You might want to enjoy a drink or two on your cruise, but you don’t necessarily want to spend the whole time worrying about how much money you’re spending.
MSC Cruises understands that sometimes passengers just want to relax and not worry about the cost of their drinks. That’s why they offer an extensive range of packages that can be as simple or elaborate as you choose, allowing you to take the time to enjoy your drinks without feeling rushed or constrained.
The best part is that there are drink packages for all budgets - from non-alcoholic packages to wines by the glass, discounts on bottles of wine, to cocktails, mineral water, coffee and ice cream packages. There is something for everyone!
Not sure where to start? The following descriptions should give you a good idea on which MSC drinks package works best for you.
On all cruises, excluding South Africa, MSC Cruises has five different drink packages:
For South African drink packages, click here.
When choosing a drinks package, choose the right one that fits your needs.
There is no point in buying a premium package if you drink mainly fruit juice, nor taking the Easy Package when you normally drink premium champagne.
Rob the Humanoid Bartender on MSC Virtuosa
MSC Cruises no longer publishes the price of the drinks packages on their website.
If you are unfamiliar with the drinks packages available on your MSC cruise, it can initially seem a bit daunting.
Thankfully, there are several options available to fit your needs best.
You can have speciality drinks with every meal, the occasional cocktail, or even a whole assortment of non-alcoholic drinks anytime.
The MSC drink package prices for a Mediterranean cruise in winter 2024 (estimate per person per day):
Note: Drink packages in the Caribbean, South America, and some Northern European destinations might cost more.
Below are the details of the drinks packages currently available through MSC Cruises.
They range from simple staples to everything under the sun—enough to make your mouth water just thinking about it!
The price is a guide only, as it is different for each MSC Cruises market and date of travel.
Note: The drinks packages below are not valid for cruising within South African waters—click here for those packages.
Enjoy all sorts of different alcoholic cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks while on a cruise.
The MSC Cruises drinks package for Winter 2021/2022
| MEDITERRANE ANd NORTHERN EUROPE | CARIBBEAN, NORTH AMERICA &JAPAN | |
| Easy Package | € 32 pp | $ 38 pp |
| Easy Plus* | € 44 pp | $ 49 pp |
| Premium Extra** | € 62 pp | $ 69 pp |
| Alcohol-Free | € 23 pp | $ 25 pp |
| Minor Package | € 15 pp | $ 17 pp |
*All beverages priced up to € 8 or $9
**All beverages priced up to € 13 or $ 15
Note: These packages are valid from November 2021
This is a great, simple drinks package for casual drinkers—those who just love the basics or those who are travelling on a budget.
These drinks are priced up to $6 / €6. These can be bought at the bars onboard and in the self-service buffet.
The Easy Package includes:
The Easy Package can be enjoyed in all bars, main restaurants, and the buffet. However, it can't be used in any of the specialty restaurants or signature lounges and bars (e.g., Starship Club, Jean Philippe Chocolate).
For anyone who just wants a sip of something special now and then, the Easy Package is designed to keep you hydrated without all the frills.
Emirates, Antilles & Mediterranean: €32 | £28 | R661
Caribbean, North America, South America & Japan: $38 | £28 | R661
*All packages are per person per day
If you mainly want the basics, but also might want to try a few new things on your cruise, the Easy Plus package may help you do both!
This package covers all drinks priced up to $9 / €8.
The Easy Plus Package includes:
The Easy Plus Package can be enjoyed in all bars, main restaurants, buffets, and speciality restaurants.
But does not include any of the signature lounges & bars (eg: Starship Club, Jean Philippe Chocolate).
The main difference between the Easy package and the Easy Plus package is that the Easy Plus package allows you to order from specialty restaurants and offers the option of liqueurs.
Emirates, Antilles & Mediterranean: €44 | £39 | R757
Caribbean, North America, South America & Japan: $49 | £39 | R757
*All packages are per person per day
The Premium Extra package gives you numerous options with practically no limits.
This package is defacto the MSC all-inclusive drinks package.
All drinks up to a limit of $15 / €13 are included.
The Premium Extra Package include:
The Premium Extra Package can be enjoyed in all bars, main restaurants, buffets, and speciality restaurants.
But does not include any of the signature lounges & bars (e.g., Starship Club, Jean Philippe Chocolate).
Note: The previous Premium Plus drink package used to include drinks from the mini-bar. At the moment, the mini-bar is not mentioned in the new Premium Extra Package.
Emirates, Antilles & Mediterranean: €62 | £55 | R1,066
Caribbean, North America, South America & Japan: $69 | £55 | R1,280
*all packages are per person per day
For adults who don’t want to drink alcohol while they relax, there is a package for you as well!
Even better, your drinks menu doesn’t have to be boring.
The Alcohol-Free package includes:
Alcohol-free packages can be enjoyed in all bars, main restaurants, and buffets.
However, it does not include any of the specialty restaurants or the signature lounges and bars (e.g., Starship Club, Jean Philippe Chocolate).
This drinks menu is suitable for adults - you can still have fun and enjoy your beverages without the alcohol content.
