Cruise Drinks Package Calculator

It really comes down to how much you drink each day. As a rough guide, most packages start to pay for themselves if you're having around five or six alcoholic drinks a day, and that's before you account for the gratuity that gets added on top. If you're a lighter drinker, you'll probably spend less just paying at the bar. The calculator above lets you plug in your actual habits so you can see the answer for your trip.

Usually no. Most cruise lines charge an 18 to 20% gratuity on top of the package price, and it's not always obvious when you're looking at the headline rate. That extra cost can make a real difference to whether a package works out for you, so always make sure you're comparing the full price. The calculator adds the gratuity in automatically once you set your rate.

On most cruise lines, yes. All adults in the same cabin are required to buy the same package, which is there to stop people sharing one between them. There are some exceptions, for example if one person has a medical reason for not drinking, but you'd need to contact the cruise line to ask about that. It's one of those rules worth knowing upfront because it can significantly change the total cost.

Yes, most of the time. You can usually add a package through the cruise line's website or app after you've booked, and in a lot of cases it'll be cheaper than buying the same thing once you're onboard. Some lines also throw in a package as part of a promotion around the time of booking. Either way, it's worth having a look at the pre-cruise price rather than leaving it until you board.

Most of the top tier packages cover beers, wine by the glass, cocktails, spirits, soft drinks, juices, specialty coffees and bottled water, but only up to a set price per drink, which is usually somewhere around $12 to $15. Lower tier and non-alcoholic packages tend to stick to sodas, juices and sometimes coffee. Things that are normally not included are full bottles of wine or spirits, anything from the minibar, and room service drinks.

Yes, there's nearly always a cap on how much each individual drink can cost. It varies by cruise line but tends to sit somewhere between $12 and $17 per drink. If you order something that costs more than your package limit, you just pay the difference. It's worth knowing what your limit is before you order, particularly if you're thinking about premium cocktails or aged spirits which can easily go over.

No. Each package is linked to one person's onboard account or room key and can only be used by that individual. If you try to use it for someone else, the cruise line can cancel the package and you won't get a refund. It's not worth the risk.

Generally no. Packages work on the ship, but they don't cover drinks you buy ashore or at venues not run by the cruise line. Private island beach clubs are a bit of a grey area and it varies depending on the line, so it's worth checking before you assume it's included. When you're in port, you're usually better off buying drinks locally.

Yes, most cruise lines have a softer package option that covers things like sodas, juices, specialty coffees and smoothies. They cost quite a bit less than the full alcohol packages. If you find yourself going through a lot of coffees or fizzy drinks during the day, they can work out well. They're also popular for teenagers who are travelling with the family.

Buying before you sail is almost always cheaper than picking it up once you're onboard. A lot of cruise lines run sales in the run-up to departure, particularly around Black Friday or as part of broader promotions, so if you spot a good price it's worth grabbing it. A handy trick is to check the price every few weeks after booking. Somewhere around 60 to 90 days before sailing tends to be when deals appear.