For many travelers, drinks are one of the largest onboard expenses during an MSC cruise. Whether you enjoy cocktails by the pool, specialty coffee in the morning, wine with dinner, or bottled water throughout the day, understanding MSC Cruises drink packages can help you estimate costs before sailing.

MSC Cruises currently offers three primary beverage packages on most North American sailings: the Premium Extra Package, Alcohol Free Package, and Minors Package. These packages cover a wide range of drinks across bars, lounges, restaurants, and select private island destinations, including Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Package availability, drink selections, and pricing can vary by itinerary and sailing region.

This guide explains MSC drink package options, what drinks are included, current package rules, gratuity policies, pricing considerations, and how many drinks you may need to consume for a package to make financial sense.

About MSC Drink Packages and Beverage Package Tiers

MSC Cruises simplified its beverage program in North America beginning in 2025. The former Easy Package and Easy Plus Package are no longer available for new purchases on U.S. sailings, although guests who purchased those packages before the program changes may still sail under the previous terms.

Today, most MSC Cruises guests will encounter three primary package options.

Premium Extra Package

The Premium Extra Package is MSC Cruises' highest beverage package tier and includes both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks.

The package covers a broad selection of beers, cocktails, frozen drinks, spirits, mixed drinks, wines by the glass, sparkling wine, bottled and draft beer, specialty coffee, tea, bottled water, soft drinks, juices, smoothies, energy drinks, and non alcoholic beverages. It is valid in most bars, lounges, buffet areas, main dining rooms, specialty restaurants, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Guests also receive discounts on select bottled wine and champagne purchases.

For Caribbean, North America, and Alaska sailings, drinks priced up to $16 per serving are included. If a beverage exceeds that limit, guests generally pay only the difference between the menu price and the package allowance.

Alcohol Free Package

The Alcohol Free Package is designed for guests who do not consume alcohol but still want unlimited beverages during their cruise.

Included drinks typically consist of bottled water, soda, specialty coffee, tea, hot chocolate, juices, smoothies, mocktails, energy drinks, non alcoholic beer, and other alcohol free beverages served throughout the ship.

Unlike the Premium Extra Package, this package does not include beer, wine, spirits, cocktails, or other alcoholic beverages.

Minors Package

The Minors Package is intended for children, teenagers, and underage guests sharing a cabin with adults who have purchased a beverage package.

Included drinks generally consist of fountain beverages, bottled water, juices, hot chocolate, mocktails, smoothies, and other non alcoholic options available throughout the ship. The package may also be used in specialty restaurants when accompanied by an adult who has the Premium Extra Package.

Drink Prices and Included Menus: What's Covered Under Each Tier?

While individual MSC Cruises drink menus vary by ship and itinerary, most beverages fall into several major categories.

Drinks Included in the Premium Extra Package

Guests with the Premium Extra Package can generally order:

Specialty coffees and espresso drinks
Hot tea and hot chocolate
Soft drinks and soda
Bottled and draft beer
Cocktails and frozen cocktails
Spritzes and mixed drinks
Premium spirits and liquors
Wine by the glass
Sparkling wine by the glass
Bottled water
Energy drinks
Fresh juices and smoothies
Non alcoholic cocktails
Non alcoholic beer and wine selections

The exact brands and menu offerings can change depending on the ship, itinerary, and sailing region. MSC specifically notes that beverage selections may vary by season and destination.

Drinks Included in the Alcohol Free Package

The Alcohol Free Package typically includes:

Specialty coffee
Tea
Hot chocolate
Soda
Juices
Energy drinks
Smoothies
Mocktails
Bottled water
Non alcoholic beer
Non alcoholic wine
Zero proof cocktails

Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Drinks Included in the Minors Package

The Minors Package generally includes:

Soft drinks
Water
Juices
Mocktails
Smoothies
Hot chocolate
Ice Cream (Venue-dependent)

Daily Package Pricing, Taxes, and Gratuity Rules Explained

MSC Cruises beverage package pricing varies by ship, itinerary length, destination, and whether the package is purchased before embarkation or onboard.

The cruise line regularly adjusts pricing, so travelers should always verify current costs within their booking before sailing.

One important detail is that MSC includes beverage gratuities in package pricing. Unlike some cruise lines that add an additional service charge during checkout, MSC's published beverage package rates already include gratuities.

For guests considering a package, MSC also frequently offers discounted pre cruise pricing through its online cruise planner. Purchasing before embarkation is generally less expensive than waiting until boarding day.

Package pricing is charged for the entire cruise rather than individual days. Beverage packages cannot be canceled or refunded once activated onboard.

The Math: How Many Drinks Do You Need to Break Even?

