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Is the Cruise Drink Package Worth It in 2026? Real Math & Prices

AlexisTravelTips
AlexisTravelTips
🥉Knowledgeable
👁️ 2K views📅 4 months ago⏱️ 9:27
What This Creator Said
Creator Had Mixed FeelingsTips & Advice🥉Knowledgeable Creator
Veteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

I'm talking $80, $90, even $100 per person per day for those unlimited cocktails, beers, specialty coffees, and sodas.

Royal Caribbean's deluxe beverage package usually ranges from $80 to $100 per day.

Some pros of buying is no checking the bill every time. This is pure vacation freedom.

I would skip this if I was a light or occasional drinker. If you just drink a couple drinks here and there, this is absolutely not for you.

Creator's Tips & Advice

Buy pre-cruise for cheaper prices.
Consider a non-alcoholic package if you aren't a big drinker.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Overpaying for a package you barely useDo the math: count how many drinks you think you'll drink daily and check current prices.
Budgeting for the vacationIf worried about budgeting, skip the package and pay as you go to save money for other adventures.

Questions This Creator Answers

QIs the cruise drink package worth it in 2026?
QHow many drinks do you need to drink per day to break even?
QWho should buy the drink package and who should pay as they go?

Topics Covered

Drink PackageMehPort Destination1½ Sad Bacon
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology
YouTube Video Description

Is the cruise drink package worth it in 2026? With prices hitting $80–$120+ per day (before gratuities) on Royal Caribbean, Carnival CHEERS!, Norwegian, Celebrity, and more, it's a huge decision that can save or cost you hundreds! In this video, I break down the latest 2026 drink package prices across major lines, including: Royal Caribbean Deluxe (now $56–$120+/day dynamic pricing) Carnival CHEERS! (~$70–$90 pre-cruise) New rules like NCL's private island changes Real break-even math: How many drinks per day to actually save money (usually 6–8 cocktails/beers!) Pros, cons, sneaky gotchas (daily limits, cabin requirements) Who it's worth it for (heavy drinkers, coffee lovers) vs. when to skip and pay a la carte Whether you're on Icon of the Seas, a Carnival fun ship, or planning a 7-night getaway, this guide helps you decide if the unlimited cocktails, beers, wines, sodas, and specialty coffees are a smart buy – or if you'll save big by skipping it for excursions and onboard fun. TIME STAMPS 0:00 - 1:35 - INTRO 1:36 - 3:02 - PRICING 3:03 - 5:18 - HOW MANY DRINKS PER DAY 5:19 - 5:54 - BREAKING DOWN THE MATH 5:55 - 6:14 - PORT DAYS 6:15 - 7:01 - PROS 7:02 - 8:13 - CONS 8:14 - 9:03 - VERDICT 9:04 - 9:28 - OUTRO What do you think – package or pay per drink? Drop your cruise line, sailing date, and daily drink estimate in the comments – I'll reply with personalized advice! If this saves you money, smash LIKE, SUBSCRIBE for more 2026 cruise tips, and hit the bell 🔔 #CruiseTips #DrinkPackage #Cruise2026 #RoyalCaribbean #CarnivalCruise #CruiseHacks