We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. It depends. Note: Final prices will add a 20% gratuity to the cost of the package. Essentially, you will need to decide if you will drink at least $29 a day per person of the additional inclusions. Once youve done the calculation, its time to decide whether or not the drink package is worth the investment. Available on: All ships except those in the Galapagos (where drinks are included in the fare). Although convenient, cruise line beverage packages are a significant investment for your vacation. Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $18. Whether you've been daydreaming of hiking to one of Alaska's pristine glaciers, touring ancient ruins in the Greek Isles or exploring one of our other top destinations, get more free when you cruise with NCL. Absolutely not! Related: How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise. Yes! Trust us; you dont want to spend all that money on a beverage package to have it taken away. drink package is one of the most inclusive packages on our list. And if you are traveling with a group, dont even consider using your beverage package on friends in other cabins. If you decide to purchase the beverage package, booking online ahead of time is better. I have the free at sea promotion for a 10 day cruise in Iceland . For the above reasons, we dont think drink package purchases make sense for most cruisers. Yes. Drink packages that don't include alcoholic drinks, such as soda packages, typically cost far less. This takes the place of paying for drinks one at a time. If you only have a few drinks or just soda each day do they still automatically charge you the full 18 percent gratuity as if you'd maxed out the value of the program? That means you'll pay $19.80 per person per day or $138.60 per person for the 7-day Pride of America sailing. This drink package includes everything in the Premium beverage package, along with other higher end offerings. Other brands, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, charge as much as $138 per person, per day for a top-tier package. All the major mass-market cruise lines offer flat-fee drinks packages that, in some cases, can save you money when cruising. I've maxed out once during a sea day. The Norwegian Cruise Line Premium Drink Package was formerly known as the Ultimate Beverage Package. Below, weve listed the cost of drink packages for some of the mainstream cruise lines to give you an idea of what you can expect to pay. The Corks and Caps Wine and Beer Package, priced at $65 per day, includes beer . I suspect if the system shows 30-35 drinks per person per day (for example) they may also take a closer look Ginnie, Did you ever max out the limit on your Carnival cruise? The package is not valid on Holland Americas private island, Half Moon Cay. Is Starbucks free on Norwegian? The premium package covers nearly every drink served by the glass for up to $15 per drink. You'll notice it doesn't mention a daily limit. It's easy to run up a monster bill ordering wine, beer and mixed drinks by the glass on a cruise ship. Norwegian's Unlimited Starbucks Package has a few restrictions. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. This is a significant consideration for whether the beverage package is worth it. I can assume an 18 year old single malt scotch is well over $15but by how much? *Based on a 7-night cruise, balcony & above. Available on: All ships except those sailing in Europe or Australia. We've purchased the UBP on each NCL cruise we've been on, and we have never experienced an issue with limits. Weve even seen discounts of up to 40% off! What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and most bottled water. In our experience, the drink package on a cruise ship is not worth it for most passengers. Passengers staying in the premium Retreat areas on Celebrity ships receive the Premium Drink Package for free. At checkout, you will be charged gratuities on the drink package, usually between 15-20%. Norwegian has a few other drink package options including. Also, any guests under the age of 21 must purchase a soda package as a substitute. Wine and Champagne are permitted, but you'll have to pay a corkage fee for any that is consumed onboard in staterooms, bars or restaurants. Through the promotion, guests can receive a free beverage package. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Is the drink package worth it on a cruise? is one of the most common questions we receive. Two lines that notably don't have such a rule are Princess Cruises and Windstar Cruises. Here are some reasons why a beverage package might be a good idea: If you are new to cruising, you may think that the cruise ships food and drinks are all-inclusive. Some cruise lines will provide discounts on bottles of wine when you purchase a beverage package, but it is best to check with your cruise line as not every package provides discounts on bottles of wine. Guests can purchase the Premier Beverage Package for $59.99 per person per day. Unlike some cruise lines, Norwegian doesn't currently have a limit on how many drinks you can have per day with any of their packages. When requesting sparkling water, I was offered tonic water or club soda. Included with the package, guests have access to wines by the glass, beer, spirits, cocktails, bottled water (500 ml only), fresh juices, fountain sodas, specialty coffees and teas, Red Bull energy drinks, and milkshakes up to $12 per drink. So keep this in mind when you make your decision. You can not purchase just select days. TPG values it at $1,600. Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $20. Can a guest upgrade to the unlimited package? Note that the pricing listed is per person, per day. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Then there were days where we only had 2 drinks each for the entire day. We may receive compensation when you click on those links at no cost to you. Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars or ordered through room service. She is a self-confessed thrill seeker, obsessive planner, and over-packer. When calculating, dont forget to factor in port days, where you wont be on the cruise ship for the whole day. Although annoying, it still seemed like we could make good value out of the packages even with the required fee. On Australia cruises, the package costs 113.99 Australian dollars ($76.03) per day. In some cases, there will be more than one tier of such all-encompassing plans. The cost of a cruise ship drink package does not include gratuities. Check here before booking an award fare. Started August 27, 2021, By Cost per day: $69, not including a 15% service charge when booked on board. Hi All - I just booked my first cruise with NCL and am getting the UBP. All you are paying for each time is 18% of the cost the drink. Note: Final prices will add an 18% gratuity to the cost of the package. Of course, this number of drinks varies slightly based on your drink preferences. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. DOUBLE WALL VACUUM INSULATED TECHNOLOGY: This tumbler can keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours and keep hot for at least 6 hours. Learn more. There is a 5 minute wait between ordering drinks. Rules vary among cruise lines, but generally, if one adult purchases the drink package, all adults sharing the cabin must also purchase the same beverage plan. The best way to determine if a drink package is right for you is to calculate how much you would be spending on drinks. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. Many first-time cruisers are shocked to find that nearly every other beverage must be paid at an extra cost besides basic tea, coffee, and tap water. The Plus package is included when passengers book suite accommodations. CHEERS! . If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. Other packages: The slightly less expensive Signature Beverage Package only includes drinks costing up to $11. Of course, staff do have the right to refuse you bar service if you are intoxicated. At some lines, there are several tiers of drinks packages. Coffee shops are available onboard as well, and the drink package includes a variety of them. If the cost of the drink is more than the allowed value ($15 I think) it is a little more complicated. A few friends of mine have, and really liked the food and the overall cruise. Fine print: If one person in a cabin purchases a package, all people in the same cabin or traveling group also must purchase a package (children in cabins will be charged for a less-expensive, nonalcoholic package). Virgin Voyages will top up the amount when guests pre-purchase the Bar Tab before sailing. BTW, if you are on Breakaway class ship, the outdoor venues are a lot of fun. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notably, wine lists onboard were developed in partnership with the Michael Mondavi Family. Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. As part of Celebritys Always Included fare, passengers receive the Classic Package with the standard cruise fare. Though, given that many non-alcoholic drinks, like bottled water and specialty coffee, are not included in this package, it wouldnt make sense for us to purchase it out of pocket. Packages are not available on sailings shorter than three nights with the exception of South America sailings. I believe that your account is debited the cost of the drink; then it is debited the 18% and finally the cost of the drink is credited. Fine print: If one adult in a cabin purchases a package, all adults in the same cabin also must purchase it. A: If a guest wishes to upgrade to the Prestige Select package which includes unlimited premium spirits, champagne, wine and beer, they may do so once on board for an additional charge of $20 per person per day. They also generally don't apply to drinks taken out of cabin minibars. Further, this package includes unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants, and Great Stirrup Cay. Note: Final prices will add an 18% service charge to the cost of the package. The drink value can be up to and including $15 USD. Does Norwegian have a drink limit? Your email address will not be published. Luckily, the cruise line runs the Free at Sea promotion so frequently that we dont really ever have to worry about this scenario. After looking at this page you should have a good idea if the Norwegian Drink Package is good for you or not. A selection of spirits and cocktails, wines by the glass, and bottled or draft beer with a value of up to $15 US per drink are included in the complimentary beverage package offered by Norwegian. Plus Ups are excluded. If one adult in a cabin purchases the package, all adults in the same cabin also must purchase it. Thats because most cruise ship ports are independent of the cruise line. Norwegian Cruise Line do feature a lot of 'speciality dining' options onboard their ships but these have an extra cost. This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. Actually, the value "up to $1888" is (and I am assuming) what NCL estimates the package to be worth but the actual cost (at least in CDN on a 7 day cruise is $612.xx per person + 18% grats). Most individual drink prices covered by the beverage package vary between $5 to $15 per day. The package has limited options compared to the Premium package and only covers drinks served by the glass, up to $9 per drink. The two major exceptions are Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises. Fees are $15 for 750ml bottles and $30 for 1,500ml.. *Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings. The drink package is free but the gratuities on it are not included. Any items over $15 will receive a $15 discount; you will then need to pay only the difference. Discover 9 Top Cruise Accessories Youll Absolutely Love + 5 More For Kids! If you pay outright for the, The gratuities for the free premium package are $13.80 per day. More expensive bottles come with a 20% discount. With Norwegian's Premium Plus Beverage Package, you'll get all the drinks included in the Premium Package, plus premium brand liqueurs and spirits, and wines by the glass. Related Post: Best Cruise Lines for Families. The Premium Beverage Package covers nearly every onboard drink up to $15 per drink, while the Premium Plus Beverage Package covers all drinks served by the glass, with no limit on the drink price. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. Although most cruise lines dont have a specified drink limit, bartenders will cut you off from ordering more drinks if youre intoxicated. we have been very satisfied with the regular package on most of our cruises. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Only spending $978 on alcoholic drinks over the course of the week, we were a far cry from reaching the break even point. A wine bottle package also is available. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Alternatively, passengers can choose the Elevate cruise fare, which includes the Premium Beverage Package and a shore excursion credit for $20 per person per day. It is a good idea to keep track of your spending because all those drinks can and will add up. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I bought a drink package on RCCL, three years ago for around $400.. Note that both prices will have an 18% gratuity tacked on. So, unless you and your cabin mate can consistently drink 11+ alcoholic beverages a day, then it would not be worth buying the Norwegian Cruise Line drink package. Norwegian has no daily limit on the amount of alcohol in its drink packages. And again, thats if you are drinking the more expensive drinks and cocktails. It costs $49 per day when sailing in North America (pricing will rise to $51 per day in October). NCL's Unlimited Open Bar Package (formerly known as the Premium Beverage Package or the Ultimate Beverage Package) costs $99.00 per day. A relatively newer offering, the Premium Plus beverage package is the most all-inclusive option of the NCL drink packages. Complimentary drinks are available at the Latitudes (past passenger) cocktail party. Bottles or cans of any non-alcoholic beverage. The total cost of all those drinks with service charge was $978.00 for the two of us. Every time you book a cruise you have one very important decision to make: "Should I get the cruise drinks package or not?". Premium Beverage Package - Starting at the hefty price of $99 per day (plus 20% service charge), Norwegian 's Premium Beverage Package includes any wines, beers or cocktails priced at $15 or less per glass. This happens for every drink you have on the package. Subscribe to receive travel tips delivered straight to your inbox. These are: Premium Beverage Package (AKA Open Bar) - $99 per day Premium Plus Beverage Package - $128 per day Corks & Caps Wine and Beer Package - $65 per day Adult & Teen Soda Program - $7.95 per day Hawaii Beverage Packag e - $99 per day Based on this cost, if you and your cabin mate will drink on average at least 2 alcoholic drinks/day, then the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package is worth getting as a free perk. Theres a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per person in a 24-hour period. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. The Premium beverage package is currently priced at $99 per person, per day. Bringing alcohol onboard at embarkation: Beer and liquor is not allowed -- items will be secured until disembarkation day. Before deciding to purchase a drink package, we recommend doing a little math to find out if it will save money or be an unnecessary expense. . She is always looking for the latest and greatest adventures onboard and ashore, enjoys researching top things to do in ports of call, and loves dressing up for formal nights. Click here for information on drink packages. On port intensive cruises, like the Mediterranean, you might find yourself spending long days ashore. Even as a perk, the service charge for my wife and I require that we consume a minimum of 4-5 drinks per day to break evenand she doesnt drink at all. I know Carnival has the Party reputation and I have never gone on Carnival, but I surely would. Unlike the majority of cruise lines, Virgin Voyages doesnt offer a traditional drink package. Unlike most cruise lines, the price of Royal Caribbeans beverage package varies depending on the individual itinerary. If so, you may be able to use your beverage package off of the ship. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. And, the, Couldnt that person just get some type of soda package? It seems by the article that the free at sea drink package would be good enough with no need to upgrade on NCL? With NCL Premium Beverage Packages, you can get a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for as little as $15.00. And unless you have premium tastes, your favorite liquors will be included. If youre planning on purchasing the drink package, the Princess Plus fare is an excellent way to save money. But hurry, this limited-time offer won't last long. Soda, bottled water and specialty coffees already are included in the fare on Oceania sailings. What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks and cocktails. This equates to $831.60 per person for a 7-day cruise (including 20% service charge). In cases where a line offers more than one drinks package, weve highlighted the most inclusive package in detail while also noting other packages cruisers can consider. I have a 14 day cruise booked and Iam sure I will get my monies worth. Is There a Limit to the Number of Drinks You Can Buy? There are many factors to consider when deciding whether or not the drink package is worth it on your cruise. Find the right card for you. A 20% service charge is added to your purchase at checkout. And some also offer wine-specific packages. It's actually kind of easy. We dont think the limit will be a problem for most cruise passengers. The package has a daily limit on alcoholic beverages of 15 beverages over a 24-hour period (6 a.m. to 6 a.m.). While there is indeed a version of an NCL drink package for purchase thats an. They haven't updated it to say value up to $2048. Depending on your ports of call and number of sea days, as well as your hours ashore, you may receive better savings (or less) on your voyage. Depending on the cost of the package, you and your cabinmates will need to drink between 5-10 beverages per day each. Norwegian offers guests the option pre-order water and have it delivered to their cabin. Then again, we may have been having fun but never were out of control. The bolding is mine but there is a limit quoted. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); High Seas Cruising was founded by couple Marcello and Victoria to share travel tips and insights from over two decades of cruise vacations. Do you usually purchase beverage packages when you cruise? Heidi is a physical therapist by profession, cruise enthusiast at heart, and Princess all the time! The Norwegian Cruise Line Premium Drink Package includes a variety of spirits, cocktails, and wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer up to $15. Ultimately, you need to know your own drinking habits (and your cabin mates). What it includes: Drinks by the glass including draught, craft and bottled beer; a selection of wine and Champagne by the glass; premium-brand spirits, liqueurs and cordials; a variety of frozen and classic cocktails; soda; juices; nonalcoholic cocktails; energy drinks; hot chocolate drinks; specialty coffees; teas and bottled water.