Carnival drinks packages are super popular, but as well as the perks, there are some pitfalls. Before you cruise, be sure that you know this essential info to avoid any hidden charges.
1. Purchase the Cheers package before your cruise to save 10%
When planning your Carnival cruise, it’s a good idea to purchase the Cheers drink package in advance. Doing so will net you a $5 per day discount compared to purchasing it onboard. It’s a no-brainer!
Buy on website
Buy on ship
6 days or more
$70.74
$76.64
5 days or less
$82.54
$88.44
2. Compare the cost of a drink package vs. paying for individual drinks
Before opting for any package, do the math. Consider how many drinks you might consume daily and compare that with the cost of the package.
Sometimes, if you’re a light drinker or particular about your drink choices, paying as you go might be more economical.
You can see Carnival’s drinks menus and prices here. But if that sounds like too much hard work, just use my free drink package calculator. It’ll do the sums for you.
3. If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t get the Cheers package
The Cheers package is best suited for those who enjoy both alcoholic and speciality non-alcoholic beverages. If you mostly drink sodas, the Bottomless Bubbles package will probably be a better fit.
It’s virtually impossible to get your money’s worth from the Cheers package if you don’t drink alcohol.
4. Don’t worry about the gratuity!
The cost of Carnival’s drink packages used to be advertised without the gratuity, so they looked a lot cheaper – the lowest price was from $59.95 per day.
However, laws changed in early 2024 which meant that cruise lines could get in trouble advertising prices without extra fees included in certain US states. For ease, they just decided to update all of their prices to include the gratuity.
So the prices above are the prices you’ll pay – there are no extra fees on top that you need to worry about, like there would’ve been previously.
5. Be aware of local taxes when in US waters
When you use the Cheers package while the ship is docked or in US waters, local state taxes may apply. This is usually an extra 10% on the price of each drink whether you have the package or not, so you’ll want to be mindful of this while budgeting.
6. Don’t go crazy on the first night if you’re sailing from Texas or New York
For cruises departing from Texas or New York, the Cheers package isn’t activated until the second day. So, pace yourself on the first night, as any drinks consumed will be charged individually.
Sure, have some drinks and a good time. But know that if you decide to drink 15 beers on the first night, your bill will be about $120. And that’s a lot more than the package.
7. Discuss with the people in your stateroom before you buy
If you want the Cheers package, then every adult in the same stateroom must purchase the same package. It’s crucial to discuss with your roommates and ensure everyone is on board with the idea before purchasing.
8. Don’t share drinks
Sharing is caring, but not when it comes to the Cheers package. Sharing drinks can lead to potential penalties, including the possible deactivation of your drink package without a refund.
9. Know exactly what’s included in your package
The Cheers package includes:
Cocktails
Spirits
Beer by the glass
Wine by the glass
Sodas
Zero-proof frozen cocktails
Energy drinks
Milkshakes
Smoothies
Juices
Specialty coffees
Hot tea
Bottled water (500ml)
Other non-alcoholic bottled drinks
The Bottomless Bubbles package includes:
Fountain soda by the glass (16 oz)
Juice by the glass (10 oz)
If you order anything except for these drinks, you’ll have to pay for it. I’ll explain some of these that you may not have thought of further along in this guide.
10. Ask your room attendant to empty your mini bar
When you first board your Carnival cruise, you may be tempted to dive into the mini bar in your room. But, it’s important to know that the Cheers package doesn’t cover mini bar items. These drinks and snacks come at an additional cost, and they can quickly add up.
To avoid the temptation and any accidental extra charges, consider asking your room attendant to empty the mini bar on your arrival day. This will not only provide clarity on what drinks are covered under your package but also give you extra storage space in your cabin refrigerator. This comes in handy, especially if you’ve brought along beverages, like the allowable 12-pack of soft drinks or your bottle of wine.
11. Try Carnival’s unique speciality cocktails
Carnival offers a range of speciality cocktails unique to the cruise line. With the Cheers package, make it a point to try them out. It’s a fun way to enhance your cruising experience. And if you don’t like one, it doesn’t matter, you don’t have to finish it!
Carnival ships have some really cool cocktail bars like the Alchemy Bar on Carnival Celebration or the Amari Bar on Carnival Venezia. So your cruise is the perfect time to try a cocktail that you’ve never had before. Like this pineapple rum negroni?
12. Order wine by the glass
Wine is only included in the Cheers package if you buy it by the glass. So don’t order a bottle and don’t use the self-service wine machines either as these will be chargeable.
13. Take advantage of the 25% discount on spirits, wine, or champagne over $20.00 and bottled wines
On some cruise ships, if you order a drink that costs more than the package limit you’ll have to pay for the whole drink. Luckily, that’s not the case with Carnival cruises.
If you’re looking to indulge in a high-end spirit or wine, the Cheers package offers a 25% discount for any beverage priced over $20. This is a great way to enjoy luxury drinks at a reduced price.
14. Don’t order fishbowls
Fishbowls or shared cocktails are not included in the Cheers package. Ordering one would mean paying for it separately, so it’s best to avoid them if you want to make the most of your package.
15. Avoid beverages sold in souvenir glasses
Drinks served in souvenir glasses come with an additional charge, even if the drink itself is included in the Cheers package. To avoid surprise costs, stick to standard glassware.
16. Know how to get around the 15-drink limit
If you have the Cheers package, Carnival limits you to 15 alcoholic drinks in any 24-hour period (6 am until 6 am). For most people, this isn’t a problem. But if you start the day with breakfast mimosas and move on to easy-to-drink beverages like bottles of beer, you may find that you want more than 15.
To prevent guests from consuming too much, Carnival’s system means that it’s not possible for them to serve you any more alcohol once you’ve had your 15 drinks – even if you pay for it.
But what if you want more than that? Well, one method that’s discussed on cruise forums is to wait until you get close to the limit, and then buy one of the larger drinks that’s not included in the package. This could be a bottle of wine, bucket of beers or a fishbowl.
17. Drink as many non-alcoholic beverages as you like
One of the benefits of the Cheers package is that non-alcoholic drinks are unlimited. This includes sodas, mocktails, and speciality coffees, allowing you to hydrate and enjoy a variety without worrying about additional charges.
18. Bring your own wine and soft drinks
Carnival allows each adult to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne and/or 12 cans or cartons of soft drinks onboard. Even if you have the drink package, it can be a good idea to do this.
Remember, that the mini bar in your room isn’t included in the package. So if you want to enjoy a drink on your balcony or while getting ready to head out for the evening, it can be nice to grab something from the fridge in your room without having to go out and line up at a bar.
19. Ask the bartender or server for clarification on drink package rules you’re not sure
If you’re ever uncertain about what’s included in your package or have questions about specific drinks, don’t hesitate to ask the onboard staff. They’re there to help and ensure you have a fantastic cruising experience.
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The bottom line
If you’re savvy, a drink package can be the perfect way to enjoy as many drinks as you want on your cruise, while saving money. But, as you’ve seen, there are a few things to be aware of.
If you’re still not sure whether a drink package is a good idea, be sure to grab my Carnival drink package calculator before deciding whether to buy it or not…
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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.
The price of drinks on some cruise ships will be similar to your local pub, but on other cruises, the drinks prices can be pretty steep with $10 for a glass of wine being the norm.
If you’re on a budget you may be tempted to try to sneak liquor on your cruise ship to save yourself some money.
Sneaking booze on a cruise is strictly prohibited. However, a study by Cruzely.com showed that 19% of passengers admitted to smuggling alcohol onto a cruise ship at least once.
You should know that there’s no foolproof way to sneak alcohol on a cruise. However, there are many different ways that people have tried.
Disclaimer: I have never smuggled drinks on a cruise myself and am in no way encouraging you to do it. I am just showing you how others have done it in the past so that you can make your own decisions.
1. Use a disguised umbrella flask
If you hide your booze in a sneaky umbrella flask, there’s pretty much zero chance of anyone suspecting anything. This handy flask holds 9 oz (255 ml) of your favourite drink and is easy to pour out into your glass. It looks and feels like an umbrella rather than a hard bottle.
This type of hidden container isn’t likely to be discovered, particularly on Northern European cruises where rain is likely. Take it to the Mediterranean in summer and it may seem slightly more suspicious!
2. Hide your booze in a fake tampon
If you’d like another virtually foolproof way to smuggle booze on a cruise, then tampon flasks may be it. These fake re-sealable tampon wrappers contain refillable mini flasks. Each one can hold one shot of alcohol.
Even if someone had a really good rummage through your luggage, they’d be unlikely to open a tampon to check in there.
The downside to these is that each one only holds 1 oz (30ml) which is slightly larger than a single measure of spirits. Therefore you’d need a lot of tampons to cover a week-long cruise!
This product may be better for smuggling small amounts of booze into the onboard bars, rather than for bringing a booze haul to drink in your cabin.
3. Re-use shampoo bottles (or buy fake ones)
Putting alcohol in shampoo bottles for cruise holidays sounds like an interesting idea, but it has many flaws. The first is that the design of shampoo bottles makes them very difficult to clean so you’ll never fully get rid of all of the shampoo residue. This will make your drink taste horrible.
The second reason why you shouldn’t use a shampoo bottle to hide alcohol is that shampoo and conditioner bottles aren’t watertight. I once had a bottle of shower gel explode in my suitcase and it was messy. Imagine the same but with red wine. No thanks!
However, you can buy shampoo bottle flasks on Amazon, which are made to conceal alcohol. These leak-proof bottles even include six ‘factory seals’ so that if a security guard opened the bottle, they wouldn’t be able to smell the alcohol.
These are a good option because each bottle fits 8 ounces of liquor. Hidden alcohol bottles are also available to buy in the form of fake sunscreen bottles or deodorant cans.
4. Buy a binocular flask
Some of the things to hide alcohol in for cruise vacations are just genius. This binocular flask would be unlikely to show up as anything suspicious on an X-ray, and even with a manual search, it may go undetected.
Each side of the binoculars holds 8 oz (230ml) of liquor, and it comes with a little funnel that allows you to fill it up without spilling a drop. The two sides aren’t connected, so you could have gin in one half and vodka in the other if you wish to create your own cocktails.
5. Try cleaned-out mouthwash bottles
Another of the popular things to hide alcohol in on a cruise has, for many years, been mouthwash bottles. Mouthwashes such as Listerine come in bottles of up to one litre.
The idea is that you would add a clear spirit such as white rum, gin or vodka, and blue or green food colouring to make it look like mouthwash.
In reality, cruise port staff are familiar with this old hack and know that if they find a huge bottle of mouthwash, it’s likely to be suspicious. Because who needs a litre of mouthwash on a one-week cruise?
The first thing they’ll do is open it and smell it to see what’s really inside.
6. Push the limit on wine bottles
This is probably the most common way to sneak wine on a cruise. Most cruise lines allow you to bring one bottle of wine per person on board. So what people do is they put one bottle of wine in their checked luggage and another in their carry-on bag.
The bags are checked at different times by different people, and it’s virtually impossible for cruise ship staff to match them up and see that you’ve brought more than the allowance.
As there’s no limit on how much luggage you can bring on a cruise ship (unless you also have to take a flight), you could easily bring two small cases per person, as well as some more cases for the kids.
One thing you do want to be wary of is wine bottles smashing in your checked luggage. If you are planning on putting glass bottles in there, you should always buy inflatable wine bottle protectors.
7. Try classic rum runners
Rum runners, also known as alcohol bags or plastic flasks, are specially-made alcohol containers for cruises. Thousands of cruisers report having had success in using a rum runner to sneak alcohol on cruise ships.
You can buy rum runners on Amazon. They are essentially reusable plastic bags that come with a funnel so that you can decant wine, vodka, tequila or any other liquor that you wish to bring on your cruise. Each one holds up to 32 oz (one litre) of liquid.
The idea behind alcohol bags is that on an x-ray, they don’t look like a bottle, so they won’t be detected when your bag is scanned.
However, if your bag was manually checked for any other reason, it would be obvious what’s inside these booze bags.
8. Give yourself a fake beer belly
An interesting method that may be used to hide alcohol when you embark on your cruise ship is the ‘beer belly canteen’. This polyurethane container looks like a beer belly when worn under clothing and holds 32 oz of booze.
If you wear this, you might have to sacrifice looking slender in your embarkation photos!
9. Boost your bust with a wine rack bra
For women, there’s a similar product to the fake belly, in the form of a bra known as the ‘wine rack bra’, which could actually boost your appearance if that’s what you desire.
If you set off the x-ray scanner with something else, such as your watch, and called over for a pat-down, a wearable flask will easily be detected.
As port staff won’t know whether you’re carrying booze or something much more dangerous, you’ll likely set alarm bells ringing and could get in serious trouble.
10. Wear a boozy bladder
This strange-looking device ties around your waist. There’s a tube that pops out through your fly so that you can refill your glass when nobody’s looking!
This is probably one for the gents rather than the ladies. And you should probably head to a bathroom stall to refill your glass – as you may get some very funny looks from your fellow cruisers otherwise!
The good thing about this device is that it fits a massive one litre of alcohol. If you fill it with spirits, that could keep you going all cruise long.
