Marina_Cole
Moderator
The Drink Budget Question Every Cruiser Asks
You're planning your cruise for 2026, and suddenly you're staring at a beverage package upgrade that costs anywhere from $15 to $40 per person per day. Your first instinct? "That seems expensive. I'll just pay as I go." But here's what I've learned after 40+ cruises: that decision can make or break your vacation budget — and not always in the way you'd expect.
Let me break down exactly what you're looking at, ship by ship, with real numbers and honest advice about when packages make sense and when they don't.
Understanding the Real Cost of Drinks at Sea
First, let's talk about what you're actually paying for when you order a cocktail on a cruise ship in 2026.
A standard mixed drink runs $8.50 to $12.50 depending on the cruise line — premium spirits cost more. Wine by the glass is typically $9 to $16. A beer costs $7 to $10. Even non-alcoholic beverages like specialty coffees, smoothies, and bottled juice hit $6 to $8 each. Soft drinks are usually free in dining venues, but charged at bars and pool decks.
Here's the thing most first-time cruisers don't realize: gratuity is automatically added to every single drink at most lines. That's an 18% tip on top of the base price. So that $10 cocktail? You're actually paying $11.80.
Royal Caribbean Beverage Packages: The Gold Standard
Royal Caribbean offers three beverage tiers:
- Refreshment Package — $15–$20/person/day (varies by sailing length). Includes soft drinks, coffee, juice, and smoothies. No alcohol.
- Deluxe Beverage Package — $25–$32/person/day. Adds beer, wine by the glass, and specialty cocktails (up to $15 value).
- Premium Beverage Package — $35–$45/person/day. Includes top-shelf spirits, all wines, craft cocktails, and premium coffee.
On a 7-day sailing in 2026, if you book the Deluxe package for two people, you're looking at roughly $350–$450 total.
Now, here's where the math gets interesting: If you're drinking 3–4 beverages daily (which is typical for someone enjoying their vacation), you'd spend $30–$48 per day without a package. Over 7 days, that's $210–$336 per person — before gratuity kicks in. Add the automatic tip, and you're suddenly over $250 per person. The Deluxe package starts looking pretty smart.
Pro tip: Royal Caribbean often discounts beverage packages if you book them at least 3 days before departure. I've seen savings of $5–$10/person/day by waiting and booking through our CruiseVoices community, where members share booking timing strategies.
Carnival: Cheers Package & the Bundle Play
Carnival's Cheers Beverage Package runs $16–$22/person/day and covers beer, wine, well spirits, and soft drinks (though not premium top-shelf bottles).
Here's Carnival's 2026 game-changer: the Cheers + Premium WiFi Bundle. If you're already paying for internet on a 7-day cruise (around $70–$90), bundling it with Cheers can save you $20–$40 total. That makes the effective drink cost closer to $10–$14/person/day — genuinely competitive.
Without a package, you're paying $8–$11 per drink on Carnival ships, which is lower than Royal Caribbean. But if you're a casual drinker (1–2 drinks daily), pay-as-you-go works. If you're ordering 3+ drinks daily or want wine with lunch and dinner, the Cheers package saves money.
Norwegian Cruise Line: Flexibility & Pitfalls
Norwegian's beverage philosophy is different — they charge less per drink ($7–$10) but their packages are pricier: $20–$35/person/day.
What makes Norwegian interesting (and risky) is that their package includes only what you order — there's no daily limit. But here's the trap: if you're not organized about tracking drinks, charges can surprise you. I've seen cruisers on Norwegian ships get hit with $40+ bar tabs because they lost track mid-vacation.
Honest take: Norwegian works best if you're a light drinker (1–2 daily) and you pay as you go. The package makes sense only if you're committed to 4+ drinks daily for the entire cruise.
Disney Cruise Line: Premium Pricing, Zero Surprises
Disney's Cheers Package costs $35–$42/person/day — the highest on the market. Individual drinks run $9–$14.
Why so high? Disney's package includes premium spirits, craft cocktails, and specialty coffee. Plus, families with young kids don't typically order many alcoholic drinks anyway, so Disney's pricing assumes adult-only drinkers.
For a family cruise, skip the package entirely. Get the Refreshment Package ($12–$15/day) for the kids' smoothies and frozen drinks, and parents can order wine or cocktails a la carte. You'll spend less.
For an adult-only Disney cruise? The Cheers package might make sense if you're sipping wine at Palo brunch, ordering specialty cocktails at the bars, and having drinks with dinner every night. Otherwise, it's overpriced.
