Are beverages included in Coral Cruises packages?

When you’re sailing with Coral Expeditions (often called Coral Cruises), one of the first questions that comes to mind is whether beverages—like soft drinks, cocktails, beer, and wine—are included in your cruise fare. After all, having your favorite drink in hand while cruising through the Kimberley Coast or the Great Barrier Reef is part of the experience.

The good news is that Coral Cruises does include beverages in most of its cruise packages, though the level of inclusion depends on the cruise type, cabin category, and itinerary. In this detailed guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Coral Cruises’ beverage inclusions, drink packages, pricing, and how to make the most of your onboard experience.

1. Understanding Coral Cruises: A Premium Expedition Line

Before diving into the beverage details, it helps to understand Coral Cruises’ overall concept. Coral Expeditions is an Australian-based small-ship cruise line that focuses on expedition-style cruising. Unlike large ocean liners, Coral Cruises operates smaller vessels that carry fewer than 120 guests, offering a highly personalized experience.

Their focus is on destination immersion rather than mass-market entertainment. You’ll explore remote regions like:

The Kimberley, Australia’s rugged northwest coast
Tasmania’s wilderness and coastal national parks
Papua New Guinea and Indonesia’s Raja Ampat islands
The Great Barrier Reef

Because of this expedition-style setup, Coral Cruises fares are designed to be more inclusive—covering not only excursions and meals but also beverages and special touches.

2. Are Beverages Included in Coral Cruises Packages?

Yes — beverages are included on Coral Cruises. However, the inclusions vary slightly by ship and itinerary.

Here’s the general breakdown:

a. Included Beverages

Coral Cruises offers a selection of complimentary beverages throughout the day, including:

Tea and coffee (available 24/7)
Soft drinks and juices
Filtered water and sparkling water
House wines and beers during lunch and dinner
Selected spirits during evening cocktail hours

This means you can enjoy drinks without constantly signing receipts or worrying about hidden costs.

b. Premium Beverages

If you prefer premium wines, imported beers, or top-shelf spirits, these are available at an additional cost. You can order them at the bar or lounge, and they’ll simply be charged to your onboard account.

c. All-Inclusive Specials

On certain longer expedition itineraries (like the 10-night Kimberley Cruise or Papua New Guinea voyages), Coral Cruises often runs fully inclusive drink promotions, where all beverages including premium options are included in your fare. These offers are typically advertised during booking.

3. The Coral Cruises Beverage Experience Onboard

a. Coffee and Tea Lovers’ Heaven

For many guests, the day starts with a freshly brewed cup of coffee while watching the sunrise over the ocean. Coral Cruises ships feature espresso machines and barista-style coffee available throughout the day.

Teas are also offered in wide varieties—from black and green teas to herbal infusions. In cabins, you’ll usually find a kettle and complimentary tea/coffee setup for your convenience.

b. Non-Alcoholic Drinks

If you’re not into alcohol, you’ll still have plenty of choices. Coral Cruises provides:

Sparkling and still water (bottled or filtered)
Fruit juices at breakfast
Sodas like Coca-Cola, Sprite, and tonic water
Mocktails upon request

c. Alcoholic Beverages

During lunch and dinner, house wines and Australian beers are poured generously. The selection often features local wineries and craft breweries, highlighting regional flavors.

At sunset, guests can gather in the lounge or open deck for evening cocktails and social drinks, which are often included as part of the experience.

4. Comparing Coral Cruises’ Beverage Inclusions to Other Cruise Lines

When compared to mainstream cruise lines like Royal Caribbean or Carnival, Coral Cruises’ beverage inclusions are far more generous. On those big-ship cruises, passengers often have to purchase expensive beverage packages separately, ranging from USD 60–100 per person per day.

In contrast, Coral Cruises automatically includes many drinks in the fare, offering:

FeatureCoral CruisesMainstream Cruises

Coffee, Tea, JuiceIncludedIncluded

Soft DrinksIncludedOften Extra

House Wine & BeerIncluded during mealsExtra

Premium SpiritsOptional ExtraOften requires a package

Barista CoffeeIncludedOften Extra

MocktailsIncludedSometimes Extra

This makes Coral Cruises a better value proposition for travelers seeking comfort and inclusivity.

5. The Onboard Bar and Lounge Experience

Each Coral Cruises ship—like the Coral Discoverer, Coral Adventurer, and Coral Geographer—features a well-designed bar and lounge area. Here’s what you can expect:

a. The Atmosphere

The lounges are intimate, relaxed spaces with panoramic ocean views. You can enjoy a drink while chatting with fellow travelers or listening to an evening lecture from the expedition team.

b. Signature Cocktails

While Coral Cruises doesn’t emphasize flashy nightlife like large cruise lines, they do offer signature cocktails inspired by the regions they visit. For example:

Kimberley Sunset: A mix of tropical juices, vodka, and grenadine.
Barrier Reef Breeze: A refreshing gin-based cocktail with cucumber and mint.

These drinks enhance the destination experience, often made using local ingredients sourced during the voyage.

6. Beverage Service at Meals

a. Breakfast

At breakfast, beverages are entirely complimentary. You can enjoy:

Freshly squeezed juices
Smoothies (on select cruises)
Freshly brewed coffee or tea
Milk and hot chocolate options

b. Lunch and Dinner

During lunch and dinner, house wines, beers, and soft drinks are included. The crew ensures glasses are refilled promptly, and you can choose between red or white wines that pair with the day’s menu.

c. Special Dining Events

On longer voyages, Coral Cruises occasionally hosts barbecue dinners on deck or beach picnics, where wine, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks are also served without extra charges.

