What Cruise Lines Have Free Alcohol A Complete Guide to Boozy Vacations

Most major cruise lines don’t include free alcohol in base fares, but a few luxury and all-inclusive brands like Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, and Seabourn offer complimentary premium drinks for all guests. Mainstream lines such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, and Princess Cruises provide free basic alcohol through select promotions or drink packages—not automatically included. For truly boozy vacations without extra tabs, book luxury or choose sailings with advertised free-drinks deals.

Key Takeaways

• Free alcohol varies: Luxury lines like Regent and Silversea include premium drinks in base fares.
• All-inclusive packages: Norwegian and Virgin Voyages offer free basic alcohol with fare options.
• Specialty dining perks: Some lines include free wine pairings at select restaurants.
• Drink packages: Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer prepaid unlimited alcohol plans.
• Promotions matter: Check for limited-time free drink offers during booking.
• Non-alcoholic options: Free premium mocktails are increasingly available fleet-wide.

The Ultimate Guide to Cruise Lines with Free Alcohol

Imagine sipping a crisp mojito as the sun sets over the Caribbean, or enjoying a glass of fine wine with your lobster dinner—all without worrying about the bill. For many travelers, the allure of a cruise isn’t just the destinations, but the promise of all-inclusive indulgence. One of the most frequently asked questions by cruisers is: What cruise lines have free alcohol? While the idea of unlimited booze might sound like a dream, the reality is more nuanced. Some cruise lines offer complimentary drinks as part of their base fare, while others include alcohol in premium packages or offer limited free options. Understanding the differences can mean the difference between a budget-friendly vacation and an unexpectedly expensive one.

This comprehensive guide dives into the world of cruise lines that offer free alcohol, exploring the fine print, hidden perks, and best-value options for every type of traveler. Whether you’re a luxury seeker, a budget-conscious cruiser, or a cocktail connoisseur, we’ll break down the policies, highlight standout features, and provide practical tips to help you maximize your onboard beverage experience. From all-inclusive luxury lines to budget-friendly options with drink packages, we’ve got you covered. So grab your favorite drink (on us, metaphorically speaking), and let’s explore the world of boozy cruises.

1. Luxury Cruise Lines: All-Inclusive Alcohol from the First Sip

What “All-Inclusive” Really Means

When it comes to free alcohol, luxury cruise lines lead the pack with truly all-inclusive experiences. Unlike mainstream lines that charge extra for premium drinks, luxury brands like Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, and Silversea include alcohol in their base fare. This means you can enjoy a wide range of beverages—from house wines and spirits to premium cocktails and champagne—without reaching for your wallet. The key distinction here is that these lines don’t just offer “free” drinks; they provide a curated selection of high-quality options, often featuring well-known brands and sommelier-curated wine lists.

Top Luxury Lines with Free Alcohol

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Known for its “Free Unlimited Beverages” policy, Regent includes everything from cocktails and wine to premium spirits and champagne. Their wine list features over 100 labels, and guests can even request rare vintages for a small corkage fee.
• Seabourn: Seabourn’s “All-Inclusive” fare includes premium wines, spirits, and cocktails. Their signature “Caviar in the Surf” event is a highlight, where guests enjoy champagne and caviar on the beach.
• Silversea: Silversea offers a “Free-Flowing Beverage” program, with a focus on premium brands like Grey Goose vodka and Dom Pérignon champagne. Their onboard sommeliers can guide you through their extensive wine cellar.
• Crystal Cruises: Crystal’s “All-Inclusive” policy covers everything from espresso drinks to top-shelf liquors. Their “Wine & Spirits Collection” includes over 200 labels, with sommelier-led tastings and pairings.

Perks Beyond the Glass

Luxury lines don’t just stop at free drinks—they elevate the experience with personalized service and exclusive events. For example, Regent hosts “Wine & Food” seminars with guest chefs, while Seabourn offers private beach parties with open bars. Many luxury lines also include complimentary specialty dining, where you can enjoy gourmet meals paired with premium wines. Pro tip: Book a suite or concierge-level cabin, as these often come with additional perks like private cocktail hours or access to exclusive lounges with premium spirits.

