Understanding Celebrity Cruise Beverage Packages
Celebrity Cruises offers several beverage package options for passengers who want to know what drinks cost and what coverage looks like. The main packages available include the Classic Beverage Package, Premium Beverage Package, and the Spirits Package. Each option covers different types of drinks at different price points.
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The Classic Beverage Package typically includes non-alcoholic beverages like soft drinks, coffee, tea, and juices throughout your cruise. This package is useful if you want standard refreshments without purchasing individual drinks. The Premium Beverage Package expands coverage to include wine, beer, and most spirits served at bars and restaurants across the ship. The Spirits Package covers premium liquors and can be added to other packages for those who prefer higher-end options.
Pricing for these packages varies based on your cruise length, sailing date, and when you purchase. Packages bought before your cruise typically cost less than purchasing them onboard. A week-long cruise package might range from around $60 to $200+ per person per day, depending on which package level you select. These costs should be compared against what you might spend purchasing drinks individually to determine if a package makes sense for your vacation style.
Celebrity also offers a Refreshment Package for non-drinkers, which includes bottled water, sodas, and specialty coffee drinks. Some passengers find this worthwhile if they plan to visit cafes and bars for non-alcoholic beverages throughout their stay.
Takeaway: Understanding the different package types helps you decide whether prepaying for beverages saves money compared to your likely spending habits during the cruise.
What Drinks Are Covered and What Cost Extra
Knowing exactly what falls under beverage package coverage versus what requires additional payment is important for budgeting your cruise expenses. Most standard beverages—sodas, coffee, tea, juices, and water—are included with your cruise fare, so beverage packages typically add alcoholic options to this base coverage.
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Covered beverages under the Classic or Premium packages usually include beer, wine by the glass, well liquors (basic spirits), frozen drinks, and signature cocktails at most venues. Bottled beers and select wines may be covered depending on your package level. However, several categories of drinks remain excluded from most packages: premium or aged spirits, top-shelf liquors, bottles of wine purchased for your cabin, specialty wines from the wine list, and certain craft cocktails created with premium ingredients.
Specialty coffee drinks purchased at dedicated coffee shops—not the main buffet areas—typically are not included in standard packages. Smoothies, fresh-pressed juices, and vitamin-enhanced beverages at specialty venues also usually require separate payment. Energy drinks and certain branded beverages may fall outside package coverage as well.
Room service beverages follow different rules. Non-alcoholic room service is typically covered by your cruise fare, but alcoholic drinks delivered to your cabin usually are not covered by beverage packages. This is an important distinction if you plan to use in-cabin beverage service during your stay.
Understanding these distinctions prevents surprise charges. Review your specific package details in your cruise documents or contact Celebrity Cruises customer service before your sailing date to clarify any questions about particular drink categories.
Takeaway: Premium liquors, specialty drinks, in-cabin beverages, and specialty venue coffees typically cost extra even with a beverage package, so factor these potential purchases into your budget.
Comparing Package Costs to Pay-Per-Drink Pricing
Calculating whether a beverage package represents good value depends on estimating how much you would spend on drinks without a package. This requires honest assessment of your drinking habits during vacation. Some passengers save significantly with a package, while others find paying per drink more economical.
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A typical bar drink on a cruise ship costs between $8 and $15 for standard cocktails or beers, with specialty drinks running $12 to $18. Wines by the glass range from $7 to $16 depending on selection. Coffee drinks cost $5 to $8 at specialty cafes. Over a seven-day cruise, someone enjoying two drinks daily would spend approximately $112 to $210 without a package. With package costs ranging from $420 to $1,400 for the week depending on package level, the math becomes clearer when you project your actual consumption.
However, some passengers greatly underestimate their cruise drinking. On vacation, people often consume more beverages than at home due to relaxation, activities, and social drinking at dinners and pool areas. A passenger who typically drinks one coffee and one alcoholic beverage daily might realistically consume two to three drinks daily on a cruise when including happy hours, group dinners, and deck parties.
Families should calculate separately for adults and non-drinking children, as children don't need alcohol packages. A family of four with two non-drinking children and two adults might find the Refreshment Package adequate for children while one or both adults consider beverage packages based on their individual habits.
Some passengers prefer the mental simplicity of a package despite the cost, as it removes worry about running up a large bill and allows them to order freely without checking prices. Others prefer paying only for what they consume. Both approaches are reasonable depending on personality and vacation philosophy.
Takeaway: Calculate your likely daily beverage consumption, multiply by your cruise length, then compare that total to package costs to determine whether a package suits your situation.
How to Purchase Beverage Packages
Celebrity Cruises allows beverage package purchases at several points in the cruise booking process, each with different pricing. The timing of your purchase affects how much you'll pay, making it worth understanding your options before committing to a specific package.
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The earliest purchase opportunity comes during initial cruise booking. Packages bought at this stage typically offer the best pricing, sometimes with promotional discounts of 10 to 25 percent off standard rates. When you book your cruise, you'll see package options in the same section where you select cabin type and dining preferences. Adding a package to your reservation at booking is straightforward through the Celebrity website or with a travel agent.
If you don't purchase during initial booking, you can add packages up to several weeks before your cruise departure through your online account on the Celebrity Cruises website. Pricing during this window is higher than at initial booking but still lower than onboard pricing. Log into your account under "manage my booking" or "my cruise" to view and add available packages.
Packages can be purchased onboard during your cruise, though this is the most expensive option. Prices are typically 15 to 30 percent higher when purchased onboard compared to pre-cruise pricing. You can add packages at guest services or beverage venues once you're on the ship, but availability is not guaranteed if the ship reaches capacity on certain package levels.
Travel agents who specialize in cruises sometimes have access to discounted rates or promotional codes for Celebrity packages. If you're using a travel agent, discussing beverage package options with them before booking might reveal additional savings opportunities through group rates or agency partnerships.
Packages purchased are charged to your cruise account and will appear on your final bill. If you purchase during the booking phase, payments may be applied immediately or charged closer to departure depending on your cruise line's terms and your payment method.
Takeaway: Purchase beverage packages during initial cruise booking for best pricing, with pre-cruise purchases as your second option and onboard purchases as the most expensive alternative.
Special Situations and Package Modifications
Celebrity Cruises has specific rules about package changes, cancellations, and modifications that affect your planning. Understanding these policies helps you make informed decisions about whether to purchase packages and when to do so.
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If you purchase a package and later decide you don't want it, refund policies vary depending on when you cancel. Packages purchased far in advance typically can be removed with full refund up until a certain point before your cruise—often 14 to 30 days before departure, depending on current policies. Packages purchased closer to departure have more limited refund options. Contact Celebrity customer service with your booking number to understand your specific refund window and process.
If you want to upgrade from one package level to another—for example, moving from the Classic package to the Premium package—you can typically do so by paying the price difference. This might be worth considering if you realize after booking that your original package won't meet your needs. Downgrades are often less flexible and may not be