The answer depends on your cruise fare, destination, booking date, and drinking habits. Costa Cruises offers several beverage package options, ranging from soft-drink plans to comprehensive packages that include cocktails, wine, beer, coffee, and premium spirits. Prices can vary by market and sailing, but most travelers can expect to pay approximately €35–€48 per person per day when purchased before departure, with onboard prices typically higher.
This comprehensive guide explains:
Costa Cruises primarily offers two unlimited beverage packages:
Some sailings and regions may also offer a non-alcoholic package called My Soft Drinks and specialty beverage bundles. Availability varies by itinerary and market.
The cruise line frequently bundles beverage packages into certain fare categories, meaning some passengers receive drinks as part of their booking rather than purchasing a package separately.
Costa does not consistently publish worldwide beverage package pricing because rates vary by sailing, itinerary, and booking region.
However, publicly available pricing data provides a reliable estimate.
| Package | Pre-Cruise Price | Onboard Price |
|---|---|---|
| My Drinks | Around €35 per person/day | Around €42 per person/day |
| My Drinks Plus | Around €48 per person/day | Around €57 per person/day |
| My Soft Drinks | Around €23 per person/day | Around €27 per person/day |
Prices vary by ship, departure region, and promotional offers.
Costa's UK website indicates that the My Drinks package generally costs between £20 and £36 per person per day when purchased online with eligible cruises.
Buying before departure is usually cheaper than purchasing onboard. Many cruise lines, including Costa, encourage advance purchases through discounted pricing structures.
The My Drinks package is Costa's standard unlimited beverage plan.
It covers a wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the cruise.
Whiskey
My Drinks Plus is Costa's premium beverage package.
It includes everything found in My Drinks plus upgraded beverage options.
Signature cocktails
| Feature | My Drinks | My Drinks Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee & Tea | Yes | Yes |
| Soft Drinks | Yes | Yes |
| Wine by Glass | Yes | Yes |
| Draft Beer | Yes | Yes |
| Cocktails | Yes | Yes |
| Premium Cocktails | No | Yes |
| Premium Spirits | No | Yes |
| Bottled Beer | Limited | Expanded |
| Bottled Water | 1/day | Unlimited |
| Minibar Drinks | No | Yes |
| Premium Juice Options | Limited | Yes |
The value depends on your drinking habits.
Let's look at a realistic example.
| Beverage | Estimated Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cappuccino | 2 |
| Bottled Water | 2 |
| Soft Drink | 2 |
| Glasses of Wine | 3 |
| Cocktails | 2 |
Even conservative cruise beverage prices can quickly exceed €35–€45 daily.
For travelers who enjoy:
The package often pays for itself.
The package is usually worthwhile if you consume:
or
Cruise industry analyses frequently find that regular beverage consumers recover the package cost relatively quickly compared with paying à la carte.
You might save money by purchasing drinks individually if you:
In these cases, paying as you go may be more economical.
Some Costa passengers report successfully using wine or beverage bundles instead of unlimited packages.
Before purchasing, understand the restrictions.
One of Costa's most significant policies is that all guests sharing a cabin generally must purchase the same beverage package.
This rule helps prevent sharing of beverage benefits.
Guests aged 3–17 receive:
Alcoholic beverages are not included.
Packages are not valid in certain specialty venues, including:
Policies can change, so verify onboard.
Standard My Drinks does not include every premium liquor.
Some top-shelf selections may require an additional charge.
Reserve directly through Costa or an approved travel agency.
Log into your Costa booking portal.
Available beverage packages depend on:
Advance purchases usually offer the best value.
Check your cruise documents before embarkation.
It depends on the fare type.
Certain Costa fares include beverage packages automatically.
Examples may include:
The exact naming varies by market and booking region.
Always review your booking confirmation to determine whether beverages are already included.
Cruise vacations often involve increased alcohol consumption.
According to the World Health Organization, excessive alcohol use increases risks including:
Travelers should:
The WHO recommends moderation and awareness of alcohol-related risks during travel. Maintaining hydration is particularly important in tropical cruise destinations.
Pre-cruise pricing is typically lower than onboard pricing.
Daily cappuccinos and espresso drinks can significantly increase package value.
Purchasing bottled water individually throughout a cruise adds up quickly.
Wine-by-the-glass inclusion is one of the package's strongest benefits.
If you'll spend most days ashore, calculate carefully before purchasing.
Many travelers find My Drinks sufficient and don't fully utilize the premium offerings in My Drinks Plus.
Many cruisers would spend less with the standard package.
Some guests accidentally purchase beverages already included in their fare.
Onboard prices are generally higher.
Costa's cabin-wide purchase rule exists specifically to discourage sharing.
| Traveler Type | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Frequent cocktail drinker | My Drinks Plus |
| Wine enthusiast | My Drinks |
| Family with children | My Drinks |
| Occasional drinker | Pay individually |
| Coffee lover | My Drinks |
| Premium spirit enthusiast | My Drinks Plus |
| Non-drinker | My Soft Drinks |
The best choice depends more on personal consumption habits than on cruise length.
Most travelers pay approximately €35–€48 per person per day when purchased before departure, depending on package type and sailing.
Some fare categories include My Drinks automatically. Check your booking confirmation for details.
Yes. It includes beer, wine, cocktails, and many spirits.
My Drinks Plus includes premium cocktails, premium spirits, minibar beverages, and expanded beverage selections.
Yes. Costa generally requires all guests in the same cabin to purchase the same package.
Costa's beverage package pricing generally includes applicable service charges, though policies may vary by region and booking channel.
Yes. Packages are usually available after embarkation, but onboard pricing is often higher.
Not always. Certain specialty venues may exclude beverage package benefits.
Yes, but benefits vary. My Drinks includes limited bottled water, while My Drinks Plus generally includes unlimited bottled water.
For travelers consuming multiple alcoholic drinks, specialty coffee, and bottled water daily, the package often provides good value over a week-long cruise.
Children receive access to non-alcoholic beverages and juices but not alcoholic drinks.
The My Drinks and My Drinks Plus packages are marketed as unlimited beverage packages, subject to onboard policies and responsible-service rules.
For most Costa Cruises passengers, beverage packages cost between €35 and €48 per person per day when purchased before sailing, with onboard prices generally higher. The standard My Drinks package delivers strong value for travelers who enjoy coffee, wine, beer, cocktails, and soft drinks throughout the day, while My Drinks Plus is best suited for guests who prefer premium spirits, premium cocktails, and enhanced beverage options.
Before purchasing, calculate your likely daily consumption, review your fare inclusions, and compare package costs against expected onboard spending. For many travelers, especially those who enjoy multiple beverages each day, a Costa beverage package can provide both savings and peace of mind by eliminating surprise bar charges at the end of the cruise.
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