Never Buy a Drink Package

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 Why I Never Buy the Drink Package

Welcome to Travel Tip Tuesday! A cruise vacation is a fantastic floating community where you can relax, explore, and meet wonderful people. But with thousands of guests sharing one space, a little consideration goes a long way. To ensure your trip is smooth sailing for you and everyone around you, here is our ultimate guide to cruise etiquette, turning common complaints into simple, positive actions.

Picture this: you’re lounging by the pool on a sunny sea day, a tropical cocktail in hand, the ocean breeze in your hair. It’s the classic cruise moment — and one that makes the idea of an unlimited drink package sound pretty tempting.

But after nearly 30 cruises,  I never buy the drink package.  

Sure, I’ve sailed with drink packages before. Sometimes they’re included on media or promotional sailings, and yes, it’s fun not to worry about the tab. But when it comes to paying full price? That’s where things get tricky.

Drink packages can run $80–$105 per person, per day once gratuities are added. To break even, you’d need to drink 9–11 beers or 5–7 cocktails daily. That might sound doable for a day or two, but on a longer cruise? Most people slow down — especially on port days when you're off the ship exploring.

And here’s the kicker: if one person in the cabin buys the package, everyone has to. That means even your travel companion who prefers iced tea or a glass of wine now has to drink enough to justify the cost.

 I’ve crunched the numbers, debated the value, and ultimately passed — unless the package was part of an all-inclusive deal. On one Princess cruise, the drink package was bundled with wi-fi and gratuities for just a little more than the base fare. Once I backed out the cost of the extras I’d pay for anyway, the drink package came out to about $20/day — a no-brainer, even for light drinkers.

So here’s my advice: don’t feel pressured to buy the drink package. Consider how much you really drink, how many port days you have, and whether your cabin mates will get their money’s worth. If it’s part of a discounted bundle, go for it. Otherwise, enjoy your cruise à la carte — and maybe treat yourself to a cocktail or two without the commitment.

Got something to say? I’d love to hear it! Drop your comment below and hit submit — it’ll come straight to me.

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