11. Carry a wine handbag
Now, another one for the ladies – The PortoVino wine purse is a beach tote with a hidden, insulated compartment that holds two bottles of wine.
This stylish handbag comes with a secret zipper with an insulated pouch inside which keeps your wine cool for hours. This bag probably isn’t ideal for bringing booze onto a cruise ship as it may show up solid on the scanner when filled with liquor.
However, it could be an ideal way to enjoy wine from your room by the pool. Whilst some cruise ships allow you to bring your own wine on board, you have to drink it in your room. With this device, you could fill your bag with chilled wine from your in-room refrigerator and sneakily pour it into a glass by the pool using the hidden tap.
12. Hack a box of Capri Sun or water cartons
Here’s a tip from Reddit – why not empty out Capri Sun pouches and refill them with booze?
It might be a lot of work but that’s a lot of alcohol you can sneak onboard!
You can even do the same with water cartons – just use a small hole to pour out the water before re-sealing it with glue, without breaking the cap seal.
I would of course not recommend this if you actually wear contact lenses and need the solution to look after them! I’d rather pay for my drinks and be able to see, after all.
14. Just pack minis
According to one cruise guest, if you just pack miniature bottles and distribute them around your luggage, they won’t be detected and you’ll be able to enjoy them onboard.
I’d be a little wary of this one personally – I’d be surprised if they didn’t check your luggage if they saw a lot of small bottles – but apparently it can work, so it’s up to you if you want to try it.
Where to hide alcohol when you check in
When you’ve decided what type of container to hide your liquor in, your next decision will be where to stash it. Your options are:
In your checked luggage
In your carry-on luggage
On your body
The best place to hide alcohol for a cruise is in your checked luggage. You can drop off checked luggage as soon as you arrive at the port. If something is detected on the scanner and your case is opened, you won’t be around to witness the embarrassment of being called out in public.
Checked bags can be tossed around so always make sure that whatever you’ve packed in there is properly protected from damage.
Sneaking alcohol onto a cruise on your body
Sneaking alcohol on your body is the riskiest way to do it. You’ll have to remove any bulky items and walk through an X-ray scanner. If it beeps for any reason (including for a random check), then you’ll be patted down, and your stash will be discovered, no matter how well it’s disguised.
Bringing alcohol on board in foreign cruise ports
Bringing alcohol on board midway through your cruise is easier than trying to sneak it on as you embark.
When you get back on board the ship you’ll have to pass your bags through a scanner. However, if you have a bottle of something which looks like water, even if it has been opened, it’s very unlikely that anyone would inspect it more closely.
Getting caught with alcohol when boarding a cruise
If you’re caught bringing alcohol on a cruise, the worst-case scenario is that you could be denied boarding.
“Alcoholic beverages seized on embarkation day will not be returned. Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Guests who violate any alcohol policies, (over-consume, provide alcohol to people under the legal drinking age, demonstrate irresponsible behaviour, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage checkpoints or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense, in accordance with our Guest Conduct Policy. Guests who are under the permitted drinking age will not have alcohol returned to them. “
However, other cruise lines simply state that if you are caught with prohibited alcohol they will confiscate and discard it.
“Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board with the following exception – at the beginning of the cruise during embarkation day only, guests (21 years of age and older) may bring one 750 ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne, per person, in their carry-on luggage. Outside this exception, all liquor, beer, other forms of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited in both carry-on and checked luggage and such items will be confiscated and discarded and no compensation will be provided.”
Even when cruise lines reserve the right to refuse embarkation, that doesn’t mean that they will do that in practice.
What REALLY happens when you get caught smuggling booze on a cruise
There are many online cruise forums where people have discussed their experiences in getting caught sneaking alcohol on a ship.
Here, I’ve seen numerous photos of orange confiscation slips inside suitcases in place of missing alcohol. As far as I could see during my research, nobody has reported that they weren’t allowed to board the ship. Interestingly, many people reported that they were even allowed to pick up their confiscated alcohol at the end of the cruise!
How to sneak whiskey on a cruise
Cruise lines don’t allow guests to bring spirits on board. If you want to bring whiskey on board then you’ll need to disguise it. Many people use a rum runner, a rinsed-out tinted bottle of mouthwash, or just decant whiskey into a wine bottle, where wine is permitted.
How to fill a sealed water bottle with alcohol
To fill a sealed water bottle with alcohol: • Cut the neck off a bottle • Place it in boiling water until soft • Pull off the intact cap and ring • Open a second water bottle and cut off the plastic ring • Swap the water for clear alcohol • Screw the intact sealed cap onto the bottle of alcohol
Alcohol allowances on cruises
Many cruise lines allow you to bring a certain amount of alcohol on the ship.
The following table shows the alcohol allowance for each cruise line.
Cruise Line
Alcohol allowance per passenger
Carnival
One bottle of wine
Celebrity
One bottle of wine
Costa
Not allowed
Cunard
One bottle of wine
Disney
Two bottles of wine or six beers
MSC Cruises
Not allowed
NCL
Unlimited wine – $15 fee per bottle
P&O Cruises
One litre of wine or Champagne
Princess Cruises
One bottle of wine for free. ($15 per additional bottle)
Most cruise lines also offer drinks packages which can be great value for money. And wouldn’t you much rather have a freshly-made cocktail than try to sneak your own spirits into soft drinks?
If you’re undecided about whether to buy a drinks package or not, my free calculator will work out whether it’s good value for money, based on what you like to drink.
Cruise lines will check for alcohol (and other things)
All cruise lines will check luggage for alcohol as well as drugs, weapons, irons, drones and other prohibited items during the embarkation process. They will check all checked and carry-on luggage with scanners as well as manual spot checks.
In fact, they’re wising up to some of the hacks on this list. There’s one that I haven’t included in the list above because cruise lines caught onto it very quickly, even though it was quite a clever hack.
It involved taking a multipack of soda, opening the cardboard carefully, swapping out some cans for alcoholic cans, then re-sealing the box using super glue so it doesn’t look tampered with.
Unfortunately, clips of the hack went viral and so cruise lines quickly learned to check the boxes!
If bottles, cans or other containers are detected on the x-ray scanner, port staff will open the bag to have a closer look.
Some cruise lines, including Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line prohibit all drinks including water (unless it’s needed for medical reasons) to be brought on-board. This speeds up the process of having to check every bottle to see if it’s water, soft drinks or alcohol.
The last word
Of course, I’m not recommending that anyone try to sneak alcohol, or anything else, onto a cruise ship. Selling drinks on board is one of the ways that cruise lines cover their costs and if everyone tried to cheat the system by sneaking alcohol on board they would inevitably have to put up the ticket prices.
Plus, getting caught with alcohol is embarrassing. Whilst you may be lucky enough to get away with finding a ticket in your case, if your case is locked, you’ll be summoned to a location on the ship and asked to open it.
If you get caught with excess booze in your carry-on bag, you’ll have to suffer the humiliation of all the passengers in the line behind you, seeing you get busted.
Related posts:
If you found this interesting, please share!
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.
Many of the top cruise lines offer prepaid drinks packages to let you enjoy your cruise without counting your drinks.
The idea is that you can relax, since your drinks are paid for in advance, and have as many as you like (within reason) because you don’t need to think about how much you’re spending each day.
But drinks packages aren’t always worth it, especially if you don’t drink a lot. So how do Cunard’s drinks packages shape up? Are they good value, or should they be avoided?
If you average around 8 drinks per day, it’s probably worth getting a package
Whether a Cunard drinks package is worth it or not depends on how much you drink – typically if you have around 7-8 alcoholic drinks per day then you will likely find that the drinks package is good value, although some drinks are cheaper than others.
Everyone is different – with different tastes, preferences and in terms of how much they drink each day too. Some people drink a lot on every day of their cruise, others might have a couple of days where they take it easy.
I can help though – my drinks package calculator will help you work out whether a Cunard drinks package is worth it. All you need to do is fill in how many drinks you’ll likely have each day, and this will tell you whether you should get the package or just buy your drinks separately.
Prices
There are four main drinks packages available with Cunard. The drinks package with alcohol costs between $49.50 and $85.50 per person, per day if bought before you sail. Non-alcoholic packages range from $10 to $30 per person, per day.
Here’s a look at each of the main packages, along with some wine packages you can buy.
1. Soft Drinks Option
Cost in advance: $13.50 per person, per day Cost when bought on the ship: $15 per person, per day
This is the most basic drinks package you can buy, purely for soft drinks. It includes:
All draught soft drinks
Selected fruit juices
Squash and cordial
It’s a good option if you’re travelling with kids, or if you’re not an alcohol drinker and you’re not too fussed about hot drinks. You’ll be able to get as many drinks as you want from that short list throughout the cruise, at any of the bars or restaurants.
2. Speciality Hot Drinks Option
Cost in advance: $15.75 per person, per day Cost when bought on the ship: $17.50 per person, per day
This drinks package is exclusively for hot drinks, and it includes:
All illy speciality coffees
Tea Forte infusions
Hot chocolates
Again, these are available at any bar or restaurant where they are served, and there’s no limit on how many you can have.
3. Premium Soft Drinks Option
Cost in advance: $40.50 per person, per day Cost when bought on the ship: $45 per person, per day
This package is for those who don’t want to drink alcohol (or who prefer to pay for their alcoholic drinks separately), but want as many other drinks options included in their package as possible. You get:
All draught soft drinks
A selection of bottled soft drinks
Small bottled waters (330ml and 500ml)
Fresh juices
Speciality hot drinks
Non-alcoholic cocktails
20% discount on any non-alcoholic drinks not included in the package.
Here’s what that 20% discount actually applies to:
Large bottles of water (750ml, 1 litre, 1.5 litre)
Freshly squeezed deluxe juices
Smoothies
Hot and cold Godiva chocolate drinks
4. Beer, Wines and Spirits Option
Cost in advance: $49.50 to $85.50 per person, per day Cost when bought on the ship: $55 to $95 per person, per day
Cunard used to have a simple flat price for this drinks package, but it’s now changed depending on your sailing length. Here is the full list of prices:
Less than 5 nights – $85.50 per person, per day ($95 if bought onboard)
5-14 nights – $72 per person, per day ($80 if bought onboard)
15-84 nights – $67.50 per person, per day ($75 if bought onboard)
85 nights or more – $49.50 ($55 if bought onboard)
This can have some interesting quirks – for example, an 84-night cruise would cost you $5,670 per person for drinks, while an 85-night cruise would cost you just $4,207.50 per person for drinks – over $1,400 cheaper despite being a longer cruise! Of course, there aren’t too many of these itineraries, but it’s an interesting point to make.
The Beers, Wines and Spirits Option doesn’t have a set list of drinks that it includes. Instead, you get all the benefits of the Premium Soft Drinks Option, as well as all alcoholic drinks up to the value of $13.50.
This includes:
All beers and ciders
All gins, tequilas, vodkas and liqueurs
Many of the whiskys, rums and cognacs
All small glasses of wine
Selected Champagne and prosecco glasses
Most cocktails
As well as those drinks being completely included, you also get:
20% off most alcoholic drinks not included in the package
20% off some bottles of wine
20% off Cunard Wine Academy
20% off Cocktail Master Class
5. Wine Collections
There are a few options available for wine packages on a Cunard cruise. These let you buy bottles of wine in advance, to be used during the cruise.
Captain’s Collection
The Captain’s Collection is made up of a selection of white and red wines that are some of the most popular on the ship. There will also be a sweet wine option and a bottle of Prosecco available. You can choose any 6 or 12 from the list.
6 bottles – $310
12 bottles – $550
Commodore’s Collection
The Commodore’s Collection works in the same way as the Captain’s Collection, but it includes finer wines. Again there will be a mix of white and red wines, along with a couple of sparkling wine options and a rose.
6 bottles – $445
12 bottles – $750
Create your own Collection
Another option is to curate your own wine list from across both the Captain’s Collection and Commodore’s Collection, mixing your list between them. You’ll then be given a price for your custom list, which will be up to 20% cheaper than if you bought the wines separately.
If you like the idea of the collections, but can’t decide between them, then creating your own is the way to go.
Drinks are more expensive than on land
Drink prices on Cunard ships are similar to many American-style cruise ships, so they’re quite expensive compared to on land, but not by a huge margin. Beers cost around $6, glasses of wine cost between $8 and $14, and cocktails range from around $10 to $13.
However – that’s before the 15% gratuity is added on. Every time you buy a drink on a Cunard ship, you’re charged a 15% service charge on top of the drink order. So really, a beer doesn’t cost $6 – it’s closer to $7.
When you buy a drinks package, the service charge is included, so that does help to make it a lot better value for money – you’re not paying 15% again every time you have a drink.
Price list for 2024
Here’s how much drinks cost on a Cunard cruise.
