Now all three of the major contemporary cruise lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International, offer some form of an alcoholic drink package. These packages allow cruisers to enjoy an alcoholic beverage onboard without breaking the bank. It also allows cruisers to enjoy their vacation just a little more. Gone are the days of worrying that you are spending hundreds of dollars at the poolside bar or doing the mental math when you purchase wine with your delightful dinner.
These new packages are still in their infancy and Royal Caribbean is the only line that has decided to offer these drinking packages fleet-wide. Carnival and Norwegian are still testing out their programs on a limited number of ships to decide if this packaging is attractive to their passengers. Keep reading for a breakdown of the programs on all three cruise lines.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Cost: Carnival offers their passengers the option of paying $49.39 per day, per passenger (that includes 15% gratuity).
Drinks Available: Wines by the glass, beer, and cocktails that are priced $10 and under. Bottles of wine, champagne and cocktails over $10 will be charged at a 25% discount.
Ships Available: Carnival Legend, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Breeze, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Victory and Carnival Dream
Caveats: If sharing a room with a person over the age of 21, that person must also purchase the package.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Cost: Norwegian is charging $49 per person, per day for their drink package. Plus gratuity.
Drinks Available: All beers, spirits, cocktails and wines by the glass.
Ships Available: Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Sun
Caveats: If sharing a room with a person over the age of 21, that person must also purchase the package.
Royal Caribbean International
Cost: Royal Caribbean is offering two different packages. Passengers can choose the Classic package at $45 per guest, per day or the Premium package at $55 per guest, per day.
Drinks Available: The Classic includes beer, house wines by the glass, non-alcoholic cocktails, soda and juice.The Premium includes everything in the Classic plus frozen drinks and premium cocktails.
Ships Available: Currently this program is only on 13 of Royal Caribbean’s ships, but will be offered fleet-wide starting in early 2013.
Caveats: Available on sailings that are 7-nights or longer but must be purchased on the first day. If sharing a room with a person over the age of 21, that person must also purchase the package.
Do you think these packages would save you money or would you rather just purchase one drink at a time, the old-fashioned way?
The Cruise Web, Inc.
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Drink Packages on All Contemporary Cruise Lines