Celebrity Cruises used to make your decision easy: book your cruise, and drinks were automatically included. But that’s changed.
Now, you’ve got choices. And if you’re not careful, you could overpay—or miss out on great perks.
So, is the Classic Drinks Package enough? Is it worth upgrading to Premium? Or should you skip the drink packages altogether?
Let’s break down your options so you can confidently decide what’s best for your cruise style.
Do Celebrity Cruises Still Include Drinks?
Not always. Celebrity Cruises now offers a cruise-only fare, which does not include a drink package.
You’ll still get a few free beverages—like basic juices, water, and coffee in the buffet—but everything else? That’ll cost extra unless you buy a package.
You’ll always get these drinks for free:
- Iced tea, lemonade, fruit punch
- Regular brewed coffee & hot tea
- Still water and juices (in buffet only)
For anything else—soft drinks, wine, cocktails—you’ll need to purchase drinks à la carte or choose a package.
✨ Quick Note: If you book an “All Included” fare, the Classic Drinks Package is included by default. You can also upgrade to Premium either at booking or once on board.
Celebrity Drink Package Options (Quick Overview)
While there are technically nine drink packages, you’ll only need to focus on these core options:
| Package Type | What It Covers | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Drinks Package | Drinks up to $10 each | From $89/day per person |
| Premium Drinks Package | Drinks up to $17 each | From $109/day per person |
| Non-Alcoholic Package | Juices, sodas, smoothies, zero-proof | From $30/day per person |
| Wine by the Bottle (Classic) | 3, 5, or 7 bottle selections | From $109 total |
| Wine by the Bottle (Premium) | Premium wine packages, 3–7 bottles | From $169 total |
We’ll dive into what’s included in each below.
Classic vs Premium Drinks Package: What’s the Difference?
This is where most cruisers get stuck—should you stick with Classic or splurge for Premium?
Classic Drinks Package Includes:
- Any drink priced up to $10 (or $12 from UK/Australia sailings)
- Most beers, house wine, basic cocktails
- Basic spirits (vodka, gin, rum, etc.)
- Fountain sodas, bottled water, juices, coffees, teas
- 15% off wine bottles
If you order a $12 drink? You’ll just pay the $2 difference + 20% gratuity on the full drink price.
Premium Drinks Package Includes:
- Drinks priced up to $17
- Craft cocktails, top-shelf spirits, premium wine and beer
- Sparkling water (Evian, San Pellegrino), Red Bull, fresh juices
- 20% off wine bottles
Unless you’re ordering cocktails and high-end spirits regularly, most cruisers find the Classic plan covers plenty.
Real Drink Examples: Classic vs Premium
Let’s say you’re a gin fan:
- Classic Package offers: Beefeater, Gordon’s, Bombay Dry
- Premium Package adds: Hendrick’s, Tanqueray No. 10, Plymouth, Star of Bombay
And if you’re a beer drinker:
- Classic: Coors Light, Corona, Sam Adams, Newcastle, Strongbow
- Premium: Guinness, Blue Moon, Stella Artois, Sapporo, Sierra Nevada, Dogfish Head, Kronenbourg
Premium also covers craft cocktails and exclusive martinis, especially from spots like the Martini Bar, where drinks often run $15–$20.
Pricing Breakdown
Classic Package
- Starts at $89 per person/day
- Can be included with “All Included” cruise fares
- Pay extra for drinks over $10
Premium Package
- Starts at $109 per person/day
- Upgrade anytime (even onboard)
- No extra cost for drinks up to $17
📌 If you order a $14 cocktail with the Classic Package, you’ll pay:
$4 + 20% gratuity = $4.80 extra
Worth it? That depends on what you typically drink and how much.
Cruise Fare Options Explained
Understanding how Celebrity’s pricing works will help you make a smart decision.
You can book in three main ways:
- Cruise-Only Fare – No drinks, no Wi-Fi
- All Included Fare – Includes Classic Drinks + Basic Wi-Fi
- Retreat Suite Guests – Premium Drinks + Premium Wi-Fi included automatically
If you go with Cruise-Only and later decide you want a drink package, you’ll pay full price ($89+ per day) to add it.