Bottled beers – $5.90 to $6.60
Draught beer – $6.10 to $6.80
Bottled cider – $5.90 to $6.60
Alcohol-free beer – $5.90 to $6.40
Gin – $6.30 to $7.80 per measure
Tequila – $6 to $8 per measure
Rum – $6.30 to $14 per measure
Vodka – $5 to $7.90 per measure
Whisky – $5.90 to $12 per measure
Brandy & Cognac – $6.90 to $70 per measure
Liqueurs – $5.90 to $6.60 per measure
White wine glass (150ml) – $6.80 to $11.70
Rose wine glass (150ml) – $7.50 to $13.20
Red wine glass (150ml) – $6.80 to $10.70
Prosecco – $9 per glass
Champagne glass – $12.30 to $21
Cocktails – $9.50 to $13.60
Mocktails – $5.50 to $6.50
Fountain sodas – $2.80 (small) $3.80 (large)
Bottled soft drinks – $3.90
Red Bull – $4.90
Fountain mixers – $1.80
San Pellegrino – $3.50
Depending on your view, these might seem quite expensive, or quite reasonable. They’re not really much more expensive than many other cruise lines, although that 15% service charge does bump the prices up somewhat.
They’re certainly not cheap – there are many cruise lines that are a lot cheaper than these prices, though they’re not quite the same standard of premium cruising as Cunard offers.
You can also view some of the drinks menus for the ship here. Note that these don’t include prices, but you can at least see what is available in different venues across the fleet.
Some drinks are free…
During breakfast, guests can enjoy a selection of fruit juices along with water, tea and coffee. Water during meals is always free, and guests can enjoy a cup of coffee after their meal has ended. Tea and coffee-making facilities are provided in all staterooms on the ship.
You can get water throughout the day as well from the fountains on the ship and the tap water is safe to drink, but otherwise, if you want any other drinks then you’ll need to get a drinks package, or head back to your room to make a tea or coffee.
Don’t forget to take your own too!
Guests are allowed to take one bottle of wine or Champagne onto their cruise with them, no larger than 750ml. It can be consumed for free in the cabin, but if guests want to drink it anywhere else on the ship they have to pay a $25 corkage fee.
10 things you must know about the Cunard drink packages
1. You can’t share
You’re not allowed to share a drinks package with anyone – any drinks you order when you have a drinks package have to be consumed by you. If you’re found to be sharing then you may have your drinks package taken from you without a refund.
It’s unlikely that you’re going to be seriously punished if you let a child have a sip of a soft drink you’ve ordered, but if wait staff notice it then they might keep an eye on you, and if it keeps happening then they’ll take action. The point of a drinks package is that you each pay for your own drinks – it’s cheating the system if only one person pays.
And as a result…
2. All adults in a cabin have to have the same package
To help prevent drinks from being shared, all adults (anyone aged 18 or over) sharing a cabin must have the same drinks package. It’s not possible for only one adult to buy a drinks package, or for one to buy a Beers, Wines and Spirits package while the other chooses a Soft Drinks package.
So if you’re travelling with your partner, you need to factor in that you’re paying for both of you – for the alcoholic package that’s now $140 per day for your cruise. If you’re sailing with a small group of friends or with adult children, the costs do add up. But again, it’s the only way of keeping it fair.
Children in your cabin don’t need to have a drinks package, but you will still get in trouble if you keep sharing your non-alcoholic drinks with them. You can buy them a different package though, so you can have the Beers, Wines and Spirits Option for you and the Soft Drinks Option for them.
3. You can’t get a drinks package on short cruises
A simple rule – you can only book a drinks package if you’re cruising for 5 nights or more. If you’re not sailing for that length of time, then you won’t be able to, and you’ll just need to buy your drinks separately.
With any drinks package, the cruise line is asking you to commit to a set daily figure because they know you’re unlikely to drink a lot every single day of your cruise. But on a shorter cruise, you may well do so – so it’s not as cost-effective for the cruise line to let you buy a package.
4. No more than 15 alcoholic drinks a day
When you choose the Beers, Wines and Spirits package, it’s not completely unlimited. You’re allowed 15 drinks per day, with a day measured as being 6 am through to 6 am the next day.
Officially, the terms and conditions state that any drinks above the 15-drink limit are at the discretion of the crew. If you’ve paced yourself with your 15 drinks and you are not too drunk, and not causing a nuisance, then the crew might let you have another. But they may still refuse you. If they do, accept the decision and wait until the next day.
5. Pre-cruise prices can be booked up to 4 days before you sail
All of the drinks packages cost less when you buy them in advance – between $2 and $5 per day lower. You can book your drinks package at this lower price any time from the moment you’ve booked your sailing, right up until 4 days before you’re about to cruise.
If you decide last-minute in the couple of days before you cruise that you want a drinks package, you’ll be paying full price.
6. You can’t get a package after day 2 of your cruise
If you board your Cunard ship and then decide that you do want a drinks package, you are able to add it onto your account. You just need to visit the Guest Services desk and request it, or visit any bar or lounge, and you’ll then have the package value added to your cruise account.
The latest you can do this is on your second day of your cruise. Any later and you’ll be refused, and you’ll just have to pay for your drinks individually. This again is to make sure the cruise line gets good value from the deal – rather than letting you book a package for the last two days of your cruise when you’ve planned a blowout.
7. You can’t get a package for part of your cruise only
When you book a drinks package, you can’t order it for only part of your cruise. You have to pay for it for the duration of your cruise. To be clear, you’ll be charged for the same number of days as nights you are sailing – so if your cruise is 7 nights, you’ll be charged for 7 days, even though you’re on the ship for an eighth day.
The only exception to this rule is when you order your drinks package onboard the ship on the second day of your cruise. When that happens, you won’t be asked to pay for the day you’ve already missed – instead, you’ll just pay for the remainder of your cruise.
8. If a drink’s not covered, you have to pay full price for it
The Beers, Wines and Spirits Option drinks package includes all alcoholic drinks up to a value of $13.50. With some cruise lines that use similar rules, if you choose a drink outside that price bracket, you only pay the difference – so if you ordered a $15 drink, you’d only pay the $2 difference.
That is not the case with Cunard. Any drinks that you choose to order that are outside of the drink price limit must be paid for at full price, minus the 20% discount you get for having the package. So try to stick to drinks under that $13.50 limit to make sure you’re getting good value.
9. One drink at a time!
To help make sure that guests don’t go crazy with their drinking, and also to prevent drink sharing, you’re only allowed to order one drink at a time when you have the drinks package. And then there is a 10-minute wait before you are allowed to order again.
Don’t think that you can get away with it by finding a different crew member. When your sail card is scanned for the drinks, it’ll flag that you’ve just ordered a drink elsewhere, and the crew member will refuse to serve you until the 10-minute limit is up.
10. Not everything is included
There are some exceptions to the main rules when it comes to what drinks are included. Specifically, the drinks packages cover the bars and restaurants on the ship only – but nowhere else.
So you can’t use a drinks package to order from the room service menu – those drinks still have an extra charge to pay.
And the same applies to any drinks sold in the onboard shops – they are not covered by the drinks package and you need to buy them separately.
There are two ways that you can book a Cunard drinks package.
If you’re booking in advance, it’s really easy. Once you’ve made your cruise booking, log onto the Cunard website and log into My Cunard, the online account for your cruise. In here you’ll be able to choose a drinks package to add to your account, though remember you’ll have to add the same package for all adults in your cabin.
The second way to buy a drinks package on a Cunard cruise is in person on the ship – either at a bar or lounge, or at the Guest Services desk. Remember that if you choose this option, you’ll be paying a higher price.
Final word
So, there you have it – everything you need to know about the Cunard drinks package options.
Should you buy one though?
It really depends. The Cunard drinks – when you factor in the service charge – certainly aren’t the cheapest. I think the Soft Drinks Option is definitely good value, but for the other three it depends on how often you’ll be drinking the beverages that are included.
Use my drinks package calculator to work out how much a drinks package will likely save you, and then you can make your own personal decision based on that.
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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.
When booking a Princess cruise, you’ll need to decide whether to get a drinks package or pay for your drinks individually.
With Princess Cruises, the decision isn’t as straightforward as “Is the Princess drink package worth it?” This is because Princess Cruises offers four different drinks packages, as well as two special fares – Princess Plus and Princess Premier – which both give you free drinks.
In fact, Princess Cruises’ pricing gets really confusing when you compare the drinks packages and the special fares.
Me on Enchanted Princess with a huge Margarita
Don’t worry – this simple guide will help you make the right decision about whether to buy a Princess Cruises drink package or upgrade to the Princess Plus or Princess Premier fares which come with free all-inclusive drinks.
Princess Cruises Drink Packages
Here are the four drink packages that are available…
Package
Includes
Advertised Cost
Actual Cost (Incl. Service Charge)
Plus Beverage Package
Drinks up to $15 each
$64.99 per day
$76.69 per day
Premier Beverage Package
Drinks up to $20 each
$84.99 per day
$100.29 per day
Zero Alcohol Package
All non-alcoholic drinks
$29.99 per day
$35.39 per day
Classic Soda Package
Sodas, juices, mocktails, smoothies
$14.99 per day
$17.69 per day
Prices are in US dollars. If you’re cruising from Australia, the pricing is different and is priced in AUD.
In addition to these packages, Princess Cruises offers the ‘Princess Plus fare’ and the ‘Princess Premier fare’. These bundle the drink packages with WiFi, crew tips and a whole host of other extras. I’ll give you more info on those further in this article.
If you just want the quick maths on whether a drink package is worth it, this calculator is for you…
Now, let’s take a closer look at Princess Cruises drinks prices and what you get in each package…
1. Plus Beverage Package
Price = $64.99 per day + 18% service charge (totalling $76.69)
Includes drinks up to $15:
Choice of 25 beers
Choice of 25 wines by the glass
Choice of 50 spirits
Cocktails and mocktails
Bottled water (500ml)
Fountain sodas
Fresh juices and smoothies from the juice bar
Speciality teas and coffees
Frappés at Coffee & Cones
Red Bull energy drinks
Plus is the most popular drink package. But, if you prefer high-end crafted cocktails, premier wines, top-shelf spirits and Champagne, then you should upgrade to the Premier package…
2. Premier Beverage Package
Price = $84.99 per day + 18% service charge (totalling $100.29)
Includes drinks up to $20:
Beers
Choice of 40+ wines by the glass
Choice of 75+ spirits
Cocktails and mocktails
Bottled water (500ml)
Fountain sodas
Fresh juices and smoothies from the juice bar
Speciality teas and coffees
Frappés at Coffee & Cones
Red Bull energy drinks
Unless you like to drink several alcoholic drinks each day, you’re unlikely to get your money worth from the alcohol packages. So instead, you should consider one of the following…
3. Zero-Alcohol Drink Package
Price = $29.99 per day + 18% service charge (totalling $35.39)
Includes:
Mocktails
Bottled water (500ml)
Fountain sodas
Cans of soda
Fresh juices and smoothies from the juice bar
Speciality teas and coffees
Hot chocolate
Frappés at Coffee & Cones
Red Bull energy drinks
Milkshakes
4. Classic Soda Package
Price = $14.99 per day + 18% service charge (totalling $17.69)
Includes:
Fountain sodas
Cans of sodas
Juices (excluding the fresh juice bar)
Mocktails
Smoothies
What’s not included?
None of the Princess drink packages include:
Bottles of wine or spirits
Buckets of beer
One litre bottles of water (except when dining at speciality restaurants)
Bottled juices
Room service
Mini bar
Self-service or vending machines
Items from retail shops
Souvenir glasses
The Plus and Premier Beverage Package will get you a 25% discount on bottles of wine, one-litre bottles of water and cans of soda.
Princess Plus & Princess Premier Fares
Now before, you go ahead and buy a drink package, don’t!!!
You’re always better off getting the Princess Plus or Princess Premier fare that bundles in WiFi, tips and other extras, rather than just buying the drinks package.
Princess Plus
Princess Premier
Cost = $60 per day
Cost = $80 per day
Plus Beverage Package (including the service charge)
Premier Beverage Package (including the service charge)
WiFi (1 device per guest)
WiFi (4 devices per guest)
Crew tips
Crew tips
Premium desserts (2 per day)
Premium desserts (unlimited)
Fitness classes (2 per cruise)
Fitness classes (unlimited)
Drinks delivered anywhere on ship
Drinks delivered anywhere on ship
Room service delivery
Room service delivery
2 casual dining meals per guest
Unlimited casual dining meals per guest
2 speciality dining meals per guest
Photo package
Medallion accessory
Reserved theatre seating
Princess Prizes
Both the Princess Plus fare and the Princess Premier fare are $15-20 per day cheaper than just getting the drink package, when you include the service charge costs of the drinks packages.
This doesn’t make much sense, I know. But that’s how it is. There are zero benefits to just buying the drinks packages on their own.
To make sure, I spoke to a member of Princess Cruises’ customer service team:
So for absolute clarity – if you think you’d want an alcoholic drinks package, don’t buy one – pay for the Princess Plus or Princess Premier fare instead.
If you’d like to know more about exactly what’s included, then I recommend that you check out my Princess Plus Vs Premier Guide to help you decide which to choose.
Tip: You can choose the Princess Plus for adults and the standard fare for children. This means that the adults can benefit from the drinks package and the wifi that might be wasted on kids. You can’t do this online, but you can if you book over the phone or with a travel agent.
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Upgrading after booking
You can upgrade your cruise to Princess Plus or Princess Premier after booking. To do that, you can call the travel agent that you booked with, or if you booked directly with Princess Cruises you can call them.
You can also upgrade on the first day of your cruise at one of the desks that you’ll find near the atrium.
