Knowing how to pay for drinks on Celebrity Cruises can make your cruise experience much easier. Unlike many land-based restaurants, you generally do not pay for each drink with cash or by handing over your credit card. Instead, onboard purchases are connected to your SeaPass card and onboard expense account.
Celebrity Cruises states that all onboard purchases and services are charged through an onboard expense account. During check-in, guests are required to add a credit card, and Celebrity also allows payment methods to be changed online, through the app, at the terminal, or at Guest Relations.
You can either purchase individual beverages and have them charged to your onboard account or buy a Celebrity Cruises drink package before or during your cruise. Understanding the difference can help you choose the most convenient and cost-effective option.
The standard method is simple: show your SeaPass card when ordering a drink.
Your SeaPass functions as your stateroom key and your onboard charge card. When you order a beverage at a bar, restaurant, or another eligible venue, the purchase is recorded against your onboard SeaPass account.
The amount is then charged to the payment method attached to your onboard account rather than requiring you to pay separately for every drink.
Suppose you decide not to buy a beverage package and order a cocktail at a shipboard bar.
The process generally works like this:
Celebrity says guests can review their onboard balance and purchases through the Celebrity Cruises App, on the in-room TV where available, or by visiting Guest Relations.
Your onboard account is essentially the running account for purchases and services during your cruise.
You may use it for eligible expenses such as drinks, dining-related purchases, shopping, and other onboard services. Celebrity explains that the SeaPass card is associated with the payment method on the onboard account and is used to make charges while sailing.
This system means you normally do not need to carry cash or a payment card around the ship for every purchase.
Celebrity requires guests to add a credit card during the online check-in process. The payment method can later be changed through the Celebrity Cruises App, online, at the check-in counter, or at Guest Relations onboard.
Celebrity's onboard-purchase information also explains that the payment card associated with the booking may receive authorization holds while you are onboard, and the final amount is charged at the end of the cruise.
For normal onboard purchases, Celebrity's system is built around the SeaPass and onboard account rather than processing your credit card separately for each drink.
You attach your payment method to the onboard account, then use the SeaPass to charge purchases. This keeps your onboard spending together in one account and makes it easier to monitor your expenses.
Celebrity's check-in guidance states that guests add a credit card to complete check-in. Celebrity's onboard account information also discusses credit/debit cards associated with onboard accounts. Because authorization practices can differ by financial institution, travelers using a debit card should be aware that temporary holds can affect their available balance.
For travelers who want to avoid unexpected reductions in available checking-account funds, using an appropriate credit card may be more convenient.
A drink package changes the way you pay for beverages.
Instead of paying the full price for each eligible drink, you pay a package price and can order qualifying beverages according to the package's terms. Celebrity currently lists Classic, Premium, and Non-Alcoholic Drink Packages.
Celebrity says its packages can be purchased through Cruise Planner before sailing or onboard on the first day of the cruise.
Celebrity states that the Classic Drink Package covers eligible beverages up to $12 per serving. If you select a drink above the package's maximum value, you pay the difference.
The Premium Drink Package includes eligible beverages up to $19 per serving, according to Celebrity's current FAQ. Drinks exceeding that limit can result in a charge for the difference.
The Non-Alcoholic package includes selections such as premium bottled water, specialty coffees and teas, soft drinks, certain juices, smoothies, and non-alcoholic cocktails. Specific offerings can change and are subject to availability.
Even when you have a drink package, your SeaPass remains important.
Celebrity says guests should present their SeaPass card when ordering a beverage. The system recognizes the package associated with your account and determines whether the drink is covered.
So the process is usually:
Order drink → Show SeaPass → Package is checked → Covered drink or applicable additional charge is recorded.
You should still check the receipt or onboard account when a charge appears, particularly if you order a beverage that may fall outside your package.
Celebrity's current beverage information says a 20% gratuity is added to Classic, Premium, and Non-Alcoholic Drink Package prices at checkout in countries of purchase where applicable. Package prices can also vary according to ship, itinerary, and sailing length, and certain itineraries may involve additional taxes.
This is important when comparing the advertised package price with the final amount you actually pay.
You do not necessarily have to avoid every beverage priced above your package's allowance.
Celebrity says guests with the Classic Package who order a beverage above $12 are charged the difference. The Premium Package works similarly for drinks above its $19 limit.
For example, if an eligible drink costs more than your package's maximum value, the package covers the applicable amount and the difference is charged to your SeaPass account.
Celebrity currently states that there is no daily limit on drinks with its beverage packages. However, guests may order only one drink at a time, and additional drinks ordered at the same time can be charged at current bar prices.
