12 BEST Cruise Drink Package Tips & Things to Know

[@Cruzelycom]

Hey everyone, thanks for watching! One clarification: At 2:09, I mention kids also needing a non-alcoholic package if parents get the drink package. This currently applies to NCL and MSC. Carnival and Royal Caribbean simply say the rule only applies to adults in the cabin. Other lines may require it, so don't be caught by surprise!

[@lolalola6536]

Hmmm, on your receipt for the fish bowl *9:10*, it says 50% off but they only took $10 off. Did they only take $10 off because you had your Cheers included?

[@Wolfofthenightt]

A good drink package tip is if you only get a certain amount of drinks per day and you have some left at the end of the day, go to the bar and order some canned beer or seltzer. You can use these to hit your drink limit and just put them in your stateroom fridge.

[@TeriinKansas67530]

Hi there...I just want to say how much I appreciate the way you speak on your videos. Too many people speak so fast, never taking a break and with yours I can actually listen and make sense of what you're saying. Thank you!

[@Cruzelycom]

Appreciate it!

[@williamperson6301]

I agree wholeheartedly and thank you! I often Wonder why people don't speak well?

[@pangjing3809]

totally agreed. enjoy watching your videos

[@joanieg2168]

I always get the included drink package with NCL. I think I pay about the same in "tips and gratuities" as I would buying the package, but I do it for the convenience of not having to worry about the money. It's already paid for, and there will be no surprises at the end of the cruise. And yes, I have tossed a drink out when I didn't like it and ordered a different one. So convenient when you want to try something new and find out it's gross. LOL

[@DCYote1]

Definitely one of my favorite things about NCL, aside from their catering to solo cruisers like me, is their "Free at Sea" promotions in which you can pick from a drinks package, WiFi, Specialty dining, etc. As you said you gotta do the math to make sure it's worth it, but on my Alaska cruise I saved about 300 bucks compared to purchasing everything separately. Also like to point out that if you're booking a cruise, find a good travel agent who can do the math for you and can get you the best deals. But aside from that, I always get the drinks package because as you said, it's one less thing to budget for or worry about if you go particularly buck wild on drinks one night.

[@joannechludzinski1805]

I love this plan so I don't have a big bill at the end, just the store and excursions.

[@markshaw4257]

If I don't have a (on board credit) I buy my drink package and pay my gratuities up front...But if I have a big enough (OBC) I pay both after I get on the ship...Now that's with CARNIVAL Check with other cruise lines to see if you can pay both or just one with OBC to be safe...MARK IN ARIZONA...

[@candis782]

We always book 2 cabins so that our kids are separate. One adult is booked in each cabin but we switch around once onboard. Only one of us gets Cheers. This is good to know if sailing with kids.

[@annesmith5192]

My husband and I don't drink much, so a drink package wouldn't pay off. But one way we saved on alcohol was to have a drink during happy hour. It was buy one, get one free.

[@loribarber4526]

Yes not having to worry about your added cost on cruise is nice!

[@bruciethecuz9031]

For us, the Princess Plus is such a good deal, it's a no brainer. During their Best Sale Ever promotions, at least for us, staying with the plus level works really well! We also totally agree with you that it allows you to sample a massive variety of drinks and not feel guilty not finishing them should they not be to your liking. 👍👍👍

[@ginacota9724]

I like how virgin voyages is handling their prepaid beverages. They have a Bar tab that can be paid for in advance in $300 increments. To me that makes a lot more sense.

[@CruisingTipsDotCom]

On the one hand, I agree. On the other, it sort of requires you to constantly be aware of how much you're drinking/spending. That's the No. 1 reason I get a drink package... I don't want to have to think about it.

[@ritablackwell2152]

I was wondering about the tips with the drink package. Thanks for clearing that up.

