Are you wondering if you should purchase one of the drink packages on MSC Cruises? You are not alone, as it is a question we get quite often from fellow cruisers. While there are many pros to getting a drink package on a cruise, there are also some reasons why cruise ship drink packages might be waste of money for you.

So, in this Complete Guide to Drink Packages on MSC for 2025, we detail all the beverage package options, drink prices, and FAQs to help you decide if one is right for your next vacation with MSC Cruises.

Complete Guide to Drink Packages on MSC (2025)

What drinks are free on MSC?

Like most cruise lines, some basic beverages are included in the price of your cruise fare. These include non-bottled ice water, iced tea, lemonade, brewed coffee, hot tea, and juice at breakfast. These beverages (aside from the juice) are available 24 hours a day in the cruise ship buffet or during meals in the main restaurants.

However, soft drinks, espresso-based beverages, and all alcoholic beverages cost extra money.

Can you take your own alcohol on an MSC cruise?

Many cruise lines do allow guests to bring a limited amount of alcohol onboard during embarkation day, usually bottles of wine. However, MSC Cruises is an exception. Guests cannot bring any alcoholic beverages onboard at embarkation. If bottles of alcohol are purchased during a port call, they are held by the ship for safekeeping until the last evening of the cruise.

Video Review: Is the MSC Yacht Club Worth It?

MSC Drink Package Basics

There are a few basic things you need to know about the drink packages on MSC before we dive into the details of each option.

• Drink packages on MSC are sold on a per-cruise basis, not a per-day basis.
• Beverage packages are not transferrable and may not be shared with other guests.
• Drink packages are available on all MSC Cruises ships, except those sailing in South Africa and China
• In respect to the Saudi Law, alcohol is not served during calls in Saudi Arabian ports.
• Packages must be booked by all guests occupying the same cabin, and who are traveling together and wish to dine at the same table. This includes minors, for whom the Minors Package must be booked.
• Guests may get one beverage only per order.
• The Premium Extra Package is included for all cruises booked with the Yacht Club Experience.
• Bella, Fantastica, and Aurea Experiences do not include drink packages, but they do include discounted drink package options at the time of booking.
• On an MSC World Cruise, guests can enjoy house wines, draught beer, soft drinks, and mineral water that can be consumed during lunch and dinner in the main restaurants and the buffet.
• None of the drink packages include menu items purchased at signature venues, which include Venchi 1878 (chocolate, gelato, and coffee), Lavazza (coffee), Jean Philippe (chocolate, coffee, crepes, and gelato), Starship Club (bar with robot bartender on MSC Virtuosa) and Hola! Tacos & Cantina.

How much are the drink packages on MSC Cruises?

The MSC drink package prices when purchased once on board are listed below. They are priced per person, per day, and can vary based on the cruising region. Be sure to check your online cruise planner for the most up-to-date prices for your particular cruise. Currently, guests can save up to 15% by purchasing a beverage package pre-cruise.

As of December 2024, MSC Cruises has streamlined its beverage package offerings on cruises sailing in the Caribbean, North America, and Pacific Ocean regions. The new packages apply to sailings starting on or after April 1, 2025. They are:

• Premium Extra Package
• Alcohol-Free Package
• Minors Package

This means that sailings in the U.S. market have eliminated the Easy Package and Easy Plus Package.

The price-per-day structure is based on the length of the cruise. It is divided into cruises that are three nights or less, four to nine-night voyages, and 10+ night sailings. We are currently awaiting information on exactly what this new pricing is.

What happens if you want a drink that costs more than your drink package allotment?

If you order a drink that costs more than your beverage package’s maximum price allotment, you only need to pay the difference; not the entire à la carte price.

Are gratuities included in MSC drink packages?

Yes. All MSC Cruises’ pre-paid drink packages include 18% beverage gratuities. However, guests purchasing drinks individually will be responsible for this per-drink gratuity.

Can just one person get a drink package on MSC?

Unfortunately, no. The same drink packages on MSC must be booked by all guests occupying the same cabin and who are traveling together and wish to dine at the same table. This includes minors who must purchase the Minors Package.

Are MSC Cruises drink packages unlimited?

Like many other cruise lines, MSC Cruises drink packages are currently unlimited. This means that guests can enjoy an unlimited number of both alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic beverages each day. However, guests are only allowed to order one drink at a time. Further, MSC Cruises does have the right to refuse service due to intoxication.

Starting in April 2025, MSC Cruises’ beverage packages will only include up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day. If guests want more than 15, they’ll need to pay for additional beverages. There will continue to be no limit for non-alcoholic drinks. MSC Yacht Club guests will still be able to enjoy unlimited alcoholic drinks in the Yacht Club area, but the 15-drink limit will apply to all other areas of the ship.

