Colorful cocktails lined up on a bar counter, the kind of drinks covered by a Royal Caribbean drink package

Royal Caribbean Drink Package Rules: 4 Ways People Try to Cheat It (and Why It’s Not Worth It)

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsFood and drinkRoyal Caribbean

The main Royal Caribbean drink package rules are simple. Packages are per person and can’t be shared. If one adult in a cabin buys the Deluxe Beverage Package, every other guest of drinking age in that cabin has to buy it too. You get one drink at a time, and each adult can bring just one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne on embarkation day. People try to get around these rules every sailing, but getting caught can cost far more than the package itself. Some legitimate tricks get you better value.

Below we cover the four most common ways people try to “cheat” the drink package, what Royal Caribbean actually does about each one, and the legal ways to cut your bar bill on a 2026 or 2027 cruise.

Royal Caribbean Drink Package Rules at a Glance (2026)

Before getting into the workarounds people try, here are the rules as Royal Caribbean states them in its beverage package FAQs, current as of late 2026:

  • Per guest, no sharing: Every package belongs to one guest. Bartenders serve one drink at a time and check your SeaPass card (it shows a sticker or printed verification) before serving.
  • Same-cabin rule: If one guest of legal drinking age buys the Deluxe Beverage Package, all guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom must buy it too.
  • Whole cruise only: Packages cover the full sailing, not single days. You can buy online in the Cruise Planner until about 72 hours before you sail, or onboard during the first couple of days.
  • No daily drink limit: Royal Caribbean says there’s no daily cap on the Deluxe package. Crew can still refuse to serve anyone who has clearly had enough.
  • 18% gratuity: An automatic 18% gratuity is added to the package price, whether you buy before or during the cruise.
  • Exclusions: Starbucks is not included. Since March 15, 2026, Coca-Cola Freestyle souvenir cups are no longer included with the Deluxe or Refreshment packages ($4.99 extra if you want one). Room service and some specialty items are also excluded.

What’s included in each package

Package What it covers Typical 2026 price (per person, per day, before 18% gratuity)
Classic Soda Unlimited fountain soda, Coca-Cola Freestyle access and a Freestyle cup About $9.99-$18
Royal Refreshment Soda, mocktails, specialty (non-Starbucks) coffees and teas, fresh juices, Johnny Rockets milkshakes, bottled still and sparkling water About $29-$42
Deluxe Beverage Everything in Refreshment plus cocktails, spirits, beer and wine by the glass (drinks valued up to $14), with a discount on select bottles of wine About $56-$120

Prices change by ship, sailing and how far ahead you buy, so treat these ranges as a guide and check your own Cruise Planner for live pricing.

Colourful cocktails lined up on a bar counter, the kind of drinks covered by a Royal Caribbean drink package
Cocktails, beer and wine are all covered by the Deluxe Beverage Package, but only for the person who bought it. Photo: Mohamed Olwy on Pexels

4 Ways People Try to Cheat the Royal Caribbean Drink Package

Search for “how to cheat Royal Caribbean drink package” and you’ll find the same handful of tricks over and over. Here’s how each one works in theory, and why it usually doesn’t pay off.

1. Sharing one package between two people

This is the most common one. One person buys the Deluxe package and orders “their” drinks, then passes every other cocktail to a partner or friend who didn’t pay. Sometimes it’s a whole group feeding off one or two packages.

Why it’s not worth it: Sharing is the exact problem Royal Caribbean’s rules are written to stop. The one-drink-at-a-time rule, SeaPass checks at every bar and the same-cabin requirement all exist because of it. Bar staff serve the same guests for a week and spot patterns quickly, and the onboard system records every drink against your account. Guests caught sharing risk having the package cancelled without a refund and being charged regular bar prices for what they’ve already drunk. In serious cases, they can be removed from the ship. You’d lose a package that may have cost $500 or more per person on a 7-night cruise just to save a few drinks.

2. Getting around the same-cabin rule

Because the same-cabin rule doubles the cost for couples where only one person drinks much, people look for loopholes. These include booking the non-drinker into a different cabin on paper, or making up a medical reason to get an exemption.

The rules here have changed twice recently. In August 2025, Royal Caribbean dropped its phone-based exception process altogether. In September 2026, Royal Caribbean Blog reported that a limited exception is back. Guests now fill in a Beverage Package Accommodation Request form, and only three reasons are considered: disability, a medical condition or pregnancy. Requests are reviewed case by case, a reply takes about 10 business days, and an approved guest still has to buy a non-alcoholic package. Simply not drinking much doesn’t qualify.

Why it’s not worth it: The form spells out the penalties for false or misleading information. They include being charged the full alcohol package price for the whole cruise, losing the exemption, being referred to the authorities, and being removed from the ship with your cabin mates at your own expense and with no refund. You can also be banned from sailing with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Silversea. That’s a big risk to take over a drinks bill.

Bottle of red wine and two glasses on a table by a sunny window
Each adult can bring one sealed bottle of wine or champagne on boarding day. Photo: Xuân Thống Trần on Pexels

3. Sneaking Alcohol Onboard

“Rum runners” are the classic cruise trick: plastic flasks hidden in luggage, vodka poured into water bottles, or resealed mouthwash bottles filled with spirits. Some people skip the package entirely and drink their own supply in the cabin. Others buy a package for one person and top up with smuggled alcohol for the rest of the group.

Why it’s not worth it: Every bag is X-rayed at the terminal and again when you come back from each port. Royal Caribbean’s onboard policy says beer, seltzer and hard liquor found on embarkation day are kept and returned at the end of the cruise only if they’re unopened and in their original packaging. Anything in other containers, which covers most smuggling tricks, is thrown away. Spirits you buy in port are also held and handed back on the last day. Your bag can be held at security too, and repeat or deliberate attempts can lead to further action under the guest conduct policy.

4. Bringing More Wine Than the Allowance

Wine is the one alcohol you’re allowed to bring, which is why people push the limit with extra bottles, boxed wine or wine bags tucked into luggage.

The actual rule: on embarkation day, each guest of drinking age may bring one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne. Boxed wine and other containers aren’t allowed. Extra bottles are stored by the ship and returned on the last day. On back-to-back cruises, you can bring one bottle per sailing, and the extra bottles are delivered to your cabin one at a time at the start of each new voyage.

You can drink your bottle in your cabin for free. If you open it in a restaurant, bar or lounge, Royal Caribbean charges a $15 per bottle corkage fee, and the line has been enforcing it more consistently over the past couple of years.

Why it’s not worth it: Extra bottles are simply held until the end, so you gain nothing. Your one legal bottle is the real value here: bring something you’d really enjoy and share it with your partner over dinner or on the balcony.

Legit Ways to Get Value From Royal Caribbean Drinks

If the aim is to drink well for less, there are plenty of ways to do it that keep you inside the rules.

  1. Buy during a pre-cruise sale. Royal Caribbean regularly runs sales on beverage packages in the Cruise Planner, and pre-cruise prices are usually lower than onboard. Check often after booking. Pre-cruise purchases can be cancelled for a 100% refund up to 2 days before sailing, so if the price drops, you can cancel and rebuy at the lower price.
  2. Do the maths honestly. Divide the daily price plus 18% by about $14 (a typical cocktail price) to see how many drinks you need per day to break even. For most sailings, that’s roughly five to nine alcoholic drinks a day. If you won’t drink that many, paying as you go is often cheaper. If one of you drinks a lot and the other doesn’t, the Refreshment package or no package at all for both may work out better than two Deluxe packages.
  3. Use Crown & Anchor Society perks. Diamond members (80 points) get 4 drink vouchers per person per day, Diamond Plus get 5 and Pinnacle Club 6. Each voucher covers a drink up to $14 (not at Starbucks or the Bionic Bar), and the Crown Lounge offers complimentary food at set times. Platinum members (30 points) are invited to a Top Tier event on longer sailings, with free drinks.
  4. Casino Royale status. Players who reach higher casino tiers get free drinks at the casino bar. It’s only worth it if you’d gamble anyway, because you’ll almost certainly lose more than the drinks are worth.
  5. Free champagne at art auctions and events. Art auctions usually serve complimentary champagne, and some welcome or loyalty events serve drinks too.
  6. Suite perks. Grand Suite guests and above get Suite Lounge drinks, and Star Class includes a drink package. See our guide to Royal Caribbean The Key vs suite perks to see whether upgrading makes sense.
  7. Drinks in port. Beach clubs and catamaran excursions often include rum punch or local beer, and port bars are usually much cheaper than onboard. Check whether your excursion includes drinks before you buy a package for a port-heavy itinerary.

Not sure what to order once you’re onboard? Our list of the best cruise drinks to try is a good place to start, whether or not you have a package.

Royal Caribbean Drink Package Sharing: What Happens if You’re Caught

Royal Caribbean doesn’t publish a fixed penalty list for sharing a regular package. Based on its stated rules and the exemption form, these are the realistic outcomes:

  • A warning from bar staff or a manager, and closer checks on your SeaPass.
  • Your package cancelled, with no refund for the unused part and regular bar prices charged for what you’ve already had.
  • For fraud such as false exemption claims, retroactive full package charges, referral to the authorities, being removed from the ship at your own cost, and a possible ban across Royal Caribbean Group brands.

Also keep in mind that you can’t simply cancel a package halfway through for your money back. Once you’ve started using it, cancelling onboard means what you’ve already consumed is charged at full price, and any refund goes back to your onboard account.

Is the Royal Caribbean Drink Package Worth It in 2026?

The package makes sense if you’ll have several cocktails or glasses of wine every day, you like specialty coffees and bottled water, and you don’t want to think about your bill. It rarely makes sense for light drinkers, guests on port-heavy itineraries where you’re ashore most of the day, or cabins where only one adult drinks. Buy it during a sale, use your loyalty perks and your wine allowance, and you’ll get good value without bending any rules. And if you haven’t booked yet, our roundup of cruise deals for 2027 is worth a look, because some offers include drinks or onboard credit.

If you want to spend less without breaking the rules, try these rule-abiding ways to save on cruise drinks.

FAQs

Can you share a Royal Caribbean drink package?

No. Every package is per guest and non-transferable, you’re served one drink at a time, and bar staff check your SeaPass. Guests caught sharing can lose the package without a refund.

Is there a drink limit per day on the Royal Caribbean drink package?

No. Royal Caribbean says the Deluxe package has no daily drink limit, though drinks are valued up to $14 each and crew can refuse service to anyone who appears intoxicated.

Do both people in a cabin have to buy the drink package?

Yes, for the Deluxe Beverage Package. All guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom must buy it. Limited exceptions for disability, medical conditions or pregnancy require an accommodation request form.

Can I bring wine on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Yes. Each guest of drinking age can bring one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne on embarkation day. It’s free to drink in your cabin, and there’s a $15 corkage fee if you open it in a bar or restaurant.

Is there a way to get free drinks on Royal Caribbean?

Yes, legally. Diamond and higher Crown & Anchor members get daily drink vouchers, suite guests get lounge drinks, and art auctions and loyalty events often serve complimentary champagne.

bartender-preparing-disney-cruise-drinks.jpg

What You Need To Know Before You Sail

by Cruise NewsDisneyFood and drink

When you book a cruise, there’s a lot that’s included with a standard fare but most of the time you need to pay for your drinks separately.

Which makes sense, since everyone is different. Charging everyone the same rate when someone might only drink a couple of coffees a day, while someone else enjoys a couple of bottles of wine, would either be costly for the cruise line or unfair to passengers paying for other people’s drinks.

Bartender preparing Disney cruise drinks

So instead, most cruise lines offer a drinks package – where you can choose to pay a set fee and then enjoy unlimited drinks, within reason. But Disney Cruise Line is a little different…

Let’s take a look at Disney Cruise Line’s stance on drinks packages…

Disney does things differently

Disney Cruise Line is one of the few cruise lines to not offer an unlimited drinks package. Instead, you can pay for a drinks package that includes a set number of drinks. You’ll enjoy a small discount compared to paying for each drink separately.

