Sipping on a cocktail by the pool or enjoying a fresh cappuccino while watching the sunrise is all part of the cruise experience. If you’re sailing with MSC Cruises, you’ll be offered a drinks package – or rather, several different ones. With so many options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Are these packages worth the money, and which one (if any) should you choose?
In this guide, we’ll break down MSC’s drinks packages, explain what each includes, how much they cost, and help you decide if buying one will actually save you money on your cruise.
MSC Drinks Packages Overview
MSC Cruises offers five drinks packages to suit different budgets and drinking habits:
Easy Package – A basic all-inclusive package with a selection of beers, wines, spirits, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks.
Easy Plus Package – A mid-tier package with a wider selection of drinks, including premium spirits and more cocktail choices.
Premium Extra Package – The most inclusive package covering almost all drinks onboard, including top-shelf spirits and champagne.
Alcohol-Free Package – An all-inclusive package for non-alcoholic drinks such as mocktails, soft drinks, juices, and coffees.
Minors Package – A non-alcoholic package for children and teens, available at a discounted price.
Each package has different price points and coverage areas, so choosing the right one depends on your drinking habits.
MSC Drinks Package Changes for 2025
MSC Cruises has made a few recent changes to its drinks packages:
North America: The Easy and Easy Plus packages are no longer available for new bookings. Only the Premium Extra package is offered for alcoholic drinks.
New Drink Limit: From April 2025, all alcoholic drinks packages will have a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per day. Non-alcoholic drinks remain unlimited.
Breakdown of Each MSC Drinks Package
Easy Package (Basic Option)
What’s Included: House wines, a small selection of beers, basic spirits, simple cocktails, soft drinks, fruit juices, bottled water, coffee, and tea.
Where You Can Use It: Bars, buffet, main dining room, and Ocean Cay (MSC’s private island). Not accepted in specialty restaurants or premium venues.
Price: Around £34 per person/day (pre-booked) or £40 per day (onboard) from the UK. In Europe, expect €39 pre-booked or €45 onboard.
Is It Worth It?: Great for casual drinkers who stick to beer, simple cocktails, and soft drinks. If you plan on drinking 4–5 drinks per day, this package can save you money.
Easy Plus Package (Mid-Tier Option)
What’s Included: Everything in the Easy Package plus a wider variety of spirits, more cocktails, a larger beer selection, and a 10% discount on wine bottles.
Where You Can Use It: Bars, buffet, main dining room, Ocean Cay, and specialty restaurants.
Price: Around £47 per person/day (pre-booked) or £55 per day (onboard) from the UK. European rates are €54 pre-booked or €62 onboard.
Is It Worth It?: If you like variety and better-quality drinks, this is the best mid-range option. Ideal if you drink 5-6 drinks per day, including cocktails and wine.
Premium Extra Package (Top-Tier Option)
What’s Included: The most extensive package, covering nearly all drinks onboard, including top-shelf spirits, premium wines, high-end cocktails, and champagne.
Where You Can Use It: Bars, buffet, main dining room, Ocean Cay, and all specialty restaurants.
Price: Around $85 per person/day (pre-booked) or $100 per day (onboard). In Europe, expect €74 pre-booked or €85 onboard. From the UK expect £64 pre-booked or £74 onboard.
Is It Worth It?: If you love premium drinks, plan to indulge in 6–8 drinks per day, or want a worry-free experience, this package is a great choice.
Alcohol-Free Package
What’s Included: Soft drinks, fruit juices, mocktails, bottled water, specialty coffees, and hot drinks.
Price: Around $28–$30 per day (pre-booked) or $33–$35 (onboard). European rates: €24–€26 per day. From the UK expect £21 pre-booked or £25 onboard.
Is It Worth It?: Ideal for those who drink a lot of non-alcoholic beverages such as coffee, soft drinks, and juices. If you order 4+ of these drinks per day, the package could save you money.
Minors Package (For Kids & Teens)
What’s Included: The same as the Alcohol-Free Package but at a lower price for guests aged 3-17 (Europe) or 3-20 (North America).
Price: About $19 per day (pre-booked) or $22 per day (onboard). European rates: €17–€18 per day. From the UK expect £15 pre-booked or £18 onboard.
Is It Worth It?: A great choice for kids and teens who enjoy soft drinks, juices, and mocktails. If your child drinks multiple sodas or juices daily, this package is a good value.
Important Note: If adults in a cabin purchase an alcoholic drinks package, MSC requires all underage guests in the same cabin to have the Minors Package.
FAQs About MSC Drinks Packages
Do I have to buy a drinks package for every day of the cruise?
Yes, MSC requires that drinks packages be purchased for the entire cruise duration. You can’t buy them for selected days.
Can one person in the cabin buy a package while the other doesn’t?
No. All adults in the same cabin must buy the same drinks package (or a non-alcoholic package if they don’t drink).
Are gratuities included in MSC’s drink package prices?
Yes. The package prices already include gratuities, so there are no extra service charges when ordering drinks.
Is there a limit on drinks with MSC’s packages?
Yes. From April 2025, MSC is introducing a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per day. Non-alcoholic drinks remain unlimited.
Can I upgrade my drinks package once onboard?
Yes. You can upgrade to a higher-tier package while onboard by paying the price difference. However, you can’t downgrade once your package is purchased.
What happens if I order a drink that costs more than my package limit?
If a drink is over your package’s price limit, you’ll simply pay the difference. For example, if your package covers drinks up to $10 and you order a $12 cocktail, you’ll pay $2.
Are MSC Drinks Packages Worth It?
MSC’s drinks packages can be great value if they match your drinking habits. Here’s a quick way to decide:
Yes, it’s worth it if you drink multiple alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks per day, enjoy variety, and want a stress-free experience.
No, it’s not worth it if you’re a light drinker who only has one or two drinks per day – in this case, paying per drink will likely be cheaper.
If you’re a cocktail lover, wine enthusiast, or just want the convenience of not worrying about drink prices, a package can be a fantastic way to enhance your cruise experience. Whatever you choose, cheers to a great cruise! 🍹🚢
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