Whether the whole family needs their thirst quenching on the high seas or you’re clamouring for a spirited tipple of something a little stronger, the cost of cruise ship drinks can often mount up. To help you prepare yourself for an upcoming adventure, we’ve put together this guide to the major cruise lines’ drink prices and available packages. With a quick bit of mental arithmetic, we’re sure it’ll help you figure out if it’s worth investing in a drinks package for when you set sail.
From a snifter of something special to a cup of coffee to get you ready for the day ahead, here’s what you’ll likely pay for drinks aboard all of the major cruise lines. We’ve found the cheapest option for each section, so you should expect to fork out a little extra for that glass of 21-year old Hibiki. Also, we’ve popped the prices in with the currency used on board just to make things a little easier.
| Bottle of Beer | Glass of Wine | Spirit | Coffee/Tea | Soft Drink | Bottle of Water | |
| Azamara Cruises | $2.50 | $2.50 | – | – | – | $4.50 – Litre |
| Carnival Cruises | $4.95 | $5.75 | $4.95 | $0.95 | $1.95 | $1.95 |
| Celebrity Cruises | $6.00 | $9.00 | $8.00 | $4.50 | $2.50 | $3.50 |
| Cunard Cruises | $4.75 | $6.25 | $8.25 | $2.50 | $2.75 | $2.50 |
| Fred Olsen Cruises | £3.25 | £3.95 | £3,75 | – | – | – |
| Holland America | $4.75 | $6.00 | $5.95 | $1.20 | $1.95 | $1.95 |
| MSC Cruises | $1.70 | $2.25 | $2.80 | $1.25 | $1.90 | $1.50 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | $5.25 | $7.00 | $6.00 | $1.75 | $2.10 | $4 – Litre |
| P&O Cruises | £2.95 | £5.50 | £3.00 | Free | £1.95 | £1.50 |
| Princess Cruises | $4.95 | $7.25 | $6.25 | $1.25 | $2.25 | $2.00 |
| Royal Caribbean | $5.50 | $6.00 | $5.75 | Free | $2.25 | Free |
Some prices will change from ship-to-ship, so this should be used as a rough guide. Cruise1st cannot accept responsibility if the prices are incorrect.
Many of the major cruise lines also offer drinks packages which can help guests make huge savings during their time on the seas. Here, we list the different packages available from each line – again some of these may be tiered so we’ve included just the basic package.
Whatever your tipple of choice, the alcoholic drinks packages many of the major cruise lines offer can make paying for your onboard drinks that little bit sweeter. So, if whether it’s a glass of wine, your favourite beer or a cocktail, it’s well worth pushing the boat out with one of the following:
| Packages | |
| Azamara Cruises | Wine Lover Package $180-$350 – 5-12 bottles selected wines
Wine Connoisseur Package $315-$630 – 5-12 bottles higher value wine Ultimate Package $21.95/day – Unlimited selected liquors Premium Package $15.95/day – Unlimited selected beers |
| Carnival Cruises | Cheers Beverage Program $56.95/day plus gratuities — selected drinks not available in package |
| Celebrity Cruises | Classic Alcohol $55/day – Unlimited selected alcoholic and soft drinks
Premium Alcohol $69/day – Unlimited selected alcohol and soft drinks Classic Wine Package $125.35 per person Premium Package $171.35 per person Wine Cellar Package $219.93 per person |
| Cunard Cruises | Wine Tasting Package $35 per person
Beers, Wines and Spirits Package *$69 per person The Captain’s Collection Wine Package $175-$495 – 4-12 bottles selected wines The Commodore’s Collection Wine Package $250-$660 – 4-12 bottles selected wines |
| Fred Olsen Cruises | All-Inclusive Package £15 per person, £34 per person, per night on 1 to 4-night sailings. Includes selected tea & coffee, soft drinks, wines, beers, cider and spirits |
| Holland America | Signature Drinks Package $44.95 – All drinks under $6.95 – up to 15/day |
| MSC Cruises | Classic Drink Package $38/day – Unlimited drinks excluding premium brands, bottles of wine, sparkling wine and champagne
Deluxe Drink Package $44/day – Unlimited drinks |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Wine & Beer Package (21+) $59/day – Unlimited selected beers and wines
Ultimate Beverage Package (21+) $89/day – Unlimited selected beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks |
| P&O Cruises | Wine Commodore’s Collection £139-£246 – 6-12 bottles
Wine Captain’s Collection £116-£204 – 6-12 bottles Ultimate Drinks Package – £39.95/day |
| Princess Cruises | Premier Beverages Package $59.99/day – Unlimited beverages worth up to $12 |
| Royal Caribbean | Deluxe Drinks Package $65/day – Almost unlimited |
| Cruise & Maritime | CMV Premium Package £23/day – Welcome bottle of wine, all-inclusive bar drinks (excludes premium beverages), selected house wines, 50% premium beverages from the bar, 30% off all premium wine from list |
All prices correct August 2018, and are subject to change.