Me, enjoying a mimosa at breakfast on the Disney Wish
Me, enjoying a mimosa at breakfast on the Disney Wish

Disney Cruise Line is very much family-centric, and so it likely doesn’t want to offer guests the chance to drink as many alcoholic beverages as they want. The house (or ship) of mouse is not a place for people to be getting as drunk as they want – that could spoil the Disney magic.

Not that it’s impossible to get drunk on a Disney cruise – just that they would rather not give you completely unlimited access.

So instead, your options are to either pay for drinks individually, or buy one of the Disney cruise alcohol package options that gives you a set number of drinks. There are a lot of these available, so it’s worth checking them out.

DCL Wine Packages

There are two wine packages available on a Disney cruise, with each offering a different number of bottles as well, so there are plenty of options to suit.

The Classic Wine Package includes the following wines:

  • Santa Margherita Rose Trentino, Italy
  • Santa Elvira Prosecco Veneto, Italy
  • The Federalist Chardonnay California, USA
  • Pinot Grigio Zonin Veneto, Italy
  • Castello del Poggio Moscato Lombardy, Italy
  • Beringer White Zinfandel California, USA
  • Kendall Jackson Chardonnay Vintner’s Reserve California, USA
  • Honig Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley, USA
  • Zolo Torrontes Mendoza, Argentina
  • Murphy-Goode Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County, USA
  • Selbach Riesling Kabinett Mosel, Germany
  • Hess Chardonnay Monterey California, USA
  • The Crusher Pinot Noir California, USA
  • Centine Rosso Di Toscana Banfi, Italy
  • Zolo Malbec Mendoza, Argentina
  • Robert Mondavi Merlot Coastal California, USA
  • Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles California, USA
  • Wolf Blass Cabernet Sauvignon South Australia, Australia
  • Cune Crianza Rioja, Spain
  • Layer Cake Shiraz South Australia, Australia

The Premium Wine Package includes all of the above, and the following premium wines:

  • Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand
  • Domaine Chandon California, USA
  • Pinot Grigio Santa Margherita Trentino-Aldige, Italy
  • Brachetto d’Acqui Banfi Rosa Regale Piedmont, Italy
  • Selbach-Oster Riesling Spätlese, Germany
  • Sofia Rose Sonoma, USA
  • La Crema Chardonnay Sonoma Coast California, USA
  • Pouilly-Fuissé Louis Jadot, France
  • Craggy Range Te Muna Road Vineyard Martinborough, New Zealand
  • Conundrum California, USA
  • La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast California, USA
  • Château Bardoulet Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux, France
  • Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile
  • Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Merlot California, USA
  • Terrazas de los Andes Malbec Mendocino, Argentina
  • Chianti Classico Riserva Banfi Tuscany, Italy
  • Simi Landslide Cabernet Sauvignon California, USA

Here’s the cost of the packages:

Number of bottles Classic Wine Package Premium Wine Package
3 $100 $150
4 $130 $199
5 $156 $244
7 $210 $320

The bottles of wine can be redeemed in the restaurant at dinner. You aren’t limited to one bottle of wine per night, so don’t worry if you want to split a couple of bottles. You’re also allowed to take any unfinished wine back to your stateroom with you.

Disney Cruise Line has rotational dining, which means that you dine in a different themed restaurant each night, in a set order. Your waiters will move restaurants with you, and so will your wine! So if you leave any in the bottle, it will be there in the next restaurant for you the following evening!

If you don’t manage to complete your Disney cruise wine package by the end of the cruise, don’t worry. You can take up to two bottles with you when you disembark the ship. So if you’re on a 5-night cruise, you could buy a 7-bottle package, have a bottle every evening and then take two with you at the end of your cruise to drown your sorrows about your cruise being over.

DCL Beer Packages

The Disney cruise beer package options are a little more straightforward – the flat price is $30 for 6, which is essentially 6 beers for the price of 5.

The beers included are:

  • Pub ale
  • Corona
  • Heineken
  • Guinness
  • Miller Light
  • Michelob Ultra
  • Bud Light
  • Bud Light Lime
  • Budweiser
  • Coors Light

Drink prices on Disney ships

Despite Disney’s reputation for being expensive on land, drinks aren’t too expensive on a Disney cruise. Glasses of wine range from around $8 to $17, while beers generally cost between $6.50 and $9. Soft drinks are free in restaurants or at select beverage stations.

Disney also offers a drink of the day, which changes every day during your sailing. These are discounted drinks, with both an alcoholic and non-alcoholic option each day. 

If you want to save money then trying the drink of the day is a good start. Generally, they cost around $6.25 for the alcoholic cocktail of the day or $5.50 for the non-alcoholic drink. These prices include gratuity.

Man serving Disney cruise drinks

Here are some example prices of drinks onboard a Disney cruise. Bear in mind there are many more drinks options available, but these give you a guide on what sort of prices to expect.

Disney Cruise beer prices:

  • Bud Light – $6.50
  • Sam Adams – $6.50
  • Kentucky Bourbon Ale – $9
  • Guinness – $9
  • Angry Orchard Cider – $7.50

Disney Cruise wine prices (by the glass):

  • Castello del Poggio (white) – $8.25
  • Selbach Riesling Kabinett Mosel (white) – $8.25
  • Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc (white) – $11
  • Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc (white) – $13.50
  • ZD Chardonnay (white) – $14.5
  • Pouilly Fume Baron de L’Loire Valley (white) – $37
  • Robert Mondavi Merlot Private Selection (red) – $8.75
  • Kendall Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon (red) – $9.50
  • Craggy Range Te Kahu Hawkes Bay (red) – $13.75
  • Gevrey-Chambertin Louis Jadot (red) – $17.75
  • Chateau Rauzan-Segla (red) – $42
  • Domaine Chandon (sparkling) – $9.75
  • Moet & Chandon Ice (sparkling) – $15.25
  • Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label (sparkling) – $26
  • Dom Perignon (sparkling) – $52

There are also bottles of Champagne you can order, the most expensive on-board being the Armand de Brignac Gold for $520 per bottle.

Disney Cruise cocktail prices:

  • Mai-Tai – $10
  • Blue Hawaiian – $10
  • Smoky Melon – $12
  • Berry Mojito – $15

Many of the cocktails offered on-board a Disney cruise are themed to the venue, so listing some of the less well-known options may not help. But generally, you can expect to pay around $10 to $16 for a cocktail in most venues.

Disney cruise drinks

Some drinks are included!

Soft drinks, including water and select hot drinks, are included in your cruise fare with Disney provided you order them with your meal or use one of the designated beverage stations. If you order soft drinks from the bar then there will be a charge.

There’s a free soft drinks station on every ship in the Disney fleet. Head to the pool area and you’ll find lots of soft drinks that you can help yourself to for free. There’s another one in the buffet too.

Soda dispenser

Most pool bars will also have a self-service ice water dispenser…

Ice water dispenser

The teens-only club Vibe also has a selection of complimentary soft drinks and a fancy coffee machine for teens only.

Soft drinks and coffee machine

The full list of drinks you can enjoy for free in the restaurants or at the beverage stations includes:

  • Coca-Cola
  • Diet Coke
  • Coke Zero
  • Water
  • HiC Fruit Punch
  • HiC Pink Lemonade
  • Fuse Ice Tea
  • Sprite
  • Sprite Zero
  • Coffee*
  • Hot Chocolate
  • Assorted Teas

*Regular coffee is included. Speciality coffees will incur a charge.

Soda and juice dispenser

Suggested read: What’s Included in a Disney Cruise

Bringing your own drinks (take advantage of this!)

All guests aged 21 or older are allowed to bring either two bottles of wine or Champagne on-board (maximum size of 750ml each), or 6 beers (no bigger than 12 ounces). They must be packed in carry-on luggage, not stored in checked bags.

You can enjoy these drinks in your stateroom, but if you want to drink your own wine in the restaurants, you’ll be charged a corkage fee of $26 per bottle.

These rules don’t only apply at embarkation – you can bring more drinks on in each port of call. So if you link to drink beer or wine in your cabin, then definitely take advantage of this.

You’re also welcome to bring any soft drinks on board that you would like to, but again they must be in your carry-on luggage.

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My recommendation

While there may not be an unlimited drinks package available, the drinks packages Disney does offer are pretty good value, and worth looking into if you do plan on enjoying a few wines or beers on your cruise.

If you do enjoy wine, make sure you take two bottles onto the ship with you, since it will be cheaper to buy them before you set sail. But my main recommendation is to take advantage of the free drinks where you can and to sample the drink of the day if you’re looking for a cheap alcoholic drink to try.

Related posts:

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Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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How to feed your baby on a cruise (breastfeeding, formula & baby food)

by Baby & toddlerCruise LinesCruise NewsCruise TipsFood and drinkPacking

Cruising with a baby is one of the best ways to travel, but it’s important to plan ahead and know exactly what and how you’re going to feed your baby during your cruise.

feeding baby on a cruise

Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding or have moved on to pureed or solid food, feeding your baby on a cruise is easy, as long as you plan ahead.

Breastfeeding on a cruise

Breastfeeding in public is welcomed on all cruise ships, and there’s no need to cover yourself unless you prefer to. Most cruise lines have breastfeeding policies that explicitly state that it’s acceptable to breastfeed without a cover anywhere on a cruise ship.

Depending on the countries that your cruise visits, you may need to check the attitudes toward breastfeeding in your cruise destinations.

If you plan to visit one of the few countries where public breastfeeding isn’t widely accepted, it might be a good idea to take something to cover yourself with (I like this cute nautical cover-up, which also doubles as a sun-shade!)

As well as being best for your baby’s health, breastfeeding is the most convenient way to feed your baby while you cruise. It does, however, mean that you might have to turn down the option of an alcoholic drinks package!

If you plan to enjoy a couple of drinks, leave your baby with on-board babysitters, or like your other half to do their share of the night feeds, then you might want to express some milk during your cruise. In this case, don’t forget to pack your breast pump, baby bottles, and anything you need to sanitise them.

You’ll also need to think about where you will store any breast milk. Some cruise ship cabins have a mini-fridge, but it isn’t always cold enough for milk.

If you don’t have a fridge, or it feels too warm, then just ask your stateroom attendant to store the milk for you. There’s a main fridge that they use to store people’s medication, so you can keep your milk in there.

Formula feeding on a cruise

Bottle feeding your baby on a cruise is pretty straightforward; you’ll just need to do some planning to make sure that you have all the equipment you need.

I’ve cruised with a six-month-old formula-fed baby and found that it was no different to staying in a hotel.

Here are my top tips for bottle-feeding your baby on a cruise:

1. Pack plenty of formula

Some cruise ships carry baby formula, and P&O Cruises actually offer it free of charge! However, it might not be the brand that your baby is used to, and it may be expensive to buy onboard.

I’d definitely recommend packing enough formula to last your whole cruise rather than relying on being able to get it on the ship or in ports.

2. Take powdered and ready-to-drink formula

Powdered formula is good because it’s relatively cheap and doesn’t take up a lot of space in your luggage. However, it’s also a good idea to pack some of the pre-mixed bottles for convenience.

I would generally make up powdered formula on the ship. But once you head ashore for your excursions, popping open a carton of the ready-made stuff is super fast and easy.

3. Cruise ship water is safe

Cruise ship water is safe to drink for children and adults, but you should boil it if giving it to babies or using it to make up formula milk.

Of course, using bottled water to make baby formula is an option too, but you’ll still need to boil it, so you might as well use the tap water.

Some bottled water contains too much salt or sodium for babies, so be careful if you choose this option.

Read more: Can You Bring Bottled Water On A Cruise?

4. Check what baby equipment is available on the ship

The following cruise lines allow you to hire bottle warmers and sterilisers free of charge:

  • Costa Cruises
  • Cunard
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • P&O Cruises

If you’d like to hire any baby equipment, be sure to let the cruise line know before you sail.

