If you are planning a Disney Cruise Line vacation, you may wonder whether buying a drink package is a smart way to control beverage costs. The answer depends largely on what you and your traveling companions actually drink.
Unlike some cruise lines that rely heavily on beverage packages, Disney Cruise Line already includes several everyday beverages in the cruise fare. Complimentary options include soft drinks, coffee and tea served with meals, as well as non-alcoholic beverages available at designated beverage stations. However, alcoholic drinks, smoothies, specialty coffees, bottled water and many beverages served in lounges cost extra.
That makes the decision different from simply asking whether a package is cheaper than paying individually. You first need to understand what is already included and then estimate how frequently you are likely to purchase premium drinks.
Disney Cruise Line offers a selection of beverage options and individual specialty drinks, but its beverage program is different from the traditional unlimited drink packages found on some other cruise lines.
Many standard non-alcoholic beverages are already included with your cruise. Disney lists soft drinks, coffee and tea served during meals and non-alcoholic drinks from beverage stations among the complimentary options.
Specialty beverages are available for an additional charge. These can include:
Disney Cruise Line's specialty beverage information also highlights craft cocktails, mocktails, wines, beers, specialty teas and coffees, smoothies and other premium choices.
Because many basic drinks are already included, purchasing a beverage package is not automatically the best value for every passenger.
Before spending extra money on beverages, understand what you can already enjoy without paying separately.
Disney Cruise Line states that several beverages are available at no additional charge, including:
Disney also advertises all-you-care-to-enjoy soft drinks, coffee and tea on its cruise ships, along with water stations.
For families who mainly drink water, coffee, tea and standard soft drinks, this can significantly reduce the need for a separate beverage purchase.
Not every beverage is included in the cruise fare.
Disney identifies alcoholic beverages, smoothies, specialty coffees and bottled water served during meals as additional-cost items. Beer, wine, cocktails, bottled water and certain non-alcoholic beverages served in lounges can also incur a charge.
Specialty beverages can therefore become a meaningful part of your onboard spending if you frequently order them.
For many passengers, there may be little reason to purchase a traditional unlimited beverage package when many everyday drinks are already included.
However, the answer changes depending on your habits.
A beverage package or prepaid beverage option may make sense if you frequently purchase premium drinks and the specific package available for your sailing provides enough value.
On the other hand, paying for individual drinks can be more economical if you only want an occasional cocktail, specialty coffee or smoothie.
Consider paying as you go if you:
This approach gives you more flexibility because you only pay when you actually order something.
A beverage purchase may be more worthwhile if you regularly enjoy:
Disney offers a broad range of specialty beverages, so guests who frequently choose premium drinks may find that individual purchases add up over a multi-night cruise.
The easiest way to make the decision is to calculate your expected beverage spending.
Start by estimating how many paid beverages you would realistically order each day.
For example, imagine a passenger expects to purchase:
each day.
Instead of assuming a package must be cheaper, compare the expected individual drink costs with the actual price of the beverage option available for your sailing.
The important point is realistic consumption. Do not buy a package simply because it sounds convenient if you normally drink only one premium beverage a day.
A package can look attractive when viewed on a single day, but your total cruise itinerary matters.
Ask yourself:
A sea day can produce more beverage purchases than a port day because you may spend considerably more time onboard.
If your decision is mainly about alcoholic drinks, review Disney's alcohol policy before purchasing anything.
For most Disney cruises, the onboard drinking age is 21, and a valid photo ID is required. Disney has exceptions for certain itineraries, including specific round-trip cruises from European countries and Singapore.
Disney also permits eligible guests to bring a limited amount of wine, sparkling wine or beer onboard. On many itineraries, guests 21 and older may bring one unopened bottle of wine or sparkling wine of up to 750 ml or six beers of up to 12 ounces each at the beginning of the voyage. These beverages must be carried onboard rather than placed in checked luggage.
Policies can vary by itinerary, so always review the current rules for your particular cruise.
Disney's alcohol policy is another reason some guests may decide that a large beverage commitment is unnecessary.
Eligible guests can bring permitted wine, sparkling wine or beer onboard, subject to Disney's quantity, packaging and carry-on requirements. Alcohol purchased at ports may be held by Disney until the end of the voyage.
Guests who bring wine or sparkling wine onboard and want to consume it in one of the dining rooms may be charged a corkage fee. Disney currently lists the fee as $20 per bottle in its alcohol-policy information.
This option does not replace all onboard beverage purchases, but it can be relevant when comparing your choices.
