How many drinks can you get a day with a Aurora Expeditions drink package?

Aurora Expeditions is renowned for offering travelers a refined yet adventurous cruising experience. Unlike traditional luxury cruise lines that focus on extravagance and indulgence, Aurora’s philosophy emphasizes connection—to nature, to exploration, and to community. But even in the wildest corners of the Earth, travelers still appreciate comfort, and that includes enjoying a fine glass of wine, a cocktail at sunset, or a freshly brewed coffee after a day of adventure.

A common question among travelers considering Aurora Expeditions is: how many drinks can you get a day with an Aurora Expeditions drink package? The answer is both simple and nuanced. Aurora Expeditions offers inclusive beverage options on many voyages, focusing on quality over quantity, and encourages responsible enjoyment rather than setting fixed numerical limits.

1. Understanding Aurora Expeditions’ Beverage Philosophy

Aurora Expeditions operates differently from mainstream cruise lines. Instead of flashy entertainment and 24-hour bars, the company curates an atmosphere of calm sophistication, environmental consciousness, and intimate connection among travelers.

Their drink policy reflects this ethos: it’s about enhancing the experience, not overindulgence. Whether you’re toasting to a successful landing in Antarctica or savoring a glass of wine during a lecture on marine ecology, beverages are part of the larger adventure narrative.

On most voyages, Aurora Expeditions includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during meal service and certain lounge hours. While there is no strict "per-day" drink limit for most passengers, consumption is expected to remain reasonable, maintaining the expedition’s community-oriented spirit and environmental mindfulness.

2. What Is Included in the Aurora Expeditions Drink Package?

Aurora Expeditions’ drink options fall into two main categories: inclusive beverages and premium beverages (à la carte).

Inclusive Beverages

House wines (red, white, and sparkling) served with lunch and dinner.
Standard beers available during mealtime and at select lounge hours.
Soft drinks and juices available throughout the day.
Tea and barista-style coffee at all times.
Filtered water—provided both in your cabin and refillable bottles for excursions.

These beverages are typically included in your cruise fare. You don’t need to buy a separate package to enjoy them.

Premium or Specialty Beverages

If you prefer craft beers, top-shelf spirits, or fine wines, Aurora offers an optional paid beverage menu. These can be purchased individually or occasionally as part of a customizable beverage package, depending on the voyage.

Examples include:

Premium Australian and New Zealand wines
Craft gins, whiskeys, and rums
Specialty cocktails
Champagne and sparkling selections
Imported beers

3. Is There a Daily Drink Limit?

Unlike mainstream cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises, Aurora Expeditions does not impose a formal daily drink limit for standard beverage service.

Here’s how it generally works:

Wine and beer are poured freely during lunch and dinner.
Coffee, tea, and soft drinks are available on request throughout the day.
If you purchase additional premium beverages, there’s no set cap—but the crew reserves the right to limit service for safety and comfort reasons.

Essentially, Aurora trusts its guests to drink responsibly. The focus is on enjoyment and relaxation, not excess.

4. How Beverage Service Works Onboard

Beverage service aboard Aurora’s ships, such as the Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle, is seamless and relaxed.

Dining Room Service

During lunch and dinner, waitstaff circulate with wine and beer selections. You may request refills as desired. The atmosphere is social—guests share stories of the day’s excursions while toasting to their adventures.

Lounge Service

The ship’s lounge becomes a hub of social activity, especially after excursions. Guests gather for briefings, recaps, and informal mingling. During these times, complimentary drinks—wine, beer, coffee, tea, and juices—are available. Premium drinks can be ordered from the bar.

In-Cabin Options

Each cabin includes a water bottle and carafe, with refill stations located throughout the ship. Some voyages may offer a small minibar, but in most cases, in-room alcohol service is minimal to maintain Aurora’s environmentally responsible standards.

5. Sample Daily Beverage Routine

To give you a better idea of what a typical day’s drinking experience looks like aboard Aurora Expeditions, here’s an example:

Morning:

Freshly brewed coffee or specialty cappuccino
Juices and smoothies at breakfast

Afternoon:

Chilled juice or soda after excursions
Light beer or wine with lunch

Evening:

Wine pairings during dinner (multiple refills permitted)
Post-dinner cocktails or beer in the lounge

Nightcap:

Herbal tea or whiskey while stargazing on deck

This structure ensures you can enjoy beverages throughout the day without ever feeling limited or deprived.

6. The Role of Responsible Service

Aurora Expeditions’ crew follows international maritime standards for responsible alcohol service. This means that while guests can enjoy multiple drinks, bartenders and servers are trained to monitor consumption discreetly.

If a guest becomes visibly intoxicated or disruptive (which is rare), staff may pause service for that individual. The emphasis is always on creating a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone onboard.

This policy ensures that the expedition’s communal spirit—based on respect, safety, and shared adventure—remains intact.

7. Specialty Beverage Highlights

Aurora’s beverage program celebrates regional and sustainable sourcing. Many wines and spirits served onboard come from eco-conscious producers in Australia and New Zealand.

Signature Offerings Include:

Tasmanian pinot noir and Marlborough sauvignon blanc
Boutique Australian craft beers
Locally distilled gins and whiskeys
Organic and biodynamic wines
Freshly pressed fruit juices and mocktails

This regional focus enhances the sense of place—you’re not just traveling through a region, but tasting it.

