Not sure if a drinks package is worth it?
You’re not alone — almost every cruiser wonders if it’s really worth the money.
That’s exactly why we built this calculator. It does the math for you by adding up the cost of your daily drinks so you can see what you’d spend without a package.
Then, you can compare it to the package price and quickly decide which option offers you the best value.
Simple, fast, and super handy!
How to Use This Cruise Drinks Package Calculator
- Choose your cruise line from the list below.
- Enter how many drinks you usually have in a typical day — think average, not extremes. (You’ll likely drink more on sea days and less on port days.)
- Check your estimated bar tab and see how it stacks up against the cost of the drinks package.
👉 If your daily bar bill is higher than the package cost — it’s probably worth getting the package!
How many drinks would you like per day?
No drinks package? Here’s what you’ll spend…
The Explorer Package, which includes house brands, is priced at £39 per day for cruises lasting between 5 and 29 nights when purchased in advance.
The Expedition Package, offering premium drinks, is available at £45 per day for the same cruise duration if booked early.
Booking onboard increases the cost by approximately 25%.
Note: Shorter cruises tend to have higher daily rates, while longer cruises usually offer lower daily pricing.
Check the Ambassador Drinks Packages Guide for all prices plus the terms and conditions.
How many drinks would you like per day?
No drinks package? Here’s what you’ll spend…
Carnival’s Cheers Package is priced at $82.54 per day when purchased before your cruise, or $88.44 per day if you wait to book it onboard.
If you’re just looking for unlimited soda and juice, the Bottomless Bubbles package is a more affordable option — $11.21 per day for adults and $8.20 per day for kids.
Check the Carnival Drinks Packages Guide for all prices plus the terms and conditions.
How many drinks would you like per day?
No drinks package? Here’s what you’ll spend…
If you enjoy a specific selection of drinks, you might get more value from the Classic Package at $89 per day or the Premium Package, which costs $109 daily.
Check out the differences between the Classic and Premium Packages here
How many drinks would you like per day?
No drinks package? Here’s what you’ll spend…
Costa’s My Drinks Package is priced at €35 per night when purchased ahead of your cruise and covers a selection of included beverages. If you’re looking for a wider range, the My Drinks Plus Package is available for €48 per night.
Check our Costa Drinks Packages Guide for all prices plus the terms and conditions.
How many drinks would you like per day?
No drinks package? Here’s what you’ll spend…
Cunard’s drinks package ranges from $50 to $85.50 per day when you buy it before your cruise, with the exact price depending on the length of your sailing.
Booking once you’re onboard? Expect to pay around 10% more per day.
Check the Cunard Drinks Packages Guide for all prices plus the terms and conditions.
How many drinks would you like per day?
No drinks package? Here’s what you’ll spend…
If you’re sailing with Fred. Olsen, their drinks package will run you £25 per day on cruises that are 6 nights or longer. For shorter trips of 5 nights or less, the daily rate increases to £35.
Decide to purchase it after boarding? That’ll add another £10 per day to the cost.
Note: This package doesn’t include cocktails, bottled water, or most wines — only house wine is covered. And drinks from the Bookmark Café, like specialty teas and coffees, aren’t part of the deal either.
Check our Fred. Olsen Drinks Packages Guide for all prices plus the terms and conditions.
How many drinks would you like per day?
No drinks package? Here’s what you’ll spend…
Holland America offers the Signature Beverage Package at a daily rate of $54.95, while their Elite Package comes in at $59.99 per day for those looking for more premium choices.
If you’re only after non-alcoholic options, the Quench Package is available for $17.95 per day, covering soft drinks and similar beverages.
Check the Holland America Drinks Packages Guide for all prices plus the terms and conditions.
How many drinks would you like per day?
No drinks package? Here’s what you’ll spend…
MSC Cruises offers the Easy Drinks Package for approximately £30 per day, while the Easy Plus Package is priced closer to £40 daily.
For those who want the most variety, the Premium Extra Package comes in at around £56 per day — though exact pricing can vary depending on your cruise region.
Check the MSC Drinks Packages Guide for all prices plus the terms and conditions.
How many drinks would you like per day?
No drinks package? Here’s what you’ll spend…
NCL Beverage Package prices:
- Hawaii – $109 per day
- Soda – $9.95 per day
- Premium – $109 per day
- Premium Plus – $138 per day
Check the NCL Drinks Packages Guide for all prices plus the terms and conditions.
How many drinks would you like per day?
No drinks package? Here’s what you’ll spend…
P&O Cruises has 4 different drink packages available
- The Classic drinks package – £48.45 per person, per day
- The Deluxe drinks package – £60.50 per person, per day
- The Refresh drinks package – £14.45 per person, per day
- The Alcohol-free drinks package – £26.95 per person, per day
You’ll save 10% when you purchase your drink package at least three days before your cruise departs.
- The Classic drinks package – £43.95 per person, per day
- The Deluxe drinks package – £54.45 per person, per day
- The Refresh drinks package – £12.95 per person, per day
- The Alcohol-free drinks package – £24.25 per person, per day
Check the P&O Drinks Packages Guide for all prices plus the terms and conditions.
How many drinks would you like per day?
No drinks package? Here’s what you’ll spend…
Princess Cruises offers two main drink packages: the Plus Beverage Package at $76.70 per day (including gratuities) and the Premier Beverage Package at $100.30 per day.
For better value, the Princess Plus fare is $60 per day and includes the Premium Drinks Package, Wi-Fi, gratuities, fitness classes, desserts, and more.
The Princess Premier fare, priced at $80 per day, includes all of that plus additional perks and the Premier Drinks Package.
Surprisingly, the bundled fares are actually cheaper than purchasing the drinks packages alone.
Check the Princess Drinks Packages Guide here
How many drinks would you like per day?
No drinks package? Here’s what you’ll spend…
Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package typically ranges from $63 to $115 per day, depending on your itinerary and when you choose to purchase it — booking early often gets you the best deal.
Check the Royal Caribbean Drinks Packages Guide for all prices plus the terms and conditions.
Can You Bring Your Own Drinks On Board?
When planning a cruise, we’ve learned that one of the smartest things you can do is check if your cruise line lets you bring your own drinks on board.
On some of our past sailings, being allowed to pack a couple of bottles of wine or a few cans of soda made a real difference — not just for our budget, but for those quiet moments on the balcony with a glass of something we actually enjoy.
Some let you BYOB (bring your own booze or beverages) in limited amounts, while others have stricter rules or charge corkage fees if you drink it outside your cabin.
Check out our simple guide showing which cruise lines allow you to bring drinks on board and how much you can bring. If our drinks calculator or this info helps you out, feel free to share it — it’s great when cruisers help each other make the best choices!
List Of All Cruise Drinks Packages Guide
- Ambassador Cruise Drinks Packages Guide
- Carnival Cruise Drinks Packages Guide
- Celebrity Cruise Drinks Packages Guide
- Costa Cruise Drinks Packages Guide
- Cunard Cruise Drinks Packages Guide
- Fred Olsen Cruise Drinks Packages Guide
- Holland America Cruise Drinks Packages Guide
- Marella Cruise Drinks Packages Guide
- MSC Cruise Drinks Packages Guide
- NCL Cruise Drinks Packages Guide
- Princess Cruise Drinks Packages Guide
- P&O Cruise Drinks Packages Guide
- Royal Caribbean Cruise Drinks Packages Guide
- Virgin Voyages Cruise Drinks Packages Guide