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Drinks packages and bundles with extras make your cruise more affordable and easier, by giving you unlimited or limited access to drinks, wifi, excursions and dining. When you book your first cruise, the cost of drinks and extra services may seem manageable, but individual prices add up quickly. A cocktail on board costs between €10 and €15, speciality coffee around €5, and even a bottle of water can set you back a few euros. By booking drinks packages and bundles with extras in advance, you not only save money, you also enjoy your trip without unpleasant surprises on your final bill. Discover which packages best match your travel habits and how to get the most out of them.
Why a drinks package is worth considering
Drinks packages give you access to a wide range of drinks for a fixed daily rate. You can choose non-alcoholic versions with soft drinks, juices, speciality coffee and water, or alcoholic packages with beer, wine, cocktails and premium spirits. The main advantages are predictability and convenience: you pay a fixed amount per day in advance and no longer have to think about every order once on board.
Another advantage is that gratuities are often already included in the package price. With individual orders, a service charge is added per drink, which quickly adds up. With a package, you do not pay an extra tip per glass.
Most cruise lines do apply daily limits. Many alcoholic packages allow a maximum of 15 drinks per day, with a maximum value per drink of, for example, €9 or €14. Drinks above that value can be ordered at an additional charge. Non-alcoholic packages usually have no limit.
Popular drinks packages by cruise line
Every cruise line offers different packages, with their own rules and inclusions. Below are the most popular options:
MSC Cruises
- Easy: selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
- Easy Plus: drinks up to €9 per glass
- Premium Extra: drinks up to €14 per glass, including access to speciality restaurants
- Kids package: non-alcoholic options for children
At MSC, packages are personal and cannot be shared between travellers. There is a maximum of 15 alcoholic drinks per day.
Costa Cruises
- All-you-can-drink: unlimited drinks during lunch and dinner
- My Drinks Plus: from €50 per person per day, including premium brands
With Costa, everyone in the same cabin has to take the same package. The packages do not apply in all speciality restaurants, so check in advance which venues are excluded.
Royal Caribbean
- Soda: unlimited soft drinks
- Refreshment: non-alcoholic drinks such as juices and speciality coffee
- Deluxe: alcoholic drinks, coffee and juices
An important rule with Royal Caribbean is that all adults in a cabin must take the Deluxe package if one person chooses it. This is to prevent guests sharing drinks.
Holland America
- Quench: non-alcoholic drinks
- Signature: drinks up to a value of $15, maximum 15 per day
- Have It All bundle: combination of drinks package, wifi and excursion credit
The Have It All bundle is popular with cruisers who want to combine multiple services for a fixed daily rate.
Bundles with extras for more value
In addition to drinks packages, many cruise lines offer bundles that combine several services. These packages are especially interesting if you plan to use wifi, speciality restaurants or excursions regularly on board.
A bundle usually costs between $55 and $70 per person per day and typically includes:
- Drinks package (non-alcoholic or alcoholic)
- Wifi access
- Excursion credit for port calls
- Access to speciality restaurants
- Sometimes exclusive access to lounges or priority services
For guests in suites, a premium drinks package is often already included. With MSC Cruises, for example, this applies to the Yacht Club, where luxury accommodation is combined with extensive inclusions.
How to work out whether a package pays off
Whether a drinks package is good value depends on your consumption on board. Add up how many drinks you order on average per day and multiply this by the individual price. An alcoholic package is usually worth it from around five drinks a day. Non-alcoholic packages are less likely to be worthwhile, because basic drinks such as water, coffee and tea are often free at buffets.
Take the following factors into account:
- How much time do you spend on board? If your itinerary includes many ports, you drink less on board during the day.
- Do you mainly drink basic drinks, or do you go for premium brands and cocktails?
- Do you use speciality restaurants where different rules may apply?
Travellers report on forums that packages are particularly stress-free for families and groups. You do not have to think about costs and can relax and enjoy yourself. However, cruisers do warn about the ‘package pressure’ in cabins, where all adults have to take the same package. If you choose a non-alcoholic package for children, this can help to reduce the total cost.
