cruise tips drinks

Roaming Around the World

Travel Guides, Tips, and Tales

25 Best Tips: How to Get Cheap & Free Drinks on a Cruise Ship

October 12, 2022 By John Widmer 68 Comments

Indulging in many beverages can be so much fun when cruising. But in 2023, as drink prices on cruises hover around $10, those poolside piña coladas will add up before you know it. Splurging every night on costly cruise cocktails can be a blast. But it’ll also blast your onboard account before you can even say “mar-ga-ri-ta.”

During the past eight years, we used extreme budget travel tactics to drink our way across 100 countries and even cruise entirely around the world . After spending 237 days (8 months) as paying passengers on 21 different cruises, we’ve figured out the best strategies to drink lots on cruises while keeping our bar bill very low.

We’re now back on land to share all of our alcohol hacks, tips, and tricks on how to get cheap drinks on cruise lines such as Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity, Holland America, and more. Many of these strategies will even get you free drinks on a cruise!

As an example of our cheap cruise drink strategy, during a 14-day sailing on the Celebrity, we managed to keep our bar tab under $75 per person, while drinking quite well …and a lot! That’s less than $6 per day! During a transatlantic repositioning cruise with Royal Caribbean, we solely used a $100 onboard credit to drink throughout the cruise (for free) and we again drank very well during that 13-day voyage.

But it was on a two-week Norwegian Star cruise, that we scored unlimited drinks for free the entire cruise! How did we pull that off?

This article details tactics like how to get hooked up with a free beverage package and the truth about sneaking booze onto a cruise. But let’s play by the rules. As such, happy hours can make for happy cruisers! And knowing when the free cocktails are served is even better! Yes, many cruises regularly give passengers unlimited free drinks for short periods for those in the know. Cheers to that! 🍻

Creating your own mini-bar is another fun drinking cruise hack we regularly employ. And for those who want better coffee without paying inflated specialty coffee prices, we show how to be your own barista! Actually, there are plenty of free non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy on a cruise. Yet cruisers looking for booze will find plenty of alcohol hacks to get cheap cruise drinks all throughout this post.

So without further ado, here are 25 of our best cruise tips and hacks to get cheap (and free) drinks on a cruise. Let the party begin! 🍹

1) Exploit Cruise Ship Happy Hours

Sometimes cruise happy hours are only subtly advertised. Passengers must be observant and seek out these money-saving cruise drink deals. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for happy hour promotions on tabletop signs at cruise bars.

Know that cruise happy hours vary greatly by cruise line, ship, and even each sailing. Cruise happy hours change constantly. Cruise happy hours even change from bar to bar on the same ship.

Despite ongoing changes, here are each cruise line’s happy hours :

• Carnival : Known to offer happy hour with half-off cocktails and beer at specific times at particular bars (e.g., Red Frog Pub, casino bar) on certain days only (often embarkation days and port days).
• Celebrity : Previously offered two happy hours with greatly reduced-priced cocktails, wine, and beer. Although Celebrity’s happy hour is now focused on free drinks for Elite Captain’s Club members 5:00-7:00, occasional happy hours can still be found throughout some ships.
• Disney Cruise Line : Typically has several happy hours nightly at specific bars with up to half-off drinks.
• Holland America : Typically has two happy hours (e.g., 4:00-6:00, 10:00-midnight) with buy one drink, get one half-off (has replaced buy-one-get-one for $1/$2 happy hour)
• Norwegian : No regular happy hour on NCL, but sporadic BOGO happy hours have been found at specific bars, only on some ships.
• MSC : No regular happy hours across MSC cruise line, but in the past BOGO drink deals have been spotted at specific bars (e.g., Sports Bar) on certain ships.
• Princess Cruises : Formerly offered BOGO happy hours but this has been discontinued.
• Royal Caribbean : No regular happy hours on most bars, but specific bars on some RCL ships do offer happy hours such as Buy-One-Get-One drinks in late afternoons at low-traffic bars.
• Virgin Voyages : No known happy hours.

💡 Tip: Plan around two happy hours

When you find cruise bars that have two nightly happy hours, plan your drinking wisely to maximize your onboard budget during these two happy hour periods. For example, it is fairly common to find happy hours during 4:00-6:00 and again from 10:00-midnight. So be sure to hit the bar and drink up during these cruise happy hours, particularly if it’s BOGO or half-off drinks. Then use our subsequent cruise drinking tips to drink economically during the four-hour gap between 6:00-10:00.

In addition to the planned cruise happy hours, some lines, such as Carnival, have been known to just announce drink deals spontaneously on party nights. Listen up and you may hear the DJ announce $1 beers! It’s happened to us before and we stocked up, which leads us to our next cheap cruise drink tip!

2) Stock Up for Later During the Best Cruise Drink Promos

If beer prices are slashed for happy hour, during a big promotion, or at a free drink event, then consider ordering some unopened beers to stash them for a later time. Take those inexpensive beers back to your cabin and put them in the mini-fridge. Doing so will enable you to enjoy those discounted (or free) beers poolside the next day!

When ordering, kindly ask the bartender not to open the beer. Occasionally a bartender may insist on opening it. If that’s so, order a 16 oz. aluminum bottles with twist-off caps. Those beer bottles can be easily resealed. So during price drops and or complimentary drink soirées, stock up!

But typically bartenders have no issue with passengers buying several unopened beers during a promotion. In fact, on a Holland America cruise when a 2-for-1 craft beer promotion came up, a bartender offered to send an entire case of discounted beers to our stateroom! We did. This brought the price-per-beer down to $2.98, which is even cheaper than buying those same beers at a bar on land!

Cruise loyalty members may also be invited to events with complimentary drinks and high-tiered members even get access to nightly complimentary happy hours on some cruise lines. But since the timing is limited, this can be another situation to take a beer or two to-go, to enjoy later.

Lastly, rare circumstances may call for free drinks onboard, which can be another consideration to snag some free beers for later. For example, on another HAL cruise, we took, the weather had canceled a planned port call. So the captain actually gave all passengers a complimentary happy hour as a nice gesture to disappointed passengers. If something like this ever happens during your sailing, it can be an excellent time to stock up on a few free beers!

3) Attend Cruise Drink Tasting Events

Wine tastings, cocktail tastings, martini tastings, and even beer tastings can be some of the best drink deals at sea. Personally, it’s our favorite tip to partake in for cheap drinks on a cruise.

These aren’t free tastings (we’ll show you where to get those later). Drink tasting events are typically paid activities to try several cocktails during a fun and informative demonstration that can last about a half hour or so. And they often yield excellent value!

🤓 Let’s do the math! Specialty drinks, like creative martinis, typically cost $15 (or more), plus gratuity. So five fancy cocktails could easily cost a cruiser $90. These tasting events on cruises vary in cost, but are often priced around $25, giving half-pours or sometimes even full-sized pours.

Often with cocktail or martini tasting they give about 4-6 ounces tasting, which is a half-sized cocktail. So that’s an okay-ish value, equating to 2.5 cocktails for $25. For comparison, three of these same cocktails would otherwise cost $53 when priced at $15 +gratuities.

Yet occasionally at tasting events, we’ve been pleasantly surprised by receiving full-sized drinks! We’ve found that drink tastings on NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) are of particularly good value, as they’ve poured some large and strong drinks. Norwegian usually does martini tastings, margarita tastings, beer tastings, and wine tastings during their regular cruises.

Five good cocktails on an NCL would easily set you back around $100. So enjoying them at a tasting event for $25 is excellent value.

If you don’t want to drink all five drinks, consider attending with a partner/friend and sharing the experience . These events are usually charged by the pour, not by the person.

These tasting events aren’t just good value, you get to try a variety of different cocktails you may have never thought to try before. Drink-tasting events are also a lot of fun and a great way to make friends during a cruise. We’ve even learned some drink recipes that we now use back home.

Keep an eye out for alcohol tastings in the daily itineraries. When you see them, reserve a spot and you may discover your favorite new libation, all while being mindful of your drink budget.

4) Why Never Order Wine By the Glass on a Cruise

Never ever order by the glass on a cruise, even if you’re only going to have one glass of wine with dinner. Here’s why: if you order a bottle of wine and don’t finish it, your server will gladly re-cork it for you so that you can enjoy the rest of that bottle on another night, at no additional charge. Also, most cruise ships even permit the server to send what’s left of the bottle to another bar or even to your stateroom.

As is the case with any land-based restaurant, wine by the bottle on cruise ships offers significant savings compared to ordering by the glass. So as long as you’re able to finish an entire bottle during the length of your entire cruise, there’s really no reason to order by the glass.

🤓 Let’s do the math! Glasses of wine priced at $7 may seem like a good deal, but it’ll add up to $42 (plus gratuities) over the course of six glasses. That’s over $50! On our last cruise, the $7-per-glass wine was priced at $29-per-bottle. So ordering the bottle will ultimately get you that same wine for far less money. Just finish the bottle another night or whenever you’re ready.

5) Wine Drinkers Should Buy a Wine Package to Save

Most all cruise lines offer wine packages in which you commit to a certain number of bottles throughout your sailing, at a reduced price. Typically the more wine you commit to, the greater the price reduction. So try to estimate how much wine you’ll go through on the front end of the cruise, which will lessen the blow to your onboard account by departure day.

You can often purchase these wine packages before you set sail. Buying these packages online before your cruise usually gives a slightly bigger discount. For example, Celebrity offers a Taste of the Vineyards package online with either 3, 5, or 7 bottles. The 3-bottle package starts at $109. Look online or ask your booking agent. Alternatively, inquire about these wine packages at the ship’s wine bar.

If you’re going on a 7-day cruise and you think you may share one bottle of wine each night for dinner, then it would make sense to order a 7-bottle package for nice savings!

🤓 Let’s do the math! Below is an example of the Holland America wine packages we found during a recent cruise. Their rates start at $119 for a four-bottle package. Those particular bottles were priced at $35-$40 individually. So you would save $20-$40 by purchasing this package instead of buying the wines individually. If you know, you’re definitely going to be drinking these wines, it certainly would prove advantageous to buy the wine package.

6) Find Cheap Drinks in Port

If you have an extra hour or two to burn while in port, skip the sugary overpriced drinks at Señor Frogs and Fat Tuesday. Instead, find a cozy local bar a little further away from the port to throw back a few. Not only will you have a more authentic travel experience with local flavor, but you also may find local prices!

Drink your Budwiesers and Heinekens once you’re back home or on the ship. Instead, take the opportunity on shore to explore a local beer or spirit.

We’ve found there to be some surprisingly tasty brews popping up all around the world. Many popular Caribbean and Central American cruise destinations even have local brewpubs near cruise ports.

Also, be aware that many places around the world don’t have open container laws like the US. This means you can go into a local convenience store, and get a cold beer to enjoy while relaxing on the beach, touring the city streets, or simply walking back to the ship while you sip .

Whatever you’re able to sip on while ashore will almost certainly be better priced than on the ship and likely more interesting too. So drink up!

💡 Tip: How to know if open containers are tolerated in port . Many countries officially have open container laws, but they are completely unenforced in popular cruise ports. The easiest way to know whether drinking alcohol in public is tolerated is if the cashier of a convenience store has a bottle opener at the counter .

If you see a bottle opener, it’s a clear indication it’s acceptable to drink on the streets while in port. So use it to pop open a beer. The best part is that all of these local beers while in port will be at a fraction of the cost compared to the cruise ship’s pricey drinks.

Get to know the local drinks in an area you’re visiting ! Local wine found ashore throughout a Mediterranean cruise is not only delicious but can be surprisingly inexpensive. That’s the same for rum throughout the Caribbean. And let’s not forget about all the yummy tropical cocktails found all throughout many of the world’s most popular island cruise ports.

Our favorite local drink to get is painkillers in the Virgin Islands! Although we’ll always seek out sky juice whenever porting in Nassau. Rum punch is a must in Jamacia, just as margaritas are obligatory in Mexico. Yet don’t overlook the panty ripper in Belize. There are so many delicious cocktails to explore throughout the Caribbean and elsewhere!

7) Go on Inexpensive Shore Excursions that Include All Your Alcohol

Instead of necking a bottle of beer in the streets, book a tasting tour, a booze cruise, or an all-inclusive beach pass while in port. Use a tour agency independent from the cruise line to save money on shore excursions.

We always use and recommend Viator shore excursions since they tend to be nearly half the cost of the cruise line’s excursions. Their ports of call tours include a worry-free guarantee promise to get you back to the ship. And if your cruise has to cancel a port for any reason, it’s nice to know that they automatically provide a full refund.

Where are you cruising to? Here are just a few booze-filled shore excursions in some of the most popular Caribbean cruise ports:

🇲🇽 Cozumel, Mexico Drinking Excursions:

• Mr. Sancho’s Beach Club   is the hottest drink ticket in Cozumel and is such incredible value! For the price of about five drinks on a cruise ship, this ticket gets you an all-day pass to this white-sand beach resort that includes a full open bar with unlimited drinks ! The day pass also includes a complete lunch menu, beach loungers, and even ocean kayaking along Cozumel’s coastline! But best of all, there’s a swim-up bar, so you don’t even have to leave the pool to get your next margarita. Drink up! ⚠️ Beware : this one regularly sells out in advance. Check availability now for your travel dates.
• Cozumel Coral Reef Snorkeling by Glass Bottom Boat : Although drinking is not the main activity, this snorkeling tour provides complimentary beers after getting out of the water. This high-rated tour is well-priced to pack in a boat ride, snorkeling, and cervezas ! Check availability .

🇧🇸 Nassau, Bahamas  Drinking Excursions:

• Rum Reggae and Rhythms Tour looks like so much fun and has so many excellent reviews to vouch for it. This tour the also the least expensive booze-filled tour we’ve seen in the Bahamas, and you’ll have to sip slowly while venturing out to a number of local Nassau drinking spots. Check availability .
• Nassau Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour focuses more on local Bahamian food. Yet it also includes some rum cocktails along the way. This tour gets great reviews and would be a fun way to taste Nassau while enjoying a few drinks along the way. Check prices .

🇰🇾 Cayman Islands Drinking Excursions:

• Rum & Beer Tour with Lunch : This is our top pick for the Cayman Islands, as this 3-hour tour packs a rum distillery, a rum cake factory, and a local lunch with local craft beers. It seems that there’s plenty of rum and beer to try all along the way so you definitely won’t return to the ship sober. Book now .

🇻🇮 St Thomas, US Virgin Islands Drinking Excursions

• Rum & Food Tour : This tour explores St Thomas’s rum history, as it includes two rum drinks, but also puts focus on the island’s local food scene. Perhaps best of all, you’ll learn how to make the signature drink of the Virgin Islands – the Pain Killer. And then drink it, of course. Sooo good! Check prices .

🇸🇽 St Maarten Drinking Excursions

• Orient & Maho Beach : If you’re going to visit St Maarten’s two most famous beaches, be sure to choose a tour that includes cold beer and delicious rum punch along the way. This fun tour does and is only $40 !
• Topper Rhum Distillery Tour : After touring this famed distillery, you visit the tasting bar for unlimited rum samples and even the opportunity to bottle your own rum! It’s another bargain-priced tour that gets rave reviews.

Other Boozy Shore Excursions Around the World

The above-listed shore excursions are only a few of the vast variety of excursions Viator has available on its tour booking site. You can find these boozy shore excursions all over the world, from a whale watching & brewery tour in Alaska to a vineyard excursion in Northern Italy. Search Viator excursions for your ports of call .

8) How to Get Cheap Booze in Your Cabin on the Final Night

Can you buy a bottle of liquor on a cruise ship?

Yes, there are two ways to buy a bottle of alcohol on a cruise ship:

• Buy a bottle from the duty-free liquor store on the cruise, but they hold it
• Order a bottle of liquor to your stateroom anytime (more info in the next tip, #9)

First, let’s discuss buying a bottle from the liquor store on a cruise. Most all cruise ships have duty-free liquor stores with a vast assortment of alcohol at decent prices. However, the cruise ship liquor store will not allow you to take those bottles back to consume in your cabin …that is, until the last night.

On the final afternoon of your cruise, any bottles that you purchased while ashore or from the cruise ship’s liquor store will be delivered directly to your stateroom.

So, at some point during your cruise, go to the duty-free liquor store onboard and buy a bottle if you want to use it on the final night to cut loose and have a few extra cheap drinks. This tax-free liquor is well-priced and you may even catch an additional sale on alcohol from time to time.

Also on the final evening of the cruise, the duty-free store will, in fact, allow you to walk out of the shop with any liquor you purchase. On one cruise, we noticed that an entire liter bottle of vodka at the duty-free shop was actually priced less than two shots of the exact same vodka if you were to purchase it at the bar.

Additionally,  any alcohol purchased while in port will also be delivered to your stateroom on the final day of your cruise. So don’t hesitate to buy that delicious Jamaican rum or snag that bottle of tequila while docked in Cozumel. When you return to the cruise ship, you can easily check the bottle with security. Then once the last night of your cruise rolls around, any bottles that you’ve purchased ashore will be delivered to your room.

Also, if you happen to be in port on the final day of a cruise itinerary, most cruise ships will actually permit you to bring any liquor purchases right back on board with you. No sneaky tactics are required. Just walk right on and put that bottle through the X-ray machine. But again, this tends to only be allowed when bringing liquor back aboard a cruise that has a port call on the final day of a cruise itinerary.

So on your last night of a cruise, have a party in your stateroom and enjoy! Just be sure to schedule a late disembarkation time the next day. 🤪

Tip for back-to-back cruise cruisers only : If you happen to be on a back-to-back cruise (consecutive cruises on the same ship) and are remaining in the same stateroom, we’ve discovered a loophole that helps to procure cheap drinks on a cruise. On the final night of your first cruise segment, you will receive your purchased liquor in your stateroom. It’s then available to enjoy on your subsequent cruise! While we haven’t seen any official policy that permits this practice, it’s worked for us every time we’ve taken back-to-back cruises.

9) Ordering Bottle Service in Your Stateroom Is a Good Deal

The previous cruise alcohol tip is great for a cheap bottle of liquor on the final cruise night of a cruise. But what about the rest of the cruise? Here’s how to legally buy a bottle of alcohol on a cruise ship that you can actually consume on the ship, anytime.

Most cruise lines offer standard 750-ml bottles of liquor that they’ll deliver to your room for a modest price. They’ll set it all up nicely with glasses and ice for you to use throughout your cruise. Sometimes, they’ll even throw in some free mixers too! The price of these liquor bottles with set-up ranges around $40-$60 , depending on the cruise line and your liquor preference.

While $50 for a bottle of liquor is much more than you’d pay for it at your local liquor store, the cost still comes out to being much less expensive than you would pay for several drinks at the bar on a cruise.

🤓 Let’s do the math on bottle service on a cruise

On a recent cruise aboard the Holland America Koningsdam, the cruise offered a Gin & Tonic package that includes a bottle of Bombay gin and three cans of tonic water for $46.25 + 15% service charge for a grand total of $53.19.

That $53 will yield at least 16 delicious gin & tonics that can be made and enjoyed right from the comfort of the stateroom throughout the entire cruise. So this comes out to about $3.31 per drink.

Meanwhile at the Koningsdam’s bars, that same Bombay gin and tonic comes to $8.34, after the 15% service fee. It would cost over $133 at the bar for 16 gin & tonics. So buying the bottle set-up for your stateroom ultimately results in a massive $80 savings!

Here’s the breakdown: $133 for 16 gin & tonics at the bar -$53 for 16 gin & tonics with bottle service in your stateroom =$80 in savings

Best of all, this bottle service set-up is a totally legal and acceptable way to have booze in your stateroom without having to sneak it on the ship! And with bottles starting at $40, it’s still semi-affordable too. If you’re a heavy cocktail drinker, ordering bottles of liquor to your cabin can really make financial sense. Use this tactic to help ease your onboard account in between drinks at the bar.

Ordering a bottle of alcohol to your room is also far more economical than tapping into a cruise’s minibar set-up. Unless you’re only going to have a drink or two, steer clear of the expensive mini-bar if you’re trying to keep your cruise budget to a minimum. Ordering a bottle of alcohol to your cruise stateroom will prove more economical.

Additionally, most cruise lines (excluding Carnival and NCL) do permit you to bring your own soda on board. So if you plan ahead, you can buy a $40 bottle of liquor on the ship and then use your own mixers that you’ve brought. There’s certainly no need to tap into the expensive minibar sodas!

10) Look for the Captain’s Toast to Get Free Drinks!

If you notice any event in the daily itinerary titled something like “Captain’s Toast” or “Captain’s Reception,” this always means there will be servers running around with trays full of complimentary cocktails, wine, and/or champagne . Don’t miss it!

Typically these events will last at least a half hour. So arrive promptly to get your fill of free drinks!

Hang out, find a nice cozy spot where the drink servers are coming out of, and then cheers to the captain!

11) Play to Win Free Alcohol on a Cruise

There are always a number of contests and competitions held on board cruise ships. You’ll find anything from karaoke to the newlywed game to craft competitions. Smaller activities like daily trivia may only reward winners with a trinket like a keychain. But the larger gameshow-style events dole out much better prizes, and almost always give away free bottles of champagne !

For example, the Newlywed game show (AKA, Love & Marriage) always rewards participants with a free bottle of bubbly. This game is played across every cruise we’ve been on and even the losers have been rewarded with champagne. Really, they’re rewarding participants for embarrassing themselves on stage. And what better reward than a free bottle of champagne on a cruise?

We’ve also seen champagne be rewarded for progressive trivia competitions and virtually every gameshow-style event requiring participants to get up on stage. So participate and bring your A-game. Then you just might get rewarded with oh-so-precious free booze on a cruise!

Once you’re gifted a bottle of sparkling wine from the cruise director, you’re welcome to drink it anywhere on the ship without a corkage fee. Personally, we’ve won a few times and have brought our free bottles, to be uncorked (for free) in the main dining room and to sip on poolside.

12) Be a Loyal Cruiser to Get Rewarded with Free Drinks

If you’ve come back on the same cruise line for a second cruise, cruise lines often reward you with alcohol! But that’s only if you’ve joined their loyalty club, which is totally free to do! So always be sure to join the loyalty program with every cruise line you ever go on.

Even with the lowest loyalty tier, most cruise lines will at least invite passengers to a complimentary cocktail party full of free drinks. Cruise a few more times on that same cruise line and you may find complimentary happy hours every single night for higher-tier loyalty members!

Cruise lines are quite fond of treating their loyal patrons with booze. So if this is your second or greater instance of cruising with the same cruise line, then be sure to check what alcohol perks you may be entitled to and take full advantage of your loyalty freebies.

We’ve found that Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have some particularly enticing loyalty perks for cruisers who enjoy free drinks! In addition to exclusive parties with free drinks, Celebrity rewards their Elite Captain Club members with a daily cocktail hour with unlimited free drinks from 5:00-7:00 at most bars and lounges. Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean rewards Diamond members of the Crown & Anchor Society by loading free drink tickets onto their SeaPass card.

So it can really pay off for drinkers to be loyal to those lines!

Don’t have a loyalty status? Make friends! Not everyone onboard the cruise may be as big of a drinker as you are. Some high-ranking loyalty members may have leftover drink tickets they’re just going to let go to waste. So they are often happy to give them away to anyone who can use them. Sometimes these drink tickets are non-transferable, but this tends to be widely unenforced on cruise lines we’ve sailed on.

13) Free Liquor Tastings on a Cruise!

Most all cruises have a duty-free liquor store. On at least one night (often multiple nights), the liquor store will sample some of their best liquors as a way to entice you to buy a bottle while on board.

Usually, these free liquor tastings tend to occur earlier on a cruise’s itinerary, such as the first or second night. Check the daily guide for times, then stroll on by for your free shot (err, I mean a sample of liquor).

14) Enjoy Free Champagne at the Art Auction

If you’d like to sip on a complimentary glass of champagne, then head on over to the art gallery. Nearly all ships will have multiple art auctions during the cruise, which usually extends a free glass of sparkling wine . You’re not required to bid. So just sit back, learn something about the art, and watch others fight for those limited-release prints.

It can be an entertaining experience. But if you get bored, there’s no shame in making a quiet exit. So perhaps be sure to pick an aisle seat in case you do want to leave early.

15) Beer Drinkers Should Buy Buckets of Beer to Save

Are you heading to the pool and want to kick back a few beers? Buy a bucket of five beers, which most cruises usually offer for the cost of four. It’s a win-win by saving the server a few trips to deliver your beer while saving you a few bucks.

Beer buckets may not be the best drink deal out on the high seas, but it still saves the $6-$7 cost of a bottle of beer. Even if you’re not planning to drink all of those beers in one sitting, it can be worth buying the bucket to bring whatever is left back to your cabin to put on ice or in the mini-fridge.

16) Order the Drink of the Day for a Discounted Cruise Cocktail

Many cruise lines have a specialty “drink of the day” which will usually save you $1-$3 off the regular price. Sure, it’s not as great of a deal as a Buy-One-Get-One happy hour, but the drink of the day deals last the entire day.

Waking up to find out the “daily drink” happens to be your favorite can be a wonderful surprise to take full advantage of.

An additional bonus to the daily drink specials is that you may even get a souvenir cup which can entail even further discounts when getting a refill. The drink of the day is usually outlined in the daily cruise newsletter.

17) Legally Bring Your Own Wine on a Cruise

Many cruise lines actually permit you to bring your own wine and champagne aboard the cruise ship. So take advantage of these bring-your-own-wine allowances!

But wine allowances can vary greatly by the cruise line. Some cruise lines forbid it altogether. Other cruise lines will allow you to bring wine but charge a fee per bottle, even if it’s opened in a private space like your stateroom. Yet thankfully most major cruise lines are gracious enough to allow passengers to bring a bottle of wine or two. But you need to know the rules.

Usually, the wine allowance is one 750 ml bottle per person or two 750 ml bottles per stateroom. Most cruise lines’ alcohol policies indicate that these wine bottles must be placed in your carry-on luggage only and can only be brought onto the ship on embarkation day.

Each cruise line’s wine allowance policy is slightly different and these beverage policies do change occasionally. So before you pack a few bottles of wine, be sure to check your cruise line’s official alcohol policy to confirm.

Wine allowance policy by cruise line:

• Carniva l: 🍾 1 bottle per person (source: Carnival Liquor & Beverage )
• Celebrity : 🍾 2 bottles per guest (source: Celebrity Alcohol Policy )
• Disney : 🍾 2 bottles per person (source: Disney: Carrying Alcohol Onboard )
• Holland America : 💲 Fee of $20 per bottle (source: Holland America FAQs )
• MSC : ❌ Not allowed (source: MSC Conditions of Carriage )
• Norwegian : 💲 Fee of $15 per bottle (source: NCL Beverage Policy )
• Princess : 🍾 1 bottle per person (source: Princess Pre-Cruise FAQ )
• Royal Caribbean : 🍾 2 bottles per stateroom (source: RCI Onboard Alcohol Policy )
• Virgin Voyages : 🍾 2 bottles per person (source: Virgin Help Articles )

4 More Tips When Bringing Wine on a Cruise:

💡 17a) how to avoid the corkage fee in the main dining room.

Most cruise lines that permit you to bring wine onboard still charge a corkage fee if pouring that wine in the main dining room. These corkage fees vary by cruise line but typically range between $15-$25 per bottle.

Meanwhile, you can enjoy your own wine from your cabin at no charge whatsoever. Your stateroom attendant will happily deliver wine glasses to your room and will even deliver an ice bucket to chill champagne or white wine. This is complimentary, with no corkage fee on most cruise lines.

You may want to bring a corkscrew with you to open the wine. Stateroom attendants can usually track one down, but this has proven problematic for us on a few cruises. So consider screw-top wine bottles. Otherwise, it may be a wise idea to pack a cheap corkscrew.

But what if you want to have that glass of wine with your dinner without the expensive corkage fee? Then you can simply pour a glass of wine in your cabin to then enjoy it anywhere else on the ship.

Usually, the wine glasses delivered to your room are the same glasses being used in the bars and dining room. As such, no one will know (or care) that you poured your own glass of wine. So fill up your wine glass in your cabin and then take it to dinner, thereby avoiding a corkage fee. Often the maître d’ will even carry your glass of wine for you as you’re walked to your table.

Go ahead and make it a big pour. You may even be able to make one big glass last all the way until the dessert course.

💡1 7b) The Best Wine to Take on a Cruise for Value

Generally speaking, the best wine to take on a cruise is whatever type of wine is most pleasing to your tastes. But if you’re really trying to get the most bang for your buck, bring some strong wine on your cruise . Many popular wines have a lower alcohol percentage of 11%-12%. For example, one of our favorite wines, Pinot Grigio, tends to have an alcohol content of about 11.5%, which is fairly low.

Champagnes and sparkling wines can be fun wine choices to take on a cruise, but their alcohol by volume often is around 12% or lower. Sparkling wines would be a bad choice to bring on a cruise if you’re trying to get your money’s worth in the few bottles of wine that you’re legally allowed to bring aboard the cruise.

Some of the best wine options that have higher alcohol that you can take on your cruise are: Shiraz or Zinfandel . Those two are stronger wines, often clocking in around 15% alcohol. Better yet, consider a dessert wine like port wine or sherry , each of which can run as high as about 20% alcohol by volume.

If you’re trying to drink cheap on a cruise, bringing these stronger wines will certainly help to stretch your alcohol a bit further.

💡1 7.3c) Bring Even More Wine Than the Limit

While many official cruise alcohol policies limit cruisers to two bottles per stateroom, we’ve found it can be possible to slip in an extra bottle, particularly when using multiple bags.

If you bring an extra bottle or two above what the cruise allows, then consider dividing your wine bottles into separate luggage. Cruise line security is likely not going to add up wine bottles that are in different bags being delivered to the same stateroom. So putting two bottles of wine in one suitcase and two in another could get four bottles to slip through to a stateroom.

Just know this is officially against the rules. But it regularly works.

Maybe you miscalculated and brought three bottles instead of two. Oops! Don’t worry about it, as there’s a fair chance it will go unnoticed.

💡 17d) How to Bring Your Own Beer on a Cruise Ship (Instead of Wine)

If you’re a beer drinker, you may want to know how to legally bring beer on a cruise (instead of wine). A few cruise lines do permit you to bring your own beer onboard, although it is rare. Disney is one of the only major cruise lines that allow passengers to bring their own beer on a cruise ship . Disney Cruise’s official policy permits passengers to carry on six beers per person. Thanks Mickey!

But most other cruise lines forbid passengers from bringing beer on a cruise ship, even though they allow wine. So here’s a hack for beer lovers to bring some beer on a cruise ship instead of wine.

