Which Cruise Line Has Open Bar Find the Best Deals Here

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) leads the pack with its “Free Open Bar” promotion, offering unlimited premium drinks across most sailings—making it the top choice for travelers seeking a hassle-free, all-inclusive experience. Royal Caribbean and Carnival also offer competitive drink packages, but NCL’s consistent open-bar perk delivers unmatched value and convenience. Find the best deals by booking early and comparing seasonal promotions.

Key Takeaways

• Royal Caribbean offers open bar in premium packages—compare tiers for best value.
• Norwegian Cruise Line includes open bar in their Free at Sea deals—book early.
• Celebrity Cruises provides unlimited drinks with their All-Inclusive fare—check promotions.
• Virgin Voyages has open bar for all—no extra cost, but tips included.
• Always book directly to secure open bar deals and avoid third-party markups.
• Review drink policies—some lines exclude premium brands even with open bar.

Which Cruise Line Has Open Bar Find the Best Deals Here

Imagine sipping a perfectly crafted cocktail as the sun dips below the horizon, or enjoying a glass of fine wine with dinner without worrying about the bill at the end of the night. This dream becomes a reality on cruise ships that offer open bar packages, transforming your vacation into an all-inclusive luxury experience. For many travelers, the allure of unlimited drinks — from premium cocktails and craft beers to top-shelf wines and specialty coffees — is a major deciding factor when choosing a cruise line. But not all “open bar” offerings are created equal. Some cruise lines include drinks in the base fare, while others offer optional packages with varying price points, drink limits, and restrictions. Knowing which cruise line has open bar — and which one offers the best value — can save you hundreds of dollars and enhance your overall cruise experience.

In this comprehensive guide, we dive deep into the world of cruise line open bar policies, comparing the top players, analyzing package inclusions, and revealing insider tips to help you find the best deals. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo adventure, understanding the nuances of open bar offerings will empower you to make an informed decision. From all-inclusive luxury lines to budget-friendly options with add-on packages, we’ll break down exactly what you get, what you don’t, and how to maximize your savings. So grab a mocktail (or a real one) and let’s explore which cruise line has open bar — and which one gives you the most bang for your buck.

Understanding Open Bar on Cruise Ships: What Does It Really Mean?

Defining “Open Bar” in the Cruise Industry

When cruise lines advertise “open bar,” it’s essential to understand that the term can mean different things depending on the company. At its core, an open bar refers to unlimited access to alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during your cruise. However, the scope of what’s included — the quality of drinks, the types of alcohol, and the duration of coverage — varies significantly. For example, luxury cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea include open bar in the base fare, meaning you don’t pay extra for drinks. In contrast, mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean or Carnival offer open bar as a purchased add-on, often called a “drink package.”

True open bar typically includes:

• Wine, beer, and spirits (usually up to a certain price per drink, e.g., $15)
• Non-alcoholic beverages like soda, juice, and bottled water
• Specialty coffees and teas
• Access to bars, lounges, and poolside drink service

However, some packages exclude premium labels, champagne, mini-bar items, or room service deliveries. Always read the fine print — a $200/day package might sound great until you realize it doesn’t cover a bottle of Moët you want for a celebration.

Open Bar vs. Drink Packages: Key Differences

While “open bar” and “drink packages” are often used interchangeably, they’re not the same. An open bar is typically included in the cruise fare (especially on luxury lines), offering a seamless, stress-free experience. A drink package, on the other hand, is a pre-paid add-on that you purchase before or during your cruise. These packages are common on mainstream and premium cruise lines and often come with daily drink limits, price caps, and exclusions.

For example, Carnival Cruise Line’s Bottomless Bubbles package covers sodas and juices for $8.95/day, while their Cheers! package (starting at $59.95/day) includes alcoholic drinks up to $20 each. Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package (around $65–$85/day) covers drinks up to $15, plus premium coffee and bottled water. The key difference? Open bar is usually all-inclusive; drink packages are pre-paid with limitations.

Why Open Bar Matters: The Value Beyond Convenience

Beyond the obvious perk of not worrying about drink costs, open bar enhances the cruise experience in several ways:

• Social atmosphere: Open bars encourage mingling at onboard bars and lounges, fostering a vacation vibe.
• Cost predictability: With drinks included, you avoid surprise bills that can exceed $1,000 on a 7-night cruise.
• Quality of experience: Luxury lines with open bar often have higher-end bars, mixologists, and curated wine lists.

For budget-conscious travelers, open bar can be a game-changer. If you plan to drink more than 5–6 alcoholic beverages per day, a package or included open bar often pays for itself. But if you’re a light drinker or non-drinker, a package might not be worth the cost — which is why knowing which cruise line has open bar (and how much it costs) is crucial.

