Drinks on a Cruise: How to Get Free Drinks, Bring Your Own and Choose a Drinks Package

Drinks are one of the biggest extra costs on a cruise – a few cocktails, coffees and soft drinks a day can add hundreds to your bill. The good news: there are legitimate ways to get free drinks on board, many lines let you bring your own wine, and a drinks package can be good value if you choose carefully. Here's how it works.

What's included in your fare

1. Free drinks on most cruise lines

On mainstream lines such as Royal Caribbean, MSC, Carnival, P&O, Holland America and Celebrity, the fare usually includes:

• Tap water and ice water in restaurants and at the buffet.
• Basic tea and filter coffee.
• Some juices at breakfast.
• Iced tea, lemonade or fruit-flavoured water at the buffet on many ships.
• Hot chocolate or milk at the buffet.

Bottled water, soft drinks, speciality coffee, fresh juices, cocktails, beer and wine are extra – and a service charge is often added.

Legitimate ways to get free drinks

2. Welcome parties and captain's events

Many cruises host a captain's welcome reception or a party for returning guests with complimentary sparkling wine or cocktails. Look for invitations in your cabin or the daily programme.

3. Loyalty programmes

Frequent cruisers who reach higher loyalty tiers often get free drinks during a daily happy hour in a dedicated lounge, discounts on packages or drink vouchers. If you cruise often with one line, it adds up.

4. The casino

On many ships, guests actively playing in the casino can get complimentary drinks. Only take advantage of this if you were going to play anyway – the house always wins in the long run.

5. Art auctions, tastings and events

Art auctions and some shopping events often serve free sparkling wine. Spa open days and seminars may also include a glass of something.

6. Choose a line or fare that includes drinks

Luxury ocean lines and most river cruise lines include drinks in the fare, and some mainstream lines offer fares or promotions with a drinks package included. Compare the total cost, not just the headline price – see our guide to picking a cruise line.

Bringing your own drinks

7. Wine and champagne

Many lines allow guests to bring a limited amount of wine or champagne on board at embarkation – often one or two bottles per cabin or per adult. If you drink it in a restaurant, a corkage fee may apply. Spirits and beer are usually banned and confiscated until the end of the cruise.

8. Soft drinks and water

Some lines let you bring a small number of cans or cartons of soft drinks or water in your hand luggage. Rules differ widely and change from time to time – always check your line's current policy before you pack.

Drinks packages

9. Is a drinks package worth it?

Packages range from soft-drink and coffee packages to full alcohol packages. They're worth it if you drink enough each day to cover the price – for alcohol packages, typically five or six drinks a day. Things to check:

• All adults in the cabin usually have to buy the same package on many lines.
• Service charges and taxes are often added.
• Pre-cruise prices are usually cheaper than buying on board.
• Port days – you won't drink on board as much when you're ashore all day.
• Limits: some packages cap drinks per day or exclude premium brands.

Tips

• Bring a refillable bottle and fill it at the buffet.
• Watch the happy hours in bars for discounted drinks.
• Track your spending in the cruise app to avoid surprises on the last day.
• Drink responsibly – the sun and heat make alcohol stronger than you think, and lines can refuse service.
• Plan the rest of your trip with our first-cruise tips and our cruise dress code guide.