Carmen
Travel editor at Reisedrop · 2026-10-02
A cruise drink package sounds simple: pay one amount before departure and your drinks are sorted. In practice, it only pays off for some travel patterns. For Norwegian travellers sailing from European ports and flying out from OSL, BGO, TRD or TRF, the decision is less about instinct and more about consumption, cruise length and the rules attached. Some people mostly drink water, coffee and one glass with dinner. Others make full use of sea days with the pool, bars and evening shows. That difference decides whether a package is good value or just another extra cost.
What a drink package usually includes
Coverage varies by cruise line, and this is where many travellers misjudge it. A package may include soft drinks, selected coffees, bottled water, juice, beer, wine and some cocktails, but often with limits per item or a rule that drinks must stay within a certain menu level. Premium brands, fresh juice, minibar, room service and specialty restaurants may be excluded. Some cruise lines also add service charges in advance, while others do so on board. Always check the exact inclusions before deciding whether a cruise drink package truly matches how you drink.
When a drink package usually makes sense
A package most often works on sailings with many sea days, warm weather and lots of time spent on board. Consumption naturally rises through the day: coffee in the morning, water in the sun, something with lunch, a drink before dinner and maybe another during evening entertainment. It can also suit travellers who want predictability and do not want to monitor every receipt on board. For couples or friends with fairly similar drinking habits, the package can work better than for one light drinker travelling with one heavy drinker, especially when both cabin guests must buy the same option.
When paying on board is the better choice
Paying per drink is often smarter if you spend a lot of time ashore, have short port calls and see the ship more as transport than as the destination. On port-heavy routes in the Mediterranean or Northern Europe, many hours disappear on land, which means fewer orders on board. The same applies if you mostly drink water, standard coffee or just one glass with dinner. Travellers who prioritise excursions, spa time or specialty dining often use their budget better there than on a cruise drink package they have to work hard to justify.
Calculate the full trip pattern, not just the bar bill
For Norwegian cruise travellers, the total picture matters. Flights to the embarkation port, baggage, a pre-cruise hotel, transfers between airport and port and any excursions all affect how much room there is in the budget. A slightly cheaper cabin can create room for a drink package, while a more convenient departure or shorter flight from OSL, BGO, TRD or TRF can make it easier to prioritise other things instead. Also look at seasonality: during periods of high outbound demand from Norway, both flights and cabin choices often become less flexible, so extras should be judged carefully.
A simple rule of thumb
If you know you will use several parts of the package every day and spend large parts of the day on board, a drink package can be practical and financially sensible. If you are unsure, drink moderately or plan active days ashore, paying on board is often the safer option. The best decision comes from looking at drinks as part of the full cruise budget rather than in isolation. That makes it clearer whether a cruise drink package is a real saving or simply a convenience you do not actually need.
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