Consider bringing a 750 ml bottle of craft beer on board . Such bottles often have the appearance of wine or champagne. So that has worked for us to bring a nice beer instead of an allowed wine bottle. (See adjacent image: the bottle on the left is beer).

These 750 ml bottles of beer have always been permitted on wine-allowing cruise ships we’ve sailed on, even though beer is technically against their official alcohol policy.

18) BYOB – How to Bring Alcohol on a Cruise: the Sneaky Way

Most cruise lines explicitly forbid passengers from bringing their own alcohol on cruise ships, as stated in their alcohol policies.

Still, cruise passengers have been known to sneak their own booze aboard cruises. We like to play by the rules and don’t particularly recommend sneaking liquor on a cruise ship. But we’d be remiss not to mention it as a strategy that passengers do use to achieve cheap drinks on a cruise.

If you are going to smuggle some liquor aboard your next cruise, consider a cruise ship flask kit that is specifically made for the purpose of being undetected when going through cruise security. These nonmetallic pouches are purposely designed to let no air bubbles when pouring liquor into the devices, making them undetectable .

Many of these cruise flask kits have a good track record of success. For example, this Concealable and Reusable Cruise Flask Kit is currently the most popular alcohol smuggling device on Amazon and receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with about 90%+ of reviewers, indicating it got past security. Check the most recent reviews .

What happens if you get caught sneaking alcohol onto a cruise ship?

The biggest realistic consequence is (1) embarrassment and (2) potential confiscation of the alcohol brought onto the cruise ship.

If you do get caught sneaking booze onto the cruise, typically cruise security will just remove the liquor and may even offer to hold it for you until the end of the cruise. If you’ve put a bottle of alcohol into your suitcase that security finds, the likely outcome is that your luggage won’t arrive in your room and you’ll have to go to security to get it straightened out. The cruise ship’s security may even offer to hold onto a bottle of liquor for a passenger who didn’t know the rules.

But bringing a bottle of liquor does run the risk of being confiscated. So if you’re going to try to bring a bottle of alcohol on a cruise ship, don’t bring any bottles that are valuable to you. Meanwhile, if you took sneaky tactics like putting alcohol in a mouthwash bottle, security will almost certainly confiscate it.

Many cruise lines’ official policies do indicate that passengers can actually be removed from the ship for bringing alcohol on a cruise ship. But we’ve never heard of that actually occurring in practice. A far more realistic consequence is delayed baggage and possibly confiscated liquor.

19) Enjoy These Free Non-Alcoholic Drinks on a Cruise

Often the only free beverage offered in the main dining room is tap water. Non-alcoholic drinks, such as sodas or specialty coffees, come with an added expense on most cruise lines. Yet those who know to ask, or know where to look, can get more than just a measly glass of ice water!

So what drinks are free on a cruise ? It should be obvious at the buffets that juices and other flat drinks are provided complimentary. Yet many cruisers don’t realize that they can also go to the main dining room and order complimentary iced tea and lemonade with their meals. It’s never offered. But unsweetened iced tea and lemonade are available for free in the main dining room during lunch and dinner on nearly all the major cruise lines.

Coffee, hot chocolate, and (hot) tea are also free drinks available on most cruise ships. In fact, cruises tend to have a very nice assortment of complimentary teas . They’re all there – Earl grey, English, herbal varieties, and more. Personally, we’ve found that an after-dinner mint tea pairs quite nicely with decadent chocolate desserts. Also, we love sipping on some chamomile tea before bedtime if we’re taking a night off from drinking.

So be sure to enjoy some of these non-alcoholic drinks for free.

Also, tap water is always free on onboard cruises and is completely fine to drink. But some people complain about the taste. So bring flavored water drops such as  Mio Water Enhancement  to turn that water into a flavorful drink. A 4-pack that has enough for 96 uses will cost less than buying 6 sodas on a cruise. So bring some flavored drops to add a little squirt to your water during lunchtime or at the pool.

20) Save on Specialty Coffees by Making Your Own for Free

Don’t want to splurge the $5 on specialty coffee, but still looking for a little more flavor? Here’s our recipe to make a delicious cafe mocha :

• Empty approximately ¾ packet of hot chocolate mix to a coffee mug.
• Add 2 creamers.
• Fill mug with coffee.
• Enjoy an instant café mocha!

Sure, it may not be quite as good as a barista-made espresso-based drink. But this simple little cruise hack can save coffee drinkers about $35 over the course of a weeklong cruise, while still jazzing up a boring cuppa joe.

If your cruise has a 24-hour ice cream station, you can visit that and get even more creative with your coffee. To make your own caramel latte , jazz up a boring cup of coffee by adding some hot caramel. Heck, get some whip cream and sprinkles on top!

21) Bring Your Own Drinks to Stock Your Minibar

Most cruise lines permit you to bring your own sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages. Beverage policies vary by the cruise line on what drinks are permitted onboard.

So bring aboard some sodas or whatever you prefer. Then just ask your friendly stateroom attendant to empty out all of those expensive minibar drinks so that you can make use of the fridge. The mini bar offerings are usually overpriced and sometimes old. So just remove any temptation for overspending here and ask for these items to be removed. It’s not an uncommon request.

Once the fridge is clear, you’re free to chill down all of the beverages that you’ve brought onboard. You can use the empty minifridge to cool down:

• on-sale (or free) beers you’ve snagged on the ship (refer to tip #2),
• champagne you’ve won on the ship (refer to tip #11),
• white wine you’ve legally brought on the ship (refer to tip #17),
• booze you’ve snuck onto the ship (refer to tip #18), or
• beer you’ve been permitted to bring back from port, which leads us to our next tip (refer to tip #22)!

22) Attempt Bringing Beer on Cruise from Port Calls

Most cruise line policies strictly forbid passengers from bringing any alcohol back to the ship from port. This means alcohol, including beer, is technically not permitted to be brought back on the cruise.

But we’ve found that while security is typically strict on enforcing this rule with hard spirits, many ships overlook passengers bringing beer back onboard. To find out if our ship has lax rules on bringing beers back from port, we typically experiment with attempting to bring on a few cans during the first port day on our cruise itinerary.

We’re never sneaky about this and don’t attempt to hide the beer. Rather, we run it through the X-ray machine in plain sight. Sometimes the beer will be flagged by security and stored until the final night of the cruise. In that case, we know it’s probably not worth attempting to bring beer back aboard when in subsequent ports.

But in many instances, security actually allows the beer to be carried on the cruise, no questions asked. For whatever reason, we’ve had more success with beer cans being accepted , rather than bottles.

So go ahead and give it a try! The worst-case outcome is that security will hold onto your beers for you until the final night of the cruise, as per most cruise lines’ alcohol policy. And you can still drink those beers on the final night of the cruise. So you really don’t have anything to lose by attempting to bring a few beers back aboard the ship with you. And you don’t have to be sneaky about it.

During our last Caribbean cruise, security was lenient enough to allow us to bring beer back onto the ship from every port we visited. We gladly brought back our hauls to chill in our mini-fridge and hence have inexpensive local beers to enjoy back on the cruise ship.

23) How to Determine If a Cruise Drink Package Is Worth It

The above cheap cruise drink hacks and tips will help keep your bar bill low on your next sailing. But you’ll certainly need to put in some effort and strategizing to accomplish that. If you instead just want to enjoy your vacation and not have to worry about sneaky tactics or a growing bar bill, then a drink package may be the way to go. And they are often great value!

So this cheap cruise drink tip helps to carefully break down whether the drink package may be worth it for you.

These unlimited drink packages can seem expensive on the surface, but all-you-care-to-drink alcohol packages can actually be fantastic value for those who tend to tip back a few while cruising. Cruise drink packages are a trend in the cruising industry that cruise lines like to promote. Now Celebrity, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, most Norwegian ships, and many Carnival ships offer some sort of alcohol drink package.

Each cruise drink package varies on exactly what alcohol is included. But most of these cruise drink packages tend to be generous in their offerings, even including top-shelf liquors. Some of the cruise drink packages further include specialty coffees, soft drinks, and other non-alcoholic drinks to help you recover the next day.

But cruise drink packages can be costly. So how much is a cruise’s beverage package?

Drink package prices vary greatly among the cruise lines and the specific package. Cruise beverage packages range in price from about $38 (MSC Easy) to $165.60 (NCL Premium) per day. Yet drink package pricing often tends to fall somewhere between $60-$80 per day.

Cruise drink package daily prices and policies:

• Carnival CHEERS! : $59.95 +18% for 15 drinks per day, up to $20 each ( more info )
• Celebrity Classic / Premium package : $69 / $84 +20% for unlimited drinks, up to $9 / $15 ( more info )
• Disney Cruise Line : No drink package is offered
• Holland America Signature / Elite : $54.95 / $59.99 +18% for 15 drinks, up to $11 / $15 (more info)
• Princess Plus / Premiere : $59.99 / 79.99 +18% for 15 drinks, up to $12 / $18 ( more info )
• MSC Easy / Easy Plus / Premium : $38 / $51 / $71 for unlimited drinks, select / $9 / $15 ( more info )
• Norwegian Unlimited / Premium :  $109 / $138 +20% for unlimited drinks, up to $15 / nearly all ( more info )
• Royal Caribbean Deluxe : $63-$89 for unlimited drinks, up to $13 ( more info )
• Virgin Voyages : No traditional beverage package, but has run promos that include generous bar tabs (more info)

Note: above prices are current as of October 2022 and reflect online prices purchased prior to sailing.

When deciding on a drink package, understand that cruise beverage packages do tend to have restrictions. For instance, while some drink packages are truly unlimited; Carnival, HAL, and Princess limit their drink packages to 15 drinks per day.

Also, understand that you must purchase a drink package for the entire length of the cruise . No cruise lines allow purchasing a drink package for certain days only.

Also, it’s standard across all the lines that sharing a drink package is not allowed . Typically all adults in the same stateroom must all be on a drink package. To be clear, it’s not allowed for couples in the same cabin to share one drink package.

Is there a way to cheat a cruise drink package? It may be possible to discretely slip a friend a drink. But if you do this, it violates the terms of the drink package and risks your beverage package being revoked. So doing so may not be worth the risk.

Is a Cruise Drink Package Worth It?

Often the hefty cost of a drink package is not worth the expense. But it certainly can be!

We recommend splurging on drink packages in the following instances :

• moderate and heavy drinkers : your bar bill will be higher than the cost of a drink package.
• shorter cruise itineraries : fewer nights = less total expense.
• cruises with many sea days and/or short port calls : more time on the ship means more time you’re using the drink package.
• when ports include private islands : some cruise lines allow drink packages to be used at bars on their private islands.
• when the cost of a drink package is within your budget and think you might enjoy 6+ drinks daily .

Simply consider how much you may drink on the cruise and then do the math.

For those who may drink an average of at least 6+ drinks or so each day, cruise beverage packages will likely result in significant savings. An associated benefit is simply not having to be concerned about your growing bar tab on a cruise. While cruise drink packages are never cheap, the expense can be worth it and can ultimately save.

🤓 Let’s do the math! Let’s use Carnival for example, which currently (2022) promotes its CHEERS drink package for: $59.95 per day + 18% gratuities = $70.74 daily *7 days of the cruise = $495.19 *2 people per stateroom = $990.38 total cost of CHEERS! drink package on a 7-day Carnival cruise.

Spending nearly $1,000 for the privilege of 15 daily drinks may seem pricey, particularly for budget-conscious passengers. And it is! For those who are only going to have a few drinks per day, stay away from drink packages. It won’t be worth it.

Yet for those who want to enjoy 6-8 (or more) drinks each day throughout the voyage, a cruise drink package can really make financial sense. You’ll likely save yourself from spending even more than that if you were to purchase those drinks a la carte.

Let’s consider what an average of eight drinks per day would cost on a 7-day Carnival without the drink package : $15 drinks + 18% gratuity = $17.70 per drink *8 drinks per day = $141.60 per day *7 days of the cruise = $991.20 *2 people in the stateroom = disembarking with a $1,982.40 bar tab !

In the above example, a couple could have saved about $1,000 by opting for a beverage package before the cruise began.

Considering that Carnival’s CHEERS! beverage package allows passengers to purchase drinks up to $20, you can actually break even just by simply drinking 3-4 higher-priced drinks each day .

Shorter Cruises Have a More Reasonable Drink Package Total Costs

While a $1,000 beverage package may still seem out of reach, it must be realized this is over the course of a hypothetical seven-day cruise. Shorter cruises will incur a far more reasonable expense .

For instance, a beverage package during a quick 3-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival would come out to a grand total of $212.22 per person for a fun 3-day booze cruise. That’s a lot easier to swallow!

Beware How Unexpected Cruise Drinks Quickly Add Up

Moderate drinkers may think that having 6+ drinks in a day is excessive . But new cruisers may not realize how quickly those drinks add up. Consider that you may enjoy a few beers by the pool, then a couple of glasses of wine with dinner, a cocktail at the show, and then a few more drinks at the dance party on the lido deck. You’re on vacation!

The many cruise bars can be all-too-convenient. The party atmosphere may be more tempting than anticipated to knock back a few drinks. You may be surprised how quickly all those wonderful cruise drinks flow onto your onboard account.

More Time at Sea Means More Time to Drink

Drink packages can provide even greater value on cruises with more sea days compared to cruises that are more port-intensive. When you have many full days on the ship, you’ll have more opportunities and time to hit the bars.

Conversely, if you’re on an itinerary that calls on a port every day, with long hours, you’ll have less time at the ship’s bar to take advantage of a drink package. In this case, enjoy local drinks in port and perhaps forgo the cruise’s drink package.

The exception to this is if you’re visiting a cruise line’s private island.

Drinks Packages Can Provide Great Value When Allowed on Cruise Lines’ Private Islands

Sometimes a cruise’s drink package extends its use to the cruise line’s private island . Having all your drinks included on the private island can be a huge incentive to get the drink package. Just check to see if your cruise allows this (below).

Cruise line drink package policy at private islands:

• ✅ MSC allows their drink package to be used across Ocean Cay Marine Reserve
• ✅ Norwegian allows their drink package to be used throughout Great Stirrup Cay
• ✅ Princess does allow their drink packages to be used at Princess Cays
• ✅ Royal Caribbean and Celebrity allows their drink package to be used at Perfect Day at Coco Cay and Labadee, Haiti
• ❌ Carnival and Holland America do NOT allow their drink package to be used at Half Moon Cay

24) Buy Your Beverage Package Online Before Your Cruise to Save More

Most cruise lines offer a discounted rate, usually saving cruisers $5-$10 per day when the beverage package is purchased in advance. So buy online in advance of your cruise, or expect to pay a bit more if purchased once on the ship.

If cruising is just one big party to you, the investment of a beverage package can pay dividends. Do the math. Consider the splurge. If you decide to buy a drink package, enjoy it to the fullest! Just drink responsibly and stay afloat!

25)  Get a Cruise Beverage Package Included for Free!

Sometimes cruise lines will run special deals and offer these all-you-can-drink packages for free as an incentive for you to book the cruise. That is how we drank for free when we sailed on a Norwegian cruise on two different occasions. It was fantastic! It was an open bar the entire cruise and nearly the entire drink menu was included, even most top-shelf brands!

Search around to find cruise deals that include the unlimited beverage package. We tend to see such promos offered by Norwegian and Celebrity most often. Call a good travel agent who can let you know which cruise lines may be currently running such a beverage package promotion.

Just beware that these “free drink packages” sometimes require passengers to pay an extra gratuity charge for the bar service. Depending on the cruise line, this drink gratuity cost may range from $11 (Carnival) to $20 (Norwegian) per person, per day. Even if paying $20 per day for the gratuities on a “free” drink package, that’s still a heck of a deal for all-you-can-drink top-shelf alcohol!

Have Cheap Drinks on a Cruise but Don’t Miss Out on the Fun

Part of the fun of drinking on a cruise is the social element, hanging out at the numerous bars, lounges, and clubs on these awesome ships. The nightly parties can be a blast. Drunken karaoke sessions are hilarious. Late-night clubs can get interesting.

Yet some of the aforementioned cruise tips for cheap drinks may confine passengers to drinking in their staterooms. That’s boring. You’re on a cruise – go out and have fun !

Be sure to utilize those cruise happy hours, daily drink specials, tasting activities, and beverage package deals in order to truly make the most of your vacation, as you drink your way across the open seas!

More Ways to Save Before You Cruise

Bon voyage ! We sure hope this post has given you many tips and tricks to save money on drinks during your next cruise. But before you go , here are a few more links to our other money-saving  cruise articles and to our travel affiliate partners that you may find helpful:

🚢 Be sure to check out our huge list of cruise tips here :

• 50 Best Cruise Hacks to Save You Money, Hassle, WiFi and Weight Gain .

🏨 If you need a hotel before or after your cruise, be sure to book early . All the best hotels in port cities tend to get reserved by cruise passengers in advance. We like using hotelscombined.com  to compare all the top hotel sites and score the best deal before it’s too late.

⚠️ Never go on an international cruise without travel insurance. Avoid having to shell out for medical emergencies, flight delays, trip cancelation, or lost baggage by getting a quick quote from CruiseSafe by VisitorsCoverage , which offers cruise-specific travel insurance to protect your trip. If you don’t already have travel insurance for your cruise, enter your dates for a quick quote now .

Then be sure to bookmark this page or pin the image to your right onto your travel Pinterest boards.

Publishing note: This article with tips on How to Get Cheap Drinks on a Cruise Ship was first written in June 2014 and is continually updated, most recently in October 2022 with the latest information and prices.

<br data-mce-bogus=”1″> <br data-mce-bogus=”1″> </p> <p>

Related Posts

July 16, 2019 at 2:30 PM

Thanks for all the great insights. I am going on a Holland America cruise in October and will purchase liquor to be delivered to my cabin, and try to bring a mixer in my carry-on. I know you gave the tip about being able to fill a wine glass in the cabin, then carry it around the ship. But what if i bring a travel cup, and make myself a mixed drink in my cabin, then carry it around? Do you think anyone would object? Is it frequently attempted?

July 26, 2019 at 1:23 PM

You could do that, but you’d probably stand out a bit walking around the ship. It’s doubtful, although possible, that anyone would object. But it would be very frowned upon bringing your own cup to the dining room. You’d likely be fine at the pool. But instead of using your own cup, when they deliver liquor to your cabin, they’ll bring you cocktail glasses. You can make a cocktail in the glasses provided and carry it around the ship, no problem at all. Usually the glasses they bring you are the same ones used at the bar. Have a great cruise!

October 9, 2019 at 3:23 PM

I did this on our last cruise with no problems. I even brought it on our catamaran party excursion and while everyone else was sipping out of tiny plastic cups I had my huge insulated cup 🙂

June 19, 2019 at 8:20 AM

Hahahaha the guy looks like a straight goober. Haha probably a five time gold medalist in the goober nationals.

June 19, 2019 at 7:03 PM

So that’s what you took away from this post about cheap drinks on a cruise and felt so compelled to drop a comment? Sounds like a classic goober move to me.

May 30, 2019 at 1:48 PM

Sailing on the RCCL Liberty of the Seas this upcoming week. It’s my first cruise in 19 years! Just bought 2 750ml bottles of corked and caged beers that look pretty much like wine. Hopefully they will make it through. I just want to sit on my balcony and sip on a beer before dinner a couple nights. Will update after the cruise to see if it worked.

June 2, 2019 at 5:41 PM

Awesome! Hope you have a great cruise and enjoy those beers on your balcony! I’d say it’s a pretty good chance those two caged bombers will make it onto the ship, but certainly no guarantees, of course. Let us know how it goes and enjoy the cruise! 🍻

April 28, 2019 at 1:29 PM

Your blog is full of great information! My friends and I are planning a Norwegian (Encore) cruise from NYC to Bermuda and some want the premium beverage package and others don’t. I drink only water and I might have a couple alcoholic drinks during the week. The “free” drink package (HaHaHa – you are forced to pay 20% gratuity) does not include bottled water! This is probably not worth it for me, but was wondering how much an average drink would cost? And, is tap water okay to drink?

May 4, 2019 at 4:44 PM

Yes, the tap water is A-ok to drink. That’s what we always drink ourselves, right out of the bathroom sink. And it’s simply chilled tap water that’s served in the restaurants. Unfortunately, NCL doesn’t allow passengers to bring on bottled water anymore, so you’ll either have to pay for it on the ship or drink the tap water. Note, NCL does serve free lemonade and iced tea too. If just sticking to water and the occasional alcoholic drink, you’ll likely be better just buying them individually rather than buying a drink package. Drink prices vary by ship and can even change from sailing to sailing. Yet with NCL, expect to pay somewhere in the ballpark of $7-$14 for a drink, plus automatic gratuity. So do the math and figure it out what may work best for you and your cabin mate.

December 10, 2018 at 2:52 PM

Just got back from a short 5 night on Majesty of the Seas. I bought the Deluxe Beverage Package and (as you list above) that includes drinks up to $12. However, I ordered many high end scotches which were 4 or 5 dollars over that as well as some specialty martinis for my wife (who didn’t have a beverage package…and often times at the same time) and wasn’t charged a dime. Is this just at the discretion of the particular ship we were on?

December 22, 2018 at 12:02 PM

Hmm, not sure. That’s kinda strange. But that’s great! Normally most beverage packages will require that passengers sharing a cabin all have a beverage package. So not sure how you may have gotten around that. But if so, sometimes the bartenders will be lenient with people on the beverage packages. The bartenders and drink servers earn a share of gratuities for serving drinks, whether you’re on a beverage package or not. So it’s in their financial interest to serve as many drinks as possible, in which case they may turn a blind eye to serving multiple drinks (and for other people), even though it’s technically against the rules of the beverage package. You benefit and so do they. That’s the only thing I can think of, unless there was otherwise some mistake or misunderstanding.

April 7, 2019 at 4:56 PM

Hiya 4 couples are planning to go on a Caribbean cruise on MSC. What do you think if we buy only 4 drinks packages (assigned to two cabins 2+2) These 4 would get free drinks to the other 4… Do you reckon we would be caught doing this? Cheers Pedro

April 9, 2019 at 9:33 AM

It may or may not work out. Really, it just depends on two things: (1) how lenient the staff is on that particular ship and (2) to the extent that you’ll be doing this. If it’s just discretely sliding a few drinks to friends here and there, you’ll likely be fine. But constantly doing it would be cumbersome and may raise suspicions. You’re only allowed to order one drink at a time. So it would be a pain to order a drink, give it to a friend, then wait a few minutes or go to a different bar to order another drink. Also ordering drinks during dinner could be problematic, as it would be very evident at the dinner table what you’re doing.

July 12, 2019 at 4:22 PM

I wanted to piggie bank off this question…. we are traveling on a carnival ship for a family vacation. My husband is a hard liquor drinker, I’m more of a cocktail drinker. It would make sense for me to get the drinking package but not so much for my husband…. carnival has a policy that requires all adults in a cabin to purchase the drinking package. We are willing to pay 414 for 1 drinking package but over 800 for both is just too much. Any suggestions on how to get around this? Btw we do have 2 cabins, 1 for our kids (17 and 14 year olds) and 1 for us in case that’s helpful…..

July 13, 2019 at 1:11 PM

That requirement is a tough policy to get around. We know passengers who have been successful in skirting this rule when citing health reasons that the second person can’t drink alcohol. But that’s really the only way I’ve ever heard of them allowing one person to purchase a drink package without the other adult in the cabin doing so. Even then, it’s ultimately up to the cruise line and they still may not allow it. $800+ is definitely a lot to spend on drinking for the week, so we feel your pain. If you and the hubby wouldn’t average at least 15 drinks or so collectively, each day, between the two of you, it could prove more worthwhile to just buy per drink and use some of these other tips along the way. The drink packages can be soooo nice to indulge in. But sometimes it may not prove worthwhile.

July 17, 2019 at 8:50 PM

Go online and buy the plastic flask! I’ve never been caught boarding with that!

July 29, 2019 at 3:52 PM

TO: Canada says Where did you put your flask so it wan’t noticeable ?

Go online and buy the plastic flask! I’ve never been caught boarding with that!

November 26, 2018 at 11:44 PM

hello My husband and i are going on our first cruise in Alaska, we are wanting to get a drink package and unsure which one to get the is standard, classic and premium. we both like our drinks beers wines spirits and cocktails and also like our premium coffees. my question is any suggestion to what package we get?

December 1, 2018 at 5:09 PM

I’m assuming you’re cruising with Celebrity, in which case the premium package will likely be the best bet. Celebrity’s premium beverage package is the only one that also includes specialty coffees. You’ll also be able to drink most all the top-shelf liquors, better wines, and craft beer. Of course, you’ll be paying a premium for this premium package. The classic includes still includes a decent assortment of cocktails and liquors, under $9, but no specialty coffees. The standard can be pretty restrictive since it keeps you $6, which can be difficult to do with the price of Celebrity’s drinks. So really it just depends on your budget and needs. But if you can afford it and think that you’ll drink a fair amount, the premium package would certainly be the way to go.

January 24, 2019 at 4:12 PM

Carnival’s CHEERS! progam also includes the premium coffees (and frappes, and spiked hot chocolate, milkshakes, etc) on ships that have the coffee shops on board.

March 27, 2019 at 11:59 AM

So does Royal Caribbean…yay!!

September 27, 2018 at 7:25 AM

I am not a heavy drinker but consume a gallon+ of water,lemonade,tea daily,are there nonalchol drink packages? Are they worth it? In Chicago there are Tiki boat booze cruises on the lakefront,a friend Captians them on occasion. Best beach bar-BVI’S, just a lean to with a refrigerator,really cute girl bringing me beers,turns out she wasn’t working there but I was buying her beers too! So worth it and the look on my face when I found out later made everyone else howl with laughter.

September 29, 2018 at 4:19 PM

Good news: most all cruise ships have water, lemonade, iced tea, available for free around the clock. So no drink package needed for that. Sodas will cost extra and there are packages for that. But if you’re good with lemonade, tea, and water, then no need for the package. It’s almost always available in the cafe. They’ll serve water automatically in the dining rooms, but will have ice tea and sometimes lemonade too upon request. That’s funny about the beach bar story – lol!!

September 11, 2018 at 2:12 AM

Question: RE: NCL Escape NYC to Bermuda Oct 2018 … does anyone know if they still are offering 6 for 5 buckets of beer? Saw a 2017 comment that they don’t anymore, another after that they do. Nothing 2018 though.

Looked on posted bar menus (not sure dates), don’t see any mention of buckets. Also saw a comment somewhere that there is a $5 deposit for bucket? True? And are there only particular bars on the ship where you can get them? If so which?

John, et. al, many thank for this and your awesome other blogs! Hope the trip is going fantastically! We are about to do our first. Can’t wait! 🙂

September 13, 2018 at 2:41 PM

I can’t confirm from first-hand experience whether or not the Escape still has beer buckets. But when we last sailed with NCL on the Bliss in April, I’m fairly certain they did on that ship, on the lido deck bars around the pool. I’d be surprised to learn if the Escape has done away with beer buckets, but it could be true. Will leave this comment up to see if there’s anyone who has been on the Escape recently may be able to confirm. Enjoy you upcoming cruise to Bermuda! 🙂

September 13, 2018 at 10:19 PM

Ok, just saw the “What It Was Like To Travel Entirely Around the World Without Flights” blog, so guess that answers my question 😀 Sorry, should have read more before asking.

Should you guys happen to be in NYC sometime, drop us a note, my wife & I will take you out for (FREE!) drinks 😀

September 3, 2018 at 9:07 PM

Than you for these amazing tips! who doesn’t love drinks right? especially when they’re cheap!

September 6, 2018 at 1:01 PM

Yup, that’s right!

August 8, 2018 at 8:02 AM

I have never been on a cruise before but will use these hacks if I get to be on one anytime soon.

April 22, 2018 at 10:10 PM

There are other ways to get free drinks on ships that come to mind. There are art auctions on board most ships and wine is almost always offered. Find the bar and help yourself as they are free to enjoy. You don’t have to stay for the auction as the prices are generally inflated. Another way is the ship party to introduce the ships staff. One for early and one for late dining people. Why not go to both and get free drinks. Take a few with you. Also if you have sailed before on the ship ask about a party for past travelers. It is worth a try as the food is better and the drinks free. Have fun.

May 9, 2018 at 11:35 AM

Yes, those are all great ways to get free drinks on a cruise ship, which we detailed in our other post: How To Get Free Drinks on a Cruise Ship: http://www.roamingaroundtheworld.com/how-to-drink-for-free-on-a-cruise/

We tried to keep this post pertaining just to cheap drinks. But free drinks is better than cheap drinks! 🙂

March 5, 2018 at 12:05 AM

this is an awesome cruise hack!will surely take note of this, I hope someday… I can use this…thank you so much!

March 20, 2018 at 10:44 AM

Our pleasure, so happy that you’ve found our cruise hacks to be helpful!

September 8, 2017 at 5:01 AM

Awesome! I will be having my first cruise ship with my hubby this September. There will be a lot of drinks that might be pricey however you can some cheap ones as well. Anyways, thank you so much for sharing this great tips.

September 9, 2017 at 10:19 AM

Fantastic! We hope you have a great first cruise full of inexpensive drinks! Just be careful… most people’s first cruise ends up being the first of many, hehe!

September 5, 2017 at 3:06 AM

Good information. My husband and I have been on a cruise and loved it. We definitely want to take our kids.

August 21, 2017 at 11:39 AM

I think I’d have to drink a lot to get $50 worth of alcohol consumed and at least try to get my moneys worth. I guess if some of them are high end drinks that cost a lot, I could do it with fewer drinks, but I can’t imagine drinking that fifty dollars worth of beer per day.

August 21, 2017 at 5:26 PM

It all depends how much you drink. For heavy drinkers it’s totally worth it, and then some. Other people, not worth it at all. The important thing is to do the math and figure out if it’s worth it for the amount you drink. $50 worth of beer may seem like an insane amount. But beers are usually around $6 on a cruise ship. So if you drank 8 beers in a day, that would make up the cost. Still even 8 beers in one day seems like a lot. But when you’re lounging by the pool, then have a few drinks during a long dinner, and then go hang out the at the bar later, it all can add up! So it all depends.

June 16, 2017 at 6:42 AM

It’s funny how people migrate to the commercial establishments while in port (i.e. Senor Frogs, TGIF) The real treats are the little hidden gems where the waiter / bartender will actually strike up a conversation with you.

June 20, 2017 at 4:19 PM

Agree 100%! Give me a little hole-in-the-wall any day over any of those major chains. Senor Frogs seems to be in almost all the major cruise ports these days and they really aren’t too different from one another. We always prefer (and recommend) to check out the local flair of a port!

