If you are booking a Celebrity cruise, the Celebrity Cruises drinks package is one of the first things you will be asked about, and it is also one of the most confusing. There is the Classic package, the Premium package, the All Included fare, upgrades, per-drink limits and rules about who in your cabin has to buy what. Get it right and you can relax and order what you like. Get it wrong and you either pay for drinks you do not use, or find your favourite cocktail is not covered.
Here is a clear, plain-English guide to how Celebrity’s drinks packages work, what the All Included fare covers and how to decide which option is right for you.
How does the Celebrity Cruises drinks package work?
Celebrity offers drinks packages that cover a wide range of drinks onboard for a daily rate, charged for every night of your cruise. Instead of signing for each drink, you show your cruise card and the drink is covered, as long as it falls within your package.
There are two main alcoholic packages:
- Classic Beverage Package: the standard option, covering most beers, spirits, cocktails and wines by the glass up to a set value per drink.
- Premium Beverage Package: the upgraded option, with a higher per-drink value, so it covers more premium spirits, cocktails and wines by the glass.
Both packages also include non-alcoholic drinks such as soft drinks, fresh juices, speciality coffees and teas, and bottled water. For guests who do not drink alcohol, or who are under the onboard drinking age, Celebrity has a non-alcoholic package covering soft drinks, mocktails, juices and coffees.
Celebrity Classic vs Premium drinks package: what is the difference?
The real difference between the two packages is the value of drink each one covers.
What does the Celebrity Classic drinks package include?
The Classic Beverage Package covers:
- Beers, including a good selection of bottled and draught options
- Spirits and cocktails up to the Classic per-drink value
- Wines by the glass up to the Classic value
- Soft drinks, fresh juices, bottled water, and speciality coffee and tea
For most people who enjoy a beer by the pool, a glass of wine with dinner and the occasional cocktail, the Classic package is plenty.
What does the Celebrity Premium drinks package include?
The Premium Beverage Package includes everything in Classic, plus a higher per-drink value. That opens up more premium spirits, a wider choice of cocktails and better wines by the glass. It suits people who enjoy a particular brand of gin or whisky, like to try the bar’s signature cocktails, or want a better glass of wine at dinner.
If you order something above your package’s limit, you can usually still have it and just pay the difference, so you are never stuck.
What is Celebrity All Included?
Celebrity’s All Included fare bundles the extras most people want into the cruise fare itself. In the UK, All Included fares typically cover:
- The Classic Beverage Package
- Wi-Fi
- Gratuities (tips for the crew)
This makes budgeting simpler, because the main onboard costs are taken care of before you sail. You can usually upgrade from Classic to Premium drinks, or to a faster Wi-Fi package, for an extra charge.
Celebrity also offers cruise-only fares in some cases, where the drinks, Wi-Fi and tips are not included. These can work well for light drinkers, but it is worth comparing the two carefully, as the gap is often smaller than people expect once tips and Wi-Fi are factored in. This is exactly the sort of comparison our team can do for you.
If you book a suite in The Retreat, the Premium Beverage Package is included as part of your suite benefits, along with exclusive dining and lounge access.
Celebrity drinks package rules worth knowing
A few rules catch people out, so it is worth knowing them before you sail:
- Everyone in the cabin of drinking age usually needs the same package. If one adult has a drinks package, Celebrity generally requires all other adults of drinking age sharing that cabin to have one too.
- It is per person, per day. The package runs for the whole cruise rather than selected days.
- The minimum drinking age onboard is normally 21 on Celebrity, although it can vary on some sailings depending on where the ship departs. Younger guests can have the non-alcoholic package.
- Drinks are one at a time. You cannot order several drinks for other people on your package.
- Some things are not included, such as bottles of wine, minibar items, and drinks bought in the casino or ashore.
- A fair-use policy applies, and the bar team can refuse service if needed.
Rules can change from time to time, so we always check the latest terms for your sailing when you book.
Is the Celebrity drinks package worth it?
The honest answer is that it depends on how you like to holiday. As a rough guide, the Celebrity Cruises drinks package tends to be worth it if you would normally have:
- A few alcoholic drinks a day, for example a beer or cocktail in the afternoon and wine with dinner
- Speciality coffees through the day
- Bottled water and soft drinks as well
It may be less worthwhile if you only have the odd glass of wine with dinner, or if you are on a port-heavy itinerary where you are ashore most days. Even then, many people like the convenience of not thinking about the bill at the end of the cruise.
If you are deciding between Classic and Premium, look at what you actually drink. If you are happy with house spirits, standard cocktails and a decent glass of wine, Classic is usually the better value. If you care about specific premium brands, Premium makes more sense.
Celebrity drinks package vs other cruise lines
If you are comparing lines, Celebrity’s approach sits somewhere between the traditional pay-as-you-go model and the fully inclusive luxury lines. MSC, for example, has its own range of packages, which we explain in our MSC drinks package guide. Princess has a similar bundled approach with Princess Plus and Premier, covered in our Princess Plus vs Premier guide. At the luxury end, lines such as Explora Journeys include drinks in the fare, as we explain in our post on what is included on Explora Journeys.
Choosing the right Celebrity Cruises drinks package
The right Celebrity Cruises drinks package depends on your fare, your cabin, how much you drink and the kind of itinerary you are sailing. Our consultants book Celebrity every week, so we can explain what is included in each fare, whether an upgrade to Premium is worth it and how the costs compare across your options. Browse our Celebrity Cruises page, read about Celebrity Beyond’s new Southampton sailings, or call the team on 01724 808800. You can also get in touch online.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Celebrity drinks package include?
The Celebrity drinks packages include beers, spirits, cocktails and wines by the glass up to a set value per drink, plus soft drinks, fresh juices, speciality coffee and tea, and bottled water. The Premium package covers a higher value per drink than Classic.
Does the Celebrity drinks package include gratuities?
Gratuities are included if you book an All Included fare, which bundles the Classic drinks package, Wi-Fi and tips. If you buy a drinks package separately, a service charge is normally added to the package price.
Is the Celebrity Classic or Premium drinks package better?
Classic is better value for most people who are happy with standard spirits, cocktails and house wines. Premium suits those who prefer premium brands or better wines by the glass.
Do all adults in a cabin have to buy the Celebrity drinks package?
Generally, yes. If one adult of drinking age in a cabin has a drinks package, Celebrity usually requires all other adults of drinking age in the same cabin to have one too.
Can you upgrade from Classic to Premium on Celebrity?
Yes. If your fare includes the Classic package, you can usually upgrade to Premium for an extra daily charge, either before you sail or onboard.
Is bottled water included in the Celebrity drinks package?
Yes, bottled water is included in both the Classic and Premium packages, along with soft drinks, juices and speciality coffees.