If you’re looking to keep the kids happy or just need something a little more refreshing, then there are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks packages to cool down with. You’ll also find coffee packages too, perfect for a quick pick me up in the morning.
| Packages | |
| Carnival Cruises | Bottomless Bubbles $4.95 child per day plus 15% gratuity, $7.50 adult per day plus 15% gratuity |
| Celebrity Cruises | Premium Bottled Water Package $16/day – Unlimited still or sparkling water
Premium No Alcohol $8/day – Unlimited soft drinks |
| Cunard Cruises | Soft Drinks Package $10/day plus gratuities
Hot Drinks Package $8.50/day Premium Sofa Drinks $29 per person Coffee Card $40 |
| MSC Cruises | Kids Package $18.50/day – Unlimited soft drinks |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Children’s Soda Program (12 & Under) $5.50/day – Unlimited soft drinks
Adult & Teen Soda Program (13+) $7.50/day – Unlimited soft drinks |
| P&O Cruises | Soft Drinks Package £35 – 20 Refills on soft drinks
Hot Drinks Package – £10.95/day Non-Alcoholic Package – £19.95/day Costa Coffee Card £22.50 – 10 refills on coffees |
| Princess Cruises | Café Select Card $35.65 – 15-Espresso-based coffees
Unlimited Soda $8.05/day – Unlimited selected soft drinks |
| Royal Caribbean | Classic Soda Package $10 per person, per day – all soft drinks
Refreshment Package $30 per person, per day – premium coffee and tea, bottled water, freshly squeezed juice, and non-alcoholic cocktails |
| Cruise & Maritime | CMV Plus Package £15/day – non-alcoholic beverages including soft drinks all day long |
All prices correct August 2018, and are subject to change.
Cruise lines have strict policies when it comes to bringing both your own alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks on board. Here’s a quick run through of the major cruise lines’ policies.
Azamara Cruises: You can bring bottles of liquor or wine on board to consume in your room. If consumed in any restaurant, bar or dining venue, then a $10 corkage fee applies.
Celebrity Cruises: No alcoholic beverages are to be brought on board at any time other than personal bottles of wine at the beginning of the cruise, limited to two bottles per stateroom. If guests wish to consume these in a dining venue, then each bottle is subject to a $25 corkage fee. Alcoholic beverages bought in ports of call or from onboard shops will be delivered to guests’ staterooms on the last day of sailing.
Cunard Cruises: Wine and champagne, limited to one bottle is allowed, with a $20-per-bottle corkage fee if you wish to drink in the ship’s dining and bar venues. No other liquor may be brought on board. Currently, purchased wine and liquor at ports of call will not be collected, though liquor and wine bought at on-ship stores will be.
MSC Cruises: MSC do not allow alcoholic drinks of any kind to be brought on board, even at embarkation, while all alcohol bought in port and the ships’ shops will be held until your last evening of sailing.
Norwegian Cruise Line: With the exception of wine and champagne, bringing alcohol on board is prohibited. Bottles consumed in dining or public areas are subject to a corkage fee – $15 for 750ml and $30 for 15ml bottles. Alcohol bought in port or the ship’s shop will be held and delivered to you at the end of your cruise.
P&O Cruises: P&O allow guests to take a “reasonable” amount of alcohol on board to enjoy in their cabin, but taking their own bottles into restaurants or lounges will incur a corkage fee of £15 per item.
Princess Cruises: Liquor will be confiscated and disposed of. Wine and champagne can be brought on board but are subject to a $15 corkage fee if consumed in restaurants. Liquor bought in port or from the ship’s shop will be retained until the end of your cruise.
Royal Caribbean: Guests are not permitted to bring alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages on board. On boarding day, guests may bring wine and champagne on board, limited to two bottles per stateroom. Alcohol bought in ports of call will be stored by the ship and returned to your stateroom on the last day of sailing.
If this information has helped you make your mind up about which cruise to take, explore our range of deals, or call our dedicated team on 0800 230 0655.
Image credits: Dave Herlholz
Note: This post was updated in August 2018 for accuracy and timeliness.
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