2. Premium Cruise Lines: The Best of Both Worlds

Drink Packages vs. Complimentary Options

Premium cruise lines like Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises strike a balance between luxury and affordability. While their base fare doesn’t include all drinks, they offer a mix of complimentary options and flexible drink packages. For example, Celebrity Cruises includes basic drinks like soda, juice, and coffee, while premium cocktails and wines are available through their “Classic Beverage Package” (which is often heavily discounted during promotions). Similarly, Holland America offers a “Sip & Sail” package that includes wine, beer, and cocktails at a fixed daily rate.

Standout Features and Hidden Gems

• Celebrity Cruises: Their “Unlimited Classic Beverage Package” (often bundled for free during promotions) includes beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks. The line also offers “Sip & Sail” events, where guests can enjoy complimentary drinks during themed parties.
• Princess Cruises: Princess’s “Premier Beverage Package” covers everything from cocktails to specialty coffee. They also offer “Wine & Dine” events, where guests can sample premium wines paired with gourmet bites.
• Holland America Line: Holland America’s “Sip & Sail” package is one of the most flexible options, with a daily limit of 15 drinks (including premium brands). They also host “Wine Tasting” events with sommelier-led pairings.

How to Get the Most Value

To maximize your booze budget, look for promotions where drink packages are included for free or at a steep discount. For example, Celebrity often runs “Free Classic Beverage Package” deals for new bookings, while Princess offers “Premier Beverage Package” upgrades for suite guests. Pro tip: Book a balcony or suite cabin, as these often come with complimentary drink packages or credits. Additionally, many premium lines offer “Happy Hour” deals in bars and lounges, where drinks are half-price or buy-one-get-one-free.

3. Mainstream Cruise Lines: Budget-Friendly Booze Options

Free Drinks: What’s Included?

Mainstream cruise lines like Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) are known for their affordability, but their alcohol policies are more restrictive. While they don’t include premium drinks in their base fare, they offer a few complimentary options. For example, Carnival includes basic drinks like water, juice, coffee, and tea, while Royal Caribbean offers soda, water, and coffee. Beer, wine, and cocktails are available for purchase, but you can save money with drink packages or onboard credits.

Drink Packages: Are They Worth It?

• Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival’s “Bottomless Bubbles” package includes unlimited soda and juice for $8.95/day. Their “Cheers!” package covers beer, wine, cocktails, and premium coffee for $59.95/day (with a 15% discount if booked pre-cruise).
• Royal Caribbean: Royal Caribbean’s “Deluxe Beverage Package” includes beer, wine, cocktails, and specialty coffee for $89/day. They also offer “Soda Packages” for $12.99/day.
• NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line): NCL’s “Premium Plus Beverage Package” covers everything from cocktails to premium wines for $99/day. They also have a “Soda Package” for $9.95/day.

Money-Saving Tips

To avoid overspending on drinks, consider these strategies:

• Book pre-cruise packages: Drink packages are often cheaper if purchased before your cruise.
• Use onboard credits: Many promotions include drink credits that can be applied to packages or individual drinks.
• Take advantage of Happy Hour: Most mainstream lines offer discounted drinks during select times.
• Bring your own wine: Carnival and Royal Caribbean allow you to bring one bottle of wine per guest (with a corkage fee of $15–$20).

Pro tip: If you’re a light drinker, skip the package and stick to free options like soda, water, and coffee. Save your budget for specialty dining or excursions instead.

4. River and Expedition Cruises: Intimate and All-Inclusive

Why River Cruises Are Different

River cruise lines like Viking River Cruises, AmaWaterways, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection specialize in intimate, immersive experiences. Their small ship size and all-inclusive policies make them ideal for travelers who want to enjoy premium drinks without the crowds. Unlike ocean cruises, river cruises often include everything—from wine and beer to cocktails and spirits—in their base fare. For example, Viking River Cruises offers complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner, plus a selection of premium spirits in their onboard lounges.

Top River Cruise Lines with Free Alcohol

• AmaWaterways: AmaWaterways includes complimentary wine, beer, and spirits throughout the day, plus a “Happy Hour” with discounted drinks in the evenings.
• Uniworld: Uniworld’s “All-Inclusive” policy covers premium wines, cocktails, and champagne. They also host “Wine & Food” events with guest sommeliers.
• Viking River Cruises: Viking offers complimentary wine and beer with meals, plus a selection of premium spirits in their lounges. Their “Silver Spirits” package (included in suite bookings) adds premium cocktails and champagne.

