Do you only book cruises?
One of the most frequently asked questions we get is, “Do you only book cruises?”. The answer is no! While our name, Cruise Planners, might suggest that our services are limited to cruise vacations, our travel agency actually goes above and beyond to provide a comprehensive range of travel experiences and services to meet the diverse needs and desires of our clients.
Here are some of the ways in which we stand out:
- Cruise Planning Expertise: We are highly knowledgeable and experienced travel advisors who specialize in cruise vacations. We have extensive expertise in selecting the perfect cruise line, ship, and itinerary based on your preferences and budget.
- All-Inclusive Travel Packages: In addition to cruises, we offer a wide variety of all-inclusive travel packages that cater to different travel styles and interests. Whether you're dreaming of an adventurous safari, a relaxing beach getaway, an immersive cultural experience, or a thrilling ski trip, we can tailor a package to fulfill your travel aspirations.
- Customized Land Tours: We understand that some travelers prefer to explore destinations on land rather than at sea. That's why we offer a range of land-based tour options that allow you to delve deeper into the local culture, visit iconic landmarks, and savor authentic culinary experiences.
- Luxury Travel Experiences: If you're seeking a more indulgent travel experience, we have a portfolio of luxury travel options that cater to discerning travelers. From ultra-luxurious cruises to extravagant resorts and private villa rentals, we can curate a trip that exceeds your expectations.
- Group Travel Services: We are well-equipped to handle group travel arrangements for family reunions, corporate retreats, destination weddings, and more. We can coordinate every detail, including accommodations, transportation, and special group activities, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience for all participants.
- Travel Insurance and Assistance: Understanding the importance of peace of mind, we offer 24/7 comprehensive travel insurance options to protect your investment. Additionally, we provide support and assistance during your trip, so you can travel with confidence knowing that we have your back. Even if you booked your travel elsewhere, we can provide you the insurance you need.
- Personalized Service: Our commitment to customer satisfaction goes beyond booking your travel. We take the time to understand your preferences, interests, and expectations to design a personalized itinerary that reflects your unique travel aspirations. We are readily available to answer questions, provide recommendations, and assist you throughout the entire journey.
And that’s not all! We can help you with rail travel, RV travel, road trips, eco and sustainable travel, and for the super adventurous… we even offer space travel!
We are much more than a cruise booking agency! Our extensive range of travel services, personalized approach, and dedication to exceptional customer service make us an ideal choice for all your travel needs. Whether you're dreaming of a cruise vacation, an adventurous land tour, or a luxurious getaway, we are here to make your travel dreams a reality!
Feel free to reach out to us for further information or assistance in planning your next extraordinary travel experience! Click this link to get started planning your next great adventure today!
Should I get the drink package on my cruise?*
*Specific pricing information may not reflect current pricing
Is it Worth It?
We understand trying to decide whether you will need or want to purchase a drink package on your cruise can be confusing and overwhelming. We have put together some information to hopefully clear up some confusion and help you decide if a drink package is right for you.
What is a drink package?
These all-you-can-drink packages allow passengers to pay a set fee up front for unlimited drinks (of a certain type, as outlined by the package's fine print), rather than pay per drink once onboard the cruise ship. They are offered because many cruise lines, with the exception of the most expensive luxury lines, charge extra for most beverages (including soda and alcohol) onboard. These beverage packages can be a good deal, depending on how often you plan to buy drinks on your vacation.
Packages run the gamut from bottled water and soda packages to all-inclusive packages that cover cocktails, wine, beer, soda and coffee. Some lines offer coffee cards for a set number of drinks from the for-fee coffee bars, or wine packages that vary in number of bottles and vintages. Packages can either be a set number of drinks for a discounted price (for example, 12 bottles of water or five bottles of wine) or a set per-day fee for a range of drinks orders.
Standard alcohol packages typically range between $60-$85 per person, per day, and the price likewise varies both by cruise line and drink inclusions. Cruise lines that offer two or three tiers of packages will often have a limited selection of brands included in their cheapest package, with a maximum per-drink price (think beers, wines and cocktails under $12).
Soda packages average around $10-$15/person/day (usually with reduced rates for kids), and might include a souvenir cup.
Some lines have nonalcoholic drink packages that include beverages like soda, bottled water, juice, specialty coffee and tea, smoothies and/or nonalcoholic cocktails. Prices start at about $30/person/day, and go up from there, depending on the cruise line and which drinks are included.
Look at the Fine Print!
Be sure to look at the fine print when deciding to purchase a drink package or not. Not all drinks are always included. There is usually a cap on the price of the drink you can get (around $12-$13), which varies from cruise line to cruise line.
On more premium drink packages, nearly everything is included, except for the most expensive of liquors and wines. Some cruise lines also limit the amount of drinks you can have each day, so that’s something to look out for in the fine print as well.
If your cruise line has a private island that you will be visiting, check to see if the drinks on the island are also covered by your drink package. Drink packages often do not cover drinks from the room minibar or room service, unless you are in a suite (see above).
If you are having a drink while at a U.S. port, your cruise line may charge an additional port tax for each drink. This is usually around $1 or less and will be charged to your account.
Breaking it Down by Alcoholic Drinks:
This is how many alcoholic drinks of each kind you would have to consume each day for a drink package to be worth it for you (these numbers are based on a plan costing about $65/day).
