Discover the Best MSC Drinks Package for Your Cruise

Surprising fact: UK summer fares show that the Premium Extra package offers a wider selection of drinks for about £64–£67 per day, while the basic Easy package provides fewer options for around £34–£37. This difference in offerings can greatly affect your overall holiday experience and enjoyment.

This short guide helps UK travellers compare options for 2025. You will learn where each drink package is sold, the typical prices in £/$/€, and how to judge value fast.

Key changes matter: some lower tiers are withdrawn on North American sailings and one mid-tier has been discontinued globally for new bookings in 2025. Pricing follows ship currency, GBP for UK departures, EUR for European sailings and USD for Caribbean departures, and prepaid rates are generally cheaper than buying onboard.

What you get: tiers range from house beers, wines and classic cocktails to premium spirits, plus bottled water, juices and coffee within your daily cap. Gratuities are included (15% on EUR ships, 18% on USD ships), but note a 15-alcohol limit per day and exclusions such as mini bar, room service and some signature venues.

Key Takeaways

• Prepaid rates often save money versus buying onboard; check GBP/EUR/USD for your sailing.
• Some tiers are removed from North American itineraries; availability depends on where the ship sails.
• Gratuities are included in the price, so bar bills have fewer surprises.
• A 15-alcohol-per-day cap and per-drink value limits apply; you can pay the difference for pricier drinks.
• All adults in a cabin must buy the same package, which affects group decisions.

Buyer’s guide overview: how MSC drink packages work today

Understanding how options are sold and priced will save time and money before you board.

What’s changed recently and why it matters in 2025

Key changes include the removal of Easy and Easy Plus from North America and Caribbean itineraries in Dec 2024. Easy Plus was sunset globally in Aug 2025 but remains for pre-booked guests.

Alcoholic packages now carry a 15-drink daily limit, aligning the line with other cruise lines for responsible service.

Currencies onboard: USD, EUR and GBP explained

Ship currency dictates all prices and where packages are sold. North American sailings use USD, European and Middle East sailings use EUR, and some UK summer cruises use GBP.

Prepaid buys are typically ~15% cheaper than paying onboard. Also, gratuity included means the service charge is part of the rate (18% on USD itineraries, 15% on EUR).

MSC drinks packages work across most bars, buffet and main dining rooms but exclude Lavazza cafés, Venchi, Starship Club, Jean-Philippe, mini bar and room service. You can usually pay the difference for pricier drinks.

MSC Drinks Package availability by region for UK travellers

Where your cruise sails determines which drink tiers you can buy and in what currency.

UK & Europe: Summer sailings priced in GBP/EUR typically offer the easy package and the premium extra package. Prepaid UK rates: Premium Extra ~£64–£67 per day; Easy ~£34–£37. European/Middle East prepaid guides: Premium Extra ~€74–€77; Easy ~€39–€43. Expect onboard prices ~15% higher.

North America & Caribbean: Ships using USD now sell Premium Extra only. Easy and Easy Plus were withdrawn for USD sailings from December 2024. Typical prepaid USD range: Premium Extra $85–$88, with gratuities included (18% on USD ships; 15% on EUR ships).

Note exceptions: South Africa and China deployments omit these options, and Saudi calls follow local alcohol restrictions. Back‑to‑back cruises across different currencies rarely transfer a purchased option between segments, so check each booking.

Tip: Prepay early to lock lower prices and watch for occasional GBP promotions from Southampton departures.

Premium Extra package: inclusions, prices and who it suits

The Premium Extra tier gives the broadest menu and suits guests who want branded spirits and better wines without surprise bills.

You can order any eligible drink priced up to £14/€14/$16. That covers premium spirits, a wide choice of beers and wines by the glass, and classic or frozen cocktails.

Typical pricing and prepaid savings

Prepaid rates are roughly £64–£67, €74–€77 or $85–$88 per day. Onboard prices run about 15% higher, so buying before you sail usually saves money.

Brands, venues and limits

The extra package also includes soft drinks, energy drinks, juices, mineral water and espresso coffees. There is a 25% discount on bottles of wine and Champagne, though some top-shelf bottles can exceed the per-glass cap, you simply pay the difference.

Use it across bars, the buffet, main dining rooms, speciality restaurants and Ocean Cay. Signature venues such as Lavazza cafés, Venchi, Jean‑Philippe and the Virtuosa Starship Club are excluded. Note the 15-alcohol limit per day; non-alcoholic items do not count.

Easy package on European and UK cruises: value and limits

If you prefer basic favourites, the Easy tier covers most daytime and dining needs on UK and European sailings.