If you’re cruising with a different cruise line, you’ll need to bring your own bottle warmers and/or steriliser if you need these.

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

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5. Check if your cabin has a kettle

The general rule is that if you’re cruising from the UK, you can expect to find a kettle in your room on most ships. Cruise lines know how much us Brits like a cup of tea first thing in the morning!

You won’t be allowed to bring a travel kettle on your cruise ship, so if you’ll need hot water to make baby milk, then it’s definitely worth asking your cruise line if they can provide you with one.

As a last resort, you can get boiling water from the buffet or from room service.

6. Don’t forget bottle cleaning equipment

As a minimum, you’ll need to pack a bottle brush (I like this travel bottle brush with a built-in drying rack) and some dishwashing liquid. If you usually sterilise bottles at home, then you’ll probably want to do so on your cruise.

I’ve always found that a cold water steriliser with tablets is the best for travel. But if you prefer to bring a travel steam steriliser then these are generally allowed, but you might want to confirm this with your particular cruise line first.

If your baby is a little older, you may opt to sterilise bottles using boiling water from the kettle.

Suggested read: What can you not bring on a cruise?

Toddler milk on a cruise

Once your child is over 12 months old, you might want to give them whole cow’s milk instead of baby formula. If you do, then you’ll always be able to get this free of charge on your ship.

Whole cow’s milk is available in the buffet and any of the ship’s restaurants. You can also request it via room service and keep it in the fridge in your cabin if you have one.

When we cruised on P&O Britannia when Adam was a toddler, we asked for a jug of milk for our room. After the first couple of days, it appeared in our fridge each day without us having to ask, which was lovely.

If your toddler has an afternoon bottle of milk, I’d recommend filling the bottle at the breakfast buffet, then placing it in a cool bag so that it’s ready when they need it, even if you’re off on an excursion.

Can I bring milk on a cruise?

Cruise line policies normally only specifically mention water and soda for beverages that guests can bring onboard. But generally, if a cruise line allows you to bring water, they’ll let you bring milk as well – as long as you follow the same rules for water.

Some cruise lines don’t allow bottles, but will allow cartons and cans – so milk cartons should be OK. Always check with your cruise line on what drinks you can bring onboard, if you’re not sure.

Baby food on a cruise

If your baby eats pureed food, then you have three options on a cruise:

  1. Ask the restaurant staff to puree some food for you
  2. Bring your own pre-packaged baby food jars or pouches
  3. Use pre-packaged baby food provided on the ship

On almost any cruise ship, the restaurant staff will be happy to make up some mashed baby food for you using fresh fruits, vegetables and rice. MSC Cruises even has a special baby food menu for babies aged six to twelve months!

Although the freshly-prepared mashed food is great, you’ll probably want another option too, for when baby wants to at a different time of day to you, or for when you’re off the ship.

Suggested read: Can you take food off a cruise ship?

The following cruise lines provide baby food jars or pouches free of charge:

  • Cunard
  • P&O Cruises
  • Princess Cruises

On other cruises, baby food may be available to buy in the on-board shop. It’s probably best to bring your own, though.

Baby-led weaning on a cruise

If you’ve decided to skip the pureed food and go straight to solid food, then a cruise is food heaven for a baby!

We cruised when my son was six months old, and he absolutely loved trying all the different fruits, vegetable sticks, rice, and potatoes, and he even had his first slice of pizza!

First slide of pizza on MSC Cruises
Adam with a pizza slice on MSC Preziosa

Of course, baby-led weaning can be messy, but you really don’t need to worry as the cruise ship staff are incredibly friendly and do a great job of cleaning the floor! If you feel guilty about all the sweeping up, you could always slip them an extra tip at the end of your cruise.

Don’t forget to pack some food-catching bibs. The disposable bibs can be handy as an alternative to washing plastic bibs in your cabin sink.

Whilst cruise ships are kept scrupulously clean, if you’re concerned about your child eating food that’s touched the table, you might also want to take some disposable stick-on placemats.

For a full list of things to pack for a cruise with a baby, I recommend that you get my free baby packing list. You can save it on your phone or print it off and tick off items as you pack.

Cruises can be fantastic for babies!

However you choose to feed your baby, you’ll be able to do that on a cruise. What’s available on the ship and whether it’s free or you have to pay for it varies depending on the cruise line and also on the ship.

If you have any unanswered questions about what to expect on your particular cruise, then you should get in touch with your cruise line as they will be able to give you the best answer.

If you’d like to borrow any baby equipment, you should be sure to give your cruise line at least three weeks’ notice so that they can ensure that it’s ready for you when you board the ship.

Suggested read: Taking a baby on a cruise ship? Read this first!

Fussy eaters are well catered-for on cruise ships

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Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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Colourful cocktails on a table beside a cruise ship pool deck, the kind of drinks covered by cruise drink packages

Cruise Drink Packages Compared: Prices, Rules and Whether They’re Worth It

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsFood and drink

Cruise drink packages let you pay a fixed daily price for most drinks on board, so you don’t pay for each one at the bar. At the time of writing, alcoholic packages on the big lines cost from around $70 to $120 per person per day once the service charge is added. Most of them only save you money if you have roughly six or more alcoholic drinks a day, every day of the cruise. Below we compare prices, rules and the break-even maths.

What are cruise drink packages?

A drink package is a prepaid allowance that covers a set range of drinks for the whole cruise. Lines usually sell three levels:

  • Soda packages cover fountain soft drinks and sometimes juice. They usually cost $10 to $15 a day.
  • Non-alcoholic or “refreshment” packages add speciality coffees, mocktails, fresh juice and bottled water.
  • Alcoholic packages cover beer, wine by the glass, spirits and cocktails up to a set price per drink, plus everything in the lower tiers.

Packages are priced per person, per day, but you buy them for every day of the sailing. Most lines add an 18% to 20% service charge on top of the advertised price.

Some fares include drinks already, such as Celebrity All Included, Princess Plus and Premier, Holland America’s Have It All, Norwegian’s Free at Sea and Marella’s all-inclusive cruises.

Cruise drink package comparison by line

The figures below are typical per-person, per-day prices at the time of writing (late 2026). Lines set prices by ship, sailing length and booking date, and they run frequent sales. Treat these numbers as a starting point, then check your own cruise planner.

Cruise line Main alcoholic package Typical price per day Service charge Key limits
Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package Roughly $70 to $120+, varies by sailing 18% added Drinks capped at about $14 each; all adults in the cabin must buy
Carnival CHEERS! $69.95 pre-booked, $74.95 on board 20% added (about $84 / $90 in total) 15 alcoholic drinks a day; drinks up to $20
Norwegian Free at Sea drinks (or the Premium package bought on its own) Free at Sea: pay the drinks service charge of about $28.50 (6+ nights) or $32 (2 to 5 nights). Bought on its own: from around $109 Included in the figures above; 20% when bought on its own Not valid at Great Stirrup Cay unless you upgrade to Free at Sea Plus
Celebrity Classic / Premium Classic from around $65 to $85; Premium from around $80 to $95 20% added Drinks capped at $12 (Classic) or $19 (Premium)
Princess Princess Plus / Premier (bundles) Plus $70 pre-booked, $75 on board; Premier $105 / $110 Crew gratuities included New prices apply to sailings from 13 October 2026
MSC Premium Extra (Easy in some markets) Varies by sailing; around €70 to €75 in Europe before sales Included 15 alcoholic drinks a day
Holland America Signature / Elite, or Have It All bundle Signature about $51, Elite about $56; Have It All $60 to $65 18% added on drinks packages 15 drinks a day; Signature drinks capped at $12
Virgin Voyages No package; prepaid Bar Tab Pay $300 and get $50 extra; pay $1,000 and get $250 extra No tips added to drinks Soft drinks, water, tea and filter coffee included in the fare
Disney No unlimited package Pay per drink, or buy small bundles of wine or beer Gratuity added to bundles You can carry on a limited amount of wine or beer
P&O Cruises Classic / Deluxe Around £50 (Classic) and £60 (Deluxe) Included Cruises of 5+ nights; 15 drinks in 24 hours
Marella All-inclusive as standard Included in the fare; Premium upgrade is extra Included Covers drinks from 10am to 2am

Points to note:

  • Norwegian experimented with a “More at Sea” bundle in 2025, then went back to Free at Sea for sailings from early 2026. The included drinks package isn’t strictly free, because you pay its daily service charge. The Free at Sea Plus upgrade costs about $49.99 per person per day and adds top-shelf spirits, Starbucks drinks and use at Great Stirrup Cay.
  • Holland America’s Have It All bundles the Signature Beverage Package with speciality dining, Wi-Fi and an excursion credit. Our Holland America vs Celebrity Cruises comparison explains how the two lines’ bundles differ.
  • Disney lets each adult carry on one bottle of wine (up to 750ml) or six beers under the rules introduced in June 2026. A $20 corkage fee applies if you open the wine in a dining room.

Options for UK cruisers

UK lines handle drinks quite differently from the American brands. Marella is all-inclusive, with house wine, beer, spirits and classic cocktails covered from 10am to 2am. The optional Premium All Inclusive upgrade adds branded spirits, a wider wine and cocktail list, Lavazza coffee and fresh juice for a modest daily supplement. P&O Cruises sells Refresh, Alcohol-free, Classic and Deluxe packages on cruises of five nights or more. Every adult in the cabin has to buy the same package. Ambassador sells its Explorer and Expedition packages from around £43 and £50 a night. Our Marella vs P&O Cruises guide compares the two approaches.

Bartender pouring cocktails at a bar on board a cruise ship
Speciality cocktails are where alcoholic packages earn their keep. Photo: jose luis Umana on Pexels

The rules that catch people out

Check these rules before you buy:

  1. Every adult in the cabin must buy. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, P&O and most others require every adult sharing a cabin to buy the same alcoholic package.
  2. The service charge comes on top. Royal Caribbean adds 18% and Carnival, Celebrity and Norwegian add 20%. MSC, P&O and Princess build the charge into the price instead.
  3. There’s a daily cap on alcoholic drinks. Carnival allows 15 alcoholic drinks between 6am and 6am. MSC, Holland America, P&O and Ambassador use similar 15-drink limits. Non-alcoholic drinks usually have no limit.
  4. Each drink has a maximum price. Each package covers drinks up to a set menu price, such as $12 on Celebrity Classic or $20 on Carnival.
  5. Some places aren’t covered. Exclusions usually include room service, minibars, bottles of spirits, Starbucks outlets and some private islands. CHEERS! isn’t valid at Celebration Key, and Norwegian’s standard package no longer works at Great Stirrup Cay.

Are cruise drink packages worth it? The break-even maths

The simple test: divide the package’s daily cost (including the service charge) by what your usual drink costs (including its own gratuity). The answer is the number of drinks you need every day to break even.

  • Carnival CHEERS!: about $84 a day ÷ a $12 cocktail plus 20% ($14.40) = about 6 drinks a day.
  • Royal Caribbean Deluxe at $90: $106 with gratuity ÷ a $14 cocktail plus 18% ($16.50) = about 6 to 7 drinks a day.
  • Celebrity Classic at $85: $102 with service charge ÷ a $12 drink plus 20% ($14.40) = about 7 drinks a day.

Coffees, bottled water and soft drinks count towards the total too. A few lattes and sodas can cut the alcoholic drinks you need to three or four.

Most other guides miss one thing: you need to reach that average across the whole cruise, not just on your best day. Port days in places like Cozumel or Santorini often mean five or six hours ashore, and that’s when package holders drink least. Here’s a quick worked example for a couple on a 7-night cruise with four port days:

  • Two adults at about $84 a day for 7 days comes to roughly $1,176 for the package.
  • Say you each drink 8 drinks on the three sea days and 4 on each of the four port days. That’s 40 drinks each, or 80 for the couple.
  • At around $14.40 a drink, that comes to about $1,150 if you’d paid as you went. That’s close to break-even, not a big saving.

