When planning a vacation with MSC cruises, one of the sneakiest little costs to think about is drinks. Not the glamorous bit. Not the “which cocktail shall I have by the pool?” bit. More the “how did three Aperol Spritzes, two cappuccinos and a bottle of water suddenly become a small financial event?” bit. MSC Cruises offers a handful of drinks packages designed to make your onboard spending feel a bit less chaotic.
In theory, you pay once, sip freely, and avoid doing mental maths every time someone says, “shall we get another round?”
But is an MSC Cruises drinks package actually worth it? Let’s get into it.
MSC Cruises Drinks Packages For 2026
MSC Cruises has updated its drinks packages for Summer 2026, so some older information floating around online is now a little dusty.
The main MSC Cruises drinks packages are:
- Easy Package
- Premium Extra Package
- Alcohol-Free Package
- Minors Package
You may still see references to Easy Plus in some places, but it is no longer listed as one of the main standard package options for Summer 2026. MSC’s package availability can also vary depending on your sailing, region and booking route, so always check your personal MSC booking area before purchasing.
Because naturally, cruise drinks packages couldn’t just be simple. Where would the fun be in that?
Is An MSC Cruises Drinks Package For You?
A drinks package can be a great option if you like the idea of paying upfront and not thinking too much about your onboard bar bill.
It can work especially well if you drink a mix of alcoholic drinks, speciality coffees, soft drinks, sparkling water, juices and mocktails throughout the day.
However, it is not always worth it for everyone.
If you’re mostly happy with the free buffet drinks, only have the odd glass of wine, or spend most of your port days off the ship, you might be better paying as you go.
Basically, if your holiday personality is “one cocktail and an early night,” maybe pause before handing over your card.
If your holiday personality is “pool drink, pre-dinner drink, dinner wine, theatre drink, nightcap,” then yes, we should probably talk.
MSC Easy Package
The Easy Package is MSC Cruises’ most basic alcoholic drinks package.
It includes a simpler selection of drinks rather than premium brands, so this is the package for people who like straightforward beers, house wines, classic cocktails and soft drinks without needing the fanciest label behind the bar.
What’s included in the MSC Easy Package?
The Easy Package includes:
- Coffee, tea and hot drinks
- Soft drinks and juices
- Still and sparkling AQUA by MSC water
- Selected bottled and draught beer
- House wine and sparkling wine by the glass
- Classic cocktails and mixed drinks made with house spirits
- Non-alcoholic options such as mocktails, alcohol-free wine and alcohol-free beer
Beverage gratuities are included, which is one less little surprise to think about.
The Easy Package can be used in selected bars, buffets and main restaurants.
However, and this is important, it is not accepted in speciality restaurants or on MSC private islands.
So if you’re picturing yourself swanning into a speciality dining venue with your Easy Package like you own the place, MSC has gently said: not today.
MSC Premium Extra Package
The Premium Extra Package is MSC’s top-tier drinks package.
This is the one with the widest choice and the most flexibility. If you like proper cocktails, premium spirits, a better wine selection and drinks in speciality restaurants, this is the package most people will be looking at.
What’s included in the MSC Premium Extra Package?
The Premium Extra Package includes:
- Speciality coffee, tea and hot drinks
- Soft drinks and energy drinks
- Juices, fresh fruit cocktails, smoothies and protein shakes
- Still and sparkling AQUA by MSC water
- Non-alcoholic beers, wines and cocktails
- A wider selection of draught and bottled beers
- Premium wine and sparkling wine by the glass
- Premium spirits and liqueurs
- Cocktails and mixed drinks made with premium brands
MSC also says the package includes savings on premium bottles of wine and Champagne, so while it gives you a stronger selection, don’t assume every bottle of fizz onboard is suddenly fair game.
The Premium Extra Package covers drinks up to a set value. For many itineraries, drinks over €14 or $16 are excluded, depending on where you are sailing.
This package can be used in selected bars, buffets, main restaurants, speciality restaurants and on MSC private islands, although selected themed bars may still be excluded.