[@wen-nz3sk]

Been struggling with this decision for a while now. Heading out next month, I am not a huge drinker, but I do enjoy tasting and over the years have passed on several due to that looming end of cruise tab, this girl can spend, not just on drinks. Your tip about sampling and trying them non alcoholic can be beneficial. Thanks for helping me get there!! 😊

[@jacquelyns9709]

Some cruise lines allow passengers to carry on a limited amount of soda and wine at the beginning of the cruise. So the length of the cruise and how much you drink daily must be factored in on your decision. I know of no cruise line that allows you to bring on beer or hard alcohol (rum, bourbon, whiskey, etc) for consumption during the cruise. If you take your bottle of wine to a food venue, you will be charged a corkage fee which can vary from $15.00 on up. I have seen quotes up to $50.00 for this. Drinking that bottle in your cabin or on your balcony is free as long as you open it yourself. Read the fine print on drinks for your cruise line. Read it closely and several times. Read it before each cruise. Lines change their policies. Reference Texas and alcohol. Texas charges tax on alcohol and tobacco that you bring back from your cruise. You won't pay Federal Duty but you will pay Texas fees. Port of Galveston has details on their website.

[@krsteeg]

We just booked (ok, 3 months ago) a July 2022 cruise on Carnival Horizon, and this will be the first where my husband and I will have the CHEERS package. I am not a huge drinker, but after our last cruise, we decided to try it out. We are traveling with our teen-age children, who usually get the Bubbles package, but since they switched to Pepsi, neither are fans so they both said they didn't want it this time. So, when I prepurchased the CHEERS, if I understand what you said in the video correctly, we are required to purchase the Bubble packages for the kids too - 2:09 ? We aren't new to cruising, this will be my 5th and my husband's 4th cruise (respectively), but I have never heard of the rule regarding the drink packages that you mentioned.

[@Cruzelycom]

So Carnival looks to be an outlier in this area. According to their fine print: "Each adult assigned to the same stateroom must purchase the program" There is no specific mention of kids in this case. But your husband and yourself will have to get it, even though you said you aren't a huge drinker. You can read all the details here: www.carnival.com/help?topicid=1106

[@krsteeg]

@@Cruzelycom Thank you for responding. 👍 I appreciate your videos and all the information you share. It never occurred to me that the drink package would be compulsory for everyone in the cabin if we purchased the Cheers package. I will keep this in mind for future cruises if (when😏) we book with a different cruise line. My only experience is with Carnival so far. We are looking at cruising with RCCI or Norwegian in the future.

[@garymchenry68]

Also an added benefit is being able to get a drink just about anywhere on the ship. No need to go to another deck for your drink. This is not a financial savings but an enjoyment benefit.

[@cindyt987]

Hey! Two questions: 1. how does the drink package work on carnival on the first day when you don’t have your ship card yet (it’s by the door, right?). 2. Do you have to wait 5 minutes if you want an alcoholic beverage and a water at the same time? Thx for the content!

[@gizzmogirl]

Taxes are added per drink until you are out a certain amount of miles from the coast. Like in New Orleans, you pay taxes until you are out of the river. Taxes also on non alcoholic drinks. Granted, this is usually under 25 cents, but still some people might not be aware.

[@Cruzelycom]

Exactly right. Until you are out of state waters, state sales tax is in place.

[@briannabeere7329]

My understanding, on RCL at least, is that if you call and explain that the second passenger in a stateroom won’t use the Deluxe Beverage Package, they will allow them to purchase the Refreshment Package (non-alcoholic drinks) instead. Could definitely save some cash if needed.

[@Vanessa226]

You are absolutely correct. We do it every year

[@tudaan]

I understand the no sharing policy and the wife and I will both have to have the drink package. No problems there. The question is, what if the wife orders some drink to try and then doesn't like it? Can she give it to me even though there is no sharing? It would suck to just have to throw the drink away due to no sharing. She wouldn't share with someone who doesn't have the drink package, but she would be sharing with me who has the drink package.