What it covers: draft Heineken, a selection of house wines by the glass, classic cocktails and mocktails, house spirits, sodas and fruit juices. Bottled mineral water and standard hot drinks such as espresso, cappuccino, latte, tea and hot chocolate are included.

Where it works and where it does not

The easy package is valid across bars, the buffet and main dining rooms. It does not cover speciality restaurants, signature venues or the Starship Club, so drinks in those locations are charged à la carte.

Notes and tips: some bottled beers are excluded even if priced low; draft Heineken is normally the beer on the menu. Wines are usually shown by varietal (Chardonnay, Cabernet) rather than premium labels, fine for casual meals.

Prices and who should buy it: prepaid UK summer fares run about £34–£37 per day and on EUR sailings ~€39–€43. The option suits light drinkers who enjoy house wines, a beer, plenty of coffee and bottled water. If you want more choice or speciality dining coverage, consider Premium Extra or check if an Easy Plus legacy option applies to your booking.

Alcohol-Free and Minors packages: soft drinks, coffee and ice cream

A dedicated non-alcohol menu makes budgeting easier for families on holiday.

What the Alcohol-Free option covers: alcohol-free cocktails, sodas, energy drinks, mineral and flavoured water, fruit juice, espresso-based coffee drinks, hot chocolate and teas. It also includes soft-serve ice cream for children and adults alike.

The minors option mirrors the soft selection but is age-restricted. On European sailings it applies to ages 3–17; on North American itineraries it applies to ages 3–20. These limits match local drinking laws and onboard rules.

Both packages work across standard bars (excluding the Starship Club), the buffet, main dining rooms and Ocean Cay. Speciality restaurants are generally excluded unless the family adult holds Premium Extra or the historical Easy Plus on legacy bookings, this lets minors have covered drinks at dinner when adults have the higher tier.

Typical prepaid guides: GBP ~£21/£15; EUR ~€24/€17; USD ~$28/$19, with onboard rates usually higher. Note these options do not cover mini bar items or room service and are not valid in signature venues.

Value tip: For families who rely on coffee, juice and ice cream every day, pairing one adult Premium Extra with minors or the alcohol-free option often guarantees full coverage from breakfast coffees to post-show mocktails without unexpected bills.

Legacy note: Easy Plus package status and existing bookings

For travellers holding legacy reservations, the Easy Plus option still has practical value despite being withdrawn from sale.

Official status: The easy plus package was removed from North American itineraries in December 2024 and discontinued worldwide in August 2025. Coastal sales stopped, but the line will honour the included package for guests who booked before the cut‑offs.

What Easy Plus included

Historically, the plus package covered eligible drinks priced up to about £10/€9/$10. It offered a broader beer, cocktail and wine list than the basic tier and a 10% discount on bottles of wine.

Speciality restaurants and small rules

At speciality venues you must choose from that restaurant’s by‑the‑glass list. You cannot bring a bar drink into a speciality restaurant and expect it to count under the included package.

Exclusions remained the same: Lavazza cafés, Venchi, the Virtuosa Starship Club, mini bar items and room service were not part of the included package.

Practical tip: keep booking confirmations and check the ship app for eligible items and price caps. If you want premium spirits or a wider wine selection on cruises where Easy Plus is unavailable, consider upgrading to Premium Extra before you sail.

Pricing, gratuities and “per day” break-even math

Calculating how many drinks you’ll have each sea day is the quickest way to test value. Below is a simple GBP guide for summer UK departures and an easy break‑even sketch to check if a prepaid option is worth it for you.

GBP guide pricing for summer UK departures

Premium Extra: prepaid ~£64 (7+ nights) or £67 (≤6 nights); onboard ~£73.60–£77.05.

Easy: prepaid ~£34/£37; onboard ~£39.10–£42.55. Gratuities are included in these prices, so comparisons across currencies are fairer.

How many drinks to break even on each option

Typical bar prices (wine £6–£14, large draft beer ~£6, cocktails £7–£16, coffee £2.50–£4) help build examples.

For Premium Extra (~£64–£67 per day), two cocktails, two glasses of wine and a large beer, or several coffees and softs across the day — often reach parity.

For Easy (~£34–£37), four to five house drinks or a mix of beers, coffees and bottled water will usually cover the per day cost.

Why buying before you sail is usually cheaper

Prepaying locks lower prices and avoids the typical ~15% onboard uplift. Short cruises (≤6 nights) carry a slightly higher per day rate, so always check the prepaid price in your booking portal.

