Another major cruise line hikes drinks package costs sharply — but there's a twist
MSC Cruises has joined the list of cruise lines sharply hiking the cost of drinks packages.
As of this week, the world's third-largest cruise brand is charging $85 per person per day for its most inclusive drinks package, the Premium Extra package, when it's booked in advance for a voyage of seven nights or longer. That's up a whopping 23% from the old rate of $69 per person per day.
The new rate for sailings of one to six nights is $88 per person per day — an even greater 28% increase in pricing.
MSC Cruises is also boosting the cost of its less inclusive Easy and Easy Plus drinks packages to $46 and $61 per person per day, respectively, when the packages are booked in advance for seven nights or longer voyages.
Those are hikes of 21% and 24%, respectively.
On sailings of six or fewer nights, the Easy and Easy Plus drinks packages now cost $49 and $64 per person per day when booked in advance — increases of 29% and 31% versus the old rates.
The cost of nonalcoholic drinks packages and "minors" drinks packages aimed at kids also have risen.
Even more when bought onboard
MSC Cruises this week also hiked the cost of buying the above packages on board ships rather than before sailings — something that has always come at a higher price. The top-tier Premium Extra package now costs $100 per person per day for sailings of seven nights or more when purchased on board a ship. For shorter sailings, the package costs $104 per person per day.
This marks the first time an MSC Cruises drinks package has ever topped $100 per person per day — a rarefied level in the cruise world.
That said, there's a twist to that new onboard pricing.
In the past, MSC Cruises has added a 15% gratuity fee when passengers bought such packages onboard vessels. As part of the price hikes, MSC Cruises has done away with the gratuity fee, folding it into the base price.
Related: The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises ships and itineraries
That means the price hike for the Premium Extra package — when you buy it on board a ship — isn't quite as sharp as it looks, although it's still more than 20%.
The Premium Extra package allows passengers to order any drink priced up to $16, while the less expensive Easy Plus package only includes drinks that cost up to $10. The even-less-expensive Easy package only includes a limited number of drinks and is not valid in extra-charge specialty restaurants.
Drinks priced at $16 or less on MSC Cruises ships include everything you will find at pool bars, from mai tais and pina coladas to any beer; they also include most wines by the glass as well as spirits such as Jack Daniel's whiskey, Jameson Irish whiskey and Grey Goose vodka.
Top-shelf items, such as Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky, come with an extra charge.
Other cruise lines hiking drinks package costs
MSC Cruises is just the latest line to sharply hike the cost of drinks packages. Norwegian Cruise Line recently boosted the cost of its top-tier drinks package to an eye-popping and industry-leading $165.60 per person per day, including the added cost of a mandatory 20% gratuity. Celebrity Cruises also recently raised the cost of its top-tier drinks package sharply to $100.80 per person, per day, including a mandatory 20% gratuity.
The cost of drinks packages on Carnival Cruise Line ships is up significantly over the past year, too, in some cases by more than 15%.
The fee hikes for drinks packages come amid a surge in price hikes for all sorts of onboard items on ships.
Among the cruise operators sharply raising prices for a wide range of onboard items is Carnival, which has pushed up the cost of some of its marquee restaurants on ships over the past year by as much as 26%. For instance, the cover charge for the line's signature steakhouses has jumped from $38 to $48 per person in two steps since early 2022.
Related: A line-by-line look at drinks package costs and inclusions
Carnival has also hiked the cost of its signature Chef's Table experience over the past year by nearly 24% to $99 a person.
Princess Cruises has also sharply boosted fees in recent months.
Cruise lines have blamed the onboard price hikes on inflation related to soaring food and fuel costs and ongoing supply chain challenges.
That said, in many cases, the prices that cruisers are finding at onboard venues such as restaurants and bars — and the amount they are spending on board ships — are rising much faster than the rate of inflation.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways cruisers waste money
- The 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
- What to pack for your first cruise
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.