This distinction matters because unlimited does not mean you can order multiple drinks simultaneously under one package.
Celebrity also emphasizes responsible alcohol consumption and applies its own guest safety policies.
Celebrity states that drink packages can be used in locations such as the Main Restaurant, specialty restaurants, casual dining restaurants, bars, and lounges. However, room service and minibar beverages are not included.
The package also does not cover every possible beverage sale. Celebrity specifically notes exclusions that can include purchases from locations such as gift shops, minibars, and room service.
Always check the package terms for your particular sailing because beverage availability can change.
Celebrity says its drink packages can be used at Labadee and Perfect Day CocoCay, subject to the applicable package arrangements. Celebrity's FAQ explains that the treatment of packages at CocoCay corresponds to Royal Caribbean's beverage package offerings there.
This can be useful for travelers planning to spend part of their vacation at a private destination.
Generally, you should not assume that beverages ordered through room service are included.
Celebrity's drink-package FAQ specifically says room service and minibar are not included.
A beverage package is primarily designed for eligible drinks purchased at participating onboard venues.
Keeping track of purchases is one of the easiest ways to avoid surprises at the end of the cruise.
Celebrity says you can review your onboard balance and purchases through:
Checking the account periodically is especially useful when traveling without a drink package because individual beverages can add up quickly.
Your onboard account is settled at the end of the cruise using the payment method connected to the account.
Celebrity explains that the credit card tied to your booking may be authorized for onboard spending and that the final account is charged at the end of the cruise.
Your bank may also show temporary authorization holds during the cruise. Celebrity says an initial $100 pending authorization may occur, with additional holds generated as spending exceeds that amount. These are not necessarily completed charges, and the time required for a bank to release them can vary.
The best payment method depends on how much you expect to drink and how you prefer to manage your vacation spending.
This can make sense when you:
A package may be more convenient if you expect to regularly order covered beverages throughout the cruise.
Celebrity offers pre-cruise purchasing through its Cruise Planner and also allows drink packages to be purchased onboard on the first day, subject to availability and package terms.
Calculate the total package cost, including applicable gratuity, and compare it with how many paid drinks you realistically expect to have each day.
A few simple habits can prevent billing confusion.
Not every beverage is automatically included in every package. Package levels have different limits and selections.
If your drink exceeds the applicable package limit, you may be charged the difference.
Use the Celebrity app or another available onboard account method to keep track of charges.
Celebrity currently adds a 20% gratuity to beverage-package prices at checkout where applicable.
Your SeaPass is the key tool for onboard purchases, including drinks.
You normally pay for drinks by charging them to your onboard expense account using your SeaPass card. The account is connected to the payment method you provide during check-in.
Yes. A drink package is optional. You can order eligible beverages individually and have the charges posted to your onboard account.
Celebrity's standard onboard purchasing system uses the SeaPass and onboard account. Because onboard payment procedures can vary by transaction and sailing, guests should rely on Celebrity's current onboard payment instructions rather than assuming cash can be used directly at every bar.
The package itself is purchased through Celebrity's Cruise Planner or onboard, and the price is subject to the applicable terms and gratuity. When ordering drinks, you present your SeaPass so the system can identify your package.
Celebrity currently states that a 20% gratuity is added to Classic, Premium, and Non-Alcoholic Drink Package prices at checkout where applicable.
Celebrity states there is no daily drink limit for its drink packages. However, only one drink can be ordered at a time under the package, and additional simultaneous orders may be charged separately.
Celebrity says you will be charged the difference when an eligible beverage exceeds the package's maximum per-serving value.
No. Celebrity specifically states that room service and minibar beverages are not included in the drink packages.
Yes. Celebrity says you can view your onboard balance and purchases in the Celebrity Cruises App, on the in-room TV where available, or through Guest Relations.
Celebrity's current policy requires all guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom and under the same booking number to purchase the same alcoholic beverage package. Celebrity also lists specific exceptions and alternatives in its package policy.
Paying for drinks on Celebrity Cruises is designed to be straightforward. Instead of paying separately at the bar with a bank card every time, you normally use your SeaPass card, which charges the purchase to your onboard expense account. Your registered payment method is then used to settle the account.
Guests who buy a drink package use the same SeaPass system, while the package determines which beverages and price levels are covered. Celebrity currently offers Classic, Premium, and Non-Alcoholic packages, with different inclusions and per-serving limits.
Before your cruise, compare the cost of buying drinks individually with the total cost of a package, including applicable gratuity. Once onboard, regularly check your account so you know exactly what has been charged. This simple approach can help you enjoy your cruise without surprises when the final bill arrives.
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