Your ultimate guide to cruise adventures. Discover amazing destinations, find the perfect cruise, and create unforgettable memories on the high seas.
© 2026 cruisebite.com All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
Planning a cruise with Marella Cruises is exciting, but many travelers have one common question before boarding: How do you actually pay for drinks onboard? Whether you want cocktails by the pool, premium coffee, bottled water, or wine with dinner, understanding Marella’s payment system can help you avoid unexpected costs and make the most of your holiday budget.
This detailed guide explains everything you need to know about paying for drinks on Marella Cruises, including drink packages, onboard accounts, payment methods, gratuities, budgeting strategies, and practical tips from experienced cruisers.
Unlike traditional hotels or resorts where you pay at the bar with cash or cards, Marella Cruises operates mostly through a cashless onboard account system.
When you board the ship, you receive a cruise card (sometimes called a cabin card or onboard account card). This card acts as:
Every drink you order is charged directly to your onboard account unless it is already included in your cruise fare or drink package.
One reason many travelers choose Marella is that the cruise line is known for its all-inclusive approach.
Most Marella cruise fares include:
However, not every beverage is included.
Included beverages often consist of:
The exact inclusions can vary depending on:
Travelers should always verify the latest inclusions directly through Marella Cruises Official Website.
Even on all-inclusive sailings, certain beverages may require additional payment.
These commonly include:
Some ships also offer upgraded bars or specialty venues where drinks carry surcharges.
Every guest onboard has a personal cruise account linked to their cabin.
During online check-in or embarkation, you connect:
Accepted cards often include:
When ordering:
You can usually monitor purchases:
At the end of the cruise:
Marella ships are primarily cashless onboard.
In most cases:
However, guests may sometimes place cash deposits at guest services to fund their account.
Policies can change by ship and sailing, so travelers should confirm current procedures directly with Marella before departure.
Many cruisers upgrade to the Premium All Inclusive Drinks Package.
This expanded package typically includes:
The answer depends on drinking habits.
It may provide excellent value if you:
It may not be worthwhile if you:
Prices vary depending on itinerary and ship, but typical onboard pricing may resemble:
| Drink Type | Approximate Price Range |
|---|---|
| Beer | £5–£7 |
| House wine | £6–£9 |
| Cocktails | £8–£12 |
| Premium cocktails | £12–£16 |
| Specialty coffee | £3–£5 |
| Bottled water | £2–£4 |
Prices are subject to change.
Based on publicly available information, there is no confirmed standardized fleetwide pricing for every beverage category because menus may vary between ships and itineraries.
One advantage of Marella Cruises is its simplified gratuity structure.
Many fares include:
This means passengers generally do not need to tip bartenders separately for every drink.
However:
For updated policy details, travelers should review Marella’s official guest information pages.
Cruise lines often restrict outside alcohol, and Marella is no exception.
Policies may include:
Alcohol purchased during shore excursions is often held until the final day of the cruise.
Because rules occasionally change, passengers should check the official cruise contract and prohibited items list before travel.
Even with all-inclusive benefits, beverage costs can add up quickly.
Some promotions include:
Many travelers discover the standard all-inclusive menu is sufficient.
Monitoring purchases prevents surprise bills at disembarkation.
Drink less onboard while exploring destinations.
Ordering bottles at dinner may offer better value than multiple glasses.
| Feature | Standard All Inclusive | Premium All Inclusive |
| House cocktails | Included | Included |
| Premium spirits | Limited | Extensive |
| Specialty coffee | Usually extra | Often included |
| Premium wine | Limited | More options |
| Bottled water | Limited | More generous inclusion |
| Champagne | Usually extra | Partial inclusion on some menus |
Package specifics vary by ship and sailing.
Compared with many competitors, Marella’s drink system is relatively straightforward.
| Cruise Line | Basic Drinks Included? | Automatic Gratuities? |
| Marella Cruises | Yes | Often included |
| Royal Caribbean | Limited | Usually extra |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Promotional | Often added separately |
| Carnival Cruise Line | Mostly extra | Separate gratuities |
| MSC Cruises | Package dependent | Varies |
Marella’s inclusive pricing appeals strongly to:
Generally, onboard spending routes through the cruise card system instead of direct tap payments.