What About Non-Alcoholic Drink Packages?
Don’t drink alcohol? No problem—you don’t have to pay for something you won’t use. Celebrity offers a dedicated Non-Alcoholic Drinks Package, and it’s far more robust than just soda and water.
What’s Included:
- Fresh-squeezed juices
- Bottled water (still and sparkling)
- Premium teas and coffees
- Frozen smoothies
- Zero-proof (non-alcoholic) cocktails
- Red Bull, Honest iced teas, Vitaminwater
Price: Starts from $30 per person, per day
This package used to be split into five different options, but it’s now simplified into one inclusive plan—much easier to navigate.
Wine by the Bottle Packages
Prefer to enjoy a glass of wine in your stateroom or over dinner without buying a drinks package? Celebrity offers wine bottle bundles, available in both Classic and Premium tiers.
Classic Wine by the Bottle
- Starts from $109 total
- Available in 3-, 5-, or 7-bottle bundles
- Includes wines like:
- Australian Chardonnay
- US West Coast Cabernet Sauvignon
- Malbec, Rioja, and more
Premium Wine by the Bottle
- Starts from $169 total
- Also in 3-, 5-, or 7-bottle options
- Includes:
- Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc
- Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc
- Cherry Tart Pinot Noir
- Conundrums and other boutique wines
Both can be delivered anywhere on the ship—even to your stateroom—and you’ll get help choosing from the onboard sommelier.
Real Drink Prices on Celebrity Cruises (No Package)
If you’re thinking of skipping a drinks package entirely, it helps to know what individual drinks will cost you.
| Drink Type | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Bottled beer | $7–$10 |
| Glass of wine | $9–$14 |
| Premium cocktail | $15–$20+ |
| Martini Bar cocktails | $16–$20 |
| Soft drinks | Up to $5 |
| Specialty coffees/teas | $4–$6 |
| Bottled water (basic) | $2–$4 |
Example:
A couple who each orders 4 drinks per day (2 cocktails + 2 soft drinks) could easily spend $60–$70 per person/day, not including tips. Add a wine or espresso in there, and you’re already close to the Classic Package price.
Do You Really Need a Drinks Package?
Here’s the truth: not everyone needs a drink package—and that’s okay!
When it’s worth it:
- You drink 5+ beverages a day (alcoholic or not)
- You enjoy cocktails, martinis, or premium spirits
- You prefer knowing your vacation costs upfront
When it’s not:
- You don’t drink much (or only drink at dinner)
- You prefer wine by the bottle or low-key beverages
- You’re doing short cruises or port-heavy itineraries
Pro Tip: If you’re on the fence, book the “All Included” fare with Classic drinks and decide later if you want to upgrade to Premium. You can do it once onboard.
Final Verdict: Which Celebrity Cruises Drink Package Is Best?
Here’s a quick summary to help you choose the right package:
| Your Cruise Style | Best Package |
|---|---|
| Light drinker or don’t drink alcohol | Non-Alcoholic Drinks Package ($30/day) |
| Average cruiser, beer/wine/soda + basic cocktails | Classic Drinks Package ($89/day) |
| Top-shelf spirits, cocktails, martinis, energy drinks | Premium Drinks Package ($109/day) |
| Prefer wine by the bottle | Wine by the Bottle (Classic or Premium) |
| Low drink consumption overall | Cruise-only fare (pay as you go) |
🎉 Bonus Tip: If you’re sailing in The Retreat, you already get the Premium Drinks Package included!
Final Thoughts: Think Beyond the Price Tag
Don’t just ask “how much does it cost?”—ask yourself what will I actually use.
For many cruisers, the Classic Drinks Package hits the sweet spot. It includes enough variety to keep most people happy and is often bundled in the fare.
But if you’re all about craft cocktails, martinis, and brand-specific spirits, the Premium Package might be worth the splurge.
If you rarely drink? Skip the package, enjoy the free options, and put that money toward a shore excursion or specialty dining instead.
