On most major cruise lines, complimentary drinks include tap water, regular coffee (decaf and regular), hot and iced tea, lemonade, and milk. Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises all include these basic non-alcoholic beverages in your cruise fare at no extra charge. Specialty coffees, sodas, bottled water, fresh-squeezed juices, and alcoholic drinks are not free and require either an a la carte purchase or a beverage package. On luxury lines like Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, and Seabourn, all drinks — including premium wines, spirits, and cocktails — are typically included in the cruise fare with no additional cost.
One of the most common questions first-time cruisers ask before boarding is deceptively simple: What Drinks Are Free on Cruise Ships? The honest answer is — it depends. Some beverages are always complimentary, others cost extra, and a handful of cruise lines include virtually everything in the fare. Whether you're wondering about water, soft drinks, cocktails, or specialty coffees, this guide breaks down exactly what's free, what isn't, and how to get the most out of drinks on cruise ships without blowing your budget.
Are Drinks Free on Cruise Ships?
Most mainstream cruise lines — think Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, and MSC — include a set of basic non-alcoholic beverages in the ticket price. These typically cover tap water, basic coffee and tea, lemonade, and sometimes fruit juice at breakfast. Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, bottled water, and specialty coffees are generally not included unless you've purchased a beverage package or booked a cruise that advertises free alcohol.
The picture changes dramatically when you move up to luxury lines like Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, and Seabourn, where the fare is genuinely all-inclusive — meaning wine, spirits, and cocktails flow freely throughout the voyage at no extra charge.
So before you pack your bags, it pays to know exactly what to expect on your specific cruise line.
What Drinks Are Free on a Cruise? The Universal Complimentary List
Regardless of which mainstream cruise line you sail with, the following beverages are almost always available at no additional charge:
Water
Is water free on cruises? Yes — absolutely. Tap water and iced water are free on virtually every cruise ship in existence. You can request a jug or glass at any restaurant, bar, or buffet without spending a cent. Most ships also have self-serve water dispensing stations, particularly near pools and in buffet areas.
The caveat: bottled water is typically sold separately. A single 500ml bottle might run $2–$4 depending on the line. If you're a heavy water drinker, consider purchasing a water package in advance or bringing a refillable bottle to use at the ship's dispensers.
Hot Coffee and Tea
Basic drip coffee and standard tea bags are complimentary across nearly all cruise lines, available in the main dining room, the buffet, and often through room service. Don't expect a barista-quality flat white for free, though — specialty coffees like lattes, cappuccinos, cold brews, and espresso drinks almost always carry an additional charge, usually $3–$6 per drink.
Iced Tea and Lemonade
These are reliable freebies on most ships. Royal Caribbean's Windjammer buffet, for instance, is well-known for its complimentary lemonade — slightly pulpy, well-sweetened, and endlessly refillable. Iced tea (usually unsweetened or lightly sweetened) is similarly available throughout the day.
Fruit Juices (Breakfast Only)
On most mainstream lines, fruit juices are free during breakfast hours at the buffet and main dining room. Once the breakfast period ends, juice may no longer be complimentary. If you want juice mid-afternoon, that typically means either paying a la carte or having a beverage package.
Milk and Hot Chocolate
Milk — including chocolate milk — is complimentary during mealtimes on lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival. Hot chocolate mix is also available at Royal Caribbean's Windjammer buffet for self-serve preparation. It's a small perk but a popular one, especially for families traveling with kids.
Flavored Waters
Some cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, offer a rotating selection of fruit-infused waters in the buffet — think cucumber-mint or citrus blends. These are free and a refreshing upgrade from plain tap water, especially in tropical climates.
Are Soft Drinks Free on Cruises?
This is one of the most searched questions about drinks on cruise ships, and the answer for most mainstream lines is: no, soft drinks are not free. A single can of soda typically costs $3.50–$4.50 plus an automatic gratuity of 18–20%, meaning one Coke could run you $5.
If you plan to drink soda regularly, the math usually favors purchasing a soda package. Carnival's Bottomless Bubbles package, for example, runs approximately $9.50 per adult per day for unlimited fountain sodas throughout the voyage — about the price of two individual cans. Royal Caribbean offers a Classic Soda Package that includes a souvenir Coca-Cola cup along with unlimited refills.