While ports and terminals may accept:
Most onboard bars still rely on:
Many modern cruise lines offer digital account management tools.
Marella’s app functionality may allow guests to:
Availability can vary depending on:
Some travelers mistakenly believe onboard Wi-Fi packages are required to access drink purchases or onboard accounts.
In many cases:
Policies differ across vessels.
Not every beverage qualifies under standard all-inclusive plans.
Premium items are often clearly marked on menus.
Specialty coffees can quietly increase total spending.
Always inspect your onboard statement before disembarkation.
Consider a couple sailing for seven nights.
Daily consumption:
Estimated extra spending:
In this scenario, upgrading the package beforehand might reduce overall costs.
Cruises encourage relaxation, but responsible alcohol consumption remains important.
According to World Health Organization, excessive alcohol consumption increases risks associated with:
Official health guidance from the World Health Organization recommends moderation, especially in hot climates where dehydration risks increase.
Similarly, the UK NHS Alcohol Advice Page highlights the importance of monitoring alcohol intake while traveling.
Cruise lines sometimes place temporary authorization holds on cards.
If spending becomes unusually high:
Travelers should:
Marella ships commonly operate using:
However, some itineraries may use euros or mixed currency systems depending on the region.
Guests should verify:
before departure.
Passengers with medical conditions or dietary restrictions may require:
Marella staff can often accommodate requests when informed in advance.
Travelers with health concerns should consult medical professionals before consuming alcohol during cruises.
According to the CDC Travel Health Guidelines, travelers should remain hydrated and exercise caution with alcohol in hot environments and during excursions.
Frequent Marella passengers often suggest:
Understand what qualifies as included versus premium.
Useful for resolving billing discrepancies.
Calculate likely consumption before buying premium packages.
Helps reduce unnecessary bottled water purchases.
Bars sometimes feature promotions or themed menus.
Many family-friendly beverages are included, such as:
However, premium milkshakes or specialty café drinks may carry additional charges.
Parents should confirm:
before sailing.
Before embarkation:
Preparation reduces confusion once onboard.
Usually no. Marella primarily uses a cashless onboard account system linked to your cruise card.
Many standard cocktails are included in all-inclusive fares, but premium cocktails may cost extra.
In many cases yes, though availability and pricing may vary by sailing.
Marella often includes gratuities in cruise fares, including drink service charges.
Yes, debit cards are commonly accepted for onboard account registration.
Some bottled water may be included depending on your package, but premium bottled water often costs extra.
Guest services may contact you to provide another payment method or settle your balance.
Yes. Most ships allow passengers to monitor charges through the onboard app, TV, or guest services.
Yes, many soft drinks, tea, coffee, and juices are included in standard all-inclusive fares.
Policies vary. Some outside alcohol may be restricted or subject to corkage fees.
It depends on your preferences. Frequent premium cocktail, wine, and specialty coffee drinkers may save money with the upgrade.
Pre-cruise package promotions may sometimes offer better value than onboard purchases.
Understanding how to pay for drinks on Marella Cruises is essential for planning a smooth and budget-friendly holiday. Marella’s largely all-inclusive approach simplifies the cruising experience compared with many competitors, but passengers should still understand how onboard charging, premium beverages, gratuities, and drink packages work.
For many travelers, the standard all-inclusive package provides more than enough variety. Others may benefit from upgrading to premium options, especially if they regularly enjoy specialty beverages or branded spirits.
The best strategy is to:
Most importantly, responsible planning helps travelers enjoy the social and relaxing side of cruising without unpleasant surprises at the end of the voyage.
For the latest policies and beverage package details, always consult Marella Cruises Official Information directly before departure.
Recent Guide
Your ultimate guide to cruise adventures. Discover amazing destinations, find the perfect cruise, and create unforgettable memories on the high seas.
© 2026 cruisebite.com All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