Emirates, Antilles & Mediterranean: €23 | £20 | R454
Caribbean, North America, South America & Japan: $25 | £20 | R396
*all packages are per person per day
This is a package for children from 3 to 20 in the Caribbean and North America and 3 to 17 on South American and European Cruises.
Minors onboard can enjoy a wide assortment of drinks without alcoholic options.
The Alcohol-Free Child Package can be enjoyed in all bars, main restaurants, and the self-service buffet, but it does not include any of the speciality restaurants of the signature lounges and bars (e.g., Starship Club, Jean Philippe Chocolate).
Emirates, Antilles & Mediterranean: €15 | £13 | R300
Caribbean, North America, South America & Japan: $17 | £13 | R270
*all packages are per person per day
On the MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Meraviglia, specific packages are available to enjoy with the Cirque du Soleil At Sea performance.
These packages include non-alcoholic and alcoholic signature drinks.
The drinks packages bought for an MSC cruise that stops at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve can be used on the island.
The Springer's Bar - Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
Most cruises in the South African waters are 3 and 4-night itineraries.
So, MSC Cruises has a range of packages catering exclusively to the South African market cruising Southern African waters. These packages are not applicable to itineraries going to or coming from Europe.
All drinks packages can be enjoyed on Portuguese Island and Pomene if included in the itinerary.
Related: MSC Orchestra full guide & specials
You can download the full list of pre-paid packages, including the MSC Orchestra drinks packages prices here.
Price of MSC Drink Package: ZAR 1,017 for 18 drink vouchers (Adults only). The price is per cabin.
The MSC Drink Package is the most popular beverage in South Africa. Passengers can choose from:
The MSC Drink Package can be used at the self-service buffet, main restaurants, bars, lounges, and specialty restaurants.
Price of Wine & Water Package Easy: ZAR 1,146 (Adults only). The price is per cabin.
The Wine & Water Package Easy is ideal for those passengers who are enjoying wine during meals:
The Wine & Water Package Easy can be used at the self-service buffet, main restaurants, bars, lounges, and specialty restaurants.
Any unfinished bottles of wine while you are eating at the main restaurants will be kept for the next day. In any of the other premises, the ship doesn't guarantee the safe-keeping of the wine.
Price of Bon Voyage Deluxe Package: ZAR 701 (Adults only). Prices are per cabin.
The Bon Voyage Deluxe Package is ideal to get you started on your adventure:
On embarkation day, the Bon Voyage Deluxe Package will be served in your cabin. You will get a fresh bowl of fruits in your cabin every day.
Price of Bon Voyage Package: ZAR 504 (Adults only). Prices are per cabin.
The Bon Voyage Package is ideal to get you started on your adventure:
The Bon Voyage Package will be served in your cabin on embarkation day. You will get a fresh bowl of fruit in your cabin every day.
The price of the MSC Non-Alcoholic Drink Package is ZAR 523 (Adults and kids) for 12 drinks vouchers. Prices are per cabin.
The MSC Non-Alcoholic Package is an ideal complement to one of the alcohol packages. It is perfect for children or for travellers who are not into alcohol but still want to enjoy their beverages.
The MSC Non-Alcoholic Package can be used at the self-service buffet, bars, lounges and speciality restaurants.
Price of Water Package: ZAR 425 (Adults & Kids). Prices are per cabin.
The Water Package includes:
The Water Package can be consumed at the self-service buffet, bars, lounges and speciality restaurants.
Price of Coffee Package: ZAR 405 (Adults & Kids) for 15 vouchers. Prices are per cabin.
The Coffee Package includes:
The Coffee Package can be consumed in bars and lounges.
Price of VIP Treatment Package: ZAR 326 (Adults only). Prices are per cabin.
The VIP Treatment Package is ideal to surprise a friend or family member onboard:
The VIP Treatment Package will be served in your cabin on embarkation day.
Price of Soft Drink & Ice Cream Package: ZAR 306 (Adults & Kids) for 10 vouchers. Prices are per cabin.
The Soft Drink & Ice Cream Package is great for kids and adults that are Ice Cream aficionados:
The Soft Drink and ice Cream Package can be consumed at the self-service buffet, all restaurants, bars, and lounges.
All drinks packages can be used at both of these MSC Cruises destinations. Don't forget to take the vouchers when you leave the ship.
The cost of beverages onboard any of the MSC Cruises ships is on par with other cruise lines and what you can find in an upper-class restaurant on shore.
These prices are approximate and to give you an idea for your budgeting purposes.
Champagne Bar onboard MSC Grandiosa
The below drinks are free on all MSC Cruises ships:
Those drinks are available mainly at the main restaurants and the self service buffet.
You will not find any of these in any bars or speciality restaurants onboard.
Tap water at the buffet, is available 24 hours for free. Bottled mineral water is available at a fee.
Coffee and tea are available for free at the self-service buffet area and in the main restaurant during breakfast. The coffee is standard filtered coffee. Speciality coffee is available at a fee.
A drinks package may seem like a strange concept at first. It certainly is not the first thing people think of when planning a cruise, compared to the shows and excursions.