Top Cruise Lines with Truly Inclusive Open Bar (No Extra Cost)

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: The Gold Standard of All-Inclusive

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is widely regarded as the gold standard for open bar. On all their sailings, unlimited premium drinks are included in the base fare — no packages, no daily limits, no price caps. This includes:

• Top-shelf liquors (Grey Goose, Johnnie Walker Blue, etc.)
• Premium wines (including vintage labels)
• Champagne (Dom Pérignon, Krug, etc.)
• Bottled water, soda, specialty coffees, and fresh juices

Regent’s open bar policy extends to all bars, restaurants, and even in-room mini-bars. Plus, they offer complimentary wine pairings at dinner and mixology classes. The catch? Regent is a luxury line, so base fares start around $4,000 per person for a 7-night cruise. However, when you factor in the $1,000+ value of included drinks, excursions, and gratuities, the value becomes clear.

Pro Tip: Look for “Free Unlimited Beverages” promotions — sometimes offered as a perk even on non-inclusive sailings.

Silversea Cruises: Ultra-Luxury with No Hidden Drink Fees

Silversea Cruises, another ultra-luxury line, includes unlimited premium beverages in their cruise fares. Their open bar covers:

• All spirits, cocktails, and liqueurs (no price cap)
• Fine wines (including vintage and reserve labels)
• Champagne (Veuve Clicquot, Dom Pérignon)
• Soft drinks, bottled water, and specialty coffee

Silversea’s open bar is available at all bars, lounges, and restaurants — and even includes in-room mini-bars stocked with premium items. Like Regent, Silversea’s base fares are high ($5,000+ per person), but the all-inclusive nature (including shore excursions and butler service) makes it a compelling option for luxury travelers.

Oceania Cruises: Mid-Range Luxury with Inclusive Open Bar

Oceania Cruises offers a more affordable entry point into the world of inclusive open bar. While not as lavish as Regent or Silversea, Oceania includes unlimited premium drinks in their base fare, with a few caveats:

• Drinks up to $15 per glass are included
• Premium labels (e.g., Dom Pérignon) are available for a surcharge
• Mini-bars are stocked with complimentary drinks

Oceania’s open bar covers all bars, restaurants, and poolside service. Their wine list is curated by a Master Sommelier, and they offer wine-pairing dinners. Base fares start around $3,000 per person, making Oceania a great value for travelers who want luxury without the Regent price tag.

Azamara: Boutique Luxury with Inclusive Open Bar

Azamara, a boutique luxury line, includes unlimited premium drinks in their base fare. Their open bar policy covers:

• All cocktails, wines, and beers (no price cap)
• Champagne (Moët & Chandon)
• Soft drinks, bottled water, and specialty coffee

What sets Azamara apart is their extended port stays (many cruises include overnight stays), which means you can enjoy open bar drinks during late-night port visits. Azamara’s base fares start around $2,500 per person, making them one of the most affordable all-inclusive luxury options.

Mainstream Cruise Lines with Optional Open Bar Packages

Royal Caribbean: The Most Popular Drink Package

Royal Caribbean offers one of the most popular drink packages in the industry: the Deluxe Beverage Package. Priced at $65–$85 per person per day (depending on the cruise), it includes:

• All drinks up to $15 (cocktails, wine, beer, spirits)
• Premium coffee, tea, and bottled water
• 15% off drinks over $15
• Access to all bars and lounges

The package has no daily drink limit, but it excludes mini-bar items, room service, and specialty dining surcharges. Royal Caribbean also offers a Soda Package ($9–$13/day) for non-alcoholic drinks.

Best Value Tip: Book the Deluxe Package before your cruise (online) for a 10–20% discount. If you drink 5–6 alcoholic beverages per day, the package pays for itself. Light drinkers might prefer the Soda Package or à la carte purchases.

Carnival Cruise Line: Budget-Friendly Open Bar Options

Carnival’s Cheers! Beverage Package starts at $59.95 per person per day and covers:

• All drinks up to $20 (cocktails, wine, beer, spirits)
• Specialty coffee, tea, and bottled water
• 15% off drinks over $20

Carnival also offers the Bottomless Bubbles package ($8.95/day) for sodas and juices. The Cheers! package has no daily limit but excludes mini-bar, room service, and specialty dining surcharges.

Insider Tip: Carnival often offers “free Cheers!” promotions on select sailings — a great way to get open bar without paying extra.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL): The Freestyle Open Bar Experience

NCL’s Premium Plus Beverage Package (starting at $89/day) is one of the most comprehensive on mainstream lines. It includes:

• All drinks up to $15 (cocktails, wine, beer, spirits)
• Premium coffee, tea, and bottled water
• 15% off drinks over $15
• Access to all bars and lounges

NCL also offers a Free at Sea promotion that includes a free open bar package on select sailings — a huge value for budget travelers. The Premium Plus package has no daily limit but excludes mini-bar and room service.

MSC Cruises: Affordable Open Bar with Global Flair

MSC Cruises’ Easy Plus Drink Package (starting at $45/day) covers:

• All drinks up to $10 (cocktails, wine, beer, spirits)
• Soft drinks, juice, and bottled water
• Specialty coffee and tea

MSC also offers a Premium Extra package ($65/day) with higher drink caps and access to premium labels. Their “Kids Sail Free” and “Free Drink Package” promotions make MSC a top choice for families.

