Is it worth buying a drink package on Coral Cruises?

When planning an expedition voyage with Coral Expeditions (often informally called Coral Cruises), one of the most common questions travelers ask is:

The short answer? It depends on your travel style, drinking habits, and itinerary. Unlike large mainstream cruise lines, Coral Expeditions operates small-ship, expedition-style voyages where inclusions and onboard culture are very different.

This comprehensive, expert-backed guide will help you evaluate:

What’s included in Coral Expeditions fares
Whether drink packages are available
When beverage add-ons make financial sense
Health and consumption considerations
Real-world cost comparisons
A step-by-step decision framework
Frequently asked traveler questions

We’ll also reference credible health and consumer sources including the World Health Organization (WHO) and research indexed in PubMed to provide evidence-based context around alcohol consumption.

Understanding Coral Expeditions’ Cruise Model

Before evaluating drink packages, you must understand how Coral Expeditions operates.

Unlike mega-ships from global cruise corporations, Coral focuses on:

Small ships (typically 70–120 guests)
Expedition-style itineraries
Australian regional cruising
Remote destinations (Kimberley, Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania, Papua New Guinea)

Key Characteristics of Coral Expeditions

No casinos
No massive bars or nightlife districts
No “party cruise” atmosphere
Emphasis on destination immersion
Relaxed, communal dining

Because of this, beverage strategy differs significantly from mainstream cruise lines like Royal Caribbean or Carnival.

Does Coral Expeditions Offer a Drink Package?

Based on publicly available information, Coral Expeditions does not typically promote large-scale, unlimited drink packages like major cruise lines. Instead, fares often include:

Selected house wines
Beer
Soft drinks
Tea and coffee with meals

Premium spirits, specialty wines, and cocktails may be charged separately.

Based on publicly available information, there is no confirmed data on a standardized unlimited drink package program across all Coral voyages. Policies may vary by itinerary.

This is important: you may not even need a drink package, depending on inclusions.

What’s Usually Included in Coral Expeditions Fares?

While inclusions vary by itinerary, Coral Expeditions commonly includes:

Beverage Type	Typically Included	Notes
House wine	Yes (with lunch & dinner)	Australian wines
Local beer	Yes	Limited selection
Soft drinks	Yes	Standard sodas
Tea & coffee	Yes	All day
Bottled water	Yes	Onboard & excursions
Premium spirits	No	Charged separately
Specialty cocktails	No	Charged separately

This inclusion model significantly affects whether buying additional beverage options is worthwhile.

Comparing Coral to Large Cruise Lines

To evaluate value, consider how Coral differs from mainstream operators.

Feature	Coral Expeditions	Mainstream Mega-Ships
Ship size	70–120 guests	3,000–6,000+ guests
Drink package culture	Limited / minimal	Aggressively marketed
Bars onboard	Few	10–20+
Nightlife focus	Low	High
Alcohol upselling	Low pressure	High pressure
Included beverages	Often with meals	Rare

On large ships, drink packages often cost $60–$90 USD per person per day. On Coral Expeditions, since many beverages are included, the cost-benefit analysis changes dramatically.

When Is a Drink Package Worth It?

Even without a formal unlimited package, beverage spending can add up. Consider purchasing upgrades or premium options if:

1. You Prefer Premium Spirits or Craft Cocktails

If you drink:

3+ cocktails daily
Top-shelf whisky or gin
Boutique wine labels

Charges may accumulate.

2. You Drink Outside Mealtimes

If included beverages are limited to meal service, and you:

Enjoy sunset cocktails daily
Prefer mid-afternoon beers
Socialize in lounge areas

Additional purchases may apply.

3. You’re on a Longer Voyage (10+ Days)

Over extended itineraries, even modest bar bills can add up.

When It’s NOT Worth It

You likely do not need a beverage package if:

You drink 1–2 glasses of wine with dinner only
You rarely drink spirits
You prioritize destination over onboard entertainment
You prefer tea, coffee, or sparkling water

Given Coral’s inclusive structure, light-to-moderate drinkers often pay very little extra.

Health Perspective: Should You Even Increase Alcohol Intake?

When evaluating value, health matters too.

The World Health Organization states that no level of alcohol consumption is completely risk-free. Research compiled in PubMed highlights associations between alcohol intake and increased risk of certain cancers, liver disease, and cardiovascular complications.

According to WHO guidelines:

Moderate drinking is key
Binge drinking significantly increases health risks
Alcohol contributes to over 3 million deaths globally each year

Buying an unlimited package can psychologically encourage higher consumption.

