If you're trying to figure out which cruise line offers the best bang for your buck when it comes to unlimited drinks, you've come to the right place. After testing drink packages on over a dozen cruise lines, I can tell you there are some clear winners — and a few surprises that might change how you book your next cruise.
Celebrity Cruises takes the crown for best overall drink package value in 2026. Their Classic Beverage Package starts at $89 per day, covering drinks up to $12, while the Premium Package runs $105-109 daily and includes cocktails up to $19.
Here's what makes Celebrity special: no daily drink limits. While most cruise lines cap you at 15 drinks per day, Celebrity lets you drink as much as you want. Even better, if you want a premium cocktail that exceeds your package limit, you just pay the difference. Ordered a $25 top-shelf margarita with the Classic package? You'll pay $13 out of pocket ($25 minus the $12 package allowance).
The Celebrity Edge and Beyond-class ships have incredible craft cocktail programs at their specialty bars like The Retreat Sundeck and Craft Bar. I've had bartenders create custom drinks that rival high-end city cocktail lounges.
Insider tip: Celebrity's "All Included" pricing often bundles the Classic drink package with WiFi and gratuities at a discount. Book this if you see it during wave season promotions.
Norwian's Free at Sea promotion is legitimately the best drink deal in cruising — when you can get it. You'll pay just the daily service charge of $28.50 per person for what's essentially their beverage package.
The catch? Free at Sea isn't always available, and it's typically limited to certain cabin categories and sailing dates. When it's not included, NCL's Premium Plus Beverage Package costs $49.99 per day starting February 2026.
I sailed on the Norwegian Prima in September 2026 with Free at Sea, and the value was incredible. The package covered everything from craft beer at The Local Bar & Grill to frozen cocktails at Spice H20. The 15-drink daily limit never felt restrictive during my week onboard.
Pro tip: NCL's specialty restaurants like Cagney's Steakhouse and Le Bistro have extensive wine lists included in the package. Take advantage during dinner.
Princess strikes a nice balance with their Plus Beverage Package at $76.70 per day (drinks up to $15) and Premier Package at $100.30 per day (drinks up to $20). Both have 15-drink daily limits.
What I love about Princess is their wine program. The Premier package includes some excellent wines by the glass that would cost $18-22 individually. On the Sky Princess, I particularly enjoyed the selection at Sabatini's Italian Trattoria and Crown Grill.
The downside? Princess ships tend to have fewer creative cocktail options compared to Celebrity or Royal Caribbean. You'll find solid classics but fewer craft cocktails.
Want to compare Princess drink values with other cruisers? Check out our drink packages forum for real passenger experiences.
Carnival's Cheers! program remains one of the most affordable options at around $70-75 USD per day (pricing varies by ship and itinerary). The 15-drink daily limit covers beer, wine, cocktails, and specialty coffee drinks.
Here's the reality about Carnival drinks: they're perfectly fine for casual cruising, but don't expect craft cocktail artistry. The RedFrog Rum Bar makes decent tropical drinks, and the beer selection includes some craft options beyond the standard domestics.
Money-saving tip: Purchase Carnival's Cheers! package before sailing for the best price. Onboard purchases cost significantly more.
The biggest advantage of Carnival's program? It includes specialty coffee drinks from Java Blue Café, which can easily run $5-7 each. If you're a coffee drinker, this adds real value.
Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package uses dynamic pricing, meaning costs vary by ship, itinerary, and demand. Expect to pay anywhere from $89-135 per day depending on your sailing.
The package covers an impressive selection including top-shelf spirits, craft cocktails, and champagne by the glass. Royal Caribbean's newer ships like Wonder of the Seas have phenomenal bar programs. The Rising Tide Bar (which moves between decks) and Bionic Bar (with robot bartenders) create memorable experiences.
Royal Caribbean excels at specialty cocktails. Their mixologists create Instagram-worthy drinks that taste as good as they look. However, the high price point means you need to drink quite a bit to break even.
MSC introduced 15-drink daily limits starting in 2025, which reduced their package appeal. Their pricing runs $65-85 per day depending on the ship, but drink quality can be inconsistent across their fleet.
Virgin Voyages doesn't offer traditional drink packages, instead including some beverages in their fare. However, premium cocktails still require payment, and costs add up quickly for serious drinkers.
Here's how to decide which cruise line drink package works best for you:
Remember that most cruise lines require all adults in the same stateroom to purchase drink packages. Factor this into your budget, especially for couples with different drinking preferences.
Final insider tip: Book drink packages during wave season (January-March) for the best prices. Many cruise lines offer 10-20% discounts during promotional periods.
Ready to dive deeper into drink package strategies and share your own experiences? Join the conversation in our drink packages and bars forum where cruisers share real pricing, package reviews, and money-saving tips!
The Clear Winner: Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises takes the crown for best overall drink package value in 2026. Their Classic Beverage Package starts at $89 per day, covering drinks up to $12, while the Premium Package runs $105-109 daily and includes cocktails up to $19.