The exception: Some luxury cruise lines and all-inclusive lines include soft drinks without any add-on required.
What Cruise Lines Are All-Inclusive with Alcohol?
This is the question every cocktail lover wants answered. While the term "all-inclusive" is sometimes used loosely in cruise marketing, there are cruise lines where alcoholic drinks are genuinely part of the fare — no package purchase required.
Truly All-Inclusive Cruise Lines (Alcohol Included in Fare)
Regent Seven Seas Cruises stands out as the gold standard of all-inclusive cruising. Every sailing includes unlimited beverages — including premium wines, spirits, and cocktails — at all bars and restaurants throughout the ship, from embarkation to disembarkation. There's no beverage package to buy because you don't need one.
Silversea Cruises follows a similar model. Wine, beer, spirits, and cocktails are all included in the base fare, alongside gratuities and shore excursions on most itineraries.
Seabourn is another ultra-luxury line where open bars are simply part of the experience. The ship's bars operate on an honor system — guests are encouraged to help themselves.
Scenic Cruises (river and ocean) and Emerald Cruises also include alcohol as standard.
Cruise Lines with "Free Drinks" as a Promotional Perk
Several mainstream lines regularly offer complimentary drink packages as a booking incentive, particularly during wave season (January–March) promotions. Norwegian Cruise Line's Free at Sea promotion has historically bundled a beverage package into the fare for certain sailings. Celebrity Cruises often includes their classic drink package with higher cabin categories. Princess Cruises' Princess Plus and Princess Premier fare bundles include drinks.
Important: When "free drinks" come as a promotional perk, they typically still carry a daily gratuity charge of $18–$20 per person and may have a per-drink cap (often $15–$17). Drinks above that price limit require you to pay the difference.
Cruise Line-by-Cruise Line Breakdown: What's Free?
What Drinks Are Free on Royal Caribbean?
Royal Caribbean includes the following complimentary beverages on all ships: tap water, iced tea, lemonade, regular and decaf coffee, hot and iced tea, flavored waters, and milk (including chocolate milk during meals). Sodas, specialty coffees, alcoholic drinks, bottled water, and fresh juices outside of breakfast hours require either a purchase or a package.
Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package covers virtually all drinks up to a certain price per serving, plus a 40% discount on bottled wines up to $100. Pre-purchasing before your sailing typically saves 20–30% off onboard pricing. The classic soda package is ideal for non-drinkers who want unlimited soft drinks.
What Drinks Are Free on Carnival?
Carnival includes tap water, unsweetened iced tea, lemonade, basic coffee, hot and iced tea, fruit punch at mealtimes, and milk (including chocolate milk) as complimentary offerings in the main dining room and the Lido Restaurant.
The Cheers! Beverage Program is Carnival's all-you-can-drink alcohol package, starting at approximately $59.95 per person per day. It covers cocktails, beer, wine by the glass (up to $20 per drink), specialty coffees, energy drinks, 500ml bottled water, and non-alcoholic beverages. Purchasing before embarkation saves 10%. Their Bottomless Bubbles soda package is perfect for families.
What Drinks Are Free on Norwegian Cruise Line?
Norwegian's complimentary drink list includes non-bottled water, iced tea, lemonade, juices at breakfast, and standard coffee and tea. Specialty coffees, sodas, and alcohol are not included in the base fare.
NCL frequently bundles its beverage package as part of its Free at Sea promotion, which can make certain sailings very competitive on value. Norwegian also runs happy hours daily (sometimes two per day) with 50% off selected cocktails — a great way to enjoy discounted drinks without a full package.
What Drinks Are Free on MSC Cruises?
MSC includes tap water, basic filter coffee, a variety of teas, peach or lemon iced tea, cold milk, and breakfast juice (from concentrate) as complimentary beverages in the buffet and main dining room. Notably, sodas are not included on MSC. Beverage packages range from approximately $42–$85 per person per day depending on the tier.
What Drinks Are Free on Princess Cruises?
Princess complimentary drinks cover tap water, drip coffee in the main dining room and buffet, fountain lemonade and iced tea, hot tea, and milk. Juice may be included at breakfast.