May 23, 2017 at 2:48 AM

The easiest way to get cheap drinks is to sail with a line that includes drinks in its fares. Seabourn Crusie Line, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Crystal and Viking Ocean are good places to start.

May 24, 2017 at 9:18 AM

Yes this is true. But those lines you’ve mentioned tend to be extremely expensive, so you are pretty much paying for those drinks with the high price of the cruise itself. I would absolutely love to go on any of those cruise lines though.

December 12, 2019 at 8:35 PM

NCL for the win in this regard.

May 11, 2017 at 3:34 AM

I have never been on a cruise and most likely never will go on one. I am not a water lover and with my luck the ship would sink when I was on it. My brother in law and his wife are going on their 5th cruise soon but its just not for me

May 16, 2017 at 12:32 PM

Cruise aren’t for everyone but most people do really enjoy them. It’s funny, one of the biggest barriers to cruising is for people to actually take their first cruise. There’s a static in the cruise industry that is something like well over 90% of first-time cruisers say they want to return for another cruise. Cruising can be great! Don’t knock it, ’til you try it. 🙂 You should consider joining your brother-in-law and wife one day.

May 10, 2017 at 7:05 PM

hello, going on Norwegian w family, i am a seasoned absolute and orange drinker, only one out of 6 of us, travel agent said i cant get drinking package? in june. is this true anyone? and im an early riser, 5-7am normally go to work, but on the ship id like to go drink, 6′.8′ 365 so it takes a bit for me personally. any idea’s or is that accurate that drink spacial is not available ?even if i got it for my wife as well,i myself would make it up by lunch @12.50 ive read per drink. sounds crazy but its not at all. any help any advice? i already paid for trip and for all others but at 13.00 basically its 500.00 a day easy everyday, ( for me anyway) TY

May 10, 2017 at 7:20 PM

Hi Bill, That is strange to hear the travel agent has told you that you can’t get the drink package. It may not be available as a free perk (as it sometimes is), but it most definitely should be available for purchase. The only reason I can think of why it wouldn’t be available for purchase is if you happen to be cruising on the Norwegian Sky, in which case, a drink package is automatically included for that ship only, so you have nothing to worry about. If not on the Sky, then I would suggest logging into your onboard account where you can view add-ons to purchase. Yes, you would be required to purchase it for all adults in the cabin, so your wife would need to purchase it as well. It sounds like the drink package would be well worth it for you, so I would suggest you purchase it, which you most definitely should be able to do. If you can’t find it online and your travel agent isn’t being any help, I’d suggest calling Norwegian Cruise Line directly. I’d imagine they’d be happy to sell you any add-on like a drink package. You can also purchase the drink package once you get on the ship, but it’s usually sold at a slight discount if you buy it before you set sail. Hope that helps and have a great cruise full of many Absolute & Orange. 😉

May 10, 2017 at 8:20 PM

Thank you so much! I thought that was strange,(told her dont care about free this and that, just give me the package) i told her im willing to pay for all of us, once in a lifetime trip, it was like she disproved of my request??! normally i would too! if it wasn’t vacation. just trying to do a nice thing for family and in-laws and really makes so much scene after reading your response and so appreciated. The ship is breakaway out of NJ/NY mid June, like i said, be happy to pay for package, she said NO to any alcohol package. they all end in April? Only during winter for incentives do they offer that?. Again it seems ridicules, but this is the case. i will call norw tell them as you suggested,the situation? agree? then i guess call travel agent, ask for owner, call there bull…poop and talk to her boss? sound like an OK course of action? TY also started this 11-12 months ago, looks like im paying same price(according to present pricing) as if i started a week before departure. it was a lot of money for me and feel like i was wronged. you’ve had the best news in 11 months,it’s still possible for package and savings. Ty Bill i am grateful your time and advice!

September 11, 2018 at 1:56 AM

Wow, this sounds wrong! I know this post is a bit old (last year), but I recently booked NCL NYC to Bermuda for October, 2018, and I definitely have this option (and many more.) However, a few things to note: It’s not necessarily just those in your cabin that must also get the drink package … my understanding is: if the travel agent booked your entire GROUP together, then ALL in the group must get the package … want or not. Children must get the soda package, adults the drinking package.

I decided to opt out because my wife NEVER drinks more than 3 glasses of wine / mixed drinks (max!!) a day. I, on the other hand, drink like a fish 😀 Well, not completely .. have to also consider days at port where I only plan to drink in the eve (we’ll be cruising around the island during the day.) So, the math doesn’t add up for us:

UDP costs 106.80 / person w/ 20% gratuity * 2= 213.60/day * 7 days = $1495.20

Look at costs, as explained in this blog. 6 for 5 beer. Buy a bottle of wine instead of glasses (1 bottle = 6 typical glasses) Possible free drinks (other article) and purchase from duty free on last day. Not buying so much (on board) on days in port (3 out of 7)

The math just doesn’t work. I can get MORE alcohol for less by NOT getting the plan.

I also checked the corks and Caps package … might be closer to working since that actually includes some juices, which my wife DOES drink a lot. I have to look closer … this one is harder since I/we also want our mixed drinks. But, I’m thinking even that doesn’t work for us.

If your travel agent didn’t explain all this to you, s/he did a mediocre job!! (or worse!)

John: THANK YOU BOTH so much for these posts!!! They are SO very helpful. I actually figured out the advantage of buying by the bottle 2 min before reading this blog, but you gave me even more to think about! AWESOME!!

I hope your trip is continuing wonderfully. I’m so jealous! 😀

June 20, 2019 at 9:55 PM

Because I am diabetic I have been advised not to drink so on our last cruise with celebrity my hubby was able to get the drink pkg. even though we were not buying one for myself.

May 3, 2017 at 3:37 AM

I’ve always heard amazing things about cruises but have never been on one. Seems like a great way to travel and have an adventure on a budget.

May 3, 2017 at 5:15 PM

I most definitely is! That’s one of the reason we like cruising so much. Many people view it as a luxury experience that is out of reach. It can be, but with the right planning, it can also be a very affordable way to see many different places.

November 5, 2016 at 2:17 AM

Hope you are having an awesome day!

That was a superb blog!!! Thanks for sharing

Have Nice Day

I am waiting for next posting.

Keep Smiling!!!

November 10, 2016 at 12:49 PM

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for letting us know. We’re smiling 🙂

November 1, 2016 at 2:51 PM

Wow! Alcohol for under $6 a person? That’s impressive! Taste-tasting events seem so fun. These are all excellent, informative tips!

November 3, 2016 at 10:53 AM

It’s always nice to find drinks under $6 and it’s absolutely possible, particularly with happy hours! 🙂 And those tasting events can be so much fun! Glad you found these tips informative – cheers!

October 26, 2016 at 1:44 AM

Spot on advice about not buying wine by the glass. It’s never a good deal.

November 3, 2016 at 11:01 AM

Yup, never a good deal unless you’re literally only planning to have one glass during the entire cruise …and who would do that, lol! We always recommend buying by the bottle if not an entire wine package. 🙂 Cheers!

June 7, 2016 at 11:52 AM

Awesome advice! I’m a cruise writer and I appreciate the research and dedication you put into this article. Well done!

June 8, 2016 at 12:22 PM

Thanks so much! It really means a lot coming from a cruise writer! 🙂

May 20, 2016 at 8:14 AM

Very nice article on Getting Cheap Drinks. Surely this would help voyagers like me.

Keep posting.

May 27, 2016 at 11:33 AM

Yup! We’re always looking for ways to cut costs on our drinking budget! Always glad to help likeminded travelers!

March 24, 2016 at 4:41 PM

Thanks for the tips about how to get cheap drinks on a cruise ship! I think that these tips could apply to anyone wanting to get cheap drinks. Especially, your tip about happy hour. Most restaurants have happy hour and their drinks are cheap during that time.

March 26, 2016 at 9:23 PM

Yup, happy hour can always be a nice bargain, whether on a cruise ship or in a restaurant. We love happy hours!

June 25, 2014 at 7:36 PM

this is how we used to do it, when we went on a cruise, lots of fun and for sure saved on your wallet.

February 12, 2016 at 2:24 PM

Glad to hear there are some like-minded people out there drinking for cheap on cruises! 😉

June 9, 2014 at 2:54 AM

If you are a wine aficionado – take a wine cruise to top wine producing countries like France, Spain and Italy.

June 9, 2014 at 3:27 AM

Oooh, that sounds like a fabulous idea! Spanish reds, French Chardonnay, Italian Pinot Grigio all right from the source! Cheers!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Don't subscribe All new comments Replies to my comments Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.

• Food & Drink
• How to Plan
• Shore Excursions
• Onboard Activities
• What to Expect

26 Cocktails and Tips for Your Next Cruise

By Beers & Beans

If there’s one down side to traveling as a couple, it’s that we don’t have to go out of our way to meet people if we don’t want to. On trips, it’s all too easy to become insulated in our own traveling bubble, sharing the experience with one another while the world swirls around us. To ensure that this didn’t happen on our Carnival Caribbean cruise , we decided to create a fun assignment for ourselves, in which we would buy cocktails for 26 different people—each drink, though, would have to start with a different letter of the alphabet. Plus, we thought we could grab a tip or “best cruise moment” from each person to create a unique cruising guide.

The laughs started flowing right from the start and kept going until the very last cocktail, even as we struggled to fill in the final few letters—Q…X…Y…Z—on our final sea day. During the seven day cruise, we got to spend time at every bar on the ship for our A to Z drink assignment.  And while we enjoyed each, our personal favorites were the poolside bars on the Lido deck. RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar both had a tiki bar feel, and the bartenders really knew their stuff when it came to mixing up island-style cocktails. So, without further ado, here’s our cruise guide—Beers and Beans style!

A. Adios MoFo

What you’ll need:

• ½ oz. vodka ½ oz. rum
• ½ oz. tequila
• ½ oz. Blue Curacao liqueur
• 2 oz. sweet and sour mix 2 oz.

How to make it:  Pour all ingredients except the 7-Up into a chilled glass filled with ice cubes. Top with 7-Up and stir gently.

Cruise Tip: Crystal H., of Ventura, California, says to bring a water camera for your underwater adventures.

B. Bloody Maria

• 2 oz. tequila
• 1 tsp. horseradish
• 3 dashes Tabasco sauce
• 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• Dash of lime juice
• 3 dashes celery salt
• 3 dashes pepper
• Tomato Juice
• Celery stalk/Lemon/Lime/Cocktail Shrimp for garnish

How to make it: Pour all ingredients except the tomato juice into a chilled glass filled with ice cubes. Top with tomato juice and mix well by rolling back and forth from one glass to another (or stir well). Garnish with the shrimp, lemon and/or lime wedge and celery stalk.

Cruise Tip: Randy K., of Plymouth, Massachusetts, recommends reading the daily itinerary each night to find the free liquor tastings onboard each day.” (Yep, that’s me! I had sworn off Bloody Mary’s years a go but figured I’d give a Bloody Maria ago at brunch, and I was blown away. Hats off to the bartender because this variation of the Bloody Mary was delicious and spicy.)

C. Colorado Bulldog

• 1 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. coffee liqueur
• Cream or milk

How to make it: Pour the vodka and coffee liqueur in an old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Fill with equal amounts of milk or cream and cola. Stir well.

Best Cruising Experience: Diane W., of Columbus, Nebraska, says, “It’s only Day One and I’ve been laughing the entire time!”

D. Daiquiri

• ½ cup white sugar
• 4 oz. frozen strawberries
• ¼ cup lime juice
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• ¼ cup lemon-lime soda

How to make it: In a blender, combine ice, sugar and strawberries. Pour in lime juice, lemon juice, rum and lemon-lime soda. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

Cruise Tip: Annette J., of Troy, Alabama, says, tip your bartender well — it pays off.

E. Electric Lemonade

• 1 oz. Blue Curacao liqueur
• 2 oz. sweet and sour mix
• 2 oz. 7-Up soda

How to make it: Mix with ice and shake. Glow cubes optional.

Cruise Tip: Tranisha S., of New Orleans, Louisiana, recommends eating at the buffet on the Lido deck for breakfast. She says it’s quick and you can go up as many times as you like.

F. Frogs Iced Tea–A Carnival Specialty Drink

• Malibu Coconut Rum
• Blue Curaçao Bombay
• Original Gin Skyy Vodka
• Pineapple juice
• Splash of Sprite

How to make it: The bartenders swore us to secrecy on this one, so I guess you’ll just have to take a Carnival cruise to taste one for yourself.

Cruise Tip: Jarred J., of Montgomery, Alabama, says to time your trip well. For example, if you are in your early twenties, you may want to book your cruise around spring break so that you’ll have more people your age on the cruise.

G. Gin & Tonic with Two Limes

• 5 oz. tonic water
• 2 lime wedges

How to make it: Pour the gin and the tonic water into a highball glass almost filled with ice cubes. Stir well. Garnish with the lime wedge.

Best Cruising Experience: Kacie S., of Lafayette, Louisiana, says her favorite thing is the outstanding customer service, and how all the waiters on the Carnival Dream remember your name every night.

H. Hurricane Wave

• 1 oz. Coconut Rum
• ½ oz. Peach Schnapps
• 3¼ oz. Pineapple Juice
• 3¼ oz. Orange Juice
• ½ oz. Grenadine

How to make it: Pour all ingredients over ice. Garnish with a citrus slice.

Cruise Tip: Jamie J., of Mobile, Alabama, says to research the destinations ahead of time. Then go ashore on your own to have your own adventure with plenty of time.

I. Ice pick

• 1½ oz. vodka
• 6 oz iced tea
• Lemon juice

How to make it: Put vodka in glass fill with iced tea. Stir in lemon to taste.

Cruise Tip: Candy B., of Birmingham, Alabama, says to let the stewards service your room for turn down service so that you get a different towel animal each night.

J. Jager Bomb

• ½ can Red Bull energy drink
• 1-2 oz. Jägermeister

How to make it:  Pour energy drink into large tumbler, add shot of Jager.

Cruise Tip: Dave B., of Columbus, says to pack a fun personality.

K. Kiss On The Lips

• 1½ oz. peach schnapps
• 4-6 oz. frozen mango mix
• 1 tablespoon grenadine syrup

How to make it: The mango mix should be blended with crushed ice and schnapps. Pour the schnapps and mango mix into a cocktail glass with the grenadine already placed at the bottom.

Cruise Tip: Dan G., of Gulf Port, Mississippi, says, “Plan, Plan, Plan!” He recommends checking out the excursions and their reviews before boarding the ship, so you don’t have to waste any of your vacation time planning out your days.

L. Long Island Iced Tea

• 1 oz. tequila
• 1 oz. triple sec
• 1½ oz. sweet and sour mix
• 1 splash Coca-Cola

How to make it: Mix ingredients over ice in a glass. Pour into a shaker and give it a shake. Pour back into the glass and make sure there is a touch of fizz at the top. Garnish with lemon.

Best Cruising Experience: Adloph W., of Columbus, Nebraska, says he’s really been enjoying the comedy shows and stiff cocktails.

M. Maker’s & Water

• 2 oz. Maker’s Mark
• 3 oz. water

How to make it: Mix ingredients, sip and enjoy!

Cruise Tip: Cole G., of Lafayette, Louisiana, says drinks have a set price so be aware of how you order to save money. For example, a Stoli on the rocks a little dirty is more expensive than a Dirty Martini with Stoli, so order the latter to save several dollars per drink.

N. Nuclear Iced Tea

• ½ oz. vodka
• ½ oz. triple sec
• 1 oz. melon liqueur
• Sweet and sour mix

How to make it: Pour all ingredients (except sour mix) into an ice-filled Collins glass, then add sour mix until the glass is almost full, and top with 7-Up.

Best Cruising Experience: Danielle L., of Ventura, California, says he enjoyed the catamaran and snorkel excursion in Jamaica, and highly recommends it.

O. Ocean Drive

• 1 1/4 oz. Malibu coconut rum
• 3/4 oz. Curacao orange liqueur
• 1 oz. orange juice
• 1 oz. pineapple juice
• 1 oz. cranberry juice

How to make it: Pour Malibu rum and Curacao into a cocktail glass. In order, add in the orange, pineapple, and cranberry juice.

Cruise Tip: Barbara A., of New Orleans, Louisiana, says if you are traveling with a group, then splurge on a bigger room.

P. Purple Rain

• 3 oz. cranberry juice
• 1 splash Blue Curacao liqueur
• 1 splash sweet and sour mix
• 1 splash soda water

How to make it: Pour gin into an ice-filled highball glass, and fill with cranberry juice. Add blue curacao, sour mix and soda. Shake gently, add more curacao (until purple), and serve.

Cruise Tip: Ronnie H., of Ventura, California, says to make sure you bring enough clean clothes because there are so many activities, such as being on deck, excursions, formal nights, etc.

Q. Quickster’s Delight

• 1½ oz. Bacardi Limon
• 1½ oz. orange juice
• 1½ oz. pineapple juice
• ½ oz. grenadine

How to make it: Fill glass with ice and add Bacardi Limon rum. Then mix in the orange and pineapple juices, and top off with grenadine.

Cruise Tip: Lonnie B., of Birmingham, Alabama, jokes, “Never let your wife have control of the sail and sign card, or you will go broke!”

R. Rum & Coke

• 4 oz. white rum
• 1 oz. Coca-Cola

How to make it: Mix the ingredients in an old-fashioned glass and enjoy!

C ruise Tip: Virgil H., of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, says to be aware of your surroundings while at port, and always negotiate your taxi fare before you get in.

S. Sex On The Beach

• ½ oz. peach schnapps
• 2 oz. cranberry juice
• 2 oz. orange juice

How to make it: Add vodka and peach schnapps to a highball glass filled with ice. Fill with equal measures of cranberry juice and orange juice, and stir.

Cruise Tip: Evelyn B., of Columbus, Nebraska, says, “Bring a camera everywhere!”

T. Tequila Sunrise

• Orange juice
• 2 dashes grenadine
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

How to make it: Pour tequila into a highball glass with ice, and then fill glass with orange juice and stir. Add grenadine by tilting glass and pouring grenadine down side by flipping the bottle vertically very quickly. The grenadine should go straight to the bottom and then rise up slowly through the drink. Garnish with your favorite fruit.

Cruise Tip: Duward M., of Little Rock, Arkansas, says be prepared to relax and do absolutely nothing.

U. Ultimate Blue Frozen Margarita

• 3 oz. tequila
• 2 oz. lime juice

How to make it: Pour ingredients into a blender, over the ice, in the order listed. Blend on “high” for a few seconds until the drink has a consistency of a slushie. Take lime wedge and run it over the edges of the margarita glass, then, upturned, place the wetted rims into course salt. Pour the frozen margarita into the salt-rimmed glass and serve.

Cruise Tip: Lakethia B., of New Orleans, Louisiana, recommends buying seasonings and spices from each port. This way you’ll be able to take a piece of each country home with you.

V. Vodka On The Rocks

• 2-4 oz. vodka

How to make it: Pour a shot of vodka over ice. Stir and enjoy!

Cruise Tip: Willie J., of Troy, Alabama, says to splurge for a room with a view, as it can make a huge difference on your trip.

W. White Russian

• 2 oz. vodka
• Light cream

How to make it: Pour vodka and coffee liqueur over ice cubes in an old-fashioned glass. Fill with light cream and serve.

Best Cruising Experience: Terri R., of Little Rock, Arkansas, says the best thing about cruising is being able to do as much or as little as you want.

What you’ll need it:

• 1 oz. white rum
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice

How to make it: Shake all the ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

Cruise Tip: Casey B., of Forest City, Arkansas, recommends bringing a small cooler with you. She says you can use it to keep drinks cold in your room (the ice bucket is too small and the mini fridge isn’t very cold) and you can also use it to take drinks ashore with you.

Y. Yellow Bird

• 1 oz. Bacardi 151 rum
• ½ oz. Galliano herbal liqueur
• 4 oz. sweet and sour mix

How to make it : Mix all of the ingredients in a highball glass. Then fill the glass with the sweet and sour mix and stir.

Best Cruising Experience: Milton B., of New Orleans, Louisiana, says he loves drinking Long Island Ice Teas on deck day after day.

• 6 oz. 7-Up soda
• 1 oz. bourbon whiskey

How to make it: Pour gin and 7-up over ice cubes in a glass, and slow pour in the bourbon whiskey so that it floats on top. Garnish with a lemon wedge and serve

Best Cruising Experience: LeighAnn B., of Forest City, Arkansas, says she’s been having a blast making new friends at sea.

This story was created as part of our collaboration with Carnival . As always, all of the opinions, thoughts, and ideas in this post are our own.

Related articles

What to expect.

https://www.carnival.com/cruise-ships.aspx

Blog » Resources » 20 Cruise Tips, Tricks and Hacks for 2023

• 20 Cruise Tips, Tricks and Hacks for 2023

You have found our helpful list of 20 cruise tips, tricks, and hacks for 2023.

A cruise vacation tip, trick, or hack refers to a piece of advice or strategy aimed at enhancing the overall cruise experience, whether by simplifying travel preparations, saving money, maximizing enjoyment of onboard activities, or making the most of port stops. These tips often offer practical insights, such as what to pack, how to secure the best deals, or how to navigate the intricacies of cruise travel, empowering passengers to make informed choices and derive greater satisfaction from their cruise vacation. Such tips, often shared by experienced cruisers or travel experts, can range from pre-cruise planning suggestions to onboard and excursion-related advice, ultimately contributing to a smoother, more enjoyable cruise journey.

This list includes:

• Cruise Tips, Tricks and Hacks to watch in 2023
• Tips, Tricks and Hacks you can use on a cruise vacation
• Pro tips and tricks to use on a cruise vacation
• Tricks and tips of the pros for a great cruise vacation

Let’s go to the list!

20 cruise tips, tricks, and hacks for 2023

Here is our list of cruise vacation tips, tricks, and hacks you can use that typically offer a wealth of practical and strategic guidance to help travelers make the most of their cruise experience. This information can include advice on what to pack, how to save money on bookings and onboard expenses, ways to maximize onboard amenities and activities, dining strategies, tips for shore excursions and port exploration, insights into navigating cruise line policies, and suggestions for enhancing overall comfort and enjoyment during the voyage. These tips may cover a wide spectrum of topics, catering to both first-time cruisers seeking essential guidance and experienced travelers looking for ways to elevate their cruise adventures.

1. Arrive at your departure port a day ahead of schedule

Arriving a day early provides a buffer against travel delays and ensures you won’t miss your cruise, offering peace of mind and a stress-free start to your vacation.

2. Pack your bathing suit in your carry-on

By packing your swimsuit in your carry-on luggage, you can take a refreshing dip in the pool or relax in the hot tub as soon as you board, even before your main luggage arrives at your cabin.

3. Don’t overpack

Packing efficiently helps you avoid excessive baggage fees, streamlines your travel experience, and leaves room for souvenirs you might pick up during your cruise.

4. Bring your own drinks on board

Some cruise lines allow passengers to bring a limited amount of alcohol or non-alcoholic beverages, which can save you money on drinks while enjoying your time at sea.

5. Bring extra toiletries

Having backup toiletries ensures you won’t run out during your cruise and allows you to maintain your preferred level of comfort and hygiene throughout the trip.

6. Bring Clorox wipes, room freshener, a foldable shoe rack, a highlighter, and a lanyard

These items enhance your cruise experience by helping you maintain a clean cabin, stay organized, mark important activities in your daily schedule, and keep your cruise key card easily accessible.

7. Skip the buffet on your first day on board

Buffets tend to be crowded on embarkation day. Opt for a quieter dining option to start your cruise more leisurely and avoid the initial rush.

8. Research ports in advance

Familiarizing yourself with the ports of call allows you to plan excursions or explore independently with confidence, maximizing your enjoyment of each destination.

9. Join a Facebook group for your line

Being part of a cruise line’s Facebook group provides a platform to gather tips, share experiences, and potentially connect with fellow passengers before your voyage begins.

10. Sign up for private tours

Private tours often offer a more personalized and flexible experience compared to cruise line-sponsored excursions, allowing you to tailor your activities to your preferences.

11. Sign up for activities in advance or soon after boarding

Popular onboard activities can fill up quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you won’t miss out on the entertainment and experiences that interest you.

12. Always carry the ship’s contact information with you

Carrying this information ensures you can quickly reach the ship if you get separated from your group or encounter any unexpected issues during your shore excursions.

13. Keep your phone in airplane mode

Using airplane mode prevents unexpected roaming charges while still allowing you to connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi for communication and internet access.

14. Download the cruise app

Cruise apps provide valuable information about onboard activities, dining options, and even chat features to stay in touch with fellow passengers, enhancing your overall cruise experience.

15. Use a travel agent to book

Travel agents can help you find the best cruise deals, navigate cabin options, and offer expert insights into various cruise lines, making the booking process smoother and more informed.

16. Consider travel insurance

Travel insurance can safeguard your investment by providing coverage for trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and unforeseen incidents, ensuring peace of mind throughout your journey.

17. Don’t book a cabin near an elevator

Choosing a cabin away from elevators can help you enjoy a quieter atmosphere and a more restful sleep, as cabins near elevators may experience more noise from foot traffic.

18. Use a points card for onboard spending

Using a credit card that earns rewards or points for onboard spending can help you maximize the benefits of your cruise while earning points for future travel.

19. Don’t tip twice for drinks and spa treatments

Many cruise lines automatically include gratuities for drinks and spa services in your bill, so double-check before adding additional tips to ensure you’re not over-tipping.

20. Use points to get to your cruise

If you have travel reward points or miles, consider using them to offset the cost of airfare or transportation to the departure port, making your cruise vacation more cost-effective.

Using ideas from a list of cruise tips, tricks, and hacks is a fantastic idea because it empowers travelers with insider knowledge and proven strategies to enhance their cruise vacation. These tips can help passengers make informed choices, save money, and streamline their travel preparations, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable experience from start to finish. Whether it’s optimizing packing, finding hidden perks, or making the most of onboard amenities, these insights can transform a standard cruise into an exceptional and memorable journey, allowing travelers to make the most of their time at sea and explore new destinations with confidence and convenience.

FAQ: 20 Cruise Tips, Tricks and Hacks for 2023

Here are some frequently asked questions about 20 Cruise Tips, Tricks and Hacks for 2023

What is a cruise vacation tip, trick or hack?

A cruise vacation tip, trick, or hack is a nugget of insider knowledge or a clever strategy that savvy travelers share to enhance the overall cruise experience. These insights can range from practical packing advice and money-saving tactics to navigating cruise line policies, maximizing onboard amenities, and optimizing shore excursions. They provide valuable shortcuts and wisdom to make the most of a cruise vacation, empowering passengers to enjoy a smoother, more enjoyable journey and get the most value out of their cruise investment. Whether for first-time cruisers or seasoned travelers, these tips and tricks are valuable tools for elevating the cruise experience.

How can a cruise tip, trick or hack help me?

A cruise tip, trick, or hack can help you in several ways during your cruise vacation. Firstly, it can enhance your overall experience by providing insights into packing efficiently, navigating the ship, and making the most of onboard amenities and entertainment. Secondly, it can save you money by offering strategies to secure the best deals on bookings, onboard expenses, and excursions. Additionally, these tips can increase convenience by simplifying travel preparations, such as passport and documentation requirements. Lastly, they empower you with the knowledge to make informed choices, whether it’s about dining options, shore excursions, or navigating cruise line policies, ensuring you have a smoother, more enjoyable cruise journey from start to finish.

What sorts of things can a cruise tip, trick, or hack help me with?

A cruise tip, trick, or hack can assist you in optimizing various aspects of your cruise experience. These insights can help you save money by finding discounts, navigating the often complex booking process, and making the most of onboard amenities without overspending. They can also enhance your overall enjoyment by suggesting strategies for avoiding crowds, securing the best dining reservations, and maximizing your shore excursions. Additionally, these tips can aid in packing efficiently, ensuring you have all the essentials for a smooth and enjoyable journey. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, cruise tips and tricks can significantly enhance your voyage by offering valuable insights and insider knowledge.

75 Genius Cruise Hacks and Tips: Get Organized, Save Money, Cruise Better

Sharing is caring!

Going on a cruise and looking for the best cruise hacks, tips and tricks? Whether you’re a first time cruiser or seasoned veteran, we can always use more cruise hacks to get organized, save money and have a better cruise vacation!

In fact, after more than 25 cruises, I’m always learning new things from other cruisers and I’m so happy to pass these tips along to you. Consider this post the Ultimate Cruise Hacks Guide!

In this post I share 75 awesome cruise hacks that cover everything from packing for your cruise , saving money, cruise food, managing seasickness and more!

75 Cruise Hacks, Tips and Tricks – The Ultimate Guide

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Cruise Packing Hacks

Here are some handy things to bring on your cruise to keep organized as well as some cruise packing tips.

1. Packing cubes

There are many ways to use packing cubes to be organized as you pack for your cruise.

• Use different colored packing cubes for each member of the family
• Use packing cubes to place outfits together, or organize by types of clothing (ie. t-shirts, shorts, bathing suits)
• Don’t unpack every packing cube. Some packing cubes can be unzipped and placed directly on a shelf or in a drawer in your cruise cabin

Recommended: Packing cubes (this set has over 9000 5* reviews on Amazon)

2. Travel luggage scale

If you’re flying to and from your cruise ship, you’ll want to make sure that you don’t go over your luggage weight allowance. Typically, we buy a few souvenirs or extra t-shirts and your suitcase may weigh more than you think. An electronic travel luggage scale is a useful travel gadget to pack.

Recommended: Travel luggage scale (check price & 25000+ Amazon reviews)

3. Luggage tag holders

Save time and add convenience by printing your cruise luggage tags and placing them in these plastic luggage tag holders. They’re reusable and inexpensive as well.

Recommended: Luggage tag holders (find your cruise line tags here)

4. Make your luggage stand out

So many of us have black or navy luggage, and this can make it hard for your luggage to stand out and for you to find it at the cruise terminal or airport. There are a few simple things you can do, to recognize your luggage quickly

• Add bright ribbon or yarn to the handles of your luggage
• Cover your luggage with a decorative sleeve

5. Mix your suitcase items

Worried about lost luggage? Unfortunately losing a piece of luggage can happen when flying. Even though it likely will be found and sent to you in a day or two, you won’t want to be stuck without clothing and your necessities.

To avoid this problem, make sure to pack a few items of clothing in your travel companion’s bag, and vice versa. This way, at least you and your spouse still have at least a couple of things to wear and you won’t be stuck.

