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Planning a cruise with Marella Cruises often raises one important question: Is the drink package actually worth the money? For some travelers, buying a drinks package can save hundreds of pounds and make budgeting easier. For others, it may end up being an unnecessary expense.
The answer depends on your drinking habits, cruise itinerary, cabin type, and whether your fare already includes beverages. Unlike some luxury cruise lines where alcohol packages are automatically bundled into the fare, Marella Cruises operates a tiered drinks system with several upgrade options.
This guide explains everything you need to know about Marella Cruises drink packages in 2026, including pricing, what’s included, hidden limitations, real-world cost comparisons, and expert strategies to help you decide whether purchasing a package is financially worthwhile.
Marella Cruises is known for offering more inclusive fares than many mainstream cruise lines. Most standard cruise bookings already include a basic all-inclusive drinks package, which is one of the brand’s major selling points.
However, travelers can upgrade to premium packages for additional beverages, branded spirits, specialty coffees, cocktails, and upgraded wines.
Marella Cruises generally offers:
| Package Type | Typically Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard All Inclusive | House spirits, draft beer, wine by the glass, soft drinks, tea, coffee | Casual drinkers |
| Premium All Inclusive | Premium spirits, cocktails, branded drinks, upgraded wines | Frequent alcohol consumers |
| Specialty Beverage Purchases | Individual premium drinks | Light or occasional drinkers |
Package availability and inclusions can vary slightly by ship and itinerary. Travelers should always confirm current inclusions directly through Marella Cruises Official Website.
One reason many travelers choose Marella Cruises is because the standard package already covers a substantial number of beverages.
The standard package usually includes:
However, several beverages are usually excluded:
This distinction matters because many travelers mistakenly assume “all inclusive” means unlimited access to every beverage onboard.
Based on publicly available information, there is no confirmed data on whether all ships offer identical premium beverage menus across every itinerary.
Prices can fluctuate depending on sailing duration, destination, and promotions.
As of 2026, Marella’s premium drinks upgrade generally costs approximately:
| Cruise Length | Estimated Upgrade Cost Per Person |
| 7-night cruise | £70–£140 total |
| 14-night cruise | £140–£280 total |
Travelers should verify exact pricing before booking because cruise promotions frequently change.
You can review current upgrade pricing through Marella Cruises Drinks Information.
For many passengers, upgrading to the premium package can provide substantial value.
If you typically consume:
then the premium package may quickly pay for itself.
For example:
| Beverage | Estimated Individual Price |
| Cocktail | £8–£10 |
| Premium spirit + mixer | £7–£9 |
| Specialty coffee | £3–£5 |
| Glass of premium wine | £9–£12 |
A passenger consuming:
could easily spend £35–£50 daily without a package.
Over a 7-night cruise, that may exceed £300.
One major benefit of cruise drink packages is budgeting certainty.
Instead of monitoring every onboard purchase, passengers can relax knowing most beverages are prepaid.
According to consumer spending research published by Consumer Reports, travelers often experience higher vacation satisfaction when unexpected expenses are minimized.
This psychological benefit is frequently underestimated.
Even non-drinkers may benefit if they consume:
Cruise coffee purchases alone can accumulate surprisingly quickly.
Drink packages provide maximum value on:
If you remain onboard for most meals and entertainment, beverage consumption naturally increases.
Not every cruiser benefits from upgrading.
If you only consume:
the standard included package is often more than enough.
Many travelers unknowingly overpay because they overestimate vacation drinking habits.
Mediterranean itineraries, for example, often involve:
This reduces onboard beverage consumption significantly.
A traveler spending 8–10 hours daily in port may struggle to justify premium package pricing.
Marella’s standard package already includes many common drinks.
If you are comfortable with:
then paying extra for premium labels may offer little real value.
Some passengers buy packages simply because they feel pressured to “maximize value.”
This can unintentionally encourage overconsumption.
The World Health Organization advises moderation in alcohol intake, noting that excessive drinking increases health risks including dehydration, poor sleep quality, and cardiovascular complications.
According to WHO Alcohol Factsheet, no level of alcohol consumption is completely risk-free.
