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Cruise travelers often wonder: “Do drinks come with my cruise fare?” With Emerald Cruises — a premium river and luxury yacht cruise operator — beverage inclusion is nuanced. This comprehensive article unpacks every aspect of Emerald’s beverage policy with authoritative insights, real examples, and practical tips designed to help you plan confidently and avoid surprise expenses. Where official information exists, it’s cited directly; where it doesn’t, we clarify that too.
Emerald Cruises structures its beverage offerings to provide a blend of complimentary drinks plus optional upgrades. While the base cruise fare includes certain beverages, it does not automatically include unlimited drinks outside set scenarios — unless a specific package is purchased or your voyage terms explicitly say otherwise.
In its official FAQs, Emerald confirms that a selection of drinks packages is available onboard and notes the popularity of the “Premium Drinks Package.” It also states that a drinks package may be included on certain yacht cruises sailing from April 17, 2024 onward — but advises customers to check specifics with the cruise line.
Emerald Cruises includes several beverages in your base cruise price — especially during meals and social times:
Beer and wine served with lunch and dinner Soft drinks accompanying meals Coffee and tea with breakfast and dinner Bottled water with meals
Tea and coffee available in lounges and breakfast areas Bottled water replenished in cabins (varies by itinerary) Non‑alcoholic beverages served at certain events (e.g., welcome gatherings)Note: This is a standard practice — travelers commonly report coffee/tea availability outside meals and water replenishment in cabins.
If you want drinks outside of meals — or a wider range beyond house wines and basic soft drinks — Emerald offers optional drink packages. These vary by itinerary (Europe vs Southeast Asia vs Yacht).
| Package | Cost (Approx.) | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | ~€14.50 / day* | House wine by glass, draft beer, soft drinks & bottle juices throughout the day |
| Platinum | ~€28.50 / day* | All Premium offerings + cocktails, long drinks, international spirits, wine by glass |
*Exact prices vary by region and itinerary.
| Package | Cost (Approx.) | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | ~$24 / day | Wine by glass, draft & bottled beer, soft drinks & juices (daytime) |
| Platinum | ~$35 / day | Adds cocktails & spirits (with limits), plus all Premium drinks |
Terms & Conditions (Across All Packages)
Valid throughout public areas and lounges.
Both guests in a cabin must buy the same package.
Mini‑bar drinks and cabin minibar are excluded.
Responsible service of alcohol rules apply.
Packages are non‑refundable and cannot be shared.
On Emerald’s yacht sailings (e.g., Emerald Azzurra, Emerald Sakara):
A Platinum Package (~€65 per day) offers unlimited soft drinks, bottled juices, mocktails, cocktails, premium wine, Prosecco, Champagne by the glass, and draft/bottled beer.
As with other packages, mini‑bar drinks and Chairman’s Wine List selections are excluded.
Even with the base cruise fare, the following beverages usually cost extra unless you purchase a package:
Premium wines and Champagne Cocktails and high‑end spirits Drinks in your cabin’s minibar Drinks purchased ashore Specialty / barista coffee (e.g., espresso drinks) Beverages outside meal times without a package
Emerald’s official terms state:
“Beer, wine and soft drinks are available with meals… Any additional drinks may be purchased onboard. Beverage packages will also be available for purchase onboard.”
For voyages that include an all‑inclusive beverage package, the fare includes standard drinks while onboard — but excludes selected premium wines, spirits, and third‑party services.
Here’s a practical guide:
Contact your travel agent or Emerald Cruises directly.
Add a beverage package at booking if available.
Visit the bar or guest services desk.
Ask to purchase or upgrade to a beverage package.
Packages typically apply from the purchase date through the end of the cruise.
Charge the cost to your onboard account.
Both guests in a cabin must have the same package.
Serve times and venue restrictions apply (e.g., public areas only).
Responsible service rules are enforced.
Drink package value varies based on your habits:
Light drinkers (water, coffee, wine at dinner): Package might not offer savings. Moderate drinkers (beer + wine + occasional cocktail): Standard packages often pay for themselves. Heavy drinkers or social evenings: Platinum or Yacht Platinum packages are worth considering.
Example: A couple enjoying a daily cocktail, beer, and wine flight could spend more onboard à la carte than the cost of a daily drink package. Conversely, infrequent drinkers might pay more for a package than their actual consumption.
Real travelers share useful insights:
Complimentary Wine & Beer: Most river cruise itineraries serve wine and beer with lunch and dinner.
Unbilled Coffee & Tea: Coffee, tea, and some non‑alcoholic drinks are available in lounges at no extra cost.
Mini‑bar Items: These are billed separately and not covered under beverage packages.
| Beverage Type | Included? | Package Option? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wine with meals | Yes | — | Standard lunch/dinner inclusion. |
| Beer with meals | Yes | — | Included without package. |
| Soft drinks at meals | Yes | — | Included. |
| Cocktails (bars) | No | Yes | Only with Platinum/Upgraded packages. |
| Spirits | No | Yes | Platinum/Upgraded only. |
| Mini‑bar drinks | No | No | Always extra. |
| Specialty coffee | No | Sometimes | Premium drink packages may include some. |
| Bottled water (cabin) | Yes | — | Typically replenished. |
| Mocktails | No | yes | In higher tier packages. |
Yes — beer, wine, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and water are typically included with meals and in certain communal areas, but broader coverage outside these scenarios is not automatic.
House wine, beer, soft drinks with meals, and complimentary coffee/tea in lounges are generally free.
Emerald offers Premium and Platinum packages for rivers and elevated packages (like Platinum) for luxury yachts — covering beer, wine, spirits, cocktails, and soft drinks.
No. Mini‑bar beverages in cabins are not covered by drink packages.
Champagne and premium wines are generally excluded unless specified in a higher‑tier yacht package.
Yes, but personal drinks shouldn’t be consumed in public spaces; they’re best enjoyed in your cabin.
It depends on consumption. Frequent drinkers and social cruisers often save money with a package; occasional drinkers may not.
Soft drinks are included with meals but might not be free throughout the day without a package.
No. Both guests sharing a cabin must have the same beverage package.
Yacht sailings include more robust premium drink package options; these often offer broader inclusions than river offerings.
Yes — Emerald Cruises includes beverages in various ways, but not all drinks are automatically covered in your cruise fare. Standard inclusions typically cover beverages at meals and basic refreshments, while broader coverage (cocktails, spirits, drinks throughout the day) requires purchasing a drinks package. Based on official terms and onboard policies, drink packages are an optional way to elevate your experience and can be excellent value if you plan to enjoy a variety of beverages daily.
If you have specific questions about a particular sailing or itinerary, contact Emerald Cruises directly or consult your travel agent for the most accurate, itinerary‑specific beverage policy details.
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