Quick tip:calculate per person, because all adults in a cabin must choose the same package. If you want premium items, you can pay difference above the cap and still keep most savings.

Rules, fine print and limits you need to know

Same cabin rule: All adults sharing a cabin must buy the same package. Minors cannot use adult packages; they need the age‑appropriate minors option and cannot share adult entitlements.

Daily limits and overages

A strict 15‑alcohol drinks per-day limit applies to alcoholic packages. Non‑alcoholic drinks, coffee and water do not count towards that limit.

If a chosen drink exceeds your per‑item cap you simply pay the difference at the bar, not the full rack price. This pay‑the‑difference system keeps upgrades affordable when you want a premium glass.

Exclusions and embarkation rules for MSC Drinks Package

Mini bar purchases, room service and signature venues (Lavazza cafés, Venchi, Jean‑Philippe and the Virtuosa Starship Club) are not covered by packages. You may not bring alcohol or soft drinks onboard; medical water and baby milk are exceptions at embarkation.

Regional caveats matter: some deployments (South Africa, China) omit packages and Saudi calls are dry. Check legal drinking ages, generally 18 in Europe and 21 in North America, as this affects who qualifies for adult versus minors options.

Tip: Open the bar list in the ship app before you order so you know which venues and drinks are included and avoid surprises at the bar during your cruises.

Where your package works: bars, speciality dining and private islands

Before you order, check which venues across the ship and island accept your chosen option. Rules vary by venue and by tier, so a quick look at the app saves time and fuss.

Ocean Cay usage and reduced island selections

Ocean Cay accepts the allowance, but expect a smaller menu than onboard. Fewer beers, limited wines and a simpler cocktail list are common.

Plan what you usually order and have an alternative ready if your favourite is missing for the day.

Speciality restaurant nuances and wine-by-the-glass quirks

Premium Extra holders can order by the glass from a speciality venue’s list, yet selection and pricing often differ from main bars.

Restaurants require orders from their own menu; you cannot bring a drink from another bar and have it covered. If a wine or cocktail exceeds your cap, you may pay the difference at the till.

Signature branded venues (Lavazza, Venchi, Starship Club) remain excluded regardless of tier, so check the app before you sit down.

Which MSC drink package is worth it for you?

Deciding which option suits you starts with a quick tally of what you usually drink each day.

Light, moderate and premium drinker scenarios

Light drinkers, one beer or a glass of wine with dinner, plus coffee and bottled water, often pay less by buying a la carte. Typical bar prices (coffee £2.50–£4.25, large draft beer ~£6, bottled water £2.75–£5.50) make day‑by‑day purchases cheaper for some people.

Moderate drinkers, two to three alcoholic drinks plus softs, will often find the easy package good value on GBP or EUR sailings. If house wines, draft beers and classic cocktails meet your needs, the easy package usually covers a typical day.

Premium tastes demand the premium extra option. For branded spirits, craft beers and better wines by the glass, the extra package’s higher per day fee (£64–£67 / €74–€77 / $85–$88 prepaid) can pay off quickly.

Sea days vs port days and your daily routine

Sea days are when you’re most likely to break even: more time onboard means more coffees, cocktails and poolside soft drinks. Port days often lower consumption as you explore ashore, so factor the itinerary split into your maths.

For couples and groups remember: all adult guests in a cabin must buy the same option. Choose the tier that fits the average person in your party to avoid extra costs at checkout.

Practical test: Add up a typical day’s basket, morning latte, two island softs, pre‑dinner cocktail, a glass of wine at dinner and a nightcap, then compare the total to the per day price. North America/Caribbean guests should note Premium Extra is the only alcoholic choice, so run the same basket to check break‑even. Legacy easy plus holders retain their lower cap in speciality dining; new bookings should consider Premium Extra if speciality menus matter.

Conclusion

Choose the best deal by comparing prepaid rates in your ship's currency with likely daily consumption.

Prepaying locks lower prices: UK guides show Premium Extra ~£64–£67 and Easy ~£34–£37, Europe ~€74–€77/€39–€43, North America $85–$88. Gratuity is included (15% EUR, 18% USD), so totals are clearer before you sail.

Remember the 15‑alcohol daily limit, exclusions (signature venues, mini bar, room service) and Ocean Cay’s reduced menu. If a drink exceeds your cap you can pay the difference.

Quick test: add up coffees, soft drinks, bottled water, cocktails, beers and wine for a sea day. Buy the package that fits the average guest in your cabin and check the ship app menu before boarding.