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Luxury Cruise Drinks Packages

August 2026

Rashmi Latchman

Rashmi Latchman

Social Media & Content Executive

Are drinks packages worth it? Oceania vs Silversea vs Seabourn

When budgeting for a luxury voyage, understanding how beverages are priced and what is included in your baseline fare is one of the most crucial considerations. On mainstream cruise lines, cruise ship drink packages can easily add £50 to £80 per person per day to your final bill. However, in upper-premium and ultra-luxury cruising, the approach to drink packages changes dramatically.

Comparing three of the world’s finest cruise lines- Oceania Cruises, Silversea Cruises, and Seabourn- reveals very different pricing philosophies. While some lines bundle premium spirits and champagne into every fare 24 hours a day, others include beverages during mealtimes while offering optional upgrades for all-day cocktail lovers.

In this guide, we break down how beverage inclusions work across Oceania, Silversea, and Seabourn, answering the key question: are cruise drink packages actually worth the money on a luxury line?

At a glance: How drinks inclusions compare

  • Oceania Cruises: Includes soft drinks, specialty coffees, bottled water, and wine, beer, and champagne by the glass during lunch and dinner. An optional all-day beverage upgrade is available.
  • Silversea Cruises: Fully all-inclusive 24/7. All fine wines, premium spirits, cocktails, champagne, and minibar drinks are included in your fare with zero drinks packages required.
  • Seabourn Cruises: Fully all-inclusive 24/7. Premium spirits, fine wines, champagne, and soft drinks are served throughout the ship at all hours with no extra charges.

Oceania Cruises: How drinks work and are upgrades worth it?

If you are wondering if drink packages are worth it on Oceania, the answer depends heavily on your daily drinking habits and preferred venues.

Under Oceania’s fare inclusions (such as Your World Included and simply MORE), all guests receive complimentary soft drinks, still and sparkling bottled waters, teas, and artisanal specialty coffees throughout the day. Furthermore, Oceania includes its House Select beverage package, which provides unlimited champagne, fine wines, and craft beers by the glass during lunch and dinner in all dining venues.

For many travellers, this baseline inclusion is more than enough. If you primarily enjoy a glass of wine with lunch and dinner and prefer coffee or sparkling water by the pool, you will not need to spend a single penny extra on drinks.

The Prestige Select upgrade

If you wish to enjoy spirits, aperitifs, signature cocktails, or beers at the pool bar, Martinis lounge, or through room service outside of meal hours, Oceania offers the Prestige Select beverage package.

    • The upgrade cost: Upgrading from the included House package to Prestige Select typically costs around $30 (approx. £24) per person, per day.
    • Is it worth it? If you regularly enjoy 2 or 3 cocktails or aperitifs outside meal times each day, upgrading to the Prestige Select package is excellent value, as individual cocktails on board generally range from $12 to $18. However, if you rarely drink spirits, sticking with the included mealtime wine and beer package offers substantial savings.

 

To explore upcoming sailings and culinary packages, browse our latest collection of Oceania cruise deals.

Silversea Cruises: Total all-inclusive freedom

For guests sailing with Silversea, the question of whether to buy cruise drink packages is completely eliminated. Silversea operates a six-star, fully all-inclusive beverage model across its entire fleet.

From the moment you step on board, all beverages are included 24 hours a day in every bar, lounge, and restaurant:

  • Complimentary drinks everywhere: Enjoy French champagne, signature cocktails, single-malt whiskies, fine wines, draft beers, and specialty coffees whenever you wish.
  • In-suite minibar: Your personal butler will stock your suite’s bar with your preferred wines, spirits, and mixers upon arrival and replenish them daily.
  • No upcharge tiers: Unlike lines with tiered drinks packages, Silversea’s standard complimentary selection includes premium brands such as Pommery Champagne, Grey Goose vodka, and Hendrick’s gin. Only ultra-rare reserve vintages on the Connoisseur’s List carry an extra charge.

 

Because beverage costs are built into your baseline fare, Silversea offers total peace of mind with no signing of bar slips or daily package calculations. Explore featured itineraries via our dedicated Silversea cruise deals page.

Seabourn: Seamless all-inclusive dining and drinking

Like Silversea, Seabourn includes all beverages in its baseline fare, creating a sophisticated, country-club atmosphere where hospitality flows freely.

On board Seabourn’s intimate ships, you will never see a drinks menu with prices or be asked to purchase a package:

  • All-day inclusions: Fine wines, champagne, premium spirits, craft cocktails, and soft drinks are served without charge across all lounges, outdoor decks, and dining venues.
  • Personalised service: Seabourn’s high staff-to-guest ratio means bartenders quickly learn your preferred cocktail or wine choice after your first order.
  • In-suite hospitality: Your suite is stocked with complimentary wines and spirits of your choice, alongside chilled champagne on embarkation day.

For travellers who dislike being hit with hidden extras or managing daily package rules, Seabourn’s all-inclusive structure provides outstanding value. To learn more about current offers, view our Seabourn cruise deals.

Which line offers the best value for drinks?

Determining which cruise line delivers the best value depends on how you prefer to travel and spend on board:

  • Choose Oceania if: You want world-class culinary dining and are happy having wine, beer, and champagne included with your meals. You keep baseline costs lower by paying for cocktails on a one-off basis, or upgrading to Prestige Select only if you are a frequent cocktail drinker.
  • Choose Silversea or Seabourn if: You prefer a six-star, completely seamless experience where champagne, spirits, cocktails, butler service, and gratuities are bundled into one upfront fare with zero extra charges on board.

 

To compare all top-tier cruise lines across inclusions, routes, and pricing, view our main guide to luxury cruises 2027.

Expert guidance from The Cruise Line

Navigating cruise line inclusions, beverage packages, and promotional offers can be complex. Having personally sailed aboard Oceania, Silversea, and Seabourn, our Voyage Consultants offer independent advice to help you select the ideal line and fare tier for your budget.

As preferred luxury cruise specialists, we provide access to exclusive fare reductions, added-value onboard credit, and inclusive flight packages.

To discuss your luxury cruise plans, get in touch with our Voyage Consultants today

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