A cruise drink package calculator tells you exactly how many drinks per day you need to consume for the package to pay off. Enter your cruise line, package cost, cruise length, and typical daily drink habits to see whether you should buy the package or pay as you go.
Cruise Details
Typical Daily Drinks (sea days)
Fill in your cruise details and
click Calculate Break-Even
How to Use the Cruise Drink Package Calculator
Cruise drink packages range from $30/day for non-alcoholic to $109/day for premium unlimited packages. Whether you come out ahead depends entirely on your drinking habits and how many sea days you have.
Step 1: Select Your Cruise Line and Package
Choose your cruise line. The calculator pre-loads typical package options and costs. Prices vary seasonally and are often discounted during promotions — enter a custom cost if you have a promotional price. Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Package averages $82/day; Carnival's Cheers! runs about $65/day; NCL Premium is around $109/day (includes 20% gratuity).
Step 2: Account for Port Days
This is the biggest mistake people make. A 7-day Caribbean cruise might have 3 port days where you spend 8-10 hours off the ship. You will drink significantly less on those days. Enter your number of port days and select your estimated reduction. A 40% reduction is typical for a half-day port; 80% for a full day ashore.
Step 3: Enter Your Typical Drinks Per Day
Be honest with yourself. Most people slightly overestimate how much they will drink on vacation. A realistic 7-day Royal Caribbean cruise for a moderate drinker: 2 beers, 2 cocktails, 1 wine, 1 specialty coffee, and 2 sodas per sea day = about $69 a-la-carte. At $82/day for the Deluxe Package, that does not break even — but port day reduction matters.
The Convenience Factor
Purely mathematical analysis misses one thing: the convenience value. Not watching a tab grows after every cocktail. Not feeling guilty about ordering one more drink. This intangible value is worth roughly $10-15/day to most people, meaning even a slight mathematical loss can feel like a win. If the math shows you paying $20-30 more total, the package might still be "worth it" to you personally.
When the Package Clearly Wins
The package is clearly worth it when: you drink 5+ beverages per day, you plan to try many specialty cocktails and premium spirits, you drink specialty coffees every morning ($5-7 each adds up fast), or you travel with non-drinkers who have the non-alcoholic package. The package clearly loses when you drink lightly, have 4+ port days, or are doing a wellness-focused trip.
FAQ
Is this cruise drink package calculator free?
Yes, completely free. No account required. All calculations run locally in your browser.
Is my data safe when using this tool?
Yes, everything runs in your browser. No data is sent anywhere.
How do cruise drink packages typically work?
Most cruise drink packages are a flat daily per-person rate that covers unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks up to a price limit (usually $13-16 per drink). You pay for all days of the cruise upfront, including port days when you may drink less. Most lines require all adults in a cabin to purchase the same package.
Are cruise drink packages worth it?
It depends on your drinking habits. If you have 5-6+ drinks per day, most packages break even. If you drink 3-4 drinks per day (plus coffee and water), premium packages with non-alcoholic inclusions often break even faster. The package also removes the anxiety of watching the tab — many guests find the convenience value alone worth $10-15 per day.
What is the break-even point for Royal Caribbean's drink package?
Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package is approximately $75-90/day. With average cocktails at $13-15 each and beers at $8-10, you break even at roughly 5-6 alcoholic drinks per day, or a mix of 3-4 alcoholic drinks plus specialty coffees, fresh-squeezed juices, and premium waters.
Can I include port days in my calculation?
The calculator lets you apply a port day reduction. On port days, many cruisers spend the day off the ship and have fewer drinks. Reducing port day consumption by 30-50% gives you a more realistic estimate. If you have 3 port days in a 7-day cruise, this significantly affects the break-even calculation.
Do I have to purchase the package for every day of the cruise?
Yes, virtually all cruise lines require you to purchase the package for the entire duration. You cannot buy it for just sea days. This is important to factor into the calculation — port days with fewer drinks increase your effective per-drink cost.