[@themanymagicaladventures8247]

I know it's not much but! On Carnival, I know that I am at least going to get the "bubbles" package. When figuring if the cost of the "Cheers" package is worth it. I subtract the daily cost of the "Bubbles" from the "Cheers". This reduces the amount of Alcoholic beverages, and Specialty beverages not covered with "bubbles", that need to be consumed daily.

[@Ambientmopar]

Here's a tip we've found to be very useful & simple to do. It requires a tiny bit of bookkeeping, but the outcome will put a smile on your face. Here is what you do don't buy the drink packages. Add the cost of the packages up. Place the cash aside, if using credit card allow cost to be aside. Go enjoy yourselves. Ever so often keep track of drinks had. When time to leave ship the night before go to Purser's desk if paying with cash, if not paying with cash let the cost be billed to your credit card... Doing this 98% you will end up paying less than cost of packages.

[@BeverlyBrand-h7d]

Im going on ambassador ambience to norway next year. Ive brought a non alcphol package ans was wondering if mockttails were included in this package

[@luvinarosejackson6106]

Hi thank you for your video. Very informative. I am definitely going to get the drinks package. I wouldn't want the headache of a bill at the end. BTW I am about to go on my 1st cruise in January 2023. My question is when I purchase the drinks package can I use it in the mdr? Love from trinidad and tobago 🇹🇹

[@steeviem1835]

You CAN easily consume the package, IF you're not planning to get off most days for the duration of your cruise - (do excursions. )...when I choose a cruise, I choose it mainly for the type of ship. I love being on-board and relaxing. If you're staying mainly on-board, you'll break even. No problem. Day time, we enjoy at least 2 frozen cocktails , virgin cocktails.. With lunch a beer or sodas. Evening, a glass of wine or 2 .. and later at the theatre or entertainment venues, a cocktail.. Remember- WE EAT MORE on cruises, therefore we don't get as drunk on a full stomach. You can easily break even on a package !

[@iteachmy3]

It seems like during a super sale, you could purchase a 2nd stateroom (Level 1 or 2 inside cabin) for super-cheap money, then with one person listed there without a drink package, and the "drinker" of the couple registered in the regular cabin, with a drink package, that could potentially be cheaper than 2 drink packages. If the cruise line is making their money on the cheap cabin, and the 2nd person doesn't drink, wouldn't this work?

[@ben_clifford]

My main complaint with the bottomless bubbles package on carnival cruise lines is that the drinks are hard to access even if you've already prepaid for them. You have to wait in line at the bar every time you get thirsty unless you're dining in an actual restaurant. I drink a lot! I drink like 2 gallons of water a day, I am THAT thirsty... and before you suggest the tap water - yes, I drink that as well, but on vacation I really enjoy sparkling water. (And yes, I have diabetes. Yes, I am trying to keep it in check.) The point is that you have to factor in how much time you will spend waiting for each drink and whether that will deter you from wanting to USE your bottomless bubbles package. I also found on multiple carnival ships that HALF the bars are closed. I was constantly searching for a bar that was open. They didn't post the hours for each bar and it seemed like the hours were randomly changing... so I could never predict which bar would be open. It felt like it was deliberate to keep you from getting the full value out of the package you paid for. For the bottomless bubbles you probably still will save money, but just expect that it might come with complications. Lol

[@sarahc6171]

Does anyone know what the purple drink at 30 seconds is? Looks so refreshing!

[@themanman165]

I cruise from my home port which is in NYC n u can use ur drink package as soon as u board

[@Majja13]

how strict is Carnival when it comes to ordering specialty coffees and such. Say I were to go get 2 Chi tea Lattes one for me and one for my daughter?

[@PatrickWagz]

The NCL "free" drink package being included with the booking makes you pay the gratuities for the package. Can add up to $300+ for the couple, depending on the length of the cruise.... far from "free at sea"

[@jdalia143xo]

You would still have to pay gratuities if you paid for the package on its own. So essentially you’re just not paying for the package itself. Just the gratuities.

