↓ JUMP TO DRINK PACKAGE CALCULATOR ↓

Pool day with a piña colada. Wine with dinner. A latte before a morning excursion. Drinks feel like part of the cruise routine. They also add up fast.

On most ships you’ll see prices like these before gratuity:

• Beer around $7–8

• Wine by the glass around $10–12

• Cocktails around $12–14

• Soda or bottled water around $3.50

• Specialty coffee around $5

Most lines add an automatic 18% service charge to every drink and also to the package price. So a $14 cocktail rings up closer to $16.52 and an $8 beer is about $9.43. It only takes a few rounds to hit the cost of a package.

Drink packages can be great for the right cruiser. You get convenience, the freedom to try new things, and zero surprise at the end of the week. For lighter drinkers or port-heavy itineraries, buying a la carte often wins.

The key is to do the math for your habits.

QUICK RULE OF THUMB

• If your average day is 4 drinks or fewer, a la carte usually costs less.

• If you’re closer to 5–7 total drinks across alcohol, coffee, soda, and water, a package can make sense.

• Remember some lines require every adult in the stateroom to buy the alcohol package if one adult buys it. That can change the value quickly.

Example with typical menu prices including 18% gratuity:

• 3 cocktails + 2 beers ≈ $68.42

• Add a latte and a water and you’re at $78.45

• A package priced at $69/day before gratuity is $81.42/day after gratuity, so you’d still be under the break-even point that day.
  Use the calculator to get your real break-even

I built a simple calculator below to compare your estimated a la carte spend with a drink package at today’s pricing. It includes gratuity on both sides so you’re looking at an apples-to-apples number.

HOW TO USE IT

1. Set your cruise length and gratuity percent. Most lines charge 18%.

2. Enter your package price per person per day before gratuity. Use what you see in your cruise planner.

3. Check the drink prices. I’ve prefilled typical menu prices. Edit any that are different on your ship.

4. Move the sliders to estimate what you’ll drink on an average day. Be honest. Count coffee, soda, and water since those are included in many packages and in your spend if you buy a la carte.

5. Review the results:

   • A la carte per day with gratuity

   • Package per day with gratuity

   • Trip totals for each option

   • Your break-even drinks per day and the daily difference

TIPS FOR BETTER ESTIMATES

• Think about your itinerary. Fewer sea days often means fewer drinks. If most days are in port, dial the sliders down a bit.

• If you get loyalty drink vouchers or plan to bring wine where allowed, reduce your sliders to reflect those “free” drinks.

• Packages have per-drink caps. If you love premium wine or top-shelf cocktails, raise the price fields so the math fits your taste.

• Some lines make every adult in the cabin buy the alcohol package when one adult does. If your roommate doesn’t drink, that can tip the scales toward a la carte.

• Prices can change before sailing. If the package drops in your cruise planner, rerun the numbers.

FINAL TAKE

Your results above tell the story. If your à la carte total is within a few dollars of the package price, the convenience can be worth it for you. If your daily spend is clearly lower than the package price, skip it and pay as you go. Still unsure? Look at how many sea days you have and any loyalty drinks you’ll use, then rerun the numbers. If you want me to price the package for your exact sailing or sanity-check your math, send me your dates, and I’ll take a look.

Request a quote or email me with your dates and ship if you already know what you want.