Free Drinks Cruise Deals
Three kinds of free drinks, and the limits inside each.
Get Free Cruise QuotesFree drinks cruise deals are the headline perk of many promotions, and drinks packages can be expensive to buy, so the value is real. But “free drinks” can mean several different things. Here are the main versions and the fine print that comes with each.
Three Kinds of Free Drinks
| Kind | Example (as published) | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Promotional package | Norwegian’s Free at Sea includes unlimited premium spirits, cocktails, wines, draft beer, juice and soda | A gratuity applies to bar purchases and the package; teens pay per-meal gratuities on dining perks |
| Bundled fare | Celebrity’s All Included fare adds a Classic drinks package and Basic Wi-Fi | Drinks above the package’s price level cost extra; check whether gratuities are in your version |
| Included by the line | Virgin Voyages includes essential drinks such as drip coffee, sparkling water, non-pressed juice, soda and tea | Cocktails, wine and beer are still extra unless you buy a package |
Sources: Norwegian’s Free at Sea page, Celebrity’s All Included deal page and Virgin Voyages’ what’s-included page. Package names and contents change, so treat this as a guide to the types and read the current terms for your sailing.
The Fine Print Inside a Free Drinks Package
- Per-drink price cap. Some packages cover drinks up to a menu price; pricier drinks need an upgrade or are charged the difference.
- Brands and bottles. Bottles of wine, top-shelf spirits and some specialty coffees may be excluded.
- Gratuity. A service charge is often added on the package or each drink, even when the drinks are free.
- Everyone in the cabin. Some lines require all adults in a cabin to have the same package.
- Private islands and ports. Coverage on a line’s private island varies; ashore, you pay.
- Age. Alcohol needs the legal drinking age on that sailing; others get a soft-drink version.
Is a Free Drinks Fare Worth It?
Ask two questions. First, would you buy a drinks package anyway? If yes, a fare that includes one is often worth it. Second, what is the price difference between the drinks fare and the basic fare on the same cabin? That difference is what you are really paying for the free drinks. Light drinkers often do better with the basic fare and paying as they go. Our sister site Cruise Saving shows simple drinks-package break-even math, and Ask the Cruise Specialists lists the other onboard costs worth planning for.
Free Drinks Cruise Questions
What cruise lines offer free drinks?
Norwegian bundles a drinks package into its Free at Sea offer; Celebrity includes a Classic drinks package in its All Included fare; Virgin Voyages includes essential drinks such as soda, coffee, tea and juice in every fare; and luxury lines typically include drinks. Promotions on other lines come and go.
Is there a limit on free cruise drinks?
Often yes: packages may cap the menu price of each drink, exclude premium brands or bottles, and require a gratuity on the package. The rules are on each line’s package terms.
Do free drinks include alcohol for everyone in the cabin?
Only guests of legal drinking age on that sailing. Younger guests usually receive a soft-drink version, and some offers cover only the first two guests.
Get a Quote With Free Drinks Included
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will price your cruise with and without a drinks perk so you can see the real difference.
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