Cruise Drink Packages Compared: Every Major Line (2026)
In a previous post, we broke down whether cruise drink packages are actually worth the money, and the honest answer was: it depends. But to really know if a package makes sense for your vacation, you need to see what each cruise line charges and what you actually get. So here's the full breakdown for 2026.
A few things to know before you compare…
Prices below reflect pre-cruise pricing, which is almost always cheaper than buying onboard. Most cruise lines charge 10–15% more if you wait until you're on the ship. Pre-purchase is almost always the right call.
Also worth knowing: drink package pricing changes frequently, so treat these figures as current baselines and always verify with the cruise line or your travel advisor before booking.
Carnival: CHEERS!
Carnival's CHEERS! package costs between $69.95 and $83.94 per person, per day when purchased pre-cruise, and includes up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day which includes beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits priced at $20 or less plus unlimited non-alcoholic beverages like soda, specialty coffee, bottled water, and milkshakes. The key rule to remember: if one adult in the cabin buys the package, every adult 21+ in that cabin must also buy it.
Note: Carnival specifies that their drink packages are for on ship enjoyment only and are not accepted on exclusive destinations such as Celebration Key.
Carnival also offers a non-alcoholic option: the CHEERS! Zero Proof, priced at $35.99 per person per day pre-cruise, which covers mocktails, specialty coffees, smoothies, and bottled water. This is a good option if you are not a big drinker, but plan to drink more than just the complementary tap water, lemonade and iced tea. Carnival Drink Packages
Royal Caribbean: Deluxe Beverage Package
Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package ranges from $56 to $120 per person per day depending on your ship, sail date, and itinerary. Royal frequently has online promotions that discount the price of their package and the online community frequently suggests anything below $70 per person per day is a great deal. There are two standout differences from competitors: Royal Caribbean does not cap daily beverages the way Carnival, MSC, and Holland America do AND it works on Royal’s Private Islands: Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee. If you're a moderate-to-heavy drinker who doesn't want to count drinks, this is a key differentiator. A non-alcoholic Refreshment Package is also available, ranging from $29 to $42 per person per day. Royal Caribbean Beverage Packages
Norwegian Cruise Line: Free at Sea
NCL's approach is unique with their very popular Free at Sea package with the $28.50-$32 per person per day charge. The Value proposition wth NCL is that Free at Sea combines unlimited open bar, Specialty Dining credits, limited free wifi, and excursion credits. Important to note- Free at Sea works on NCL’s private Great Stirrup Cay which adds further to the value.
For those who want more, the upgraded Free at Sea Plus package costs $49.99 per person per day and adds unlimited Starbucks, signature wine and Champagne, bottled water, fresh juices, and top-shelf spirits. Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Packages
Princess Cruises: Princess Plus and Premier
Princess Plus runs $65/passenger/day* and includes 15 alcoholic beverages per day (up to $15 value) plus unlimited juices, specialty coffees sodas and bottled water as well as WiFi access for 1 device with their MedallionNet high speed wifi which they claim to be the fastest WiFi at sea.
Princess Premier runs $100/passenger/day* and includes everything in the Princess Plus Package while adding Unlimited Premier beverages (up to $20 value), Unlimited Specialty Dining, WiFi Connectivity for up to 4 devices, shore excursion credit starting at $100 (up to $300 for longer cruises), Unlimited Digital Photos, and reserved seating for shows.
Important to note: Princess has a unique value proposition for their drink packages by including Pre-Paid Crew gratuities in their packages- a value of approximately $18-$20/passenger/day. No other Cruise line has this distinction. However, like other Carnival Brands, Princess packages are not able to be used on Princess Cays or Celebration Key private destination islands.
*(Prices a tad higher on new Sphere-Class ships)
MSC Cruises: Premium Extra
MSC's Premium Extra Package runs around $85 per person per day for cruises of four nights or more. One notable policy change: as of December 2024, MSC introduced a cap of 15 alcoholic beverages per day. The package is valid across bars, restaurants, and the buffet — and even extends to MSC's private island, Ocean Cay. Pre-booking can save you up to 30%. MSC Cruise Drink Packages
Drinks + Wi-Fi Bundles: The Best Value Play
If you were planning to buy a drink package and Wi-Fi separately anyway, bundling is almost always the smarter move. Carnival's Ultimate Value Package bundles the CHEERS! alcohol package with a premium Wi-Fi plan, plus pre-cruise discounts on shore excursions and specialty dining. NCL's Free at Sea Plus similarly bundles beverages with additional perks at a combined daily rate that undercuts buying each component separately.
A note about taxes and fees…
Most cruise lines add an automatic gratuity (typically 18–20%) on top of drink package prices. Some lines include it in the advertised price, others add it at checkout. For example, I had a drink package but when I went to sign the slip there was a $1.60 charge. So, the drink wasn’t 100% free (included). Always read the fine print when comparing package costs.
Port/Sales Taxes
When the ship is docked in a U.S. port (like Miami, Galveston, or Seattle), cruise lines are required to collect sales tax on alcohol. So if you're still in port and order a drink, you may see a small tax charge on your receipt even with a package — usually just a few cents to a dollar or two per drink.
Once at Sea, no sales tax applies in international waters, so your drink package works truly "all-inclusive" once the ship has sailed.
Line-Specific Notes:
Royal Caribbean & Carnival are known for adding port taxes on drinks while docked.
Norwegian and Celebrity sometimes include gratuities in promotional package deals.
MSC and others vary, always check your confirmation.
Cruise Line Charges
One last tip that could save you some headaches; always download the cruise line’s app before embarkation. Make sure it is set up completely before sailing while you still have a good wifi connection. On your app you should always be able to check your account “live” while sailing. Want to go back and see what they charged you for that drink last night? Check the app. It’s a good practice to watch the charges as you sail.
Interactive comparison of cruise line drink packages for 2026, showing tiers, daily prices, and bundle options across major cruise lines.
Prices reflect 2026 pre-cruise rates. Always confirm current pricing with your cruise line or travel advisor. Source: cruise line websites.
So which package is right for you?
The chart above is a starting point — but the real answer depends on your drinking habits, your itinerary, how many port days you have (you won't use the package when you're off the ship), and whether the cabin-wide purchase rule affects your group. On a 7-night sailing, a drink package can add $500 to $1,500 per person to your total cruise cost, which means it's worth doing the math before you commit.
That's exactly the kind of calculation I help my clients work through before they book. If you'd like a hand figuring out whether a drink package makes sense for your next cruise, reach out here, I'm happy to help.
Should I bring a Travel Cup for my beverages?
One packing tip I give every cruiser: bring a quality insulated tumbler. My go-to is the Pirani 16 oz Insulated Tumbler. The 16 oz size is perfect- order a drink at the bar and pour it straight in. Hot drinks stay hot, cold drinks stay cold, and if you fill it with ice before turning in for the night, that ice will still be there in the morning. I'm not exaggerating. It works for coffee at the buffet just as well as cocktails by the pool. Best travel cup I've found thus far.
Another little extra that takes up no space in your packing:
This Fold Away Cup Carrier/Caddy is great for when you are picking up several drinks for your group at once. It folds down to pocket size and allows you to carry drinks in one hand and food in the other.
*This post contains affiliate links — if you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
More questions about cruises?
Whether you are a first-time cruiser or a veteran, there are many details and they are ever changing. The benefit of working with a travel advisor is that you can always reach out with your questions, anytime, no charge. (Wondering what I charge? Nothing. Read more in my FAQs)