If you’re close to break-even, the package mainly buys convenience rather than savings.

Cup of coffee on a cruise ship deck table overlooking the ocean
Coffees and soft drinks count towards break-even too. Photo: hello aesthe on Pexels

Cheaper alternatives to a drinks package

If the maths doesn’t work for you, these options can still keep costs down:

  • Bring your own wine. Most mainstream lines allow a limited amount at embarkation. Carnival allows one 750ml bottle of wine per adult, and Disney allows one bottle of wine or six beers. You’ll pay a corkage fee if you drink it in a restaurant.
  • Soda and refreshment packages. Carnival’s Bottomless Bubbles, Royal Caribbean’s Classic Soda and Refreshment packages, and P&O’s Refresh package suit families and non-drinkers.
  • Pay as you go. If you have two or three drinks a day, you’ll nearly always spend less by paying for each one.
  • Bar tabs and onboard credit. Virgin’s Bar Tab bonuses work like a discount of 12.5% to 25%. On other lines, onboard credit from a travel agent or a promotion can cover drinks you pay for as you go.
  • Book a fare that includes drinks. Celebrity All Included, Princess Plus, Norwegian Free at Sea, Holland America Have It All and Marella’s standard fares all bundle drinks.

When to buy your cruise drinks package

For most lines, it’s cheapest to buy before you sail. Carnival charges $5 a day more for CHEERS! once you’re on board. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, P&O and MSC also charge more on board.

  • Check your cruise planner every few weeks after booking. Royal Caribbean and MSC both run frequent short sales, including Black Friday, Cyber Monday and seasonal offers.
  • Note the deadline. Royal Caribbean generally stops pre-cruise sales a few days before sailing, and P&O stops sales three days before departure.
  • Compare the package price with an included-drinks fare before you pay your deposit. Our guide to cruise deals for 2027 covers when lines usually run their drinks-included promotions.

Verdict: should you buy a cruise drinks package?

Buy one if you have a cocktail or two before dinner, wine with dinner, a few drinks afterwards and some coffees during the day, especially on a cruise with lots of sea days.

Skip it if you drink lightly, are on a port-heavy itinerary or share a cabin with someone who barely drinks. The “every adult must buy” rule makes packages poor value for mixed couples.

Look at included-drinks fares first if you’re still choosing a line. Marella, Princess Plus, Celebrity All Included and Norwegian Free at Sea can work out cheaper than any standalone package.

If you are sailing with Princess, our Princess Plus vs Premier comparison works out which package pays off for you.

If you are sailing with Cunard, our Cunard drinks package prices and rules guide breaks down each package and when it pays off.

Viking cruisers can find current pricing and what is covered in our Viking Silver Spirits package guide.

FAQs

Are cruise drink packages worth it?

They’re worth it if you’ll average about six or more alcoholic drinks a day for the whole cruise, or fewer if you also drink a lot of speciality coffee and soft drinks. For light drinkers, or on itineraries with lots of port days, paying per drink is usually cheaper.

Do all adults in a cabin have to buy the drinks package?

On most lines, yes. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity and P&O require every adult sharing a cabin to buy the same alcoholic package.

How much does a drink cost on a cruise?

At the time of writing, a cocktail typically costs $12 to $16 on mainstream US lines, and beer costs about $8 to $10. Most lines then add an 18% to 20% gratuity. Soft drinks usually cost $3 to $5, while water, tea and filter coffee are free in the main dining areas.

Does Marella have a drinks package?

Marella doesn’t need one, because its cruises are all-inclusive. House wine, beer, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks are included from 10am to 2am. You can pay a daily supplement for the Premium All Inclusive upgrade, which adds branded spirits, better wines, speciality coffee and fresh juice.

Which cruise line has the cheapest drink package?

Among the big US lines, Holland America’s Signature package (around $51 a day plus 18%) and Carnival’s CHEERS! (about $84 including the service charge) are among the lowest standalone prices. A fare that already includes drinks, such as Norwegian Free at Sea or Marella, often works out cheaper still.

Gin and tonic with ice and citrus on a bar counter, illustrating the Fred. Olsen drinks package

Fred. Olsen Drinks Package 2026/27: Prices, What’s Included and Is It Worth It?

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsFood and drinkFred Olsen

The Fred. Olsen drinks package is now called the Premium Drinks Package. It costs £32 to £44 per person per night when booked in advance, depending on cruise length, and £4 a night more if you buy it on board. Since January 2026, every Freedom Fare already includes selected house beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. So the upgrade only pays off if you drink regularly outside meals or prefer branded spirits and cocktails.

This guide covers the 2026 and 2027 prices, what is and isn’t included, typical bar prices, and a simple break-even table so you can decide before you sail.

Fred. Olsen Drinks Package Prices for 2026 and 2027

Fred. Olsen prices its Premium Drinks Package per person, per night, in bands that get cheaper the longer you sail. Prices are in sterling, so currency changes don’t affect what you pay on board.

Cruise length Pre-booked (pp/night) Bought on board (pp/night)
1 to 5 nights £44 £48
6 to 27 nights £40 £44
28 to 69 nights £36 £40
70+ nights £32 £36

On a typical 14-night cruise, that’s £560 per person pre-booked, or £1,120 for a couple. A 71-night grand voyage at £32 a night comes to £2,272 each. Fred. Olsen says prices can change, so check the current rate when you book.

Look out for half-price and free drinks offers

Fred. Olsen regularly runs promotions on the package. In summer 2026, for example, it offered the Premium Drinks Package at half price, from £20 per person per night, on selected Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral sailings between October 2026 and January 2027 for bookings made by 30 July 2026. Offers like this come and go, so if you’re flexible on dates, watching for them can save several hundred pounds per person.

What’s Already Included in Your Fare

From January 2026, Fred. Olsen moved to what it calls inclusive pricing. On a Freedom Fare, the following are part of the price:

  • Selected house beer, red, white and rosé wine by the glass, and draught soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Waiter service in the main restaurant, the casual dining venue and the speciality restaurants
  • Crew gratuities
  • Shuttle buses where a port is more than a mile from the ship
  • Tea and coffee facilities in your cabin
  • Free tap water at bars and restaurants

The dining drinks are served with your meal only. They don’t apply at the bar before dinner, by the pool or at a show. That’s the gap the Premium Drinks Package fills.

Two colourful cocktails on a polished bar counter with soft evening lighting
Cocktails are where the Premium Drinks Package delivers most value. Photo: Kate Trifo on Pexels

What the Premium Drinks Package Includes

The package covers drinks in the bars and lounges throughout the day, as well as better choices with meals. According to Fred. Olsen, it includes:

  • The full cocktail and mocktail menus
  • Branded spirits, including gin, rum, vodka and liqueurs, as singles or doubles
  • A selection of whisky and brandy (premium labels excluded)
  • Branded lager, ale and cider in bottles, cans and on draught
  • All red, white, rosé and sparkling wine by the glass
  • Sherry, port, Madeira and vermouth
  • Soft drinks, mixers and juices
  • Alcohol-free spirits, beer and wine by the glass

Package holders also get 25% off bottles of red, white and rosé wine and premium whiskies and brandies, plus 10% off Champagne, sparkling wine bottles and dessert wine.

Fred. Olsen states there is no set limit on the number of drinks, although bar staff apply a responsible service policy. Some older third-party guides mention a 15-drinks-a-day cap, but the line’s own page no longer lists one. The package is linked to your cruise card, which you show when ordering.

What isn’t included

  • Speciality coffees
  • Drinks from the Bookmark Café and the Serenity Tea Room
  • Room service drinks
  • Red Bull
  • 750ml glass bottles of mineral water
  • Wine and Champagne by the bottle (discounted, not free)
  • Premium whiskies and brandies (discounted, not free)

Is coffee included in the Fred. Olsen drinks package?

No. Speciality coffees such as lattes and cappuccinos aren’t covered, and neither is anything from the café or tea room. Standard tea and coffee with meals and the tea-making kit in your cabin are part of the cruise fare anyway, so most guests won’t go without.

Fred. Olsen Drinks Price List 2026

To judge the package, you need to know what you’d pay without it. These are typical bar prices reported for early 2026. They may change, so treat them as a guide.

Drink Typical price
Pint of draught lager £5 to £6
Bottled beer or cider £4.50 to £6
Glass of house wine (175ml) £6
Glass of premium wine (175ml) £9
House spirit (25ml) £4
Mini mixer £2.25
Signature cocktail £7.95
Classic cocktail £7.25
Mocktail £5
Canned soft drink £3
Cappuccino or latte £4

By cruise standards these prices are modest, which is one reason the package isn’t an automatic yes.

Glasses of red and white wine on a restaurant table beside a sea view window
House wine with lunch and dinner is already in the Freedom Fare. Photo: Rene Terp on Pexels

Is the Fred. Olsen Drinks Package Worth It? A Break-Even Guide

Because drinks with lunch and dinner are already included, count only what you’d buy outside meals, plus any upgrade from house wine to something better. The table shows roughly how many paid drinks per person per day you’d need to match the pre-booked price.

Package price Cocktails at £7.95 Wine at £6 Gin and tonic at about £6.25 Pints at £5.50
£44 (1 to 5 nights) 5.5 7.3 7.0 8.0
£40 (6 to 27 nights) 5.0 6.7 6.4 7.3
£36 (28 to 69 nights) 4.5 6.0 5.8 6.5
£32 (70+ nights) 4.0 5.3 5.1 5.8
£20 (half-price offer) 2.5 3.3 3.2 3.6

At full price on a two-week cruise, you’d need around five cocktails or six to seven glasses of wine each day on top of your included meal drinks. That’s a lot for most people. At the half-price rate, though, two or three drinks a day covers it.

Who should buy it

  • Guests who enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail, an after-show nightcap and a drink on deck most days
  • Anyone who prefers branded spirits, sparkling wine or a wider wine choice to the house pours
  • Long-voyage passengers on the £32 or £36 bands
  • Anyone who can catch a half-price promotion

Who should skip it

  • Light drinkers happy with house wine or beer at dinner
  • Guests on port-heavy itineraries who spend most days ashore, such as a Norwegian fjords cruise from the UK with long days in port
  • Coffee lovers hoping to cover café drinks, which aren’t included

If you’re weighing up packages across different lines, our roundup of cruise drink package loopholes explains which money-saving tricks actually work.

How to Book the Premium Drinks Package

You can add the package when you book, or later through Fred. Olsen’s reservations team or your travel agent, up to a few days before departure. It can also be bought on board, but at £4 per person per night more. Fred. Olsen’s published terms don’t spell out whether everyone in a cabin must buy it, so ask when you book if only one of you wants it. The Oceans loyalty discount can’t be combined with the package.

The package is available across the current ocean fleet of Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral. Braemar has since been sold and is no longer part of the fleet, so ignore older guides that mention her.

If you are booking Bolette, see our guide to the best cabins on Bolette and which locations to avoid.

The drinks packages are the same on every ship, so our guide to the Fred. Olsen fleet can help you pick the right ship for your cruise.

FAQs

How much is the Fred. Olsen drinks package?

The Premium Drinks Package costs £44 per person per night for cruises of up to five nights, £40 for 6 to 27 nights, £36 for 28 to 69 nights and £32 for 70 nights or more when bought in advance. It’s £4 a night more on board.

Are drinks included on Fred. Olsen cruises?

Yes, partly. Since January 2026, Freedom Fares include selected house beer, wine and draught soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Drinks at the bars outside mealtimes are extra unless you buy the Premium Drinks Package.

Is coffee included in the Fred. Olsen drinks package?

No. Speciality coffees and drinks from the café and tea room are excluded. Standard tea and coffee with meals and in-cabin facilities are part of the fare.

Is there a limit on drinks with the package?

Fred. Olsen says there’s no set limit on the number of drinks, though staff can pause service under its responsible drinking policy.