Beer: 8-11 beers/day ($6-$9/beer)
Wine and Spirits: 6-8 drinks/day ($9-$12 per house wine or spirit and mixer/drink)
Cocktails: 5-6 drinks/day ($11-$13/drink)
*Premium cocktails can run about $12-13 each, so, if you prefer higher end or call liquor in your drinks, you will want to take this into account, and may only be available with the more expensive drink packages.
** Keep in mind, these are not assumed they would be consumed all in one sitting. For example, you may want to have a drink or two at lunch and/or dinner, have a drink in your room, a drink at the theatre, etc.
*** Also, considering the packages often include nonalcoholic drinks, you would not have to consume this many alcoholic drinks every day to make it worthwhile. Specialty coffees/teas and sodas average around $3-$4 per drink.
**** Also keep in mind you may be having more drinks while you are out at sea, and less while you are in ports.
What About a Water Package?
Water packages typically get passengers a 12-pack of bottled water (prices vary greatly, depending on brand and size), though Celebrity, for one, offers an unlimited premium water package (costing $16 per person, per day) featuring still and sparkling water (such as Evian, San Pellegrino and Perrier). If you plan on just drinking still water for your trip, your best bet is to bring your own water bottle and fill it from the bathroom sink. The water on cruise ships is filtered and perfectly fine to drink.
Pros and Cons of Drink Packages
Pros
- Having peace of mind and freedom knowing you have pre-paid for everything on board. You don’t have to worry about paying for and keeping track of individual drinks you’ve had, or have the shock of a bigger bill at the end of the cruise. Drink packages are easier to budget into the trip before you go.
- A drink package gives you more freedom to try new drinks you’ve never tried! If you don’t like a drink you ordered, you won’t have to worry about feeling guilty about not drinking it.
- Drink packages do not only cover alcohol, but often include specialty coffees, fresh juices, smoothies, nonalcoholic cocktails, and sodas. So even if you are not an alcohol drinker, or if you don’t want to drink alcohol the entire trip, you can still save money by purchasing the drink package. These drinks alone can get quite pricy on the ship, so if you are someone who drinks a lot of soda or specialty coffees, etc., then a drink package might be worth it for you.
Cons
- If you don’t plan to drink alcohol or specialty drinks every single day, it might not be worth it. If you might only pay for a drink or two on any given day, and intend to largely stick with free beverages (water, iced tea, plain coffee), you likely will be better off paying a la carte.
- You cannot pick the days you want to be able to use your drinks package. You will have to buy the drinks package for the entire length of your cruise. If you are on a week or less length cruise, this may not be a big deal for you. However, if you are on a two-week or longer cruise, it can be hard to keep up with having to drink every day. Although, on longer cruises, even if you take a couple of days off, it can still be worthwhile.
- The types of mixers on cruise ship bars are usually a house or generic brand. If you are a connoisseur and prefer specific mixers or a specific brand of liquor, there is usually an upcharge. Be sure to check what brands the drink package covers before deciding to purchase one.
Can I just buy one package and share with my spouse/cabin mate(s)?
The package is not allowed to be shared. On many cruise lines, if one person purchase a drink package, each adult in your cabin has to buy the same drink package. If the person traveling with you does not want to drink, then it will not be worth it, as you will have to pay for two drink packages, having only the benefit of one person drinking. In most cases, anyone under 21 would need to opt for a nonalcoholic package if their parents or travel partner is buying an alcoholic one.
Can’t I just bring my own alcohol on board?
Cruise lines will often allow passengers to bring a limited amount of alcohol on board, ideally to be consumed in your cabin (typically around one or two bottles of wine). Some cruise lines will charge a corking fee for alcohol that will be consumed in your cabin. Be sure to check your cruise lines’ policies before you try to bring alcohol on board.
You can also purchase bottles of alcohol in the onboard gift shop; however, the bottle will be held for you until disembarkation day, so you will not be able to enjoy it until after your trip.
Drink packages do not cover the cost of alcohol purchased in the gift shop.
Can I get a discount on my drink package?
Some lines offer a discount on the packages if you purchase them before your cruise rather than once on the ship. You can book the packages in advance through the cruise line or get your travel agent to assist you. Otherwise, you can purchase them onboard, typically at the beginning of your cruise or within a day or two of sailing; lines vary in their policies as to whether you can purchase packages throughout the cruise or only on select days. (When permitted for purchase beyond embarkation day, prices are prorated based on the number of sailing days remaining.) Crew members and/or bars will most certainly be advertising packages onboard, especially on the first day, so it's easy enough to sign up.
What about gratuities?
Most lines add a 15 to 18 percent gratuity and taxes on top of the cost of the package - even when a drink package is included in a special offer you may have taken advantage of. If you feel the need to tip extra for superior service, you can always do that when ordering a drink.
What if my group wants to share a bottle of wine?
On some cruise lines you will be able to choose from full-sized bottles of wine or they will replenish your mini bar, providing unlimited drinks in your cabin. Also, many of them offer access to a private bar or lounge where you can enjoy drinks all day or at certain times of the day without an extra charge.
Drinks Package Information by Cruise Line:
(last updated July 2022)
The bottom line is, do the math and know yourself. A good rule of thumb is thinking whether or not you can drink between 5-7 drinks per day while on the ship (more drinks if you will tend to drink lesser-priced drinks, and less drinks if you will tend to drink the more expensive ones). If you will drink that many or more, you are probably better off getting a package. If that sounds like a lot to you, you will likely benefit more from just paying as you go. Only you will know how many drinks you will reasonably consume during your trip.
Don't forget too that most cruise lines offer water, coffee, tea, and juice to drink included in your cruise fare.