Here's what makes Celebrity special: no daily drink limits. While most cruise lines cap you at 15 drinks per day, Celebrity lets you drink as much as you want. Even better, if you want a premium cocktail that exceeds your package limit, you just pay the difference. Ordered a $25 top-shelf margarita with the Classic package? You'll pay $13 out of pocket ($25 minus the $12 package allowance).
The Celebrity Edge and Beyond-class ships have incredible craft cocktail programs at their specialty bars like The Retreat Sundeck and Craft Bar. I've had bartenders create custom drinks that rival high-end city cocktail lounges.
Insider tip: Celebrity's "All Included" pricing often bundles the Classic drink package with WiFi and gratuities at a discount. Book this if you see it during wave season promotions.
Best Promotional Value: Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwian's Free at Sea promotion is legitimately the best drink deal in cruising — when you can get it. You'll pay just the daily service charge of $28.50 per person for what's essentially their beverage package.
The catch? Free at Sea isn't always available, and it's typically limited to certain cabin categories and sailing dates. When it's not included, NCL's Premium Plus Beverage Package costs $49.99 per day starting February 2026.
I sailed on the Norwegian Prima in September 2026 with Free at Sea, and the value was incredible. The package covered everything from craft beer at The Local Bar & Grill to frozen cocktails at Spice H20. The 15-drink daily limit never felt restrictive during my week onboard.
Pro tip: NCL's specialty restaurants like Cagney's Steakhouse and Le Bistro have extensive wine lists included in the package. Take advantage during dinner.
Best Mid-Range Option: Princess Cruises
Princess strikes a nice balance with their Plus Beverage Package at $76.70 per day (drinks up to $15) and Premier Package at $100.30 per day (drinks up to $20). Both have 15-drink daily limits.
What I love about Princess is their wine program. The Premier package includes some excellent wines by the glass that would cost $18-22 individually. On the Sky Princess, I particularly enjoyed the selection at Sabatini's Italian Trattoria and Crown Grill.
The downside? Princess ships tend to have fewer creative cocktail options compared to Celebrity or Royal Caribbean. You'll find solid classics but fewer craft cocktails.
Want to compare Princess drink values with other cruisers? Check out our drink packages forum for real passenger experiences.
Budget-Friendly Choice: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival's Cheers! program remains one of the most affordable options at around $70-75 USD per day (pricing varies by ship and itinerary). The 15-drink daily limit covers beer, wine, cocktails, and specialty coffee drinks.
Here's the reality about Carnival drinks: they're perfectly fine for casual cruising, but don't expect craft cocktail artistry. The RedFrog Rum Bar makes decent tropical drinks, and the beer selection includes some craft options beyond the standard domestics.
Money-saving tip: Purchase Carnival's Cheers! package before sailing for the best price. Onboard purchases cost significantly more.
The biggest advantage of Carnival's program? It includes specialty coffee drinks from Java Blue Café, which can easily run $5-7 each. If you're a coffee drinker, this adds real value.
Premium Experience: Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package uses dynamic pricing, meaning costs vary by ship, itinerary, and demand. Expect to pay anywhere from $89-135 per day depending on your sailing.
The package covers an impressive selection including top-shelf spirits, craft cocktails, and champagne by the glass. Royal Caribbean's newer ships like Wonder of the Seas have phenomenal bar programs. The Rising Tide Bar (which moves between decks) and Bionic Bar (with robot bartenders) create memorable experiences.
Royal Caribbean excels at specialty cocktails. Their mixologists create Instagram-worthy drinks that taste as good as they look. However, the high price point means you need to drink quite a bit to break even.
What About MSC and Virgin Voyages?
MSC introduced 15-drink daily limits starting in 2025, which reduced their package appeal. Their pricing runs $65-85 per day depending on the ship, but drink quality can be inconsistent across their fleet.
Virgin Voyages doesn't offer traditional drink packages, instead including some beverages in their fare. However, premium cocktails still require payment, and costs add up quickly for serious drinkers.
Making the Right Choice for Your Cruise Style
Here's how to decide which cruise line drink package works best for you:
- Heavy drinkers: Celebrity's no-limit policy wins every time
- Casual drinkers (3-5 drinks daily): Norwegian with Free at Sea or Princess Plus
- Budget-conscious cruisers: Carnival Cheers! offers solid value
- Cocktail enthusiasts: Royal Caribbean or Celebrity for craft drink programs
- Wine lovers: Princess or Celebrity have the best wine selections
Remember that most cruise lines require all adults in the same stateroom to purchase drink packages. Factor this into your budget, especially for couples with different drinking preferences.
Final insider tip: Book drink packages during wave season (January-March) for the best prices. Many cruise lines offer 10-20% discounts during promotional periods.
Ready to dive deeper into drink package strategies and share your own experiences? Join the conversation in our drink packages and bars forum where cruisers share real pricing, package reviews, and money-saving tips!