Can I bring my own drinks on board?

Fred. Olsen allows guests to bring their own soft drinks and snacks on board in hand luggage. Check the line’s current alcohol policy before packing wine or spirits.

Food-on-Carnival-cruise-ship-1.jpg

Carnival Cruise Food Menus

by CarnivalCruise LinesCruise NewsFood and drink

Carnival cruise ships offer a huge array of dining options. With so much to look forward to, I can’t blame you for wanting a look at each food menu before your cruise!

Food on Carnival cruise ship

In this guide, I’ll show you all of the Carnival food menus. If you want to see the drinks menus too, you’ll find those here: Carnival Cruise Drink Menus.

I’ll show you which ships feature which restaurant, the meals they are open for and a rough idea of the cost. I’ll also let you know whether you can dine there for free during your cruise.

Main Dining Rooms

  • Ships: All
  • Cost: Complimentary with exception of optional Steakhouse Selections $
  • Meals: Breakfast (port days), Brunch (sea days), Lunch (on cruises over eight days), Dinner

Here is the breakfast menu in the main dining rooms:

Carnival main dining room breakfast menu

Here is the Seaday Brunch menu in the main dining rooms:

Seaday brunch menu

Here is the dinner menu in the main dining rooms. It’s worth noting that the Carnival cruise food menu has been updated recently with new vegan options. I’ll add those as soon as I can.

Carnival main dining room dinner menu
Carnival main dining room dinner menu
Carnival main dining room dinner menu

Bonsai Sushi™

  • Ships: Breeze, Celebration, Dream, Horizon, Jubilee, Legend, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Sunrise, Sunshine, Venezia, Vista
  • Cost: $
  • Meals: Lunch (sea days), Dinner until 12am

Here is the menu for lunch and dinner at Bonsai Sushi…

Carnival Bonsai Sushi lunch and dinner menu

Bonsai Teppanyaki™

  • Ships: Celebration, Horizon, Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Venezia
  • Cost: $
  • Meals: Lunch (sea days), Dinner

Here is the menu for lunch and dinner at Bonsai Teppanyaki.
*Reservations are highly recommended as there is limited seating.

Carnival Bonsai Teppanyaki lunch and dinner menu

Ji Ji Asian Kitchen®

  • Ships: Horizon, Panorama, Sunshine, Vista
  • Cost: $
  • Meals: Dinner

Here is the dinner menu at Ji Ji Asian Kitchen:

Carnival Ji Ji Asian Kitchen dinner menu
Carnival Ji Ji Asian Kitchen dinner menu
Carnival Ji Ji Asian Kitchen dinner menu

The Steakhouse

  • Ships: Breeze, Celebration, Conquest, Dream, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Jubilee, Legend, Liberty, Luminosa, Magic, Mardi Gras, Miracle, Panorama, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Splendor, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor, Venezia, Vista
  • Cost: $
  • Meals: Dinner

Here is the dinner menu at The Steakhouse:

Steakhouse menu
steakhouse entrees
steakhouse dishes

Pizza Pirate / Pizzeria del Capitano / Miami Slice

  • Ships with Pizza Pirate: Breeze, Conquest, Elation, Freedom, Glory, Legend, Liberty, Miracle, Paradise, Pride, Valor
  • Ships with Pizzeria del Capitano: Dream, Horizon, Luminosa, Magic, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Radiance, Spirit, Splendor, Sunrise, Sunshine, Venezia, Vista
  • Ships with Miami Slice: Celebration
  • Cost: Complimentary
  • Meals: Almost all day (9am to 4am)

Here is the menu at Pizzeria del Capitano:

Carnival Pizzeria del Capitano menu

The Captain’s Pasta Bar / Pasta Bella

  • Ships with The Captain’s Pasta Bar: Breeze, Horizon, Magic, Panorama, Sunrise, Sunshine, Vista
  • Ships with Pasta Bella: Dream
  • Cost: Complimentary
  • Meals: Lunch

Here is the lunch menu at The Captain’s Pasta Bar:

Carnival The Captain's Pasta Bar lunch menu

Here is the lunch menu at Pasta Bella…

Carnival Pasta Bella lunch menu

Cucina del Capitano®

  • Ships: Breeze, Celebration, Horizon, Jubilee, Magic, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Radiance, Sunrise, Sunshine, Vista
  • Cost: $
  • Meals: Lunch (with a complimentary made-to-order pasta bar), Dinner

This venue serves as an alternative to the Main Restaurant on Celebration, Jubilee and Mardi Gras. It is included in the cruise fare. Pre-cruise reservations are not available.

Here is the dinner menu at Cucina del Capitano:

La storia della cucina del capitano
La storia della cucina del capitano menu
La storia della cucina del capitano desserts

The Carnival Deli / Deco Deli

  • Ships with Carnival Deli: Breeze, Conquest, Dream, Elation, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Legend, Liberty, Luminosa, Magic, Miracle, Panorama, Paradise, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Splendor, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor, Vista
  • Ships with Deco Deli: Celebration
  • Cost: Complimentary
  • Meals: Lunch, Dinner until 11pm

Here is the menu for lunch and dinner at The Carnival Deli:

Carnival The Carnival Deli lunch and dinner menu

Piazza Panini (and deli)

  • Ships: Mardi Gras
  • Cost: Complimentary
  • Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Specialty Italian desserts will be served after 8pm.

Fresh Creations

  • Ships: Celebration, Horizon, Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Vista
  • Cost: Complimentary
  • Meals: Lunch

Salad bar open for lunch at the adult-only Serenity.

Here is the lunch menu at Fresh Creations:

Carnival Fresh Creations lunch menu
Freshcreations

RedFrog® Pub / RedFrog® Pub and Brewery

  • Ships with RedFrog Pub: Breeze, Magic, Spirit
  • Ships with RedFrog Pub and Brewery: Vista
  • Cost: $
  • Meals: Snacks

Here is the food menu at RedFrog Pub and Brewery:

Carnival RedFrog Pub and Brewery menu

Chibang!™

  • Ships: Celebration, Jubilee, Mardi Gras
  • Cost: Complimentary
  • Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Here is the menu for lunch and dinner at Chibang!:

Carnival Chibang! lunch and dinner menu

BlueIguana Cantina™

  • Ships: Breeze, Celebration, Conquest, Dream, Elation, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Jubilee, Legend, Liberty, Magic, Mardi Gras, Miracle, Panorama, Paradise, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor, Vista
  • Cost: Complimentary
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Here is the menu at BlueIguana Cantina:

Carnival BlueIguana Cantina menu
Carnival BlueIguana Cantina menu
Carnival BlueIguana Cantina menu
Carnival BlueIguana Cantina menu
Blue Iguana Salsa Bar

Guy’s Burger Joint

  • Ships: All, excluding Luminosa and Venezia
  • Cost: Complimentary
  • Meals: Lunch until 6pm

Here is the menu at Guy’s Burger Joint:

Carnival Guy's Burger Joint menu

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse

  • Ships: Breeze, Dream, Magic, Radiance, Sunrise, Vista
  • Cost: Complimentary
  • Meals: Lunch (sea days)

Here is the lunch menu at Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse:

Carnival Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse lunch menu

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse Brewhouse

  • Ships: Celebration, Horizon, Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Panorama
  • Cost: $
  • Meals: Lunch (sea days)

Here is the lunch menu at Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse | Brewhouse:

Appetizers
smokehouse
smokehouse menu
smokehouse sides menu
smokehouse dessert menu

Ol’ Fashioned BBQ

  • Ships: Conquest, Freedom, Glory, Liberty, Luminosa, Splendor, Valor 
  • Cost: Complimentary
  • Meals: Lunch (sea days)

Here is the lunch menu at Ol’ Fashioned BBQ:

Carnival Ol' Fashioned BBQ lunch menu

Emeril’s Bistro

  • Ships: Mardi Gras, Celebration
  • Cost: $
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (sea days), Dinner

Here is the menu at Emeril’s Bistro:

Carnival Emeril's Bistro 1396 breakfast, lunch and dinner menu

Rudi’s Seagrill™ 

  • Ships: Celebration, Jubilee, Mardi Gras
  • Cost: $
  • Meals: Dinner

Here is the dinner menu at Rudi’s Seagrill:

Carnival Rudi's Seagrill dinner menu
Carnival Rudi's Seagrill dinner menu

Big Chicken

  • Ships: Celebration, Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Radiance
  • Cost: Complimentary
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch until 5pm

Here is the menu at Big Chicken:

Carnival Big Chicken breakfast and lunch menu

Seafood Shack™ / Seafood Corner

  • Ships with Seafood Shack: Conquest, Celebration, Dream, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Jubilee, Liberty, Magic, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Splendor, Sunrise, Valor, Venezia, Vista
  • Ships with Seafood Corner: Legend, Luminosa, Spirit
  • Cost: $
  • Meals: Lunch (sea days), Dinner until 10pm

Here is the menu at Seafood Shack:

Carnival Seafood Shack menu

Masala Tiger

  • Ships: Splendor
  • Cost: Complimentary
  • Meals: Lunch

Here is an example lunch menu at Masala Tiger. The actual menu changes every day.

masala tiger

Dr. Seuss Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast

  • Ships: ALL
  • Cost: $
  • Meals: Breakfast

Here is the breakfast menu at Dr. Seuss Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast:

Javablue™ Cafe

  • Ships: Celebration, Elation, Glory, Horizon, Jubilee, Luminosa, Mardi Gras, Miracle, Panorama, Radiance, Splendor, Sunrise, Sunshine, Vista
  • Cost: $
  • Meals: Snacks

Here is the dessert menu at Javablue Cafe:

Carnival Javablue Cafe dessert menu

Good Eats: Late Night Snack

  • Ships: All
  • Cost: $
  • Meals: Late Night

Here are the late night snack options:

Good Eats Late Night Snack Menu

Room Service

  • Ships: All
  • Cost: $
  • Meals: Available anytime

Here is the breakfast menu for room service:

Carnival Room Service breakfast menu

Here is the all-day Carnival menu for Room Service:

Carnival Room Service all-day menu

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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Colourful plant-based dish served at dinner, illustrating the best cruise lines for vegans

Best Cruise Lines for Vegans: 10 Top Picks for 2026

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsFood and drink

The best cruise lines for vegans in 2026 are the ones that print a dedicated vegan menu rather than leaving you to piece a meal together. Princess, Carnival, Holland America and Royal Caribbean all have dedicated vegan menus in the main dining room, and P&O Cruises added more than 40 plant-based dishes across its fleet in late 2025. For a more upscale trip, Oceania, Celebrity and Windstar are the strongest picks. If you want every plate on board to be vegan, book an all-vegan charter cruise instead.

Every big cruise line now says it caters for vegans, but how well it does so varies a lot. On some ships you hand a separate vegan menu to your waiter each night. On others you rely on the chef to adapt vegetarian dishes. Below you’ll find what each major line actually offers, how to tell them about your diet before you sail, and a comparison table for choosing quickly.

What makes a cruise line good for vegans?

When you compare vegan cruise options, check these four things:

  • A dedicated vegan menu, not just vegetarian. Many lines mark vegetarian dishes clearly but treat vegan food as an on-request extra. A separate vegan menu in the main dining room means less explaining and more variety.
  • Labelling at the buffet. Buffet dishes can hide butter, cream, egg or honey. Lines that label vegan dishes, or have staff who can check, make breakfast and lunch much easier.
  • Options in specialty restaurants. A cover charge feels poor value if the only vegan dish is a side salad. Look for lines whose specialty venues have proper plant-based mains.
  • A clear way to register your diet before sailing. Lines with an online form or a named team for dietary requests tend to have the galley ready on day one.

The best cruise lines for vegans in 2026

The list below covers lines that are popular with both US and UK passengers. The details come from each line’s own announcements and help pages. Menus change, though, so confirm with your line before you book.