6. Pack an embarkation day carry on bag

A very important tip for first time cruisers , make sure to pack a cruise carry on bag to bring on the ship on embarkation day . It will take a few hours for your luggage to be delivered to your cabin after boarding your cruise ship , and this way you’ll have your first day essentials.

Don’t forget to pack your bathing suit or even put it on under your clothes if you plan on hitting the pool as soon as possible!

Recommended: Carry on bag tote (see reviews & style options on Amazon here) 

7. Bring extra reading glasses and sunglasses

Many cruisers report losing their reading glasses or even their sunglasses . It’s a good idea to bring an inexpensive pair of each of these just in case.

Cruise Cabin Storage Hacks

8. bring magnets.

An awesome cruise hack you should know is that most cruise cabin walls are actually metal (covered of course). So, if you bring magnet hooks then you can actually add extra storage space to your cruise cabin. You can hang backpacks, bathing suits to dry, and more.

Make sure that the magnets are “heady duty” , as other ones won’t be strong enough. Small magnet clips can also be very convenient to organize your papers, tickets and invitations.

Recommended: Magnet hooks (see details & Amazon reviews here) 

9. Over the door organizer

Many cruisers like to use an over the door hanging organizer to place items such as sunscreen, bud spray, hair accessories, and more. This can be especially helpful if you’re on a family cruise and looking for ways to keep as organized as possible.

Recommended:   Hanging Over the door cabin organizer

10. Hanging toiletry bag

Keep your toiletries organized and out of the way by packing them in a hanging toiletry bag . Cruise bathroom space tends to be limited, so a hanging bag makes use of the vertical space on the bathroom door or cabin wall.

Recommended: Hanging toiletry bag (see 5 color options & Amazon 5* reviews here)

11. Request extra hangers

While you can put your clothes away on the shelves or in a drawer, you’ll minimize wrinkles on your clothing if you can hang as much as possible. When meeting your cabin steward on after boarding on the first day , make it a point to request several extra hangers.

12. Poo-Pourri

Cruise stateroom bathrooms are small and so are the cabins, so bathroom smells might be more obvious than you’d like. Many cruisers bring Poo-Pourri bathroom spray as part of their cruise essentials packing list .

Recommended: Poo-pourri bathroom spray

13. Portable fan

The temperature can be hard to regulate in your cabin, so if you tend to get warm, especially at night, you can bring along a small portable fan . This one is battery operated as well as by USB for convenience.

Recommended: Portable travel fan (rechargeable battery & USB)

14. Motion sensor nightlight

If you’re in an interior cabin or if you tend to sleep with the black out curtains at night, consider bringing a motion sensor nightlight or battery operated tea lights. This way, if you need to get up to go to the washroom during the night you won’t disturb your partner, nor will you stub your toe.

Recommended: Motion activated nightlight

15. Laundry tip

Bring a pop up laundry hamper or mesh bag to keep your dirty clothes stored away in your stateroom.

An extra hack I recently learned from other cruisers, is to bring along a scented kitchen bag. You can use this when you pack your laundry in your luggage, to keep things smelling fresher.

Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner

Regular price: $27 now just $17.

Money Saving Cruise Hacks

16. book a guarantee cabin.

Did you know that cruise lines will often charge you a $100 plus per person for the privilege of choosing a cabin. If you aren’t too picky about your stateroom location, a great way to save hundreds per cruise is to opt for a guarantee cabin .

17. Cruise when it’s less crowded

Now who wouldn’t want to cruise when there are less people? Well, this is another way to say to cruise during the shoulder season for popular cruise itineraries like Alaska , the Mediterranean and Bermuda . You could save 50% or more!

18. Choose an interior cabin

The least expensive cabin for all cruise ships will be interior staterooms . If you don’t think you’ll be in your room much, skip an oceanview or balcony stateroom and stay in a cozy inside room.

Related:   15 Best Tips for Cruising in an Inside Cabin: cabin organization and more

Related:   7 Reasons Why You Should Book an Inside Cabin

19. Book your own shore excursions

Save money in cruise ports of call by booking your own shore excursions or even by touring on your own. This can work well when you can take a taxi to a local beach or in a city where it’s easy to do a Hop On Hop Off bus tour.

Cruise tip: Always be careful to make it back to the cruise ship on time. If you have any concerns then avoid potential mistakes by booking with the cruise line .

Related:   11 Cruise Shore Excursion Day Tips

20. Bring wine

Most cruise lines will allow you to bring a bottle of wine , per person, on a cruise. Unless you have a beverage package , bringing your own wine is an awesome money saving cruise hack .

21. Bring your own drinks

Many cruise lines allow you to bring on a case of water bottles or even a small case of soda on embarkation day.

Related:  What Food and Drinks Can You Bring on a Cruise ?

22. Level up your cruise knowledge

One of the best ways to save money on all aspects of cruising is through knowledge. Some people seem to find the best cruise deals and are cruising several times a year. However, they’ve learned a few things to make this possible.

Emma Cruises has an awesome course where she teaches this, and more. This is a great course for new and seasoned cruisers.

*Exclusive discount for our readers – use code LIFEWELLCRUISED for 10% off*

See details here: Emma Cruise Academy “How to Cruise for Less”

23. Monitor for price drops

While booking as early as possible is usually the best way to save money when booking a cruise , prices can actually come down after you book. To make sure you can take advantage of price drops, monitor the price of your cruise and cabin category. If the price has decreased before final payment, ask the cruise line or your travel agent for a price adjustment – in most cases they will do so.

Something to keep in mind, is that although a price may be lower, it may not include some of the extras or perks you had with your original price. Make sure you get the best deal by looking at the overall value. 

Related:  Best Way to Book a Cruise? Travel Agent, Direct or Online

24. Book a specialty restaurant the first night of your cruise

Cruisers have reported discounts and even a free bottle of wine given as a bonus if you book specialty dining the first night of your cruise. Readers have noted this on Carnival Cruises and Celebrity, but this may be possible on other cruise lines as well.

25. Book onboard

Plan on booking your next cruise while onboard. If you do need to sit down to go over options, make sure to make an appointment with the Future Cruise Desk early in the cruise.

The benefit is that you can get a nice on board credit to use on your next cruise, or sometimes on the cruise you’re on. If you aren’t sure of what cruise you want to take next, as if you can put a deposit on an open date instead so you can cruise shop when you get home.

Related:  Cruise On Board Credits (OBC): How Can You Use Them?

Cruise Food Tips and Hacks

26. avoid the buffet on embarkation day.

Cruise ship buffets are usually really good, but they get especially crowded on embarkation day. Head to the Main Dining Room instead for a quick sit down meal, or look for any of the amazing casual restaurants that might be open on boarding day .

If you’re heading on a Princess cruise, try the International Cafe or Alfredos (you won’t regret it).

Related:  Princess Cruises Alfredo’s Pizzeria Review (with photos) 

27. Order 2 main dishes

Did you know that on most cruises, you can order as many dishes as you like? So, if you love steak and also love shrimp, ask your waiter for both and make it “surf & turf”.  On some cruise lines they’ll combine the dishes on one plate, with only one serving of the sidedish.

28. Have appetizers on your balcony

If you’re going for a late dinner, consider heading up to the buffet and making a plate of cheese and crackers or charcuterie and bringing it back to your cabin. Pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy pre-dinner appetizers on your private balcony.

29. Ask for off menu items

While you can’t do this each night, if you did really enjoy a dish, as your waiter if the chef may be able to prepare it another evening. There may be other items not on the menu that are easy to get. Ask for fresh fruit for dessert, gelato or even a cheese plate. You may even want to ask for an ice cream sundae, often available on the kid’s menu.

30. Get free room service

Have an early shore excursion? Consider ordering a free room service continental breakfast. While not every cruise line includes free room service at all hours (we love the ones that do!), many will have free room service for a simple breakfast.

31. Get free gourmet ice cream or sorbet

Many cruise ships have a specialty ice cream shop onboard, which is not included. However, it might surprise you to know that most cruise lines actually make their own delicious ice cream, gelato and sorbet to use in the main dining room for desserts.

If you don’t want to pay extra for name brand ice cream, go to the main dining room, even for lunch, and ask for the ice cream of the day. There may even be an included ice cream counter in the buffet area.

32. Get “free” candy

While you’d have to buy licorice and other candies in the convenience store or candy shop, you can actually get free candy, used as ice cream toppings, at the ice cream counter in the buffet.

Weight Management Tips

As much as we all love cruise food and tend to indulge, we all want to avoid too much weight gain on a cruise . Here are a few cruise hacks that can help.

33. Take the stairs

Cruise ships are big and have so many decks. By taking the stairs as much as possible, even part way, you’ll get those steps in balance out some of the extra indulgences.

34. Use the jogging track

There is usually no better view than from the jogging and walking tracks. They’re usually located at the top of the cruise ship and you can see the sea in every direction. Perhaps start the morning off with a 30 minute walk or head to the track later in the day.

35. Use the fitness centre

I love the gym on a cruise ship! It’s usually located in the front of the ship and I like going there much more than I enjoy the gym at home 😉

You may want to use some of the equipment or even try out some of the classes. Please note that some classes will be included on your cruise, while others will have an extra charge .

36. Get a low calorie dessert

If you feel that you are eating a bit too much rich and high calorie foods, order a low calorie dessert. Cruise lines have delicious lower fat and healthier food options available for all cruise passengers.

37. Skip the frozen cocktails

One of the best things you can do to avoid gaining weight on a cruise is to skip high calorie frozen drinks like Pina Coladas and BBC’s (Banana Baileys Colada). Instead, opt for refreshing drinks like a Mojito or even a diet soda and rum.

Related: How NOT to Gain Weight on a Cruise (and still eat)

Cruise Outfit Planning Hacks

Some of these cruise hacks and genius tips that come from readers and viewers. Many of these are simple things hat you can do that will make cruise packing and outfit planning easier.

38. Pin jewelry to clothing

This recent tip is brilliant. If you have a necklace or earrings that you plan on wearing with an outfit, simply pin it to the fabric or put it in a plastic baggie. A simple trick for necklaces that tend to get tangled is to use a straw. Pass it through and this really works!

39. Plan your cruise outfits for each night

Many ladies avoid overpacking by planning out their outfits for each night of the cruise. If you plan on mixing and matching and re-wearing some items, you can even take a photo with your phone as a reminder.

40. Use a cruise travel planner

Born out of necessity, as I have forgotten items more than once, I created a printable cruise planner that you may find useful. It covers everything from cruise planning, checklists for embarkation to disembarkation tips , packing checklists, a cruise outfit planner and more.

See what’s included and details here ($10 off for a limited time): Ultimate Cruise Planner

Cruise Wifi Hacks

Cruise ship internet just isn’t like on land, so you can expect it to be slower and more expensive on a cruise. However cruise lines have made great strides, and it’s significantly better now than only a few years ago.

41. Book a Wifi package online

If you need to work on the cruise or even keep in touch with people, consider an internet package. The best price you’ll get is by purchasing an internet package in your cruise planner online before your cruise.

We saved 35% on Voom , Royal Caribbean’s wifi package, by making a pre-cruise purchase. Princess Cruises MedallionNet is also often priced at a 50% discount if you purchase it early.

42. Receive messages and notifications

If you don’t plan to use the internet while on a cruise, but still want people to reach you just in case, let them know they can still send a message. Many people report receiving text messages, even when in airplane mode. However, make sure you don’t respond until you have free wifi.

43. Download the cruise line app

Nowadays it’s super important to download the cruise line app for online check in, emuster and more. However, there is often a messaging part of the app which is very useful to communicate with other people on the cruise.

44. Use Free Wifi in cruise ports of call

In most ports of call , there will be some free wifi in the cafes or even in an entire section of the cruise port. This is a good time to take a break and check your emails and social media if you haven’t been doing so on the cruise.

Tip: Ask the crew or simply watch where the crew go for free wifi. They know all the tips and tricks since they return to the port regularly.

Related:   27 Cruise Packing Mistakes You Might be Making

How to Get Free Stuff on a Cruise

45. join contests.

One of the best ways to get freebies on a cruise is to participate in different contests and raffles. Prizes for participating range from a keychain to a bottle of champagne. Every so often, you’ll see some cruise contests or games where jewelry is the prize as well.

46. Free massage

After you board your cruise , go ahead and check out the spa. In order to promote their services, it’s common for the spa staff to be doing mini massages. You’ll often find embarkation day promotions if you book an appointment for later in the week.

47. Free On Board Credit (OBC)

Get additional on board credit by booking the cruise during a promotion. This may be with the cruise line, however a few times a year, travel agencies specializing in cruise travel will run additional sales and the value of the OBC can be double or more.

Related:  50 Must-Have Cruise Essentials to Bring on a Cruise

Get Free or Cheap Drinks

48. go to the champagne art auction.

Most cruise ships will have 1 or 2 Champagne Art Auctions during a sailing. There’s no purchase necessary and it can be a fun way to learn about some interesting established and up and coming artists.

49. Past passengers cocktail party

If you’re a return passenger, you’ll likely receive an invitation to a past passenger cocktail party or event. Most of the time, wine, cocktails and canapes are served.

Make sure to arrive early as the drinks do tend to stop being served after about 30 minutes.

50. Join a drink making contest

On some fun loving cruise lines, one of the activities will be a drink making competition of sorts. When you participate, you’ll likely get a free drink.

51. Drink of the Day

Most cruise lines have a special drink of the day offered at a reduced price. While not free, it will likely be a few dollars less than other similar drinks on the menu. Look for happy hours and 2 for 1 specials as well.

52. Liquor tasting

Make sure to check the cruise activities daily schedule and watch out for the free liquor tasting. This is often done to promote some of the duty-free liquor sold on the cruise , where they’ll be giving out samples you may enjoy.

Related:   20 Ways to Save on Your Family Cruise

Cabin Upgrade Tips

Book early for the best cabin choice. However, if you want to snag a cabin upgrade, there are a few tips to try.

53. Guarantee cabin

Although you won’t choose a specific cabin, a  guarantee cabin is usually the best priced cabin in the cabin type. Often the price will be discounted by $100 or more per person, and you’re guaranteed that category or higher.

Most of the time, you’ll get at least 1 category upgrade, and if you’re lucky, you may get a much better cabin than you paid for.

54. Bid for an upgrade

Once you book your cruise and choose a cabin, if there’s availability, the cruise line will send you an email offering you a chance to bid for an upgrade. While there’s a minimum bid set, you can choose with category to bid on, including suites. You may just get a major upgrade for a minimum price.

55. Call and ask

If you’ve made your final payment on your cruise, but you see that cabins are still available on your sailing, call your cruise line or travel agent and ask if it’s possible to get an upgrade. You just never know, however I’ve seen it happen from time to time.

Related:  10 Worst Cruise Ship Cabins to Avoid

Seasickness Tips

56. green apples.

Want a cruise hack that really works to ease motion sickness ? Green apples actually help to ease queasiness and mild seasickness. In fact, we first learned about green apples from crew members who use green apples as a natural remedy for motion sickness.

Since green apples will usually be available in the buffet, take one or two back to your cabin ready to slice up and eat if you need them at any time.

57. Ginger candies

Another natural remedy for seasickness is ginger. While you can eat small pieces of ginger, and this may be given out on some cruise lines, it’s easier to pack ginger candies and bring them onto your cruise. I love ginger candies and bring them on every cruise, just in case.

Recommended:   Ginger Candies (check price & see Amazon reviews here)

58. Seabands and medication

Many veteran cruisers use seabands and swear by them. If you’re sensitive to motion and may get seasick, make sure to pack seabands and even some Bonine motion sickness medication just in case.

Recommended: Seabands (see Amazon reviews) & Bonine (my favorite)

59. Plan for boats and tenders

One thing many people don’t think about, is that even if they don’t get seasick on a cruise, small boats and tenders to get off the ship may be a different story. I have a friend who did a whale watching excursion and instead of enjoying it, she was so sick. A good tip is to take Bonine or another non-drowsy seasickness medication, use seabands or even a motion sickness patch behind your ear.

Related:   10 effective Ways to Prevent & Deal with Seasickness on a Cruise

Cruise Booking Tips

60. use a travel agent for extra perks.

Travel agents often have extra perks that they can give you when you book with them. When using a travel agent, whether local or online, make sure that they have experience and specialize in selling cruises.

Related:  Best Way to Book a Cruise: Travel Agent or Direct with the Cruise Line?

61. Book onboard

Booking a cruise while you’re on a cruise is often a great way to save money and get extra on board credits . Sometimes, you can make an open booking, which is great of you aren’t 100% sure which cruise you’d like to so next.

62. Arrive a day before your cruise

This tip is often repeated, but for good reason. Anything can happen, especially if you’re flying into your cruise port. Always plan to arrive at least one day before your cruise for peace of mind, plus you can visit your embarkation port city and extend your vacation .

63. Book excursions online (pre-cruise)

Along with online check in, it’s a good idea to pre-plan cruise excursions by booking them in advance. Often, the price will be less expensive than booking on the cruise ship and you’ll avoid disappointment of an excursion selling out.

64. Research your cruise ports

While you can book cruise line shore excursions, in some cases it can be easy and give you more freedom to head to a beach or do a walking tour on your own. Of course, you always want to be safe and never miss the cruise ship so research is key.

Find out info on specific cruise ports by reading reviews on Cruise Critic and other review sites and consider joining facebook groups and roll calls for your sailing. You may even find some fellow cruise passengers who want to organize a private tour together, which is common on some cruise itineraries.

We did this on our Mediterranean cruise and it worked very well.

65. Get travel insurance

Make sure you have travel insurance for your cruise . Often, the cruise line’s insurance has limitations on medical coverage, so it’s a good idea to research and buy cruise travel insurance that will fit your needs.

Related:  What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise

Cruise Shore Excursion Tips

66. when to book excursions with the cruise line.

While you might save money by doing excursions on your own or booking privately, there are times when booking with the cruise line is your best bet.

If the activity or excursion is a full day or very far away, booking with the cruise line is a safer option.

Why? When you book with the cruise line it comes with an assurance that the ship won’t leave without you if your excursion is late. Unfortunately, anything can happen – there may be traffic or a taxi or bus may break down. It’s not as rare as you’d think (just google the YouTube videos).

67. DIY your shore excursion

Research your cruise port and see if you can visit easily on your own. Many cruise ports have beaches or attractions that are close by and easily accessible by taxi or walking.

For example, when we visit the island of St. Thomas on a cruise , we love to go to Magens Bay Beach on our own . When in Bermuda we head over to Horseshoe Bay Beach by shuttle.

It’s less expensive and we get more time at the beach.

68. Ask the crew for suggestions

This tip is not used nearly enough to get some great advice for visiting the cruise ports. The crew return to the ports almost every week, so they often know some of the best places to visit, as well as how to do it economically and safely. After all, they need to return to the ship even more than passengers!

I usually ask the people who work in the shops, because we’ve learned that they have more time off during the day than the waiters and cabin stewards. We’ve gotten great beach, restaurant and bar suggestions in the past. Of course the shore excursion desk staff are super helpful, and will often give you a map and some tips and recommendations.

69. Port lectures

Most cruise lines will have port lectures or port shopping talks . While in some destinations, the focus is on steering you to buy watches and jewelry or locally made items, which may or may not be your interest, we’ve found some talks to be very informative.

When in Europe, our experience was that the lectures were full of information about the sights and culture, as well as what to expect.

Important Cruise Tips & Reminders

70. put your phone on airplane mode.

When you sail in international waters, your mobile phone plan won’t usually cover. It can be common for people who forget to put their phone in airplane mode to have huge, unexpected cell phone charges. Put your phone in airplane mode before Sailaway to avoid this rookie cruiser mistake .

71. Bring refillable water bottles

Water is safe to drink on the ship, however many people like to have refillable water bottles to keep hydrated throughout the day. This is especially important when leaving the ship on cruise port days and excursions.

Make sure to pack a refillable water bottle as part of your cruise essentials packing list .

72. Bring plastic bags

Perhaps bringing plastic ziploc style baggies aren’t the most important thing in the world, but they sure are handy. You can use large ziplocks to place wet bathing suits after an excursion and smaller ziplocks to take snacks or a muffin from the buffet.

If you’re cruising with kids , you’ll see some pretty good tips in this post:  10 Cruise Experts Share Their Best Tips for Cruising with Kids

73. Check your passport

Friendly reminder – it’s been a while that many of us have traveled out of our country. Check your passport for the expiry date and make sure to renew way in advance. This is taking much longer than usual, and passports need to be valid for at least 6 months before you travel in many countries.

74. Get organized

I’ve heard so many people say that they’re finding it “harder” to travel these days, and this is true, but in most cases not as hard as it seems. Being organized and having everything in one place is more important than ever, and will be so helpful.

A) Proof of Vaccine

Keep your vaccine card and information in the same place as your passport. We’re using a passport wallet for this and will bring it on our cruise.

Here’s what we’re using: passport wallet (RFID)

B) Group booking emails

Group your cruise booking or reservation, flights, hotels, excursions and other emails pertaining to your cruise in an email file folder. It will be much easier to look things up and reference when everything is in one place.

C) Use a printable cruise travel planner

I like to have everything in one place and really like to write things down. If you’re the same, you’ll love the Ultimate Cruise Planner .

This is a 47 page printable cruise travel planner with several packing checklists, cruise port planning forms, payment trackers and more. The nice thing is that you can print out as many pages as you need, helpful as plans sometimes change.

Here are the details & what’s included: Ultimate Cruise Planner ($10 off for a limited time)

Things Not to Forget on Your Cruise

75. make your cruise easier with these cruise travel accessories.

“Cruise-approved” non -surge power bar with USB outlets

Cruise luggage tag holders

Passport wallet case

Hanging toiletry bag

Packing cubes

Magnet hooks

Portable electronic travel scale

Water-proof phone case lanyard

Vaccine card protector cruise lanyard

Carry on bag (nautical style)

Over the door hanging organizer

For a full list of cruise accessories please read this post next:   50 Must-have Cruise Essentials from Amazon

Ultimate Cruise Hacks Video

Need more cruise hacks? In this video  I go over 50 amazing cruise hacks, tips and information. It’s a long one, but totally worth it if you’re preparing for a cruise! It has over 170,000 views so far and I’m so grateful for your shares!

Popular posts to read next:

30 Cruise Cabin Hacks Every Cruiser Needs to Know

50 Most Recommended Amazon Items to Bring on a cruise

27 Cruise Packing Mistakes You Might Be Making

20 Cruise Packing Tips all Cruisers Need

21 Essential Things to Pack in Your Cruise Carry-On

25 Cruise Embarkation Tips and Secrets

Final Thoughts: 75 Genius Cruise Tips and Hacks

Planning for a cruise is different than other types of vacations. In this post we shared 75 smart cruise hacks from saving money, to cruise food and drinks, to getting organized and more!

I’m always learning new cruise tips and tricks from other cruisers, so please share your cruise hacks in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!!

P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

Let’s connect:

Join me on Facebook at Life Well Cruised

Join me on YouTube at Life Well Cruised  (Vlogs and cruise tips)

Join me on Pinterest at Life Well Cruised

Join me on Instagram at Life Well Cruised

I look for your videos every day. I do want to let you know that I have an airline stewardess that I watch her YouTube vids too. She said something I thought I’d mention to you. A J-hook. She said the J-hook takes a lot off the top of the suitcase to keep from hurting your back. I’ve looked at them on Amazon.

Thanks for mentioning this. I’m going to have to take a look and give it a try. I really appreciate you watching my videos and taking time to comment on my posts 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• CruiseMapper
• Tips & Tricks

Cruise Tips, Tricks and Secrets

CruiseMapper's "cruise tips and tricks" article provides useful information for first-timers planning their future voyages. Cruise tips and tricks are also handy onboard the liner - to keep you away from mishaps and bad (" Cruise Minus ") experiences at sea and in ports.

This page is integrated with CruiseMapper's "tips and tricks" pages with information specifically targeting the following companies - Carnival , Royal Caribbean, Disney .

Cruise Tips and Tricks

For your convenience, our "wiki" collection of cruise tips, tricks, and secrets about ocean cruising vacations are grouped in several themed sections - PLANNING , BOOKING , PACKING , MONEY-SAVING , EXCURSIONS-TOURS , CABINS , SHIPS , FOOD-DRINKS , ALCOHOL , TRAVEL MATES , CREW and FREE (How to Cruise For FREE, What is FREE on Cruises). Currently, here are listed 185 cruise-travel tips and tricks, and this number changes each time we add new ones in the list that follow.

Gov taxes and port fees are generally not included in cruise fares (brochures and online rates) and their usual amount is up to 5% of the voyage's price. Cruise taxes (Gov fees and port charges) cover services like tolling, vessel inspections, harbor pilotage, security, baggage handling (at homeports). Also are included IRS charges, immigration/naturalization costs, shore excursions' expenses (VAT/flight/land transportation/hotel). Government taxes and port fees are additional and can't be avoided. Fuel surcharges are added when fuel prices go up - major passenger shipping companies charge additional USD 5-10 pp per day, to cover fuel costs.

Ship cruising is an excellent value travel option that costs 20-30% less than comparable land vacations. Fares are inclusive of stateroom, onboard food (main and casual restaurants, buffets, ice cream, pizza), drinks (differ by company), transportation (ship transfers), live entertainment (shows, trivia contests, competitions, lectures, revue shows, stand-up comedians, musicians), movies, waterparks with slides, swimming pools-whirlpools, fitness, library, deck parties, kids activities, sundecks (chairs, loungers, towels).

• Choose the destination and use travel agents specializing in cruises - with actual experience, personalized service, access to group pricing. Many agents are CLIA-certified or attend training programs through different cruise companies. Look for affiliations with ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents), BBB (Better Business Bureau) or NACOA (National Association of Cruise Oriented Agencies). You can search for CLIA-certified travel agents on its website (cruising.org) and locate agents by region and training level. You can also use ASTA (asta.org) - select "cruise lines" or "cruises" under "Specialties". Travel agents constantly research, attend seminars, have access to special perks and discounts. Cruise lines pay their commissions, so you don't have to pay more for their services.
• Do some online research time to know what are the average (normal) cruise fares on preferred itineraries and the standard inclusions (complimentary amenities and services). However, don't over-research or over-plan - the first-time cruise is a thrill, so enjoy the uncertainty and all the new experiences.
• Look for special deals - the cruise industry loves sales and customers love promos (1-day discounts, 2-for-1, kids-sail-free). Wave Season (January through March) is when most bookings are made. To benefit from "early year booking", cruise companies/agencies offer bonuses (reduced fares, free perks-upgrades) to urge bookings. Sale periods occur at regular intervals. Some deals offer "choose-your-own-bonus" upon booking. Wave Season deals are with longer booking window and more perks than sales. Read the fine print - sale's advertised perks/discounts may not apply to specific cabin categories-itineraries. Check promo's expiration date. Compare the company's promo deals with regular agency deals. Compare similar itineraries and different cabin grades.
• Stick to your vacation budget. There are 4 main traveler types - economical (budget-minded), standard (middle-class), premium (affluent) and top-luxury (silver-spooned).
• If you can afford hassle-free travel vacations, consider luxury ship cruises. Premium brands are all-inclusive, with included in the ticket flights, hotels, excursions, beverages, gratuities, Internet, specialty dining, high-end concierge and butler services, 5-star hotel cabin amenities.
• A cheap cruise ship with booked balcony cabin or suite often results in better vacation experience than a large (crowded) ship with booked inside the cabin. Yet, it depends - first in the village or second in Rome? Booking suite always means the best service, amenities, freebies, and perks.
• Each year are scheduled almost 30,000 different cruise itineraries for over 2,000 destinations worldwide. The main is East-Southeast Asia, Europe (Mediterranean, Baltic, Norwegian Fjords / Arctic), Alaska, Caribbean, Australia NZ, South America (Amazon, Antarctica).
• "Kids cruise for free" deals (children travel for free in double-occupancy booked cabin) are offered by MSC, occasionally by Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL, rarely by Disney.
• Best cruise ships for kids are all big liners (many of them newbuilds ) with themed onboard activities specifically designed for children in different age groups, as well as for families. On the ship kids interact in a safe, comfortable and friendly environment, always supervised by professional staff.
• If you don't like noisy crowds and long queues, try small-ship cruise or riverboat.
• If you're flying to homeport, leave enough time to compensate for flight delays.
• On trans-oceanic crossing itineraries depart from Europe - you'll gain 5 hours daylight (due to time zones crossing).
• There are many and differently themed cruises independently organized on privately chartered ships.
• The ship docks at several ports - make sure to return on time as getting back at designated times is your responsibility. Don't be late for boarding - ships wait no more than 15 min after scheduled departure times. Each company has a port agent to help if you miss the boat. One option is to fly to the next call port and embark there, though you'll have to pay all extra expenses.
• Cruise line fares are based on double occupancy. If you want to travel alone, you'll have to pay a single supplement or the full price for the stateroom. Consider booking singles cruises (search for ships with many studios). Solo cruisers are around 1/4 of all. Cabin sharing (same-sex shared stateroom) is cheaper. Many ships (smaller and largest) have studios - single cabins bookable without single supplement fee required. With some companies, single supplement rates on double staterooms are very affordable.
• Buy passports for your kids (eases check-in/embarkation/disembarkation).
• Around 70% of all cruisers use travel agents to plan and book, and mainly with CLIA-certified agents specializing in ship cruises. Travel agents are certificated in general ship cruising, as well as privy of all offered products and services. Travel agents are aware of the best deals and promo discounts. Some have access to company discounts not available to consumers. Travel agents have updated in real-time information on cabin availability, itinerary changes, newly upgraded amenities (wellness, dining, entertainment, sports), special offers. They can suggest best for your brand, vessel, itinerary, stateroom (type, category, location), onboard activities. Travel agents can handle most potential shipboard and ashore issues (lost luggage, canceled tours, delays, missed flights). Agencies also do bargains with the ship operators and often provide bonuses (onboard credit, deals inclusive of gratuities, sometimes even free excursions/tours, extra amenities, residency discounts.
• All companies require a deposit to reserve cabin. As a deposit, you pay a flat rate (usually between $100 and $1,000) or a percentage of the total cost (10-25%, depending on the company, itinerary, cabin category). Holiday cruises, group bookings, and special deals are priced differently. Deposits often are better priced with online booking.
• Travel agencies require paying fare's remaining balance at the final payment due date. The final payment differs by the company - generally between 45-90 days prior departure, up to 150 days for longer itineraries. Booking in this period requires paying in full. Cruise transfers (changes) can be made within a specific period prior departure, usually with an administration fee charge (percentage of the initial price).
• Passenger shipping companies (ferry and cruise) differ in their cancellation and refund policies. The refund depends mostly on the remaining days (prior departure), strictly in the cancellation period. A refund is infeasible in the events of no-show or interruption by the passenger after the voyage starts. Charges don't include any fees by air carriers, hotels, car rentals, etc.
• Most companies don't make exceptions regarding cancellation charges. Names or departure dates discrepancies are treated as cancellations. Although optional, it is highly recommended purchasing travel insurance (health) and trip cancellation insurance (possibility to exchange dates, in some cases - full refund).
• Cancellation charges increase as sailing dates approach, while refunds diminish. Usually, for cancellations 60+ days prior departure, no charges are assessed, around 30 days - 50% of the deposit, and for less than 2 weeks prior - the whole deposit. Penalties for cancellations of luxury cruises may reach 100% of the fare, even for 30- days prior departure. Consulting a travel agency is highly recommended since timetables and all rates are subject to change.
• Never pay brochure prices - unless it's special / well-sold voyage with higher demand.
• Booking with a travel agency or online is often cheaper than directly with the company. With some exceptions, when compared to the company's brochure rates, cruise agency deal prices are nearly identical (at least very very similar). The reason is that most big lines have no-rebate policies forbidding the agencies from undercutting company's rates.
• Cruise lines reduce theirs and their booking partners' prices to ensure the ships will sail full. In order to avoid unsold cabins, bargains are a common trend (phenomenon) all the time.
• Wholesalers buy out a huge number of cabins on a particular sailing way in advance. This is a major "why" they can sell deals at lower rates than the lines. The trick is, to get those rates you have to phone them instead of booking online.
• Don't focus on the price alone - check the extras, like if the airfare is included in the price. International airfares are one of the main reasons why Europe don't get many Americans and also why repositioning cruises (in Spring/Fall each year) are such a huge big hit among travelers.
• Check first for available last-minute deals. Potential savings on booking last minute cruises are up to 75% - best deals for budget-minded travelers with flexible schedules. Another option is wave season deals (January-March).

