Why More Cruisers Are Ditching the Drink Package—And What They’re Doing Instead

Drink packages are such a popular cruise add-on, but they've also never been more expensive. This has lead to a growing trend of cruisers opting out of them and looking for other options.

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[batshevanivylerner]

on our most recent cruise, we decided to go with "pay as you go" and it was much cheaper than the package would have been. The package was so expensive, there was no way we were going to get that many drinks.

[philiprachtman]

They need a package that is maybe 4 non alcoholic drinks and 2 alcoholic drinks per day. This would also be useful on port days

[stefaniesoto]

When the drink package is more expensive as the cruise, it's robbery

[eriksmith]

If you are a beer drinker, Playmakers will sell you a Pitcher of beer for ~ $20 which is 4 Pints, vs $9 per beer. The selection is pretty good too.

[jimjason]

We drink the free Tea and Lemonade. It works for us!

[spyderman]

Get the medium (refreshments?) drink package. Order a mocktail (included in the package) and then just buy a shot of your preferred alcohol (rum, tequila, whisky, etc.) and then dump the shot into the mocktail. A cheaper way to have a drink.

[CathySillings]

Royal prices all are getting out of control!

[NarrowboatFirefly]

I agree the cost of the package is out of control. This year out of Southampton, beer was $8.25, wine $11.00, margarita $12.50, for next year the drink package is currently £108 a day, about $140 a day, so that’s 15 beers or 13 wines or 11 margaritas a day to break even, ridiculous!

[calientemac]

That’s why I like Princess cruises. I can get Plus package for $60/day and that includes up to 15 alcohol drinks/day, all crew gratuity, WiFi, 2 specialty restaurants and several other added things.

[wendyblackburn]

We strayed from Royal Caribbean and did a Princess cruise in August. For $65 pp/pd, we got the drink pkg which included crew appreciation and wifi for one device.

[bronzefox]

I don't care how much money I have at my disposal. It will be used for hundreds of dollars in alcohol, smoothies, soda and/or juice. I'm refuse to pay $1400 for drinks on a 7 day cruise for me and the hubs. Absolutely not. That is the price for another cruise!

[markcrowell]

We are Diamond, Matt, and we do exactly what you say...we rely on those four free drinks each day and pay for any others. When you add in the days that you are at a port and don't drink your daily allotment on the ship, it makes the drink package even less attractive. I think the drink card is a fantastic idea.

[mariodopico]

Problem with drink pack is that it becomes a challenge between you and the cruise ship. On a 7 day cruise, The cruise line is winning because most average people can not handle the amount of drinks intake by day 4. Pay as you go is the best way and it will do less harm to your liver.

[tireiron]

I've done the drink package and pay as you go. Drink card I'd probably buy but won't be purchasing another drink package. We bring a 12 pack of soda and two bottles of wine. We buy a few beers or specialty cocktails during the cruise and are generally set. Way cheaper than ~$1, 400 for a drink package on a 7-night cruise. We canceled our RCI cruise in December over Christmas, flights were out of control expensive and were more than the cruise. Saving for a trip through Europe next summer.

[anniesshenanigans]

More costly than some cruises I've been on! No way i would pay that much for drinks. Ever.

[dominatrix]

Also, keep in mind, many cruises have multiple ports. I normally spend most of my time exploring the port or going on an excursion. No way I can drink the required number of drinks to break even when returning to the ship at 5pm or later. So, I pay per drink.

[jeffreyfritz]

We ditched the Royal Caribbean drink package over a year ago. Like you said, it simply got to be way too expensive. Even with the pre-cruise discounts and occasional sales, it was just too large an expense.

[Cruise-hair-why-care]

Also, Crown & Anchor members get two 50% off coupons ( loaded on your sea pass) per sailing for any glass of wine, beer, or soda. Be sure to ask to use these. Don’t forget after Diamond members use their 4 free drinks in a day, you get 20% off any glass of wine, beer, or soda. Other levels receive different discount amounts. Diamond members, always remember to ask to use your free Diamond drinks when ordering. I don’t think it is automatically applied. My favorite part of Diamond drinks is I can share them unlike the drink package which you may not share drinks. Thanks Matt! Safe travels!

[AlexP]

Personally I’m Pinnacle Club and 6 drinks every day is plenty. If I come across a party I can buy a couple more out of pocket and still not hit the drink package cost. Folks saying 10-15 drinks per day make the package worth it should also consider the port vs sea days. 10-15 on sea days is a lot but 10-15 on a port day is a boat load!

[beautywearsboots]

I'd actually love to see Royal Caribbean bring back a smoking lounge, in exchange for a smoke free casino. It would allow for better containment of odors, and more gamblers than ever are asking for a smoke free casino.