Key Aspects:
- MSC Cruises is ending the Easy Plus drink package, but any purchases already made for future sailings will be honored.
- The Premium Extra, Alcohol-Free, and Minors drink packages are still available for guests to purchase.
- Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises have also recently updated their drink packages.
Have the cruise lines been drinking? Yet another line is making adjustments to its beverage packages. This time, it’s MSC Cruises tweaking the different options available for guests to toast their cruise vacations.
Effective from August 1, 2025, MSC Cruises guests will no longer be able to buy the “Easy Plus Package” as part of their add-ons.
This mid-range package included cocktails, protein shakes, spirits, cordials, beers, all non-alcoholic drinks, bottled mineral water, and wines by the glass.
Drinks at signature venues such as Venchi 1878 and Jean-Philippe Maury, however, were not included.
If guests have already purchased the Easy Plus package for an upcoming sailing, the package will be honored for that cruise regardless of sailing date.
MSC Cruises explained that this change is “part of our ongoing efforts to simplify our product offerings and make decision-making easier for our guests.”
Three drink packages are still available, with different levels of inclusions.
- Premium Extra Package – Includes all drinks up to $16 such as premium spirits, wine and champagne by the glass, cocktails, beers, specialty coffee, smoothies, juices, and sodas.
- Alcohol-Free Package – Includes all non-alcoholic drinks, mocktails, energy drinks, tea, coffee, soda, and still or sparkling bottled water.
- Minors Package – Only available to guests age 20 and younger. Includes all non-alcoholic drinks, juices, soda, soft serve ice cream, and still or sparkling water.
A fourth package, the Easy Package, was discontinued from December 18, 2024. As with the new change ending the Easy Plus Package, however, any existing Easy Package purchases will continue to be honored.
Read Also: Why Are MSC Cruises so Cheap?
Package prices vary depending on cruise length, ship, and departure date. Pre-cruise purchases are often the best deal at up to 15% off onboard prices. Occasional sales can even see discounts of up to 35% off!
Why So Many Drink Package Changes?
MSC Cruises is just the latest cruise line to make adjustments to its drink packages and offerings in the past few weeks.
Norwegian Cruise Line, for example, recently removed bottled water from its drink packages, but only on Pride of America. That ship offers 7-night Hawaiian cruises year-round and the change is a step toward better sustainability to protect Hawaii’s delicate ecosystem.
Royal Caribbean updated its policy terms to close the too-often-used loophole for the “everyone much purchase” rule for its deluxe beverage package. Now, there will not be exceptions made for medical reasons or personal preferences.
Princess Cruises has likewise adjusted its drink offerings and what drinks are and aren’t included in the Premier and Plus Packages in response to guest feedback.
Carnival Cruise Line is also changing its drink packages. While there are no pricing or inclusion changes, the cruise line is switching the fleet from Pepsi products to Coca-Cola drinks, a change that should be finished by mid-September.
While drink packages can be very convenient for guests, MSC Cruises is correct – they can also be very confusing.
Cruise lines must carefully balance guests’ desires for popular drinks along with the profitability of offering package discounts.
Just as drink preferences change over time (who would have found protein drinks or energy drinks on cruises 30 years ago?), so too must cruise lines be adaptable with what they offer.
Package inclusions, limits, and pricing are always subject to change. Cruise lines regularly re-evaluate their offerings to give guests the best possible experiences and options to suit their tastes.
