We often get asked: since the cruise fare already includes some drinks, is a drinks package worth buying, and if so, which one? Here’s a quick overview of what cruise drinks packages actually include.
The fare on most cruises covers only a limited range of drinks. On MSC ships, for example, coffee, tea, filtered water and juices from the dispensers are free at the buffet, but drinks in the bars, restaurants, your cabin minibar and elsewhere on board cost extra. Buying a drinks package turns your cruise into a true all-inclusive holiday. Here are the packages you can choose from:
MSC drinks packages
On MSC cruises you can choose from several drinks packages. Good to know: if you book a drinks package, everyone in the cabin has to buy one too, including children, who can have a dedicated kids’ package.
Easy package
Includes:
- A selection of classic and international cocktails
- Alcohol-free cocktails and mixed drinks
- Spirits (whisky, vodka, gin, rum, tequila, brandy – one brand of each)
- House wines (red, white, sparkling, rosé) and prosecco
- Heineken on draught and in bottles
- Soft drinks from the dispenser and in cans, juices by the glass and bottled
- Bottled mineral water
- Classic hot drinks (espresso, cappuccino, caffè latte, tea, hot chocolate)
Alcohol-free package
Includes:
- Alcohol-free cocktails
- Fresh fruit and protein shakes
- Energy drinks
- Soft drinks
- Flavoured water
- Bottled mineral water
- A wide choice of hot drinks
- Soft-serve ice cream
Kids’ package
Includes:
- alcohol-free cocktails and soft drinks
- energy drinks
- mineral water
- flavoured water
- fruit juices
- coffee drinks, hot chocolate and tea
- ice cream
Premium Extra package
Includes:
Everything in the Easy package, plus:
- Drinks up to €14 a glass
- Classic and frozen cocktails, premium-brand spirits and a wide range of liqueurs
- A wide choice of wines and sparkling wines by the glass
- 25% off bottles of wine and sparkling wine bought on board
- the full range of draught, craft and bottled beers, soft drinks and juices
- mineral water and energy drinks
- speciality coffees, hot chocolate and teas
- up to 15 alcoholic drinks a day
Everyone drinks differently, even on holiday, so there’s no single answer to whether a drinks package is worth it. If you mostly drink water during the day and maybe unwind with one drink in the evening, you don’t need a package: paying as you go will work out cheaper.
On some sailings MSC also offers discounted drinks packages, usually the Easy or the Alcohol-free package, which cost far less when you buy them together with your cruise than if you add them to your booking later.
Remember that everyone sharing a cabin has to buy the drinks package, children included, who get the alcohol-free version.
Fancy trying an all-inclusive cruise? Head to our site and pick your sailing!
Need help booking? Email us at ahoy@clickncruise.com.
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