# Cruise Drink Packages Explained: The Rules Nobody Tells You First > How cruise drink packages really work: the household rule, per-drink caps, daily limits, and the break-even maths that decides if yours pays off. Updated: 2026-07-30 · Source: https://cruiseshiptime.app/guides/cruise-drink-packages-explained Drink packages are the single most argued-about purchase in cruising, and most of the argument happens because people compare the wrong numbers. Here's how they actually work, and how to decide in about two minutes. ## The one calculation that matters Every package question reduces to this: > **Break-even drinks per day = package price per day ÷ average price of a drink you'd actually order.** At $80 per day and $14 cocktails, that's **six drinks every single day** — not six on your best day, six *averaged across the whole cruise*, including port days when you're ashore and the package does nothing for you. That's the honest test, and it's why so many people who "definitely drink enough" end up slightly behind. [Run your own numbers here](/drink-package-calculator) — it takes about thirty seconds and asks the awkward questions for you. ## The rules that catch people out **1. Everyone in the cabin has to buy it.** On Royal Caribbean, Carnival and most mainstream lines, all adults 21+ sharing a stateroom must purchase the package. Two people, one drinker? You're buying two packages or none. This rule exists specifically to prevent sharing, and staff do enforce it. **2. There's a per-drink cap.** Packages cover drinks up to a set value — commonly $14 to $17 depending on line and tier. Order something pricier and you pay the difference, not the whole thing. That's more generous than people assume, but it means the top-shelf pour you were dreaming about isn't free. **3. There's usually a daily limit.** Royal Caribbean and Carnival cap alcoholic drinks at 15 per 24 hours. If you're anywhere near that ceiling the package has already paid for itself several times over, so this rarely bites — it exists to discourage buying rounds for the whole bar. **4. Gratuity may or may not be included.** Some lines fold the service charge into the advertised price; others add 18–20% on top. Norwegian's "free" package via Free at Sea still bills you the 20% service charge on the package's full value, which is a real cost people don't expect. Always compare gratuity-inclusive numbers. **5. It doesn't work in port.** The package covers the ship and, on some lines, the line's own private island. A beach bar in Cozumel is a cash transaction in pesos — which is worth planning for separately. **6. You usually buy it for the whole cruise.** You can't buy a package for the three sea days and skip the port days. ## Buy before you sail Pre-cruise pricing is almost always lower than the onboard price, and lines discount heavily during wave season (January to March). Packages bought in advance are typically refundable up to a few days before departure, so buying early and cancelling if you change your mind is usually the low-risk move. Check your line's specific cancellation window. ## When a package is clearly worth it - You'll have **five or more drinks a day**, consistently, including port days - You're on an **itinerary with lots of sea days** — a transatlantic or repositioning cruise, where you're on board all day - You value **not thinking about it** — some people genuinely enjoy the cruise more when they're not mentally tallying a bar tab, and that's a legitimate reason to buy - You drink a lot of **non-alcoholic extras too** — specialty coffees, bottled water and fresh juices count toward the package and add up faster than people realise ## When to skip it - You're a **one-or-two-drinks-with-dinner** person - Your itinerary is **port-heavy** — a Mediterranean cruise with a stop every day means you're ashore most waking hours - Only **one adult in the cabin** drinks meaningfully (remember, you'd still be buying two) - You're happy with **what's already free** — the [cruise fare](/guides/whats-included-in-a-cruise) already covers all your food, plus tea, drip coffee, tap water, lemonade and iced tea at the buffet ## The middle path Most lines sell tiers. MSC's tier system in particular is built around this — the cheapest tier often covers what normal people actually drink. Celebrity's Classic package covers drinks up to roughly $10, which is most beers and house wines. Buying the top tier when the entry tier covers 90% of your orders is the most common way to overspend. There's also nothing wrong with paying as you go. A drink card or simply running a tab means you pay for exactly what you consume, and on a port-heavy Caribbean week that's frequently the cheaper answer. ## Before you decide Work out the number rather than the vibe — [the calculator](/drink-package-calculator) does it in seconds and shows what each line's package includes side by side. Then, when you're ashore and paying cash, [ShipTime converts port prices offline](/#get-app) so the drinks you buy off the ship don't quietly wreck the budget you just optimised. *Package prices and rules change frequently and vary by ship and sailing. Always confirm current terms with your cruise line before booking.* --- From ShipTime Companion (https://cruiseshiptime.app) — the offline-first cruise app: ship-time clock, gangway alarms, duty-free tracking and offline currency conversion.