Cruise Admirer News Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 Are you wondering if you should purchase one of the drink packages on MSC Cruises? You are not alone, as it is a question we get quite often from fellow cruisers. While there are many pros to getting a drink package on a cruise, there are also some reasons why cruise ship drink packages might be waste of money for you. So, in this Complete Guide to Drink Packages on MSC for 2023, we detail all the beverage package options, drink prices, and FAQs to help you decide if one is right for your next vacation with MSC Cruises. Complete Guide to Drink Packages on MSC (2023) What drinks are free on MSC? Like most cruise lines, some basic beverages are included in the price of your cruise fare. These include non-bottled iced water, iced tea, lemonade, brewed coffee, tea, and juice at breakfast. These beverages are available 24 hours a day in the cruise ship buffet or during meals in the main restaurants. However, soft drinks, espresso-based beverages, and all alcoholic beverages will cost extra money. https://eatsleepcruise.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/MSC-SEASCAPE-1-1024x710.jpg.optimal.jpg Can you take your own alcohol on an MSC cruise? Many cruise lines do allow guests to bring a limited amount of alcohol onboard during embarkation day, usually bottles of wine. However, MSC Cruises is an exception. Guests can not bring any alcoholic beverages onboard at embarkation. EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Get Deals on MSC Cruises! MSC Drink Package Basics There are a few basic things you need to know about the drink packages on MSC before we dive into the details of each option. Drink packages on MSC are sold on a per cruise basis, not a per day basis. Beverage packages are not transferrable and may not be shared with other guests. Drink packages are available on all MSC Cruises ships, except South Africa, China, and 3-night sailings out of the USA. In respect to the Saudi Law, alcohol will not be served during calls in Saudi Arabian ports. Packages must be booked by all guests occupying the same cabin, and who are traveling together and wish to dine at the same table. This includes minors, for whom the Minors Package must be booked. Guests may get one beverage only per order. Drink packages work in all bars, the buffet, and main restaurants. They also work on the private island of Ocean Cay in the Bahamas. Some drink packages do NOT work is specialty restaurants though. The Premium Extra Package will be included for all cruises booked with the Yacht Club Experience. Bella, Fantastica, and Aurea Experiences do not include drink packages. On an MSC World Cruise, guests can enjoy house wines, beer, soft drinks, and mineral water that can be consumed during lunch and dinner in the main restaurants and the buffet. The following exclusions apply: tobacco, souvenir glasses, ice cream menu, retail items, minibar, room service, promotions, and signature venues, including Venchi 1878 establishments, Lavazza Coffee Shops, Jean Philippe Chocolate, Coffee, Crepes & Gelato, regardless of beverage price. How much are the drink packages on MSC Cruises? The MSC drink package prices from a recent MSC Seascape cruise are listed below. Currently, guests can save 15% by purchasing a beverage package pre-cruise. These prices do vary based on cruise region. So, be sure to check your online cruise planner for the most up to date prices for your particular cruise. Easy Package- $38 per person, per day Easy Plus Package- $51 per person, per day Premium Extra Package- $71 per person, per day Alcohol Free Package- $26 per person, per day Minors Package- $17 per person, per day https://eatsleepcruise.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/D12B09F1-1637-43D6-94FC-75622A92CD2B-1024x768.jpeg.optimal.jpeg Can you upgrade your drink package on MSC? If you booked your MSC cruise during one of the “All In” promotions that includes free drinks and WiFi, you will receive the Easy Plus drink package. You may upgrade this package if you choose to do so. The upgrade prices are listed as: Easy to Easy Plus- $13 per day Easy to Premium Extra- $33 per day Easy Plus to Premium Extra- $20 per day Are gratuities included in MSC drink packages? Yes. All MSC Cruises’ pre-paid drink packages include gratuities. Can just one person get a drink package on MSC? Unfortunately, no. Drink packages on MSC must be booked by all guests occupying the same cabin and who are traveling together and wish to dine at the same table. This includes minors who must purchase the Minors Package. https://eatsleepcruise.