Honest comparison of cruise drink packages & beverage inclusions
Cost • Value • Pros & Cons across 21 major cruise lines
Unlimited premium spirits, wine, cocktails, beer, champagne + restocked mini-bar. Unlimited shore excursions and business-class air on most fares.
Value: Excellent if you drink moderately to heavily — drinks are effectively “free” once onboard.
Open bar everywhere + stocked suite bar. Gratuities neither required nor expected.
Value: Outstanding for drinkers who prefer quality over quantity.
Unlimited premium drinks + butler service on every fare type (All-Inclusive Plus / All-Inclusive / Last Minute).
Value: Excellent; one of the most generous luxury inclusions.
Unlimited premium spirits, champagne & wines, including in-suite. Welcome bottles included.
Value: Very strong for ultra-luxury; drinks never feel “house vs premium.”
House wine & beer at lunch/dinner included. Silver Spirits upgrade ($27/day, gratuity included) covers drinks up to $18 all day.
Value: Base fare is enough for wine/beer with meals. Silver Spirits breaks even at ~2–3 extra drinks/day.
House wines, beers, selected spirits & classic cocktails included in the fare. Premium (~$31.95) and Ultimate (~$39.95) upgrades available.
Value: Excellent base value; many guests never need the paid upgrade.
Classic (up to ~$12) or Premium (up to ~$19). 20% gratuity usually extra. Retreat suites often include Premium free. No daily drink cap.
Value: Worth it for 6–8+ drinks/day. Premium is better for cocktail lovers.
Your World Included: wine/beer at meals or shore credit. Prestige Select (~$79.95) unlocks spirits/cocktails; often 50% off if you picked the wine/beer amenity.
Value: Strong if you choose wine/beer; upgrade only if you want spirits all day.
Elite covers drinks up to $16 (15 alcohol/day). Signature up to $12. Have It All (~$65/day) bundles Signature drinks + Wi-Fi + dining + shore credit — usually the better buy.
Value: Solid mid-tier choice, especially with Have It All.
Plus (up to $15, 15 alcohol/day) or Premier (up to $20, no alcohol cap). Sphere-class ships run ~$5/day higher. Usually bundled with Wi-Fi, gratuities & dining.
Value: Premier offers strong overall value when bundled.
Daily rate falls as voyage length rises (7–14 nights typically $76.50 / $90). 15 drinks/day. Signature Packages bundle drinks + Wi-Fi + dining credit.
Value: Best on 7+ night sailings or as part of a Signature Package.
Drinks up to $20 + unlimited non-alcoholic (soda, specialty coffee, 500ml water). 15 alcoholic drinks/day. Onboard price is $74.95 + 20% ($89.94).
Value: Good for moderate-to-heavy drinkers (about 6 cocktails/day to break even).
Dynamic pricing. Covers drinks up to ~$14. No daily alcohol cap. Works at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee. Refreshment Package for non-alcoholic.
Value: Strong when found under ~$75–$80 pre-cruise (before gratuity).
Unlimited Open Bar is “free” via Free at Sea / More at Sea — you pay package gratuity: $28.50/day (6+ nights) or $32/day (2–5 nights, from May 2026). Cap ~$15. Standalone is ~$109 + 20%.
Value: Outstanding with Free at Sea; avoid full-price standalone.
Gratuities usually included. Cap around $16. 15 alcoholic drinks/day. Valid at Ocean Cay. Cheaper on longer sailings; Easy package exists at a lower cap.
Value: Good mid-range option, especially on 4–9 night sailings.
Beers, wine by the glass, cocktails & Boat Drinks up to $20. Soda, 500ml water, juices & mocktails included. 15 alcoholic drinks/day (resets 6:00 AM). Soda-only ~$10–$12/night. Promos often cut the alcohol package 50%+.
Value: Solid when prepaid around $65 before tip (~$78 all-in). Cocktails run ~$14–$15, so break-even is about 5–6 drinks/day.
My Soft Drinks / My Drinks / My Drinks Plus. Service charge included. Often bundled free on All Inclusive / Suite fares. Onboard prices jump to ~€42 / €57.
Value: Attractive on European itineraries, especially if the fare already includes it.
Simplified 2025+ model: ALL IN (alcohol) and FUN (non-alc). Included in Classic/Comfort/Premium All In fares (5+ nights, guests 25+). Standalone add-on is usually pricier than booking the All In fare.
Value: Strong when included in the fare or on longer voyages.
Refresh £16 • Alcohol-Free £29 • Classic £50 pre-cruise / £55 onboard • Deluxe £60 / £65. Daily alcohol limit applies. Kids get Refresh free if adults buy Classic or Deluxe.
Value: Reasonable for British drinkers on P&O ships if you buy pre-cruise.
Soft drinks free. Wine packages (3–7 bottles, Classic or Premium) and beer 6-packs (buy 5 get 1). From June 2026: 1 bottle of wine/champagne or 6 beers at embarkation; corkage $20.
Value: Best for families and light drinkers. Use wine packages or the embarkation allowance.
Essential non-alcoholic drinks included (soda, water, basic coffee/juice). Pre-load a Bar Tab for bonus credit (e.g. $300 → $350). Cocktails typically $10–$14; no extra 18% at the bar.
Value: Excellent for moderate drinkers who prefer flexibility. Pre-load for the best bonus.
Tip: Always buy pre-cruise when possible. Cabin-mate rules apply on most paid-package lines (all adults in the room must purchase if one does).