Are Cruise Drink Packages Worth It? 2026 Deep Dive Into Three Major Cruise Lines
Bottom line: You need 5+ drinks daily to break even on a cruise drink package. Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe at $64/day is the best value; Norwegian’s $109/day with a 15-drink cap is the worst. Buy through an agent for 8-12% off.
One-sentence answer: If you drink 5+ drinks daily, the package pays off. But most people don’t realize they’re trapped by “per-hour drink limits.”
2026 Real Pricing
| Cruise Line | Package Name | Price/Person/Day | Coverage | 7-Night Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | Deluxe Beverage Package | $63.99 | 7 nights | $447.93/person |
| Carnival | Bottomless Bubbles | $59.99 | 7 nights | $419.93/person |
| Norwegian | Premium Plus Beverage Package | $109.00 | 7 nights | $763.00/person |
Note: Royal Caribbean frequently runs “second person half price” drink package promotions, dropping to ~$48/person/day.
What’s Actually Included?
Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package
- Cocktails, wine, beer unlimited (max $13/drink — overage pays the difference)
- Bottled water (max 6/day), espresso drinks (max $7/drink), juices, sodas, energy drinks
- Excluded: Premium spirits (Grey Goose, top-shelf tequila), Starbucks items, minibar
Carnival Bottomless Bubbles
- Sodas, juices, coffee, tea unlimited
- No alcohol — this is the key difference from Royal Caribbean
- Separate Beer and Wine packages available for combo purchase
Norwegian Premium Plus
- All alcoholic + non-alcoholic drinks covered
- All bars, restaurants, cafes included
- Daily cap: 15 drinks (resets every 24 hours) — Norwegian’s unique killer restriction
Break-Even Math
Assuming: cocktail single-order average $12-14, beer $8-10, wine $10-13/glass.
| Cruise Line | Daily Package Price | Drinks to Break Even | What Most People Actually Drink |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | $63.99 | 5-6 drinks/day | 3-4 (not worth it) |
| Carnival (non-alcoholic) | $59.99 | 8-10 drinks/day | 5-6 (barely even) |
| Norwegian | $109.00 | 9-10 drinks/day | 4-5 (definitely not worth it) |
Hidden Terms You Won’t Be Told
1. Per-Hour Limits — The Biggest Trap
Royal Caribbean: max 2 drinks per order (no stated hourly limit in practice). Norwegian: strict 15 drinks/day, overage at full price.
2. Gratuity Added Separately
All packages charge 18-20% service fee on top. Royal Caribbean Deluxe actually costs $75.51/day after 18% gratuity. 7-night real cost per person: ~$528.57.
3. Both-Adults-Must-Buy Policy
Most lines require all adults in a cabin to buy the same package. Couples can’t buy just one package.
4. Onboard Purchase Costs More
Royal Caribbean website advance purchase: $63.99/day. Buying onboard at Guest Services: $72-78/day. If buying, book ahead.
5. Refund Policies
Norwegian: Non-refundable, period. Royal Caribbean: cancelable up to 48 hours before embarkation.
Travel Agent Hidden Discounts
Royal Caribbean Virtuoso-certified agents can access exclusive drink package discounts of 8-12% below official pricing. 7-night savings: $35-55/person. Norwegian and Carnival offer similar agent discounts.
Carnival VIFP members contacting customer service 30 days before sailing may receive targeted promo codes stackable with agent discounts.
Norwegian’s best deals come during Black Friday/Cyber Monday — buy 7 get 4 free drink packages, effectively dropping daily cost to $55-65 (from $109).
Three-Line Comparison
| Dimension | Royal Caribbean | Carnival | Norwegian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcoholic package price/day | $63.99 | $59.99 (non-alcoholic) | $109.00 |
| Daily drink limit | No firm limit (practical) | No firm limit | 15 drinks |
| Includes Starbucks | No | No | No |
| Includes minibar | No | No | No |
| Service fee | 18% | 18% | 20% |
| Same-cabin mandatory | Yes | Partial exceptions | Yes |
| Refund policy | 48hr pre-boarding cancelable | Pre-departure cancelable | Non-refundable |
| Agent discount available | High (8-12% off) | Medium (5-8%) | Medium-high (8-10%) |
Who Should Buy?
Buy if: You drink 5+ cocktails/beers daily; traveling with friends who share rounds; sailing 7+ nights; have agent discount access.
Skip if: You drink 1-2 or don’t drink; traveling with young kids (Carnival’s non-alcoholic package barely breaks even for kids); sailing only 3-4 nights; you prefer premium spirits (packages serve mid-tier).
Final Recommendation
- Royal Caribbean: Buy the Deluxe Package through an agent with discount, book ahead on the website
- Norwegian: Skip it — $109/day is too expensive with the 15-drink cap
- Carnival: Buy only Bottomless Bubbles (non-alcoholic) — for alcohol, combine separate Beer/Wine Package for better value
FAQ
Q: Can I share a drink package with my partner? A: No. Most cruise lines require all adults in a cabin to purchase the same package. You cannot buy just one package for two people.
Q: Does the drink package cover Starbucks or specialty coffee? A: No. None of the three major lines include Starbucks onboard. Standard espresso drinks are covered up to a per-drink cap.
Q: Is the drink package cheaper if I buy it before boarding? A: Yes. Royal Caribbean’s onboard price is $72-$78/day vs $63.99/day when purchased in advance online. Always pre-purchase if you decide to buy.
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