For many cruisers, savoring a glass of wine over dinner or a tropical co*cktail by the pool is a must-do while onboard. As such, drink packages are among the most common add-ons. However, they aren't cheap.
Some packages cost upwards of $80 per person, per day, meaning if you can't consume at least 5-6 co*cktails daily, the package may not be of value to you. Plus, most lines require all adults of legal drinking age staying in the same stateroom to purchase a package to prevent sharing.
To make the most of cruise drink packages, consider your drinking habits and evaluate whether the cost will be offset by the value you receive.
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Recently, I had the opportunity to test Celebrity Cruises' drink packages to determine which offers the best value for cruisers. Though more expensive, I'm more likely to pay to upgrade from the Classic on my Celebrity sailings, as the Premium Package offers a more extensive selection of beverages, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic.
Read more: Are cruise drink packages worth it?
What are drink packages?
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Cruise lines offer beverage packages that allow you to indulge in a fixed number or unlimited drinks each day of your cruise for a set price, rather than pay for each á la carte. Prices vary greatly depending on which line you're sailing with.
Carnival Cruise Line, for example, charges a flat $64.95 for their CHEERS! Package on sailings that are 6+ nights, while Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package is priced dynamically, meaning the price fluctuates based on factors like the itinerary, ship, and duration.
Some lines, such as Royal Caribbean, offer just one alcoholic option, whereas others—including MSC, Princess, and Celebrity Cruises—have different packages to cater to various preferences and budgets.
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Celebrity's Classic Package only includes alcoholic beverages up to $10, as well as a limited selection of non-alcoholic drinks. On the other hand, the Premium Package provides passengers with a more inclusive list of offerings, including alcoholic beverages up to $17 and a broader range of non-alcoholic options.
Guests can bundle the Classic Package with their fare when booking or add either option to their reservation through the Cruise Planner after placing the deposit. Unfortunately, Celebrity's "All-Included" package does not allow passengers to add a Premium Package to their reservation when booking their cruise.
Having sailed extensively with Royal Caribbean and testing their non-alcoholic and alcoholic packages, Celebrity's beverage program intrigued me. Would I be happy with the offerings included in the cheaper package to save money, or would I miss having a more inclusive experience?
Read more: 15 best tips and tricks to Celebrity Cruise drink packages
Celebrity's Classic Package felt restrictive. Rather than trying new co*cktails, I was stuck ordering what I'd get at a local bar back home
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When I heard that Celebrity would begin sailing to Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay, I was excited to book a cruise onboard an upscale ship to visit the private island in The Bahamas.
While I love CocoCay, I've begun growing out of the brand, especially as someone in their mid-20s without children. Instead of ships, filled from bow to stern with waterslides, ice skating rinks, and other adrenaline-pumping activities, I have a newfound appreciation for ships with sophisticated amenities and refined dining options.
The inaugural cruise on Celebrity Reflection to Perfect Day at CocoCay was appealing, so I booked an interior room bundled with Celebrity's Classic Drink Package and Basic Wi-Fi for just $998.87 per person, or $1,997.74 for my partner and me.
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The Classic Package is a great option for cruisers who want to enjoy a couple of alcoholic drinks daily without needing to indulge in fancy co*cktails. Instead of handcrafted martinis, top-shelf spirits, and premium wines, it covers standard beverages like draft beers, house wines, and well liquors, providing a straightforward and budget-friendly option to enjoy drinks onboard.
In addition to alcoholic beverages up to $10, guests with Celebrity's Classic Package can choose from a selection of non-alcoholic drinks, including sodas, specialty coffees, and bottled water. However, premium options, such as Red Bull and Evian water aren't included. Similarly, beverages from the Spa Café are excluded from the Classic Drink Package.
While onboard Celebrity Reflection, my finacée and I felt restricted, having a few white wines and well-based co*cktails to choose from. Rather than ordering frozen drinks by the pool or martinis after dinner, we found ourselves missing the "inclusive" experience that typically accompanies a drink package.
