Does Disney Cruise Line offer drink packages

Disney Cruise Line is well-known for its magical onboard experiences, family-friendly atmosphere, and world-class entertainment. But when planning a cruise, one important consideration for many travelers is beverages—especially whether drink packages are available. On other cruise lines, unlimited drink packages for soda, alcohol, or specialty beverages are often a standard add-on. Disney Cruise Line takes a slightly different approach, and understanding it can help you plan your budget and avoid surprises once onboard.

This guide explores everything you need to know about drink options on Disney Cruise Line, whether traditional drink packages are offered, how alcohol and soda are priced, what complimentary beverages are included, and the alternatives available to guests.

Does Disney Cruise Line Offer Traditional Drink Packages?

Unlike many cruise lines, Disney Cruise Line does not offer traditional unlimited alcoholic beverage packages or soda packages. Instead, Disney has designed its pricing model to include many drinks that other cruise lines charge extra for, while providing alternative ways for guests to purchase beverages at a reasonable cost.

This approach reflects Disney’s family-oriented focus, ensuring that guests—particularly families with children—don’t need to spend excessively on basics like soft drinks. However, guests who enjoy alcoholic beverages will find plenty of options available, though not in the form of an unlimited package.

Complimentary Beverages Included in Your Fare

Before diving into what’s available for purchase, it’s important to highlight what is already included in your cruise ticket price:

Soft Drinks: Unlimited soda is available at self-service beverage stations located near the pool deck. Soft drinks are also included during meals in the main dining rooms and buffets.
Coffee & Tea: Regular drip coffee and tea are complimentary at restaurants and beverage stations.
Milk & Juice: Basic juices (like orange, apple, and cranberry) are included at breakfast and dining venues.
Hot Chocolate: Available at beverage stations and in restaurants at no extra cost.

This inclusive policy already sets Disney apart from many other cruise lines that charge per soda or require the purchase of a soda package.

Alcoholic Beverages on Disney Cruise Line

While soda and basic drinks are included, alcoholic beverages are not part of the ticket price. Guests can purchase cocktails, beer, wine, and spirits at bars, lounges, restaurants, and during special events.

Options for Alcohol Purchases

By the Drink: Guests can order wine, beer, or cocktails individually at standard bar prices.
Wine Packages: Disney offers prepaid wine packages that allow guests to purchase a selection of bottles at a discounted rate. These packages are available in 3-, 4-, 5-, or 7-bottle options and can be enjoyed at dinner or in lounges.
Beer Mug Program: Guests can purchase a refillable Disney Cruise Line beer mug, which comes with discounted refills throughout the cruise. The mug can be exchanged for a token, making it easy to collect fresh mugs without carrying the same one around.
Drink of the Day Specials: Each day, bartenders highlight a discounted cocktail, making it a budget-friendly way to enjoy drinks.

Refillable Mug Program for Soda and Coffee

Although soda is free at beverage stations, Disney Cruise Line also offers a refillable beverage mug program. Guests can purchase a souvenir mug, which allows unlimited refills of soda, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate at select locations onboard. This option is particularly convenient for guests who prefer carrying a larger cup instead of small glasses from the self-service stations.

Bottled Water Packages

While water is free at drink stations and in restaurants, bottled water is not included. Since many travelers prefer bottled water for excursions or personal use, Disney offers bottled water packages at discounted rates compared to buying them individually. These packages are typically available in 6-, 12-, or 24-bottle options and can be delivered directly to your stateroom.

Specialty Coffee and Smoothies

Disney Cruise Line also offers specialty beverages that are not included in the ticket price:

Espresso & Cappuccino – Available at onboard coffee shops such as Cove Café.
Smoothies – Fresh fruit smoothies are available at ice cream bars and cafes for an additional cost.
Specialty Hot Chocolate & Frappes – Offered at coffee shops with premium ingredients.