1. Princess Cruises: best mainstream line for vegan dinners

Princess launched expansive vegan menus in late 2023. They run on seven rotating dinner menus in the main dining rooms across the fleet, so a week-long cruise needn’t repeat itself. Each menu has starters, salads, soups, pastas and mains. Examples from the launch include a plant-based shepherd’s pie, black beans on toast with tomato and avocado, and fettuccine with walnut sauce. You can request vegan meals before you sail through Manage Booking on the Princess website, through your travel agent or by phone, or simply ask once you’re on board. See the Princess announcement for details.

2. Oceania Cruises: best for food-focused vegans

Oceania has a strong reputation with plant-based travellers. In 2017 it introduced more than 250 plant-based dishes, and it later added more across its restaurants. Marina and Riviera also have juice and smoothie bars. Recent guest reports suggest the line now handles vegans more individually. If you note your diet on your booking, the dining team can arrange for the main dining room menu to be made vegan, and specialty venues such as Toscana and Red Ginger usually have good choices. For a premium line focused on food, it’s an excellent fit, but register your diet early rather than expecting a printed vegan menu on every ship.

3. Celebrity Cruises: best premium big-ship option

Celebrity’s main dining rooms mark vegan, vegetarian and lactose-free dishes with icons, and a separate vegetarian menu is available. Waiters normally ask about dietary needs on the first night. Celebrity also went a step further when Celebrity Ascent launched in 2023, adding a seven-course plant-based tasting menu to the ship’s signature restaurant, with optional vegan and organic wine pairings. That makes it a good choice if you want a special-occasion vegan dinner as well as reliable everyday food.

4. P&O Cruises: best for UK cruisers

For UK passengers, P&O Cruises made a big change in December 2025, when it teamed up with the plant-based food brand BOSH! to add more than 40 plant-based dishes. They appear on both Freedom and Club dining menus across the fleet, so you don’t have to be on a particular ship or dining plan to get them. Examples include gnocchi with a wild mushroom cream sauce and a key lime chocolate pie. On a UK round trip from Southampton, it’s now one of the easiest choices for vegans.

5. Carnival Cruise Line: best budget pick

Carnival rolled out a dedicated vegan dining room menu across its fleet in 2023. It has nine dishes, with three each of starters, mains and desserts. They’re made entirely from vegan ingredients and include plant-based “salmon” poke, a grilled tofu steak, an eggplant Parmigiana-style cutlet and a key lime velvet cake. The menu is short, so on a long cruise you may need to mix it with vegetarian dishes that the kitchen adapts, plus the buffet. On a three- to seven-night Caribbean cruise, though, it works well and costs little.

6. Royal Caribbean: good choice for families

Royal Caribbean serves vegetarian meals on every main dining room and Windjammer menu without you needing to ask. Vegan menus are available in the main dining room on request. Tell your waiter on the first night, or arrange it in advance through your travel agent or the “update personal information” section of your booking. For milk alternatives such as soy milk, Royal Caribbean asks for at least 45 days’ notice, or longer on some European and Asian sailings. If you have specific dietary needs, you can also email its special needs team. The details are on the Royal Caribbean dietary FAQ.

7. Holland America Line: a large dedicated menu

Holland America offers a 22-dish vegetarian and vegan menu at lunch and dinner in the main dining room at no extra charge. It includes dishes such as Vietnamese spring rolls, vegetable jambalaya, tofu kebabs and pad Thai. You need to ask for the menu, and the line recommends contacting its Ship Services department, or asking your travel agent to, before you sail. Not every dish on the combined menu is vegan, so ask your waiter which ones are.

8. Windstar Cruises: best small-ship choice

Windstar calls itself the official cruise line of the National Health Association, which promotes whole-food, plant-based eating. Plant-based dishes are offered on every voyage, from smoothies and oatmeal at breakfast to dishes such as eggplant cannelloni and citrus and pumpkin risotto at dinner, plus vegan desserts. Diets free of salt, oil or sugar can be catered for on request. Its yachts carry only a few hundred guests, so the galley can often adapt dishes more easily than a mega-ship can. See Windstar’s plant-based dining page.

9. Virgin Voyages: relaxed and adults-only

Virgin Voyages has no traditional main dining room. Every restaurant has at least one vegetarian option, and Razzle Dazzle serves vegan and vegetarian versions of comfort food. The line asks you to tell the crew in each eatery about your diet, and it notes that its kitchens are not allergen-free. Many vegan passengers rate it highly because restaurant dining is included in the fare. Do check each menu, though, because the official promise is vegetarian rather than vegan in every restaurant.

10. MSC Cruises: good value in Europe

MSC says it includes vegetarian and vegan dishes on both its main restaurant menus and the buffet. For special diets, it recommends the main restaurants, because it can’t guarantee there will be no cross-contamination at the buffet. Register your diet through the Special Needs Form before sailing, then confirm it with Guest Services or the maître d’ once on board. For what you can expect to eat day to day, see our guide to eating vegan on MSC Cruises.

Other lines worth a look

Norwegian Cruise Line marks vegetarian dishes on most menus. It asks guests with special diets to tell it at least 30 days before sailing and to speak to the restaurant manager once on board, which matters with Freestyle dining because you won’t always have the same waiter. Disney Cruise Line serves vegan food on request, and there are some lesser-known options worth knowing about. Our Disney cruise vegan guide covers them. Smaller luxury lines such as SeaDream Yacht Club have offered a full plant-based dinner option and will take specific requests before sailing.

A colourful vegan bowl of grains, roasted vegetables and greens, like the plant-based dishes many cruise lines now serve
Most big cruise lines now offer vegan menus in the main dining room. Photo: Nadja M on Pexels

Vegan cruise lines compared

Cruise line Dedicated vegan menu? Where you’ll find it How to request Best for
Princess Yes, seven rotating dinner menus Main dining rooms, fleetwide Manage Booking, travel agent, phone or on board Mainstream cruisers, longer trips
Oceania Large plant-based range, tailored on request Main dining room and specialty restaurants Note it on your booking; dining team meets you on board Food lovers, premium budget
Celebrity Vegetarian menu, vegan icons, plant-based tasting menu on Ascent Main dining room and signature restaurant Tell your waiter on night one or ask in advance Premium big-ship cruising
P&O Cruises 40+ BOSH! plant-based dishes Freedom and Club dining, fleetwide Add dietary needs to your booking UK round trips from Southampton
Carnival Yes, nine-dish vegan menu Main dining room, fleetwide Ask in the dining room Budget and short cruises
Royal Caribbean Yes, on request Main dining room Booking profile, travel agent or special needs team Families
Holland America 22-dish vegetarian and vegan menu Main dining room, lunch and dinner Ship Services before sailing Longer, slower itineraries
Windstar Plant-based options every voyage All dining Contact the line before sailing Small-ship and health-focused travellers
Virgin Voyages Vegetarian in every eatery, vegan at Razzle Dazzle All restaurants (included in fare) Tell the crew at each eatery Adults-only, casual feel
MSC Vegan dishes on menus Main restaurants and buffet Special Needs Form, then Guest Services Good value in Europe

If food is the main reason you cruise, our round-up of the cruise lines with the best food compares the wider dining at each budget level.

How to request vegan meals before your cruise

Top-ranking guides often skip this step, but it makes the biggest difference. A few minutes of preparation means the galley stocks plant milks and has your menu ready, instead of improvising on day one.

  1. Add it to your booking straight away. Most lines have a dietary field in the online booking area: Manage Booking at Princess, the guest information section at Royal Caribbean, or the Special Needs Form at MSC. If you booked through an agent, ask them to add it.
  2. Know the deadlines. Norwegian asks for 30 days’ notice. Royal Caribbean asks for 45 days for milk alternatives, and up to 90 days on some European and Asian itineraries. Aim for at least 45 days whichever line you choose.
  3. Say “vegan”, not “vegetarian”. Spell out that you avoid dairy, eggs and honey. Some crew still treat the two words as the same thing.
  4. Find the maître d’ on the first day. Ask whether there’s a printed vegan menu. On some lines you can choose tomorrow’s dishes tonight, so the kitchen has time to prepare them.
  5. Ask about plant milk and desserts. Coffee bars and buffets don’t always put oat or soy milk out unless you ask. Vegan desserts are often available, but only when requested.
  6. Treat the buffet with care. Ask staff about sauces and baked goods, and remember that lines such as MSC say they can’t guarantee there’s no cross-contamination at the buffet.
  7. Plan for port days. Ship excursions with lunch included may not cater for vegans unless you warn the shore excursions desk in advance.
A plated plant-based restaurant dinner of grilled vegetables and grains on a white plate
Ask the maître d' on day one so vegan dishes are ready at dinner. Photo: Wendy Wei on Pexels

All-vegan cruises: when every plate is plant-based

If you want to be sure everything on board is vegan, including the buffet, the bar snacks and the cooking demos, look for a vegan charter rather than a regular sailing. Two well-known names:

  • Holistic Holiday at Sea runs an all-vegan Caribbean cruise each spring on board a mainstream ship, with talks, cooking classes and fitness sessions. Its most recent sailing ran from 1 to 8 March 2026.
  • Vegan Travel runs fully vegan river and small-ship cruises. Its 2027 programme includes Amazon river voyages in January, a 14-night Caribbean cruise from St Maarten in March, a Norway and Svalbard expedition in April, Croatia and Greek island sailings in summer, Mekong and Vietnam trips in October, and Danube river cruises over Christmas and New Year.

Popular vegan cruises often sell out early, so book well ahead, and check each operator’s site for current availability.

Which vegan cruise line should you choose?

  • Most variety on a mainstream ship: Princess or Holland America.
  • UK departure with fleetwide plant-based dishes: P&O Cruises.
  • Tightest budget: Carnival, or MSC in Europe.
  • Special-occasion vegan dining: Celebrity or Oceania.
  • Small ship and a health focus: Windstar.
  • Nothing but vegan food on board: a Holistic Holiday at Sea or Vegan Travel charter.

FAQs

Do cruise ships have vegan food?

Yes. Every major cruise line now offers vegan food. Princess, Carnival, Holland America and Royal Caribbean have dedicated vegan menus in the main dining room. Others adapt dishes on request, so tell the line about your diet before you sail.

Which cruise line is best for vegans?

Princess is one of the best mainstream choices, with seven rotating vegan dinner menus. Oceania and Celebrity suit vegans with a bigger budget who love food, and P&O Cruises is the strongest option for UK departures.

Do I need to tell the cruise line I’m vegan before sailing?

Yes. Add it to your booking at least 30 to 45 days before departure, and longer on some European itineraries, so the ship can stock plant milks and other supplies. Then confirm with the maître d’ on your first day.

Is there an all-vegan cruise?

Yes. Holistic Holiday at Sea runs an all-vegan Caribbean cruise each spring, and Vegan Travel operates fully vegan river and small-ship voyages in Europe, Asia, the Amazon and the Caribbean.

Are cruise buffets safe for vegans?

Buffets usually have plenty of vegan choices, but labelling varies and cross-contamination can happen. Ask staff about sauces and baked goods, and use the main dining room for meals you need to be sure about.

Jenni-with-cruise-captain.jpg

Captain’s Dinner on a Cruise

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsCruise TipsFood and drink

One of the cruising traditions that typically hasn’t survived to the modern day is the classic Captain’s Dinner. It’s still available sometimes, but now the event tends to be different – to the disappointment of some passengers who’ve been cruising for a long time.

But on some cruises, you may still get the chance to enjoy this special occasion. I was lucky enough to share a table with Captain Michael Macleod on a recent cruise with SeaDream Yacht Club and I thoroughly enjoyed his company!

Cruise Mummy having dinner with the captain on a cruise

In this guide, I’ll explain what a Captain’s Dinner is on modern ships, what it used to mean, and what to do if you are lucky enough to get an invitation to such an event on your own cruise.

What is the Captain’s Dinner on a cruise?

