Is It Cheaper to Buy a Drink Package on Board?

Cruise drink packages can make budgeting easier, especially for passengers who expect to have several beverages each day. However, the price you pay can depend on when and where you purchase the package. Many cruise lines promote drink packages before sailing, while others allow passengers to purchase them after boarding.

This creates a common question: Is it cheaper to buy a drink package on board?

In most cases, you should not assume that buying a package after boarding will be cheaper. Cruise lines can use different pricing structures, promotions, taxes, and package rules. A package may be available at a different price before the cruise, while onboard pricing can sometimes be higher or subject to fewer promotional discounts.

The best approach is to compare the total cost before your cruise with the price offered onboard and then consider how many drinks you are realistically likely to consume.

What Is a Cruise Drink Package?

A cruise drink package is a prepaid beverage plan that allows you to order certain drinks during your cruise without paying the individual menu price each time.

Depending on the cruise line and package, beverages may include:

Soft drinks
Bottled water
Specialty coffee
Tea
Fresh juices
Beer
Wine
Cocktails
Spirits
Selected premium beverages

Not every package covers every drink. Alcohol packages often have price limits per serving, while some premium drinks may require an additional charge.

Cruise lines also commonly set daily limits, eligibility requirements, or other restrictions. Therefore, the package price alone does not tell you whether it is good value.

Is It Cheaper to Buy a Drink Package on Board?

Usually, there is no general rule that onboard purchase is cheaper. In many situations, purchasing before the cruise can provide access to advance-purchase pricing or promotional offers. However, prices and promotions vary by cruise line, sailing, itinerary, package type, and booking period.

Buying onboard can still make sense if you were unsure whether you wanted a package and prefer to make the decision after seeing your actual spending habits.

Before purchasing, compare:

The pre-cruise package price
The onboard package price
Any available discounts
Taxes and service charges
The number of cruise days
What beverages are included
Any package restrictions

A small difference in the advertised daily price can become significant over a week-long cruise.

Why Pre-Cruise Drink Packages Can Be Cheaper

Cruise lines frequently sell beverage packages through their online booking systems before departure. Some cruises may offer promotional pricing or discounts when passengers purchase packages in advance.

The important point is that the discount is not necessarily available on every sailing.

For example, one passenger might see a promotional price several weeks before departure, while another sailing may show a different price. The same cruise line can also change promotions over time.

If you already know you want a drink package, checking the cruise planner before sailing is often worthwhile.

Why Some Passengers Wait Until Boarding

Not everyone wants to purchase a drink package in advance.

Waiting until boarding can be useful when you are uncertain about your beverage consumption. You may want to see the onboard prices first or determine whether the included drinks are sufficient for your needs.

This can be particularly useful for passengers who:

Drink very little alcohol
Mostly drink complimentary beverages
Are traveling with someone who does not drink
Are unsure which package they need
Want to understand the package rules before paying

The downside is that waiting does not guarantee a lower price.

What About a P and O Drinks Package?

Passengers sailing with P&O Cruises may specifically search for a p and o drinks package when planning their onboard expenses.

P&O Cruises offers different beverage options and packages depending on the cruise and current terms. The exact price and inclusions can vary, so passengers should check the package available for their particular booking rather than relying on the price from another sailing.

When considering a p and o drinks package, look beyond the headline price. Check what beverages are included, whether there are restrictions on premium drinks, and how the package is charged across the cruise.

It is also important to understand whether the package needs to be purchased for the entire cruise and whether everyone in the relevant booking must meet certain package conditions.

How Drink Package Pricing Actually Works

A drink package is generally priced on a daily basis, but that does not mean you can simply compare the package price with the price of one or two drinks.

Suppose a package costs $70 per day after applicable charges. On a seven-night cruise, the basic package cost would be:

$70 × 7 = $490 per person

If the package is subject to additional taxes or service charges, the final amount can be higher.

This is why passengers should calculate the full cruise cost before deciding.

Check the Number of Package Days

Some cruise lines calculate beverage packages based on the number of cruise days rather than simply the number of nights.

A seven-night cruise may therefore involve eight days onboard, depending on the cruise line's rules.

Always check how the cruise line defines the package period.

Compare the Package With Individual Drink Prices

The simplest way to determine whether a drink package makes financial sense is to estimate what you would spend without one.

Make a rough list of your expected daily drinks.

For example:

Morning specialty coffee: $6
Bottled water: $4
Soft drink: $3
Beer: $8
Cocktail: $14
Evening wine: $12

Your estimated daily spending would be:

$6 + $4 + $3 + $8 + $14 + $12 = $47

If your package costs substantially more than your realistic daily consumption, paying separately could make more sense.

If you regularly purchase several alcoholic and premium beverages throughout the day, the calculation can look very different.

Don't Forget Service Charges and Taxes

One of the easiest mistakes is comparing an advertised package price with the final price of individual drinks.

Cruise beverage purchases can involve service charges, taxes, or other applicable costs depending on the cruise and location.

For that reason, always compare the final payable price rather than just the headline package rate.

A package advertised at a certain daily amount may ultimately cost more after additional charges are applied.

Are Drink Packages Worth It?

Whether a drink package is worth the money depends heavily on your drinking habits.

