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Planning a voyage with Windstar Cruises means enjoying a more intimate and upscale cruise experience than many mainstream cruise lines. One of the most common questions first-time passengers ask is: How do drinks work onboard, and how do you pay for them?
The answer depends on several factors, including your fare type, whether you purchased a beverage package, and where you order drinks onboard. Windstar operates differently from many large cruise brands, so understanding the payment system before sailing can help you avoid surprise charges and manage your onboard budget more effectively.
This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about paying for drinks on Windstar Cruises, including beverage packages, onboard charging systems, gratuities, accepted payment methods, wine policies, and expert tips for saving money.
Unlike some mega cruise lines that heavily promote all-inclusive beverage packages, Windstar takes a more flexible approach. Drinks can either:
Most onboard purchases on Windstar are cashless. Instead of paying with cash at the bar, passengers use their shipboard account linked to a credit card.
When you board:
This process is similar to hotel charging privileges and is common across the cruise industry.
Windstar includes some beverages in the base cruise fare, but not all alcoholic drinks are complimentary.
Most Windstar sailings include:
According to publicly available information from Windstar Cruises Official Website, complimentary beverage offerings may vary by itinerary and promotional package.
Passengers generally pay extra for:
Prices vary by itinerary, ship, and destination region.
There are several ways passengers can cover beverage expenses onboard.
This is the simplest option.
Each beverage ordered is charged individually to your onboard account.
Based on publicly available cruise pricing trends:
| Beverage Type | Estimated Price Range |
|---|---|
| Beer | $6–$9 |
| Wine by glass | $9–$18 |
| Cocktails | $10–$16 |
| Premium spirits | $12–$25 |
| Specialty coffee | $4–$8 |
Prices can change without notice.
Windstar frequently offers all-inclusive fares or optional beverage packages.
These packages may include:
Windstar often markets “All-Inclusive” promotions that bundle drinks with Wi-Fi and gratuities.
These promotions can provide significant savings compared to purchasing beverages individually.
Depending on the promotion:
Always review the exact terms before booking.
Windstar uses a cashless onboard accounting system.
During online check-in or embarkation, guests register:
Debit cards may also be accepted.
Drinks can be ordered at:
Your cruise card is scanned or charges are recorded automatically.
Passengers can usually review onboard spending through:
Monitoring charges regularly helps avoid billing surprises.
At the end of the cruise:
In most cases, onboard purchases are cashless.
Passengers generally cannot pay cash directly at bars or restaurants.
Instead:
However, some itineraries or ports may have exceptions.
Based on publicly available information, there is no confirmed data on whether all Windstar ships universally prohibit cash payments in every onboard venue.
Yes, gratuities may apply depending on your fare type or package.
Some drink purchases include:
These can range from approximately 15%–20%.
| Drink Price | Estimated Gratuity | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $12 cocktail | $2.16 | $14.16 |
Certain all-inclusive packages may already include gratuities.
Always confirm details before sailing.
Windstar periodically updates its beverage programs, so package details may change.
Packages may include:
Premium brands often cost extra.
Some luxury labels may not be included, such as:
Passengers typically pay the price difference.
Many travelers enjoy bringing wine onboard.
Windstar has historically allowed limited personal wine consumption, though policies can vary.
Potential rules may include:
If you bring your own wine into restaurants, a service fee may apply.
Always verify the latest policy directly with Windstar Cruises Guest Information.
The answer depends on drinking habits.
| Traveler Type | Recommended Option |
|---|---|
| Rare drinker | Pay individually |
| Moderate drinker | Compare package pricing |
| Frequent cocktail/wine drinker | Beverage package |
| Luxury traveler | All-inclusive fare |
Suppose a package costs:
And average drinks cost:
You would need approximately:
8914≈6.36\frac{89}{14}\approx 6.361489≈6.36
That means roughly 6–7 drinks daily to break even.
For lighter drinkers, paying individually may cost less.
Cruise beverage costs can add up quickly. These strategies can help reduce expenses.
Windstar frequently offers:
Booking during promotions can save hundreds of dollars.
Use included options like:
This reduces unnecessary spending.
Check your onboard account regularly.
Many passengers underestimate beverage spending during longer voyages.
Buying wine by the bottle can provide better value than individual glasses.
Luxury liquors and specialty wines can significantly increase your bill.
Ask bartenders which drinks fall within your package.
Windstar’s beverage system differs from larger cruise brands.
| Cruise Line | Beverage Style | Included Drinks |
|---|---|---|
| Windstar | Flexible luxury | Some included |
| Viking | More inclusive | Beer/wine at meals |
| Regent Seven Seas | Fully inclusive | Most beverages |
| Carnival | Mostly extra cost | Limited complimentary |
| Celebrity Cruises | Package-focused | Depends on fare |
Windstar occupies a middle ground between traditional premium cruises and ultra-luxury all-inclusive lines.
Here’s a practical example for two travelers.
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| 4 cocktails daily | $392 |
| 2 glasses wine daily | $196 |
| Specialty coffees | $70 |
| Gratuities | $100 |
| Total | ~$758 |
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Beverage package | ~$623 |
| Premium upgrades | $50 |
| Total | ~$673 |
In this scenario, the beverage package may offer savings.
Actual pricing varies by itinerary and package availability.
Cruises encourage relaxation, but responsible alcohol consumption remains important.
According to the World Health Organization, excessive alcohol use can increase risks related to:
Travelers in hot climates or tropical itineraries should stay hydrated.
Helpful resources include:
Some travel insurance policies may limit coverage for alcohol-related incidents.
Before sailing:
Useful resources include:
Cruise policies can change frequently.
Always verify:
Official resources include:
Some beverages are included, such as coffee, tea, water, and select soft drinks. Alcoholic beverages are usually extra unless covered by promotions or beverage packages.
Yes. Most passengers can order beverages individually and have charges added to their onboard account.
Yes. Windstar periodically offers beverage packages and all-inclusive fares that include wine, beer, cocktails, and select spirits.
Drinks are generally charged to your onboard account using your cruise card linked to a credit or debit card.
In many cases, yes. Beverage gratuities or service charges may be added automatically unless already included in your fare.
Wine policies may allow limited personal bottles, but restrictions and corkage fees may apply. Hard liquor policies are usually stricter.
Windstar primarily operates a cashless system. Based on publicly available information, there is no confirmed data on whether every venue accepts cash exceptions.
Some suite categories and promotional fares may include minibar beverages. Policies vary by ship and package.
It depends on your drinking habits. Frequent cocktail or wine drinkers often save money with packages, while light drinkers may spend less paying individually.
Yes. Guests can usually review their onboard account throughout the voyage via guest services or onboard systems.
Paying for drinks on Windstar Cruises is generally straightforward once you understand the cruise line’s cashless onboard system and beverage package options.
For many travelers, the best strategy is to:
Windstar’s smaller ships and luxury atmosphere create a more personalized beverage experience compared to large mainstream cruise lines. Whether you prefer occasional cocktails by the pool or unlimited premium wines during dinner, understanding how payment works can help you enjoy your voyage with fewer surprises and better value.
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