In short, this is the most complete option. It is also the one that makes the most sense if you plan to dine in speciality restaurants and want your drinks package to follow you there.
MSC Alcohol-Free Package
The Alcohol-Free Package is for adults who do not drink alcohol, or simply do not want an alcoholic package.
And honestly, this is a good one to consider if your onboard drinking habits are more iced coffee, mocktails, sparkling water and smoothies than wine and cocktails.
What’s included in the MSC Alcohol-Free Package?
The Alcohol-Free Package includes:
- Speciality coffee, tea and hot drinks
- Soft drinks and energy drinks
- Juices, fresh fruit cocktails, smoothies and protein shakes
- Still and sparkling AQUA by MSC water
- Non-alcoholic beers, wines and cocktails
It is available in selected bars, buffets and main restaurants.
Like the Easy Package, it is not accepted in speciality restaurants or on private islands.
This package could be a good option if you know you’ll be ordering lots of soft drinks, coffees and mocktails throughout the day, but don’t want to pay for alcohol you won’t actually drink.
No judgement. Sometimes the real luxury is a good iced coffee and not feeling like a melted flip-flop by 2pm.
MSC Minors Package
The Minors Package is designed for children and teens travelling with adults who have purchased a drinks package.
It is basically the kids’ version of the drinks package, covering a range of non-alcoholic drinks.
What’s included in the MSC Minors Package?
The Minors Package includes:
- Coffee, tea and hot drinks
- Soft drinks and energy drinks
- Juices and smoothies
- Still and sparkling AQUA by MSC water
- Non-alcoholic cocktails
The terms of the Minors Package are linked to the adult package purchased by the family or group. For example, speciality restaurant access only applies if the family or group has purchased Premium Extra.
So no, the kids cannot magically unlock extra drinks privileges while the adults are on a cheaper package. Nice try, tiny negotiators.
What Happened To MSC Easy Plus?
You may still see MSC Easy Plus mentioned on older blog posts, forums or even some booking routes.
Historically, Easy Plus sat between Easy and Premium Extra. It gave guests a wider selection than Easy without jumping all the way to the top-tier package.
For Summer 2026, MSC’s main package lineup is Easy, Premium Extra, Alcohol-Free and Minors.
Because of that, I would not treat Easy Plus as a guaranteed option. If it appears in your MSC booking area, great. If it does not, that is likely why.
Cruise package names have a habit of quietly changing while everyone is distracted by the buffet.
The 15 Alcoholic Drinks Per Day Limit
This is one of the biggest things to know.
MSC Cruises now applies a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per guest, per day.
That does not mean your whole drinks package stops working after 15 drinks. It means alcoholic drinks are capped. Once you hit the limit, any further alcoholic drinks need to be purchased separately at full menu price.
For most people, 15 alcoholic drinks in a day is more than enough. In fact, for most people, that is less of a holiday plan and more of a cry for help from your liver.
But it is still important to know, especially if you are comparing MSC with other cruise lines or trying to work out the value of the Premium Extra Package.
Are Gratuities Included?
Yes, MSC says beverage gratuities are included in its drinks packages.
This is good news because it makes the price easier to understand upfront. You are not mentally adding service charges every time you order a drink.
A rare moment of cruise pricing behaving itself. Let’s appreciate it.
Do All Guests In The Cabin Need The Same Package?
Yes.
MSC requires drinks packages to be booked by all guests occupying the same cabin. If adults buy a drinks package, minors in the cabin need the Minors Package.
Infants are usually exempt.
This rule exists to stop people sharing drinks packages, which is very much not allowed.
So if one person in the cabin wants Premium Extra and the other only drinks tap water and moral superiority, you may need to do some maths before booking.
Can You Buy An MSC Drinks Package For Just One Day?
No.
MSC drinks packages are sold for the cruise, not as one-day add-ons.
The package pricing applies to each day of the cruise, except disembarkation day. Once activated onboard, packages cannot usually be cancelled or refunded.
