Everything You Need to Know About the MSC Drinks Package

Choosing the right drinks package on MSC can feel a bit like ordering at a bar with no menu: there are options and the names sound similar, but one wrong move can leave you paying more than you planned! The good news is that once you understand what MSC currently offers, it gets much easier to decide whether a package is worth it for your cruise.

During my last cruise on the MSC Euribia, I opted for a drinks package. That experience, plus more than a little menu-studying, is what I’m basing this guide on.

What is MSC’s Drinks Package?

MSC’s beverage packages are designed to let you enjoy selected drinks at a fixed price instead of paying à la carte every time. The package you can book depends on your sailing, but MSC’s current U.S. site lists the Premium Extra Package, Alcohol-Free Package, and Minors Package as the available options.

If you’ve seen older references to Easy or Easy Plus, that’s because MSC’s package lineup has changed over time and can look different in older menus or non-U.S. materials. So, if your booking screen and a blog post disagree, trust the booking screen.

MSC Drinks Package Menu

MSC’s current packages cover a solid range of drinks, but the exact inclusions depend on which package you buy.

• The Premium Extra Package includes specialty coffee, tea, hot drinks, soft drinks, juices, fruit cocktails, smoothies, protein shakes, water, non-alcoholic drinks, draft and bottled beers, premium wine and sparkling wine by the glass, premium spirits, liqueurs, cocktails, and mixed drinks made with premium brands.
• The Alcohol-Free Package includes specialty coffee, tea, hot drinks, soft drinks, juices, fruit cocktails, smoothies, protein shakes, water, and non-alcoholic beers, wines, and cocktails.
• The Minors Package includes coffee, tea, hot drinks, soft drinks, energy drinks, juices, smoothies, water, and non-alcoholic cocktails.

Where You Can’t Use It

MSC says all beverage packages can be used in buffet restaurants, main restaurants, and bars, but only the Premium Extra Package can be used in specialty restaurants. MSC also says the Alcohol-Free Package is not accepted on private islands.

If you’re headed to Ocean Cay or Sir Bani Yas, MSC says the Premium Extra Package can be used there, although the island beverage selection may be more limited than what you’ll find onboard.

Related reading: Find out more about the MSC drinks menus.

MSC Drinks Package Cost

MSC does not publish one universal price for every sailing. Instead, package pricing is shown in MyMSC, and prices shown there already reflect any applicable discounts.

Pre-cruise purchases are available up to two days before sailing, and booking online before your cruise can offer savings compared with onboard prices.

Because pricing varies by itinerary and promotion, it’s best to treat any exact dollar figure as a snapshot rather than a guarantee. In other words, the price you see for your sailing is the one that matters — not last week’s screenshot from someone else’s trip.

MSC also says beverage gratuities are included in the package cost.

Comparison with Other MSC Drinks Packages

When you’re choosing a drinks package, it helps to compare what each one is actually for.

The Premium Extra Package is the most inclusive option, while the Alcohol-Free Package is best for guests who want non-alcoholic drinks only, and the Minors Package is for younger guests traveling with an adult who has a beverage package.

Notably, the Premium Extra Package is the only one that can be used in specialty restaurants, and it’s also the package MSC includes with Yacht Club. It also comes with a maximum of 15 alcoholic beverages per day, and that limit also applies within Yacht Club.

Things To Know About MSC Drinks Packages

When considering an MSC drinks package for your next cruise, there are several key points to keep in mind so you don’t end up learning the hard way halfway through day one. MSC’s current rules are a little different from what older blog posts may say, so this is one section where checking the fine print really matters.

1. Everyone must buy the same drinks package

MSC says all guests occupying the same cabin must book the same beverage-package type, including minors, who must book the Minors Package. Infants are not required to have a package.

2. Restrictions on bringing your own drinks

MSC restricts guest-brought beverages, though allowances and exceptions can vary by itinerary and special circumstances such as medical needs.

3. Yacht Club premium benefits

MSC includes the Premium Extra Package with Yacht Club, but that package is now subject to the 15 alcoholic beverages per day limit.

4. You pay more if you buy the package on the ship

MSC says pre-cruise purchases are available up to two days before sailing, and online pricing can include discounts compared with onboard prices.

5. Varied drinking age policies

MSC’s drinking-age rules vary by itinerary and local regulations, so it’s best to confirm the age rule for your specific sailing before you board.

6. There’s a daily limit on alcoholic drinks in Premium Extra

MSC now applies a maximum of 15 alcoholic beverages per day to the Premium Extra Package, counted over a 24-hour period from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Non-alcoholic drinks are not limited under that rule.

7. Availability on certain itineraries

MSC says pre-paid drinks packages are available fleetwide, excluding ships sailing in South Africa.

8. Usage on private islands

MSC says the Premium Extra Package can be used on Ocean Cay and Sir Bani Yas, but the Alcohol-Free Package is not accepted on private islands.

Is It Worth The Cost?

Whether an MSC drinks package is worth it really depends on your drinking habits, your itinerary, and how much time you plan to spend onboard. If you’re the sort of cruiser who enjoys several drinks a day and likes the convenience of not signing every bar chit, a package can make life easier.

A good rule of thumb is to compare the package price with what you’d likely spend individually. If your favorite drinks are mostly premium cocktails, wines, or spirits, the Premium Extra Package may make more sense than a lower-tier option.

You should also remember that MSC offers some complimentary beverages, including non-mineralized water at the buffet. That said, what’s included for free versus what’s covered by a package can depend on the venue and the sailing.

My Verdict

On my MSC Euribia cruise, I bought a drinks package, and for the amount I drank, I probably only just broke even. That’s not unusual — drinks packages often make the most sense for cruisers who plan to spend a lot of time onboard and enjoy more than a couple of drinks a day.

If you like the convenience of knowing your drinks are covered, or if you plan to lean into premium cocktails and wine, the Premium Extra Package may be the better value. But if your cruise style is more “a coffee in the morning and a drink at sunset,” the math may not be quite as friendly.

The best approach is to match the package to your actual cruise habits, not your best-case holiday fantasy self. We’ve all met that person, and they are not always the same person who gets off the ship.

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