Are cruise ship drink packages worth it?
Cruising always seems like a very cheap way to travel, but unfortunately your purchase price doesn’t always mean it is an inclusive cost.
Your fare will include your meals on board, but with some cruise lines, alcohol is a cost that is not included and you will have to pull out your onboard spending card for every single drop.
The prices for beer, wine, spirits and even soft drinks and water are high enough to make you consider jumping overboard and swim to that high-end restaurant in the city whose prices now seem like a bargain.
The question does beg though, is the drinking package (if it is available on your select cruise line) worth it?
Ultimately, it depends.
For some, a cruise getaway means being permanently tipsy with a drink in your hand at all times. For others, it might just be a glass of red on a nice night overlooking a black sea. You also could just be looking for a good, rowdy night one time on the cruise and plan to recover for the rest of the trip.
Drinking packages usually come at a heavily discounted price. If you plan to be drinking every day/night while onboard then perhaps exploring the drinking package options might be the way to get what you need at a good price.
It is important to remember though, you will not be spending everyday onboard your cruise ship, and your drinking package purchase does not extend to the restaurants and bars on land.
Either way, it is extremely important to read the fine print carefully – there are always little hidden details in there you might not have been aware of. For example, your drinking package may not count on the days you are at port – which could make purchasing the package something you don’t want to do.
What are your tips to consider when wanting to purchase the cruise drinking package? Let us know in the comments below.