Drink Packages Compared: Which Cruise Line Offers the Best Value?

Whether to buy a drinks package is one of the most argued-about decisions in cruise planning. The headline price looks generous, but the small print on what is and is not included varies a lot between lines, and the maths only works if you actually drink enough to break even.

Comparison of Major Cruise Lines

Royal Caribbean offers Classic and Deluxe packages at roughly £12 to £18 per day. Carnival sits at the budget end, around £10 to £16. Disney is pricier, around £15 to £22, with a focus on quality wines. MSC is flexible at £11 to £16 with several tiers, and P&O Cruises targets UK drinkers with packages from £12 to £18.

Calculating Value

The break-even point is usually three or four cocktails per day, or five to six beers and a couple of glasses of wine. If you only have a drink or two with dinner, paying as you go is almost always cheaper. Read the included list before you buy: many "premium" packages still cap individual drink prices, exclude minibar items and add an automatic gratuity.

Strategic Booking Tips

Pre-cruise pricing is generally cheaper than buying onboard, and wave season (January to March) often brings 30 to 50 percent off. Some lines let you upgrade or cancel during the first day or two of the cruise if you decide it is not for you, so check the policy before you board.

Final Decision

The honest test is to look at how much you drank on your last holiday and price both options against that. Packages remove the worry of running up a bill, but they only save money if you use them.