Read more: What the Food Was Like on Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Reflection
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Though we made use of the package with morning mimosas, specialty coffees from Café al Bacio, and vodka sodas, we would have preferred a wider array of beverage options to feel more like we were on vacation. At home, we're less likely to order martinis and other high-quality drinks, so having access to the premium beverages would have enhanced our cruise experience, making it feel more special.
In fact, we spent an extra $43 on handcrafted co*cktails from the Martini Bar, as well as one mudslide while relaxing in the Solarium. When we're on vacation, we enjoy not worrying about minor expenses adding up, so we really contemplated whenever we were debating paying the difference for a premium drink.
We were surprised that our Classic Drink Package worked ashore at CocoCay. Since it was the first sailing, however, the bartenders didn't know how to differentiate between Celebrity's two packages, so we were able to order whatever we wanted as if we had the Premium Package.
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Now that Celebrity has been cruising to the island for about four months, they may have figured out the nuances of the drink packages. Though we enjoyed frozen beverages with top-shelf liquor at the adults-only beach, this may not be the case on your visit.
Months before our Celebrity Ascent cruise, we saw a great deal on the Cruise Planner to upgrade from the Classic to the Premium Drink Package
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As our cruise to the Greek Isles was our engagement trip, we didn't mind splurging on every experience to make it feel as special as possible. As such, we knew we wanted the Premium Drink Package before placing our deposit.
Our infinite veranda with Basic Wi-Fi, a Classic Drink Package, and gratuities cost $4,990.32. We waited until Black Friday to begin looking for deals and were elated when we saw we could upgrade for just $48.93 per person, or $6.99 per day.
After dropping our bags off in our cabin, we headed straight to the Martini Bar to enjoy the first of many lychee martinis without worrying about racking up a large onboard bill.
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Throughout the week, we tried co*cktails exclusive to other bars onboard, too. From the World Class Bar's Celebrity No. 10 to the Magic Carpet's Magic Spritz and Café al Bacio's Salted Caramel Martini, we never felt restricted and thoroughly took advantage of the ship's beverage offerings.
Aside from co*cktails, wine, beer, and liquor up to $17, Celebrity's Premium Drink Package includes far more non-alcoholic drinks. Before retiring to our stateroom each evening, for instance, we stopped by one of the onboard bars to take two bottles of Evian water to our cabin.
Read more: 25 drinks to order if you have a cruise drink package
While my drinking preferences align more with the Premium Drink Package's offerings, it isn't for everyone
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At home, my finacée and I enjoy wine and basic co*cktails semi-regularly, so when we're on vacation, we like to feel like we're indulging in top-shelf beverages. Basic well drinks—such as vodka soda—don't cut it for us. When limited with the Classic Drink Package, it felt like we were drinking to drink, rather than savoring high-quality co*cktails and discovering new favorites.
However, the Classic Package is a great option for those who want the occasional drink and don't care about the premium options. Perhaps you're content with a standard glass of wine or two at dinner, rather than having the sommelier recommend a perfectly paired vintage, or maybe you are the type of cruiser who wants a specialty coffee from Café al Bacio to kickstart their day.
Moreover, Elite Captains Club cruisers and up have access to Celebrity's nightly happy hour from 5 to 7pm, where select alcoholic beverages are available at no extra cost. Though the list of drinks is limited, it may be the ideal time to order a Cosmopolitan, Apple Martini, or Manhattan without splurging on the Premium Package.
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For us, even as Elite cruisers, the happy hour wasn't enough to satisfy our drink preferences. Between the dessert co*cktails at the Martini Bar and elaborate concoctions at the World Class Bar, there were too many tempting options not included in the Classic Package or Elite happy hour.
Either way, I recommend booking an "All Included" rate for your Celebrity cruise, as it includes a Classic Drink Package and Basic Wi-Fi. If you change your mind, you'll likely pay more for the drink package alone.
Even with pre-cruise sales, the Classic Package will cost around $450 per person for a 7-night cruise, if not more, and assuming you're also interested in internet connectivity, you can expect to spend another $150 per person for the standard package.
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Plus, you'll have to pay the full price for the package at once, rather than overtime before the final payment date.