7. Coral Cruises’ Sustainability Focus and Beverage Policy

Sustainability is at the heart of Coral Cruises’ operations. Their beverage service reflects eco-friendly principles:

No single-use plastic bottles: Filtered water stations are available instead.
Locally sourced wines and beers: Supporting regional producers reduces carbon footprint.
Minimal waste approach: Recyclable materials and refillable containers are standard.

By focusing on sustainability, Coral Cruises not only offers great drinks but also promotes responsible tourism.

8. What If You Want Premium or Special Drinks?

While standard drinks are included, many guests like to treat themselves to premium options. You can easily order these at the bar or during meals. Examples include:

Premium Australian wines
Imported spirits (e.g., Johnnie Walker, Grey Goose, Hendrick’s)
Champagne and sparkling wines
Specialty cocktails made by onboard bartenders

Prices for premium drinks are reasonable, often ranging from AUD 10–20 per glass, depending on selection.

9. Can You Bring Your Own Alcohol Aboard?

Coral Cruises typically discourages bringing personal alcohol on board. However, if you have a special bottle for celebration (like champagne or wine), you can discuss it with the crew—sometimes they allow it with a small corkage fee.

Since the onboard selection is quite good, most guests prefer to enjoy what’s available onboard rather than bringing their own.

10. Tips for Making the Most of Coral Cruises’ Beverage Options

Here are some expert tips to help you enjoy the best of Coral Cruises’ beverage experience:

a. Try Local Selections

Coral Cruises curates local Australian wines and craft beers, so don’t miss the chance to sample them. Ask the crew for pairing suggestions.

b. Enjoy the Sundowner Sessions

Each evening, Coral Cruises hosts “sundowner” gatherings—relaxed events where guests sip drinks as the sun sets. These are social, scenic, and typically included.

c. Stay Hydrated

Expedition cruising involves active exploration in warm climates like the Kimberley or Papua New Guinea. Always carry your refillable water bottle (provided in cabins) and hydrate frequently.

d. Ask for Mocktails or Special Requests

Even if you don’t drink alcohol, Coral Cruises staff happily prepare custom beverages—mocktails, smoothies, or herbal teas.

11. The Difference Between Coral Cruises and Other Expedition Lines

When comparing with other expedition cruise companies like Scenic, Aurora Expeditions, or Silversea Expeditions, Coral Cruises maintains a middle ground in terms of beverage inclusivity.

Cruise LineBeverage InclusionStyle

Coral CruisesHouse wines, beers, soft drinks includedRelaxed Expedition

Scenic EclipseAll-inclusive (including premium)Ultra-Luxury

Aurora ExpeditionsLimited selectionAdventure-Focused

Silversea ExpeditionsFully inclusiveLuxury Expedition

Thus, Coral Cruises provides exceptional value—especially for guests who prefer a laid-back atmosphere without overpaying for luxury extras.

12. Real Guest Reviews on Beverage Experience

Guests often praise Coral Cruises’ hospitality and beverage service. Common feedback includes:“Loved the relaxed sundowner drinks with the crew on deck—nothing beats sipping Australian wine while watching a Kimberley sunset.”“I’m not a big drinker, but I loved that everything I wanted—coffee, tea, soft drinks—was included. It made things so easy.”“The selection of wines during dinner was excellent, and the staff were always happy to offer refills.”

These tes

timonials highlight how beverage inclusions enhance the overall cruise experience.

13. Beverage Inclusions by Ship

Here’s a quick overview of inclusions across Coral Cruises’ fleet:

ShipBeverage PolicyHighlights

Coral DiscovererComplimentary soft drinks, wines, and beers during mealsClassic expedition experience

Coral AdventurerBeverages included; premium spirits available for purchaseModern vessel with spacious bar

Coral GeographerInclusive house drinks and cocktail hoursMost luxurious in the fleet

14. Beverage Packages: Are They Worth It?

Unlike mainstream cruise lines, Coral Cruises doesn’t sell separate beverage packages—because most drinks are already included. Guests appreciate the simplicity—no need to calculate drink limits or daily budgets.

However, for guests who prefer premium spirits or champagne, you can simply purchase these à la carte. Since prices are fair and there’s no pressure to overconsume, it’s a more relaxed and transparent system.

15. Health and Safety Around Alcohol Onboard

Coral Cruises maintains a professional and responsible approach to alcohol consumption:

Crew members are trained to ensure responsible service.
The small passenger numbers mean personalized attention.
Complimentary beverages are served in moderation, fostering a safe and enjoyable environment.

This ensures that everyone enjoys their drinks responsibly without excessive partying or disruption—aligning with Coral Cruises’ expedition ethos.

16. Family and Non-Alcoholic Options

Families or guests who don’t drink alcohol are equally catered to. Coral Cruises offers:

Fruit juices for kids
Mocktails and smoothies
Special dietary beverages (low-sugar, lactose-free options upon request)

This makes Coral Cruises ideal for multi-generational travel or guests seeking wellness-oriented experiences.

17. Beverage Highlights by Destination

a. The Kimberley

Enjoy Australian wines and tropical cocktails while watching crocodiles bask along the coast.

b. The Great Barrier Reef

Sip fruity cocktails made with local rum as you snorkel and explore coral reefs.

c. Papua New Guinea

Try local beers like SP Lager, often stocked onboard to match regional tastes.

18. Conclusion: Are Beverages Included in Coral Cruises Packages?

Yes, beverages are included in Coral Cruises packages, making your voyage relaxed, convenient, and great value. From complimentary soft drinks, teas, and coffees to house wines and beers at meals, you’ll never need to worry about surprise bar bills.

If you desire premium or imported beverages, those are available at reasonable extra cost. The cruise line’s focus on local flavors, sustainability, and personalized service makes every sip part of the journey itself.

So, whether you’re raising a glass at sunset in the Kimberley or enjoying morning tea on the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Cruises ensures your beverage experience is as enriching as your destination.