What is a Drink Package?
A Drink Package, also known as a Beverage Package, is an "all-you-can-drink" system unique to cruise ships.
Simply put, by paying a fixed daily fee, you can enjoy unlimited drinks onboard. The types of drinks available vary depending on the specific Drink Package purchased.
Update Dec 2024: MSC Drink Package rules have been adjusted. There is now a daily limit of 15 drinks per person, resetting at 6 AM daily.
What Drink Packages does MSC Cruises offer?
MSC currently offers 5 types of drink packages:
- Easy Package
- Easy Plus Package
- Premium Extra Drink Package
- Alcohol Free Package
- Minor Package
Packages 1-3 are alcoholic packages; Packages 4-5 are non-alcoholic packages.
MSC Cruises Drink Package Pricing
The prices for the 5 MSC Cruises drink packages are as follows:
- Pre-cruise purchases are approximately 15% off the onboard price.
- Drink package prices may vary by sailing region; the above prices are for reference only.
- Packages must be purchased for the entire duration of the cruise, and all guests staying in the same cabin must purchase a package. Children aged 3-17 must purchase at least the Minor Package.
Buying drink packages in advance is significantly cheaper.
MSC offers "Cruise + Drink Package" promotional deals on certain sailings (e.g., the March 29, 2025 sailing has this promotion), allowing you to purchase the drink package at approximately 40% off.
Usually, after booking your cruise ticket, you can add a drink package online. Simply log in to the official website, click "Manage My Booking", and you will see the option to add a drink package.
MSC Drink Package Contents
1. Easy Package
Pricing: 1-6 day cruises USD 60/day; 7+ day cruises USD 57/day
| Package Content | Items |
|---|---|
| Selected Classic/IBA Cocktails | Martini, Manhattan, Daiquiri, Cosmopolitan, Sidecar, Screwdriver, Margarita, Moscow Mule, Cape Codder, Mimosa, Gin Fizz, Pink Lady, Caipirinha, Tequila Sunrise, Bloody Mary, Long Island Iced Tea, Mojito, Spritz, Pina Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri |
| Non-alcoholic Cocktails & Mixed Drinks | Nojito, Magic Island, Fruit Smoothie, Coco Colada, etc. |
| Spirits | One brand each of Whiskey, Vodka, Gin, Rum, Tequila, Brandy |
| House Wines (Red, White, Sparkling, Rose) | Dry sparkling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel Rose, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot |
| Heineken Beer (Draft or Bottled) | Included |
| Soft Drinks / Juices | Included |
| Bottled Mineral Water | Included |
| Classic Hot Drinks | Espresso, Americano, Cappuccino, Latte, Barley Coffee, Irish Coffee, Hot Tea, Hot Chocolate, etc. |
| Beverage Gratuities Included | Asia/Europe: 15%, USA: 18% |
Reference: MSC April 2024 Beverage Menu. Drinks vary by season and region; items above are for reference only.
- The Easy Package only offers one type of beer, so it may not be suitable for beer lovers.
- If you wish to order drinks outside the Easy Package, you get a USD 8 discount per item (gratuities extra).
- The Easy Package can be used in Bars, Buffet, Main Restaurants, and on MSC Private Islands, but EXCLUDES Specialty Restaurants and select venues.
2. Easy Plus Package
Pricing: 1-6 day cruises USD 76/day; 7+ day cruises USD 72/day
Suitable for: People who love Beer, Cocktails, Spirits, Wines, and enjoy new flavors or better quality alcohol.
Easy Plus Package holders can enjoy drinks priced up to EUR 9 / USD 10 on the menu (approx.).
| Package Content | Items |
|---|---|
| Frozen / Fresh Fruit / Classic Cocktails | Classic cocktails (about 20), Signature cocktails (e.g., Aperol Spritz, Hugo), Frozen cocktails (e.g., Pina Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri, Mango Tropical Trooper) |
| Better Quality Spirits | Whiskey (Ballantine’s, Dewar’s, Jim Beam, JW Red, etc.), Vodka (Absolut, Smirnoff, Stolichnaya), Grappa/Brandy, Gin (Beefeater, Bombay, Bulldog, Gordon’s, Whitley Neill flavors), Rum (Bacardi, Captain Morgan, Havana Club 3, Malibu, Myers’s), Tequila (1800 Reposado, Jose Cuervo) |
| Liqueurs & Cordials | Amaretto, Baileys, Cointreau, Averna, Jagermeister, Porto Sandeman Ruby, Harveys Bristol Cream, etc. |
| Draught and Bottled Beers | Heineken, Budweiser, Guinness, Dos Equis, San Miguel, Stella Artois, Amstel Light, Desperados, Beck’s, etc. |
| Wines by the Glass | Sparkling, Rose, Red, White selections |
| Non-alcoholic Cocktails | Pina Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri, Mojito, Coco Loco, etc. |
| Protein Shakes | Included |
| Bottled Mineral Water | Included |
| Soft Drinks / Juices | Included |
| Hot Drinks | All Easy Package hot drinks + Italian/Irish/Barley coffee |
| Discount on Bottles of Wine | 10% off |
| Beverage Gratuities Included | Asia/Europe: 15%, USA: 18% |
Reference: MSC April 2024 Beverage Menu. Drinks vary by season and region; items above are for reference only.