The Captain’s Dinner can refer to several different events on a cruise ship. On most modern ships, it is one of the formal dining nights on the ship, but potentially with a party beforehand where guests may meet the ship’s captain. Traditionally, it would refer to dining at the captain’s table and on some cruises it remains that way.

The idea of a Captain’s Dinner – sometimes referred to as the Captain’s Table – has existed for a long time on cruises. And it would always mean one thing – the opportunity for guests to join the ship’s captain at the best table in the restaurant for dinner.

It’s an exciting and exclusive opportunity – but one which has faded over the last 10-20 years. Now, the Captain’s Dinner will often refer to just the first elegant night at sea, and will be something open to either a larger group or to everyone onboard.

Indeed, when I received my invitation to dine with the Captain, I wasn’t sure whether it actually meant dining at his table, or just that he would be in the same restaurant and do a speech!

As it happens, it was both! The Captian made his pre-dinner speech and then I was invited to his table. I sat next to him and he told me lots of fascinating stories about his time at sea and how he spends his time off, living on a remote Scottish island.

What exactly the captain’s dinner entails can vary. It may be as simple as the ship’s captain giving a speech at the start of dinner, and then the rest of the night playing out as normal. On some other cruises, there may be a cocktail party held before dinner where the captain is present, and guests can meet them and maybe get a photo with them.

Captain greeting guests on cruise ship restaurant

Many Cruises Have Stopped Doing A Captain’s Dinner

Some cruise lines still host a Captain’s Dinner in the traditional style, but not as often as they used to. Captain’s Dinners used to be a mainstay of cruising but many modern ships have moved away from traditional dining altogether and so the event doesn’t fit.

That being said, there are modern versions of the dinner where the first formal night includes the chance to meet the captain at a pre-dinner event.

For example, on our recent cruise with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, there was a Captain’s reception on the first night. We enjoyed canapes as the captain told us all about himself, his crew and the ship. 

Fred. Olsen Cruise Captain's reception

There are some cruise lines that do still host a Captain’s Dinner or Captain’s Table – although, it may not always be with the captain. Sometimes it’s with another senior officer on the ship.

But many modern ships have moved on from traditional dining times and are actively encouraging guests to try speciality restaurants, rather than the main dining room. Whereas cruising used to be all about sharing large tables with other parties, now it’s much more common to have your own table for your family or group

My Family on Fred. Olsen Bolette Speciality Dining

These Cruise Lines Have A Captain’s Dinner…

Most of the modern American cruise lines have done away with the idea of a Captain’s Dinner where there’s a sit-down meal with the captain.

Carnival Cruise Line doesn’t offer a captain’s dinner. But the cruise line does sometimes offer a Captain’s Gala night or Captain’s Welcome Evening, which is a cocktail party before dinner. Officers may attend but even this is becoming more rare these days.

Suggested read: Tips For Formal Night On Carnival

Disney Cruise Line and P&O Cruises both offer something similar – a formal night where the captain and other officers may be mingling with guests beforehand.

I had a chat with the Staff Captain on Azura over a glass of sparkling wine at such an event it was very interesting.

Staff Captain on Azura

NCL has hosted Captain’s Dinners in the past but it’s not something that is common these days, and it isn’t really a thing on Royal Caribbean anymore either, although it used to be.

Some more traditional cruise lines may offer the experience but it’s not guaranteed. Marella Cruises sometimes do, as does Cunard. They’re the only cruise line to make a real mention of a Captain’s Table on their own website. 

Cunard’s Captain Inger Thorhauge
Cunard Captain Inger Thorhauge

Events with the ship’s officers tend to be more common on small luxury cruise ships these days.

How To Get Invited To The Captain’s Dinner

There’s no guaranteed way of getting an invite to the Captain’s dinner, but the best advice is to cruise with a line regularly, make sure you’re well dressed (but not overdressed) for the cruise, and try networking with the ship’s host, without being too obvious.

Suggested read: The Best Dresses for Cruise Formal Night

It’s impossible to give a definitive list of ways for you to get invited to a Captain’s Dinner event because every cruise line that still hosts them is different.

As a guide, the captain wants to dine with people who will make for good conversation. It’s not really an event to suit the shy and timid. So a good first step to securing yourself an invite is to make sure you’re being social, without being so obvious that you’re trying to make a good impression.

This means chatting with the restaurant’s host, building up a rapport, and potentially dropping some hints as to why you’d be interesting company – but try not to come across as a try-hard.

You should also make sure you’re appropriately dressed. Cruise lines have a dress code even on non-formal nights and while it isn’t strict, the people who are dressed more smartly will be more likely to be invited. Don’t turn up in a tuxedo or cocktail dress to a casual night, but avoid t-shirts and shorts too.

Otherwise, most cruise lines reward loyalty, so if you’re cruising on the same cruise line more frequently and you know they host a Captain’s Dinner, then you probably increase your odds of being invited.

That being said, there are thousands if not millions of people who remain loyal to a cruise line and never get an invite – so regular cruises are not a guaranteed way of being invited.

In some cases, first-time cruisers may be invited to a Captain’s Dinner – it all depends on the policy of the captain or the organising officer at the time.

The Captain’s Dinner Is Usually A Formal Night

The Captain’s Table events that are still held on modern cruise ships will normally be on the first formal night of the cruise, which is often either the second night of the itinerary or the first full sea day, depending on the cruise line.

In older times, when dining at the captain’s own table was more common, invites could be extended for multiple nights on a cruise. Now it just tends to be for one night, and usually towards the start of an itinerary.

Make Sure You Dress To Impress

When dining at the captain’s table, guests should dress formally – suits or tuxedos for men, and either a suit or an evening gown for women. Captain’s Dinner events tend to happen on a cruise’s formal night anyway, so guests should expect to dress as such.

Family dressed formally on a cruise ship

Gala events or cocktail parties will also normally be held on a cruise itinerary’s formal night, but depending on the cruise line the dress code may be slightly more relaxed. Men may be fine with a shirt without a tie, but not jeans. Women could wear a blouse and trousers, or a cocktail dress.

Basically, for any kind of event held with the ship’s officers, it’s best to stick to the dress code for a formal night on the ship.

Suggested read: The Best Cruise Dresses For Formal Nights

Where The Captain Usually Eats

The captain can eat wherever he or she wants to on the ship. You may see them dining in the buffet or one of the speciality restaurants, or they may eat in the crew mess or order room service to their quarters.

The captain might choose to eat with their senior officers or with their family if their family happens to be on board.

On our recent Fred. Olsen cruise, we often saw the captain and senior officers eating together in the buffet. The children made autograph books in the kids’ club, so once they had finished their meal, my daughter went over to ask for an autograph, and they happily obliged.

Fred. Olsen's Cruise Captain and Senior officers with a girl asking for an autograph

Final word

The tradition of dining at the cruise ship captain’s own table hasn’t been completely lost, but it’s a lot less common now. And even when it was done more regularly, getting an invite was still very exclusive. So if you’re invited to the captain’s table on a modern cruise, snap up that opportunity!

And if not, look out for any Captain’s Gala or cocktail parties on your ship. While you won’t get the attention of your captain for a full dinner service, you can still say hello and get to know them briefly.

Related Posts:

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Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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princess-drinks-menu-1-1.jpg

Princess Cruises Drinks Menus With Prices

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsFood and drinkPrincess Cruises

Whether you’re trying to work out if a Princess Cruises drinks package is worth the cost, or you’re just budgeting for how much money you’ll need for your cruise, knowing the drinks prices on your Princess cruise is definitely useful.

Princess drinks menu

You want to be able to enjoy your holiday without thinking about the cost of each drink you order, and it’s also good to know if your favourite drinks are served on the ship. If not, you can work out which new drinks you want to try during your cruise.

Here’s a look at the different drinks available on a Princess cruise, and their prices.

This is the latest Princess Cruises drink menu from the Pool Bar, which gives you a good idea of the latest Princess drinks prices:

Princess Cruises beer menu

Enjoy a cold, refreshing beer from the list of options served on a Princess cruise.

Most of the beers served are lagers, including primarily American brands such as Budweiser, Coors and Miller. But there are a couple of ales available too, along with perennial Irish favourite Guinness.

Princess Cruises beer menu

There are a huge number of cocktails served on a typical Princess cruise – you’ll certainly need more than one cruise to be able to try them all. From Martinis to Cosmopolitans and Manhattans to Margaritas, you’ll love the range of options to sip while sitting by the poolside.

princess drinks cocktails classics
princess drinks cocktails classics
princess cruises tropical cocktails
princess cruises margaritas menu
princess cruises martinis menu
princess cruises frozen cocktail menu

There are many spirits and liqueurs available on your Princess cruise, so whether you want a shot of tequila to liven up your night, or a whiskey to help you unwind, you won’t be missing out while at sea.

princess cruises spirits menu
princess cruises spirits menu

There’s an extensive menu of wines available for your Princess cruise. You can order by the bottle or by the glass, including a number of reds, whites, sparkling wines, Prosecco options and Champagne when you’re in the mood to celebrate. Ideal for dinner, or just as a drink in your stateroom before the night gets going.

Princess cruises wine menu
princess cruises wine menu

Enjoy these non-alcoholic cocktails and sodas when you want something fun and flavourful without the hangover spoiling your cruise the morning after.

princess cruises non-alcoholic menu

From Italian classics to unique flavours, there are some wonderful coffees that you can try as part of your Princess cruise. If you need a shot of Espresso to perk you up in the morning, that’s an option (including doubles), or why not try something different like a Butter Pecan or Honey Lavender latte?

This is an older coffee menu so the prices will have increased, but it gives you an idea of the variety of drinks available:

Princess Cruises Coffee Menu (2022)
Princess Cruises Coffee Menu (2022)
Princess Cruises Coffee Menu (2022)
Princess Cruises Coffee Menu (2022)

When you want a drink that’s a little more soothing, take your pick from a classic hot chocolate or one of the range of teas served on a Princess cruise, including fruit teas, breakfast teas and chamomile.

Princess Cruises Tea & Hot Chocolate Menu (2022)
Princess Cruises Tea & Hot Chocolate Menu (2022)
Princess Cruises Tea & Hot Chocolate Menu (2022)

On your room service menu, there are a number of other products you can order, as well as services such as laundry collections or turndown services. Everything here is complimentary, so just use your room service menu to order what you need.

Princess Cruises 'Other' Room Service Menu (2022)
Princess Cruises 'Other' Room Service Menu (2022)
Princess Cruises 'Other' Room Service Menu (2022)

Final word

The drinks menu on a Princess cruise is pretty extensive, with a selection of the most popular brands from around the world.

Find your favourites and make a note of the prices – this’ll help you decide whether you want to pay for a beverage package, whether you would be better off with the Princess Premier or Princess Plus package, or if you’ll be better suited paying for each drink individually.

And remember that as well as what’s on the drink menus, Princess Cruises offers a selection of free drinks like tea, coffee, water and juice that you can get from the main dining room or buffet, amongst other locations.

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If you found this interesting, please share!

Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

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royal-caribbean-drinks-prices.jpg

Royal Caribbean Drinks Prices 2024

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsFood and drinkRoyal Caribbean

Drinks on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are pretty pricey. We’re taking $14 for a cocktail, $8 for a beer or $3.50 for a soda.

The good news is that Royal Caribbean cruises include certain drinks for free. And if you want to enjoy unlimited drinks you can purchase one of Royal Caribbean’s all-inclusive drinks packages.

Royal Caribbean drinks prices

To work out if the drink package is worth it, it’s a good idea to take a look at the Royal Caribbean drink menus to see how much drinks will actually cost on your cruise.

This article lists the drink prices on Royal Caribbean cruises, along with photos of Royal Caribbean drinks menus, to help you to work out how much you will likely to spend on drinks during your cruise.

Or, to do a quick calculation, you can use my drinks package calculator tool. Just pop your details in the form below, and it will be sent straight to your inbox, for free.