Note: For more information see CruiseMapper's packing lists .

• Don't forget your passport - you'll be denied boarding (on embarkation day at the terminal, and there'll be no any refunds (cruise, airfares, vacation days from the employers, etc).
• Don't overpack - enormous suitcases could spoil any vacation.
• Bring extra underwear. If you use up your clean clothes, you can use the passenger laundry facilities with washing machines.
• Save luggage space for the things you are going to buy on your cruise.
• Pack walkie-talkies - especially when traveling with kids.
• Pack earplugs - sleeping on an airplane is easier and they also allow good sleeping on the ship - (kids running, noisy neighbors, PA announcements, elevators, walkways, engines (lower-deck cabins).
• Pack suntan lotion - at home, it costs about 50% less on the ship or in port.
• If you drink, on the ship you will probably consume alcohol, so pack aspirin.
• Nowadays, all airlines prohibit sharp objects in carry-on bags, so pack them in checked luggage. Mainstream lines (including Carnival) forbid high-heels onboard their ships.
• In carry-on bag take medications (sometimes bags go to the wrong room) and swimsuits and clothes (by among the first at the pool).

MONEY-SAVING

To save money on cruises, listing by "lowest price" is not recommended - cheapest deals are limited to the departure date, itinerary, ship, cabin category.

• Cheap travel deals are offered: on bigger ships, with low season and early bookings, group-booking (15+ passengers), loyalty program (discounts, perks), membership discounts (AARP, AAA, police, military, firefighter unions, etc), promo deals (last minute, 2-for-1, 3rd travels free, kids sail free, free airfare, perks, discounted airfares / fly-cruise packages, age-related and residence-based discounts), ship relocation ( repositioncruises.com ).
• Cruise lines loyalty programs offer rewards to encourage repeat customers. On most companies, after the first cruise, you are automatically enrolled in its loyalty program. Follow a bunch of emails advertising future voyages and special offers. Repeat cruisers are offered between 5-10% discount (sometimes higher) on future cruises, free cruises, free cabin upgrades, discounted specialty dining-packages-excursions-onboard shopping, reduced fares for 3rd/4th passengers, onboard credit with early bookings, reduced deposit, access to members-only lounges (concierge breakfast, exclusive parties, reception, happy hour with free drinks - Champagne-wine-gourmet snacks), access to specials-promo offers-news, complimentary services (laundry-dry cleaning, shoe polishing, in-cabin dining / breakfast-canapes-afternoon tea), gifts (casino vouchers, free Internet, logo souvenirs-wear--lanyards-lapel pins), priority services (check-in, early boarding, faster disembarkation-tendering), subscription to company's magazine. Membership perks vary by company. For example, cruise with Carnival 25 times for 25% off the fare, 50 times - 50% off, 75 times - 75% off, 100 times - for a complimentary 7-day cruise.
• "Free cruise" offers are attainable mainly through winning onboard games-contests and loyalty programs. Examples for luxury brands are Seabourn (after 140 sea days), Silversea (350 sea days), Crystal (30 voyages). Kids-cruise-for-free are promo offers (regular with MSC). Many companies reward group planners (organizing group booking - minimum 8 cabins / 16 paying passengers) with a complimentary cruise. Booking larger groups results in bonus cabins.
• "Early Booking" cruises and paying deposits in advance (6 to 18 months) offers discount fares and expensive upgrades added as perks. Search for reduced or free airfare, cabin upgrades, complimentary amenities (included beverage packages, specialty dining, excursions, gratuities, onboard credit). Currently, cruise lines (especially luxury brands) launch their booking programs earlier than ever (even 2 or more years in advance) offering early-bookers free flights, free port parking, alcohol packages.
• Onboard ("future cruise") booking is discounted and often with reduced deposits and bonuses (onboard credit, tours, logoed gifts). Deposits are usually refundable, meaning you can change itineraries in future or transfer bookings to a travel agent.
• Shoulder season cruises (if you're flexible with dates) save up to 50% off base rates.
• Wave Season (January-March) is industry's sales period - the best time for bookings with incentives.
• Last-minute deals are cheaper, but with the least choices of ships, itineraries and staterooms. Cruise rates constantly go up and down - if you can wait (3 to 6 weeks prior departure) there's 99% chance to find the best fares.
• Among the cheapest are the seasonally-operated repositioning cruises (when ships change deployments / regions-homeports).
• Member Discount Programs are the well-deserved rewards to socially active people, who operate by several credit cards and belong to diverse programs and huge organizations, like the military, AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), AAA (American Automobile Association). If you are a member of such organization, there could be potential discounts or rewards as benefits for your membership.
• Loyalty Programs discounts are attainable only if you sail more than once with the same line. With a loyalty program, the line may offer you lower rates, free upgrades, onboard credits, priority services, and many special onboard amenities.
• Sign up for the best specials and promotions on the line's official web site. You also may check their regular updates at Twitter or Facebook.
• "Harbour cruises", 2-3-day short breaks and Cruises to Nowhere are great for first-timers - cheaper, shorter, with party crowds.
• Avoid holidays, school breaks, peak-season (overbooking, expensive, crowded).
• Use credit cards and cash, avoid traveler's checks. Most ships have ATMs. Cash is used mainly in ports and ship casinos - bring cash to avoid ATM fees. Take some casino chips by using your ship card (it pulls from the credit card). Hold them for 1 hour, then exchange for cash.
• Inform your credit card company about the cruise. When they see money traffic from unexpected locations, sometimes they may freeze your card until these charges are verified.
• Bring an emergency credit card in case your credit card company freezes your card due to international charges. Call the company prior to the voyage to avoid this problem.
• Work with travel agencies - they offer discounts, onboard credits, special promotions, incentives, and help in cases of emergencies and incidents. Buy travel insurance for distant vacation dates.
• Search online. If you do a research, you'll know much about average fares on preferred sailings, so when a sale comes out, you will know quickly it's really a great deal and be fast to snag. "Value", not the "lowest price" is what matters here.
• Never pay brochure prices. Unless it's a special and well-sold voyage where demand is much higher than supply, don't be tempted by claims of 65% of brochure rate - it is not a discount.
• Persuade a friends' group to sail together. Many lines reward such group planners for organizing trips of 16 people (in 8 cabins) at least.
• Book ships with close to home departures. Homeport cruising is very popular - and surely pays off - as there's no need to load the vacation budget with airline tickets. Cheapest (regularly scheduled) US homeport cruises are from Florida ports, NYC, Baltimore, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Galveston, New Orleans. This affects itineraries in Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada New England, Alaska, and Mexican Riviera. Roundtrips from San Juan (Puerto Rico) are also offered on a year-round basis.
• Having cash helps develop a budget and avoids going over or putting purchases on credit cards.
• Spa treatments cost extra, the ship's spa is more expensive compared to land-based facilities. But if you must - look for promo offers and book massages during port stay. Cruise ship spas usually offer discounts for first-day and port-day treatments. Check ship's newsletters for daily promo deals. Saunas, steam rooms and showers not part of Thermal Suite areas are free. Facials, manicures-pedicures, and massages are always available. Beware of sales pitches - shipboard spa staff work on commission and often give the hard sell to persuade buying pricey products. Generally, fitness classes are complimentary, some may cost minimal charges. Classes like yoga, spinning, Pilates cost around USD 10-15 pp.
• Generally, alternative (premium) dining is not ticket price inclusive, Usually available for dinner only, it's among not so many options to enjoy a romantic evening on the boat. Some premium eateries are complimentary, but with smaller capacity, so reservations are required.
• In the main dining rooms, you aren't limited to one appetizer, entree or dessert of each. Order three entrees or desserts if you want to. You can order portions of entrees that are appetizer-sized as starters, and also order some appetizers for the main meal.
• Specialty coffee at designated onboard coffee shops comes with extra fee, but sandwiches, pastries, and other food are often free.
• Check up if it's not cheaper buying a bottle of wine than some glasses, but what happens if you don't finish it? Cruise ship waiters mark bottles with guests' room numbers and save them for another night, may it be dinner in another venue.
• Gambling always results in losing money - but if you really must, bring envelopes for daily cash amounts. Most cruise vessels have casino (bar lounge) with slot machines, video poker, table games, tournaments, and bingo games. Minimum bets, payouts, and odds are comparable to major Las Vegas resorts. BlackJack tables generally offer minimum bet $5 during the day, rising to $10 at night. The price you'll pay per bingo card is up to $40. Don't be greedy for the $3000 jackpot and spend your money elsewhere. Onboard art auctions with free alcohol are held regularly.
• Shipboard Internet access is not that slow and expensive as it used to be. On large liners and luxury boats, the Internet is fast and offered in packages (pre-paid plans) - per min, per hour, per day, per voyage. You can find cheaper Internet and free Wi-Fi in ports. Onboard Intenet prices start from USD 5-10 per device per day. All large ships (including cruise ferries ) have Internet Cafe with PC stations. Many companies add free minutes when you buy Internet package on embarkation day.
• Extend your vacation with discounted pre- and/or post-cruise hotel packages. You can also book a hotel independently. Optionally, you can book the company's airport-to-ship transfers and plan your own activities to save money.
• To avoid seasickness - stay on land. Still, many liners are huge, all are with modern stabilizers, so vessel listing is minimal. If you're feeling seasick - take a nap, take medication (Scopolamine and Dramamine are most common), ginger capsules. Move to open deck midship, look at the horizon. Use acupuncture wrist band. Stimulate underside of the forearm, 3 fingers down from the wrist. Get a shot at the ship's infirmary (expect to sleep for few hours). Seasickness medicine is free of charge - available at ship's infirmary and Reception (Lobby).
• Consider "Value Added" deals - fare is not changing, but additions "sweeten the deal" - gratuities, free cabin upgrades (same price for higher category), shipboard credit (added to your stateroom account), bonus amenities (cocktail parties, Internet, minibar drinks, laundry), free gifts (souvenirs, binoculars), even free roundtrip air (included airport-ship transfers) and tours.
• "Cabin upgrade" is an option when you book low-priced "guarantee" category and hope for a category upgrade. Booking "guarantee" stateroom means you get at least this category, but you're not assigned to a specific cabin, The company just guarantees you a stateroom (at this category rate) and waits to see how the bookings go. As most people book the cheapest cabins, they often sell out. In such cases, the company may offer cabin upgrades to passengers with first booked lower fare, thus making cheaper cabins available for new customers. You can also request cabin upgrade upon check-in (at the cruise terminal). Depending on bookings, companies sometimes upgrade cabins for a fee, but the upgrades are usually less expensive than if that category was originally booked.
• When onboard, make sure you turn off cellular service on your mobile phone, so you don’t pay for “cellular at sea” service.
• Save money on port days by boarding the ship for late lunch (at the Lido buffet) instead of eating ashore.

When is the cheapest time to cruise?

• ALASKA - May or September (up to 45% cheaper cruises, up to 50% hotel discounts, off-season December-March)
• BAHAMAS (December-March)
• CARIBBEAN - April-May and October-January; Florida departures; hurricanes/low season June-November; most island resorts close down in late September-October for renovations; search itineraries with USA's Puerto Rico (port San Juan); cheapest rates are between Labor Day (September's 1st Monday) and Thanksgiving (November's 4th Thursday in the USA, October's 2nd Monday in Canada); travel between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• BERMUDA (April-May, September-October)
• HAWAII (September-December, February-May, Australia-Hawaii and Alaska-Hawaii ship repositioning, low seasons)
• MEXICAN Riviera (January, May, October, November)
• CANADA-NEW ENGLAND (May-August)
• AUSTRALIA-NEW ZELAND (May-September)
• SOUTH PACIFIC Islands (November-April)
• Europe-BALTIC (May-September, Hurtigruten offers Northern Lights cruises)
• Europe-MEDITERRANEAN (May and September, October-April, cheapest are Canary Islands cruises)
• Europe-RIVERS (March, late November, December), the off-season is January-March, Christmas Market shopping cruise tours in December
• SOUTH AMERICA (April, October), avoid Galapagos in August-September.

Storms and cruise ships

Hurricanes are tropical storms with high winds-waves, generating tornados, causing severe damages.

• Atlantic hurricane season (mid-August-late-September) affects Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, US East Coast.
• Eastern Pacific hurricane season (July-September) affects Mexican Riviera and Hawaii.
• Avoid Eastern Caribbean (mid-August-mid-September) and Western Caribbean (mid-September-November).
• Australia New Zealand cyclones are in March-April.
• Hurricanes usually don't meet cruise ships due to the industry's advanced weather tracking technologies. Liners don't encounter hurricanes directly. Large vessels are equipped with sophisticated weather tracking equipment to predict the storm's intensity and path. Hurricanes move slow, so ships easily outrun or go around them. In rough seas, boat's stabilizers prevent from tilting and severe listing.
• Purchase travel insurance - it can provide good financial buffers for changing plans and re-arrangements in cases of storms during the vacation. The good travel insurance plan covers for cancellation, interruption or delays, Travel insurance covers only unexpected events. Cruise companies protection plans are not insurance plans (not backed by government agencies).
• Expect itinerary changes - port times changes, skipped/replaced ports, extra sea days, delayed homeport arrival. Main benefits are great booking discounts and compensations for changes and cancellations (future cruise discounts, full or partial refunds, OBC, refunds on port taxes, free drinks).

SHORE EXCURSIONS and TOURS

All cruise companies offer a variety of shore excursions (land tours) with different themes and ability levels. Most offer similar (even identical) tours and similar excursions available at extra cost or complimentary in different call ports during the voyage.

Sample excursions include: local attractions (museums, botanical gardens, zoos), wildlife preserves, historical ruins, resorts, plantations, wineries (food-wine sampling), guided city tours (bus or walking), adventure tours-sports (jeeps, ATVs, trekking, hiking, golfing, kayaking, biking, horseback riding, snorkeling-diving, zip-lining), glass-bottom boating, mini-submarine tours, wildlife encounters (swimming with dolphins, stingrays, whale watching), helicopter tours, party and shopping tours.

• Essential items to bring on any shore excursion include tour tickets, Cruise Ship ID Card and ID card (required when reentering the port / returning to the ship), Photo ID (government-issued ID, driver's license or passport to pass security), credit card, cash. Recommended items include bottled water, emergency contacts, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray (jungle tours), photo equipment-batteries-memory cards, basic medications (headaches, nausea), light snacks, foreign language dictionary-phrasebook, mobile device (region/port maps, shopping locations), backpack.
• Activity levels specify how strenuous is the experience. Some tours may require certification (scuba), some have age-weight-height requirements. Shore excursion prices range greatly - depending on the company, destination, tour, length. Bus tours are guided and cost around USD 30-40 pp. Wildlife encounters cost over USD 100. The most expensive is usually the longest. Helicopter/floatplane tours or Mayan ruin tours could cost over USD 200 pp. Prices are additional to cruise fares and typically added to onboard accounts. Some companies offer prepayment tours upon booking (prior departure). Shore excursion's price includes transportation (bus, boat, plane, etc), guides, specialized equipment, often non-alcoholic drinks and refreshments. Extra are gratuities.
• Cruise lines provide huge selections of call port excursions/land tours via partnerships with local operators. Shore excursions range in duration from 1 hour (even less) up to several hours. Some are "at your leisure", meaning the beginning and ending at passenger's convenience.
• Purchasing tours can be done online (prior departure), shipboard (after boarding at Reception / Tour Desk) and at ports (independently). Tickets will be delivered to your stateroom. Direct booking with tour companies is often cheaper (25-50%) than the ship's excursions. However, independent excursions are risky - is not checked by the cruise line for safety and quality. If the excursion is late, the tour operator must contact the port agent who then contacts the ship. Captains always wait for delayed excursions booked through the cruise line, but not for independently-booked tour passengers.
• Book shore excursion (land tours) before boarding the ship. Most cruise lines offer online booking. It guarantees both availability and safety (in the event of tour delays, etc) and saves onboard time.
• At the tender ports, the ship anchors in open sea and passengers are ferried ashore on tender boats (tenders). Early morning excursions have priority tender boarding, next is Suite passengers. Pay attention to instructions, be patient.
• Taxi sightseeing tours are often a good option (depending on port).
• Loiter around taxi ranks in call ports and wait to share a cab with someone else. This way you'll save money and could meet someone new.
• To avoid incidents and accidents onshore excursion - consume local foods in moderation (especially unfamiliar foods with unknown ingredients), drink only bottled water, follow tour guide's instructions (particularly concerning specialized equipment), book tours that suit your abilities, avoid venturing into seaports/cities alone (particularly at night).
• The cruise ship is not just transportation to seaports - it's where you spend most of the time during the cruise vacation. Cruising is great to sample several ports, but if you want to spend more time in a specific port city, fly there, stay for a few days in a hotel. On cruises, the ship's schedule allows visiting ports for only several hours (depending on itinerary and boat) with no guarantee the weather will be fine.

Note: For extensive information on cruise staterooms by ship see at CruiseMapper's Cabins section.

• On Alaskan cruise book outside-starboard cabin (northbound routes) and outside-portside cabin (southbound routes). This way you'll be facing scenery instead of open water.
• If you don't mind cabin location, book "guaranteed" stateroom. You pay in full at booking, but the advantage is possible to upgrade to better category (up to 4 grades higher) and you won't get anything lower than booked.
• Generally, cabin upgrades while on the boat are not possible as ships are usually booked to capacity. Changing cabins is possible only in "no-show" cases when someone paid but didn't show up. Know tha Reception Desk will know about "no-shows" after the ship sets sail.
• Cabins below or above some venues (disco, casino, restaurant, kids-teens clubs, etc) are loud, Lower-deck cabins (near the engine room) experience noises and vibrations. A good location is a very front (bow) - you'll walk more, get some rumble from the thrusters (propulsion units) and more swaying, but no vibrations and less foot traffic by the door.
• Expect the stateroom to be much smaller than a typical hotel room.
• Inside cabins don't have natural light at all, but if you turn the TV to bridge cam station and turn off sound, you'll have an instant nightlight and be able to see when the sun is up.
• Booking all-inclusive Suite deals may be better than standard balcony cabins. Depending on the company, Suite deals are inclusive of perks like specialty dining, complimentary mini-bar (wine and premium alcohol included, replenished daily), spa treatments, priority reservations and services (onboard and ashore), concierge room service, laundry.
• Once onboard, staterooms may not be ready and luggage usually arrives several hours later. Don't call the Reception. Cabin stewards carry thousands of luggage - it takes time. Don't forget to take a carry-on with basic necessities (documents, medications, phone, camera, toiletries).
• Don't expect everything to be perfect. The cabin toilet might not work. The remote control batteries might be dead. Call the Reception if necessary, but remember - it's your vacation, so keep it cool. Control your emotions - be friendly but firm.
• Cabin designers nowadays create storage space as much as possible. Explore your room or ask the cabin steward - you'll be surprised when you find the extra storage under couch or bed, behind the mirror or inside the ottoman.
• Some lines provide top sheets, egg crate toppers, and alternative pillows by special request. Don't hesitate to ask, no matter before or during the cruise.
• With all the electronics we use these days, cruise ship outlets are always insufficient. Remember to bring a power strip or charging station, or ask the cabin steward. There is often an extra outlet which is hidden under the bed or behind the TV.
• Cabin TVs offer "ship info" channel and “view from the bridge” (real-time bow camera views).
• Be quiet in the stateroom - walls are generally thin.

Most advanced (as technology, venues, and fun options) are the new liners . Yet, older ships are cheaper.

• Cruise onboard credit (OBC) is "virtual cash money" to be used on the ship or on private islands during the voyage. The amount is set up prior departure and loaded on a plastic card (or wearable device on newest ships) - the same used for stateroom access. Onboard credit is added to individual ship account and used for all kinds of payments-purchases on the boat. Upon boarding (embarkation), you give the company your credit card number and they open an account for you. After confirmation, you receive the plastic card (wearable device) in your cabin. You can track the account via cabin TV's infotainment system. At the end of the voyage, if you have to remain OBC, it's applied to your credit card. If there's still credit left, you lose it.
• OBC (per cabin) is often offered as an incentive with bookings, cruise packages, special and promo deals by the cruise company or travel agency. OBC varies by company-agency, itinerary-destinations, stateroom (class-grade). OBC as a bonus is often given to first-timers. OBC is also used for compensations for accidents-incidents (itinerary changes, delays-cancellations, illness outbreak, etc) and is a frequent reward for loyalty program members and company's shareholders.
• Gambling on cruise ships is both entertaining and highly profitable business for cruise lines. The experience is designed for both impulse inexperienced gamblers and high rollers betting large sums in VIP casino games and tournaments. The laws for gambling on cruise ships are determined by the ship's flag state. Docked in port vessels follow the country's rules. Cruise ships are allowed to open their casinos only in international waters. Among the exceptions are Bermuda, casino ships (operating 1-night or weekend gambling cruises to nowhere ) and riverboat casinos (permanently moored on a lake or river). Unlike land-based casinos, cruise ship casino staff are more patient and help with complimentary lessons. Onboard casinos "rate" players, offering free drinks, open tables with higher limits and minimums, gambling-themed cruises. Among the industry's most popular Player Programs is Carnival's partnership with Ocean Players Club (OPC). Carnival ship casinos have slot machines with players club cards.
• The Captain has the authority to kick anyone off the ship if he/she thinks the person is a danger to other passengers or the crew. Scheduled port visits could be changed by the Captain - with a partial refund.
• In Europe (UK, Baltic, Mediterranean) consider the short break vacation option "ferry cruise". European ferries are large liners with many modern amenities and facilities and even in a design similar to cruise vessels - with bar lounges, restaurants, cinema, casino, spa-fitness, game room, kids room, sundeck with swimming pool (open in the summer).
• On embarkation day, after boarding, go to your stateroom or to Lido Deck (pool deck) for buffet lunch.
• Set your watch to "ship time" - it may (or not) change after crossing time zones.
• Ship elevators are usually overcrowded. Better avoid the lifts when possible - climbing the stairs is also healthy.
• In cases of accidents or incidents (like heavy listing or grounding) don't worry if there are no injuries. To avoid injuries on cruises - don't exaggerate your expertise, follow all posted safety instructions (crew advice), use safety equipment properly-responsibly, use handrails (staircases), wear comfortable shoes, be attentive. Pack shoes and flip-flops with good traction (open decks are slippery when wet).
• For faster boarding-embarkation - check-in online (before arrival at the cruise terminal), pre-print boarding passes and luggage tags, avoid peak boarding time (arrive at the terminal earlier or late), Priority boarding is a perk enjoyed by many suite passengers and upper-tier cruise line loyalty members, but a number of cruise lines allow regular passengers to pay for the same privileges. priority boarding (dedicated lane for screenings and check-in is available for passengers with pre-purchased priority boarding, and is included as perk for Suite passengers), drop off the luggage with the greeting porters (they take and delivered it to your stateroom, pack a small carry-on bag also including your official documents/passports, boarding passes, visas),
• To avoid Norovirus on cruises - always wash your hands before dining, avoid touching surfaces in public areas.
• Muster drill (aka lifeboat drill) is a mandatory Coast Guard requirement for all passenger ships. Shortly before departure, passengers must gather for a review of all emergency procedures. Carry or wear from cabin your life jacket to the muster station. Muster drill is on embarkation day - pay attention, It could save your life.
• Passengers are allowed to bring drones (quadcopter) on cruise ships but can use them only on land and outside the port's area. Active drones onboard are forbidden at any time, as well as on private islands.
• Professional shipboard photographers are always available. They always make photos and videos, which you don't have to buy ("No, thanks" works fine). Photos (depending on size) cost around $5-15 and are available for purchasing at ship's Photo Gallery-Shop.
• Onboard duty-free shops and boutiques usually sell logo items (magnets, hats, clothes, toys), souvenirs, convenience goods, various beverages, gourmet sweets, fashion clothing-accessories, designer jewelry-watches-perfumes-sunglasses-leather goods, brand cosmetic-skincare products. Inexpensive souvenirs (including handicrafts) can be purchased from street vendors and local markets. Bargain shopping offers are available on the ship toward voyage's end.
• Onboard tipping is mandatory. Most cruise fares don't include gratuities (around USD 10 pp per day). Tips are automatically added to onboard accounts, but also can be prepaid. Bar tabs are additionally charged 15-18% gratuity (automatically). You can adjust auto-gratuities at ship's Reception (purser desk) or tip below the recommended if you've received subpar service. Keep in mind that ship's crew-staff work hard and they depend on tips. Unless the service is extremely poor, tip at least the recommended amount. You can always add more if you like the service. It's customary to give a gratuity to head waiters, dining room waiters, assistants, butlers and cabin stewards on voyage's last night. Use an envelope (supplied by the company) or your own. Waiters and cabin stewards work up to 15 hours a day. Most of them get 1 day off in 8 months. Tip them extra on the first day to be served like royalty. Let them know you'll be tipping them at the end of the voyage too. Your special requests will become the staff's top priority.
• Most ships provide a newsletter to all passenger cabins (or it's available via cabin's TV infotainment system). Check it for dress codes, scheduled activities, dining-spa-shopping promotions, etc.
• Onboard formal nights are gala dinner events when passengers can dress in finest attire and try chef's best dishes. Formal nights are optional and not held on embarkation or voyage's last evening due to luggage handling. On most ships are scheduled on sea days, on some - at the second night. Depending on the itinerary length, formal nights are one or two (7-day cruises). Special events planned for formal nights include Captain's speech, meeting ship's officers, cocktail parties, past passenger receptions, photo sessions. Dress codes for formal nights are - men (shirt-tie-suit jacket or tuxedo, accessories), women (cocktail dress, dress slacks, skirt suit or evening gown, jewelry). Formal dress code for kids-teens is as for adults. All brands forbid casual shorts, t-shirts, swimwear, beachwear and jeans in indoor restaurants, lounges, bars. Swimsuit dining is only permitted at poolside bars and fast-food stands.
• Shows and presentations are re-broadcast on ship's channel - you can watch the recording after missing the live performance.
• Casino players can get a hole in their room cards and free casino lanyards - for easy play and not forgetting cards in slot machines.
• Smoking on cruise ships (including e-cigarettes) is allowed only at designated areas, including Promenade Deck, Pool Deck, Casino Lounge, Cigar Club.

The list of craziest things to do on cruise ships includes:

• "Formula 1" simulator (MSC), Grand Prix simulators (Costa), Ferrari Go-Kart Track (NCL)
• 4D Cinema (Costa, MSC, Carnival) - squirts of liquids, pumped-in smells, quivering seats, HD visuals, seats with belts
• "Illuminations" planetarium (Cunard RMS Queen Mary 2) - huge dome with celestial simulations
• "The Rising Tide" mobile bar (Royal Caribbean Allure-Oasis) - moving between decks 5-8, 30 min roundtrip - 10 min embarkation/debarkation, 20 in motion
• Svedka Ice Bar (NCL) - made of solid ice (including sculptures and furnishings), illuminated by bulbs simulating Northern Lights. The bar provides gloves and hooded coats for the ice glasses and ice-cube seats.
• Multi-deck waterslides - Perfect Storm (Royal Caribbean, 5-decks), Waterworks (Carnival, 3-decks), AquaDunk (Disney, 3-decks)
• Top-deck SkyCourse (outdoor ropes course) and SkyRide (outdoor roller coaster bike ride) - Carnival
• Intra-ship Zip Line (Royal Caribbean Oasis-class) - 9 decks up, diagonal course 82 ft / 25 m across the Atrium
• FlowRider surf simulator (Royal Caribbean) - generates waves on a cushioned platform
• "Bionic Bar" served by robot bartenders (Royal Caribbean Quantum-class) - 2 robotic hands mix and serve drinks ordered via tablet
• SeaPlex (Royal Caribbean Quantum-class) - world's biggest indoor sports complex at sea (roller-skating rink, circus school, bumper cars, XBOX gaming, sports court)
• "North Star" (Royal Caribbean Quantum-class) - top-deck mobile observation pod (15-min sessions in a glass-enclosed capsule, 14-seats) - the mechanical arm extends to over 300 ft / 91 m above sea level.
• "RipCord by iFLY" skydiving simulator (Royal Caribbean Quantum-class - equipment (flight suit, protective headgear, goggles) are provided. It's a glass-enclosed, 23 ft / 7 m high vertical window tunnel simulating skydiving.

FOOD and DRINKS

Note: To this section is related our Fitness Cruises (information and tips on how to stay healthy and even lose weight while cruising).

