Cruise Drink Package Calculator
Find out whether a cruise drink package is worth buying compared to paying for drinks individually.
Paying per drink may be the better choice. Difference: $112.00
This is an estimate. Cruise drink package rules vary by cruise line, included beverages, gratuities, daily limits, and whether all adults in a cabin must buy the package.
What counts toward the drink package?
Most premium cruise drink packages cover alcoholic beverages (beer, wine by the glass, cocktails, and spirits) up to a per-drink price limit, plus specialty coffees from onboard cafés, fountain soda, bottled water, juices, and mocktails. Common exclusions include premium wines and champagnes above the cap, mini-bar items, room service drinks, drinks at private islands not operated by the cruise line, and bottled spirits or souvenir glassware.
When a cruise drink package is worth it
- You consistently drink 5+ alcoholic drinks per day.
- Your itinerary is sea-day heavy with plenty of onboard time.
- You enjoy multiple specialty coffees from the onboard café.
- You prefer bottled water over tap and drink it often.
- You value the convenience of not seeing a bill after every order.
When it is not worth it
- The cruise has many port days and little time onboard.
- You are a light drinker or do not drink alcohol.
- Free beverages (buffet coffee, tea, lemonade, tap water) already cover most of what you need.
- The package excludes the brands you actually want.
- Your cruise line requires every adult in the cabin to buy the package.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the 18–20% gratuity added to the package price.
- Ignoring port days when you will not be onboard to drink.
- Assuming every drink on the menu is included.
- Overestimating how much you will drink every single day of the trip.