Royal Caribbean Drink Prices 2024

The cost of drinks on Royal Caribbean cruises is in the mid to high range compared to other cruise lines. Drinks are priced in US dollars no matter where in the world you cruise.

Unfortunately, if you’re used to pub-priced drinks on P&O Cruises, you might be a little disappointed to find that drinks on Royal Caribbean ships cost a little more than you would pay in your local pub at home.

Royal Caribbean alcohol prices vary slightly depending on the ship, with drinks on the newer ships costing up to $1 more per drink.

How Much Are Drinks on Royal Caribbean Cruises?

These are the average Royal Caribbean drinks prices in 2024:

  • Beer – $8.25
  • Glass of wine – $9 to $16+
  • Cocktail – $14
  • Mocktail – $7
  • Spirit and mixer – $9 to $11+
  • Soda – $3.50
  • Coffee – $4
  • Energy drink – $5
  • Fruit juice – $3.50
  • Bottle of water – $3.25
Beers & Ciders Price
Corona Extra $8.25
Coors Lite $8.25
Bud Light $8.25
Budweiser $8.25
Miller Lite $8.25
Red Stripe $8.75
Angry Orchard $8.25
Amstel Light $8.25
Blue Moon Belgian White $8.25
Daura Damm (Gluten-Free) $8.25
Dos Equis $8.25
Foster’s Oil Can (750ml) $9.75
Paulaner Weiss $8.25
Stella Artois $8.25
Strongbow Hard Cider $8.25
O’Douls Alcohol-Free $7.75
Heineken Alcohol-Free $7.75
Cocktails Price
All cocktails $14
All mocktails $7

For wines, there are a lot of different variants – so I’ve grouped together the different wine types for simplicity.

Wines (by the glass) Price
Sauvignon Blanc $11
Pinot Grigio $10
Chardonnay $11
White Zinfandel $8
White Blend $16
Rose Cotes de Provence $14
Brut $13
Prosecco $11
Pinot Noir $11-12
Merlot $12
Cabernet Sauvignon $9-11
Spirits Price
Rum $8.99-12.99
Vodka $9.99-13.99
Gin $10.99-12.99
Tequila $9.99-13.99
Whiskey $9.99-12.99
Cointreau $10.99
Jagermeister $10.99
Bailey’s $10.99
Kahlua $10.99
Aperol $10.99
Pimms $10.99
Southern Comfort $10.99
Hennessy VS $10.99
Remy Martin $12.99
Sambuca $10.99
Non Alcoholic Drinks Price
Sodas $3.50
Red Bull $4.95
Coffee $4
Fruit Juice $3.50
Bottle of water $3.25
Me with a drink on a Royal Caribbean cruise
This cocktail cost me $14

Free Drinks on Royal Caribbean Cruises

These beverages are included for free on Royal Caribbean cruise ships:

  • Tea and coffee
  • Iced tea
  • Hot chocolate
  • Lemonade
  • Flavoured water
  • Water
  • Milk
  • Fruit juices with breakfast

The flavoured waters are really good, more like cordial or squash than water. There’s certainly enough choice to keep most kids happy with the free drinks without paying extra for fizzy drinks, freshly squeezed juices and mocktails.

The free drinks aren’t available in all venues and at all times, but you can find out exactly where and when to get them here: Guide To Royal Caribbean’s Free Drinks.

When it comes to drinking the tap water, it’s fine to do so in most places. But you’ll want to avoid drinking the water in any public handwashing stations and instead stick to water dispensers or the bathroom in your stateroom.

Tip: I like to take a tiny bottle of super concentrated cordial and add it to tap water for the kids

Royal Caribbean Drink Menus 2024

To see a detailed Royal Caribbean drink prices list, take a look at these photos of Royal Caribbean bar menus which I took onboard Anthem of the Seas from Southampton in May 2022. The prices do vary slightly depending on which ship you choose, too, so bear that in mind.

Good to know: US cruises Vs. UK cruises

On most cruises, including cruises departing from the US, an automatic gratuity of 18% is added to the cost of each drink when you receive the bill.

On cruises departing from the UK, the gratuity is included in the price of each drink as shown on the menu, so the menu prices may appear higher.

These photos of Royal Caribbean drinks menus are from the UK, so there will be no gratuity automatically added on top.

Royal Caribbean Pool Bar Menu

This is the pool bar menu from Anthem of the Seas. These are the drinks that are available at all of the outdoor bars. Other drinks are available on request, too. The prices may be slightly out of date but it’s good to see the options.

Royal Caribbean Pool Bar Menu
Royal Caribbean Pool Bar Menu

Schooner Bar Menu

The Schooner Bar is a classic bar that you’ll find on most Royal Caribbean ships. Here’s the drinks menu that shows the prices of beers, wines, cocktails and spirits.

Royal Caribbean beer menu
Royal Caribbean cocktail menu
Royal Caribbean cocktail menu
Royal Caribbean cocktail menu
Royal Caribbean cocktail menu
Royal Caribbean wine menu
Royal Caribbean wine menu

Royal Caribbean Main Dining Room Wine List

This is a copy of the wine list from the main dining room of Anthem of the Seas from the UK. As you can see, there’s not a large choice of wines.

Royal Caribbean wine list

Wonderland Cocktail Menu

Speciality restaurants like Wonderland have their own menus. The cocktails in Wonderland are particularly special and are priced at $13 on this menu…

Wonderland Cocktail Menu

However, I suspect that this may have been an older menu on our 2022 cruise, as when we received the drinks receipt we were actually charged $14 and $7 for the virgin versions without alcohol.

Wonderland Cocktail Receipt

More Royal Caribbean Drinks Menus

Below is a selection of menu photos from my 2019 cruise on Mariner of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida. The drinks prices are a little cheaper here, but, as this ship sailed from the US, an 18% gratuity was added afterwards.

So, in reality, the drinks were actually cheaper on my 2022 cruise from the UK as the menu prices included the gratuity on that cruise. The prices do vary and I’ve added more up-to-date pricing earlier in this article, but I think that looking at these menus is useful as it shows you what drinks are available…

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Don’t miss the latest Royal Caribbean offers…

The Main Royal Caribbean Drinks Menu

This is the drinks menu which you’ll find at many of the onboard bars such as the Pool Bar and the Viking Crown Lounge.

The menu has a focus on cocktails, with a different page for each spirit – rum, vodka, gin, tequila and whiskey. This makes it a bit easier to narrow down your choice. It also has a wine list at the back.

royal caribbean rum cocktail menu
royal caribbean vodka cocktail menu
royal caribbean wine menu
royal caribbean gin cocktail menu
royal caribbean tequila cocktail menu
royal caribbean whiskey menu
royal caribbean liqueur menu
royal caribbean wine menu

Despite the huge choice of cocktails, the bar staff on Mariner of the Seas always seemed keen to conjure up something new and often said: “What do you like? Tell me some flavours and I’ll make up something.”

Schooner Bar Drinks Menu

The Schooner Bar is a cosy nautical-themed bar with a piano at the centre. You’ll find this bar onboard all Royal Caribbean ships. The Schooner Bar also offers a large choice of cocktails, as well as beers and lots of wines by the glass or bottle.

Here is the Schooner Bar drinks menu and wine list…

Royal Caribbean Schooner bar drinks menu
Royal Caribbean Collins menu
Royal Caribbean Schooner bar rum menu
Royal Caribbean Schooner bar old fashioned cocktail menu
Royal Caribbean Schooner bar cocktail menu
Royal Caribbean wine menu
Royal Caribbean Schooner bar wine menu
Royal Caribbean Schooner bar beer list

The Bamboo Room Menu

The Bamboo Room is a quirky Polynesian-themed cocktail bar that was added to Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas when they were renovated as part of the Royal Amplified program.

The menu has cocktails, beers and wines.

Royal Caribbean Bamboo Room menu - front
Royal Caribbean Bamboo Room menu - back
Royal Caribbean Bamboo Room menu - inside

Royal Caribbean’s English Pub Menu

Most Royal Caribbean ships have an English-style pub on the main promenade featuring expansive beer collections and live music. If you want a good draft beer, this is the place to go.

Royal Caribbean English Pub menu front
Royal Caribbean English Pub menu front

Cafe Promenade Menu

Most Royal Caribbean ships have a Cafe Promenade which offers complimentary food as well as complimentary basic teas and coffees.

Speciality teas, coffees and hot chocolates have an extra charge, as can be seen from the menu below…

Royal Caribbean tea and coffee menu at Cafe Promenade

Royal Caribbean Starbucks Menu

Some Royal Caribbean cruise ships also have Starbucks cafes onboard. Coffees are priced between $4 and $6.

Royal Caribbean starbucks menu

Playmakers Bar Menu

Playmakers is a sports bar that can be found onboard several ships in the fleet, including the Freedom-class ships, some of the Oasis-class ships, and the Icon-class ships.

Here, you’ll find a great selection of beverages including craft ales, draft and bottled beers, ciders, cocktails and wines.

Playmakers drinks menu

Each Royal Caribbean ship has different bars and lounges, and there are lots to choose from on each ship. Favourites include Boleros, R-Bar, Two70, and the Rising Tide Bar which moves between decks on Oasis Class ships. Many bars will have their own unique menu.

Royal Caribbean Mini-Bar Menu

Royal Caribbean also has a mini-bar menu. Rather than arriving to a fully-stocked mini-bar, you’ll find that your mini-bar is empty and you can request what you like in it via a menu that you tick off and hang on your door handle.

As someone who doesn’t use the mini-bar except to store my own drinks and children’s milk, I love having an empty mini-bar.

You Can’t Buy Bottles of Liquor on Royal Caribbean

Some cruise lines such as P&O Cruises allow you to buy bottles of spirits such as vodka, rum or whiskey to drink in your stateroom.

Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean does not allow guests to buy bottles of liquor to drink on board the ship. If you buy duty-free liquor from the onboard shop, it will be delivered to your stateroom on the final evening of your cruise.

Bringing Your Own Drinks on Royal Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean carry-on rules state that each stateroom may bring up to two 750 ml bottles of wine or champagne to drink in your stateroom.

If you wish to drink your wine in one of the public areas, a corkage fee of $15 per bottle will be charged.

Guests may also bring non-alcoholic drinks on board. The limit is 12 cans, bottles or cartons per stateroom. You may also bring milk and water for babies or medical use.

If you’re doing a fly-cruise, it’s probably not worth the hassle of bringing your own drinks on-board. But, when we cruise from the UK and don’t have a drinks package, we’ll definitely be bringing two bottles of wine and 12 cans of Pepsi Max to drink in our room to save a bit of money.

If you do plan to bring your own wine on a cruise, then I’d recommend that you buy an inflatable bottle protector from Amazon to make sure that it arrives in one piece and doesn’t smash in your suitcase.

How awful would it be to open your suitcase to find broken glass and wine all over your clothes?

How To Sneak Alcohol on a Royal Caribbean Cruise

Sneaking alcohol on a Royal Caribbean cruise is a bad idea because if you are caught, you could be kicked off the ship. Royal Caribbean’s alcohol policy states:

“Guests who attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points may be disembarked or not allowed to board”

That said, many people do successfully sneak alcohol on to cruise ships. You can find out how they do it here: How to sneak alcohol on a cruise ship

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Don’t miss the latest Royal Caribbean offers…

Royal Caribbean Drink Packages

Royal Caribbean offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks packages. When you buy a drinks package, you pay a set price, and then all your drinks are included free of charge.

Before you buy a Royal Caribbean drinks package, it’s important to work out whether it offers good value, or whether you would save money if you buy drinks individually. So, now that you know how much drinks cost on Royal Caribbean, you can start to work that out.

My next article gives you all the info on Royal Caribbean drink packages to help you decide whether to get one or not.

Read more: Royal Caribbean drink package: Is it worth it?

Alternatively, you can use my drinks package calculator tool to work out whether the drinks package is good value based on how many drinks you’re likely to have. Just pop your details in the form below, and I’ll email it to you right away.

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Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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