• Onboard dining is either traditional (fixed/assigned seating) or flexible (your-time/open seating). Dining Room fixed times are early and late. Assigned seating gives the opportunity to know your wait staff and tablemates, and get more personalized service. With flexible onboard dining, passengers choose what time they eat (and on some ships - the restaurant). Most cruise lines offer open seating in MDRs (main dining rooms). Flexible dining allows free choice of dinner time throughout the voyage, better planning of activities, more time for excursions, choice of small or large tables, meeting different people each night. Cons include - waiting for a table (especially during prime times), making advance reservations avoid queues, different waiters (inconvenient if you have dietary restrictions). Some companies (Carnival, Celebrity, Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean) offer both assigned and open seating (in different MDRs) on most of their ships. Both options are available and must be selected upon booking. Other shipboard dining options are self-serve buffet restaurant (complimentary), bistro-type cafes and various food bars (many complimentary, including 24-hour pizzeria), exclusive restaurants (suite-only, complimentary), specialty restaurants (a-la-carte priced or at surcharge / ranging from USD 8-40 pp). Specialty restaurants include French, Italian, Asian (Japanese), steakhouse, supper club, celebrity chef partnerships. Most are reservations-only). You can preview MDR menu items before assigned dining time. Most MDRs post day's menu outside their entrance. Ship's daily newsletter lists menus, themed buffets and special snacks scheduled for the day. There is no limit on what and how much food you can order in MDRs (menus change daily).
• Special dietary requirements (vegetarian, allergies, salt-gluten-free, etc) are always catered for. Let the travel agent know about your diets or inform the company upon booking. All shipboard menus include vegetarian, healthy and light fare.
• Cruise companies' number 2 top source of income is the shipboard consumed alcohol - following only ticket sales. "Booze cruise" means more money spent on fewer memories. But if you really must - buy prepaid alcohol-included packages with fixed per person per day price. Beverage packages are great deals if you intend to drink much on the ship. Unlimited alcohol package for 7-day cruise costs around USD 60-70 pp per day. About 1/4 of all passengers purchase drink packages.
• To avoid food illnesses on cruises - don't gorge yourself (particularly with unfamiliar foods), inform the wait staff about your food allergies, ask about unfamiliar dishes (ingredients), don't consume full portions (sample the buffet food), order meat fully cooked.
• To avoid gaining weight on cruises - forgo unnecessary treats, at buffets, consider light foods or just sample the most tempting dishes / snacks, consider spa menu food and drinks, limit the alcohol, avoid or limit fat-salty-sugary foods (heavy salad dressings and sauces, burgers, chips, pizzas, pies, pastries, muffins, cakes, biscuits, ice-cream). After indulging with food spend an hour in the gym or walk around the ship.
• To stay healthy start before the voyage - eat healthier foods, drink more water, no sodas, sugary drinks, less alcohol.
• There is no rule for "open beverage" onboard and you may bring drinks from bars or buffets to staterooms or elsewhere on the ship - the same is valid for food.
• Explore free drinks or buy drink package options.
• Soda is not free on most ships, unlike iced tea in dining rooms. Buying soda cards offers discount pricing and unlimited soft drinks.
• Most companies allow bringing onboard reasonable amounts of bottled nonalcoholic drinks and wine.
• Beer drinkers can group and save by purchasing beer buckets. Beers in souvenir buckets are cheaper than ordering individual bottles/cans.
• Refill souvenir glasses at a discount. Order "drink of the day" in regular glass to save money. Read the ship's daily newsletter for happy hours and drink specials with reduced prices. Order fruity drinks on the first day to get souvenir cup - use it throughout the voyage.
• On embarkation day lunch at the Lido buffet (while waiting for the staterooms). Most ships have alternative complimentary dining venues (cafe, grill bar, pizzeria).
• First-night dining at Carnival Steakhouse offers a complimentary bottle of wine.
• Carnival's pizzas are ranked best at sea - cooked-to-order, fresh-baked in a wood-fired oven, with a thin crust.
• Buffet food is almost the same as in MDRs (share the same galley/kitchen). Unlike MDRs, buffet's dress code is casual.
• Booking alternative dining venues for the first night is at discounted prices.
• Room service is 24-hour and often free of charge (late-night service is usually at a fee). Suite deals provide complimentary concierge room service. The room service menu is provided in all cabins. Stewards deliver the food to the door and remove dirty dishes during cabin cleaning (or you can set them in the hallway for collection). Standard menu items include fruits, pastries, bagels, eggs-omelets, toast, hash browns, sandwiches, salads, pizza, cookies, drinks. Cruise ship room service can be ordered via menu cards, phone or interline (newest ships). Luxury (and some mainstream) brands allow passengers to order in-cabin dining from restaurant menus. Tipping for room service is not required, but considered polite.
• On Lido Deck are often available soft-serve machines (ice-cream for free).
• At the Buffet Restaurant - don't switch direction, don't cut the line, don't walk around the others, don't eat in line, don't move the tongs between platters, don't make doggie bags, watch your kids, don't take more than you can eat.

How to get free alcohol on cruises?

• Attend alcohol tastings (liquor stores, club lounges), parties (Captain's Cocktail, Farewell), art auctions (sparkling wine), casino playing (depends on level/accrued club points).
• Loyalty programs offer members-only events (wine tastings, open-bar cocktail events, free minibar drinks on embarkation day) and wine package discounts. Holland America guarantees "Mariner Society Brunch" (complimentary food and sparkling wine) just after the first voyage. After 75 cruise days, it gives 25% discount on wine packages and cabin minibar purchases, after 200 cruise days - 50% discounts and complimentary wine tastings. Royal Caribbean offers nightly happy hours (at exclusive Diamond Lounge) with free cocktails for Diamond and above members. On ships without Diamond Lounge, these members receive free drink vouchers each night during happy hour.
• Higher-grade staterooms often include a free minibar. Suite passengers receive access to exclusive Club Lounges (self-service complimentary bar with drinks and snacks).
• Some ship bars advertise BOGO (hour-long free alcohol / see daily newsletters for times and places).
• Suite-only clubs held happy hours. At certain evening times, happy hours in some ship bars offer discount-priced or 2-for-1 drinks. Drinks of the day are always cheaper.
• Luxury brands offer alcohol-included fares and complimentary cabin minibars (daily re-stocked with alcohol, sodas, bottled water).
• "Bon Voyage" gifts are pre-cruise purchasing options with in-cabin deliveries upon boarding. All Bon Voyage beverages (alcohol and packs) are great deals (cheaper than bar prices), but for in-cabin consumption only.
• All-you-can drink packages are convenient and cheapest (per drink), but sharing drinks is forbidden. Passengers pay a fixed price for unlimited drinks on the ship (inclusions vary by package). Some companies ( Carnival's Cheers , Royal Caribbean's Deluxe ) offer only 1 unlimited package, others offer several options with different beverages/prices. Unlimited packages cost between USD 45-65 pp per day. Booking promotions and select voyages (including repositioning crossings) often offer as bonus complimentary beverage packages.
• Most company policies allow bringing alcohol on ships (mainly beer packs and 1-2 wine bottles) with additional corkage fee for outside-cabin consumption. Beverages must be packed in not checked carry-on luggage. Coolers with drinks aren't allowed.
• Liquor purchased from ship's duty-free shop is delivered to cabin the last night before disembarkation. Some companies offer discount-priced liquor and sodas via room service.
• Almost all river cruise ships in Europe allow bringing your own alcohol (liquors, beers. wines) on the boat. Locally sourced wines and beers (by the glass) are complimentary served with onboard lunches and dinners. Also free are "Coffee Corners" (beverage stations with unlimited water, coffees, teas, juices, snacks).
• Read here tricks on how to sneak alcohol on ships .

TRAVEL MATES

• Cruise with friends - it's always more fun, and you can still meet new people onboard. Greatest thing is that you are not forced to be together all the time (like on land vacation).
• Cruise with your age group, so choose the region wisely. Colder destination (like Alaska) means older crowd. Younger travelers usually can't afford longer itineraries due to vacation time limits. Short itineraries (like in Bahamas-Caribbean) are best for party cruises - cheaper (per day rates) and with a younger crowd.
• Respect other cultures. Remember that each country has its ways of eating, engaging, greeting, etc.
• Allow elderly and disabled passengers to access elevators - taking the stairs is healthier.
• Adults-only venues are not for kids - remember that booking "family cruise" is a kids-inclusive package.
• Smaller and luxury ships' passengers are in the 45-60+ age group and offer better service and all-inclusiveness. Most of the largest lines (like Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival) have their passengers perfectly mixed.
• The top 5 cruise vacation annoyances are - annoying chatter, invading personal space, drunken behavior (shouting, arguments, fighting), long queues (activities/buffet due to indecisiveness) and irritating kids.

How to Cruise For FREE, What is FREE on Cruises

How to cruise for FREE?

Group cruises are great for family reunions, friends, birthday celebrations, anniversaries, weddings, associations, clubs and groups (sports-social-professional-retired military-church-fraternity-Sorority).

All major brands offer travel incentives for a group booking, including TC ("tour conductor"). TC is credit for the Group Leader ("Pied Piper") to cruise for free with a group of relatives-friends-colleagues brought to the company. Ask your relatives and friends first, then ask co-workers and acquaintances. All group travelers receive a reduced group rate - you cruise for free.

• As tour conductor, you work with a travel agency and make all travel-ship arrangements for the group. The agent will guide you through all types of cruises and itineraries, and inform you of companies' group policies. Your primary jobs will be recruitment and communication.
• The company's award is limited to cruise fares only. Additional are port charges, Government fees-taxes. As Group Leader you'll need to make yourself familiar with the company's policies before booking.
• Group rates are always lower than individual rates. You can also sell the free cruise and divide the money among the group, thus saving everyone money.
• If you can't find enough people for a group booking, look for travel agencies members of national accounts or travel consortiums (Ensemble, Virtuoso, etc). They are given incentives to block large clusters of staterooms in advance. These incentives are usually better pricing, added amenities, or both.
• Many companies award "group amenity points" based on group's total number: more passengers - more points - more perks (cabin upgrades, shipboard credits, private parties, in-cabin champagne, logo merchandise, etc).
• If you establish an ongoing relationship with a cruise line or travel agency, you can do group bookings consistently, cruising for free. It could become a full-time job. Your agent works directly with the brand to make air arrangements, bookings, cabin assignments, onboard events, dining times, etc. But your group will look to you if anything goes wrong.

The group size needed for 1 free berth (bed) varies by brand, but all largest define "group voyage" as minimum 16 passengers in 8 cabins (3rd and 4th passengers in a cabin are allowed, but they don't count toward the total). The tour conductor, the 16th person, cruises for free. Here is an example of the number of free berths/beds you could earn on 7-day cruisetour:

• 8 cabins (16 passengers) traveling = 1 Free Bed
• 16 cabins (32 passengers) traveling = 2 Free Beds (1 cabin)
• 24 cabins (48 passengers) traveling = 3 Free Beds
• 32 cabins (64 passengers) traveling = 4 Free Beds (2 cabins)
• 100 cabins (200 passengers) traveling = 12 Free Beds (6 cabins)
• Silversea and Seabourn provide 1 free berth for every 10 sold.

What you do with the free beds is up to you/the group. Among the possible choices after selling the free beds are:

• Group Leaders keep all free berths for themselves and even may earn extra onboard spending money. This is agreed upon in advance and kept confidential.
• Gifts or Shore Tours - convert free berths in tours, or in-cabin gifts, or specialty dining, spa, etc.
• Deeper Price Discounts - take free beds value and divide it among the group for an additional discount.
• Special Guest Invitation - invite a celebrity guest to add value to your group experience.
• Onboard Group Escort - hire group escort to help to coordinate onboard and ashore activities.

Another way to cruise for free is to work on the ship. Cruise companies need to update their enrichment programs and constantly search for skilled photographers, travel writers, entertainers, lecturers, instructors (computer, arts-crafts, dance), gentleman hosts, nannies, bodyguards, personal assistants, performers, bridge players, etc. Some companies offer Star Cruises free Birthday cruise deals on select ships and departure dates.

What is FREE on cruises?

Modern mega-liners offer an increasing number of at-fee shipboard options. Add-ons and surcharges will always be, but also many things on the ships will be fare-inclusive.

• Wi-Fi Internet is free on Viking Ocean, RSSC Regent, Crystal, Oceania, also on riverboats.
• pizzas (at select venues)
• fast-food at poolside bars - sandwiches, burgers, steaks, tacos, hot dogs, ice-cream, milkshakes
• cabin toiletries, towels, bathrobes (all higher-grade staterooms or upon request)
• saunas and steam rooms (fleetwide on Carnival. Celebrity, Princess)
• shows (at Theater lounges)
• on open decks - outdoor theater movies (large LED screens), mini-golf course, sports court, putting green, ropes course, swimming pools and whirlpools, deckchairs-loungers-towels, adults-only decks, surf simulators and outdoor rock climbing (RCI)
• lectures, dancing lessons, workshops and most classes, DJ parties (disco nightclubs)

Shipboard staff and crew

Ship crew includes waiters, bartenders, stateroom attendants, cleaners, while its staff relates to positions like an officer, manager, shop worker, tour guide, lecturer/entertainer. The best benefit is that they can travel the world for free.

• Staff/crew share dorm-style, smaller-sized cabins (often quads with bunk beds) with en-suite bathroom.
• As soon as the first shift ends, most staff/crew nip off for a quick nap before the second shift starts.
• Among the crew-only facilities and amenities are an exclusive sundeck (some with whirlpool/swimming pool), mess hall (bar lounge/dining room), complimentary food/drinks/healthcare, crew parties.
• Tips/gratuities are combined and divided between tipping (crew) positions only.
• Crew and staff aren't supposed to intermingle with passengers - they can get fired if caught. If you have a romantic encounter with a crew, use discretion and realize you're probably not the first traveler he/she is with.
• With a currently employed crew-staff member, you pay only port charges. Crew also get free tours and know seaport's best places to visit. And you'll be able to access some crew-only areas.
• Meals are free and offered at Mess Hall (crew-only dining room/bar-lounge). Med services are also free.
• Highest paying crew jobs are Captain, Executive Chef, Cruise Director, Chief Purser, Hotel Director, Human Resources Manager.
• Crew caught engaging in personal relationships with passengers are fired immediately.
• Most crew are accommodated in 2-3-bed bunk cabins (depending on rank/title).

CruiseMapper's "tips and tricks" are wiki-type work - constantly updated with new additions to our themed lists above. Expect to find here more useful information and more cruise secrets revealed the next time you visit this page. Bon voyage, and happy vacation!

Every Carnival Drink Plan Explained! Expert Tips & Tricks

Posted on Last updated: February 12, 2024

Setting sail with Carnival Cruise Line soon? A vast ocean of beverage choices awaits you on board.

Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur, a soft-drink devotee, or just someone looking to quench your thirst with convenience, Carnival has a drink package tailor-made for your tastes.

So, grab your free cruise planner , fill your glasses, and let’s set sail into the world of Carnival drink packages! Cheers!

Understanding the Basics

Alright, before we dive deep into the nitty-gritty of each drink plan, let’s take a moment to understand the foundation of these offerings on fun cruises .

Why do cruise lines, particularly Carnival, offer drink plans, and what’s in it for you as a traveler? Let’s unpack this.

Why Drink Plans Exist in the First Place

At its core, drink plans provide cruisers with both convenience and predictability.

Rather than opening up your wallet every time you fancy a mojito or a soda, a drink plan allows you to make one upfront payment, granting you access to a range of beverages throughout your cruise.

It streamlines your experience, letting you indulge without constantly thinking about the tab.

Enhancing the Cruise Experience

Imagine this: You’re lounging by the pool, the sun warming your skin, and you fancy a refreshing drink.

With a drink plan, that cocktail, soda, or mocktail is just an order away, no need to worry about the individual costs. It’s about enhancing your onboard experience, giving you the luxury to enjoy without the interruption of monetary concerns.

Economic Sense for Both Cruisers and Carnival

From the cruiser’s perspective, a drink plan can offer genuine value for money, especially if you have a decent beverage consumption habit.

Instead of paying premium prices per drink, a plan can level out costs and even offer savings. For Carnival, it ensures a steady revenue stream and aids in managing inventory and service expectations.

Not a One-Size-Fits-All

Drink plans are diverse, each catering to different needs. Whether you’re looking for alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees, or just unlimited soft drinks, there’s a plan for you.

Recognizing the differences is key to maximizing both your experience and your investment.

Port Days vs. Sea Days

Remember, your drinking habits might differ on days when the ship is docked versus days spent entirely at sea. Drink plans can be especially valuable on sea days when you’re making the most of the ship’s amenities.

In a nutshell, the essence of Carnival’s drink plans revolves around enhancing your cruise journey, allowing you to immerse fully in the relaxation and fun, sans the constant worry of costs.

Now that we’ve laid down the basics, let’s set our sights on the specifics of each Carnival drink plan. Ready to explore? Let’s dive in!

Carnival’s Drink Packages: An Overview

Alright, now that you have a grasp of the why and how of Carnival drink plans, let’s sail into the heart of our guide – the actual drink packages offered by Carnival.

Trust us, it’s a journey worth taking, especially when refreshing beverages await at every port of call in this chapter.

Range and Diversity

Carnival isn’t just the most popular cruise line for its amazing itineraries and onboard experiences; it’s also known for its expansive drink offerings.

From alcoholic delights to non-alcoholic refreshments, there’s a sea of choices to swim through.

CHEERS! Package

Arguably the most popular, the CHEERS! Package is Carnival’s all-inclusive beverage program.

It covers a vast range of drinks, from cocktails to wines, beers, and non-alcoholic beverages. If variety is your game, this is your play.

Bottomless Bubbles

For those who aren’t particularly inclined towards alcoholic beverages but have an undying love for soft drinks and juices, Bottomless Bubbles is a savior. A favorite among families and those looking to keep things light and fizzy.

Water Package

Staying hydrated is essential, especially with all the activities and sun-soaking you’ll be doing. Carnival’s Water Package ensures you have premium bottled water, still or sparkling, at your beck and call.

The Fine Print Matters

Each Carnival drink plan comes with its own set of terms and conditions.

There might be daily limits on the number of drinks, specific exclusions, or even gratuity costs. It’s essential to be well-acquainted with these to ensure a smooth sailing experience.

Flexibility is Key

While Carnival drink plans provide a sense of predictability to your cruise expenses, it’s always good to remember that they’re not mandatory.

You have the flexibility to choose a la carte options or even switch between plans, based on your consumption patterns and preferences.

By now, you might be getting a sense of the vast ocean of choices Carnival presents to its cruisers. But fear not, in the upcoming sections, we’ll dive deeper into each plan, exploring their offerings, prices, and the value they bring to your cruise experience.

So, keep your glasses ready and let’s set forth into the world of Carnival drink plans! 🍹

Carnival CHEERS! Package

Alright, fellow travelers, let’s pop the cork and dive into one of Carnival’s most sought-after Carnival drink plans: the illustrious CHEERS! Package.

If you’ve ever dreamt of sipping a wide variety of beverages while cruising through azure waters, this might just be your golden ticket. Let’s embark on this flavorful journey together.

What Exactly Is the CHEERS! Package?

The CHEERS! Package is Carnival’s premium all-inclusive beverage program. Think of it as your VIP pass to a world of delightful drinks, be they spirited concoctions or refreshing non-alcoholic choices.

The Boozy Bits

• Cocktails: Whether it’s a tangy margarita or a classic mojito, the list is extensive.
• Wines by the Glass: Red, white, or bubbly – the choice is yours!
• Beers: From craft to mainstream, there’s something for every beer lover.
• Spirits and Liqueurs: Premium brands make it to the list, so you can enjoy top-shelf quality.
• A heads-up: There’s usually a per-drink price cap, so ultra-premium drinks might be excluded. Always check the drink menu for clarity.

Beyond the Booze

• Specialty Coffees and Teas: For those cozy sea mornings or afternoons.
• Soft Drinks: Quench your thirst with a range of sodas.
• Juices: Freshly squeezed or bottled, they’re the perfect morning companion.
• Energy Drinks: Need a pick-me-up? They’ve got you covered.

Daily Price and Potential Savings

With a set daily fee, the CHEERS! Package can be a cost-effective choice, especially for those who intend to enjoy several drinks a day. If you break down the math, after a few cocktails, wines, and other beverages, you’ll find the Carnival drink plan pays for itself.

The Carnival drink plan can be purchased for your entire cruise at a rate of $59.95 USD per person, per day in purchased on Carnival’s website and $64.95 USD per person, per day if purchased on board.

The Not-So-Fine Print

• Daily Limits: There’s typically a cap on the number of alcoholic drinks you can order within a 24-hour period.
• Sharing Restrictions: The plan is per person, so no sharing drinks with others. Carnival’s vigilant about this.
• Gratuities: Often, a percentage is added to the Carnival drink plan price for gratuities.
• Duration of the Cruise: The package needs to be purchased for the entirety of the cruise.

Tips to Maximize the CHEERS! Package

• Explore the drink menu early on to identify your favorites.
• Remember to hydrate. With so much alcohol available, drinking water becomes crucial.
• Space out your drinks to enjoy them throughout the day and avoid rapid intoxication.

In conclusion, the CHEERS! Package is for those who love variety, convenience, and value in their drinking experience aboard Carnival. It turns your cruise into a flavorful voyage, offering a medley of choices to suit any mood, any time of the day.

So, the next time you’re gazing at the horizon with a drink in hand, here’s hoping it’s a CHEERS! drink, and it’s absolutely perfect. 🍸🥂🍹

Carnival Bottomless Bubbles

Step aside, alcohol enthusiasts! For those who love their drinks fizzy, refreshing, and non-alcoholic, the Carnival Bottomless Bubbles package promises an effervescent experience.

It’s time to uncork the carbonation and explore what this bubbly package has in store.

What’s the Fizz About Bottomless Bubbles?

At its effervescent heart, the Bottomless Bubbles package is all about unlimited soft drinks and juices.

A perfect Carnival drink plan for those sun-soaked days aboard when you just need that thirst-quenching soda or a refreshing juice to perk up.

Bubbling Over with Choices

• Soft Drinks: From classic colas to zesty lemon-lime flavors, there’s a soda for every palate.
• Juices: Whether you’re craving the tang of orange, the sweetness of apple, or the tropical punch of pineapple, you’re in for a treat.

Daily Pricing and the Bubbly Benefits

With a nominal daily fee, Bottomless Bubbles offers an economical way for soda lovers to keep their glasses full. Especially for those who find themselves ordering several sodas a day, the package quickly proves its value.

Carnival bottomless bubbles starts at $6.95 per child per day and  $9.50 per adult per day .

Ideal for the Young and Young-at-Heart

While adults can appreciate a good soda, this package is particularly appealing to families with kids. No need to worry every time your child asks for another soda; it’s all covered!

The Carbonated Caveats

• No Sharing: Much like the CHEERS! Package, Bottomless Bubbles is strictly for the person who’s purchased it. Sharing is a no-go.
• Cup Restrictions: Drinks are often served in specific cups, not in cans or bottles.
• Duration: As with other drink packages, you’re typically required to purchase Bottomless Bubbles for the entire duration of the cruise.

Tips for the Optimal Bubbly Experience

• Mix and Match: Experiment by mixing different sodas or adding a splash of juice to create your own signature drink.
• Stay Hydrated: While sodas are refreshing, don’t forget to balance it out with water to stay properly hydrated.
• Go Beyond Meals: While sodas are a popular meal companion, remember that with Bottomless Bubbles, you can enjoy them any time of the day, whether it’s while watching a show, lounging by the pool, or simply relaxing on your balcony.

In a sea of alcoholic offerings, Bottomless Bubbles emerges as a refreshing beacon for those who love their drinks simple, sweet, and sparkling.

Whether you’re a teen wanting unlimited access to your favorite cola, a parent looking for hassle-free options for your kids, or just someone who loves the fizz, this package bubbles up as a clear winner!🥤🍹🍎🍊

Carnival’s Water Package

Amidst the shimmering cocktails and effervescent sodas, water – the most basic yet essential of beverages – holds its own significant place. When you’re cruising, hydration is key.

And that’s where Carnival’s Water Package steps in, ensuring that you’re well-hydrated throughout your voyage. Let’s dive into the refreshing details of this package.

The Essence of the Water Package

The Water Package is a straightforward offering from Carnival: a provision of premium bottled water, either still or sparkling, delivered directly to your stateroom or suite.

Quality and Choices

• Still Water: Purified, clear, and refreshing, it’s the ultimate thirst quencher.
• Sparkling Water: For those who like a little fizz in their hydration, sparkling water offers a bubbly alternative.

Packaging and Volume

Carnival typically provides water in larger bottles, ensuring you have enough to last through the day. Whether you’re heading out on an excursion or just lounging on the deck, these bottles are perfect to carry along.

Pricing and Value

Purchasing water bottle by bottle on board can quickly add up. The Water Package, with its bulk offering, provides a more economical solution for those who prioritize staying hydrated with quality bottled water.

A pack of 12 natural spring water bottles starts at $9.95 .

A Must for Excursion Days

When you’re off the ship exploring ports and engaging in activities, having bottled water on hand is essential. The Water Package allows you to grab a bottle or two before disembarking, ensuring you’re well-equipped for your adventures.

Things to Consider

• Environmental Impact: While bottled water offers convenience, it’s worth being mindful of the plastic usage. Consider using a refillable water bottle to minimize plastic waste.
• Pre-Ordering: For the best deals and to ensure availability, consider pre-ordering the Water Package before you embark on your cruise.

Tips for Staying Hydrated

• Balance Out: If you’re indulging in alcoholic beverages or salty foods, increase your water intake to maintain hydration.
• Stay Active: With so many activities on board, from dancing to swimming, remember to replenish with water regularly.
• Listen to Your Body: Thirst, dry skin, and fatigue can all be signs that you need to hydrate. Keep a bottle of water handy and sip throughout the day.

In the vast beverage landscape of Carnival drink plans, the Water Package stands as a testament to the basics, reminding us that sometimes, pure, simple water is all we need.

Especially in the warm glow of the sun, amidst the salty sea breeze, having that bottle of refreshing water by your side is nothing short of a luxury. So, here’s raising a glass (or bottle) to the pure, revitalizing charm of Carnival’s Water Package! 🚢🌊💧🥤

Ala Carte Options

Alright, travelers, while Carnival drink plan deals are a brilliant way to streamline your onboard drinking experience, sometimes you just want to pick and choose on a whim.

This is where the ala carte options step in, offering flexibility and a la mode choices for those spontaneous cravings. Ready to order à la carte? Let’s delve into the delicious details.

What’s on the Ala Carte Menu?

Simply put, it’s Carnival’s wide-ranging beverage menu where you pay for each drink you order. No commitments, no packages—just spontaneous choices, one drink at a time.

The Spirited Selection

• Cocktails: From signature Carnival concoctions to timeless classics, order whatever catches your fancy.
• Wines by the Glass or Bottle: Whether you’re in the mood for a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a deep Cabernet, the world of wines is at your fingertips.
• Craft and Commercial Beers: Whether it’s a hoppy IPA or a smooth lager, there’s something for every beer enthusiast.
• Premium Spirits: If you’re in the mood for something neat or on the rocks, choose from an impressive list of spirits.

Non-Alcoholic Treats

• Mocktails: All the flavor without the alcohol—these are refreshing and delightful.
• Specialty Coffees & Teas: Yes, even outside the package, you can order these individually.
• Soft Drinks & Juices: Perfect for a quick refreshment.

Prices vary based on the drink, its brand, and composition. While some might find ala carte pricing on the higher side compared to land-based establishments, remember you’re on a cruise ship with everything brought to you seamlessly.

Sample of beverage prices from Carnival’s site – prices and product availability are subject to change without notice.

• Beer: starts at $6.50 (most of the time, 16-ounces)
• Wine by the glass: starts at $9.50
• Mixed Drinks: $7.50 – $20.00
• Specialty Cocktails: starts at $10.50 (excluding souvenir glassware and premium selections)
• Soft Drinks: $2.75
• Specialty Coffees: $2.50 – $4.25
• Energy Drinks: $4.95
• Water (San Benedetto bottled water and Coconut Water): $1.50 – $5.00

Where to Find Ala Carte Menus

Menus are available at all onboard bars, lounges, dining rooms, and specialty restaurants. Feel free to peruse and order to your heart’s content.

Tips for the Ala Carte Experience

• Explore Different Venues: Different bars and lounges might have their signature cocktails or specialties.
• Ask for Recommendations: The onboard bartenders are skilled and often have great recommendations based on your taste preferences.
• Happy Hours: Keep an eye out for any happy hour deals or specials—they’re a great way to enjoy premium drinks at a fraction of the cost.
• Balance It Out: If you’re choosing the ala carte route, remember to keep track of your spending to manage your budget.

Tips for Choosing the Right Carnival Drink Plan

Hey there, cruise aficionados! With the vast ocean of drink packages that Carnival offers, you might feel a tad overwhelmed. But fear not, for we’re here to anchor your decisions to find the perfect Carnival drink plan.

Choosing the right drink plan can make your cruising experience more fluid (pun intended), cost-effective, and utterly enjoyable. Ready to set sail on this decision-making journey? Let’s dive right in.

1. Evaluate Your Drinking Habits:

• Frequent Sipper? If you find yourself frequently reaching for a drink throughout the day, a package might offer better value.
• Occasional Indulgence? If you’re more of an occasional drinker, the ala carte option might be more fitting.

2. Consider the Cruise Duration: The length of your cruise can influence your choice. On shorter trips, you might splurge more, making packages worthwhile. On longer voyages, you may pace yourself differently.

3. Do the Math: Break down the daily cost of the package versus the average cost of drinks you’re likely to consume. Sometimes, even if you drink just a bit above average, a package offers a clear saving.

4. Think Beyond Alcohol: Remember, it’s not just about cocktails and beers. Consider your consumption of non-alcoholic beverages like sodas, specialty coffees, bottled water, and juices.

5. Account for Port Days: On days when you’re exploring off the ship at your cruise ports , you might not use your drink package as much. Factor these days into your calculations.

6. Check for Promotions: Carnival often runs promotions or discounts on their beverage packages. Keep an eye out for these, especially if you book in advance.

7. Factor in Convenience: Packages offer the luxury of not having to sign a bill with each order or constantly track your expenses. For many, this hassle-free experience is worth the price.

8. Weigh Family Needs: If traveling with family, especially kids, consider their beverage needs. Packages like Bottomless Bubbles can be great for younger members.

9. Don’t Forget the Fine Print: Each package comes with its terms and conditions. Some might have a drink limit per day, restrictions on sharing, or specific drink choices. Ensure you’re okay with these details.

10. Ask Around: Engage with fellow cruisers on forums like Cruise Critic or social media. Their experiences can offer insights and recommendations.