MSC World America Lanai Bar © MSC Cruises

Whether an MSC drink package is worth it depends entirely on your drinking habits.

Guests who regularly purchase specialty coffee, bottled water, soda, wine with dinner, cocktails by the pool, and evening drinks may find that a beverage package covers a significant portion of their onboard spending.

For example, a typical day might include:

Morning specialty coffee
Several bottles of water
A soda or energy drink
Wine with lunch
A pre dinner cocktail
Wine with dinner
An after dinner drink

Depending on the beverages selected and current menu pricing, travelers who consume multiple premium beverages throughout the day may reach or exceed the cost of a package.

Conversely, guests who primarily drink complimentary beverages such as tap water, buffet coffee, tea, and occasional alcoholic drinks may find that paying individually results in a lower overall cost.

The best approach is to estimate your likely daily beverage purchases and compare them against the current package price shown in your MSC booking.

Crucial MSC Drink Rules: Packages for All Cabin Guests, Room Service, and Ocean Cay

Ocean Cay Ivory Bar © Freestyle Travelers

Before purchasing a package, it is important to understand several MSC beverage package rules.

All Guests in the Same Cabin Must Purchase a Package

MSC requires beverage packages to be purchased by all guests occupying the same stateroom.

If one adult purchases the Premium Extra Package, other adults in the cabin must generally purchase the same package, while underage guests must purchase the Minors Package. Infants are typically exempt.

Premium Extra Package Works at Ocean Cay

The Premium Extra Package is accepted at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

However, beverage selections available on the island may differ from those available onboard.

Alcohol Free Package Restrictions

MSC notes that the Alcohol Free Package may not be accepted on private islands and certain specialty venues depending on itinerary and program terms. Guests should review the most current package details before sailing.

Room Service Is Not Included

Room service beverages are generally excluded from MSC beverage packages. Drinks ordered through room service are purchased separately.

There Is a 15 Alcoholic Drink Daily Limit

Beginning with sailings affected by MSC's updated beverage program, Premium Extra Package guests are limited to 15 alcoholic beverages per day.

The limit applies from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Non alcoholic beverages remain unlimited. Once the daily limit is reached, additional alcoholic drinks can still be purchased at regular menu prices. This drink package limit also extends ashore for guests with a call at Ocean Cay or other MSC private destinations with a drinks package inclusion.

MSC Yacht Club Guests Receive the Premium Extra Package

Guests sailing in MSC Yacht Club receive the Premium Extra Package as part of the Yacht Club experience.

The 15 alcoholic drink daily limit still applies to all bars outside of the Yacht Club complex, but beverages consumed inside the Yacht Club are typically not deducted from the daily drink package limit.

Frequently Asked Questions About MSC Drink Packages

Does MSC Cruises have unlimited drinks?
Non alcoholic beverages included within a package are generally unlimited. Alcoholic beverages under the Premium Extra Package are currently limited to 15 alcoholic drinks per guest per day.

Can I use my MSC drink package at Ocean Cay?
Yes. The Premium Extra Package is accepted at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, although beverage selections may differ from those available onboard and the daily drink limit does extend ashore.

Are gratuities included in MSC drink packages?
Yes. MSC Cruises includes gratuities in the cost of its beverage packages.

Does everyone in the cabin need a drink package?
Yes. Guests sharing a cabin must generally purchase the same beverage package, with underage guests required to purchase the Minors Package when applicable.

Are specialty coffees included in MSC drink packages?
Yes. Specialty coffee beverages are included in both the Premium Extra Package and Alcohol Free Package.

Can I use my drink package in specialty restaurants?
The Premium Extra Package can be used in specialty restaurants. Minors may use their package in specialty restaurants when accompanied by an adult with the Premium Extra Package.

Is bottled water included with MSC drink packages?
Yes. Bottled water or MSC's onboard AQUA water program is included within applicable beverage packages, depending on ship and itinerary.

Final Thoughts on MSC Cruises Drink Packages

MSC Meraviglia Masters of the Sea Bar © MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers several beverage package options designed for different travel styles, from the comprehensive Premium Extra Package to the Alcohol Free Package and Minors Package. For guests who regularly purchase cocktails, wine, beer, bottled water, specialty coffee, and soft drinks throughout their cruise, a package can simplify onboard spending and provide predictable vacation budgeting.

Before purchasing, travelers should review the latest package pricing in their MSC booking, compare expected beverage consumption against current package costs, and understand important rules regarding daily alcohol limits, cabin wide participation requirements, room service exclusions, and Ocean Cay usage. Since package benefits and beverage selections can change over time, checking the latest MSC Cruises terms before sailing remains the best way to confirm current offerings.

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