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/7C04C735-7302-40DF-9166-8E539E9D6BF4-1024x768.jpeg.optimal.jpeg Are MSC Cruises drink packages unlimited? Like many other cruise lines, MSC Cruises drink packages are unlimited. This means that guests can enjoy an unlimited number of both alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic beverages each day. However, guests are only allowed to order one drink at a time. Further, MSC Cruises does have the right to refuse service due to intoxication. What are the MSC Drink Packages? MSC Cruises currently offers five different drink package options. These cruise drink packages include the Easy Package, Easy Plus Package, and Premium Extra Package. There are also two non-alcoholic options, the Alcohol Free Package and the Minors Package. Easy Package What is the Easy Drink Package on MSC? This is the cheapest MSC Cruises drink package. This option entitles guests to a limited number of alcoholic beverages including house wines by the glass, draft beer, a selection of craft cocktails, mixed drinks, and non-alcoholic cocktails. There is a separate section on the bar menus for guests with this package. It also includes soft drinks, fruit juices, bottled water, and classic hot drinks (espresso, cappuccino, latte, and hot tea). This package covers all of the above served in bars, the buffet, and the main restaurant, as well as on the private island of Ocean Cay. However, it does not cover drinks in specialty restaurants or signature venues like Venchi 1878 or Jean Phillippe Chocolate, Coffee & Gelato. Easy Plus Package The Easy Plus Package covers all beverages priced up to $9. This includes frozen and classic cocktails, well spirits, liquors, and cordials, select wines by the glass, a wide variety of draft and bottled beers, and non-alcoholic cocktails. This package also includes soft drinks, bottled water, coffee drinks, hot chocolate, and hot teas. Additionally, guests get a 10% discount on bottled wines purchased onboard the ship. The Easy Plus Package works at all bars, the buffet, the main dining room, and specialty restaurants, as well as Ocean Cay. However, it does not work in signature venues either. https://eatsleepcruise.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/0AE19FBA-F92D-4705-97E5-58D5E1A4181E-1024x768.jpeg.optimal.jpeg Premium Extra Package The Premium Extra Package is the most inclusive of the MSC cruise drink packages. This package covers all drinks up to $15. It includes an extensive variety of frozen and classic cocktails, and premium brand spirits, liquors, and cordials. Additionally, guests can enjoy a selection of wines and champagnes by the glass or a 25% discount on bottles of wine and champagne. This package also includes all draft, craft, and bottled beers, soda, juices, bottled water, energy drinks, specialty coffee, hot chocolate, and teas. The Premium Extra Package works at all bars, the buffet, the main dining room, and specialty restaurants, as well as Ocean Cay. However, it does not work in signature venues either. Alcohol Free Package This cruise drink package includes a wide choice of alcohol free cocktails, soda, energy drinks, mineral water, flavored water, fruit juices, coffee drinks, hot chocolate, hot teas, and soft-serve ice cream. This package does not work in the specialty restaurants or at signature venues. Yes, this means that if you purchase this package, you can’t even order a soda while enjoying dinner in the Butcher’s Cut. Yet ironically, this is the only drink package for adults that includes free soft serve ice cream. Minors Package Lastly, MSC Cruises offers a Minors Package. This drink package gives kids the freedom to enjoy a selection of alcohol free cocktails, soda, energy drinks, mineral water, flavored water, juices, coffee drinks, hot chocolate, hot tea, and soft serve ice cream. This package does not work in the specialty restaurants either. Minors are considered aged 3-17 on European sailings and aged 3-20 on North American and Caribbean itineraries. These packages are only applicable to minors who are part of a family purchasing an adult drink package. https://eatsleepcruise.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/AF6D50AA-BD15-41D8-BEFD-67AD0F1BB935-1024x768.jpeg.optimal.jpeg MSC Drink Prices Below are a list of the sample drink prices on MSC Cruises. You can also check out our bar menus from a recent MSC Seascape cruise to determine the cost of your favorite beverages. Bottled Water (non-premium)- $3.25 Espresso-Based Beverages- $4.25 Soft Drinks- $3 Mocktails- $6 Energy Drinks- $4.95 Gatorade- $4.25 Beer- $7 Wine- $7+ Cocktails- $7.50-$12 Signature Cocktails- $14-$16 Are the drink packages on MSC worth it? This is a question that only you can answer. Essentially, the question is whether you will consume enough beverages to make the purchase “worth it”. Knowing your drink preferences, onboard drink prices, and typical consumption, you can estimate whether or not you would hit the “break even” price point. Other considerations include the length of the cruise and how many ports of call are on the itinerary. For instance, will you be able to sustain the same drinking pattern over the course of a 10-day or 14-day cruise? If your cruise is port intensive, will you be on the ship enough to make good use of your drink package? Overall, cruise drink packages certainly do offer convenience, as you never have to worry about the bar tab at the end of the cruise! Still, you should weigh the pros and cons for yourself before you decide to purchase one or not. Of course, if you wish to forego a beverage package, you can always pay a la carte for your drinks purchased on the ship. BOOK NOW: Score Exclusive Savings on MSC Cruises Now! Comments Have you purchased one of the drink packages on MSC Cruises? Do you find them to be a good value? Drop us an anchor below to share your reviews of MSC beverage packages. The post Complete Guide to Drink Packages on MSC Cruises appeared first on EatSleepCruise.com. View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.