Only the non-alcoholic packages are worth considering…
In short, the two alcoholic drinks packages are never worth buying. You get them included with the Plus or Premier cruise fares, along with other extras, but those special fares are cheaper than buying the drinks packages alone!
Whether or not the Plus or Premier cruise package is worth it depends on how many drinks you plan to drink each day.
The easiest way to calculate whether you should buy a drinks package or choose the Princess Plus or Premier fare is to use my drinks package calculator tool.
But, if you’d rather work it out for yourself, read on for the drinks prices…
Princess Cruises drinks prices
The bar prices on Princess Cruises ships are in line with most other cruise lines such as Carnival and P&O Cruises.
Princess Cruises Drinks Prices in 2024:
Cocktail: $10 to $18
Mocktail: $7
Beer: $7 to $7.50
Glass of wine: $10 to $19
Soft drinks: $2.50
Bottle of water (500ml): $2.50
Here are photos of the poolside drinks menus that I took onboard Sky Princess in August 2023…
You can also bring drinks on to the ship in your luggage. This may reduce the overall amount that you spend on drinks during your cruise.
Princess Cruises allows each adult to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne on board to drink in your stateroom.
You’re welcome to bring additional wine and champagne, but each bottle will have a $15 corkage fee. If you’ve paid the corkage fee, you can drink your wine anywhere on the ship, including in restaurants and bars.
Guests cruising with Princess Cruises can also bring an unlimited amount of soft drinks and water in cans, bottles or cartons.
From time to time, Princess Cruises used to offer free drinks packages as a booking incentive.
The last time this was offered was in 2019, when the ‘Sip + Sail’ promotion offered a free alcoholic drinks package to guests booking a balcony stateroom or suite, and a free non-alcoholic drinks package to guests booking an inside or oceanview stateroom.
As the Princess Plus Fare has now become permanent and the Princess Premier Fare was launched in 2022, it seems unlikely that free drinks packages will be offered on cruises in the foreseeable future.
While some cruise lines like Royal Caribbean have fluid drinks package pricing that goes up and down over time, on Princess cruises, the price is fixed.
The best way to get a discount on your Princess Cruises package is to opt for the Princess Plus Fare which includes free drinks, free wifi and free pre-paid gratuities.
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Important Things To Know
Before you take your cruise, I want to make you aware of a few drink package-related things. If you get these wrong, you could face unexpected charges, or even risk having your drink package voided.
1. Not every guest in your cabin needs a package
Most cruise lines require that if one person has a drink package, then everybody in the cabin must have one. MSC Cruises even makes kids aged three and over get a kids package, if the parents want a drink package.
However, on Princess Cruises that is not the case. You may buy a drink package for only one person if you wish. But…
2. You cannot share drinks packages
Sharing of drinks packages is forbidden on Princess cruises. If you are caught giving drinks to another passenger, your drinks package may be cancelled without a refund.
3. Drinks packages aren’t available on every cruise
Princess Cruises’ drinks packages are not available on Australian cruises of six nights or less and are not available on one- or two-night cruises.
4. You can only have 15 alcoholic drinks per day
Alcoholic drinks are limited to 15 beverages per 24-hour period (6 am to 6 am).
Unlike on Carnival Cruises where the system prevents any further alcoholic drinks from being served, with Princess Cruises, any extra drinks may be served, but this is down to the discretion of the bartender.
So, if you don’t look drunk, you can go ahead and order that 16th drink, and you’ll be charged for it as if you didn’t have a package.
There is no limit to the number of non-alcoholic drinks that you can have per day.
5. You can order multiple drinks at a time
On a Princess Cruise, you can order multiple drinks at once, within reason. If you order too many the bartender will probably want to know who they are for and is likley to only serve one per person.
When there was along line at the bar, I queued up with my mum and ordered two beers (one each). She then immediately ordered two beers and was served. This is worth doing when the bar is very busy.
On the app, you can also order multiple drinks at once…
6. If you order expensive drinks, you just pay the difference
Let’s say you havew the Princess Plus Beverage Package that includes drinks priced at up to $15. If you order a drink that costs $16 drink, you will be charged the extra $1.
7. You must buy the package for every day of your cruise
As with all cruise drinks packages, If you buy a Princess Cruises drink package, you must buy it for every day of your cruise. You cannot buy it for only part of your cruise.
8. The minimum drinking age depends on where the cruise departs
On Princess cruises, guests must be 18, 20 or 21 years old, depending on the itinerary.
For cruises between Australia/New Zealand, China, Europe and Singapore ports, the drinking age is 18. For cruises between Japanese ports, the drinking age is 20. Everywhere else, it is 21.
9. The drinks package works on Princess Cays
When you buy a Princess drink package you’re not limited to only using it onboard your ship. The packages also work on Princess Cruises’ private island, Princess Cays, which is located in the Bahamas.
The bottom line
If you’re considering getting a drink package for your Princess Cruise, then you should instead consider the Princess Plus and Princess Premier fares.
The respective fares include their equivalent drinks packages, but are actually cheaper. It’s so confusing, but it’s true!
The only time to consider buying a standalone drinks package would be if you wanted a non-alcoholic one, but even then the Zero-Alcohol package, combined with tips, would be more expensive than the Plus fare. Only the Classic Soda Package makes sense as standalone purchases.
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.
When you book your Carnival cruise, you must decide whether to buy the drink package or pay for your drinks individually. In this thorough guide, I’ll give you the facts you need to make that decision.
If you’re short on time, just use my Carnival drink package calculator. Choose which drink you’d like and it will work out how much you’ll spend with and without the package.
Carnival Cruise Lines offers two drink packages. The Cheers package includes virtually all drinks up to the value of $20. The Bottomless Bubbles package includes only sodas and juices.
Let’s take a closer look at exactly what’s included in Carnival’s drink packages…
Cheers Package – From $59.95 per day
Includes:
Cocktails
Spirits
Beer by the glass
Wine by the glass
Sodas
Zero-proof frozen cocktails
Energy drinks
Milkshakes
Smoothies
Juices
Specialty coffees
Hot tea
Bottled water (500ml)
Other non-alcoholic bottled drinks
The Cheers Package also gives a 25% discount on drinks priced above $20, bottles of wine and champagne and drinks classes and seminars.
Carnival’s Cheers drink package limits guests to 15 alcoholic drinks per day. A day is considered to be 6 am – 6 am. There is no limit for non-alcoholic drinks.
What’s not included?
The Cheers package does not include:
Drinks in souvenir glasses
Bottles of liquor
Drinks offered at the gangway
Room service or mini bar
Sharing cocktails, pitchers, floaters, tubes and buckets
Bottomless Bubbles – From $9.50 per day ($6.95 for kids)
Includes:
Fountain soda by the glass (16 oz)
Juice by the glass (10 oz)
Soda flavours may vary but generally include Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Sugar, Caffeine Free Pepsi, Diet Pepsi Caffeine Free, Sierra Mist, Sierra Mist Zero Sugar, Mug Root Beer, Mountain Dew, Diet Mountain Dew, Bubly Lime Sparkling Water, Bubly Grapefruit Sparkling Water, Bubly Orange Sparkling Water
Juices include orange, cranberry, tomato, pineapple and grapefruit.
The Bottomless Bubbles package does not include:
Non-alcoholic beverages other than soda and juices
Drinks in souvenir glasses
Bottled water
Hot drinks
Drinks offered at the gangway
Room service or mini bar
Bottomless Bubbles Package Terms and Conditions
More info on package prices
Cheers Package
Buy on website
Buy on ship
6 days or more
$59.95
$64.95
5 days or less
$69.95
$74.95
Carnival’s alcohol drink package costs $59.95 per person, per day, if you buy it before your cruise or $64.95 per person per day if you buy it on board the ship.
For cruises of 5 days or less departing after December 1st 2023, the prices are $69.95 per person per day for advance purchases or $74.95 per person per day if you buy in on the ship.
You will also have to pay an 18% gratuity on top. When the ship is within US waters (docked in port) you will also have to pay an extra 10% sales tax on each drink.
For a 7-day cruise, if you pre-purchase your drink package, you can expect to pay $495 per person for drinks on your Carnival cruise including gratuities.
If your cruise departs from Texas or New York, state laws mean that you cannot use a drink package on the first day of your cruise. In this case, you will charge drinks to your account on the first day, and the Cheers package will start from 6 am the following day. You will not be charged for the first day.
Bottomless Bubbles Package
Carnival Cruise Line’s unlimited soda package costs $9.50 per day for adults and $6.95 per day for kids. There’s an 18% gratuity on top, plus a 10% sales tax on any drinks purchased while the ship is in US waters.
For a 7-day cruise, if you pre-purchase a soda package, you can expect to pay $ 78.47 per adult or $57.41 per child for unlimited sodas and juices, including gratuity.
They never go on sale – so don’t delay hoping for a discount
The Carnival drink packages never go on sale. The only way to get discounts on Carnival drink packages is to book it before you cruise. This will give you a $5 per day saving on the Cheers package compared to the price you will pay if you wait until you’re on the ship to buy it.
Technically you can use onboard credit, but…
You can buy a Carnival drink package with onboard credit, but it’s not recommended. You can only use your onboard credit once you get on board the ship, meaning that your drink package will cost an extra $5 per day than if you pre-purchased it.
If you want to use your onboard credit to buy the soda package, that’s okay, as the price is the same whenever you buy it. But if you want the alcohol package, you would be better to pre-purchase it before your cruise and save your onboard credit for something else.
To work out whether a drink package is worth it for you, or whether you would be better off buying your drinks individually, you’ll want to look into the price of each drink, as well as which drinks are always free.
The drinks on Carnival cruises are reasonably priced and tend to be a little cheaper than other cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises.
The average cost of drinks on a Carnival cruise ship in 2024:
Cocktails: $10.50 -$12.50
Beer (16oz): $7.00 to $8.50
Wine by the glass: $9.50 to $14.00
Spirit and mixer: $7.50 to $15.00
Soft Drinks: $2.75
Specialty Coffee: $2.50 – $4.95
Energy Drinks: $4.95
Smoothies: $6.50
Bottled Water: $1.50 – $3.95
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A good selection of free drinks is available
Carnival Cruise Line is pretty generous with the free drinks on offer in the main dining room, buffet and room service. The free drinks include water, lemonade, fruit juice, coffee, hot tea, iced tea, hot chocolate, milk and chocolate milk.
These drinks are free of charge in the main dining room and the Lido restaurant:
Non-bottled water
Lemonade
Iced tea
Hot chocolate
Hot tea
Regular and decaf coffee
Milk (regular or skim)
These drinks are available free of charge through room service:
Juices (orange, tomato, apple or grapefruit)
Coffee (regular or decaffeinated)
Hot tea
Iced tea
Hot chocolate
Chocolate Milk
Milk (regular or skim)
Carnival Cruise Lines does not offer a coffee package. Speciality coffees are included in the Cheers drink package or can be purchased individually. Regular coffee is available for free in the dining room, buffet or via room service.
When you play in the casino on a Carnival cruise ship you’ll earn casino points. Once you have enough points you will get a ‘Drinks On Us’ card which gives you free drinks while you play.
You get one point for every $2.50 you play through the slot machines and you need 1500 points to get a Drinks On Us card. So, you’ll need to spend around $3750 in the Carnival casino before you start to get free drinks.
If you accumulate 5,000 points, you will get a Drinks On Us card to use on your next cruise.
As the drinks are only free while you’re actively gambling, in the time it takes between ordering a drink and being served it, you’ll likely spend more than the cost of the drink.
Water prices
On a Carnival cruise, you can order water to be delivered to your room. The prices are:
12-pack of 500ml bottles: $14.95 (+18% delivery fee)
1.5-litre bottle: $4.50 (+18% delivery fee)
8-pack of 1.5-litre bottles: $24.95(+18% delivery fee)
The best value option is definitely the 12-pack of small bottles. You can purchase these before your cruise here: www.carnival.com/funshops
Don’t forget to bring your own
On a Carnival cruise, each adult can bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne in their carry-on luggage. Each person can also bring 12 cans or cartons of non-alcoholic beverages such as water, soda, energy drinks, juice or milk.
You can drink your own wine in your stateroom. If you wish to drink it in a bar or restaurant, you will be charged a corkage fee of $15 per bottle.
If you’d like to take a closer look at the Carnival drink menus from each of the bars and restaurants, you can see those here: Carnival Cruise Drink Menus 2024.
So, drinks packages – worth it?
Generally speaking, a Carnival drink package is worth it if you drink five or more alcoholic drinks per day. The unlimited soda package is worth it if you drink four or more sodas or juices per day. The exact number of drinks depends on what it is that you drink.
For example, if you drink mixer drinks costing $20 each, you will break even with your third drink. But with $1.50 bottles of water, it would take at least 40 to break even!
If you’re trying to make the decision of drink package vs no drink package, the easiest way to do this is with a drink package calculator. This will show you how much you can expect to spend with and without a package, based on the drinks you would have.
Carnival Drink Package Calculator
Just enter your email address and the free calculator tool will be sent straight to you.
Alternatively, if you mostly drink the same drink, then this chart will help you to work out how many drinks you would need to break even. The prices are based on a pre-purchase of the Cheers package.
