Cruise vacations are known for offering both a feast for the eyes (with all the sights you get to see) and for your tummy (everyday is a buffet!). But, one should know that the ‘feast’ doesn’t automatically spill over to the drinks aspect of your cruise package.
In most cases, your fare only covers basic drinks – regular coffee, tea (hot & iced), tap water, some juices, and in some cases certain varieties of sodas and alcoholic beverages. If your cruise party just isn’t complete without specialty coffee, special juices, and your nightly dose of bubbly, then make sure to take note of what you can get from your chosen cruise line:
Royal Caribbean International
What your cruise fare includes: tap water, regular and decaf coffee, tea, milk, lemonade, hot chocolate (instant packets), flavored water, juices (not freshly-squeezed)
What an additional beverage package includes: The Royal Caribbean has a selection of different beverage packages, and you’re sure to find one that suits your needs (and wants!)
Deluxe package ($55 per person, per day) – This is the perfect package for the cruise passenger who wants to enjoy specialty coffee and juices throughout the day, and loves to seal things with an alcoholic beverage for a nightcap.
The deluxe package includes an unlimited combo of premium coffee and teas, fresh-squeezed juices, fountain sodas, bottled/sparkling water, cocktails, beers, liqueur, and wines by the glass.
Refreshment package ($26 per person, per day) – This is the perfect package for those who just need a little more than what is included in the cruise fare. The refreshment package lets you enjoy unlimited bottled water (sparking or still), premium coffee and tea, as well as fresh squeezed juice. You can also enjoy non-alcoholic cocktails.
Classic Soda Package ($8.50 per person, per day) – If you simply can’t do without your fizzy fix throughout the cruise, then this is the ideal package for you. It allows you to enjoy an unlimited amount of carbonated drinks throughout the day, from the various soda stations onboard, as well as in bars and restaurants.
(Find out more about food and beverage on the Royal Caribbean here.)
Norwegian Cruise Line
What your cruise fare includes: regular coffee, iced water, tea (hot & iced), breakfast buffet juices
What an additional beverage package includes: Norwegian also offers a variety of beverage packages – perfect for those who drinks just this or that, or for that cruise passenger who needs all kinds.
Children’s Soft Drink Programme ($5.50 per person, per day) – This covers an unlimited amount of the following soft drinks: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mt. Dew, Ginger Ale, Tonic water, Club Soda. This is for ages 12 and below.
Note: There is also an Adult & Teen Soft Drink Programme, which is at $7.50 per person per day, plus charges.
Corks and Caps Wine and Beer Package ($59 per person per day) – What’s a cruise party without an alcoholic beverage or two (or more perhaps)? If you would like to enjoy your cruise with your favorite ‘bubbly’ then this is the package for you. It lets you enjoy soft drinks, wines by the glass, and beers galore.
The Ultimate Beverage Package ($79 per person per day) – If you want a ‘no holds barred’ kind of drinking spree, then this is the ideal package for you. This allows you to enjoy an unlimited amount of softdrinks and juices, as well as a wide variety of spirits, wines by the glass, beer, and cocktails.
NOTE: Specific terms and conditions apply to each package. There may be additional charges. You can check this link for more info.
Carnival Cruises
What your cruise fare includes: non-bottled water, lemonade, unsweetened iced tea, hot chocolate and non-specialty coffee and tea
What an additional beverage package includes: Carnival Cruise Lines enhances your grand vacay with the Cheers! Beverage Program ($59.95 per person per day), an all-inclusive package that includes a huge selection of alcoholic beverages, sodas, juices, specialty coffee and tea, energy drinks, milkshakes, and bottled water. You also get discounts for bottled wine purchases. Find out more about it here.
They also have the Bottomless Bubbles package, which is basically an unlimited soda program. It’s at $4.95 USD per child, per day, and $6.50 USD per adult, per day. It also includes access to a wide array of refreshing juices. Read about it here.
Celebrity Cruises
What your cruise fare includes: tap water, tea, some juices, hot chocolate and non-specialty coffee
What an additional beverage package includes: Celebrity Cruises also provide their passengers a great set of beverage packages to choose from. Here are a couple of its basic, most value-for-money options:
Premium Package ($65 per person per day) – This is THE package to avail if you’re quite the alcoholic or cocktail drink enthusiast. It includes a huge array of top-shelf spirits, beers, premium cocktails, fine craft beers, martinis, and so much more! You also get a 20% discount on wines purchased by the bottle while onboard.
Non-alcoholic inclusions cover unlimited premium coffee and teas, fountain soda, fresh and bottled juices, bottled water, and vitamin water, and Red Bull.
Premium Non-Alcoholic Package ($22 per person per day) – If you think you’ll barely touch an alcoholic beverage but want to have a wide selection of refreshments throughout the cruise, this is the best one to avail.
It gives you access to fountain and canned sodas, premium bottled water, smoothies, frozen drinks (non-alcoholic), specialty teas and coffees, and even specialty water and energy drinks.
NOTE: Know more about the fine print on these packages here.
These packages allow you to enjoy the most of onboard refreshments, at the same time enabling you to control costs. Make sure to ask about discounts if you decide to purchase it prior to boarding! Enjoy and drink your cruise away!
