Drinks are one of the biggest extra costs on a cruise. The fare covers your cabin and main meals, but almost every drink you order at the bar is billed to your account. A little planning before you sail can save you a few hundred dollars.
Why Cruise Drink Costs Add Up Fast
Menu prices are not the final price
Most cruise lines add an automatic gratuity of about 18% to every drink. A cocktail listed at $14.00 ends up costing $16.52 on your bill. A beer listed at $7.99 becomes $9.43. Always multiply the menu price by 1.18 to see what you will actually pay.
Packages have a break-even point
A drink package gives you a flat daily price, but it only saves money if you drink enough. Light drinkers usually spend less by paying per drink.
What Drinks Cost on a Typical Cruise
Here are sample prices from Royal Caribbean, before gratuity. Prices change, so check your ship’s menu before you sail. For the full list, see these Royal Caribbean drink prices with the final cost after gratuity.
| Drink | Menu price | With 18% gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic beer | $7.49 | $8.84 |
| Import beer | $7.99 | $9.43 |
| Signature cocktail | $14.00 | $16.52 |
| Can of soda | $3.50 | $4.13 |
Wine by the glass usually runs from $8 to $16.
How to Decide Between a Drink Package and Pay As You Go
Use this formula
Divide the daily package price by the price of your usual drink. The result is how many drinks you need each day to break even. The gratuity applies to both sides, so you can leave it out of the math.
Example
If a package costs $80 per day and you usually order $14 cocktails, you need about 6 drinks a day to break even. If you drink fewer than that, pay as you go.
Now compare a day of 4 cocktails and 2 beers. At menu prices with gratuity, that is about $84.94. A package priced near that amount would give you almost no savings.
Easy Ways to Spend Less on Drinks
- Order the drink of the day. It is often about 25% cheaper than a regular cocktail.
- Check your loyalty status. Some lines give free daily drink vouchers to higher tier members.
- Buy a package before you sail if you plan to use one. Onboard prices are often higher.
- Buy wine by the bottle when you are sharing with someone.
- Read the line’s current policy on bringing a bottle of wine onboard.
- Check your onboard account every two or three days so charges do not surprise you.
Plan the Rest of Your Trip Budget
Drinks are only one part of your total spending. If you are new to planning, start with this guide on how to plan a budget-friendly trip. For general money saving advice that works on any trip, read how to travel more comfortably without spending more than necessary.
Final Thoughts
Set your drink budget before you board. Add the 18% gratuity to every menu price, work out your break-even number, and decide if a package fits your habits. Knowing these numbers in advance keeps your final bill close to what you planned.
