Guide to Beverage Packages

Guide to Beverage Packages
By Mike Miller

There are several ways you can pay for expenses you incur while on a cruise ahead of time. For budgeting, this can be very helpful and avoid that large bill at the end. One way to do this is pre purchase a beverage package. Cruise lines offer packages including soda, coffee and all-inclusive packages. Of course this depends on the individual and their consumption of the soda, coffee or liqueur.
 
Below I have broken down the beverage packages from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Princess Cruise Lines. Each has different pricing and benefits. This information was accurate at time of writing and is subject to change at any time. 

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

Cheers Package

Price
$51.95 Pre Cruise
$56.95 Onboard
All prices are per person / per day plus 18% Gratuity
 
The Basics

• Sodas, juices and mocktails
• Specialty coffee, bottle water and milkshakes  (when available)
• Cocktails, Beer and wine with an individual price of $15 or less
• Must be 5 minutes between drink orders
• Must be age 21
• All guest 21 and over in the cabin must order package.
• Limit is 15 drinks per day
  
• Additional benefits and restrictions may apply​

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Bottomless Bubbles Soda Package

Prices
Adult   $8.50 
Child   $5.95 
All prices are per person / per day plus 18% Gratuity​​
​
The Basics

• Soda and Juices
• Not included are:
  • Specialty Coffee
  • Non alcoholic drinks
  • Bottled Water
  • Beverages offered through room service.​​
• Additional benefits and restrictions may apply

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Ultimate Beverage Package

Price
$​63 - $70
​All prices are per person / per day plus gratuity
​
The Basics
​

• Fountain soda and refills at any venue
• Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages
• Coca-Cola souvenir cup
• Non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails)
• Bottled still and sparkling water
• Premium coffees and teas
• Fresh-squeezed juices
• Cocktails • Spirits • Liquor Beer • Wine by the Glass
• Drinks up to $13 Menu Price
• Additional benefits and restrictions may apply​​

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Refreshment Package

Price
​$29.00
​All prices are per person / per day plus gratuity
​
The Basics

• Fountain soda and refills at any venue
• Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages
• Coca-Cola souvenir cup
• Non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails)
• Bottled still and sparkling water
• Premium coffees and teas
• Fresh-squeezed juices
• Additional benefits and restrictions may apply​​

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Soda Package

Price
$12.99
All prices are per person / per day plus gratuity
​
The Basics
​

• Fountain soda and refills at any venue
• Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages
• Coca-Cola souvenir cup​​
• Not available to use during room service
• Additional benefits and restrictions may apply​​

PRINCESS CRUISES

Premium Beverage Package

Price
​$59.99
All prices are per person / per day plus 15% gratuity
​
The Basics

• All beer, wine by the glass and cocktails $12.00 USD and under as listed on our menu(s), or $16.00 AUD and under for voyages departing from and returning to Australia and New Zealand.
• All bottled water (500ml only), fountain sodas, fresh juices (if available), specialty coffees and teas, Gong Cha items, Frappés at Coffee & Cones, milk shakes (if available) and Red Bull energy drinks.
• The package provides a 25% discount on the following excluded items: all bottles of wine, one liter bottles of water, canned soda and bottled juices.
• The package may be used on our private islands, all food and beverage venues, and other areas such as the theater or public spaces that offer beverage service. Selections and service are limited to each venue’s menu offerings and operating hours.
• If dining at a specialty dining venue, a large bottle of water (one liter) of still or sparkling is covered by the package.​
• Does NOT apply to bottled spirits or bottled wine or any items offered in retail venues or shops onboard.
• Can NOT be used for Room Service or Mini-Bar items. Additionally, the package cannot offset the cost of, or be a substitution for, special or private events such as cocktail parties, wedding receptions or similar. Please contact Group Onboard Services for additional details or clarification.
• Souvenir Glassware is excluded but is available for the additional charge of the glass only.
• Excludes beverages offered via self-service or vending machines.
• Excludes and is not combinable with other Programs, Promotions, Onboard Specials, or Events such as Wine Tastings, Chef’s Table, Buckets of Beer, Buy One Get One type Offers, Specialty Dining cover charges, or food items for sale such as ice cream, etc.​

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Unlimited Soda Package

Price
$8.05
All prices are per person / per day plus 15% gratuity

The Basics

• Enjoy fountain sodas, fresh fruit juices, hot chocolate and hand-crafted "zero-proof" mocktails 
• Not available to be used for room service
• Additional benefits and restrictions may apply​​

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New Grounds Coffee Package

Price
$35.65
All prices are per person / per day plus 15% gratuity

The Basics

• You'll get 15 espresso-based specialty coffees on your cruise for a delicious pick-me-up at any time of day 
• Additional benefits and restrictions may apply

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

The Ultimate Beverage Package

Price
From $99.00
All prices are per person / per day plus 20% gratuity

The Basics

• Soft Drinks
• Beer, Spirits, Cocktails and Wine by the Glass
• Individual item price up to $15
• All individuals age 21 and over in cabin must purchase package
• All individuals in the cabin under age 21 must purchase soda package
• Additional benefits and restrictions may apply

​

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Corks and Caps Beer and Wine Package

Price
$65.00
All prices are per person / per day plus 20% gratuity
​
The Basics

• Soft Drinks
• Beers and Wines by the glass
• Individual item price up to $15
• All individuals age 21 and over in cabin must purchase package
• All individuals in the cabin under age 21 must purchase soda package
• Additional benefits and restrictions may apply​

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Soda Program

Price
$7.95 Teens & Adults (13 and Up)
$5.95 Child (12 and Under)
All prices are per person / per day plus 20% gratuity

The Basics

• ​Includes: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mt. Dew, Ginger Ale, Tonic water, Club Soda.
• The entire cruise must be purchased.
• Non-Refundable.

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As you can see, each cruise line has their own twist on the packages and this includes benefits and restrictions. For the price, in my opinion, Carnival and Royal Caribbean have the best for the cocktail included packages.Princess and NCL all have a little more variety in packages with the beer and wine packages and the coffee package with Princess.  Whether or not if its worth it depends completely on the individual cruiser. 

For all your cruise needs
Mike Miller - Travel Adviser
(904) 534-4318