage river cruises offer a complimentary selection of beer, red or white wine, and soft drinks at each dinner. Additional alcoholic drinks may be purchased à la carte.
Viking
Viking cruises include complimentary house wines, beers, and soft drinks with lunches and dinners onboard. An additional package is available for purchase if you wish to order premium wines, beers, and cocktails.
Azamara
International beers, a selection of wines, and standard spirits from a limited cocktail menu are included in your cruise fare with Azamara. Premium packages are available for purchase, which include premium liquors and wines.
Celestyal
Greece-based Celestyal cruises include unlimited complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including draft beer, wine by the glass, port, brandy, cognac, whisky, rum, vodka, tequila, specialty martinis, and cocktails.
Crystal
Crystal cruises include fine wines and premium liquors, as well as non-alcoholic soft drinks, coffees, and bottled water.
Emerald Waterways
Emerald Waterways river cruises include beer, wine, and soft drinks with every lunch and dinner meal.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line offers an affordable drinks package for $30 per day per person, which includes unlimited alcoholic drinks, soda, mocktails, and more.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean offers the Deluxe Drink Package, which includes top-shelf liquor and unlimited drinks throughout your cruise. The price varies depending on factors such as loyalty membership and can range from $60 to $100 per person per day.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line offers the CHEERS! package, which includes a variety of drinks and is popular for its all-inclusive nature. The main drink packages that include all types of drinks typically cost about $60 to $90 per person per day.
It is important to note that drink packages and policies may change, and it is always a good idea to research the most up-to-date information before booking a cruise.
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Drink packages
Carnival Cruise Line offers a Bottomless Bubbles package, which includes unlimited soda and juice for a flat price. They also offer a CHEERS! package, which includes a variety of drinks and is popular for its convenience and all-inclusive nature.
Royal Caribbean Cruises offers a Deluxe Beverage package, which includes unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including top-shelf liquor, for $60 to $100 per person, per day. They also offer a Classic Soda Package and a Refreshment Package, which includes mocktails, premium coffees, teas, and fresh-squeezed juices.
Norwegian Cruise Line offers a More at Sea package for $30 for passengers who book a sailing of seven nights or fewer. The package includes a variety of cocktails, wine, soft drinks, and beer.
Virgin Voyages does not offer drink packages, but they have partnered with top mixologists and bartenders to create an unrivalled beverage program with top-quality drinks at fair prices. They offer pre-paid Bar Tabs, which can be used for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including coffee, pressed juices, and smoothies.
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Flat-fee drink packages
Nearly all major mass-market cruise lines offer flat-fee drink packages, with exceptions including Disney Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages. These packages can save you money, especially if you plan on drinking several alcoholic beverages per day. Cruise ship drink packages allow you to order as many drinks as you want while on a cruise for a single flat fee, instead of paying for each drink individually.
The cost of cruise ship drink packages varies by line. At some of the biggest cruise brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, and MSC Cruises, the main drink packages that include all types of drinks cost about $60 to $90 per person, per day. For example, the CHEERS! package from Carnival Cruise Line includes sodas, zero-proof frozen cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffee, hot tea, bottled water, and other non-alcoholic bottled beverages. It also offers a 25% discount on any spirit or wine by the glass above $20.
At the other end of the price spectrum, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a More at Sea package for $30 per person per day for passengers who book a sailing of seven nights or fewer. This package includes a variety of cocktails, wine by the glass, soft drinks, and draft and bottled beer. It also offers $15 off the listed price for ultra-premium selections in Norwegian's Connoisseur Collection of drinks, including brands like Johnnie Walker Blue, Clase Azul Tequila, and Veuve Clicquot.
In addition to these flat-fee drink packages, some cruise lines offer coffee cards that allow you to purchase a fixed number of specialty coffee drinks at a discounted price. Other lines offer wine-specific packages.
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Alcoholic drinks on cruise lines
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line offers the CHEERS! package, which includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The package is popular for its convenience and variety of drinks included. It costs around $60 to $90 per person per day and allows a maximum of 15 alcoholic beverages per person per 24-hour period.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean offers the Deluxe Beverage Package, which includes unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The package has a dynamic pricing system, ranging from $60 to $100 per person per day. It includes top-shelf liquor and a 40% discount on select bottled wines.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line offers a drink package for $30 per passenger for sailings of seven nights or fewer with their More at Sea package. The package includes cocktails, wine, beer, and soft drinks. For passengers who opt-out of this package, the daily rate is $89, excluding taxes and fees.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages does not offer drink packages but instead offers a range of drink options at various price points. They have partnered with renowned mixologists and bartenders to create an extensive beverage program. They also offer a pre-purchase Bar Tab option, where passengers can receive bonus onboard credit for drinks, including alcoholic beverages.
River Cruise Lines
Several river cruise lines include alcoholic drinks in their fares, such as Tauck, Uniworld, Vantage, Viking, Avalon, AmaWaterways, and Celestyal. These cruise lines typically offer complimentary wine, beer, and sometimes premium liquor during meals, with restrictions depending on the itinerary.
Overall, it is important for passengers to research the drink policies of different cruise lines and consider their drinking preferences when deciding whether to purchase drink packages or pay per drink.
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Cruise lines with drink packages
Cruise lines that offer drink packages typically provide a range of options, from basic packages that include non-alcoholic beverages to more expensive packages that feature alcoholic drinks. Here are some examples of cruise lines with drink packages:
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line offers various drink packages, including the Bottomless Bubbles unlimited soda program and the CHEERS! package, which includes alcoholic beverages. The CHEERS! package provides convenience and a variety of drinks, including beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails. The cost of the CHEERS! package is dynamic and can range from $60 to $100 per person per day.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean offers the Deluxe Beverage package, which includes unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. This package features top-shelf liquor and a wide selection of brands. The cost is also dynamic, ranging from $60 to $100 per person per day. They also offer the Classic Soda Package and the Refreshment Package, which include non-alcoholic beverages.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line offers a drink package for $30 per passenger for sailings of seven nights or fewer with their More at Sea package. The package includes a variety of cocktails, wine, soft drinks, and beer. For passengers who opt-out of this package, the daily rate is $89, excluding taxes and fees.
AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is a river cruise line that offers complimentary local wines and beers during lunch and dinner on itineraries in Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia, including Vietnam and Cambodia.
Uniworld
Uniworld offers complimentary wine, beer, and spirits on their cruises in Europe, Asia, and Egypt. However, there may be restrictions depending on the specific itinerary.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages does not offer traditional drink packages but instead focuses on providing top-quality drinks at reasonable prices. They have partnered with renowned mixologists and bartenders to create an exceptional beverage program. Virgin Voyages also offers pre-purchased Bar Tabs, allowing passengers to set aside a specific amount for drinks, including alcohol and non-alcoholic options.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few cruise lines that include alcohol in the price of the cruise. These include Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Tauck, Vantage, Viking, Azamara, and Celestyal.
Avalon Waterways includes free wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, plus sparkling wine at breakfast on European river cruises.
AmaWaterways features a selection of complimentary local wines and beers during lunch and dinner on itineraries in Europe, Africa, and Vietnam and Cambodia.
Nearly all the major mass-market cruise lines offer flat-fee drink packages. Some examples include Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises.