Celebrity Cruises: The Sophisticated Middle Ground
Celebrity's Classic Beverage Package is $20–$28/person/day. Drinks individually run $9–$13.
What I like about Celebrity: they don't nickel-and-dime you. Their package is straightforward — no weird exclusions or restrictions. It works for moderate drinkers (2–3 daily), and you break even faster than on Disney.
Plus, Celebrity's suite guests get complimentary beverage packages, which is a huge value add if you're considering an upgrade.
MSC Cruises & the 15-Drink Daily Limit
MSC's Yacht Club membership includes a beverage package, but here's the thing: in 2026, there's a 15-drink daily limit per person. It sounds like a lot, but if you're part of a group ordering rounds, it can actually matter.
For non-Yacht Club guests, MSC's standalone beverage package is $18–$25/person/day. Individual drinks cost $7–$10 — the lowest on the market. This is where pay-as-you-go actually makes financial sense if you're a light-to-moderate drinker.
Pay-As-You-Go: The Real Math
Let's say you're taking a 7-day cruise and planning to have 2 drinks daily (a realistic amount for most vacationers). Here's what you'll actually spend:
- 14 drinks total × $10 average = $140
- Gratuity (18%) = $25.20
- Total: $165.20
Now compare that to a 7-day beverage package at $25/day:
- $25 × 7 days = $175
- Gratuity included
- Total: $175
They're nearly identical. But here's what pushes the package ahead: you'll order more drinks when they're "free." That's human nature. I've watched cruisers stick to 2 drinks daily when paying a la carte, then jump to 4–5 daily once a package is purchased. The package pays for itself if you actually use it.
My Honest Decision Framework
After 40+ cruises, here's how I decide:
- Buy a package if: You plan 3+ drinks daily, you're cruising 5+ days, or you want wine/beer with lunch AND dinner. The package removes decision paralysis and saves money.
- Skip the package if: You drink 1–2 beverages daily, you prefer soft drinks, or you're on a short 3-day cruise. The math doesn't work in your favor.
- Buy a lite package if: You want specialty coffee and smoothies but don't drink much alcohol. Refreshment packages at $12–$15/day pay for themselves quickly.
- Book early if: You're committed to a package. Pre-purchase discounts (available 3+ days before departure) save $150–$300 per cabin on a 7-day sailing.
Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About
Here's what cruise lines don't advertise:
- Bottled water isn't always free. Tap water and fountain drinks are free, but bottled water costs $3–$5 per bottle. Most packages include bottled water, but verify before booking.
- Beverage packages don't cover bottles. If you want a bottle of wine for your cabin or to take on an excursion, you'll pay full retail price ($20–$50). This is huge if you're a wine drinker.
- Room service drinks have fees. Most lines charge a delivery fee ($5–$7) even with a package. Annoying, but worth knowing.
- Casino bar drinks aren't always included. Double-check the fine print. Some casino bars operate independently and don't accept beverage package credits.
- Gratuity still applies on packages. Even though you prepaid, many lines add an automatic 15–18% tip on top of package charges. Read your receipt before leaving the bar.
2026 Booking Strategy
If you're booking a cruise for 2026, here's my playbook:
Step 1: Calculate your realistic drink consumption. (Be honest — most people drink more on vacation.)
Step 2: Check what's included in your cabin category. Suite guests often get free or discounted packages.
Step 3: Book your cruise first, wait 3–5 days, then price beverage packages. Discounts typically appear in the booking system after you complete your reservation.
Step 4: Compare against pay-as-you-go using the math I showed you above.
Step 5: If you choose a package, book it early. Pre-purchase prices are 15–25% cheaper than onboard purchases.
Use our Trip Planner at CruiseVoices to lock in your beverage package at the best available rate. Our AI concierge compares all available options and guarantees you won't find a better price elsewhere.
The Bottom Line
Beverage packages aren't a scam, but they're not for everyone either. On a typical 7-day cruise, expect to budget $100–$350 per person for beverages, depending on your consumption and the line you choose. Packages make sense if you're moderate-to-heavy drinker and value the predictability. Pay-as-you-go works if you're disciplined and light on consumption.
The biggest money-saver? Book your package before you board. Onboard purchases cost 20–30% more, and you've already committed to the cost anyway.
Have questions about which package fits your cruise? Share your sailing details and drink preferences in our community forum, and I'll help you run the numbers. Our members are always happy to compare their beverage experiences from recent sailings.