As gratuities are added on to individual drinks or onto the package price (but not both), I’ve not included them in this calculation.
Carnival Cruise Drink Package chart – how to break even
Drink
Price
Drinks to Break Even
Cocktails
$10.50
6
Beers
$7.50
8
Wines
$12.00
5
Sodas
$2.75
22
Coffees
$3.50
18
Energy Drinks
$5.00
12
Smoothies
$6.50
9
Water
$1.50
40
With the Bottomless Bubbles soda package, it would take four sodas per day for an adult to break even and three sodas per day for a child to break even.
And if you purchase the Cheers package before your cruise and then change your mind, you can get a refund up to 9.00 pm ET on the evening before departure. After that time it is not refundable.
Before you cruise, be sure to check out my 19 Best Carnival Drink Package Tips for some handy hints that will help you make the most of your drink package and avoid any hidden charges.
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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.
A lot of cruise lines still offer set dining times, with the option of enjoying dinner earlier or later.
And you might already know exactly which one is right for you – but if you don’t tend to eat to a set schedule at home, you might not know which is the better option when you sail.
So, let’s compare – and help you decide which dining sitting is best for you.
Dining Times By Cruise Line
“Early” and “Late” dining times are fairly consistent across cruise lines, but with some exceptions. So it’s important to understand what the times are, as what constitutes late for one cruise line might seem early for another.
They aren’t always fixed either – sometimes it can vary depending on your ship or even on the port you’re visiting that day – but your times will always be communicated to you.
Here are the average dining times for each major cruise line:
Cruise Line
Early Dining
Late Dining
Ambassador Cruise Line
6 pm
8.15 pm
Carnival
6 pm
8.15 pm
Celebrity Cruises
6 pm
8.30 pm
Costa Cruises
6.30 pm
9 pm
Cunard Line
6 pm
8.30 pm
Disney Cruise Line
6 pm
8.30 pm
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
6.15 pm
8.30 pm
Holland America Line
6 pm
8 pm
MSC Cruises
5.15 – 7 pm (varies)
7.15 to 9.30 pm (varies)
P&O Cruises
6 pm
8.30 pm
Princess Cruises
6 pm
8.30 pm
Royal Caribbean
5.30 pm
8 pm
Marella Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages don’t offer fixed dining times – they are completely flexible.
Now you know the times, here’s some info to help you decide which is best for you…
Pros of Early Dining
1. It’s better for families (sometimes)
With late dining often starting at around 8pm, that can sometimes be a little too late for the impatient tummies of your children, if you’re cruising as a family.
Choosing early dining means that they won’t get ‘hangry’ and you can enjoy a nice dinner together, perhaps before you send them off to the kids’ club or babysitting and then enjoy the rest of your evening.
Some cruise lines offer an alternative, though, with a dedicated children’s meal in the buffet earlier on. With P&O Cruises, you’ll still need to attend with your kids at 5 pm, so try to avoid filling up on food yourself. Some other cruise lines like MSC Cruises will take your kids to the buffet without you needing to collect them, so you can relax while they eat with their ship friends.
That way, the kids can eat at 5 pm, the adults can eat at 8 pm and everyone’s happy!
2. You’ll sleep better
Experts recommend eating at least three hours before you sleep. Otherwise, you won’t have fully digested your meal and will not sleep well. Choosing an early dinner makes this much more likely – if your dinner starts at 8 pm (or, on Costa, as late as 9 pm), you might not be finished until well after 10 pm.
Now, that might be fine if you’re planning on staying up to enjoy the entertainment until the early hours, but if you like to be asleep before midnight, you might not be as well rested the following day.
And if you’ve got an action-packed day in port, or you planned on making use of all the facilities onboard, you might feel a little sluggish. Early dining usually means a night of better sleep.
3. Flexible evenings
If you choose to dine at the earlier time, it means the rest of your evening is free to be spent however you want to. You can be more flexible with your plans, depending on how you feel – if you want to hit the bars, take in a show, or visit the casino, then you can do all of that, or you can just head for an early night to watch a movie in your cabin.
With later dinner, you instead have a window of time that you always need to fill beforehand, which is often fine – there are plenty of things you can do – but if you’re just not really feeling up to anything, you might feel like you’re sitting around waiting. For many people it won’t be an issue but some don’t like that feeling of having to wait til later on.
4. Longer sleep before excursions
Some cruise excursions can start quite early in the morning, especially if you’re visiting a port where the main destination is a bit of a drive away, such as Civitavecchia for Rome. You might need to be getting off the ship at 8 am.
Nobody wants to feel rushed on their cruise, but you also don’t want to have to set your alarm for 6 am to start getting ready if you only finished your dinner 8 hours before. Choosing an earlier dining time can mean you get more time for that early night so that you’ve got all the energy you need to explore those ports.
5. No need to snack mid-afternoon
There’s nothing wrong with snacking on a cruise, but some people do try to limit themselves in order to make sure all their outfits still fit by the end of their sailing. Choosing an earlier itinerary will make you less likely to snack after lunch, since you’ll know you don’t have quite as long to wait before you’re eating dinner.
But there’s zero judgement if you do decide to indulge mid-afternoon. You’ve paid for it, after all.
6. Snack options are available late
If it feels like the early dining times are a bit too early, and you’re worried you’ll be hungry again later, remember that cruise ships will almost always have late-night food options.
Whether it’s 24/7 pizza, or cafes serving sandwiches, or even just your room service – it’s very unlikely you won’t be able to find something good to eat if you didn’t completely fill yourself up at dinner.
True, it counteracts some of the other reasons I’ve given for eating early, like limiting your snacks or eating too close to bed – but you do you!
Pros of Late Dining
1. You won’t feel rushed
One of the biggest reasons people choose late dining is because they don’t want to feel rushed to make it to the restaurant. And that can happen, especially if you’ve been on a full-day cruise excursion. You might not have much time at all to get back to your cabin, grab a shower and get changed.
Even if it isn’t an excursion, you might just be enjoying the ship, especially during the summer where you can just lounge by the pool until the later evening with the sun still shining. Knowing that you have to move to go eat, especially if you’re not really hungry yet, can put a dampener on the night.
2. Pre-dinner entertainment is available
Don’t assume that choosing a late dinner means that you won’t get to enjoy the entertainment on your ship. Most cruise lines will make sure there’s plenty happening during the earlier evening hours, including a second theatre performance just for those who want to eat later.
Some ships even have three performances per night, with a late show at 10.30pm in the theatre.
If you’re someone who is happy to start off their evening with a show, or that wants to head to the casino before it gets busy and then dine later, then choosing a later dinner setting could fit your schedule perfectly.
3. Fewer kids in the dining room
Honestly, I’ve never really had any problems with kids in the dining room, but I know some people would just feel more relaxed knowing that they were dining with adults only, with no risk of rowdy children spoiling the atmosphere.
There won’t be many children, if any, on a later dining sitting. They’ll either eat earlier or eat separately with the kids’ clubs. So choosing late dining is a good way of guaranteeing a more laid back and calmer ambience.
4. Better for enjoying late nights
While I’ve argued that early dinner is better for enjoying a flexible night of entertainment, you might be a night owl who loves staying up until the next morning enjoying the nightlife of the ship. If that’s the case, then late dinner might suit you better, since you can break up the evening more.
You might struggle with the next morning if you’re accidentally woken up early, but for the night owls who are always going to be in a bar come midnight or beyond, you might want to avoid eating too early so that you aren’t getting hungry again when you want to just dance.
5. Time for sophisticated cocktails
A later dinner fits perfectly with a cocktail hour before you eat. If you love the idea of a sophisticated evening, perhaps attending an organised event (or even hosting one, if you’re staying in a suite), then consider a later dinner to leave enough time for those aperitifs.
Some cruise lines will offer a happy hour event, typically from 5 pm to 6 pm, where special drinks may be served in lounges. You don’t want to have to down a fancy cocktail just so you can rush off to start your dinner!
What About Flexible Dining?
Many cruise lines will offer a third option for flexible dining. This may be the only option – such as with NCL – or you might get to choose. With some cruise lines, flexible dining may be limited to a set number of guests, or there might be other prerequisites – with Royal Caribbean, you can only choose My Time Dining if you prepay your gratuities.
It’s a good option for a lot of people, since you get to choose when you eat, but it isn’t perfect – you might be waiting a while for a table, depending on how busy the restaurant is, and while you’ll be given a pager you don’t want to wander too far, so it restricts you a little.
Can You Change Your Dining Time?
If you get assigned a dining time that doesn’t work for you, you can usually change it but you’ll have to do it onboard the ship. Head to the main dining room and ask to speak to the maitre d’. They can usually change things for you, especially if you’re sailing with kids and need to move to the earlier sitting.
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Final Word
There’s no right or wrong answer on which is the best dining time – it depends on you and who you’re sailing with. Some people prefer early, some have to eat later, and some insist on flexibility – even if it means a wait for a table.
Check the average dining times for your ship before you commit, but don’t panic if you do get a time you’re not happy with, as the crew onboard will always do everything they can to accommodate you.
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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.
Taking a look at the MSC drinks menus before your cruise can be a good way to know what drinks are available on board, how much the drinks cost, and whether to buy a drink package or not.
If you’ve not yet decided whether to get a drinks package or which one to get out of the five different packages that MSC Cruises offer, then be sure to take a look at my MSC Cruises Drink Package Guide.
That will give you all the info you need to easily work out whether the drinks package is worth it or not.
In this guide to the drinks menus on MSC Cruises ships, you’ll be able to see photos of the drinks menus from each of the bars, lounges and restaurants.
MSC’s drink prices
Here’s a quick summary of what you should expect to pay for drinks on an MSC cruise:
Drink
Cost
Beer & cider
£7.50 to £9
Glass of wine
£8 to £10
Bottle of wine
£31 to £79
Cocktails
£10
Premium cocktails
£14 to £17
Spirits
£8 to £14
Soft drink
£3 to £3.50
Mocktails
£7
Energy drinks
£5.50
Mineral water (still or sparkling)
£2.50 to £3.50
It can be tricky knowing whether you should buy drinks individually, or pay for a drinks package, but I can help.
My drinks package calculator will give you an estimate of how much you’ll spend on drinks, and whether it would be better to pay for a package.
Just drop your email below and I’ll send it to you.
On MSC cruises, cocktails are always a popular choice, especially when sitting by one of the swimming pools.
All drinks served outside or by the pool are served in plastic glasses. They are nice plastic glasses, however, particularly the tall cocktail glasses. All of the drinking straws on MSC Cruises are biodegradable.
On MSC Cruises ships you cannot take your drinks into the pools or hot tubs as you can with other cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean.
Fruit Smoothie and Miami Vice
Here’s a closer look at what’s on the menu…
MSC Cruises’ cocktail bar menu is the one that you’ll find in most of the indoor bars and lounges such as the Sky Lounge.
As well as cocktails, you’ll find as a large selection of beers, wines, spirits, and hot drinks.
Jamaican Paradise and Ultimate Mai Tai
Here’s a closer look at what’s on the menu…
The British Pub on MSC Virtuosa is called Masters of the Seas. On other ships it has a different name such as The Brass Anchor on MSC Meraviglia.
If you love beer, this is the place to be as you’ll find 12 different beers on draft as well as a huge selection of bottled beers and beer-based cocktails.
Beer Mojito and Black Velvet
Here’s a closer look at the menu…
In the Main Dining Rooms, each of the lunch and dinner menus has a section headed ‘Sommelier Recommends’ where you can choose from a selection of wines of the day.
Here a closer look at that…
However, you can also order anything from the full wine list. If you have a drink package, it makes sense to order by the glass as wines by the bottle are not included in any package.
When you order by the glass, some of the serving sizes can vary quite a lot! This is a photo of a glass of rose wine that in ordered in the Main Dining Room on MSC Virtuosa last year. (No, I hadn’t drank any before I took the photo!)
And below is a photo of a glass of rose wine that I ordered in the main dining room on sister ship MSC Euribia this year. It’s about three times as big!
Below is a closer look at MSC Cruises wine menus so you can see what else is available…
In the Marketplace Buffet restaurant on MSC Cruises, there is a simple drinks menu with beers, wines, soft drinks and coffees.
At breakfast, if you ask for coffee or fruit juice in the buffet, it will be given to you from the machines. These drinks are free for everyone, with or without a drinks package, and they’re not the best.
However, if you do have a drink package then you should ask for freshly squeezed juices and a latte or cappuccino. These are included in the package but you won’t get them unless you ask specifically.
On MSC Virtuosa, there’s a robot bartender called Rob who makes drinks for you in the Starship Club.
You can order a drink from Rob using the touchscreens that are located in the bar. There’s a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to choose from, or you can create your own.
Drinks made by Rob the robot cost £18 for alcoholic drinks and £10 for non-alcoholic drinks. They come in a souvenir cup which you get to take home in a box.
Drinks made by the robot aren’t included in the MSC drinks packages, but you can order from a human server instead if you want the free drinks.
Minibar Price List
Each cabin on MSC Cruises ships has a refrigerated minibar that is refilled daily.
Drinks from the minibar are not included in the standard drink package are may be included in some upgrade drinks packages or in Yacht Club Suites.