Princess offers the Princess Plus and Princess Premier fare bundles, which include a beverage package (covering drinks up to $15 per serving), crew gratuities, and Wi-Fi — making them popular for cruisers who want a more inclusive experience without booking a luxury line.
What Drinks Are Free on Celebrity Cruises?
Celebrity often runs promotions that bundle a classic drinks package (up to approximately $10 per drink) with certain fare categories. Their packages range from $89–$109 per person per day when purchased a la carte. Celebrity is considered a "premium" line and leans more toward an elevated, semi-inclusive experience compared to mass-market competitors.
Are Drinks Free in Business Class Cruise Ship Suites?
This question often comes from travelers familiar with airline upgrades, where business class typically includes free drinks. On cruise ships, the equivalent would be booking a suite or a premium cabin category.
On most mainstream lines, suite guests don't automatically receive free alcohol — they typically get perks like priority boarding, butler service, exclusive lounge access, and sometimes a welcome bottle of wine or spirits. However, certain lines have taken this further:
- MSC Yacht Club (MSC's ship-within-a-ship concept) includes a premium drinks package for all Yacht Club guests.
- Norwegian's Haven suites include exclusive concierge service and often complimentary beverages in the Haven lounge.
- Royal Caribbean's Star Class suites include a Royal Replenishment or Deluxe Beverage Package as part of the Genie service.
- Celebrity's The Retreat (suite-class experience) includes a premium beverage package.
So while "are drinks free in business class" isn't quite the right framing for cruises, the suite-class equivalent often does include complimentary alcohol — it just depends on the cruise line and the specific suite category.
Drink Packages: Are They Worth It?
The value calculation depends almost entirely on your drinking habits. Here's a general rule of thumb:
| Drinks Per Day | Should You Buy a Package? |
|---|---|
| 1–2 drinks | Probably not — pay as you go |
| 3–5 drinks | It's close — compare the package price to expected spend |
| 6+ drinks | A package almost always pays off |
Keep in mind that packages must typically be purchased for the full duration of the cruise, and on most lines, everyone in the same stateroom over 21 must purchase the same alcohol package (to prevent sharing). Non-drinkers can opt for a non-alcoholic package instead.
Drink Package Price Comparison by Cruise Line
| Cruise Line | Package Price (Per Person, Per Day) |
|---|---|
| Norwegian Cruise Line | $109–$138 |
| Celebrity Cruises | $89–$109 (sometimes included) |
| Princess Cruises | $65–$85 |
| Cunard | ~$70 |
| Holland America Line | ~$55 |
| MSC Cruises | $42–$85 |
| Carnival Cruise Line | ~$60 (Cheers!) |
| P&O Cruises | ~$49 |
| Costa Cruises | ~$39 |
| Fred. Olsen Cruise Line | ~$30 |
Prices are approximate and subject to change. Always verify with the cruise line directly.
Best time to buy: Always purchase your drink package before boarding. Pre-cruise pricing in your Cruise Planner or booking portal typically offers 20–30% savings over onboard pricing.
How to Get Free Drinks Without Buying a Package
Loyalty Programs
Frequent cruisers are rewarded generously. Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, Carnival's VIFP Club, and NCL's Latitudes program all offer complimentary drinks as tier benefits. Elite and Pinnacle-level Royal Caribbean members, for instance, receive complimentary cocktail parties with free drinks. The more you sail with a single line, the better these perks become.
Also Read: Cruise Line Loyalty Points
Casino Play
If you enjoy gambling, most cruise ship casinos have a "drinks on us" policy for active players. On Carnival, for example, earning 2,000 casino points (at approximately 1 point per $2 of slot play) unlocks complimentary drinks while gaming. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have similar programs.
Promotions and Booking Perks
Travel agents and booking platforms occasionally secure onboard credit or drink package add-ons as part of group bookings or promotional rates. During wave season (January through March), cruise lines are especially generous with these bundled offers. Booking through a cruise-specialist platform can sometimes unlock perks that aren't available through direct booking.
Happy Hours
Norwegian Cruise Line typically features two daily happy hours with 50% off selected cocktails. Other lines have similar programs — check the daily schedule distributed to your cabin each evening for the next day's deals.