What are the MSC Drink Packages?

MSC Cruises currently offers three different drink package options for sailings in the U.S. market. These include voyages in the Caribbean, Alaska, Canada/New England, etc. They are the Premium Extra, Alcohol-Free, and Minors packages.

Premium Extra Package

The Premium Extra Package is the most inclusive of the MSC cruise drink packages. This package covers all drinks worth up to $16. It includes:

• Premium-brand spirits, liqueurs, and cordials
• Wine and champagne by the glass
• High-end cocktails
• Draft and bottled beers
• Specialty coffee, tea, and hot chocolate
• Fruit juices and smoothies
• Soft drinks
• Bottled still and sparkling water
• All non-alcoholic beverages including beers and cocktails
• A 25 percent discount on bottles of wine and champagne

The Premium Extra Package works at all bars, the buffet, the main dining room, and specialty restaurants, as well as on MSC’s private island Ocean Cay. However, it does not work in signature venues either.

Alcohol-Free Package

This cruise drink package includes:

• Signature non-alcoholic cocktails and beers
• Soft drinks
• Energy drinks
• Coffee, tea, and other hot beverages

This package does NOT work in the specialty restaurants or at signature venues. Yes, this means that if you purchase this package, you can’t even order a soda while enjoying dinner at Butcher’s Cut.

Minors Package

Lastly, MSC Cruises offers a Minors Package. This drink package gives guests ages 20 and under the freedom to enjoy a selection of:

• Non-alcoholic beverages including beers and mocktails
• Fruit juices
• Soft drinks
• Bottled water
• Soft-serve ice cream

This package does not work in the specialty restaurants or signature venues either.

Minors are considered ages 3-17 on European sailings and ages 3-20 on North American and Caribbean itineraries. These packages are only applicable to minors who are part of a family purchasing an adult drink package.

If you’re planning a cruise outside the U.S. market, you also still have the Easy and Easy Plus packages available to you. Here are details on those:

Easy Package

The Easy Package is MSC Cruises’ cheapest alcoholic drink package. This option entitles guests to a limited number of alcoholic beverages including:

• Non-alcoholic cocktails and mixed drinks
• Spirits (one brand per type)
• House wines by the glass
• Draft and bottled Heineken beer
• Fountain and canned soft drinks
• Bottled and by-the-glass fruit juices
• Bottled mineral water
• Classic hot drinks (espresso, cappuccino, latte, hot tea, hot chocolate)

This package covers all of the above served in bars, the buffet, and the main restaurant, as well as on MSC’s private islands. However, it does NOT cover drinks in specialty restaurants or signature venues like Venchi 1878 or Jean-Philippe Chocolate, Coffee & Gelato.

Easy Plus Package

The Easy Plus Package includes:

• Variety of frozen and classic cocktails
• Fresh fruit cocktails and protein shakes
• Well spirits, liqueurs, and cordials
• Variety of draught and bottled beers
• Non-alcoholic cocktails and all non-alcoholic drinks
• Bottled mineral water
• Wide range of hot drinks
• Selection of wines by the glass
• 10 percent discount on bottles of wine

The Easy Plus Package works at all bars, the buffet, the main dining room, and specialty restaurants, as well as MSC’s private islands. However, it does not work in signature venues either.

MSC Drink Prices

Below are a list of the sample drink prices on MSC Cruises.

• Bottled Water (non-premium): $3.25 to $3.75
• Espresso-Based Beverages: $4.25
• Soft Drinks: $3 for a glass, $3.50 for a can
• Mocktails: $7
• Energy Drinks: $5
• Beer: $7.50
• Wine: most glasses are $9 to $16
• Cocktails: $10 to $13
• Signature Cocktails: $14 to $16

Are the drink packages on MSC worth it?

This is a question that only you can answer. Essentially, the question is whether you will consume enough beverages to make the purchase “worth it”. Knowing your drink preferences, onboard drink prices, and typical consumption, you can estimate whether or not you would hit the “break even” price point.

Other considerations include the length of the cruise and how many ports of call are on the itinerary. For instance, will you be able to sustain the same drinking pattern over the course of a 10-day or 14-day cruise? If your cruise is port intensive, will you be on the ship enough to make good use of your drink package?

Overall, cruise drink packages certainly do offer convenience, as you never have to worry about the bar tab at the end of the cruise! Still, you should weigh the pros and cons for yourself before you decide to purchase one or not.

Of course, if you wish to forego a beverage package, you can always pay a la carte for your drinks purchased on the ship.

Comments

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