Expedition Cruises: Booze in the Wild

For adventurous travelers, expedition cruise lines like Lindblad Expeditions and Hurtigruten offer unique experiences with all-inclusive alcohol policies. Lindblad includes beer, wine, and spirits in their base fare, while Hurtigruten offers a “Premium Beverage Package” (often included for suite guests). These lines often host onboard lectures and cocktail parties, where guests can mingle while enjoying complimentary drinks.

5. Specialty and Niche Cruise Lines: Unique Boozy Experiences

Adults-Only and Party-Centric Cruises

If you’re looking for a more unconventional booze experience, specialty cruise lines like Virgin Voyages and Oceania Cruises offer unique policies. Virgin Voyages, for example, includes “Free-Flowing Drinks” in their base fare—covering everything from cocktails to premium wines—but charges a 20% service fee. Oceania Cruises includes wine and beer with meals, plus a selection of premium spirits in their lounges. Both lines focus on curated experiences, like mixology classes and wine tastings.

Wine and Food-Focused Cruises

For oenophiles and foodies, cruise lines like Oceania and Azamara stand out. Oceania offers a “Wine & Food” program with sommelier-led tastings, while Azamara hosts “Wine Dinners” with premium pairings. These lines often partner with wineries and distilleries for exclusive events, like vineyard tours and cocktail-making classes.

Comparison Table: Specialty Cruise Lines with Free Alcohol

Cruise Line	Free Alcohol Included	Unique Features
Virgin Voyages	Cocktails, wine, beer (service fee applies)	Mixology classes, themed parties
Oceania Cruises	Wine, beer, premium spirits (lounge access)	Wine tastings, gourmet pairings
Azamara	Wine with meals, premium drinks (lounge)	Wine dinners, vineyard tours

6. How to Choose the Right Cruise for Your Boozy Vacation

Assess Your Drinking Habits

Before booking, consider your drinking preferences:

• Heavy drinkers: Opt for all-inclusive luxury or river cruises.
• Social drinkers: Premium lines with drink packages are ideal.
• Light drinkers: Mainstream lines with free soda and coffee may suffice.

Budget vs. Experience

While luxury lines offer the most comprehensive free alcohol policies, they come with a higher price tag. If you’re budget-conscious, look for promotions where drink packages are included for free. Alternatively, consider shorter cruises or off-peak sailings for better deals.

Read the Fine Print

Always check the cruise line’s alcohol policy before booking. Look for:

• Service fees: Some lines charge gratuities on drink packages.
• Drink limits: Certain packages have daily caps.
• Exclusions: Premium brands or specialty cocktails may not be covered.

Book Smart

To maximize value:

• Book early: Pre-cruise drink packages are often cheaper.
• Upgrade your cabin: Suites often come with free drink packages.
• Use onboard credits: Apply them to drink packages or premium bottles.

Ultimately, the best cruise line for free alcohol depends on your priorities. Whether you’re sipping champagne on a luxury liner or enjoying a craft cocktail on a river cruise, there’s a boozy vacation out there for you. Cheers to that!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cruise lines offer free alcohol as part of their all-inclusive packages?

Several premium cruise lines include free alcohol in their base fares, such as Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and Silversea. These brands typically offer unlimited beer, wine, and spirits with meals and at onboard bars.

Are there any mainstream cruise lines with free alcohol promotions?

Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) often include free alcohol in their “Always Included” or “Free at Sea” deals. These promotions bundle drinks with fare packages but may exclude premium brands.

Do budget-friendly cruise lines have free alcohol options?

While most budget lines (like Carnival or Royal Caribbean) charge for drinks, they offer discounted beverage packages. For “free” alcohol, look for limited-time deals like Carnival’s “Cheers!” package bundled with select sailings.

What cruise lines have free alcohol for suite guests only?

Lines like Princess Cruises (Elite Captain’s Circle) and Holland America (Suite Class) provide complimentary drinks to suite passengers. Perks often include in-room bars and access to exclusive lounges.

Is gratuity included with free alcohol on cruise lines?

On all-inclusive lines like Regent or Silversea, gratuities are covered in the upfront price. Mainstream lines may add automatic service charges (15–20%) even with free drink promotions.

Can I bring my own alcohol on cruise lines with free drinks?

Most cruise lines with free alcohol (e.g., Oceania) prohibit bringing your own, but policies vary. Check rules before packing—some allow limited bottles for cabins but charge corkage fees in dining areas.