Marella’s included drinks policy is more generous than many mainstream competitors.
| Cruise Line | Basic Drinks Included? | Premium Upgrade Available? |
| Marella Cruises | Yes | Yes |
| Royal Caribbean | Usually No | Yes |
| Carnival Cruise Line | Usually No | Yes |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Sometimes Promotional | Yes |
| Virgin Voyages | No package system | Pay-as-you-go |
This makes Marella particularly attractive for budget-conscious travelers.
Consider two passengers on a 7-night cruise.
Daily consumption:
Estimated daily value:
Since most of these are included in the standard package, upgrading provides minimal benefit.
Daily consumption:
Estimated daily cost:
In this scenario, the premium package likely saves money.
Some cruise lines add automatic gratuities to beverage purchases.
Marella’s policies may vary by package and sailing.
Always review current terms directly through Marella Cruise FAQs.
Cruise lines occasionally impose:
Based on publicly available information, there is no confirmed data on universal fleet-wide beverage limits across all Marella ships.
Drink packages are generally non-transferable.
Attempting to share drinks between guests may violate cruise policies.
Here is a simple step-by-step approach.
Write down:
Estimate onboard costs using average cruise pricing.
If your expected daily total exceeds the package price, the upgrade may be worthwhile.
Reduce estimates for heavy excursion days.
Some travelers value:
Even if strict financial savings are minimal.
Cruise vacations often involve increased food and alcohol consumption.
According to research indexed through PubMed, excessive alcohol intake during travel may contribute to:
Travelers should:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also advises moderation while traveling in warm climates.
Additional guidance is available through CDC Alcohol and Public Health.
Cruise promotions sometimes include:
Many first-time Marella passengers discover the standard package is sufficient.
You may not need to upgrade at all.
Purchasing beverages ashore can reduce onboard spending.
However, always follow local safety recommendations regarding alcohol and hydration.
If only one traveler prefers premium alcohol, buying drinks individually may be cheaper than upgrading both passengers.
Packages often work best when:
If one partner drinks minimally, the math changes quickly.
Friend groups frequently benefit because:
This is the biggest misconception.
Always review the exact beverage list before sailing.
Some travelers purchase upgrades because they worry about overspending later.
But many never consume enough to justify the cost.
These smaller purchases accumulate quickly over a week-long cruise.
A port-intensive itinerary naturally reduces onboard beverage usage.
For many travelers, the answer is surprisingly nuanced.
One of Marella’s biggest advantages is that its standard all-inclusive package already provides solid value compared with many competing cruise lines.
For many passengers, that included package is more than enough.
Yes. Most Marella cruise fares include a standard all-inclusive beverage package covering many common alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Typically excluded items include:
Pricing varies by itinerary and promotions, but many upgrades range from approximately £70–£280 per person depending on cruise length.
Yes. Guests can usually purchase beverages individually onboard.
Sometimes. Travelers who frequently purchase specialty coffees, mocktails, smoothies, and bottled water may still benefit.
Based on publicly available information, there is no confirmed data on standardized fleet-wide daily alcohol limits across all sailings.
Policies may vary. Travelers should confirm current terms directly with Marella Cruises before booking.
Usually not. Bottled water may require an upgrade or separate purchase.
Cruise lines often require all adults in the same cabin to purchase equivalent packages, but policies can vary.
Marella Cruises is often considered one of the better-value mainstream cruise options because basic drinks are already included in many fares.
In many cases, yes. However, inclusions may vary by ship and itinerary.
First-time Marella cruisers should usually try the included package first before paying for upgrades unless they know they prefer premium beverages.
Marella Cruises stands out because its base fares already include a respectable beverage selection. That changes the entire value equation compared with cruise lines that charge separately for nearly every drink.
For heavy premium drink consumers, upgrading can absolutely make financial sense. But for casual travelers, the included package often provides excellent value without additional spending.
The smartest approach is simple:
A cruise should feel relaxing—not like a challenge to “drink enough” to justify a package purchase.
By making an informed decision based on your actual habits rather than marketing promises, you can maximize both your vacation enjoyment and your travel budget.
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