[@nicc8230]

Can you get a drink list? It's hard to know how to calculate if the package is worth it. I heard that there is a $ amount max for a drink...how would you know if you are ordering a $9.00 drink or a $20.00 drink?

[@Jason-pj9pb]

I'll be sailing on the Carnival Glory in Sept on a 7 day, out of New Orleans. I bought the Cheers package recently, $495. My liquor preference tends to be vodka. I'm not a heavy drinker (alcohol wise), so I can't see coming close to the 15 drink daily max. Any suggestions on what alcohol based drinks to possibly get, that would do a good job of eating up the $70/day expenditure? aka the "biggest bang for the buck"..per drink.

[@andreanne_potvin]

Hi! I got a question about the bottle of wine you can bring on board. Are you allowed to drink it outside of your room? Any restrictions? Thanks in advance

[@smartguy10000]

My wife and I often bring bottles of wine on board. If you want to get out of the corking fee, just have you room Stewart get you 2 large wine glasses and a cork puller when you get on the ship and check into you room. When you ready to go to dinner, open the bottle of wine in you room and fill you glasses and walk to restaurant of chose. If they ask you any questions, can always say you purchased you wine at the bar, but we have never been asked about it. Works every time. :)🍷🍷

[@andreanne_potvin]

@@smartguy10000 thank you for the tip!

[@chrisgreene1345]

I’m taking a cruise in may and it’s on carnival cruise.. any tips

[@nshmercado666]

He covered everything except what I wanted to know . How much is an individual beer on board? If it's around $7 for a 16 Oz and I drink 5 ( $35 ), the $60 package is not for me .

[@Ambientmopar]

😁😁😁😁 Hope we see Cannabis packages on the West coast sailings soon😁

[@woodlifenwa5983]

They follow federal law, not state law...so until it becomes legal federally then you won't

[@steeviem1835]

Get off n chug on a joint, for now.

[@John_Locke_108]

@@woodlifenwa5983 What about international waters? You should be safe hitting the crack pipe out there.

[@theresamimnaugh1190]

Florida too!

[@Ambientmopar]

@@theresamimnaugh1190 🛳🛳🛳Change is needed soon very soon🛳🛳🛳

[@kimnovak8985]

Tight arse that I am ( Australian for being frugal) I don’t find the drinks package value for money. In your average pub in Australia you pay up to $20 for a cocktail. The cruise ships here charge the same amount. The Drinks package they charge here is an about $70 per day . Personally I don’t drink alcohol everyday but to make it worth it I would have to drink more than 4 alcoholic beverages a day to make it worthwhile. I can’t drink that much. So you have to work out how many alcoholic drinks you can safely consume per day and work out the math. I do enjoy a barista made coffee in the morning as a heart starter ( the cruise ships need to learn that Australians are coffee snobs ) but drink tea the rest of the day or water / juice so buying the soda drinks package wouldn’t be worth it either as you can bring 12 cans of soda on board also . Again you have to do the math and it’s not for me. FYI it looks like cruising won’t recommence in Australia until after April 2022 but this is still subject to change. All I can say is a lot of us are desperate to get back to travel and cruising but the federal government is arguing with state governments about vax rates to open up the states and the requirements for overseas double vax travellers to travel here .Don’t get too excited booking a trip to Australia. You may still need to quarantine in a hotel at your own expense.when you get here and we may still have to quarantine at home post overseas travel. No decisions have been made and are unlikely to re cruising at least until December 17 2021.

[@andreagriffiths3512]

Melbournian here and I agree with you. Plus on my last cruise I saw that the drinks package people, when ordering soft drink, we’re having a can of coke being opened and poured into a glass. The glass did not hold the entire can. Buying each drink, I got a full can.

[@simbasmomma]

Hi going on my first cruise with carnival in 2024 and wondering I have opted to pay tips up front added to my cost so do I have to tip on board as well as what I have paid up front?

