Cruise Drink Package Calculator
Total Package Cost: $-
À La Carte Cost: $-
Daily Break-Even Drinks Needed: -
Result: -
Cruising is all about relaxation, adventure, and indulgence but onboard drink costs can add up quickly. That’s where drink packages come in, offering travelers a way to pay a flat daily fee for beverages ranging from cocktails to soft drinks. Yet, with drink packages often carrying hefty price tags, the big question is whether they’re worth the investment.
Enter our Free Cruise Drink Package Calculator for 2025. This tool simplifies the math so you can determine whether a drink package works for your travel habits. With input fields for drink preferences, cruise length, and more, it’s designed to save budget-conscious cruisers time, money, and stress.
What is a Cruise Drink Package?
Cruise drink packages are prepaid plans that allow cruisers to enjoy unlimited beverages for a fixed daily price. While variations exist among cruise lines, these packages generally fall into the following categories:
- Alcoholic Packages: Cover beers, wines, spirits, and cocktails.
- Non-Alcoholic Packages: Include soft drinks, bottled water, premium coffees, and juices.
- Specialty Packages (for select lines): Focus on premium or niche beverage options like smoothies or high-end liquors.
Examples include Carnival’s “Cheers Package,” Royal Caribbean’s “Deluxe Beverage Package,” and MSC’s tiered offerings like “Easy Plus” and “Premium Extra.”
The convenience of cruise drink packages lies in knowing your bar bill in advance, sparing you from surprises at checkout. However, whether they’re right for you depends on factors like consumption habits, cruise length, and specific package costs.
Why Use Our Cruise Drink Package Calculator?
Manually calculating the value of a drink package can be complex, but our tool eliminates the guesswork. Here’s how it stands out:
1. It Helps You Save Money
Drink packages can cost anywhere from $50 to $130 per day, depending on the cruise line and package tier. For light or moderate drinkers, this may not justify the expense. Our calculator factors in your drink preferences and cruise itinerary to provide a clear analysis of whether buying the package saves or costs you money.
2. Convenient Budgeting
No one wants to spend the last days of their trip worrying about big bills. By using the calculator to pre-plan your drink spending, you can budget with confidence and enjoy your vacation stress-free.
3. Personalized Insights
Not all cruisers are created equal. Some enjoy the occasional mimosa, while others go full throttle with cocktails at brunch and beers by the pool. Our calculator accommodates your unique consumption patterns and reflects real-world scenarios like off-ship excursions.
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a Drink Package
Before whipping out your card for a drinks package, think about the following factors to ensure your choice aligns with your needs.
1. Cruise Length
A 3-day cruise differs drastically from a 14-day voyage. Short itineraries tend to have more sea days, providing ample time to take advantage of drink packages. Longer cruises often involve numerous port days, potentially reducing onboard drink consumption.
2. Drink Preferences
Are your go-to beverages soft drinks and coffees, or do you prefer top-shelf liquors? If most of your drinks aren’t included in a particular package, that could impact the value.
3. Port Days
When your itinerary is packed with excursions, spending full days onshore can significantly reduce the need for onboard consumption. Factor these port days into your plan.
4. Cruise Line Policies
Each cruise line has its own rules for drink packages. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line requires everyone in the same cabin to purchase a package if one person does. Gratuities may also be pre-included in the package price, so double-check before assuming there are no extra costs.
5. Gratuities and Hidden Costs
Prices for packages often exclude gratuities, which can tack an additional 18-20% onto your final cost. Be mindful of this as you run the numbers.
Example Costs Across Cruise Lines
Here’s an overview of drink package costs for popular cruise lines in 2025. Prices may vary by itinerary and booking date, but these figures provide a general idea:
- Carnival Cruise Line (Cheers Package): $82.54/day (including gratuity)
- Celebrity Cruises (Classic Package): $89/day
- MSC Cruises (Easy Plus Package): $61/day
- Norwegian Cruise Line (Premium Package): $138/day
- Holland America Line (Signature Package): $54.95/day
- Royal Caribbean (Deluxe Package): $63–$115/day
How to Use Our Cruise Drink Package Calculator
Step 1. Input Your Cruise Details
Enter your cruise line, the package you’re considering, and the trip length.
Step 2. Estimate Your Beverage Consumption
Use dropdown menus to enter the number of drinks you consume daily. Categories such as beer, cocktails, wine, soda, and specialty coffee are supported.
Step 3. Review Your Results
The calculator tallies your estimated spend without a drink package versus the package cost. You’ll immediately see potential savings (or extra expenses).
Example Scenarios
Here are sample calculations to illustrate practical use cases.
Example 1: Family on 7-Day Carnival Cruise
Two adults each plan to drink 3 cocktails daily, while two kids consume 2 sodas each. They discover that:
- For adults, the “Cheers Package” results in savings of $45.
- For kids, the “Bottomless Bubbles Package” adds $20 in extra cost compared to à la carte sodas.
Example 2: Solo Traveler on a 14-Day Holland America Cruise
With 4 glasses of wine daily, the traveler would save $100 with Holland America’s “Signature Beverage Package.”
Each scenario illustrates the flexibility of the calculator to match individual habits with cruise line offerings.
Tips to Maximize Value
Here’s how you can get the most out of your cruise drink package:
- Plan Daily Consumption: Use the calculator to estimate how much you’ll need to drink to break even on package costs.
- Leverage Port Day Specials: Some cruises offer discounted drinks while docked.
- Share Wisely (where allowed): Review cruise line policies to see whether package sharing is permitted.
- Monitor Gratuities: Knowing gratuity costs upfront ensures accurate budgeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade my package mid-cruise?
Check with your cruise line; most allow upgrades at prorated rates.
Are drink packages transferrable to another cruiser?
Typically, packages are non-transferrable.
Are drink limits enforced on packages?
Some lines cap alcohol consumption (e.g., 15 drinks/day with Carnival).
Do packages include room-service beverages?
Policies vary by cruise line, but room-service orders frequently incur extra fees.
Does every cabin member need to buy a package?
Many cruise lines require all adults in the same cabin to purchase drink packages if one does.
Calculate Your Savings for Your Next Cruise
Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or planning your first voyage, there’s no need for guesswork. Use our Cruise Drink Package Calculator to analyze package costs specific to your trip and optimize your vacation experience.
Try Our Free Drink Calculator Now and discover whether a drink package is right for you. Cheers to smooth sailing and smarter spending.