A Package May Make Sense If You:

Regularly drink several beverages each day
Enjoy cocktails, wine, or beer
Frequently purchase specialty coffee or premium drinks
Prefer predictable vacation expenses
Want the convenience of ordering without paying separately

Paying Per Drink May Make More Sense If You:

Mostly drink water, tea, or included beverages
Drink alcohol occasionally
Spend much of the day ashore
Do not drink enough to reach the package's effective daily cost
Prefer keeping your cruise spending flexible

The most important question is not whether the package is cheap. It is whether you would spend at least a similar amount without it.

Does Buying Onboard Give You More Flexibility?

Potentially, yes.

When you wait until boarding, you may have more information about how you plan to spend your vacation. You can see the onboard environment, menus, and available beverage options before committing.

However, flexibility can come at a price if the onboard package costs more than an advance promotional rate.

If you are already certain that you want a package, waiting purely because you expect the onboard price to be lower can be risky.

What Happens If You Don't Buy a Drink Package?

You can normally purchase individual beverages instead of buying a package, while many cruise lines also provide certain complimentary drinks.

Complimentary beverage options commonly include items such as:

Water
Tea
Coffee
Selected juices
Some soft drinks, depending on the cruise line and venue

The exact selection varies, so passengers should check the beverage policy for their specific cruise.

For some travelers, the included beverages are enough to avoid purchasing a package altogether.

Can You Buy a Package After the Cruise Starts?

Many cruise lines allow passengers to purchase beverage packages after boarding, but the rules differ by cruise line and package.

There can also be deadlines for purchasing certain packages. A package may not necessarily be available for purchase throughout the entire cruise.

If you are considering buying onboard, ask the guest services team or check the cruise line's onboard information for the applicable deadline and terms.

Should You Buy a Package Before Boarding?

There is no single answer for every traveler.

Buy Before Sailing If:

You already know you want the package
You find an attractive advance price
You want to spread the planning ahead of your trip
You have compared the package with expected individual drink spending

Wait Until Boarding If:

You are uncertain about your consumption
You want to inspect the available beverage options
You are comfortable paying individually at first
You want to compare the onboard offer before committing

The key is to compare the actual price available to you rather than assuming one purchasing method is always cheaper.

Tips for Saving Money on Cruise Drinks

You do not necessarily need a drink package to keep beverage costs under control.

Use Included Beverages

If complimentary water, tea, coffee, or other drinks meet your needs, use them whenever possible.

Track Your Daily Spending

Keep a simple running total of your beverage purchases. This makes it easier to determine whether a package would actually save money.

Check Your Cruise Planner

Before departure, check your cruise account or cruise planner for current beverage package offers.

Don't Buy Based on the Discount Percentage Alone

A package showing a large percentage discount is not automatically a good deal. Compare the final price with what you expect to consume.

Consider Port Days

If you spend most of a port day exploring away from the ship, you may not consume as many onboard drinks as you would on a sea day.

This can significantly affect the value of a daily beverage package.

Common Mistakes When Buying a Drink Package

Assuming Onboard Is Always Cheaper

There is no universal rule that onboard pricing beats pre-cruise pricing.

Ignoring Package Restrictions

A package may have limits on the price of individual drinks or exclusions for certain beverages.

Forgetting Additional Charges

Always check whether taxes and service charges are included in the displayed price.

Buying Without Doing the Math

A package can look convenient while costing more than your normal beverage spending.

Comparing Different Packages Incorrectly

A basic beverage package and a premium alcohol package may cover very different products. Compare the inclusions before comparing prices.

Conclusion

So, is it cheaper to buy a drink package on board? Not necessarily. The final cost depends on the cruise line, sailing, package, promotions, taxes, service charges, and your personal drinking habits.

If you already know that you want a package, check the pre-cruise price before sailing and compare it with any onboard offer. If you are uncertain, waiting can give you more flexibility, but it does not guarantee a cheaper price.

For a p and o drinks package or any other cruise beverage plan, the most reliable way to judge value is to calculate what you are realistically likely to spend on individual drinks and compare that figure with the package's complete cost.

Frequently Asked Questions?

Is it cheaper to buy a drink package on board?

Not necessarily. Onboard prices can differ from pre-cruise prices, and advance promotions may make purchasing before sailing less expensive. Compare the actual prices available for your cruise.

Can you buy a drink package after boarding a cruise?

Many cruise lines allow onboard purchases, but availability and purchase deadlines vary. Check the rules for your specific sailing.

Is it better to buy a drink package in advance?

If you know you want one and find a good promotional price, buying in advance can be useful. However, passengers who are uncertain about their consumption may prefer to wait.

Are cruise drink packages worth the money?

They can be worthwhile for passengers who consume enough included beverages to justify the daily cost. Travelers who drink only occasionally may save money by paying individually.

Does a drink package cover all drinks?

No. Packages generally have specific inclusions and exclusions. Premium beverages, specialty products, or drinks above a certain price may not be fully covered.

Do cruise drink packages include service charges?

It depends on the cruise line and package. Always check the final price and terms before purchasing.

Is the cheapest drink package always the best option?

No. The cheapest package may not include the beverages you actually want. Compare the included drinks with your normal consumption.

Should I buy a P and O drinks package?

Consider the price, included beverages, package conditions, and how much you expect to drink during your P&O cruise. Compare the package's total cost with your estimated individual purchases before deciding.

Can I use a drink package on port days?

Package rules vary, and availability can depend on where the ship is operating. Check the specific terms of your cruise and package.

Can two people share one drink package?

Drink packages commonly have rules regarding sharing and who must purchase a package. Do not assume that one package can legally be shared between passengers.

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