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How to pay for drinks on a Coral Cruises?

  • Michael Rodriguez
  • 16 October 2025
  • 7 min read

How to pay for drinks on a Coral Cruises?

Cruising with Coral Cruises offers an unforgettable luxury experience, combining exotic destinations, world-class service, and a variety of onboard amenities. Among these, enjoying a drink—whether it’s a cocktail at sunset, a fine wine with dinner, or a specialty coffee—can elevate your vacation experience. However, understanding how to pay for drinks on Coral Cruises is essential for planning your budget and enjoying the cruise stress-free. This comprehensive guide explains everything about drink payments, beverage packages, onboard options, and tips to make the most of your drink experience.

1. Overview of Drink Options on Coral Cruises

Coral Cruises provides passengers with a wide range of drink options, including:

  • Alcoholic beverages: Wines, cocktails, beers, and spirits.

  • Non-alcoholic beverages: Soft drinks, juices, specialty coffee, tea, and bottled water.

  • Specialty drinks: Premium cocktails, champagne, and branded beverages.

The variety and pricing of drinks may vary depending on the ship and itinerary. Understanding the available options helps in deciding whether to pay per drink or purchase a beverage package.

2. Methods to Pay for Drinks on Coral Cruises

There are several ways passengers can pay for drinks on Coral Cruises. These include:

2.1 Onboard Cruise Card Charges

Most Coral Cruises ships operate on a cashless system, where passengers use a cruise card linked to their onboard account. This is the most convenient way to pay for drinks.

How it works:

  1. Upon boarding, you receive a cruise card.

  2. Your card is linked to your onboard account, which can be funded via credit card, debit card, or cash at the guest services desk.

  3. Each time you order a drink, the bartender charges it to your card.

  4. At the end of the cruise, you settle your account with your preferred payment method.

Benefits:

  • No need to carry cash onboard.

  • Detailed records of all drinks purchased.

  • Easy to track spending limits.

2.2 Pay-per-Drink Option

If you prefer not to buy a drink package, you can pay for each drink individually. Prices vary depending on the type of drink:

  • Standard soft drinks: $3–$5 per glass

  • Coffee or tea: $3–$6 per serving

  • Wine by the glass: $8–$15

  • Cocktails: $10–$18

  • Premium spirits: $12–$25

Paying per drink gives flexibility for passengers who consume drinks occasionally or prefer specific brands.

2.3 Pre-Paid Beverage Packages

Coral Cruises offers pre-paid beverage packages, allowing passengers to enjoy unlimited or fixed-quantity drinks without worrying about individual charges.

Types of beverage packages may include:

  • Unlimited soft drinks package: For unlimited sodas, juices, and water.

  • Alcoholic beverage package: Includes cocktails, wines, beers, and spirits up to a certain value per day.

  • Premium package: Access to premium cocktails, top-shelf spirits, and specialty coffee drinks.

Packages are purchased either during booking, online pre-cruise, or onboard at guest services.

Advantages of a beverage package:

  • Cost-effective for regular drinkers.

  • Avoids frequent cash or card transactions.

  • Simplifies budgeting.

3. Step-by-Step Guide to Buying a Drink Package on Coral Cruises

If you decide to opt for a beverage package, here’s a simple guide:

Step 1: Decide on Your Package Type

Consider your drinking habits:

  • Occasional soft drinks: choose the soft drinks package.

  • Regular alcoholic beverages: select the standard beverage package.

  • Premium cocktails or wines: consider the premium package.

Step 2: Purchase Pre-Cruise or Onboard

  • Pre-cruise: Log into your Coral Cruises account, choose the package, and pay online. This often comes with early booking discounts.

  • Onboard: Visit guest services or the ship’s app to purchase packages directly.

Step 3: Link Package to Your Cruise Card

Once purchased, the beverage package is automatically linked to your cruise card, allowing unlimited or quota-based drink access.

Step 4: Enjoy Your Drinks

Simply show your cruise card at bars, lounges, and restaurants. Your package covers eligible drinks.

Step 5: Track Usage

You can check remaining drinks or daily limits via the onboard app or guest services.