Bring Your Own Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Most cruise lines allow guests to bring a limited quantity of non-alcoholic drinks aboard at embarkation — typically up to 12 sealed cans or cartons per person in carry-on luggage. Energy drinks, sparkling water, and juices are fair game. This can meaningfully reduce your onboard spending.
Sustainability and Wellness Trends in Cruise Beverages
The cruise industry has evolved considerably when it comes to both sustainability and health-conscious beverage options.
On the sustainability front, Carnival and Royal Caribbean have both introduced biodegradable straws and reusable cups across their fleets. MSC has moved toward boxed water on several ships to reduce single-use plastic. Many ships now have refillable water stations near pool decks.
Health and wellness beverage programs are growing in popularity. Carnival Cruise Line offers detox juices and herbal teas at dedicated juice bars on newer vessels. Norwegian has introduced destination-inspired cocktails — Caribbean rum punches on tropical itineraries, Mediterranean sangrias in European waters — that celebrate the regions guests are visiting.
Legal Drinking Age on Cruise Ships
The drinking age onboard depends on where the ship departs from, and that rule applies for the entire voyage, regardless of what ports you visit:
- Cruises departing from North America (USA/Canada): The minimum drinking age is 21.
- Cruises departing from Europe, Australia, Asia, and South America: The minimum drinking age is typically 18.
Guests under the drinking age can purchase non-alcoholic beverage packages that include mocktails, sodas, juices, and specialty coffees.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What drinks are free on a cruise for everyone, regardless of the line?
Tap water, basic hot coffee and tea, and iced water are universally complimentary. Most lines also include lemonade, iced tea, and breakfast juice at no charge.
2. Are drinks free on cruises if I book a suite?
It depends on the line and suite category. MSC Yacht Club, NCL Haven, Royal Caribbean Star Class, and Celebrity's The Retreat all include beverage packages for suite guests. Standard suites on most lines don't automatically include alcohol.
3. Are soft drinks free on cruises?
Generally not on mainstream lines. Single sodas cost $3.50–$4.50 plus gratuity. Soda packages typically run $10–$15 per person per day and represent better value for frequent soda drinkers.
4. Is water free on cruises?
Yes. Tap water is always free. Bottled water usually costs extra, though some lines include it in beverage packages.
5. What cruise lines are all-inclusive with alcohol?
Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, and Seabourn are the standout examples where alcohol is fully included in the base fare. Some mainstream lines offer free drink packages as promotional perks during booking, though these usually have per-drink price caps and gratuity charges.
6. Can I bring my own alcohol on a cruise?
Most cruise lines prohibit bringing your own alcohol aboard. The exception is typically a bottle of wine or champagne at embarkation (Carnival allows one 750ml bottle per guest). Always check your specific line's policy before packing.
7. How much are drinks on a Disney cruise?
Disney doesn't offer unlimited alcohol packages. Expect to pay approximately $7–$9 for beer, $8–$17 for wine by the glass, and $10–$15 for cocktails. Basic soft drinks are complimentary with meals and at beverage stations throughout the ship.
8. What happens if my "free drink" promo package has a price cap?
If the drink you order exceeds the per-drink cap (usually $15–$17), you pay the difference. Gratuities (typically 18–20%) are also automatically added to every drink ordered under a "free" package, even if the drink itself costs nothing.
Final Takeaway: Planning Your Drink Budget for a Cruise
The short version: basic non-alcoholic drinks are free on cruise ships, and a handful of luxury lines throw in the full open bar. For everyone else, alcohol, sodas, and specialty coffees carry a price tag — but with smart planning, you can manage those costs effectively.
- Buy your drink package before boarding to save 20–30%.
- If you drink 5+ beverages a day, a package almost always pays for itself.
- Take advantage of happy hours, loyalty perks, and casino drink programs.
- Bring your own sealed non-alcoholic drinks aboard where the policy allows.
- If free alcohol is a priority, look at luxury lines or promotional sailings that bundle a beverage package into the fare.
With this guide in hand, you'll board your next cruise knowing exactly what's waiting at the bar — and exactly what it'll cost.
