Is the Cruise Drink Package Worth It? Let's Break It Down!

[@themanicweasel6391]

I always get the drink package for two reasons: 1. When on vacation, I want to turn the "Worry about money" part of my brain off (where I safely can). It's the same reason I always purchased meal plans at Disney World. When my kid asked if she could get that overpriced muffin/popcorn/fruit juice, the answer was always yes without hesitation. It just made for a better experience for us all. 2. It allows me the freedom to try new beverages without considering cost, because there is no additional cost. If I don't like a drink (which is rare), I hand it back and try another. I go to new places to try new things and I won't let a few extra bucks hold me back.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Love this

[@ajs11201]

I was going to make your second point as well-- oftentimes there are cocktails on the menu that sound weirdly interesting to me. If I'm paying $15 out of pocket, I'll probably decline and stick with something I know I'll like. However, with the drinks package, I more inclined to try things outside of my usual routine. As you say, if I don't like it, I can always hand it back and order something different.

[@ajs11201]

Another advantage of the drinks package is that it also covers the gratuities (at least on some cruise lines). So that $12 drink just became $14 if you're paying as you go.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Great point

[@TiggyTabbycat]

It worked that I did t have to worry about out it at the end of the week. It was useless for my husband who drank nothing but coffee lol

[@michaelgalliher548]

Just got off the Seashore on 4/14 and the drink package was good in specialty restaurants. Not sure why the website says it isn't.??

[@ByteSizeCruises]

It’s so weird.

[@NurseTara04]

I never get the drink package other than the one time we sailed on NCL. People “don’t want to think about it” but I don’t need to just throw money at the cruise line… so I DO think about it and I just don’t drink enough to find any value in it.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Haha. Totally get it

[@ajs11201]

You make a valid point, but I have a different perspective on it. For us, our money/income is a bit seasonal and fluctuates. For our upcoming cruise, we have already purchased the drinks package--not because it's a savings, and not so we "don't have to think about it"--but for budgetary reasons. When our cruise is finished, there will be nothing additional for us to pay, which works well for this summer's budgetary concerns in our household.

[@NurseTara04]

@@ajs11201 That makes sense, I love that we all have options that work best for us and our families. I hope you have an amazing cruise! I’m 19 days and counting til we’re back on the open sea 💜

[@NurseTara04]

@@ajs11201 I’d also like to add that depending on the cruise line, you can purchase gift cards ahead of time and add them to your onboard account. I think that also helps with the planning and budgeting. We will be doing that on our next Celebrity cruise, for the same reasons you described, not having a bill at the end of the cruise.

[@ajs11201]

@@NurseTara04 Oh, what fun! I hope you have a marvelous time!

[@Cami_1606]

I have never cruised without a drink package. To me the convience and the fact that i can budget my cruise is the most important. I might only have 4 or five drinks a day but they are already paid so i dont have to think about the price. And with the soda, coffee and bottled water i find it worth it to me 😊

[@ajs11201]

Yeah, seriously, those custom coffees and bottles of water add up. It's nice to know those are included, too.

[@brettparnell8254]

I always get the drink package, but I also always cruise NCL. The question I have to answer is depending on the itinerary, do I want to upgrade to FAS+. Some itineraries I do when I'm alone and its sea day heavy, like I did for Bermuda in just over a week. Others I pass when I'm crusing with others or it's a port heavy itinerary.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Free at sea plus is such a great idea and value

[@michaelgalliher548]

I always get the Premium drink package. I like the better wines and scotches/whiskies as well as a coffee or soda once in a while..

[@Fish29077]

I always get the drinks package on every cruise line 😎🥂🍻🍷 Great value and no surprises. I’m a big advocate for heavy responsible drinking.

[@Sana-vi7sw]

I get the Drink package for convenience, I'm not sure if I drink enough to break even because I don't keep count of my drinks

[@ByteSizeCruises]

That’s fair. Have a great weekend Sana

[@donnabucci6598]

We have always bought the drink package. However on our last cruise, it was “port heavy”. We didn’t get the drink package value because we were on shore for most of the day.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Makes a ton of sense

[@ericmaxey7616]

I always get the NCL Premium Plus beverage package with free at sea. My next cruise is back to back 25 days. I paid about $750-800 for my $1,500 drink package. BOOYAH!!!

[@LunaLight95]

Ncl hands down has the most complete drinking package. Johnny Blue, starbucks and champagne all included. Never had to sign a receipt slip

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Agreed. That is premier plus for everyone reading so if you do free at sea plus or the top tier drink package all of that is included and awesome.

[@tjmayberry417]

If I'm cruising with just adults, then definitely getting the drink package. If, however, we're cruising with our kids then no package (gotta keep an eye on those goobers lol).

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Hahah

[@Lisa-hd2td]

We get the soda drink pk. Alcohol Hubby will have one or 2 drinks drinks so it's cheaper that way

[@jd80768]

NCL. I don’t get the drink package but do check the bartenders daily drink specials to save some $ if I am gonna have a “few”

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Nice. That’s a great point

[@mike07646]

NCL, however, is the cheapest of all the drink packages by far. At $22 per day, it'll be covered by a single drink or glass of wine and a few sodas. For that reason, it's an easy choice for me to always include it.

[@jd80768]

@@mike07646 Drink package is $610 on NCL for the week. That’s 87 per day

[@julieb7882]

The price is what makes my decision. With a drink package, I will still only have 2 or 3 alcoholic drinks a day. Without the package, I will not be having special coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, or bottled water, and maybe 3 drinks in a week.

[@Bentwood5-qr2iy]

The more you cruise, the better you know how much you might be drinking. A lot of people are social drinkers, but on a cruise, they step-it up because, hey, it's a vacation and you're not driving, and so forth. Just try to do the math and you can figure it out. I might have two drinks per day, so I don't do it. This is a good video to try and gauge your level of drinking.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Thanks so much for watching

[@user-ki2ip6rf5h]

Cruise lines are not selling drink packages to lose money or for the cruisers' convenience. They are selling them because many cruisers do not come close to breaking even. This results in huge free money to the cruise line (being paid in full for drinks that were not served plus the applicable unearned 18 percent tips). Some drink package holders lose hundreds of dollars per cruise. It's a lot of money for "convenience." Having a drink package is no guarantee of a "fixed total price" because many drink package cruisers choose to pay up charges for drinks, especially good wine and top shelf brands, that exceed their package's maximum credit for such drinks.

[@charliedurham4248]

I will never know if the drink package is actually a good value. When I have it, I drink so much I lose count.

[@edvaira6891]

Never…I get sick if I have more than 1-2 alcoholic drinks a day…plus, I’d rather use my calories on food.

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Same

[@mike07646]

Do you get a soda package though, or just go with the Free water/lemonade/tea/etc. options?

[@allarchitect]

never

[@matthewtrearty2082]

And this is why I will never cruise. If I go to a hotel I can get a beer at the local store for a dollar and take it to my room. I can do what I want and not be beholden to the ship that charge me for WiFi, beer, special meals, etc. Just go to a hotel

[@ByteSizeCruises]

Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. There are pros and cons to everything. Completely different vacation styles.

[@matthewtrearty2082]

I get it, and keep making your content. I watched because i am interested in a cruise. My parents do it and 10 years ago they took me for a short cruise as a birthday present and i disliked it. I had fun, nut spent a lot for very little and i just thoughtbmaybe they have changed or i just got a bad one but i guess they are all much of a muchness and charge a lot for things that should be free in any hotel resort.