MSC Cruises ships each have a variety of indoor and outdoor bars, lounges and restaurants. Oftentimes, you’ll see that the same menu is used in more than one venue.
For example, the Pool Bar Menu will be found in all of the outdoor bars as well as the Tropical Bar which is by the indoor pool. Most of the cocktail bars will have the same Cocktail Bar Menu.
There are, however, some drink lists which you can only get in one venue – such as the Champagne bar or the Starship Club.
Me in the Champagne Bar on MSC Euribia
Online and paper menus
MSC Cruises uses online menus wherever possible. On each table, there’s a sign with a QR code which you can scan with your mobile phone and it will take you to the menu.
You’ll need to be connected to the ship’s wifi to see the menus. You don’t need a wifi package to do this, so it won’t cost you anything.
If you don’t have a mobile device or don’t feel comfortable reading menus on one, paper menus are always available. Just ask one of the waiters for one and they won’t mind at all.
How to order drinks
Although the menus are online, you cannot order drinks online on MSC Cruises ships. Instead, you just tell a waiter what you would like.
Wherever you’re sitting, even if it’s on a sunlounger, the servers will come over regularly to ask if you would like a drink.
In the buffet, some ships have a button you can press that will call the waiter over, which is great!
To conclude
MSC Cruises drinks prices are broadly similar to other cruise lines. The cocktails aren’t particularly strong and the glasses of wine can be fairly small, so you may drink more than you expect to.
If you’re wondering whether to buy a package or not, be sure to take a look at my MSC drink package guidewhich has information about the various packages and also lists the drinks that are always free or charge with or without a drink package.
Don’t forget about my drinks package calculator too!
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Don’t miss the latest MSC Cruises offers…
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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.
Royal Caribbean drinks packages let you drink as much as you want – for a daily fee. Enjoying all-inclusive drinks on your cruise is fantastic – but it’s not a good deal for everyone.
Royal Caribbean has five different drinks packages to choose from. And they’re so confusing!
In an effort to decide whether to splash out hundreds of dollars on drinks or not, cruisers often turn to social media, where you’ll find tens of Facebook groups dedicated to the topic. Some of these have over 50,000 people, asking questions daily!
My daughter and I on a Royal Caribbean cruise
I’ve cruised with Royal Caribbean many times over the past ten years, and in this guide, I’ll share all the details you need to know, so that you can enjoy your cruise without feeling ripped off.
Comparing Royal Caribbean’s Drink Packages
Deluxe Beverage Package
Refreshment Package
Classic Soft Drinks Package
Cost
$50 to $115 per person per day
$38 per person per day
$15 per person per day
Alcoholic drinks
✔️
✖️
✖️
Non-alcoholic cocktails
✔️
✔️
✖️
Freshly squeezed juices
✔️
✔️
✖️
Premium coffees & teas
✔️
✔️
✖️
Bottled water
✔️
✔️
✖️
Milkshakes
✔️
✔️
✖️
Sodas
✔️
✔️
✔️
In addition to these packages, you also have the Evian bottled water package, which gives you 12 bottles of Evian delivered to your stateroom for $39, and the Cafe Select coffee package, which gives you 15 speciality coffees for $31
Whether the drinks package is worth it depends on the price and how much you drink. If you just want to know what you have to drink to break even on the package, then you can use my drink package calculator which will work all that out really quickly.
Royal Caribbean Drink Package costs can vary
Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package has dynamic pricing. The price changes daily depending on the ship, the destinations, the level of demand and current promotions. But it’s usually between $50 and $115 per person, per day.
The Refreshment package is $38 per day and the Classic Soft Drinks Package is $15 per day. However, there are often promos which make these cheaper.
Royal Caribbean keeps the price of its drink packages secret until after you have booked your cruise.
This is super annoying because you want to be able to budget for the whole cost of your cruise with drinks before you commit to booking, right? Oftentimes, people book a cruise and then are shocked and annoyed to see that the drink package is over $100 per day. Sometimes, the drink package costs more than the cruise itself!
How to see the exact price of the drink package for your cruise
Knowing the price of the drink package today isn’t that helpful, because it could go up or down tomorrow. But, if you’re on the fence about booking, I can certainly see why you’d want to do this.
There are a few different methods you can use to check the price of the Deluxe Beverage Package without making a booking.
1. Start an online booking
I read this article on the Royal Caribbean blog that says that ‘The Royal Caribbean website now has a Beverage Package step added to the checkout flow, where guests are given the choice to add them to their cart at the same time of booking the cruise.’
Supposedly, if you start an online booking, you’ll see a screen with the current drink packages prices, like this…
However, I tried this on both the UK and the US versions of the Royal Caribbean website and I was unable to see it. Have they stopped doing it? I’m not sure, but if it does work, it doesn’t work for everyone.
2. Sneak into Royal Caribbean’s cruise planner
The Royal Caribbean cruise planner is where you can see all the extras that you can add on after booking – such as drink packages. I found this forum post that explains how you can get into the planner without a booking, and see the price of the drink package for the cruise you’re interested in.
You just need to make sure that you’re not logged into the planner (use Incognito mode) and then adjust the URL to match your chosen ship and sail date.
Travel agents have access to far more info than we do, including the current drink package prices. A good travel agent will be able to log into their system and find the price for you.
4. Join the Facebook group for the cruise
Most cruises have Facebook groups for the sailing. If you join the group, you can ask in there what other people paid for their drinks packages. This will give you a good idea of not just what the price is today, but what it has been previously.
What’s actually included in each package?
Before we dive into what’s included in each package, it’s helpful to note that none of Royal Caribbean’s drink packages include mini bar items, bottles of wine, canned sodas, bottled juices, souvenir glasses or super premium drinks. But here’s what they do include…
Deluxe Beverage Package
Royal Caribbean’s alcohol drinks package includes:
Beer
Wine by the glass
Cocktails and mocktails
Spirits and liquors
Premium teas and coffees
Sodas and soft drinks
Freshly-squeezed juices
Bottled water
Refreshment Package
Royal Caribbean’s non-alcoholic drinks package includes:
Non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails)
Premium teas and coffees
Sodas and soft drinks
Freshly-squeezed juices
Bottled water
Classic Soda Package
Royal Caribbean’s soda package includes:
Coca-Cola (including diet, zero, caffeine-free and many different flavours of colas like strawberry, cherry and lime)
Fanta, Sprite and Dr Pepper (and zero versions)
Powerade (and zero version), Vitamin water and Hi C
Seagrams ginger ale (and diet version)
Barry’s root beer and creme soda (and diet versions)
Minute Maid orange and lemonade (and light versions)
Dasani flavoured or sparkling waters
All of these packages come with a refillable souvenir cup which you can use at self-service machines across the ship and help yourself to unlimited refills. You don’t have to use it though, you can just order fountain sodas from bars and restaurants if you prefer.
Royal Caribbean Coffee Package
For those who drink mostly coffee, Royal Caribbean offers a Cafe Select Coffee Card. This costs $31 and gives you 15 speciality coffees throughout your cruise. This reduces the price of each coffee from around $4 to around $2.
Before you go ahead and buy the Coffee Card, here are some things you’ll want to consider:
You cannot use a Coffee Card in Royal Caribbean’s Starbucks cafes
Grande and Venti size drinks will count as two drinks
You can share the card and purchase multiple drinks at the same time
Brewed coffee is always free from the Windjammer buffet
Speciality coffee is already included in both the Deluxe and Refreshment drink packages
Royal Caribbean Water Package
The tap water on Royal Caribbean cruise ships is perfectly safe to drink and tastes okay, although it may not always be very cold, depending on the weather. If you prefer to keep some bottled water in the fridge in your room, you can order 12 or 24 bottles of water to be delivered to your stateroom.
It costs $39 for 12 one-litre bottles of water to be delivered to your stateroom, and $69 for 24 bottles. This package is sometimes discounted, too.
Royal Caribbean Drink Prices
Royal Caribbean drinks prices are on the high end when compared to other cruise lines. You can see a price comparison of drinks across all cruise lines here.
Here are the average Royal Caribbean drinks prices:
Drink
Price
Beer
$7 – $8
Glass of wine
$9 – $20
Cocktail
$8 – $13
Soft drink
$3
Specialty tea or coffee
$4
Bottle of water
$3
Tea, coffee and hot chocolate
FREE
Flavoured water
FREE
Lemonade
FREE
Milk
FREE
Fruit juice
FREE with breakfast
You should note that these prices are before an 18% gratuity is automatically added – I’ll explain more about that later.
Before you start doing the maths to work out how many of each drink you have to drink to get your money’s worth from a package, just wait.
I have a free tool that will work that out for you. Just pop your email below and it will be in your inbox faster than you can say pina colada.
Always buy drinks packages in advance!
As the drink package price fluctuates so much, you can save quite a lot of money by timing your purchase right.
For the best price, you should always book your drinks package in advance before your cruise and not wait until you get on board the ship.
When you log into Royal Caribbean’s cruise planner, look out for special offers like this…
Note that if you live in the UK, you’ll see your drink package prices in £GBP on the Cruise Planner. I’ve just used $USD in this guide to keep things consistent for most readers.
On the first day of your cruise, you may see signs offering Buy One Get One Free deals on drinks packages. You should know that the onboard prices are inflated, and it’s still always cheaper to buy your package before your cruise.
Promotions available throughout 2024 on drinks packages
Royal Caribbean offers a discount when you pre-book your drinks package on the cruise planner before you sail. The discount is up to 30% during promotional periods such as Black Friday.
If you buy your drinks package in advance and then see that the price drops due to a promotion, you can cancel your drinks package, get a refund and then buy it again at the lower price. It’s possible to make a saving by doing this if you have the time and energy to track the prices.
If you do decide to buy a drink package for your cruise, then there are some important things that you must know, so as not to get caught out with an unexpected extra charge.
1. You can’t share a drink package
On Royal Caribbean cruises, sharing a drink package is not allowed. If you’re caught sharing your drinks with someone who doesn’t have a package, or cheating the package in any other way, you risk having your drink package cancelled without a refund.
2. Every adult in your cabin must have the same package
Whichever package you choose, you must buy it for every adult passenger for every day of your cruise. If two adults are sharing a stateroom then both people must have the same package. So you can’t get the Royal Cribbean alcohol package for one person and the soft drink package for another.
This is to prevent people from using their package to get drinks for other who don’t have the package.
There are some exceptions to this rule, though. Under certain circumstances, you may be able to buy the Deluxe Beverage Package for one guest and the Refreshment Package for another guest.
These exceptions include:
Medical conditions
Pregnancy
Alcohol addiction
Religion
If any of these apply, then contact your travel agent or Royal Caribbean and explain your circumstances. You may be required to show proof.
3. You don’t need to buy a drinks package for children
Unlike some other cruise lines, such as MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean does not require guests under the legal drinking age to buy any kind of drinks package. So, you can get an alcohol or soft drink package for the adults without being required to buy any kind of package for your children.
My son only drinks water so a drinks package would be pointless for him
You have to wait 15 minutes between each drink, so it is technically possible to get drinks for the kids and then 15 minutes later, go and get drinks for yourselves. Just like sneaking your own alcohol on board the ship, this isn’t technically allowed, but people do it.
4. There’s no limit to how many drinks you can have
Whilst many other cruise lines limit the number of drinks you can order to 15 in any 24-hour period, Royal Caribbean has no daily limit. However, if you appear to be too intoxicated, the staff won’t serve you any more drinks.
5. Not all drinks are included
The Deluxe Beverage Package includes drinks up to $14 in value. That’s pretty much everything, aside from some premium wines and spirits.
However, it doesn’t include anything from Starbucks, your mini bar, some speciality beers that are shown on the menu, or anything in a souvenir glass.
The deluxe package also doesn’t include wine by the bottle, so be sure to always order it by the glass. It does give you 40% off any wine up to $100 and 20% off any wine over $100 though, if you want to treat yourself to a bottle of something special.
6. Drinks from Robot Bartenders are included
On Anthem of the Seas and other Quantum-class ships you can order drinks from the robotic bartender. These drinks are included in your drink package, which is great, as on MSC Cruises’ ships, drinks made by the MSC robotic bartender are not.
7. Royal Caribbean drinks packages work on private islands too
If you cruise to either of Royal Caribbean’s private islands – CocoCay in the Bahamas or Labadee in Haiti – then you’ll be pleased to know that your drink package works on the island!
There are some really great bars and I highly recommend the frozen cocktails. I got mine in a souvenir cup and only paid for the cup, not the drink.
8. Drinks package prices include tips
Royal Caribbean drinks packages include all tips (also known as gratuities). For most sailings, when you buy a drinks package online, an 18% gratuity charge is added at the checkout.
If you wish to recognise outstanding service by adding extra gratuities onboard the ship, you are welcome to do so.
9. The value often comes from relaxation
One of the main benefits of a drinks package is that if you don’t like a drink you don’t have to drink it. If you paid $14 for a cocktail and didn’t like it, you’d be pretty annoyed at yourself for choosing it. Yet with a drinks package, you’re free to work your way down the menu, trying new things.
You don’t need to worry about how much you’re spending, and that’s a much more relaxing way to cruise.
10. Royal Caribbean doesn’t offer free drinks packages.
While Royal Caribbean doesn’t offer free drinks packages, you can get all-inclusive cruise package deals that have drinks included.