[@rickdemars3204]

If you opted to pay gratuities upfront you don't have to tip onboard. I've always found it is actually cheaper to include it instead of tipping at the end of the cruise. I've had some really great experiences with the staff so I've often tipped them extra after the cruise even if paying gratuities upfront. Have a great time on Carnival. I've been on many different cruise lines but always go back to Carnival.

[@billyrichterrocks]

Top shelf spirits if you’re drinking mixed drinks

[@stevec6612]

I was told that if you buy a fish bowl , it would cost $20.0 on the first day and $ 10.0 to re-fill it on the first day or during happy hour. I seeing conflicting stories about it on different videos. I enjoy your videos and I wanted to know if you would know what is the reas scoop on fish bowls asnd first day on ship. Thanks in advance

[@Cruzelycom]

I got one on my last Carnival trip. The drink itself is normally $20 and the souvenir glass is $15. So you spend $35 total the first time. But then you can refill it for $20. I don't know about the first day, but there is definitely happy hour on some days with 50% off in the RedFrog Pub. So you can get a refill for just $10.

[@jackmchammocklashing224]

Embarrasing when you have a drink package, then whilst at dinner some other guests (paying drinks) give you a round of drinks You can not reciprocate without paying for individual drinks, (which for financial reasons is why you took a drinks package) Next if your partner does not drink much or no alcohol then you do not take a drink passage, only you will find one Soda and one Beer will be expensive not quite but also nearly as much as a double drinks passage They should have a drinks passage for X amount of alcoholic drinks per cruise

[@TxGambler77]

Hey Cruzely, I guess you have never sailed out of Galveston. Cheers is not allowed on the first day due to some BS tax rules within Texas so they offer a much different inventory for purchase. How this can be enforced once out at sea is beyond my pay grade. Being forced to pay at 9pm when we're in international waters 80 miles from shore is the only thing I hate about sailing out of Galveston.

[@Cruzelycom]

It's my homeport. TABC rules say that an establishment can't have "all you can drink." Don't know why it seems Royal Caribbean still does it, however.

[@hollybosworth7652]

My friend went on a cruise several and they would just buy alcohol and have it sent to the ship it doesn't cost them anything other than for the alcohol they have it sent there

[@DaveM-FFB]

I don't fly economy airlines which advertise a low, low price and then charge you ridiculous fees for everything, including carrying on your own bag. Similarly, we no longer cruise on the megaship cruise lines which advertise a low, low price and then want to charge you ridiculous fees for everything, including water, soft drinks specialty coffee, etc. Some cruise lines are even putting priced items on the menu in the main dining room. Fortunately there are still some cruise lines that include basic things in the price of the cruise, and we're giving them our business.

[@locosmiley2008]

my first cruise and before i step in it im already hating it. i have to buy 4 drink packages for kids and wife because i want to have one!!? 250 bucks! also no free soda refills on the boat?? wth

[@ben_clifford]

Yeah. It was a shock to me as well at first. It's frustrating as a cruiser but I've heard that's how cruise lines make their money... is all the extras... that's how they are able to charge such a small amount for everything that IS included. :(

[@ben_clifford]

I have tried many different ways of vacationing and cruising is still waaaay cheaper, in my experience, and worth it.

[@maryjoevans6103]

If your children can go without sodas during your cruise, remember that ice tea and lemonade are free, then you wouldn't have to buy ANY packages. Just purchase your drinks as you go! It would be wayyy cheaper than what you are planning on doing....your wife and children are free, and you would be 'pay as go'. Solution done! Good luck and relax and enjoy!!

[@bromeisterbryce]

My wife can't drink because of a medical condition, so I called and they wouldn't let just me purchase separately. Totally unwilling to work with me. It was Carnival

[@hobsonp67]

Don’t be afraid to give an extra tip to your favourite bar team member. You will find that it is well worth it for great service, and a cheeky upgrade 😜

[@richardnone5644]

when and if you take the drink package its never free $20 per day per person tips in your cabin also every drink is not included

[@philipp3001]

I don't understand. So I'm thinking about getting the package and it's $65 a day including tip. When I order a drink on the boat I have to pay tip again?