‘ Travellers feel pressured to make a choice at the start of the cruise, so prepare yourself by thinking about your preferences in advance. ’
Book in advance for discounts and flexibility
Most cruise lines offer discounts of up to 15% if you book drinks packages in advance via your booking portal or cruise specialist. On board, prices are higher and the choice is sometimes more limited. When there are promotions, check whether packages are included free of charge with certain cruises or booking periods.
Upgrading on board is possible. You can start with a basic package and later switch to a premium version, but this costs more than booking in advance. Travellers feel pressured to make a choice at the start of the cruise, so prepare yourself by thinking about your preferences in advance.
Regional variations and restrictions
Prices and inclusions of drinks packages vary by destination and cruise length. On cruise lines’ private islands, different rules may apply, sometimes with limited access to certain drinks or venues. Check the conditions for each cruise to avoid surprises.
Different rules apply in some speciality restaurants. Not all packages give access to premium wines or Champagne listed on the menu. Ask on board about the exact inclusions if you are unsure.
Free alternatives that save you money
Not every drink has to come from a package. Basic drinks such as tap water, coffee, tea and juice are free at buffets and self-service stations. Fill reusable bottles with water for excursions so you do not have to buy expensive bottles ashore.
Many cruises offer welcome drinks or special deals during happy hours. These moments provide extra value without a package. Keep an eye on the daily newsletter for temporary discounts on drinks or dining options.
‘ “By booking in advance you benefit from discounts and have more choice.” ’
Maximise your budget and enjoy a carefree trip
Drinks packages and bundles with extras ensure that you know your spending in advance and can relax on board without thinking about every order. By booking in advance you benefit from discounts and have more choice. Work out your daily consumption, check the rules for each cruise line and choose the package that matches your travel style.
On the Traveler Tips website you will find much more information about cruises, from packing lists and port calls to tips for excursions and on-board costs. Discover more useful guides and plan your next trip with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
A drinks package on the train is mainly worthwhile if, during your journey, you would buy several paid drinks and the package price clearly comes out lower than that separate total. It provides extra comfort when you are on long journeys and like the idea of being able to drink freely or without worry, without constantly paying or comparing prices. For a smart traveller it really pays off only if you use it intensively (several coffees, soft drinks or alcoholic drinks a day) and your journeys are long enough. If you travel short distances or drink little, a single drink is usually cheaper and almost just as comfortable.
Plan atmospheric but inexpensive stops, such as viewpoints, local markets or short walks in nature, so that the journey itself already becomes an experience. Create a good playlist or select podcasts and take a simple Bluetooth speaker for music breaks in scenic spots. Bring your own snacks, a thermos flask and picnic gear so you can eat together pleasantly without pricey restaurants. Add small rituals, such as a disposable camera, a travel journal or collecting postcards at every stop.
First compare your expected drink consumption per day (number of coffees, soft drinks, cocktails, glasses of wine) with the individual prices and see whether a package works out cheaper. Then check which extras (wifi, excursions, speciality restaurants) you are really going to use, and whether a bundle with extras is cheaper than buying everything separately. Pay attention to rules such as “all adults in the same cabin must take the same package” and any daily limits or price caps per drink. Only take out packages that match your everyday habits and set a maximum budget per day in advance so you stay within your financial comfort zone.
Useful but often forgotten extras include, for example, a universal travel adapter with multiple USB ports so you can charge all devices at once in the train or car. A compact extension lead or power strip with a long cable saves you from hunting for the few sockets available on the train. For car journeys, a pre-set navigation app with offline maps and real-time traffic information can save a lot of time. On the train, pre-downloaded entertainment (podcasts, series) and a small organiser or bag-in-bag for tickets, cards and earphones provide noticeably more convenience.
Bundle options such as “Have It All”-type packages (drinks + wifi + excursion credit + speciality restaurants) usually offer the best value, because several fixed costs are covered if your plans or daily schedule change unexpectedly. Packages that still allow you to upgrade on board from basic to premium drinks (for example from Easy to Premium) offer the most flexibility if your usage turns out differently than expected. All-inclusive packages that work per day rather than per activity (so not only valid at lunch or dinner) are least affected by changes to excursions or port times. Suites or premium zones where drinks are already included (such as Yacht Club-type concepts) are also flexible, because you do not incur extra drink costs if there are delays or missed ports.
