MSC Cruises to Limit Alcoholic Drink Packages to 15 Per Day

MSC Cruises is introducing a 15-drink-per-day limit on its all-inclusive alcoholic beverage packages.

The change will apply to package purchases made from 18th December 2024, and will take effect for cruises departing on or after 1st April, 2025.

The policy aligns MSC Cruises with industry standards, as other major cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, already have similar daily limits for alcoholic drinks.

Despite the new restriction, there are some guests who have reacted positively to the change, noting that 15 alcoholic drinks per day is still a generous allowance.

The drink limit resets at 6 am each day, meaning passengers have a fresh allowance of 15 alcoholic drinks to enjoy on each day of their cruise.

MSC Cruises explained the change as part of its efforts to encourage a “healthy and balanced approach to indulgence”.

A statement shared by passengers on social media noted, “There’ll be plenty of time to savour all our delicious cocktails, beers, wines, and spirits, while also promoting a healthy and balanced approach to indulgence, allowing us to maintain high-quality service whilst creating an enjoyable and responsible atmosphere for all our guests.”

Key details of the new drink limit

While the change introduces a cap on alcoholic beverages, passengers still have options if they wish to exceed the 15-drink limit.

Unlike some cruise lines, MSC Cruises will allow passengers to purchase additional drinks at full price after reaching the daily limit. This offers greater flexibility for those wanting to continue their onboard celebrations.

Of course, it also means that there are some who will view the change just as a way of making more money – since guests are still allowed to drink more than 15 drinks per day, as long as they pay extra.

Importantly, the change only affects alcoholic beverages. All other drinks included in MSC’s drink packages – such as soft drinks, juices, bottled water, coffee, and tea – will remain unlimited.

This applies to packages like the Easy, Easy Plus, Premium Extra, Non-Alcoholic, and Minors Drink packages.

Guests sailing on MSC Yacht Club, the cruise line’s exclusive “ship-within-a-ship” luxury offering, will continue to have unlimited access to alcoholic drinks as part of their upgraded, all-inclusive experience.

Passengers booked on Grand Voyages or World Cruises will be offered different drink package options. These itineraries typically include a Dine & Drink Package, with the option to upgrade to more extensive packages, such as Easy Plus or Premium Extra.

The new drink package limits also apply to MSC’s private island destinations, including the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas and Sir Bani Yas Island in the UAE.

The change affects MSC Cruises’ three main drink packages that include alcoholic beverages:

Easy Package
- Selected cocktails, spirits, house wines, Heineken (bottled or draft), soft drinks, and hot beverages (like tea, coffee, and hot chocolate) are included.
Easy Plus Package
- Includes frozen and fruit cocktails, a wider variety of spirits, a broader beer selection, and a greater selection of wines by the glass. Guests also receive a 10% discount on bottled wine.
Premium Extra Package
- Offers access to premium cocktails, premium spirits, champagne by the glass, and a broader selection of wines and beers. It also includes a 25% discount on bottled wine and champagne purchased on board.

MSC Cruises isn’t the first cruise line to introduce a cap on alcoholic drinks.

Carnival Cruise Line was one of the first to implement a 15-drink-per-day limit on its popular Cheers! package. Carnival does not allow passengers to purchase additional alcoholic drinks once the limit has been reached, whereas MSC Cruises will.

Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard, and P&O Cruises – all brands under the Carnival Corporation umbrella – have similar daily limits on their drink packages.

Notably, P&O Cruises allows guests to purchase drinks after reaching the 15-drink limit, similar to MSC’s policy. P&O guests get a 20% discounts on those extra drinks.

Other cruise lines take a different approach.

For example, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line do not have a specific drink cap but maintain control by only allowing one or two drinks per order and monitoring for visible signs of intoxication.

Many ultra-luxury cruise lines offer complimentary premium spirits and fine wines with no limits as part of their standard offering.

Why the change?

While MSC Cruises has not provided a detailed reason for the change, it is believed that the decision is in line with industry best practices.

By capping daily alcohol consumption, cruise lines can ensure that passengers remain safe, and the cruise line can better manage alcohol-related incidents.

This policy also helps protect the company from liability issues that can arise when guests become excessively intoxicated. It allows crew members to better monitor alcohol consumption, encourage moderation, and ensure that guests have a safer, more enjoyable cruise experience.

However, it could be a way for the cruise line to generate extra revenue from those guests who do drink more than 15 alcoholic beverages per day.

The introduction of a 15-drink-per-day limit for alcoholic beverages on MSC Cruises is part of a larger industry-wide trend aimed at promoting responsible drinking while still offering guests a comprehensive selection of drink packages.

Guests will still be able to purchase drinks beyond the daily limit at full price, and non-alcoholic drinks remain unlimited.

This policy brings MSC Cruises in line with other major cruise brands, including Carnival, Holland America, and P&O Cruises, while still offering passengers the opportunity to purchase additional drinks after reaching the cap – an option not available on all cruise lines.

Guests planning to sail with MSC Cruises from April 2025 onward will need to be aware of these changes, especially if they plan to purchase an all-inclusive drink package.

While the daily limit may feel restrictive to some, it’s unlikely to affect the vast majority of passengers who do not consume more than 15 alcoholic beverages per day.

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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.