CruiseStar
Drink package calculator
Compare prepaid package totals to estimated a la carte drinks, specialty coffee, and bottled water for your sailing.
Read the drink package calculator guide or browse all CruiseStar tools.
How the drink package calculator fits together
Worth it or a la carte?
Cruise drink packages sell peace of mind. A la carte sells honesty. The right answer depends on how many cocktails, specialty coffees, and bottled waters you actually order across the sailing—not how many you imagine ordering on day one.
This calculator compares prepaid package cost to estimated onboard spend and shows a break-even drinks-per-day number after coffee and water are accounted for.
How to read the dual meter
The package bar is prepaid cost. The a la carte bar is your estimated spend. When a la carte meets or beats the package, the verdict leans toward buying. When it falls short, pay as you go usually wins.
Edit every price to match your quote. Lines change package rates, gratuities, and eligible drink lists by sailing and promotion date.
Assumptions you should challenge
Non-drinkers and light sippers usually lose to a la carte. Heavy specialty-coffee drinkers can tip the other way even with modest alcohol. Cabin rules that force every adult to buy change the household math completely.
If gratuities are listed separately on the package, fold them into the daily package rate so the comparison stays honest.
Share the same math with cabin mates
Share encodes nights, guests, package rate, drink habits, and prices in the URL so everyone argues from the same numbers. It does not create an account or store a private folio.
Drink package FAQ
Is the drink package calculator free?
Yes. Run the worth-it math and share the link without signing in.
Does it include soda packages?
Model soda as drinks with your soda price, or lower average drink price if that matches how you drink.
What is break-even drinks per day?
After coffee and water estimates, it is how many average-priced drinks per person per day you need for a la carte to match the package.
Should every guest buy the package?
Often lines require all adults in a cabin to buy. Run the math per person, then multiply honestly for the cabin rule on your booking.
Are mocktails included?
It depends on the package. If mocktails are covered and you drink them, count them as drinks at the mocktail a la carte price.
Do packages include bottled water?
Sometimes. If water is included, set bottled water per day to zero in the a la carte column so you do not double-count.
What about happy hour specials?
If you reliably drink during discounted windows, lower average drink price. If you mostly order at peak bar prices, keep the higher average.
Can I share my drink package estimate?
Yes. Share builds a link with your inputs so cabin mates see the same comparison.
Does this book a package?
No. It is a planning tool. Purchase still happens through the cruise line.
Should kids be in the guest count?
Only if they are buying a package or you are modeling their soda/mocktail spend. Otherwise leave them out of the package guest count.
What if my package includes Wi‑Fi or dining?
This tool isolates drinks. Bundle credits belong in a separate mental spreadsheet so drink math stays clean.
Why does the verdict flip when I change one drink?
Break-even is often near three to five drinks per day. Small habit changes move you across the line quickly once coffee and water are included.