Families should look carefully at beverage needs before paying for premium drinks.
Children may already have access to complimentary soft drinks and other non-alcoholic options depending on where they are dining. Disney also provides beverage stations with non-alcoholic selections.
If your family mostly drinks:
then buying an expensive beverage option for everyone may provide limited value.
Instead, calculate the premium beverages each family member is likely to consume.
Usually, there is little reason for a passenger who does not drink alcohol to purchase a beverage option simply because it is available.
Disney already includes several non-alcoholic drinks. If you are satisfied with the complimentary selections, you can enjoy your cruise without adding a significant beverage expense.
However, someone who drinks several specialty coffees, smoothies, bottled waters or premium mocktails each day should compare those expected purchases with the available beverage options for their sailing.
This depends on how frequently you purchase specialty coffee.
A passenger who enjoys one specialty coffee occasionally may find individual purchases easier and more economical.
Someone who orders specialty coffee multiple times each day should calculate the expected total over the entire cruise.
Remember that standard coffee and tea served during meals are included, while specialty coffees are among the beverages Disney identifies as additional-cost items.
Frequent alcohol purchases can make beverage costs rise quickly.
If you regularly order cocktails, wine or beer, compare your expected number of purchases with the price of the specific beverage option available for your cruise.
Do not assume you need to match a particular number of drinks every day just to "break even." Your actual vacation should determine the decision.
Also consider port days. If you plan to spend most of the day exploring a destination, you may not purchase as many drinks onboard that day.
Depending on the specific offering and price, prepaid beverage options can have some advantages.
Paying for a beverage option in advance can make it easier to estimate your vacation expenses.
You may prefer having your beverage spending planned rather than thinking about the cost every time you order a drink.
If you already know that you will regularly purchase premium beverages, a suitable package or beverage option could provide value.
There are also important reasons not to purchase one.
If you do not drink enough premium beverages, paying upfront can cost more than buying individual drinks.
Disney already includes many everyday beverages, making a premium beverage purchase less essential than it might be on another cruise line.
Long days away from the ship can mean fewer opportunities to use an onboard beverage option.
Vacation plans can change. You might drink less than expected, especially if you are busy with activities, dining, entertainment and shore excursions.
Use this quick guide before making your decision.
Consider paying individually if:
Consider a beverage package or prepaid option if:
Take advantage of the non-alcoholic beverages already included with your cruise rather than purchasing bottled or specialty versions unnecessarily.
If you are eligible, review Disney's current alcohol policy and consider bringing the permitted quantity of wine, sparkling wine or beer in your carry-on luggage.
Keep an eye on your onboard folio. A few specialty drinks can become a substantial expense when multiplied across several days.
Convenience has value, but it should not be the only reason to purchase a beverage option. Compare the cost with what you genuinely expect to drink.
Disney Cruise Line's beverage and alcohol policies can change. Review the current information for your ship and itinerary before departure rather than relying on an older cruise article or social-media post.
It depends on your drinking habits and the specific beverage option available for your sailing. Since many standard beverages are already included, guests who rarely purchase premium drinks may find paying individually better.
Yes. Disney includes several beverages at no additional charge, including soft drinks, coffee and tea served during meals and non-alcoholic beverages from beverage stations.
No. Alcoholic beverages are generally charged separately to your stateroom folio.
Specialty coffees are generally an additional charge. Standard coffee and tea served during meals are among the complimentary beverages.
Eligible guests can bring a limited amount of permitted wine, sparkling wine or beer onboard, subject to Disney Cruise Line's current policy. Alcohol must be carried onboard rather than placed in checked luggage.
The standard minimum drinking age onboard is 21, although Disney has specific exceptions for certain itineraries. A valid photo ID is required.
Bottled water is among the beverages that can incur an additional charge. Disney also provides water stations throughout its ships.
Yes. Disney Cruise Line charges separately for beverages that are not included with the cruise fare, such as alcoholic drinks and various specialty beverages.
So, is it worth buying a drink package on Disney Cruise Line? For many guests, the answer is not necessarily.
Disney Cruise Line already includes a useful selection of everyday beverages, so you do not need a premium beverage package simply to have drinks during your cruise.
The better approach is to estimate your actual beverage habits. If you mainly drink complimentary beverages and only occasionally purchase something special, paying individually is likely the simpler choice. If you regularly enjoy cocktails, wine, beer, specialty coffee, smoothies or other premium beverages, compare your expected spending with the current beverage options offered for your specific sailing.
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