In fact, Royal Caribbean almost always has some kind of special offer to encourage people to book cruises. This may be a ‘Kids Sail Free’ offer, free gratuities or buy one cruise fare get one half price.
If you book your cruise during a “free drinks” offer, then you will get drinks included with your cruise.
In my former job managing cruise websites for a travel agent, I saw cruise line campaigns change regularly and prices fluctuate almost daily. One thing which I noticed is that the bigger the ‘freebie’, the higher the base price. A cruise which ordinarily costs £699 might go up to £999 with drinks included.
Note the wording used. Cruise lines rarely use the word ‘free’, instead they use ‘included’. This is because the drinks packages are not actually free, it’s just that the ticket price is adjusted to include drinks.
11. Many drinks are free without a package
There are several places where you’ll find free drinks during your Royal Caribbean cruise. These are:
On the first formal night of the cruise, attend the Captain’s Toast and get a free glass of Champagne
Go to an art auction where free Champagne will be flowing
Attend a liquor tasting in the duty-free shop and get a free shot
Guests who have spent more than 30 nights at sea with Royal Caribbean (Platinum members and above) can attend a Crown & AnchorWelcome Back Party and get free Champagne or rum punch
Guests who have spent more than 80 nights at sea with Royal Caribbean (Diamond members and above) get free drinks between 5 pm and 8.30 pm for Happy Hour
Guests staying in a Grand Suite or higher can enjoy free drinks for a few hours each evening in the Concierge Lounge
Use a coupon – Buy One Get One Free deals may be pre-loaded on to your Seapass account
Beware: I drank the free mimosas at a Royal Caribbean art auction and ended up buying a painting!
Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society awards loyalty points for every night that guests spend on-board Royal Caribbean ships. With the acquisition of 80 points (equivalent to 80 nights at sea), guests become Diamond members.
Crown & Anchor Diamond status entitles you to four free drinks per person per day, meaning that you probably don’t need a drink package.
For cruises that start in North America, the minimum drinking age is 21. For cruises that start elsewhere, it’s 18. If you celebrate a milestone birthday mid-way through the cruise, you should ask the Guest Services Manager to modify your record to allow you to drink alcohol after your birthday.
So the big question – is a drinks package worth it?
When I cruise with Royal Caribbean, I sometimes get a drink package, but sometimes I don’t. To help you decide, here are some of the things that I weigh up when making my decision…
Drinking on sea days versus port days
You should think about how much time you plan to spend on the ship. Whilst you could easily drink five cocktails by the pool and then a couple of glasses of wine in the evening on a sea day, how much would you drink if you were off the ship from 9 am until 6 pm most days?
If you plan to be off the ship exploring ports most days, then not only will you not have as much time on board to drink your drinks, but you’re also less likely to want a hangover! For this reason, a drinks package may be better value on a cruise with lots of sea days, such as a transatlantic sailing.
Who are you cruising with?
My husband chooses not to drink alcohol, so when I cruise with him I never get a drink package. It’s virtually impossible to break even on the Deluxe Beverage Package if you don’t drink alcohol.
But when I cruise with a group of friends it’s more of a party atmosphere, so I would definitely buy the package and try out all of the cocktails!
Buying the package – online or onboard?
There are two ways to buy a Royal Caribbean drink package:
Online – At least 72 hours before your cruise using Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner
Onboard – Ask at any bar on the ship and the staff will help you buy it
The best way to save money on your Royal Caribbean drink package is to buy it a few days after booking your cruise. Then, log into the Cruise Planner regularly to watch the price. If it drops, cancel the package and re-buy it at the lower price.
If you need to cancel…
You can use the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner to cancel your drink package online up to two days before your cruise and receive a full refund. After that, you can cancel it when you first embark on the ship, but no later.
You can’t get wine packages anymore
Royal Caribbean no longer offers a wine package. Years ago, you could buy five bottles of wine for $165, 7 bottles for $220 and 10 bottles for $300. However, the cruise line no longer offers these discounts.
Do you plan to buy a drinks package on your next cruise? Let me know in the comments below.
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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.
When booking a P&O cruise, one important decision that you’ll need to make is whether you should purchase a drinks package to make your cruise all-inclusive, or whether you’d be better off paying for drinks individually.
So, are P&O drinks packages worth it?
For some people, yes. For others, definitely not! To decide for yourself, you’ll need to know:
How much are drink packages on P&O Cruises?
How much are drinks on P&O Cruises?
How many drinks will I drink each day?
In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about P&O drinks packages so that you can easily decide whether the P&O all-inclusive drinks deal is worth it or not.
If you just want a quick answer as to whether you should buy a P&O drink package, I’ve made a handy tool that will work it all out for you…
Just enter your email address below and get the P&O Drink Package Calculator sent straight to your inbox for free.
P&O Cruises Drinks Packages 2024
P&O don’t sell cruises as ‘all-inclusive cruises’ like other cruise lines such as Marella Cruises do. However, In 2019, P&O Cruises introduced a new drinks package that can turn your cruise from a full-board cruise to an all-inclusive cruise.
And then, in 2023, the cruise line revamped its selection of drinks packages, making it easier than ever to find one that suits you.
I love to drink cocktails, pints of beer and large glasses of red wine on my cruises. But I wouldn’t buy P&O’s drink package. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t either, though. Read on for all of the info you need to decide…
P&O drinks packages – the cost
The cheapest drinks package on a P&O Cruise is £14.45 per day, but this includes just a limited selection of soft drinks. The most expensive drinks package is the Deluxe and this costs £60.50 per day. You do save 10% on all drinks packages if you book before you cruise.
P&O Cruises offers 4 different drink packages:
The Deluxe drinks package – £60.50 per person, per day
The Classic drinks package – £48.45 per person, per day
The Alcohol-free drinks package – £26.95 per person, per day
The Refresh drinks package – £14.45 per person, per day
When people talk about the P&O Cruises drinks package, they’re usually referring to the Deluxe or Classic packages – the ones that include alcohol.
Unlike other cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, which varies the price of its drinks package depending on your itinerary and any promotions, the P&O Cruises drinks package price is always fixed. The only change is if you book in advance where the prices are around 10% cheaper:
The Deluxe drinks package – £54.45 per person, per day
The Classic drinks package – £43.95 per person, per day
The Alcohol-free drinks package – £24.25 per person, per day
The Refresh drinks package – £12.95 per person, per day
Good to know: If you’re cruising with children and purchase the Deluxe or Classic Drinks Package, you also get the Refresh Package for free for one guest aged 16 or under!
My daughter has a never-ending thirst for mocktails!
Here’s what each package includes
Some cruisers are disappointed when they book a package and then discover that their favourite drinks cost extra. So, here’s what you’ll get with each package…
1. P&O Cruises Deluxe Drinks Package
P&O Deluxe Drink Package Menu:
Extended range of cocktails
Extended range of 50ml spirits
Beers and ciders
Craft beers
Extended range of 250ml wines
Dessert & fortified wines
Prosecco
Perfect Serves (specialist spirits, e.g. Grey Goose vodka)
All Costa Coffees (small and medium) and teapigs
Mocktails
Non-alcoholic beers and wines
Bottled and fountain sodas
Water
Mixers
Glasses of juice and squash
You’ll also get a 20% discount on any items which are excluded from the package
Further down this guide, there’s a list of P&O drinks prices so you can see which drinks are included in the package and which would cost extra.
Good to know: You’re allowed a maximum of 15 alcoholic drinks in each 24-hour period
2. P&O Cruises Classic Drinks Package
P&O Classic Drink Package Menu:
Selected range of cocktails
Selected range of 25ml spirits
Beers and ciders
Selected range of 175ml wines
Dessert & fortified wines
Prosecco
Selected small Costa Coffees and teapigs
Mocktails
Non-alcoholic beers and wines
Bottled and fountain sodas
Water
Mixers
Glasses of juice and squash
You still get the 20% off any drinks not included in the package.
It has the same list of exclusions as the Deluxe drinks package, but you also don’t get:
Premium cocktails
Premium spirits, or spirits in double measures
Premium wines, or large wines
Craft beers
Perfect Serves
Certain items from Costa, or medium Costa drinks
3. P&O Cruises Alcohol-Free Drinks Package
P&O Non-Alcoholic Drink Package Menu:
Selected small Costa Coffees and teapigs
Mocktails
Non-alcoholic beers and wines
Bottled and fountain sodas
Water
Mixers
Glasses of juice and squash
As you’d expect, the exclusions for this package cover just anything non-alcoholic. It’s important to note that this package (and the Refresh package) do not come with a 20% discount on drinks not included in the package – you’ll be paying full price.
4. P&O Cruises Refresh Drinks Package
P&O Refresh Drinks Package Menu:
Draft soft drinks
Glasses of juice and squash
The Refresh package replaced the children’s package, but the key difference is that adults are now allowed to purchase this package. It’s now just an entry-level package for anyone who only wants certain soft drinks and juices.
Good to know: Drink packages can only be purchased on cruises of 5 nights or more.
P&O Cruises Wine Packages 2024
P&O Cruises offers wine packages that give you a saving of around 15-20% when you buy six or twelve bottles of wine, compared to buying bottles individually. You can enjoy your wine in any restaurant or have it delivered to your cabin.
P&O Cruises don’t make it easy to find out about these wine packages and you can only buy them on the ship, not before your cruise.
The two wine packages are:
The Captain’s Collection – 6 bottles for £149 or 12 bottles for £279 (saving up to 15%)
The Commodore’s Collection – 6 bottles for £249 or 12 bottles for £450 (saving up to 20%)
You can see which wines are included in the wine packages here.
No longer available – the P&O Cruises Hot Drinks package
P&O Cruises did offer a hot drinks package for £10.95 per person, per day, but this has now been discontinued. It included small Costa coffees, hot chocolate and teapigs teas.
The best alternative to the P&O Cruises hot drinks package for 2024 is the non-alcoholic drinks package, although this costs more at £26.95 per person, per day.
Can you get a discount on a P&O drink package?
The only way to get a discount on a P&O drinks package is to book it before you sail, where you’ll get 10% off the total price. There’s no other way to get the package cheaper – it’s always the same price on any ship and at any time of the year.
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P&O Drinks Prices 2024
Before you go ahead and buy a drink package, you should look at how much the drinks cost on P&O Cruises.
Brodies Pub on Iona
P&O Cruises bar prices are pretty cheap, particularly in comparison to some other American cruise lines. P&O Cruises drinks prices tend to be similar to the prices of your local pub in the UK.
Here are P&O Cruises drinks prices for 2024:
Pint of beer: £4.75 to £5.20
Bottle of beer: £4.50 to £4.75
Glass of wine: £4.75 to £12.50
Cocktails: £6.95 to £8.95
Mocktails: £3.50
Gin (single): £4.00 to £4.50
Rum (single): £3.50 to £5.00
Whiskey (single): £3.75 to £4.25
Mixers: £2.05 to £2.55
Soft drink (regular): £2.25
Soft drink (large): £3.05
Water (330ml): £1.95
Red Bull: £3.50
Speciality coffee: £1.95 to £2.80
Tea: £2.20
If you’d like to take a look at the full P&O Cruises drink menus, you can see photos of those here: P&O Cruises Drinks Menus & Prices
Cocktails included in the packages
Both the Classic and the Deluxe drinks packages include cocktails, but the Deluxe is more comprehensive. These drinks package changes are very new, so a definitive list isn’t yet available for which cocktails will be included in each package, but as examples, Pina Coladads and Mai Tais are included on the Classic, while an Aperol Spritz or Sunset Cooler is included on the Deluxe package.
Strawberry Mojitos are included in the Classic package
Here are the cocktails that are likely to be included in each package:
Likely Classic cocktails:
Mai Tai
Mojito
Pimms Cup
Pina Colada
Strawberry Daiquiri
Spiced Rum Mule
Woo Woo
Singapore Sling
Fruit Salad
Pink Gin Spritz
Likely Deluxe cocktails
Margarita
Cobbler
Manhattan
Negroni
Irish Coffee
Gumlet
Cosmopolitan
Martini
Bellini
Sour
Punch
Aperol Spritz
Long Island Iced Tea
Sunset Cooler
Certain cocktails are excluded from both packages – that’s the Seven Wonders or Seven Treasures cocktails in the Amber and Emerald Bar and the exclusive cocktails served in Anderson’s Bar.
Any free drinks?
On P&O Cruises you can always get tea, coffee, water, cordial, and milk free of charge from the buffet restaurant. Fruit juices are also available for free at breakfast time.
You can get glasses of iced water for free from any bar or restaurant. Iona also has stations where you can refill your own bottle with cold, filtered water.
Water dispenser on Iona
Taking your own alcohol on your cruise
P&O Cruises allows each adult aged 18 years or older to bring up to one litre of wine or Champagne on board the ship to drink in their cabin. You can also bring an unlimited amount of water and soft drinks at the start of your cruise and at each port of call.
When it comes to allowing guests to bring their own drinks on board, P&O Cruises policy used to be more generous than any other cruise line – you could previously bring beers and spirits. But that changed in May 2024.