How to Find the Best Open Bar Deals: Insider Tips and Strategies

Book During Promotional Periods

Cruise lines frequently offer free open bar packages as part of promotional deals. For example:

• Royal Caribbean’s “Bogo 50%” sale often includes a free Deluxe Beverage Package
• Carnival’s “Early Saver” rates sometimes bundle the Cheers! package
• NCL’s “Free at Sea” promotion includes open bar on select sailings

Set up price alerts with cruise deal websites (e.g., Cruise Critic, Vacations To Go) to catch these deals early.

Consider Luxury All-Inclusive Lines

If you’re a heavy drinker, a luxury line with included open bar (like Regent or Silversea) can save you money. For example:

• A 7-night cruise on Regent ($4,000/person) includes $1,200+ in drinks, excursions, and gratuities
• The same cruise on Royal Caribbean ($1,500/person) + Deluxe Package ($595/person) = $2,095 — plus you’re still paying for excursions and tips

For travelers who value convenience and premium experiences, the all-inclusive model often wins.

Compare Daily Drink Costs vs. Package Price

Calculate your average daily drink consumption:

• 3 cocktails ($15 each) = $45
• 2 glasses of wine ($12 each) = $24
• 1 beer ($8) = $8
• Total: $77/day

If a drink package costs $65/day, you’re saving $12/day. But if you only drink 2 cocktails ($30), the package isn’t worth it. Use this formula to decide.

Watch for Package Restrictions

Many packages exclude:

• Mini-bar items
• Room service deliveries
• Specialty dining surcharges
• Drinks over a price cap (e.g., $15)

Always check the terms — some lines let you use the package for wine by the bottle (with a corkage fee), while others don’t.

Data Table: Open Bar Comparison Across Top Cruise Lines

Cruise Line	Open Bar Included?	Package Name (If Applicable)	Daily Cost (If Applicable)	Drink Cap	Mini-Bar Included?	Best For
Regent Seven Seas	Yes (in base fare)	N/A	Free	No cap	Yes	Luxury travelers, heavy drinkers
Silversea	Yes (in base fare)	N/A	Free	No cap	Yes	Ultra-luxury, wine lovers
Oceania	Yes (in base fare)	N/A	Free	$15	Yes	Mid-range luxury, foodies
Royal Caribbean	No	Deluxe Beverage Package	$65–$85	$15	No	Families, mainstream travelers
Carnival	No	Cheers! Package	$59.95	$20	No	Budget travelers, first-time cruisers
NCL	No	Premium Plus Package	$89	$15	No	Freestyle cruisers, couples

Conclusion: Finding the Right Open Bar for Your Cruise Style

So, which cruise line has open bar? The answer depends on your budget, drinking habits, and vacation style. For luxury travelers who want a seamless, all-inclusive experience, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, and Oceania offer the best value — with open bar included in the base fare and no hidden costs. For mainstream cruisers, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and NCL provide flexible drink packages that can save money if you drink heavily, especially when booked during promotional periods.

Key takeaways:

• True open bar (included in fare) is only available on luxury lines — but the value is unmatched for heavy drinkers.
• Drink packages on mainstream lines offer flexibility, but always compare daily costs to your consumption.
• Promotions like “free drink packages” can make open bar accessible to budget travelers.
• Read the fine print — exclusions like mini-bars and room service can add up.

Ultimately, the best cruise line with open bar is the one that aligns with your priorities: convenience, cost, drink quality, and overall experience. Whether you’re sipping a martini on a private balcony or enjoying a local craft beer in a Caribbean port, the right open bar policy ensures your vacation is as carefree as it is memorable. Now that you know which cruise line has open bar — and how to find the best deals — it’s time to raise a glass to your next adventure at sea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cruise line has open bar included in the fare?

Several cruise lines offer open bar as part of their all-inclusive packages, including Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Virgin Voyages, and Regent Seven Seas. These brands typically include premium drinks in their upfront pricing, making them ideal for travelers seeking an “open bar” experience without extra costs.

Are there any affordable cruise lines with open bar deals?

Yes, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line often run promotions where open bar packages are bundled with discounted fares. Keep an eye out for seasonal sales or loyalty program perks to secure the best value on a cruise with open bar access.

Does Royal Caribbean have an open bar option?

Royal Caribbean doesn’t offer a fully open bar by default, but they provide a Deluxe Beverage Package that includes unlimited cocktails, beer, wine, and soda. This package is a popular choice for guests who want a Royal Caribbean “open bar” experience for a flat daily rate.

Which luxury cruise line has all-inclusive open bar?

Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn Cruises are top luxury lines with fully all-inclusive policies, including open bar with premium spirits and wines at no extra cost. These lines cater to travelers who prioritize a high-end, worry-free experience with drinks included.

Can I get open bar on a Carnival cruise?

Carnival Cruise Line offers a Cheers! Beverage Package that functions like an open bar, covering cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks for a daily fee. It’s a cost-effective way to enjoy unlimited drinks on Carnival’s budget-friendly voyages.

Which cruise line has the best open bar for families?

Disney Cruise Line stands out for families by offering complimentary soda, juice, and milk at all bars and restaurants—effectively an “open bar” for non-alcoholic drinks. For adults, they also provide a drink package that can be added for a full open bar experience.