The all inclusive appeal of a cruise drink package is real. But whether it actually saves you money depends on how you drink.
The Numbers Behind the Package
Most cruise drink packages cost between US$70 and US$100 per person per day. Individual cocktails onboard typically cost US$12 to US$15 each. That means you need to consume roughly six to eight drinks per day just to break even on the package cost.
If you are poolside all day ordering cocktails consistently, the package can make sense. If you have a drink or two with dinner and spend most of your days on port calls exploring ashore, you are almost certainly paying more than you need to.
A Simple Example
Four cocktails at $14 each comes to $56. If the drink package costs $90 per day, adding a juice and a specialty coffee still leaves you paying more than those drinks would have cost individually. The package only wins when your consumption consistently clears that break-even threshold.
When to Buy and When to Skip
Buy the package if you plan sea days over port days, drink regularly throughout the day, and want the simplicity of not tracking every order.
Skip it if you have multiple port calls, drink moderately, or tend to stick to water, coffee, and the occasional drink with dinner.
Do the Maths Before You Sail
Look at the package price, divide by the cost of a typical drink, and be honest about how many you actually consume in a day. That number tells you everything you need to know.
Have you bought a cruise drink package? Was it worth it? Comment below.