11. Stay Flexible: Remember, you’re not locked into a decision. You can often adjust or change your drink package once onboard, especially in the first day or two of the cruise.

12. Balance Budget with Experience: While being budget-conscious is wise, also consider the overall experience. Sometimes, spending a tad more provides peace of mind and enhances enjoyment.

Navigating the High Seas of Carnival’s Beverage Choices

And there we have it, fellow voyagers—our comprehensive guide to the delightful world of Carnival drink plans. As the sun sets on our virtual cruise through beverage options, let’s take a moment to savor the journey.

Cruising is all about experiences—each wave bringing a new story, each deck offering a different view. And intertwined with these moments are the sips that quench our thirst, the toasts that mark our celebrations, and the brews that warm our souls.

So, as you gear up for your next Carnival cruise, remember this guide, pick your perfect beverage plan, and set sail towards horizon-filled days and starlit nights. Here’s to the adventures that await, the stories that will unfold, and the drinks that will accompany every tale.

Cheers to the waves, the memories, and the drinks that fuel our journeys! 🍹🚢🌊🥂🌌 Safe travels and smooth sipping ahead!

FAQs on Carnival Drink Plans

Navigating the sea of beverage choices aboard a Carnival cruise? Here’s a handy FAQ section that answers some of the most commonly asked questions about Carnival drink plans. From package specifics to payment details, we’ve got you covered.

Can I purchase a drink plan before my cruise begins?

Absolutely! Carnival often allows guests to pre-purchase drink packages before embarking on their voyage, sometimes at a promotional or discounted rate.

If I buy a drink package, does everyone in my cabin have to buy one too?

For certain packages, like the CHEERS! package, if one adult in a cabin purchases it, all adults (21 years and older) in the same cabin must also purchase it.

Are there any daily limits on the number of drinks I can order with the CHEERS! package?

Yes, the CHEERS! package typically has a limit, which as of the last update was 15 alcoholic drinks per 24-hour period. This resets each day at 6 a.m.

Can I share my drink package with someone else?

No, sharing is not allowed. Drink packages are designed for individual use. Any misuse might lead to the package being revoked without a refund.

Are there non-alcoholic options included in the CHEERS! package?

Absolutely! The CHEERS! package also includes sodas, juices, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas, and bottled water.

I’m traveling with kids. Is the Bottomless Bubbles package suitable for them?

Definitely! Bottomless Bubbles is a non-alcoholic beverage package that includes unlimited sodas and select juices. It’s great for kids and adults alike.

How does the pricing for ala carte drinks compare to the drink packages?

Ala carte drinks are priced individually. Depending on your consumption, a drink package might offer better value. It’s a good idea to compare the cost of the package with your expected daily consumption.

Are gratuities included in the drink package price?

Typically, a set percentage of gratuity is already included in the price of Carnival’s drink packages. However, any additional gratuity for exceptional service is at your discretion.

Can I switch between Carnival drink plans during the cruise?

Generally, changes can be made during the first day or two of the cruise. After that, modifications might not be allowed. It’s best to check with the guest services once on board.

Are there any exclusions or drinks not covered by the drink packages?

Yes, each package has its terms and conditions. For instance, the CHEERS! package may exclude beverages priced over a certain limit, and it might not cover drinks from the mini-bar or room service.

I don’t drink alcohol. Is there a package tailored to my needs?

Absolutely! Carnival offers packages like the Bottomless Bubbles for unlimited sodas and juices, as well as the Specialty Coffee & More Plan for coffee enthusiasts.

I’m considering the Specialty Coffee & More Plan. Is it available on all ships?

Most of Carnival’s fleet offers this package. However, availability might vary. It’s wise to check the specifics for your ship before purchase.

Are drink packages refundable if I change my mind?

If you’ve pre-purchased a package and wish to cancel, there is usually a window (e.g., 48 hours) before your cruise’s departure to do so for a full refund. Once onboard, the terms might vary, so always check with guest services.

Are Carnival drink plans available for purchase on the day of boarding?

Yes! While you can pre-purchase drink packages prior to your cruise, they are also available for purchase on boarding day and often for the first day or two once you’re onboard.

Can I use my drink package on Carnival’s private islands or ports of call?

Generally, the CHEERS! package can be used on Carnival’s private islands, like Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays. However, it’s not valid at other ports of call. Always check specifics for your itinerary.

Do drink packages cover tasting events, like wine tastings?

No, special events or tasting sessions usually have separate charges and aren’t covered under the regular drink packages.

I’m a part of the VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Club. Are there any exclusive drink offers or discounts for members?

The benefits for VIFP members may vary, and while they receive various perks, exclusive drink offers are not typically a standard benefit. However, it’s always good to check any promotional material or communications in case there are limited-time offers.

What happens if I reach my daily alcoholic drink limit on the CHEERS! package?

Once you’ve reached your daily limit, you won’t be able to get any more alcoholic drinks as part of the package that day. However, you can still purchase additional drinks ala carte.

Are drink packages available on all Carnival cruise durations?

Mostly, yes. However, on certain short-duration cruises (like 2-day cruises), the availability of certain packages might differ. Always check before booking.

Do the drink packages cover drinks at specialty dining venues onboard?

Yes, if you have a drink package like CHEERS!, you can use it at the onboard specialty dining venues. However, there might be exceptions or exclusions for certain high-end drinks or bottles.

Can I buy a drink package as a gift for someone else cruising?

Absolutely! You can purchase a drink package as a gift for someone else. Ensure you have their booking details, and you can make the purchase through the Carnival website or over the phone.

What happens if I don’t use all the benefits of my Carnival drink plan during the cruise?

Drink packages are sold as an all-inclusive deal, and there isn’t a refund for unused benefits. It’s essential to gauge your likely consumption and choose the best value package for your needs.

Are mocktails and virgin versions of cocktails included in the drink packages?

Yes, most drink packages, including CHEERS!, cover non-alcoholic beverages, which means you can enjoy mocktails and virgin versions of popular cocktails without any additional charges.

Can I bring my drinks from the ship to the ports of call or vice versa?

Typically, guests aren’t allowed to bring drinks from the ship to the ports or from the ports back to the ship. There are specific policies about bringing alcohol onboard, which usually requires it to be checked and returned at the end of the cruise.

Are drink packages prorated if purchased partway through the cruise?

Yes! If you decide to purchase a Carnival drink plan partway through your cruise, you’ll typically pay the daily price.

Choosing the right drink package is a mix of understanding your personal preferences, doing a little math, and considering the added convenience.

These FAQs aim to provide clarity, ensuring you have the best possible experience during your Carnival cruise. So, fill your glass, raise a toast, and let the good times sail! 🍹🚢🥂🌊

Tips and information to help you get excited about your next cruise vacation

25 Best Carnival Cruise Drinks – Cheers!

Whether you’re lounging by the pool or enjoying the ocean view, nothing says vacation like a delicious cocktail, especially the tropical flavored ones. We have put together a list of what we think are the best Carnival cruise drinks. You are gonna want to make a list for your next cruise.

Many of the below can be made into non-alcoholic beverages.

I’m not saying you should have all of these drinks on your next cruise vacation. Please drink responsibly, it is meant only to give you an idea of something new to try and to remind you of some old favorites.

Carnival cruise drinks you will want to try

Twilight zone.

This one not only looks great, it tastes great. It is definitely a sweeter drink.

It is made with Bacardi rum, melon liqueur, Blue Curaçao, coconut cream and pineapple .

Kiss on the Lips

While it can feel odd saying “Can I please have a kiss on the lips”, the drink is worth it.

This is a blend of mango purée, Peach Schnapps, and grenadine.

This is the perfect drink when you can’t decide between a pina colada and a strawberry daiquiri as it’s half of each. This is a rum based drink.

Frog’s Paradise

This green goodness is on the Red Frog Rum Bar menu.

Frog’s Paradise is made with Brugal Añejo rum, Malibu coconut rum, Blue Curaçao, pineapple juice, citrus, and a splash of Starry.

Sex on the Beach

Stoli Vodka, Peach Schnapps, orange juice and cranberry juice make this one fruity and delicious.

The Cruiser

I tried The Cruiser on the last Carnival cruise ship I was on (the Panorama), and was wishing I had tried this one sooner. It’s very tropical and very yummy.

It is a mix of Stoli Vodka, Malibu coconut rum, Peach Schnapps, cranberry, orange and pineapple juice.

Blue Hawaiian

I prefer the frozen Blue Hawaiian much better than the mixed version.

This tropical beverage is made with rum, Blue Curaçao, cream of coconut, and pineapple juice.

9 Surprising things to bring on a Carnival cruise

59 Awesome cruise shirts

Must-have cruise essentials

Adult cruise scavenger hunt

Bahama Mama

A Bahama Mama is a tropical drink made with Flor de Caña rum, Malibu coconut rum, grenadine, orange and pineapple juices.

Cucumber Sunrise

This is a popular crafted cocktail from the Alchemy Bar.

This light and flavorful drink is made with watermelon nectar, muddled cucumber, fresh squeezed lime juice, and a splash of orange juice.

This is another one of the specialty cocktails from the Alchemy Bar.

The Remedy is a combination of Myer’s Dark rum, Malibu coconut rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, and fresh lime juice.

Ocean Drive

This beautiful blue cocktail is from Bar 820 on the Carnival Celebration. Other Carnival ships likely will have it as well.

The recipe for this one is Bacardi limon rum, Blue Curaçao, white cranberry juice, and lime .

Mango Swirl

This frozen beverage is on the Serenity bar menu. It is Bacardi rum, pina colada, and mango mango purée .

Blue’s Blue Margarita

If you like margaritas, try Blue’s Blue Margarita from the Blue Iguana Tequila Bar. It is a combination of Trombo Blanco tequila, Blue Curaçao, simple syrup and lime juice.

Caribbean Colada

Flor de Caña rum, Bacardi 8 rum, banana, coconut and pineapple make up a Caribbean Colada. Find these at either poolside bar.

Watermelon Crush

I found this drink on the menu of the Watering Hole on Carnival Celebration.

A watermelon crush is made with Tito’s vodka, fresh lemon juice, watermelon syrup, and fresh watermelon .

If you are looking for a refreshing classic cocktail try a mojito from the Havana bar. A mojito is made with Bacardi Limon, fresh lime, muddled mint, and club soda.

Carnival Cosmo

I found this to be quite a strong drink, actually almost too strong for me. Skyy Vodka, Limoncello, and cranberry juice make up the Carnival cosmo.

Berry Sangria

This one surprised me. I am not a huge fan of red wine but wanted to give it a try and I absolutely loved it.

They use Beso Del Sol red wine, pomegranate liqueur, and blackcurrant syrup.

Pina Colada

You can’t have a list of the best Carnival cruise drinks and not mention the good ol’ pina colada. This coconut tasting frozen tropical cocktail from a pool bar is often my first drink on embarkation day. It is a rum based drink that is the perfect kick off to a cruise vacation.

Restorative Basil Drop

This is another concoction from the Alchemy bar. While drinks from the Alchemy bar are more expensive, they are high quality and delicious.

A restorative basil drop is made with Ciroc vodka, fresh basil, simple syrup, and fresh citrus .

Perfect Storm

This is found on the Alchemy bar menu. Captain Morgan spiced rum, Bacardi rum, strawberry purée, fresh lime, and a rosemary sprig complete this cocktail.

The great thing about the Alchemy bar drinks is that all the ones listed here come in a non-alcoholic version. They use Lyre’s spirits, which are non-alcoholic spirits in place of the alcohol mentioned. They are so delicious. It is a great option for those who can’t drink, choose not to, or want to mix in some mocktails with regular drinks.

Mango Magic

Mango magic is a frozen beverage made with Bacardi rum, Captain Morgan spiced rum, mango and citrus.

Blended Caribbean Rum Cream

I tried this dessert like cocktail at the Red Frog Pub on the Carnival Radiance. It is a delicious blend of Kahlua, Irish cream, chocolate liqueur and Bacardi rum.

Strawberry Daiquiri

This is a classic Carnival cruise drink that many are probably familiar with but it still deserves a mention. Bacardi rum, strawberries, simple syrup, and citrus make up this frozen cocktail.

Craft Beers

Select Carnival Cruise Line ships have a brewery on board. They offer brewery tours in addition to beer flight samples (extra cost). Give the craft Parched Pig beers a try.

Ultimate printable cruise planner

21 Best things to bring on a cruise

How to celebrate a birthday on a cruise

Carnival cruise deck parties

23 extra costs on a cruise

Carnival cruise drink costs

The above drinks (except the beer samples) are included in Cheers, the Carnival drink package. The drinks package currently is $59.95USD per day plus the auto gratuity of 18%, if purchased before your cruise starts. It is usually more expensive onboard. There are some rules to the Cheers beverage program that you can read about on Carnival’s website .

If you choose to purchase individual drinks, the cost varies per drink. You can expect to pay $12 – $12.75 for most of these drinks. Alchemy bar drinks are currently $14. These rates are plus the automatic gratuity of 18%. Rates can obviously change.

The other beverage package Carnival has is the Bottomless Bubbles package, this is their soda package.

I hope this list of the best Carnival cruise drinks has helped you get excited about your next cruise vacation.

Cruise essentials found on Amazon

First cruise tips – things to know before your first cruise

What to wear on a Carnival cruise (Caribbean)

All white cruise outfits perfect for the white night party

Cruise drink packages: A line-by-line guide

It's easy to run up a monster bill ordering wine, beer and mixed drinks by the glass on a cruise ship. The cost of alcoholic drinks on cruise vessels — particularly cocktails — can be pricey. But for those who regularly order several alcoholic drinks a day when cruising, there's a way to save: a flat-fee drink package.

Nearly all the major mass-market cruise lines offer flat-fee drink packages that, in some cases, can save you money when cruising. The exceptions are Disney Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages , though both offer alternative ways to save on beverage purchases.

What's included in a cruise ship drink package, and how do they work? And, perhaps more to the point, how much do cruise drink packages cost? Read on for the answers in this ultimate guide to cruise drink packages.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

For a line-by-line guide to drink package costs, inclusions, limitations and fine print, scroll to the second half of the guide.

What is a drink package on a cruise ship?

Cruise ship drink packages let you order as many drinks as you want while on a cruise for one flat fee. This takes the place of paying for drinks one at a time.

At some lines, there are several tiers of drink packages. Basic tiers often include just sodas and bottled water. More elaborate (and expensive) tiers will add alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails, wine, beer and specialty coffee drinks. In some cases, there will be more than one tier of such all-encompassing plans.

Some lines also offer coffee cards that let you get a fixed number of fancy coffee drinks at a shipboard coffee bar for a discounted price. Some also offer wine-specific packages.

How much do alcoholic drink packages cost on cruise ships?

The cost of cruise ship drink packages varies widely by line. At several of the biggest cruise brands, including Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America , the main drink packages that include all types of drinks cost about $60 per person per day. Other brands, such as Norwegian Cruise Line , charge as much as $138 per person per day for a top-tier package.

Drink packages that don't include alcoholic drinks, such as soda packages, typically cost far less. Soda packages often are under $10 per person per day. Note that some cruise lines discount drink packages if you buy them online in advance of sailing, and others offer periodic sales on their drink packages online.

Related: How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise

Can you buy drinks on a cruise without a drink package?

Yes. All major cruise lines will let you buy drinks on an a la carte basis when cruising. You don't need a drink package to be able to drink alcoholic beverages or any other type of beverage on a ship.

Can you share a drink package on a cruise ship?

In many cases, no. Several of the biggest cruise lines, including Carnival, Holland America and MSC Cruises, have a rule that if one adult in a cabin orders a drink package, all adults in the cabin must order the package. This is to prevent two or more people in a cabin from sharing a single drink package.

Two lines that notably don't have such a rule are Princess Cruises and Windstar Cruises . Technically, you are not supposed to use your package to buy drinks for other people.

Are drink packages on cruise ships really unlimited?

It depends. Some cruise lines, such as Carnival, limit the number of alcoholic drinks that any one person can order using a drink package to 15 in a day. That is, of course, an enormous number — more than most people will ever want to order.

Related: The 8 best drinks to order with a cruise ship beverage package

Where can you use a cruise ship drink package?

Cruise ship drink packages generally are honored anywhere you can order a drink on a ship — think bars, lounges and eateries. However, you usually can't use them when ordering room service. They also generally don't apply to drinks taken out of cabin minibars. Be sure to check the fine print in your particular line's drink package before placing an order for a drink to your room.

Some cruise lines also let you use your packages when visiting their private islands .

A line-by-line guide to cruise drink packages

Below is a line-by-line look at available drink packages at the major lines that offer them. Note that the pricing listed is per person per day. In cases where a line offers more than one drink package, we've highlighted the most inclusive package in detail while also noting other packages cruisers can consider.

Carnival Cruise Line drink package

Package name: Cheers! Beverage Program

Cost per day: $64.95 when purchased on board, not including an 18% automatic gratuity charge; $59.95 plus the gratuity charge when purchased in advance of sailing

Available on: All ships except those sailing in Europe or Australia

What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and most bottled water. The package also features a 25% discount on wine bottle purchases.

Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $20

Fine print: More expensive drinks are available at a 25% discount. If one adult in a cabin purchases the package, all adults in the same cabin also must purchase it. There's a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per person in a 24-hour period.

Celebrity Cruises drink package

Package name: Premium Drink Package

Cost per day: $109, not including a 20% automatic gratuity charge, for passengers who have purchased a cruise-only rate. Passengers staying in the premium Retreat areas on Celebrity ships receive the Premium Drink Package for free.

Available on: All ships except those in the Galapagos (where drinks are included in the fare)

What it includes: A large selection of beers including craft beers, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, Coca-Cola products, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and premium bottled water. The package also offers a 20% discount on wine bottle purchases.

Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $17

Other packages: Celebrity also offers a less inclusive "classic" drink package that is included in the fare for its sailings if you choose the All Included fare (rather than the cruise-only fare). When purchased separately, it costs $89 per person per day, not including a 20% automatic gratuity charge.

Fine print: Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars. Drinks ordered through room service also aren't included.

Related: These cruise ship bars are not to be missed when cruising

Holland America drink package

Package name: Elite Beverage Package

Cost per day: $59.99, not including an 18% gratuity charge

Available on: All ships

What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and bottled water

Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $15

Other packages: The slightly less expensive Signature Beverage Package only includes drinks costing up to $11. It costs $54.95 per day. In addition, the line offers a nonalcoholic drink package called Quench that brings unlimited bottled water, juices, specialty coffees, Coke products and mocktails. It costs $17.95 per day. There's also a Coca-Cola Products package available that covers purchases of Coke products on ships for $8 per day.

Fine print: If one adult in a cabin purchases a package, all adults in the same cabin also must purchase it. Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars or ordered through room service. The package is not valid on Holland America's private island, Half Moon Cay, or for minibar charges.

Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles

MSC Cruises drink package

Package name: Premium Extra Package

Cost per day: $85 for sailings of seven nights or more if booked in advance; $100 if booked on board. Pricing is $88 and $104, respectively, for sailings of six or fewer nights.

What it includes: Drinks by the glass including draft, craft and bottled beer; a selection of wine and Champagne by the glass; premium-brand spirits, liqueurs and cordials; a variety of frozen and classic cocktails; soda; juices; nonalcoholic cocktails; energy drinks; hot chocolate drinks; specialty coffees; teas; and bottled water. The package also offers a 25% discount on wine and Champagne bottle purchases.

Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $16

Other packages: A less expensive Easy Plus package is available that only includes drinks priced up to $10. It costs $61 per day for sailings of seven nights or longer when booked in advance ($72 when booked on board). Easy Plus package pricing for shorter sailings is $64 per day ($76 when booked on board).

An even cheaper Easy package is available. It only includes a limited number of drinks and is not valid in extra-charge specialty restaurants. It costs $46 to $60 per day, depending on when it's booked and the length of the sailing.

MSC Cruises does not add service charges to drink package purchases, in contrast to the policy at most lines.

Fine print: If one person in a cabin purchases a package, all people in the same cabin or traveling group also must purchase a package (children in cabins will be charged for a less expensive, nonalcoholic package). Packages are not available on sailings shorter than three nights, with the exception of South America sailings. Note that the package is valid on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve , MSC Cruises' private island in the Bahamas.

Related: Can I bring my own alcohol onto a cruise ship?

Norwegian Cruise Line drink package

Package name: Premium Plus Beverage Package

Cost per day: $138, not including a 20% gratuity charge

Available on: All ships except Pride of America

What it includes: All beverages by the glass (top-shelf spirits, cocktails, beer and wine) and select premium bottles of Champagne and wine. Also includes unlimited Starbucks coffee and specialty drinks, bottled water, soda, juices and energy drinks. There's a 40% discount on other bottles of wine as well.

Limitations related to drink cost: None

Other packages: Norwegian has one less inclusive, less expensive alcoholic beverage package. The Unlimited Open Bar Beverage Package, priced at $109 per day, adds spirits and cocktails priced up to $15. This is the drink package that many travelers get comped as part of Norwegian's Free at Sea promotion (though you still have to pay 20% of the package price for gratuities). In addition, the Hawaii -based Pride of America has a single drink package that costs $109 per day.

Fine print: If one passenger in a cabin purchases a package, everyone in the same cabin as well as other cabins tied to the same method of payment must purchase the package, too. Children are charged for a less expensive, nonalcoholic package. Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars or ordered through room service. Beverage packages can be used on Norwegian's private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay.

Related: My strange night out at Norwegian's new 'zero waste' cruise ship bar

Oceania Cruises drink package

Package name: Prestige Select Beverage Package

Cost per day: $30, including gratuities

What it includes: Under Oceania's relatively new "simply MORE" value promise, all passengers receive a House Select beverage package for free with their booking that lets passengers order Champagne, wine and beer with lunch and dinner at onboard restaurants. For $30 more, passengers can then upgrade to the Prestige Select package that allows for ordering beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks and cocktails at any time. Soda, bottled water and specialty coffees already are included in the fare on Oceania sailings. The Prestige Select package also comes with a 20% discount to wine-pairing dinners on Oceania's Marina and Riviera.

Other packages: As noted above, a House Select package — which covers Champagne, wine and beer with lunch and dinner at onboard restaurants — is included in the fare when booking an Oceania cruise as part of the line's relatively new "simply MORE" program.

Fine print: None

Princess Cruises drink package

Package name: Premier Beverage Package

Cost per day: $84.99, not including an 18% gratuity charge (Princess calls these "crew appreciation" charges). On Australia cruises, the package costs 140 Australian dollars (about $89) per day. There is no gratuity charge on the Australian package.

What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, soda including canned soda, juices including juice bar offerings, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, smoothies, milkshakes, specialty coffees, teas and bottled water. The package also brings a 25% discount on wine bottle purchases.

Limitations related to drink cost: Drinks that cost $20 or under are included. Passengers who order drinks that cost more than $20 must pay the difference between the purchase price and $20. For packages on Australia sailings, the cost cutoff is 30 Australian dollars.

Other packages: Princess also offers a less pricey Plus Beverage package that can be used for drinks priced up to $15 (20 Australian dollars on Australian sailings). It's priced at $64.99 (110 Australian dollars on Australian sailings).

Fine print: There's a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per day.

Royal Caribbean drink package

Package name: Deluxe Beverage Package

Cost per day: $56 to $105, not including an 18% gratuity charge (pricing varies by ship and itinerary)

Available on: All Royal Caribbean ships

What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, spirits, mixed drinks, cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and premium bottled water. The package also offers a 40% discount on wine bottle purchases for bottles priced up to $100. More expensive bottles come with a 20% discount.

Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $14

Fine print: If one adult of legal drinking age in a cabin or traveling under the same booking number purchases a package, all adults of legal drinking age in the same cabin also must purchase it. Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars or those ordered through room service. Drinks served in souvenir glassware, specialty beers and beverages served inside licensed Starbucks stores on ships are not covered by the package. Beverage packages can be used on Royal Caribbean's private islands, Perfect Day at Coco Cay and Labadee .

Viking drink package

Package name: Silver Spirits Beverage Package

Cost per day: $25, including gratuities

Available on: All ships, including river and expedition ships

What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks and cocktails priced at up to $18. Soda, beer and house wines by the glass ordered at lunch and dinner are already included in the fare at Viking; so are specialty coffees and teas at all hours. The package also brings a 15% discount on wine bottles and premium beverages costing more than $15 that aren't included in the package.

Limitations related to drink cost: Cannot be used for drinks priced over $18

Windstar Cruises drink package

Package name: Captain's Exclusive Beverage Package

Cost per day: $65, not including an 18% gratuity charge. Windstar also has begun offering optional All-Inclusive Pricing rates for cruises that include unlimited drinks at no extra charge.

What it includes: Beer, wine by the glass, spirits and cocktails. Soda, specialty coffees and other nonalcoholic beverages are already included in the fare on Windstar sailings. The package also brings a 30% discount on wine bottle purchases for bottles costing up to $100.

Other packages: The less costly Topmast Discoveries Beer and Wine Package, at $55 per day, includes a choice of beers and premium wines but not spirits and cocktails. Windstar also offers an All-Inclusive Fares add-on package that gives passengers included drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities for an upcharge of $89 per day.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Cruise Tips For Families & Single Cruisers

Things to Know Before You Cruise

Cunard Drinks Packages: Sip Or Skip? – A Comprehensive Guide

As a frequent cruiser, I always look for ways to make my vacation more enjoyable and convenient. One of the things that I consider is purchasing a drinks package.

When I booked a Cunard cruise, I was curious about their drinks packages and whether they are worth the investment. So, I did some research and put together this comprehensive guide for anyone who is considering a Cunard cruise and wants to know more about their drinks packages.

In this guide, I will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision. I will cover the different packages available, what is included and excluded, pricing and discounts, restrictions and rules, benefits and drawbacks, and even a comparison to other cruise lines.

I will also share my expert recommendations and a drinks package calculator to help you determine whether a Cunard drinks package is worth it for you.

So, if you want to know whether to sip or skip on a Cunard drinks package, keep reading.

• Cunard offers four main drinks packages ranging from $10 to $70 per person, per day, with options for soft drinks, speciality hot drinks, beer, wines, and spirits.
• Guests must have the same drinks package in a cabin, and sharing is not allowed.
• The package only covers bars and restaurants on the ship, not room service or onboard shops.
• Guests can use a drinks package calculator to determine if it is worth it for them, and the full terms and conditions can be read on the Cunard website.

Available Packages

I learned that Cunard offers four different drinks packages, each with its own perks and price point. The packages range from $10 to $70 per person, per day, and include soft drinks, speciality hot drinks, premium soft drinks, and beer, wines, and spirits options.

To help guests decide which package is best for them, Cunard provides a package comparison chart on their website. This chart compares the different packages side by side, outlining what is included in each and the associated cost.

In addition to the package comparison chart, Cunard also provides customer reviews of their drink packages on their website. This allows guests to hear directly from other cruisers about their experiences with the different packages. I found this to be a helpful resource when deciding which package to choose.

Overall, Cunard’s drinks packages offer a variety of options to suit different preferences and budgets.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Included in the drinks packages are all non-alcoholic drinks, a 20% discount on some drinks not included in the package, and up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day for guests who opt for the Beer, Wines and Spirits option. The Soft Drinks Option is good value for those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages, while the Premium Soft Drinks and Beer, Wines and Spirits options may be more appealing for those who want to indulge in a wider selection of drinks.

It is important to note that guests cannot share drinks packages, and adults in the same cabin must have the same package to prevent sharing. Children in the cabin do not need a drinks package, but sharing is also not allowed. Additionally, guests can only order one drink at a time, with a 10-minute wait in between. It is also important to remember that the package only covers bars and restaurants on the ship, not room service or onboard shops. Full terms and conditions of the drinks package can be read on the Cunard website.

Pricing and Discounts

The cost of drinks packages on Cunard cruises can add up quickly, but guests can receive a 20% discount on some drinks not included in the package.

The Soft Drinks Option is priced at $10 per person, per day, while the Premium Soft Drinks Option costs $30 per person, per day.

For those who enjoy alcoholic drinks, the Beer, Wines and Spirits Option is available at $70 per person, per day. This option includes up to 15 drinks daily up to the value of $13. Wine packages, such as the Captain’s Collection and Commodore’s Collection, are also available.

Guests can customize their packages according to their drink preferences and how often they plan to drink. It is important to note that drinks outside the package limit must be paid for at full price, minus the 20% discount.

Alternatively, guests can opt to pay for drinks individually, but this can quickly become expensive. As an alternative option, guests can bring one bottle of wine or Champagne onto the cruise. Free water, fruit juices, tea, and coffee are available during breakfast.

Restrictions and Rules

Guests should be aware that sharing the drinks package is not allowed and may result in the package being revoked without a refund. This is because the package is intended for individual use only, and sharing it would violate Cunard’s enforcement policies.

Furthermore, guests must also note that they can only order one drink at a time, with a 10-minute wait in between. This is to prevent abuse of the package and ensure that guests enjoy their drinks responsibly.

While some guests may find these restrictions inconvenient, they exist to ensure that everyone has a fair and enjoyable experience on board. In fact, many guests have reported positive experiences with Cunard’s drinks package, citing its convenience and value for money.

However, it’s important for guests to read and understand the rules and restrictions of the package before purchasing it, to avoid any misunderstandings or disappointments during their cruise.

Benefits and Drawbacks

As someone who enjoys a few drinks on a cruise, it’s important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of purchasing a drinks package.

The main advantage of a Cunard drinks package is the convenience it provides. With a package, guests don’t have to worry about the cost of each drink and can order as many as they want without constantly checking their onboard account. Additionally, the packages can offer good value, especially for those who plan to drink frequently throughout the cruise.

However, it’s important to note that the package may not be worth it for all guests, especially those who don’t drink as much or prefer to stick to non-alcoholic options.

To get a better idea of whether a Cunard drinks package is worth it, it’s helpful to look at customer reviews. Many guests report that the packages are a good investment, especially when compared to the high cost of individual drinks on the ship. However, some guests have had negative experiences with the packages, such as not being able to use them at certain bars or restaurants. Additionally, some guests have found that they didn’t drink enough to make the package worth the cost.

Ultimately, it’s up to each individual guest to weigh the pros and cons and decide whether a drinks package is right for them.

Comparison to Other Cruise Lines

Now that we’ve talked about the benefits and drawbacks of the Cunard drinks packages, let’s take a look at how they compare to other cruise lines.

It’s important to note that the prices of drinks packages vary widely between cruise lines, and what might be a good deal on one line might not be on another.