From a health standpoint:

If you normally drink moderately, avoid “drinking to get your money’s worth.”
Stay hydrated—especially in tropical climates like the Kimberley.

Step-by-Step: How to Decide If It’s Worth It

Tropical climates increase thirst
Expedition days start early
Alcohol tolerance may drop due to heat

Step 2: Estimate Daily Consumption

Write down realistic daily averages:

Beverage	Estimated Daily	Price (Estimated)
Cocktails	2	$12–$15 each
Premium wine	2 glasses	$10–$15 each
Beer	2	$8–$10 each

Multiply by voyage length.

Step 3: Compare With Any Beverage Upgrade Option

If Coral offers:

Prepaid bar credit
Wine upgrade packages
Specialty beverage bundles

Compare total cost.

Step 4: Consider Health & Wellness

Expedition cruising involves:

Early morning excursions
Zodiac landings
Hiking and snorkeling

Heavy alcohol use may reduce enjoyment.

Step 5: Evaluate Psychological Spending

According to behavioral insights often discussed in publications like Harvard Business Review, prepaid packages can alter consumption behavior. When something feels “already paid for,” people consume more—even when they wouldn’t otherwise.

Real-World Scenario Examples

Scenario 1: Moderate Wine Drinker

2 glasses of included house wine at dinner
1 cocktail every other evening

Estimated extra spend over 10 days: $80–$120

Not worth a package.

Scenario 2: Cocktail Enthusiast

3 cocktails daily
Premium spirits preference
Sunset drinks daily

Estimated extra spend over 10 days: $450–$600

A prepaid beverage plan (if available) could make sense.

Scenario 3: Non-Drinker

Zero alcohol consumption.

Coral’s structure makes beverage packages irrelevant.

Financial Comparison Model

Let’s calculate a 10-day voyage example.

Consumption Level	Daily Spend	10-Day Total	Worth It?
Light	$10	$100	No
Moderate	$25	$250	Maybe
Heavy	$60	$600	Possibly

Since Coral already includes basic beverages, many travelers fall into the light-to-moderate range.

Hidden Considerations

1. Remote Expedition Culture

Coral focuses on:

Educational talks
Wildlife viewing
Indigenous cultural experiences

This reduces bar-driven socializing.

2. Early Excursions

Morning departures reduce late-night drinking culture.

3. Cabin Mini-Bar Policies

Based on publicly available information, there is no confirmed data on complimentary mini-bar replenishment across all voyages.

Expert Recommendation

As a travel planning strategy:

If you drink more than 3 premium alcoholic beverages daily outside of meals, evaluate beverage add-ons. Otherwise, Coral’s inclusions likely suffice.

This recommendation balances:

Cost efficiency
Health moderation
Voyage style

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does Coral Expeditions offer unlimited drink packages?

Based on publicly available information, there is no confirmed data on a standardized unlimited drink package program across all voyages.

2. Are wine and beer included on Coral Cruises?

House wine, beer, and soft drinks are typically included with meals.

3. How much do cocktails cost onboard?

Pricing varies by voyage, but premium cocktails are typically charged separately.

4. Is Coral Expeditions all-inclusive?

Partially. Many beverages, meals, and excursions are included, but premium alcohol may cost extra.

5. Can I bring my own alcohol onboard?

Policies vary. Check directly with Coral Expeditions before departure.

6. Is buying bar credit better than paying as you go?

If you expect higher consumption, prepaid credit may simplify budgeting.

7. Does expedition cruising involve heavy nightlife?

No. Coral focuses on nature, culture, and exploration—not nightlife.

8. Do drink packages encourage overconsumption?

Behavioral economics research suggests prepaid models may increase usage. WHO health guidance recommends moderation.

9. Are non-alcoholic beverages included?

Yes—tea, coffee, water, and soft drinks are generally included.

10. What’s the best strategy for budgeting drinks?

Estimate daily realistic consumption
Multiply by cruise length
Compare with prepaid options
Avoid overestimating

Final Verdict: Is It Worth Buying a Drink Package on Coral Cruises?

For most travelers, no—because Coral Expeditions already includes core beverages with meals and fosters a low-alcohol-consumption environment.

It may be worth considering if:

You drink premium spirits daily
You prefer cocktails beyond mealtime
You’re on a long voyage

Otherwise, the inclusive model reduces the need for additional beverage spending.

Coral Expeditions emphasizes destination immersion over onboard indulgence. For many expedition travelers, that’s exactly the point.

If you’d like, I can also create:

A downloadable budgeting worksheet
A cost calculator formula
A comparison with luxury expedition lines
Or a detailed guide to Coral Expeditions fare inclusions

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