- Actual selection is larger than listed above.
- Compared to the Easy Package, Plus offers more variety and better quality alcohol.
- If you wish to order drinks outside the package, you get a USD 10 discount per item (gratuities extra).
- Beer selection increases from just Heineken to ~18 brands.
- Includes Italian specialties like Grappa and Aperol.
- Valid in Bars, Buffet, Main Restaurants, MSC Private Islands, and Specialty Restaurants (excludes select venues).
3. Premium Extra Drink Package
Pricing: 1-6 day cruises USD 104/day; 7+ day cruises USD 100/day
Includes drinks priced up to EUR 14 / USD 16 on the menu (approx.).
| Package Content | Items |
|---|---|
| Premium / International Cocktails | All Plus cocktails + additional classic/signature/tropical/frozen cocktails (higher tier) |
| Premium Spirits | Whiskey (adds Chivas 12Y, Macallan Quest, Glenmorangie 10Y, etc.), Vodka (Beluga, Absolut Elyx, Grey Goose, etc.), Grappa/Brandy (adds XO tiers), Gin (adds Hendrick’s, The Botanist, etc.), Rum (adds Zacapa 23, etc.), Tequila (adds Patron Silver) |
| Premium Liqueurs & Cordials | Amaretto, Baileys, Cointreau, Averna, Jagermeister, Porto Sandeman Ruby, Harveys Bristol Cream, etc. |
| Draught and Bottled Beers | Heineken, Budweiser, Guinness, Dos Equis, San Miguel, Stella Artois, Amstel Light, Desperados, Beck’s, etc. |
| Fine Wine by Glass | Sparkling, Rose, Red, White selections |
| Champagne by Glass | Jacquart Mosaïque Brut, Lanson Black Label Brut, Champagne cocktails |
| Non-alcoholic Cocktails | Pina Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri, Mojito, Coco Loco, etc. |
| Protein Shakes | Included |
| Bottled Mineral Water | Included |
| Soft Drinks / Juices | Included |
| Hot Drinks | Same as Easy Plus Package |
| Discount on Bottles of Wine | 25% off |
| Beverage Gratuities Included | Asia/Europe: 15%, USA: 18% |
Reference: MSC April 2024 Beverage Menu. Drinks vary by season and region; items above are for reference only.
- Actual selection is larger than listed above.
- Over 80% of the menu is covered; includes Champagne and higher-tier cocktails.
- If you wish to order more expensive drinks, you get a USD 16 discount per item (gratuities extra).
- Valid in Bars, Buffet, Main Restaurants, MSC Private Islands, and Specialty Restaurants (excludes select venues).
4. Alcohol Free Package vs Minor Package
| Alcohol Free Package | Minor Package | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | 1-6 day cruises USD 35/day; 7+ day cruises USD 33/day | 1-6 day cruises USD 25/day; 7+ day cruises USD 22/day |
| Suitable for | Adults who don't drink alcohol | Children aged 3-17 |
| Non-alcoholic Cocktails | Yes | Yes |
| Fresh Fruit and Protein Cocktails | Yes | Yes |
| Energy Drinks | Yes | Yes |
| Sodas | Yes | No |
| Soda (Glass/Bottle) | Yes | Yes |
| Flavored Water | Yes | Yes |
| Mineral Water | Yes | No |
| Wide Range of Hot Drinks | Yes | Yes |
| Soft Serve Ice Cream | Yes | Yes |
| Beverage Gratuities Included | Yes | Yes |
- Soft Serve Ice Cream is only available on MSC cruises departing from the USA.
- The Alcohol Free Package and Minor Package can be used in Bars, Buffet, and Main Restaurants, as well as on MSC Private Islands, but EXCLUDE Specialty Restaurants and select venues.
- If adults purchase a drink package, children in the same cabin must purchase at least the Minor Package.
- Prices are for reference only and may vary by season and sailing region.
- Items above are translated from the official website; similarities are not editing errors.
Important Notes Before Buying MSC Drink Packages
1. Drink Packages are Not Valid at Specific MSC Venues
While drink packages apply to most restaurants and bars onboard, some venues are excluded. For example, chocolate cocktails at Venchi, gelato at the Ice Cream Shop, and drinks that come with souvenir cups are not covered.
Excluded venues include, but are not limited to: Venchi 1878 (Chocolate, Coffee, Gelato), Lavazza (Coffee), Jean Philippe (Chocolate, Coffee, Crepes, Gelato), Starship Club, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, etc.
2. Yacht Club Members: Premium Extra Drink Package is Included
If you are an MSC Yacht Club member, the Premium Extra Drink Package is already included in your cruise fare. In addition to the package, the mini-bar in your suite is also included.
3. Actual Drink Package Inclusions Vary by Season and Region
Since supply varies by region and season, the contents of drink packages will change accordingly. The lists above are provided to help readers understand the main differences between the 3 packages and do not guarantee 100% availability of specific items onboard.