When compared to other luxury cruise lines such as Seabourn and Crystal, Cunard’s drinks package prices are relatively high. However, when compared to mainstream cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival, Cunard’s prices are in line with what you would expect.

Ultimately, whether or not the Cunard drinks package is worth it will depend on how often you plan to drink and what your budget is.

Pros of the package include the convenience of not having to worry about individual drink prices, while cons include the cost and restrictions on sharing.

Calculating Worth

To determine if it’s worth purchasing a drinks package, I usually use a calculator and input my estimated number of drinks per day and the cost per drink. This helps me compare the cost of the package to what I would spend if I bought drinks individually.

For example, if I were to purchase the Beer, Wines and Spirits Option for $70 a day, but I only plan to have one or two drinks a day, it may not be worth it. On the other hand, if I plan to indulge in several drinks a day, the package may save me money in the long run.

It’s important to consider personal drinking habits when deciding whether or not to purchase a drinks package. If you don’t drink alcohol, the Soft Drinks Option may be a good value for you. If you prefer premium drinks, the Premium Soft Drinks Option may be more beneficial as it offers a 20% discount on some drinks not included in the package.

It’s also important to keep in mind that the package only covers bars and restaurants on the ship, not room service or onboard shops. Ultimately, using a drinks package calculator and considering personal drinking habits can help guests determine if a Cunard drinks package is worth it for them.

Expert Recommendations

Personally, I find it helpful to follow the recommendations of cruise industry experts when deciding whether or not to purchase a drinks package. After all, they have the experience and knowledge to assess the value of the package and weigh its pros and cons. With that in mind, I highly recommend reading Mike Schimdt’s comprehensive guide to the Cunard drinks package on the Cruise Tips website. As an industry expert who has taken over 20 cruises, she provides valuable insights on the different packages available and helps readers determine if they are worth it based on their drinking habits and preferences.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here is a table summarizing Mike’s pros and cons of the Cunard drinks packages:

Overall, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons and consider your personal experience when deciding whether or not to purchase a drinks package. With Mike Schimdt’s comprehensive guide, you can make an informed decision and fully enjoy your Cunard cruise experience.

Are there any restrictions on the types of alcoholic drinks included in the Beer, Wines and Spirits package?

I was disappointed to learn that the Beer, Wines and Spirits package on Cunard cruises has restrictions on the types of alcoholic drinks included. However, there are still satisfying alcohol cravings with other package options available.

Can guests purchase the drinks package for just a portion of the cruise, rather than the entire duration?

Unfortunately, partial purchase of the Cunard drinks package is not allowed. Guests must purchase the package for the entire duration of the cruise, with length restrictions based on the length of the voyage.

Are there any additional fees or charges associated with purchasing a drinks package?

Beware of hidden fees when purchasing a drinks package, but the benefits can outweigh the costs. Packages cover gratuities and may offer discounts, but only for the entire duration of the cruise.

Can guests upgrade or downgrade their drinks package once it has been purchased?

Guests can upgrade their drinks package, but not downgrade. Refunds are not available for unused days or packages. Upgrade options depend on availability and cannot be guaranteed.

Is there a limit to the number of bottles of wine or Champagne that guests can bring onto the cruise?

Guests are allowed to bring one bottle of wine or Champagne onto the cruise, but will be charged a corkage fee if consumed in restaurants or bars. There is no limit to the bottled wine allowance.

• Favorites & Watchlist Find a Cruise Cruise Deals Cruise Ships Destinations Manage My Cruise​ FAQ Perfect Day at CocoCay Weekend Cruises Crown & Anchor Society Cruising Guides Gift Cards Contact Us Royal Caribbean Group
• Back to Main Menu
• Search Cruises " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-2-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruises" target="_self"> Search Cruises
• Cruise Deals
• Weekend Cruises
• Last Minute Cruises
• Family Cruises​
• 2024-2025 Cruises
• All Cruise Ships " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-4-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruise-ships" target="_self"> All Cruise Ships
• Cruise Dining
• Onboard Activities
• Cruise Rooms
• The Cruise Experience
• All Cruise Destinations " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-5-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruise-destinations" target="_self"> All Cruise Destinations
• Cruise Ports
• Shore Excursions
• Perfect Day at CocoCay
• Caribbean Cruises
• Bahamas Cruises​
• Alaska Cruises
• European Cruises​
• Mediterranean Cruises​
• Cruise Planner
• Make a Payment
• Beverage Packages​
• Shore Excursions​
• Dining Packages​
• Royal Gifts
• Check-In for My Cruise
• Update Guest Information
• Book a Flight
• Transportation
• Book a Hotel
• Required Travel Documents
• Redeem Cruise Credit
• All FAQs " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-7-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/faq" target="_self"> All FAQs
• Boarding Requirements
• Future Cruise Credit​
• Travel Documents​
• Check-in​ & Boarding Pass
• Transportation​
• Perfect Day at CocoCay​
• Post-Cruise Inquiries
• Royal Caribbean
• Celebrity Cruises

GO BACK TO GUIDES 

Your Casino Drink Is A Tell

Pair the perfect cocktail with your game of choice, by meena thiruvengadam | published on april 19, 2024.

There's nothing like walking into a casino to make you want to order a cocktail, and there's nothing like your casino drink to give other players a glimpse of who you are.

Maybe it's the lights or the sound of an audience when the dice land just right on the craps table. Or maybe it's seeing well-dressed players gathered around a blackjack table or engrossed in a game of Texas Hold 'em. Whatever draws you into the casino and whatever your game of choice, there's a cocktail, beer or wine that's perfect for the night ahead. And you might even be able to get it for free. 

When you join the Club Royale® rewards program, use your SeaPass® card to earn loyalty points by playing your favorite casino games, and when you hit Prime status or above, you'll get free drinks when playing in the Casino.

Whatever your loyalty level, remember the best drink to order at the casino is whatever you want. Go ahead and order your favorite casino drink, then stick around for a second round. The tables and slot machines are waiting for you.

Ready For Brunch And Baccarat

If you're the kind of cruiser who could eat breakfast for every meal and prefers hitting the casino early to spend time at the baccarat table, you're probably in the mood for a classic brunch drink. A post-brunch mimosa or Bellini might be right on the money. Combining the bright flavors of orange juice or peach puree with prosecco never leaves you guessing what you'll order next — or if you're ready to place your bets.

If you opt for a bloody mary or an Irish coffee, you could be trying to signal that you're ready to take on the day, no matter how late you were up the night before. You're probably one of the first people at the table, getting a jump on the action.

At midday, an Aperol or Campari spritz or a frosé will keep your spirits high as you place your bets, especially if you're cruising during the summer months or in warm climates.

Like baccarat, a glass of wine or prosecco is straightforward. If you enjoy spending time visiting wineries and never say no to a trip to California's Napa Valley, either of these is a no-brainer. Get ready to toast to the day and your opponents, and leave the table a winner regardless of what happens at the end of each hand.

Classy Cocktails and Craps

If you've got your eye on the craps table, you're in the right place at Casino Royale℠. Walk up to your favorite gaming table with a cocktail served in a martini glass to show you've got great taste in drinks and in table games. Craps is fast-paced, fun and goes down easy — just like your favorite cocktail.

Roll the dice on any number of sweet cocktails. A lemon drop martini, key lime martini or chocolate martini might suggest great taste in desserts — and a sweet tooth that can only be quenched by putting your chips on the winning number. Order a cosmopolitan to show you're a glamorous gambler with a sense of style — you might start at the table games, but you'll likely finish the night spending your winnings in a boutique onboard.

Dry martinis, gin and whiskey-based cocktails can suggest a preference for classics. These drinkers are the most likely to try their hand at an iconic casino game at sea. Order a casino cocktail — which is made with gin, maraschino liqueur and lemon juice — and you're showing you come to the casino as much for the scene as for the games.

Have a gimlet to show you're all class and just a little bit of sass or a gin and tonic to show off your no-nonsense personality. Gin-and-tonic drinkers are the kinds of gamblers who almost always skip the slot machines and head straight for the gaming tables. Craps provides just the right amount of excitement and strategy for you, and you'll bring the luck.

If you're in the mood for a mocktail, you'll signal that you want to keep your wits about you while enjoying the variety of flavors that can be whipped up behind the bar.

Whether you fancy a lemon drop martini, gimlet or cosmopolitan, other players will see that you know what you like and how to treat yourself by ordering a classic cocktail. Most of all, you'll show you're up for a late night at the casino tables — and maybe a nightcap after.

Slots Go Hand in Hand With Fruity Cocktails

If you're looking to show off your playful personality or make new friends at the slot machines to meet up with later by the pool, opt for a fruity cocktail. With one of these drinks, you're telling fellow gamblers you prefer sunny vacations to adventures in the snow. And when you're not in the casino, you're most likely to be found on the sun deck or in the pool.

When you're in the casino, you probably find yourself at the slot machines, where nothing goes better with a win than a tropical drink. Blue, green, pink or yellow, you're the kind of gambler likely to find a slot machine that matches your mood — and the drink you're sipping — and you're going to enjoy every minute of every game you play. Besides, these cocktails were made for celebrating.

You might choose a refreshing lime rickey that feels like jumping into a cold pool on a hot summer day or a Bahama mama as you reminisce about your favorite part of your cruise so far. Order a Blue Hawaii and fool your fellow gamblers into thinking you're a surfer who loves riding the waves when in reality you're more likely to surf the slot machines..

A mango margarita or piña colada shows you always know how to look on the bright side. Walk around with a daiquiri and it'll be clear you're a creative spirit who has a way with words and a love for all things Ernest Hemingway.

Go ahead and order one of these fruity cocktails to kick off your night at the slot machines.

Exotic Drinks Are Made for the Roulette Table

Some of the best drinks to order at a casino show you know your way around the bar — and the roulette table. If you choose a drink with unique ingredients, you've likely traveled around the world. You know what you like to drink and what games you like to play. You're probably looking for something a little more exciting, or a twist on an international classic.

If you're a Singapore sling drinker, you're playing roulette but you might be daydreaming about your next far-flung adventure. But if you're a paloma drinker, you love tequila so much you know what you prefer in a cocktail, and what you prefer to shoot straight.

If you order a Tom Collins, you have a story to tell, whether it's about an exciting day in port or the epic show you saw last night. Anyone who's keeping up with you in conversation will be your match in roulette. But order an airmail and you're signaling to everyone around that table that you know your way around the cruise ship library just as well as you know your way around the roulette table.

Have a caipirinha and get up to dance around when you win — your free spirit shows the table you're ready for a night of adventure.

Order a rum old fashioned and give the roulette wheel a spin. Whatever happens, you'll roll with it. Or you can order a paper plane and try again with a bourbon-based cocktail in your hand.

The imbibers of these drinks are good with details — whether it's the rules of the games they're playing or the unique ingredients in the cocktails they prefer. If you're one of these people, you spend your time learning about the things you're passionate about. That list includes roulette, and you consider yourself something of a seasoned player.

Poker Night Pints and Mixers

If your go-to drinks are beer, liquor shots or mixed drinks that blend booze and fizzy sodas, it's a pretty good bet that you're headed to the poker tables. You prefer drinks and games that require you — and other players — to be able to read the room. It's unlikely that you'd be caught with a frozen cocktail in your hand. You prefer something strong and simple — especially as you place your bets on winning hands.

When it comes to shots, ordering a tequila shot might signal it's your first time in the casino on this trip, and you're ready to make it count. Go straight to whiskey shots to tell your fellow players you'll be at the table all night. If you're here for a bachelor or bachelorette party, you're probably going for a Fireball shot instead. It is, after all, a celebration.

If you're serious about poker, you'll probably order a whiskey and Coke since you're ready to sip on your drink as you play round after round or keep the good times rolling with a session beer. Order a vodka soda if you know when to call it a night and can sense that time is quickly approaching. If you're keeping the night light and are in the mood for a few hands, stick to hard seltzers. The bubbles will keep you going and keep your eyes on the prize — that big pile of chips gathering in the pot.

If you're a scotch drinker, you'll probably be reminiscing about the good old days, while black and tan drinkers are taking everything from beverages to vacations up a notch. You'll be ready to go all in on the evening and on your hand.

Poker players are usually the life of the party, and you might have a Negroni in hand to prove it. You'll have the other players laughing at your jokes all night. If you're a Southern charmer, it's likely you'll order a sazerac instead, but you'll still have the table leaning on you to keep the good times going.

If you're a newer poker player and looking for some tips, you'll find just what you're looking for with a sour. A whiskey sour or an amaretto sour might suggest that you're new to the casino, but that you're a quick learner with specific taste. A pisco sour will intrigue the whole table — what are you hiding behind that smile? You're a natural-born explorer ready to pick up any hints you can behind fellow players' bluffs.

If you're just playing for a good time, you might be sipping a rum and Coke. You prefer to live life in your flip-flops and are thrilled to while the hours away with some fun in the casino — winning is just a bonus!

When it comes to drinks to order at a casino, you can't go wrong no matter what you choose. Once you've picked your drink and your game, get ready for a casino tournament that will shake up your trip and keep the fun coming.

Written By MEENA THIRUVENGADAM

Meena Thiruvengadam is a freelance writer with nearly two decades of experience in journalism. She writes for a variety of travel and business publications and has worked on staff at Bloomberg, Business Insider and Yahoo. Meena has visited more than 60 countries and been to 47 U.S. states.

Get Royal Deals, Sign Up Today

Sign up to receive information about our special offers and deals. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more details about how we use your information, view our Privacy Policy .

Related Articles

Your Casino Drink Is a Tell | Royal Caribbean Cruises

7 Ways To Use Onboard Credit | Royal Caribbean Cruises

How do Slot Tournaments Work? Details & Expectations | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Benefits of Using Your SeaPass Card at Casino Royale | Royal Caribbean Cruises

EXPLORE MORE

Previewing: Promo Dashboard Campaigns

My Personas

Code: ∅.

I've been on 50 cruises. Here are 5 things I wish I'd known before sailing in the Mediterranean.

• I've been on 50 cruises around the world and took my first Mediterranean route last year.
• Picking the right time of the season to go can make a big difference in your trip.
• Before packing, I always check to see if any of the experiences I've booked have a dress code.

As someone who's taken over 50 cruises all over the world, I know firsthand how popular cruising is this year. But one seabound itinerary people often forget to add to their bucket lists is a Mediterranean cruise .

The dreamy ships take passengers around European destinations like Spain, France, Italy, and Greece.

After taking my first Mediterranean cruise last year, here's what I think everyone should know before booking the route.

Going early or late in the sailing season means fewer crowds and better weather.

Many cruise lines, like Virgin, Celebrity, and Disney, start the Mediterranean season in early spring and sail through early fall.

Going early or late in the season usually means you'll have more tolerable weather and smaller crowds in some of the big destinations like Athens .

I made the mistake of going on my Mediterranean cruise at the end of May (over Memorial Day weekend).

Some ports of call, like Nice, France, were easy to get around, but others like Rome were packed to the gills. I wanted the day to end before we even made it to the Vatican on our tour.

Arriving at your embarkation port early is key to having a smooth sailing.

My biggest tip for any cruise — but especially for Americans traveling to Europe for a Mediterranean cruise — is to arrive at your embarkation city at least a day before your sailing starts.

This gives you plenty of time to ensure you make it to the port, especially with the airline delays that typically spike in the summer. The boat isn't going to wait for you i f you don't land on time

Even though it means paying for lodging and likely a few meals before boarding the boat, getting a good night's sleep before a jam-packed vacation is worth it to me.

As a bonus, arriving early also gives you a chance to explore the city.

Be sure to pack at least one shirt with sleeves and bottoms that cover your knees.

Some of the major European tourist destinations have strict dress codes — typically everyone must at least cover their shoulders and knees out of respect.

If you're planning on checking out Vatican Ci t y in Italy or the Meteora monasteries in Greece, b e sure to pack at least one outfit that fits the bill.

Most cruise ships have laundry services (self-serve or valet), so you can wear the same dress-code-approved outfit for a few excursion days if needed.

Food tours are a great way to see a city, taste local dishes, and learn some history.

If you're looking for a unique excursion that still gives you the highlights of a European city, I recommend booking a food tour . I've done tours in places like Amsterdam, Budapest, and Paris, and I've never been disappointed.

Food tours can be booked through third-party travel operators, like TripAdvisor or Viator, and offer the chance to see some of the major landmarks of a city, try local dishes, and learn some history all in one outing.

The tours are usually led by locals, which means the guides can also give you some good recommendations if you have time before you need to return to the ship.

Consider booking tours through third-party sites.

Mediterranean cruises can last anywhere from seven days to two weeks, depending on the company and itinerary. Booking every excursion through the cruise line can add up, but luckily, there are typically more affordable options through third-party companies.

But I only book with third-party operators if the ship docks right at the city I want to explore because I never want to miss the all-aboard time.

For example, on my Mediterranean cruise last summer, the ship anchored at Cannes, and I was able to keep my eye on it throughout my excursion.

If the ship docks in a secondary location and you have to travel to the big tourist destinations , I always book excursions through the cruise line. For instance, the day my family and I explored Rome, the ship docked in Civitavecchia, Italy, and we had to take a two-hour bus ride into the city.

Booking with the cruise company guarantees your return to the ship, even if your excursion runs late.

• Main content

All-inclusive resort or cruise – which is best?

“Club Tropicana, drinks are free… Fun and sunshine, there’s enough for everyone,” so sang George Michael in Wham!’s famous 1980s paean to the nascent all-inclusive. In the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, ‘free’ booze and no bill sounded and looked – if you were anywhere near a pool in Ibiza with George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley – like holiday utopia. 

Drinks weren’t really free, but the idea that you could pay up-front to eat and imbibe, and be assured that you wouldn’t be presented with a terrifying bill at the end, was a novel concept, particularly for budget-conscious families and sun-seeking partygoers. 

It still offers considerable appeal in our cash-strapped times, which may explain why all-inclusives have had something of a renaissance. Cruising offers similar peace of mind and plenty to do with kids clubs, waterslides and Disney princesses on board – though alcohol isn’t always free. During both types of holiday, the entertainment comes to you and you’ll never have to flinch at the prices on the menu. 

But which type of holiday is best? Our writer put them both to the test.

Destination

Children’s clubs, food and drink.

• Hidden costs 

All-inclusive

Club Med founders Gilbert Trigano and Gérard Blitz, who dreamt up the all-inclusive concept in the 1950s, had beaches and sunshine in mind. But skiers also favoured the all-in pricing model. Europe’s slopes were a win-win for the brand, which opened its first Alpine village at Leysin in Switzerland in 1956 ( clubmed.co.uk ).

Traditional sunshine strongholds Mexico and the Caribbean – where Butch Stewart picked up the mantel with his Sandals brand – still account for a big slice of the all-inclusive pie, but the net has spread further to include Cuba, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Montenegro, Cape Verde and the Azores. Further afield there are all-inclusive resorts in Kenya, Thailand (mostly Phuket) and the Maldives and Mauritius. Turkish-owned Rixos ( rixos.com ) has recently opened resorts in Qatar and Doha, while Tui ( tui.co.uk ) and First Choice ( firstchoice.co.uk ) offer several resorts in Costa Rica. 

Cruise 

An average week or 10-day ocean cruise can tick-off several different destinations in one country, or across several countries in one trip. If you have a bit longer, it can take you round the world. Three-month world cruise itineraries cross continents, sail several seas and oceans, visit scores of capital cities and offer hundreds of excursion opportunities. 

And let’s not forget off-grid but accessible by water destinations such as the Galapagos, the Pitcairn Islands and Antarctica. River cruises follow the course of most navigable rivers, from the Amazon to the Zambezi. The Mekong, the Mississippi and the Ganges are among their more adventurous destinations. 

Whether beach or mountain-based, most all-inclusive resorts feature an activities element. Sandals comes up trumps, with free scuba at its Caribbean dive resorts and multiple rounds of golf and green fees at top courses in Jamaica, St Lucia and the Bahamas. 

Meanwhile, guests at Rixos resorts in Turkey have free daily access to The Land of the Legends Theme Park in Antalya – which means big savings in peak periods. This Easter, there are also egg hunts as well as giant egg-painting: a week at Premium Tekirova costs from £2,390 for four adults and two children, departing on March 30.

Watersports not your bag? Ikos Oceania in Halkidiki can provide a Tesla Model 3 at no extra cost for one day’s exploration as well as a culture pass to local museums. At Ikos resorts ( ikosresorts.com ), spa access is free between 8am to 8pm. 

If you’re after more than a typical beach holiday, check the activities part of a hotel website to find out what’s included. The adults-only Sanctuary Cap Cana ( sanctuarycapcana.com ) in the Dominican Republic offers Spanish classes and, at the House of Aia on Mexico’s Riviera Maya ( thehouseofaia.com ), a ‘personal growth’ programme includes 20 classes, ceremonies and rituals from visiting guides.

If you have adventurous teens in tow, the US offers some interesting options. At the historic Castle Hot Springs in Arizona ( castlehotsprings.com ) there’s axe-throwing, cruiser bikes, geothermal hot springs and creekside hammocks for lazing in, while, further north in scenic Wyoming, Scott Dunn has stays at Brush Creek Ranch, set in 30,000 acres of sage-bush prairie where you can ride, fish or take to the landscape by ATV ( scottdunn.com ).

With distractions ranging from rock-climbing walls and ropes courses to simulated surfing, via encounters with Star Wars, Marvel and Disney Pixar characters, cruising sets a high bar for activities. And on land, there are excursions – sometimes included – for every type of passenger. 

It’s not just families who benefit. Swan Hellenic ( swanhellenic.com ) has teamed up with Deepak Chopra to offer wellbeing voyages, while adult-only ships offer films under the stars or in theatres, lectures from wildlife experts and historians, opportunities for citizen science, celebrity speakers, casinos and activities ranging from dance lessons to art and photography classes. Virgin ( virginvoyages.com ) also puts on DJ sets and pool and dance parties. And let’s not forget the main event – a new place to explore every day.

Newer resorts have really lifted the bar. At its properties along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, Rixos rolls out the red carpet for families with a Rixy Kids Club that has cooking and pottery lessons as well as football and dance academies. At Rixos Sungate, where the kids’ club is set around a splash park in a forest, children can learn to code using Lego robotics.

At Ikos Resorts’ collection of luxury properties in Spain and Greece, kids’ clubs are run in line with UK Ofsted standards. Meanwhile, Tui’s family-friendly resorts come with kids’ clubs and a seven-day line-up of activities including creative sessions. Mini Club Med offers trapeze lessons, introductory water-skiing, horse-riding, cooking classes, games and nature discovery activities. For older kids (11-17), there’s film design, DJ sessions and dedicated areas in which to hang out. 

If you’re travelling with very small children or have ambitious activities in mind, check the small print: like lots of childcare for babies and toddlers, Petit Club Med and Baby Club Med both cost extra. Motorised water sports often incur a fee at all-inclusives while some resorts impose limits on the number of windsurfing or other tutored lessons.

Cruise ships do a stellar job when it comes to children’s clubs, with all ages well catered for. Most resort ships divide clubs into four age groups and some, including P&O Cruises ( pocruises.com ), offer free babysitting. Royal Caribbean ( royalcaribbean.com ) has an adventure science lab for budding junior scientists as well as baby and tots programmes for those aged six to 36 months. Celebrity Cruises has a STEM at Sea partnership with The Frost Science Museum (Equinox and Edge-class ships; celebritycruises.com ).

P&O Cruises is particularly well set up for those with kids in tow, with round-the-clock children’s clubs on its family-friendly ships and family-oriented shore excursions. MSC Cruises ( msccruises.co.uk ) has baby, mini, junior, young and teen clubs. The latter offers Xbox and PS4 tournaments, a Drone Academy, flash mobs and dance offs. Disney Dream ( disneycruise.disney.go.com ) has some imaginative offerings too, including the Jedi Training Academy and the opportunity to hang out with characters from the Toy Story trilogy.

You get what you pay for. If that’s sun and sea and a good four-star family resort, expect two or three bars and a standard buffet: a week at the Iberostar Bellevue in Montenegro costs £1,562 in mid-May ( iberostar.com ). Pay a bit more and you’ll be rewarded with more imaginative menus. At Ikos Porto Petro in Majorca, five à la carte restaurants serve meals inspired by Michelin-starred chefs (from £2,470pp with Sovereign; sovereign.com ).

Ikos also has curated “dine out” programmes that encourage guests to eat at local restaurants – including a rustic tapas joint in Estepona, an agriturismo in Ibiza and a buzzy beachfront spot in Marbella. Sandals ( sandals.co.uk ) has similar in Curaçao and Nassau. Caribbean all-inclusives generally offer three or four restaurants – and maybe a pop-up beach venue or barbecue night.

Think cruise, think buffet, right? Wrong. Standards are high, with new ships offering a plethora of cuisines, dining styles and venues along with healthy options and dietary alternatives. You’re as likely to find vegan muffins and bee-pollen at the breakfast buffet as a Full English. 

Silversea and Virgin have ditched the buffet altogether. Partnerships with chefs including Marco Pierre White and Eric Lanlard (P&O Cruises), Relais & Chateau (Silversea; silversea.com ), Jacques Pepin (Holland America Line; hollandamerica.com ) and Thomas Keller (Seabourn; seabourn.com ) have also made a difference. Crystal ( crystalcruises.com ) has a Japanese restaurant masterminded by Nobu while wine presenter Olly Smith helms the Glasshouse on some P&O ships. 

Silversea, Holland America Line and Oceania ( oceaniacruises.com ) are highly regarded among foodies and Regent Seven Seas ( rssc.com ) offers some stylish settings while Celebrity’s newer ships have roof-top gardens and over-the-sea dining. Fine dining can cost extra, depending on the ship, but expect to pay around £15 on top for three courses, which might just include one of the finest steaks you’ll ever eat. 

All-inclusive 

It’s a broad-brush summation but for something established, refined and ‘old-school’ romantic – think castaway beaches, palm fronds gently buffeted by warm trade winds, knock-out views and honeymoon havens – the Caribbean is a safe bet. The likes of Jumby Bay ( oetkercollection.com ), Spice Island Resort ( spiceislandbeachresort.com ), Necker ( virginlimitededition.com ) and Curtain Bluff ( curtainbluff.com ) are famous for a reason. 

The Maldives attracts a discerning international clientele while, in Europe, there are affordable package resorts where screaming kids are well tolerated. At the stylish new kids on the block (think Ikos and Grecotel Luxme; grecotel.com ), Poppy and Miles only scream in the privacy of the rooms however. 

Skiers are too busy skiing, too knackered or too busy partying to care about trifles like the vibe. If in doubt opt for Club Med, where most people speak French. 

It varies enormously across ships. River ships are tranquil, geared to sightseeing and generally follow an up-early and early-to-bed routine. Large resort ships can feel like theme parks, with entertainment into the wee hours; smaller ships go out of their way to leave passengers alone and provide impressive libraries and spaces for quiet contemplation. Viking ( vikingcruises.co.uk ), Silversea and Seabourn excel at this. Then there are the tall ships such as Sea Cloud ( seacloud.com ) and those in the Star Clipper fleet ( starclippercruises.co.uk ), where you’ll spend most of your time on deck watching the wind make the sails dance. 

Some liners take a ship-within-a-ship approach, with exclusive areas, pools and services – at a cost. MSC has the Yacht Club while Norwegian Cruise Line ( ncl.com ), Royal Caribbean and P&O have premium areas with pools and separate menus. Cunard ( cunard.com ) has the Grills Suites. 

If you’re after a more intimate, house-party atmosphere (complete with Surrey types, ex-boat owners and ‘non-cruisers’), opt for a yacht-style cruise ship from Ponant ( uk.ponant.com ), SeaDream ( seadream.com ), Scenic Eclipse ( scenic.co.uk ) or one of a handful of Windstar ships ( windstarcruises.com ).

Hidden costs All-inclusive

Do question the headline price, especially if booking via a third party. In January 2024, a Which? survey of 2,000 holidaymakers revealed key omissions from some operators, including soft drinks. Those who booked with the cheapest provider, lastminute.com , were forking out an extra £367 per week on average for extras. 

Operators take different approaches to inclusions. BA Holidays says: “Expect your holiday to include flights and accommodation, all three meals and snacks in between. Drinks are included too but expect house wine and local spirits unless otherwise stated.” EasyJet’s small print states: “What’s included in the all-inclusive package varies vastly between hotels. When booking your holiday be sure to look at the board description.”

Premium restaurants often cost more, but at the Oaks IBN Battuta in Dubai for example (where a week costs from £989pp through loveholidays.com ) the price includes à la carte restaurants and in-room breakfast. In all cases the two-clicks-away small print was clear. Read it. If in doubt, use the chat function, talk to a travel agent or pick up the phone.

All cruises include accommodation, dining, entertainment and access to pools and the other fun facilities, but Wi-Fi, drinks – alcohol and soda – and tips and room service might not be included. Tips are automatically added to cruise bills on a per passenger, per day basis. Expect to pay for service on spa and beauty treatments and bar drinks.

If you plan on drinking every day, pay for a drinks package (there are alcohol-free packages, too). Celebrity Cruises alcoholic drinks packages start at around £55 per day and Cunard’s soft drinks package starts from around £8.50 per day. Princess Cruises’ Wi-Fi, tips and drinks bundle costs £50pp per day ( princess.com ). 

Though you’ll still pay extra to tip for beauty services, some truly all-inclusive lines also include Wi-Fi, limitless premium drinks, a free mini-bar, most service fees and some excursions. Some also include airfares and a pre- or post-cruise hotel night. Take a look at Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Viking, Crystal and Seabourn. 

Which wins?

The all-inclusive concept has evolved – there’s no room for holiday snobbery in 2024. If all you want is a hassle-free place to relax by a pool or on the beach and forget about daily expenses, this is as good as it gets. But if you intend to stay longer than a week or haven’t been to the destination before, do some research. You may tire of the same sand, sun loungers and restaurants while venturing out to drink and dine makes little financial sense.

If you’ve a thirst for new places, a cruise offers all of the above plus the bonus of a new port of call most days – without the need to unpack. You’ll never get bored of the changing views and, as for feeling claustrophobic, you can disembark every day (though you don’t have to). Plenty of ships overnight in port, so you can dine ashore too. 

Cruises score bonus points for once-in-a-lifetime experiences too. Unless you own a boat, how else do you experience the romance of a dawn arrival in Manhattan, a sunset sail out of Sydney or your first glimpse of porpoising penguins in the Galapagos?

Sign up to the Front Page newsletter for free: Your essential guide to the day's agenda from The Telegraph - direct to your inbox seven days a week.