Cruise Drinks Package Value Calculator
Use this cruise mummy drinks calculator to compare two options: buying drinks one-by-one versus purchasing a drinks package for your cruise.
Total cruise days: - | Port days: -
Total drinks per person: - | Group drinks: -
Pay-as-you-go total: -
Drinks package total: -
Break-even drinks per person per day: -
Enter your numbers and click Calculate.
What this cruise mummy drinks calculator helps you decide
Many cruisers ask the same question before booking: Should I buy a drinks package, or just pay per drink? The answer depends on your habits, your itinerary, and your cruise line’s pricing rules. This calculator gives you a fast estimate so you can budget with confidence.
The key idea is simple: compare your likely bar spend with the all-in package cost (including gratuities). If package cost is lower, it may be worth it. If pay-as-you-go is lower, skip the package and enjoy flexibility.
How the calculator works
1) It estimates your total drinks
Sea days and port days usually look very different. Most people drink more when they stay on board all day. The tool separates those two day types and calculates a realistic total.
2) It prices individual drinks
Most lines add automatic gratuity to each bar purchase. So your effective price per drink is:
- Menu price × (1 + gratuity %)
3) It prices the package correctly
Cruise lines also add gratuity to package pricing on many sailings. The calculator applies that too, so you can compare true all-in totals.
4) It computes your break-even point
You’ll see how many drinks per person per day are needed for the package to make financial sense. This is often the most useful number when deciding quickly.
Tips to enter realistic numbers
- Check your line’s actual prices: Cocktail, wine, beer, and specialty coffee prices vary by cruise line and region.
- Use separate sea and port assumptions: Port-heavy itineraries can make packages less valuable.
- Include gratuities: The “headline” package price is rarely the final price.
- Remember both adults may be required: Many lines require all adults in one cabin to buy the same package.
- Think about embarkation and disembarkation days: You may drink less on travel-heavy days.
Example scenario
Suppose two adults are on a 7-night cruise (8 cruise days), with 3 sea days and 5 port days. They expect:
- 6 drinks per person on sea days
- 3 drinks per person on port days
- $11 average drink price
- 18% gratuity on drinks and package
- $84 package price per person per day
In this setup, many travelers find the package is close, but not always clearly better. If they drink more on port days, package value improves. If they spend long hours ashore, pay-as-you-go often wins.
Beyond money: convenience vs flexibility
Reasons people choose packages
- No running tab anxiety
- Easy ordering at bars and pool decks
- Predictable budget before departure
Reasons people skip packages
- Lower total cost for moderate drinkers
- Freedom to drink less without “getting value” pressure
- Better fit for port-intensive cruises
Common mistakes when planning cruise drink budgets
- Using too low a drink price estimate
- Ignoring gratuity on both options
- Assuming sea-day drinking on every day
- Forgetting who in the cabin must buy the package
- Not accounting for promotions that include limited drink credits
Final thoughts
The cruise mummy drinks calculator is best used as a planning tool, not an exact bill predictor. Cruise line rules, package exclusions, and promos can change. Still, this gives you a strong baseline for deciding whether a package is likely to save money for your trip.
Run a few scenarios (light, average, and heavy drinking) before booking. In most cases, seeing those three outcomes makes your decision obvious.