How to pay for drinks on a Windstar Cruises?

When you’re sailing with Windstar Cruises, one of the most elegant small-ship cruise lines in the world, your voyage revolves around comfort, fine dining, and personalized luxury. But when it comes to ordering drinks onboard, many new cruisers wonder: How do I pay for drinks on Windstar Cruises?

Unlike some ultra-luxury lines where beverages are included, Windstar operates on a semi-inclusive model—meaning that while many onboard experiences are included, alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees, and certain premium options are extra unless you’ve purchased a drink package.

This in-depth guide explains everything you need to know about paying for drinks on a Windstar cruise, from beverage pricing and packages to payment methods, onboard accounts, gratuities, and pro tips for managing costs. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, cocktail lover, or prefer non-alcoholic refreshments, you’ll know exactly how to handle your onboard beverage spending.

1. Understanding the Windstar Cruise Experience

Windstar Cruises is renowned for its intimate luxury ships, carrying between 148 and 342 guests. With personalized service and exceptional cuisine, it offers a boutique travel experience unlike large mainstream cruise lines.

However, unlike fully all-inclusive lines such as Silversea or Regent, Windstar keeps its base fares lower by letting guests choose what extras they want—like shore excursions, Wi-Fi, or drink packages. This means drinks aren’t automatically included unless you buy an All-In Package.

2. The Basics: How Drinks Are Charged on Windstar

On Windstar Cruises, you can enjoy beverages in several ways:

Pay Per Drink: You order drinks à la carte and charges are added to your onboard account.
Purchase a Drink Package: You pay a daily flat rate for unlimited drinks.
Book an All-In Package: You get drinks, gratuities, and Wi-Fi bundled into one cost.
Enjoy Complimentary Beverages: Some drinks (like water, coffee, and tea) are included at no charge.

Let’s explore how each of these works in detail.

3. Paying Per Drink (A La Carte Method)

The most straightforward method is to pay as you go. Every time you order a drink from a bar, lounge, or restaurant, it’s automatically charged to your onboard account (linked to your keycard).

When you board, you provide a credit card for incidentals. This becomes your payment method for all onboard purchases—including drinks, spa treatments, and shore excursions.

How It Works:

You order a drink.
The server swipes your keycard.
The charge appears on your onboard account.
At the end of your cruise, the total is automatically charged to your credit card.

This system is convenient and cash-free. You’ll get an itemized bill before disembarkation so you can review your purchases.

4. Typical Drink Prices on Windstar

To understand your costs, it’s helpful to know what drinks typically cost onboard Windstar Cruises. Prices can vary slightly by ship and itinerary, but here’s an average range:

Beverage TypeAverage Price (USD)

Cocktails$10–$14

Glass of wine$9–$16

Premium wines$18–$25

Beer$6–$8

Soft drinks$2–$4

Bottled water$2–$4

Specialty coffee$3–$5

Mocktails$6–$8

Tip: 15% gratuity is already included in drink prices, so you don’t need to tip separately unless you wish to.

If you enjoy several drinks daily, these costs can add up quickly—making a drink package potentially more economical.

5. Paying for Drinks Using a Beverage Package

Windstar offers two main drink package options that allow you to pay a flat daily rate instead of paying per drink.

5.1. Captain’s Exclusive Beverage Package

Cost: Around $65–$70 per person per day
Includes:
- Unlimited premium cocktails, wines by the glass, and beers
- Non-alcoholic drinks (soft drinks, juices, specialty coffees)
- Beverage gratuities

This package offers freedom to drink without tracking your bill. It’s a good deal if you typically have four or more drinks per day.

5.2. All-In Package (Topmast Discoveries)

Cost: $89–$100 per person per day
Includes:
- Everything in the Captain’s Exclusive Package
- Unlimited Wi-Fi
- Crew gratuities

This option transforms your voyage into a near all-inclusive experience.

How to Buy a Package:

Purchase before your cruise through your Windstar account or travel advisor.
Buy onboard on embarkation day at reception or any bar.

Once purchased, the package automatically covers your drinks—no signing slips or calculating gratuities.

6. What’s Included in Drink Packages

Here’s what’s covered when you have a drink package on Windstar:

Wines by the glass (varied selection)
Cocktails and mixed drinks
Premium spirits and liquors
Domestic and imported beers
Bottled water and soft drinks
Specialty coffees (espresso, cappuccino, latte)
Fresh juices and mocktails

What’s Not Included

Bottled wines or champagne
Ultra-premium liquors above the price cap
Drinks ordered ashore
Mini-bar beverages in suites (sometimes separate)

7. Complimentary (Free) Drinks on Windstar

Even if you don’t purchase a beverage package, you’ll still have access to several complimentary options throughout your cruise:

Filtered water
Regular coffee and tea
Juices during breakfast
Welcome cocktail at embarkation
Non-alcoholic beverages in The Veranda Café
In-room coffee and tea setup

Windstar offers quality complimentary beverages to ensure comfort without forcing guests to spend extra unless desired.