So this is not really a “let’s see how we feel on Wednesday” situation. You’ll want to decide before you sail, ideally after checking the exact price in your MSC account.
Can MSC Drinks Packages Be Used In Speciality Restaurants?
This depends on the package.
Premium Extra can be used in speciality restaurants.
The Minors Package can be used in speciality restaurants only if the family or group has purchased Premium Extra.
Easy and Alcohol-Free are not accepted in speciality restaurants.
This is a really important point because speciality dining can be a big part of the cruise experience. If you’re planning to book speciality restaurants and want drinks included there, Premium Extra is the package to look at.
Can MSC Drinks Packages Be Used On Private Islands?
Again, it depends.
Premium Extra can be used on MSC private islands, including Ocean Cay and Sir Bani Yas, although the full onboard drinks selection may not always be available.
Easy and Alcohol-Free are not accepted on private islands.
The Minors Package follows the exclusions of the connected adult package.
So if private island days are a big part of your itinerary, make sure you factor that into your decision.
What Is AQUA By MSC?
AQUA by MSC is MSC’s onboard mineral-enriched water.
Rather than relying entirely on single-use plastic bottles, MSC serves this water in different ways depending on the venue and ship. You may see it served by the glass, in reusable glass bottles in main restaurants, or available through refill stations.
Guests with a drinks package get unlimited AQUA by MSC.
Traditional bottled mineral water may still be included with Premium Extra, but for Easy, Alcohol-Free and Minors, the included water is generally AQUA by MSC.
It is a small detail, but worth knowing if you are someone who feels strongly about bottled water. Some people do. And honestly, cruise Facebook groups have gone to war over less.
Is The MSC Drinks Package Worth It?
An MSC drinks package can absolutely be worth it, but only if it matches how you actually cruise.
The Easy Package may be worth it if you mostly drink simple beers, house wines, classic cocktails, coffees, soft drinks and water.
The Premium Extra Package is likely the better option if you enjoy premium spirits, cocktails, speciality dining, sparkling wine, energy drinks, smoothies and a wider range of choices.
The Alcohol-Free Package can be good value if you drink plenty of coffees, soft drinks, mocktails, juices, smoothies and sparkling water.
The Minors Package makes sense for children and teens travelling with adults who have a package, especially if they’ll be ordering soft drinks and mocktails throughout the cruise.
But if you only have one or two drinks a day, spend most of your time ashore, or are perfectly happy with the included buffet drinks, paying as you go might be the smarter option.
How To Decide Before You Buy
Before buying an MSC Cruises drinks package, ask yourself:
- How many drinks will I realistically have each day?
- Will I drink alcohol, or mostly soft drinks and coffee?
- Do I want premium brands or am I happy with house options?
- Will I be eating in speciality restaurants?
- Does my itinerary include private island days?
- How many port days will I spend off the ship?
- What is the exact package price showing in my MSC booking area?
That last one matters because MSC drinks package prices can vary by cruise, destination, ship and promotion.
The best way to check the real cost is to log into your MSC booking and compare the package price against what you would realistically spend onboard.
Not what your fantasy holiday self thinks you’ll drink.
Your actual self.
The one who may have two cocktails, get sleepy after dinner and go back to the cabin to watch a film in bed.
So, Should You Buy An MSC Cruises Drinks Package?
If you like the freedom of ordering drinks without checking the menu price every five minutes, an MSC drinks package can make your cruise feel much more relaxed.
For casual drinkers, the Easy Package may be enough.
For cocktail lovers, speciality dining fans and anyone who wants the widest choice, Premium Extra is the one to consider.
For sober cruisers, coffee lovers and mocktail fans, Alcohol-Free could be a surprisingly useful package.
Just remember the key rules: packages are for the full cruise, guests in the same cabin usually need matching packages, speciality restaurant access depends on the package, and alcoholic drinks are capped at 15 per day.
Choose the package that matches how you actually cruise, and you’ll avoid both a scary bar bill and the even scarier realisation that you paid for Premium Extra just to drink three Diet Cokes and a cappuccino.