On our cruise on-board Britannia we brought a litre of gin and a litre of rum with us along with several large bottles of lemonade. This saved us over £400 compared to what it would have cost to buy these drinks at the bar. So it’s a shame that’s no longer allowed.
If any additional alcohol is purchased, either in duty-free or ashore, it will be confiscated until the end of your cruise.
If you do bring your own drinks on-board that, make sure you pack glass bottles in an inflatable bottle protector from Amazon to stop them from smashing in your case.
Beware the corkage fee…
There is no charge for drinking your own alcohol in your cabin or on your private balcony. However, any alcohol consumed in the dining rooms, bars, restaurants, pool or lounge areas, will be subject to a corkage fee of £20 per bottle.
Are P&O drinks packages worth it?
I see a lot of people online asking if the P&O Cruises drinks package is worth it. To work that out, you need to think about how many drinks you are likely to have each day, and whether they add up to more than £48 or £60 per person, per day.
It’s important to bear in mind, that on the majority of days of your cruise, you’ll be off the ship exploring the ports, and so you won’t drink as much as you will on sea days. On a sea day, I usually drink two to three times as much as I would on a port day.
P&O Drinks Package Calculator
For 2024 and beyond, P&O drinks packages that include alcohol cost £48.45 per day or £60.50 per day. The price for two people on a 14-night cruise would be £1,356.60 for a Classic package, or £1,694 for the Deluxe packages.
If you would normally spend more than that amount on refreshments, then yes, the package is worth it. If not, then you’d be better off paying for your drinks individually.
You can use my drinks package calculator tool to work out how much you can expect to spend on drinks on your P&O Cruise if you don’t buy a package.
Just pop your details in this form and the calculator will be sent straight to your inbox…
For most people, a drinks package on P&O Cruises doesn’t give good value for money and you will be better off paying for your drinks individually. If you mostly drink cocktails, large glasses of wine and double spirits, you’ll definitely want to choose the Deluxe package if you get a package – but it may still be cheaper to pay for drinks individually.
A package may be worth it if…
You drink a lot of alcohol every day on holiday
You have a lot of sea days or plan to stay on-board when your ship’s in port
You plan to spend a lot on kids’ drinks (as kids get a free drinks package when the adults get one)
You don’t want to bring your own alcohol in your luggage
For everyone else, you’re probably better off buying your drinks individually.
What changed in 2023?
Before these new drinks package tiers came in, back in 2023, there were three drink package options – Ultimate, Non-Alcoholic, and Children’s.
The Ultimate is very similar to the Classic, the Non-Alcoholic is similar to the Alcohol-Free and the Children’s is similar to Refresh. However there are some key differences:
Classic used to include all drinks up to £6.95 but the price limit has now gone, to be replaced by a set list of drinks
The Classic package does now include all drinks from the Alcohol-Free package – previously it didn’t
The Alcohol-Free package now includes mocktails and non-alcoholic beers and wines, but no longer includes coolers or frappes from Costa
The Refresh package is now available to all guests, not just children, but hot chocolates have been removed from the package.
The Deluxe package is a completely new package designed to address some of guests’ concerns that their favourite cocktails or large glasses of wine weren’t included in the Ultimate package.
But it’s not necessarily a good thing, as £60 per person, per day (or £55 if you get the discount) is a lot of money, and you need to make sure you’re getting the value from the package before you pay for it. Especially as you have to pay for it for every day of your cruise.
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Useful things to know
Like any other cruise line, P&O doesn’t let you share a drink package. That means that each adult in a cabin must purchase their own drink package. Children receive a free drink package when adults buy one.
You have to buy the package for your entire cruise, too – you can’t just buy it for a couple of days. And once you’ve bought it and started cruising, you can’t get a refund, though you can cancel it before you sail.
Guests must be aged 18 or older to consume alcohol on P&O Cruises. However, if the cruise is in USA or UAE waters then you must be 21 or older both to drink alcohol and to purchase the drinks package.
Aurora, Azura, Britannia and Ventura have self-service Enomatic wine machines and Britannia also has a self-service beer machine. These are not included in the drinks package. If you have a drinks package, do not use these machines as you will be charged.
And the packages don’t cover the minibar in your room either – they’re just for the bars and restaurants around the ship.
Plus, one handy thing to note – with the P&O Cruises Deluxe drink package, you can order double shots (such as a double vodka and Coke), but you can’t with the Classic package as this would count as two drinks. You can also get large glasses of wine (250ml) on the Deluxe package only.
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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.
One of the things I look forward to when going on a cruise is the food. There are always so many different things to try. From savoury snacks to sweet treats, each cruise line offers something unique.
From my own cruises and reading reviews online, I’ve discovered some great must-try foods on different cruise lines. In this post, I’ll share ten of the top foods you shouldn’t miss if you ever get the chance to try them…
1. Mickey Waffles on a Disney Cruise
On Disney cruises, Mickey Waffles are a breakfast highlight. You can enjoy them in the main dining rooms or order them through room service, perfect whether you’re up for an early meal or a lazy morning in your cabin.
Beyond the beloved classic version, Disney Cruise Line sometimes offers special variations, like churro waffles. Everyone raves about this version, which can usually only be found on the last day of your cruise. However, others have reported getting these by asking very nicely in the main dining room, and they managed to get them for breakfast the next day.
If you have dietary restrictions you don’t need to miss out. Gluten-free and vegan Mickey Waffles are also available. They might not be on the menu, but you just need to ask and your server will work their Disney magic.
2. The Best Pizza at Sea on a Princess Cruise
Princess Cruises is often praised for offering some of the best pizza at sea. You’ll find it poolside and you can order by the slice.
If you want something special, such as a pizza without cheese, just ask and the chefs will do their best to make one for you.
Another pizza venue that you simply must visit on a Princess Cruise is Alfredo’s Pizzeria. This venue is celebrated for its gourmet, Neapolitan-style pizzas crafted from scratch by Master Chef Alfredo Marzi.
The pizzeria is located on the stunning three-story Piazza, which serves as a central hub for entertainment, dining, and shopping on several Princess ships, including Regal Princess, Royal Princess, and Sky Princess.
Alfredo’s Pizzeria provides a variety of thin-crust pizza options and the open kitchen layout allows guests to watch as their pizzas are prepared and baked to perfection.
3. Gourmet Milkshakes on Icon of the Seas
Cruisers have been sharing photos of their milkshakes on social media at the Desserted Milkshake Bar on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas.
The ‘Stranded Burro’, a vanilla and salted caramel milkshake, is a fan favourite. It is overflowing with dulce de leche, doughnut pieces, and cinnamon cereal, topped off with a generous swirl of vanilla icing, caramel popcorn, and whipped cream.
For adults looking to spice it up, a shot of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky is the perfect kick. If mint is more your style, the ‘Minty Mariner’ offers a cool burst with its mint milkshake base, laced with mint chocolate syrup, chocolate Pocky, waffle cone pieces, and an array of sprinkles, finished with a touch of vanilla icing and whipped cream.
And for those who taste the classics, the bar also serves timeless favourites like vanilla, chocolate, and cookies & cream shakes.
Despite the eye-catching presentation and the lure of these indulgent shakes, it’s noted that the price point is quite high at $21, leading some to prefer the delightful bubble cones from Izumi in the Park as a sweet alternative. However, the milkshakes look like a great thing to try as a one-off treat.
4. Guys Burgers on a Carnival Cruise
Guy’s Burger Joint on Carnival Cruises is a standout choice and has been named ‘the best burgers at sea’. The burgers are so popular that they’ve been rolled out across nearly every ship in Carnival’s fleet.
Created in partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri, it’s known for its hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries. The eatery sports a vibrant Americana decor reminiscent of a West Coast roadside diner, and it is conveniently located by the pool area on many Carnival ships.
The menu offers five distinct burger creations, each tailored to your liking, at an impressive toppings bar featuring options from sautéed mushrooms and onions to a variety of sauces, including the famous ‘Donkey Sauce’ – a punchy blend of garlic, mustard, and Worcestershire. And let’s not forget the fries; they’re a popular item in their own right, seasoned and cooked to a perfect crisp.
One of the biggest draws to Guy’s Burgers is that it’s included in your cruise fare, so you can indulge without an additional cost. It’s typically open from noon until 6 p.m., making it an ideal lunch spot.
For cruisers sailing from Texas, there’s an exclusive offering known as the Big Tex Burger. This burger adds a local twist to the menu, adding toppings like roasted green chilli salsa and tortilla strips.
5. Sushi on Norwegian Cruise Line
On Norwegian Cruise Line, cruisers often share their love of the sushi.
The place to go is the Orchid Garden & Sushi Bar, a complimentary specialty restaurant. This venue is praised for its salt and pepper Calamari and Harvest Spring Rolls, and guests can also enjoy sushi from the sushi bar at an additional cost.
The offerings range from $5 to $8.50 per item, with favourites like the Two-Timing Tuna Roll and the uniquely delicious Crispy Rice sushi.
On the newer Norwegian ships like the Norwegian Prima, you can experience Nama, a glamorous sushi bar that serves custom rolls and offers live sushi and sashimi preparation.
Norwegian’s Teppanyaki restaurant is another popular dining option. Guests can watch chefs perform while they prepare dishes like steak, shrimp, and fried rice on a steel grill.
6. Burritos and Tacos on a Carnival Cruise
People love the made-to-order burritos and tacos on Carnival Cruise Line for their fresh, custom-made approach to quick and delicious food. The combination of proteins like seasoned chicken or beef, the option to pack in plenty of veggies, and the choice of zesty salsas and sauces make these a hit.
You have the ability to personalise each taco or burrito to suit individual tastes, from spicy to mild, meat-filled to vegetarian. Begin with a fresh tortilla, move on to choose from a variety of fillings, and then top it off with your preferred extras. There’s a range of salsas for an extra kick, from mild to fiery hot. And for those who love a bit of creaminess, there’s the ever-popular guacamole.
Tacos, on the other hand, allow for similar customisation. Whether you opt for a soft tortilla or a classic crunchy shell, you can fill it with your chosen ingredients and make it right for your palate. Fish tacos, often featuring grilled fish with a squeeze of lime, are a fresh and flavorful option many gravitate towards.
7. Tiana’s Buttermilk Beignets on Disney Wonder
Tiana’s Buttermilk Beignets are a delightful treat that pays homage to Princess Tiana from the Disney film “The Princess and the Frog.”
These light and fluffy pastries are dusted with powdered sugar and have a soft, pillowy texture, making them a favourite among cruisers.
Served in Tiana’s Place, the themed restaurant on board the Disney Wonder, the beignets are part of a broader dining experience that captures the charm and vivacity of New Orleans. The restaurant’s ambience and live jazz music add to the authentic feel.
These beignets are typically enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet treat to complement the Southern-inspired menu of Tiana’s Place.
8. Italian Gelato on an MSC Cruise
On MSC Cruises, the freshly made gelato is a standout treat that captures the authentic flavours of Italy, where the cruise line is based. Served in various onboard venues, including dedicated gelaterias, this creamy dessert is crafted with high-quality ingredients and traditional Italian techniques.
Gelato on MSC is celebrated for its rich texture and depth of flavour. It differs from typical ice cream through a slower churn process incorporating less air, allowing for a denser and more flavorful experience.
Guests can choose from various flavours, from classic options like chocolate and vanilla to regional specialties and seasonal fruits, reflecting the ports visited during the cruise.
9. Afternoon Tea on a Cunard Cruise
Afternoon Tea on Cunard Line is a classic British event that captures the traditional charm of tea time. Held in the elegant ballroom with live music playing softly in the background, this daily occasion offers guests luxury.
During Afternoon Tea, servers dressed in white gloves present a variety of tasty sandwiches, fresh scones with cream and jam, and a selection of sweet pastries and cakes. Guests can choose from a wide array of teas, carefully selected worldwide, served in fine China.
This experience is more than just tea and snacks; it’s a chance to relax and indulge in a longstanding tradition at sea. It’s included in your cruise fare so that everyone can enjoy this lovely part of the day without extra cost.
People love it for the delicious treats and the experience. It’s a part of the Cunard experience, embodying the cruise line’s dedication to British luxury.
10. Lobster on Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s Lobster Night is an eagerly awaited highlight for many cruisers. It is held during one of the formal nights on cruises lasting six days or longer.
On these nights, guests dress up and descend upon the main dining room with the prospect of enjoying a lobster meal included with their cruise fare.
Traditionally, the meal features a broiled Canadian lobster tail, served in its simplest form with lemon and a side of melted butter. The allure of this dinner lies not only in the quality and preparation of the lobster but also in its previous policy of unlimited servings.
Although recent changes now restrict guests to a single lobster tail as part of sustainability efforts, the enthusiasm for this delicacy has yet to wane. The decision to limit servings stems from Royal Caribbean’s commitment to responsible sourcing, aligning with Marine Stewardship Council standards, ensuring that even luxury dining can be environmentally conscious.
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Trying different foods is a big part of the fun on a cruise. I’ve highlighted some top picks, like Disney Cruise Line’s Mickey Waffles and Royal Caribbean’s Lobster Night, but there are many more unique dishes to enjoy aboard different cruise lines.
This list just scratches the surface. If you’ve got your favourites, I’d love to hear about them. Please share your experiences and suggestions in the comments below.
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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.