Guests can purchase these à la carte, and frequent visitors to coffee shops may benefit from Disney’s café punch card, which rewards guests with a free drink after a set number of purchases.

Bringing Your Own Alcohol Onboard

One unique perk of Disney Cruise Line compared to many competitors is that guests are allowed to bring their own alcohol onboard in limited quantities.

Each guest 21 years or older may bring two bottles of wine or champagne (750 ml) or six beers (12 oz or less) at the beginning of the cruise.
Guests may also bring the same allowance when boarding at each port of call.
Beverages must be hand-carried (not placed in checked luggage).
Corkage fees may apply if wine or champagne is consumed in dining rooms.

This policy allows guests to enjoy favorite beverages in their staterooms without needing to purchase everything onboard.

Comparing Disney’s Beverage Policy with Other Cruise Lines

To better understand Disney’s approach, it helps to compare it with other major cruise lines:

Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian – Offer unlimited alcoholic beverage packages and soda packages for an additional daily fee.
Disney Cruise Line – Does not offer unlimited drink packages but provides free soda, coffee, and juice, while selling alcohol by the drink, through packages, or via specials.

For families and guests who don’t drink heavily, Disney’s model often ends up being more cost-effective since essentials like soda are already included.

Cost-Saving Tips for Drinks on Disney Cruise Line

Even without a traditional drink package, there are many ways to save money on beverages:

Take Advantage of Free Drink Stations – Use the soda stations frequently to avoid unnecessary purchases.
Purchase Wine Packages in Advance – Pre-ordering wine packages saves money compared to buying bottles individually.
Join the Beer Mug Program – A great deal for beer drinkers who plan to enjoy multiple refills.
Look for Drink of the Day Specials – Rotating daily cocktails offer variety at a lower cost.
Bring Your Own Wine or Beer – Use Disney’s generous policy to supplement your onboard purchases.
Use the Café Punch Card – Frequent specialty coffee drinkers can earn free drinks over the course of the cruise.
Buy Bottled Water Packages in Advance – Purchasing a bundle is cheaper than buying bottles individually onboard.

Beverage Options for Children and Teens

Since Disney Cruise Line is family-focused, beverages for children and teens are plentiful and mostly included:

Milk and juice are always available at meals.
Soda is free at beverage stations and restaurants.
Smoothies and specialty drinks are available for an extra fee but can be a fun treat for kids.

This makes it easier for parents to budget without worrying about surprise beverage costs.

Why Disney’s Approach Works

Disney Cruise Line’s decision not to offer unlimited drink packages is intentional. The focus is on providing excellent value for families, ensuring essentials like soda, coffee, and juice are already included in the base fare. At the same time, adults who want alcohol have flexible purchase options without being locked into expensive daily packages.

This system benefits:

Families with children – No need to buy soda packages.
Moderate drinkers – Flexibility to buy alcohol occasionally without paying for an unlimited plan.
Wine enthusiasts – The wine package provides value and variety.
Beer drinkers – The refillable beer mug program is fun and affordable.

Conclusion

So, does Disney Cruise Line offer drink packages? The answer is no, not in the traditional sense. Instead, Disney provides a flexible beverage system that already includes many complimentary drinks and offers additional options for those who want specialty or alcoholic beverages.

Your Disney Cruise Line ticket includes:

Unlimited soda, coffee, tea, milk, juice, and hot chocolate
Complimentary beverages at restaurants and self-service stations
Room service drinks (standard items)

Additional options available for purchase include:

Wine packages
Beer mug refill program
Bottled water packages
Specialty coffees, smoothies, and alcoholic beverages

While there’s no “all-you-can-drink” package, Disney’s approach makes cruising more affordable and family-friendly while still providing plenty of beverage choices. Guests can easily manage their drink preferences without being tied to costly daily packages.

For many travelers, this model provides the perfect balance—plenty of included drinks, plus flexible options for upgrading if desired, all while enjoying the magic of a Disney cruise.