Do you purchase drink packages on cruises?

[#1hoosierfan]

We have been on 4 cruises. Dh and I get the drink package. We buy the non-alcohol drink package for the boys. We just went on an Alaska cruise with Holland America in June. The boys enjoyed the mocktails.

 

[Stargazer65]

We didn't, we just had the free drinks, and bought occasional special drinks when we felt the urge.

 

[easyas123]

We've only been on two cruises, both Viking river cruises. Both times we got the drink pkg., and it's worked out better for us then paying by the drink.

 

[hardcorestitch]

This thread can include any cruise line since I'm assuming drink packages are the same or very similar. I just booked my very first cruise for July 2027 to Alaska on Princess. DH and I will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. I'm looking at the various drink packages available. My DH and I don't drink alcohol,so the Premier drink package is a definite no. Have any of you purchased the zero alcohol package? What did you think of it,and would you say it's worth it? Though I avoid sodas as much as I can, I plan on enjoying myself on the cruise. I'm looking at the soda package, but then what if I'm in the mood for hot chocolate every day?Please tell me your experiences with all drink packages from all cruise lines. Is it something you get everytime you go on a cruise? Or do you purchase them al la carte?

Drink packages are exactly why I will be considering Disney for my first cruise in the future. Royal, NCL and other cruise lines charge for non alcoholic drinks (except water and coffee).

 

[LoveDaisy]

Drink packages are exactly why I will be considering Disney for my first cruise in the future. Royal, NCL and other cruise lines charge for non alcoholic drinks (except water and coffee).

How much soda do you drink that you are able to cover the price difference between DCL and other cruise lines with the cost of soda?

 

[hardcorestitch]

How much soda do you drink that you are able to cover the price difference between DCL and other cruise lines with the cost of soda?

Lots. In fact, I recently stopped drinking Coke from outside of Disney. I will literally splurge on Coke when I’m on that ship (within pace of course).

 

[disykat]

Never. I only drink water with meals and throughout the day. DH is a tea drinker and sometimes likes juice at breakfast. Those things have always been included. I always assume we might have one or two specialty drinks we'd have to pay for, but honestly, we are always so full we never have the desire.

 

[Genie+]

I’ve only taken 1 cruise and bought the drink package. Back in 2022: $55/day + $10 tip/day.

15 alcohol credits daily up to $20/serving, plus the specialty coffee bar, bottled water, etc.

Wow I just checked current pricing in 2025: $70/day + $12.50 tip/day.

Price went up almost 30% over 3 years. Yikes! That’s for Carnival. Not sure I’d buy at that $.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Outside of a Carnival cruise when I was a teen I've only done Seabourn twice which has drinks (wine, liquor, pop, specialty coffee, non-alcoholic, etc) included anyhow as part of the fare. You can however buy high premium wine package if you want but the wide-to-us variety of included wines is perfectly acceptable to us.

 

[robinb]

We bought Princess Plus 3 years ago which included the drink package and gratuities. We also always book our NCL cruises with the drink package. We enjoy our cocktails and wine with dinner. It’s always worth it for us.