8. How to Set Up Your Onboard Account

Every Windstar guest has an onboard account automatically created upon check-in.

Steps:

Provide your credit card at embarkation.
Your room keycard doubles as your payment card.
Each drink or purchase is added to your account.
You can check your balance anytime via guest services.
At the end of your cruise, the final total is charged to your card.

Alternative Payments:

Guests can also use debit cards or cash deposits.
If paying cash, Windstar will set a spending limit that you can top up as needed.

9. Tipping and Gratuities on Drinks

Windstar Cruises simplifies tipping for guests. Beverage gratuities (15%) are automatically included in drink prices or within beverage packages.

You’re welcome to leave additional tips if you experience outstanding service, but it’s not required.

Note: If you buy the All-In Package, all gratuities (including crew tips) are already covered.

10. Can You Use Cash or Credit Directly?

Windstar Cruises operates as a cashless ship environment. You cannot pay for drinks directly with cash or your credit card at bars or restaurants.

All transactions must go through your onboard account. However, you can settle your final bill with:

Credit card
Debit card
Cash (USD)
Traveler’s checks (rare)

11. Special Drink Opportunities

Windstar offers unique beverage experiences worth exploring:

Wine Tastings: Guided sessions with the onboard sommelier (extra charge).
Cocktail Classes: Learn to mix your favorite drinks.
Local Beverage Pairings: Sample regional wines or spirits from the destinations you visit.
Sail Away Parties: Complimentary champagne or cocktails may be offered.

These events add a delightful social touch to your voyage.

12. Paying for Drinks Ashore

If you order drinks while on a Windstar shore excursion, they are typically not included in your onboard beverage package.

You’ll pay directly at local restaurants or bars in the local currency, or via credit card depending on the port.

However, when drinks are served during Windstar-hosted private events ashore (like a Destination Discovery Event), they are often included.

13. Can You Bring Your Own Drinks?

Windstar Cruises has a generous BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) policy compared to many cruise lines.

You may bring two bottles of wine or champagne per cabin at embarkation.
Additional bottles are charged a $10–$15 corkage fee if consumed in public areas.
Beer, spirits, and other liquors are not permitted to be brought onboard.

You can enjoy your own wine privately in your stateroom without any extra charge.

14. What Happens if You Lose Your Card?

If your room keycard (used for drink purchases) is lost or stolen:

Report it immediately to guest services.
They’ll deactivate the old card and issue a new one.
Unauthorized charges are rare since cards require matching guest verification.

15. Managing Drink Costs: Smart Strategies

Here are some insider tips to manage your beverage expenses onboard:

1. Track Your Spending

Check your onboard account daily through the guest services desk or your in-cabin TV (where available).

2. Order Wines by the Bottle (for Sharing)

If you enjoy wine with meals, buying by the bottle can be cheaper than by the glass for two or more people.

3. Take Advantage of Happy Hours

Windstar occasionally hosts happy hour promotions with reduced drink prices.

4. Use the Free Beverages

Stick to complimentary drinks like coffee, tea, and water during the day to save your budget for evening cocktails.

5. Consider the Drink Package

If you drink consistently, the Captain’s Exclusive Package usually pays for itself after about 4 drinks per day.

6. Share Specialty Coffees

You can always order one specialty coffee at a time and split it if you prefer smaller portions.

16. The All-In Package: Simplifying Payments

If you want a completely seamless payment experience, the All-In Package is ideal.

This package combines:

Unlimited drinks (including non-alcoholic)
All gratuities
Unlimited Wi-Fi

You’ll never have to sign a drink receipt or calculate tips again—everything is prepaid. It’s especially valuable on longer voyages.

17. Example: Typical Drink Spending Breakdown

Let’s look at what an average day’s drink spending might look like without a package:

2 glasses of wine: $24
1 cocktail: $13
1 beer: $7
2 specialty coffees: $8
1 soda: $3

Total: $55/day + 15% gratuity = $63/day

For a 7-day cruise, that’s about $440 per person—nearly the same as buying the Captain’s Exclusive Package, which provides unlimited drinks and convenience.

18. Refunds and Cancellations

If you pre-purchase a drink package and later decide to cancel before sailing, you’ll receive a full refund.

However, once the cruise begins, Windstar does not issue refunds for unused drink packages or partial days.

If you encounter a billing error, guest services can adjust it immediately onboard.

19. Drinks and Room Service

Windstar’s room service menu includes both food and drinks.

Soft drinks, water, and coffee are complimentary.
Alcoholic beverages ordered to your stateroom are charged to your onboard account unless you have a drink package, in which case they are included.

Room service is available 24 hours, allowing you to enjoy a private drink on your balcony or suite at any time.

20. Payment at Disembarkation

On your final morning, Windstar provides a detailed bill of all your onboard charges, including drinks.

You can:

Review the charges.
Ask questions or corrections at reception.
Settle the balance with your pre-registered credi