Why pay in advance for all these drinks without even knowing what particular drink you want with dinner yet?
You can purchase drinks individually, but while the individual drinks seem cheaper one at a time, they can add up quickly. Purchasing a drinks package ahead of time can save passengers a financial headache.
If you prefer a single cup of coffee with breakfast and a simple beer with dinner, a drinks package may not be the best deal for you.
If you want the freedom to have a mimosa at breakfast, beer with lunch, and a cocktail with dinner, a drinks package can help keep those costs down and give you peace of mind.
As mentioned before, if you are hesitant to pay for a drinks package at once, remember that buying individual drinks can result in a larger tab than you would expect.
Buying a drinks package helps you set your budget in advance and, more importantly, stick to it without counting costs during your trip.
Drink package prices will depend on your exact selection. They can range from about $20 to $40 a day.
When you include alcoholic drinks (which can easily be $10+), this can match or even end up lower than what you would pay for drinks individually.
There are some other ways to save on drinks packages as well. One of these ways is to book your packages in advance. You can often get discounts by arranging these well before your ship sets sail - it is often 10% to 15% cheaper to pre-book than buy them onboard.
Horizon Bar onboard MSC Grandiosa
These are valid for the South African market and for packages with limits, e.g., 5 ice creams/mineral water.
For any non-alcoholic pre-booked packages, such as ice cream and coffee packages, the cabin steward will deliver the vouchers to your room on the first day of your cruise.
In the instance that you have purchased alcoholic packages, you will need to collect them from the front desk and sign for them.
If the ship doesn't use vouchers, for example, when you buy some of the unlimited packages, those will be loaded on your cruise card beforehand.
The most common question we get about drinks packages is what to do when our family of 6 is booked in two different cabins.
You can do anything you wish with your vouchers, use them yourself or donate them to a family member or a friend.
For unlimited packages:
The official answer from MSC Cruises is that all persons travelling together have to purchase the same packages.
When sitting together at the table, the MSC crew members will not allow you to purchase the wine on packages when no one else has one.
If some of the travellers are minors, a non-alcoholic drinks package must be purchased.
Blackberry smoothie onboard MSC Preziosa
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about drinks on MSC Cruises.
If you have questions, drop us a line; we will happily answer them.
Kids up to three years old need not purchase any drinks, but everyone else must have at least one of MSC Cruises' drink packages that best suits their needs and preferences - there is something available for every budget!
You can either ask your travel agent to add it to your booking or log into Manage My Booking on MSC Cruises and add it yourself.
You will save +- 15% by pre-booking your packages before your cruise.
We advise booking and paying for any onboard packages at least 5 days before your cruise departs, as this booking information is transferred to the ship 3 days before departure. Anything booked after that has a high risk of not showing onboard.
MSC Cruises has strict rules about bringing drinks on board. Guests can bring water if they have a medical need for it and can carry an unlimited amount of baby milk without any problems.
However, the company does not allow guests to bring alcoholic beverages or soda onto their vessels—even when purchased from outside vendors!
Sneaking alcohol onto a cruise ship is not recommended, and it can get you kicked off the vessel.
MSC Cruises doesn't allow guests to bring any beverages onboard, for fear they might sneak in something else, like alcoholic substances with their favorite drink!
You can save much money by booking your drinks packages before your cruise. One of them is you do not pay service charges on pre-booked packages.
If the package is booked during boarding, an additional 15% service charge will be added.
MSC Cruises offers three specific experiences: Bella, Fantastica and Aurea.
The Bella & Fantastica do not include drinks packages as standard.
The Aurea experience includes:
MSC Yacht Club guests will get a drinks package equivalent to the Premium Extra Drink Package. This package includes unlimited drinks in all restaurants and bars, including speciality dining, up to a value of $15 / €13 per drink.
Butler serving High Tea in the Top Deck Lounge (Yacht Club exclusive lounge) onboard MSC Fantasia
The drinking age is 18 for European / South African cruises and 21 for US / Caribbean / South American Cruises, as this is in line with local government regulations.
MSC Cruises doesn't have any limit on the amount of drinks you can have during a single day.
However, you are not allowed to share your package with anyone, and if you get too intoxicated, the bar will refrain from serving you.
These packages are available on all itineraries worldwide, except for South Africa.
As seen above, South Africa has its own drink packages, which differ to the rest of the world.
Cruise ships are a great way to explore the world and enjoy some of its most scenic destinations.
However, it’s worth noting that prices for drinks onboard tend to be very similar to those at home in an upmarket restaurant or bar.
Drinks packages are really personal. To decide if it is the right call for you, take what you think you will drink during the cruise and multiply this by the average price of those drinks as per the list above. This will give you a base to compare what you will pay for individual drinks against a package.
It is also important to remember that with a pre-paid package, gratuities are not added to your drinks. When you buy them onboard individually, an extra 15% is added for gratuities.
For example, I always take a coffee and cocktail package when travelling with MSC Cruises. It gives us peace of mind and enough to enjoy ourselves without abusing it.
Note that all prices are for information only and were correct at the date of the last update.