8. Comparing Aurora Expeditions to Other Cruise Lines

When comparing Aurora Expeditions’ beverage policy to other cruise lines, key differences emerge:

Cruise LineBeverage InclusionDaily LimitFocus

Aurora ExpeditionsIncluded wine, beer, coffee, soft drinksNo fixed limitQuality & sustainability

PonantHouse wines, champagne, and spirits includedNo limitFrench luxury

HurtigrutenWine/beer with meals onlyFixed service timesScandinavian simplicity

Lindblad ExpeditionsAll-inclusive drinksNo limitEducational focus

Aurora falls closer to the “premium expedition” model—where inclusions are generous but moderated by setting and purpose.

9. Can You Bring Your Own Alcohol?

Aurora Expeditions generally discourages guests from bringing personal alcohol onboard. The reason is twofold:

Safety and customs regulations in international waters.
Fairness and consistency with the ship’s onboard pricing model.

However, exceptions may apply in special circumstances (e.g., bringing a symbolic bottle for a celebration). Always confirm with Aurora’s guest services before embarkation.

10. How to Make the Most of Your Drink Package

Even though there’s no hard limit, here are tips to maximize your experience:

Pair Drinks with Meals Thoughtfully – Ask your server for recommendations; Aurora’s staff are trained in wine and food pairings.
Try Regional Beverages – Each voyage often features local wines or spirits tied to the destination.
Stay Hydrated – Between alcoholic beverages, drink plenty of water. It’s easy to dehydrate in polar climates.
Enjoy Lounge Hours – Attend daily recaps; they often feature complimentary beverages.
Participate in Tastings – Some voyages host special tasting events (wine or whiskey), perfect for connoisseurs.

11. Environmental and Ethical Beverage Practices

Sustainability is central to Aurora’s operations, and that extends to its bar service.

Key Initiatives:

No single-use plastic bottles onboard.
Locally sourced beverages to reduce shipping emissions.
Eco-friendly packaging for all drink products.
Recycling and waste minimization through closed-loop systems.

Even the wine corks used aboard are biodegradable or made from sustainable materials.

12. Beverage Service During Shore Excursions

While Aurora doesn’t serve alcohol during Zodiac rides or landings (for safety reasons), there are special occasions when celebratory drinks are offered ashore.

For example:

Champagne toasts at the Antarctic Circle crossing
Hot mulled wine during polar picnics
Specialty coffees served near glaciers

These moments combine breathtaking scenery with heartfelt camaraderie—a true highlight of the expedition.

13. Wellness and Non-Alcoholic Options

Aurora Expeditions caters equally to non-drinkers and wellness-focused travelers. Non-alcoholic offerings include:

Gourmet mocktails
Kombucha and probiotic beverages
Herbal teas
Cold-pressed juices
Sugar-free sodas

These are perfect for guests who want to stay refreshed without alcohol.

14. Beverage Packages on Special Itineraries

Depending on the voyage, Aurora may offer upgraded drink inclusions or promotions:

Holiday voyages sometimes feature open-bar events.
Special themed expeditions may include complimentary tastings.
Private charters can request customized beverage menus.

The best approach is to check your voyage inclusions when booking—each itinerary can differ slightly in what beverages are offered.

15. A Day in the Life: The Aurora Drink Experience

Imagine this: You wake up to the scent of fresh espresso brewed from sustainably sourced beans. The morning briefing sets the tone for a day of exploration. After kayaking beside icebergs, you return to the ship, greeted by a warm drink and smiling crew.

Lunch features a crisp white wine paired with seafood, followed by conversation with fellow travelers. As the sun dips low over the horizon, you gather in the lounge—glass of pinot noir in hand—to watch humpback whales breach in the distance.

That’s the Aurora Expeditions drink experience: balanced, communal, and deeply enriching.

16. FAQs About Aurora Expeditions’ Drink Package

Q1: Are drinks included in the cruise fare?

Yes, house wines, beers, coffee, tea, and soft drinks are included with meals and select lounge times.

Q2: Is there a maximum number of drinks per day?

No formal limit applies. Drinks are served responsibly and as desired within the inclusive menu.

Q3: Are premium beverages extra?

Yes, top-shelf spirits and specialty wines cost extra.

Q4: Do all voyages include beverages?

Most do, but check the specific itinerary details before booking.

Q5: Are there alcohol-free options?

Absolutely—Aurora offers mocktails, herbal teas, and other refreshing choices.

17. How Aurora’s Drink Policy Enhances the Expedition Experience

Ultimately, the lack of a fixed drink limit isn’t about leniency—it’s about trust. Aurora Expeditions encourages travelers to savor every moment mindfully. Each sip becomes part of a larger story: the laughter at the recap lounge, the clinking of glasses under the midnight sun, the warmth shared after a cold Zodiac ride.

This philosophy mirrors the company’s broader mission: to create meaningful, environmentally responsible travel that nourishes both body and soul.

18. A Toast to Exploration and Balance

So, how many drinks can you get a day with an Aurora Expeditions drink package?As many as you reasonably wish—because the focus isn’t on counting glasses, but on celebrating the journey.

Aurora Expeditions offers a drink experience that is inclusive, respectful, and sophisticated. You can enjoy unlimited access to house wines, beers, soft drinks, and coffee during meals, along with paid upgrades for specialty beverages. The absence of strict limits reflects the expedition’s spirit of freedom, exploration, and trust.

Whether you’re raising a glass of Tasmanian pinot as icebergs drift by, or sipping tea under the stars of the Southern Ocean, each drink becomes a memory—a toast to adventure, discovery, and the pristine beauty of our planet.