[@XxDahSexaHyBeotchxX]

I noticed that for upcoming cruise it says the drink package starts on day 2. I thought it was from the start of your cruise. Anyone cruise recently that can verify this?

[@Texasfoodietraveler]

If you sail out of Texas or New York laws forbid the cruise lines from allowing you to use the drink package while in port

[@Mommycott]

It’s so weird because Carnivsl says it’s Texas law that the package can’t start until day 2 but that doesn’t makes sense. Both NCL and Royal have figured out how to make the drink package work the first day when sailing out of Texas.

[@cherylmoore747]

I just don’t understand the gratuity for drinks, it’s like saying I’m paying the server the honour of charging me to pour a drink that takes a few seconds and then on top of that a daily gratuity. I just don’t get it.

[@Mctaerin]

I think of it like this, if I went to a nice restaurant and sat at the bar while they got my table ready I would probably have a drink. I might close out that bill and tip my bartender. Then I will go sit down have my meal and tip my waitress separately.

[@pjp7259]

Royal Caribbean waived that rule for my wife and I because my wife doesn’t drink

[@jessebowen1879]

So I guess the moral of the story with the dream packages you want to get drunk get really drunk on the ship first then go on Shore into the town or the resorts and then when you need to refill on liquor go back onto the ship. Hehe lol jk

[@realcdcruze3558]

I’ve found with the cost of drinks package it’s more cost effective to sail with Celebrity. NCL has the always included but they don’t included bottled water.

[@a.corsiglia]

So we never get a drink package on cruises. We tend to only get a few drinks, typically the ones that are promotional with a souvenir cup. My wife loves those cups. Our upcoming cruise, though, we're thinking of getting a drink package. We normally sail Royal Caribbean but this time going carnival. We haven't been on carnival for like 15 years. Anyways, we're thinking instead of constantly not getting any alcohol on our cruise, by purchasing the package, it'll actually force us to buy and enjoy things more so. We both grew up very poor and have a real hard time spending excess money. So thought I would toss out there this suggestion.

[@rgruenhaus]

The 2nd person on NCL only needs to get a soda pkg Not always good for a nondrinking diabetic who don't drink soda! Bottled water is not included in NCL drink pkg!

[@CruisingTipsDotCom]

Actually, that's not true unless special arrangements are made. Directly from their website: Beverage packages must be purchased for all guests staying within the same stateroom, additional stateroom, adjoining stateroom or travel with. Individuals under the age of 21 will be required to purchase the Soda Program.

[@glendagrant9042]

I wish there was a package for 15 drinks on the entire cruise. My speed!

[@karinbinnie1862]

Ten of our family members went on a 20 night South America and Antarctica HAL cruise and our wonderful travel agent gave each of us a 20-punch drinks card. We didn't use them all up so on the last night in the theater my sister offered them to anyone. At first no one could believe it was real but the server assured them it was. All the punches got used up and everyone had a great evening. The best cruise of my life.

[@pangjing3809]

I would love to have that too.

[@richardnone5644]

like it or not drink packages charge you about $20 per person per day do the math

[@loribarber4526]

I tip extra so I know I actually got the drink

[@Ambientmopar]

Take a moment and think about it. Along the West coast of the United States of America 🇺🇸 and in areas of the Pacific Ocean where there are territories of the United States 🇺🇸 and the State of Hawaii. Cannabis is legal for medical and recreational uses. Also legal in Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico 🇲🇽 cannabis is legal for medical and recreational usage. Lets not forget cannabis is also legal in Alaska for medical and recreational usage.

[@leeroyhegwood6240]

But who wants you smoking anything on board?

[@Charlie-zj3hw]

Last Cruise we spent a good 250 just on tips DON'T BE CHEAP and the drink runner only gets 70 cent tip

[@nelloffdaave8937]

Easiest way to save on a drink package…don’t buy it