The Ultimate Guide to Cruise Line Drink Packages (2026 Edition)

Are Cruise Drink Packages Really Worth It?

One of the first questions I hear from new cruisers is:

"Should I buy the drink package?"

The answer? It depends.

Some people save hundreds of dollars by purchasing a beverage package before they sail. Others spend far more than they ever would have buying drinks individually.

The trick is knowing how each cruise line structures its packages and whether your vacation style matches what they offer.

In this guide, we'll compare the major cruise lines, explain exactly what each package includes, point out the hidden rules that surprise many first-time cruisers, and even do some real-world math to help you decide if a package makes financial sense.

Whether you're dreaming of frozen piña coladas by the pool, craft beers while watching sail-away, specialty coffees each morning, or bottled water for every port stop, this guide will help you spend your vacation dollars wisely.

So let's raise a glass and dive in!

Cruise Drink Packages at a Glance

Before You Buy Any Drink Package...

Here are a few things almost every cruise line has in common.

  • You must be at least 21 years old on cruises departing the United States to purchase alcoholic packages.

  • Packages cannot be shared.

  • Only one alcoholic beverage may be ordered at a time.

  • Most cruise lines require the package to be purchased for the entire cruise rather than one day at a time.

  • Buying before your cruise is usually less expensive than purchasing onboard.

  • Beverage packages generally include gratuities or automatically add them at checkout, depending on the cruise line. Always review the final total before purchasing.

Now let's look at the biggest players in the cruise industry.

Royal Caribbean

If you're someone who enjoys a little bit of everything—cocktails, specialty coffee, bottled water, fresh juice, and maybe a glass of wine with dinner—Royal Caribbean has one of the most comprehensive beverage programs at sea.

Deluxe Beverage Package

Typical Price

Approximately $70–$105 per person, per day when purchased before sailing. Prices vary by ship, itinerary, and demand, and buying early often results in the best savings.

What's Included?

  • Cocktails

  • Beer

  • Wine by the glass

  • Premium spirits

  • Frozen drinks

  • Specialty coffees

  • Premium teas

  • Bottled still and sparkling water

  • Fresh squeezed juices

  • Mocktails

  • Fountain soda

Royal Caribbean currently includes drinks priced up to $14 each. If you order something more expensive, you'll simply pay the difference.

Does It Work on the Private Island?

Yes!

One of Royal Caribbean's biggest advantages is that the Deluxe Beverage Package works at Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas and Labadee in Haiti, making sea days at these destinations even more convenient.

Is There a Daily Limit?

No.

There is no published daily maximum on alcoholic beverages, although bartenders will always follow responsible service policies.

Refreshment Package

Perfect for guests who don't drink alcohol but love specialty beverages.

Includes:

  • Specialty coffees

  • Premium teas

  • Fresh juices

  • Bottled water

  • Mocktails

  • Milkshakes where available

  • Fountain soda

This package is a great option for families or anyone who wants more than just soft drinks.

Soda Package

If all you're after is unlimited Coca-Cola products, this is the most economical option.

Real-Life Cost Comparison

Let's imagine a relaxing sea day.

Morning:

  • Specialty latte — about $6

Mid-morning:

  • Bottled water — about $4

Lunch:

  • Frozen margarita — about $14

Afternoon:

  • Craft beer — about $9

Before dinner:

  • Glass of wine — about $15

Evening show:

  • Espresso martini — about $14

Late night:

  • Sparkling water — about $4

Buying Individually

Approximately $66 before gratuities.

After gratuities are added, your total climbs even higher.

If you also enjoy another cocktail by the pool or an after-dinner bourbon, you've already reached the break-even point for many discounted Deluxe Beverage Package prices.

Jackie's Tip

If you're sailing Royal Caribbean, watch your Cruise Planner regularly after booking. Beverage package prices often fluctuate, and if you see a better sale, you can frequently cancel your original purchase and repurchase at the lower price before your cruise. Many experienced cruisers use this strategy to save even more.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival's CHEERS! program is one of the most recognizable drink packages in cruising—and one of the few with a firm daily alcohol limit.

For many cruisers, it's still an excellent value.

CHEERS!

Typical Price

Purchased before sailing:

Around $70 per person, per day plus applicable service charges.

Purchased onboard:

Usually about $5 more per day than buying in advance.

What's Included?

  • Cocktails

  • Frozen drinks

  • Beer

  • Wine by the glass

  • Spirits

  • Specialty coffees

  • Energy drinks

  • Milkshakes

  • Bottled water

  • Specialty teas

  • Soda

  • Zero-proof cocktails

It covers a surprisingly wide variety of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

The Biggest Quirk

Carnival has a maximum of 15 alcoholic beverages per day, counted from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m..

The good news?

Soft drinks, coffee, bottled water, specialty teas, and other included non-alcoholic beverages do not count toward the 15-drink limit.

Does CHEERS! Work on Carnival's Private Islands?

No.

This surprises many first-time Carnival cruisers.

CHEERS! does not apply to purchases at destinations like Half Moon Cay or Princess Cays, so you'll pay individually for alcoholic beverages while ashore.

Sample Drink Prices

Typical onboard pricing:

  • Domestic beer: $8–$8.50

  • Wine by the glass: $11–$15.50

  • Specialty cocktails: about $12–$14

  • Martini: around $14

  • Specialty coffee: $3–$5.50

  • Bottled water: $2.50–$4.75

Real-Life Example

Imagine this vacation day:

Morning:

  • Cappuccino

Lunch:

  • Bottled water

  • Frozen daiquiri

Pool time:

  • Two beers

Dinner:

  • Glass of wine

Evening comedy club:

  • Espresso martini

Late night:

  • Another bottled water

Buying each drink individually can easily reach $65–75 before gratuities. Add one or two more cocktails during the day, and CHEERS! starts looking like a very good value.

Jackie's Tip

Carnival doesn't play the same "big sale" game that some other cruise lines do. While pre-purchasing still saves money over buying onboard, prices tend to remain relatively stable, so if you know you'll want CHEERS!, there's little reason to wait until the last minute.