4. Tips for Paying for Drinks on Coral Cruises

  1. Check your itinerary: Some ports may offer local bars or excursions where your cruise card cannot be used.

  2. Look for happy hours: Coral Cruises often offers promotions, reducing drink prices in certain lounges or times.

  3. Track your spending: Even with a package, tracking helps avoid exceeding daily allowances.

  4. Know your limits: Some beverage packages have maximums per day; exceeding them incurs extra charges.

  5. Consider package pre-purchase: It’s usually cheaper than buying drinks individually onboard.

5. Alcohol Regulations and Age Limits

Coral Cruises adheres to strict alcohol policies:

  • Passengers must be 21 years or older to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages (age may vary by itinerary and local laws).

  • Identification is required at purchase points.

  • Alcohol purchased at port excursions or duty-free shops is usually not allowed onboard.

6. Understanding Daily Drink Limits

Beverage packages may have daily drink limits to prevent overconsumption:

  • Standard alcoholic beverage packages often allow 8–12 drinks per day.

  • Premium packages may offer higher limits, sometimes unlimited depending on the package terms.

  • Exceeding these limits incurs additional charges to your cruise card.

It’s essential to review your package terms before boarding.

7. Paying for Specialty and Premium Drinks

Not all drinks are included in standard packages:

  • Champagne, rare wines, and high-end spirits are often excluded or require a premium upgrade.

  • Specialty coffee or juice blends may be excluded from soft drink packages.

  • Bartenders and servers can confirm whether a drink is covered by your package before ordering.

8. Onboard Payment Etiquette

When paying for drinks on Coral Cruises:

  • Always present your cruise card to avoid errors.

  • Tip as appropriate: Some packages include gratuity; others may not. Tipping for bartenders is appreciated.

  • Keep receipts: Your cruise card account provides a detailed breakdown of charges for reconciliation at the end of the trip.

9. Using the Cruise App for Drink Payments

Many Coral Cruises ships feature a mobile app to manage drink payments:

  • Track daily drink usage.

  • View package limits and remaining drinks.

  • Make purchases or upgrades directly from your phone.

Using the app is a convenient way to avoid waiting in lines and ensures you never lose track of your spending.

10. Comparing Pay-Per-Drink vs. Beverage Packages

FeaturePay-per-DrinkBeverage Package

FlexibilityHighModerate

Cost for Regular DrinkersHighLower

ConvenienceMediumHigh

Budget ControlVariablePredictable

Daily LimitsNoneUsually enforced

Regular drinkers save money and hassle with packages, while occasional drinkers may prefer individual purchases.

11. Paying at Specialty Venues Onboard

Certain Coral Cruises venues, like premium bars, wine tastings, or mixology classes, may require separate payment even if you have a package. Always check terms:

  • Specialty venues may charge per experience.

  • Your standard beverage package may cover up to standard value drinks.

  • These experiences can be booked through the cruise app or guest services.

12. International and Port Charges

If you purchase drinks during port excursions or at international stops, payment may differ:

  • Cruise card may not work at local vendors.

  • You may need cash or credit cards for port drinks.

  • Budget accordingly if you plan to explore local bars or restaurants.

13. Final Tips for Managing Drink Payments on Coral Cruises

  1. Pre-plan your budget: Know whether you’ll buy packages or pay per drink.

  2. Check inclusions: Verify what is included in your package to avoid surprises.

  3. Use apps and cruise cards: Track usage and manage expenses efficiently.

  4. Stay within limits: Understand daily or per-drink limits to avoid extra charges.

  5. Consider upgrades: Premium or specialty drink packages may enhance your experience.

Paying for drinks on Coral Cruises

Paying for drinks on Coral Cruises is straightforward once you understand your options. Whether you choose pay-per-drink, a soft drink package, or a premium beverage package, proper planning ensures a seamless, enjoyable cruise experience. By leveraging the cruise card system, checking daily limits, and utilizing the mobile app, passengers can enjoy drinks responsibly while maximizing convenience and value.

Understanding the details of drink packages and onboard payment methods helps you make informed choices, keeps your spending in check, and allows you to fully enjoy the luxury and relaxation that Coral Cruises offers.

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