10 Onboard Costs Cruise Passengers Are Often Surprised By

2. Beverage Packages and Individual Drink Prices

The cost of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages aboard cruise ships represents another major expense that surprises many passengers. Individual cocktails typically range from $12 to $18, wine by the glass costs $8 to $15, and even specialty coffees and fresh juices can cost $4 to $7 each. For passengers who enjoy having drinks throughout their cruise, these individual prices can quickly become prohibitive, leading many to purchase beverage packages that range from $45 to $89 per person, per day. While these packages can provide value for heavy drinkers, they represent a significant upfront cost that many passengers don't anticipate when booking their cruise. The packages often come with restrictions, such as sharing limitations and time constraints, and don't always include premium spirits or wines. Additionally, automatic gratuities of 18% are typically added to beverage packages, further increasing the total cost. For a seven-day cruise, a couple's beverage package can easily cost over $1,000, making it one of the largest additional expenses beyond the cruise fare itself.