Do all adults in the cabin have to buy the drink package?
On most of the lines we cover, if one adult buys the drink package, the other adults of drinking age in the same cabin must buy it too. The details differ by line, so each row links to the page it came from. Last read 2026-10-18. Rules change; confirm on your own booking.
This page lists published rules only. It is not advice and cannot tell you what a cruise line will do in your situation. Ask the line, or your travel advisor, and get the answer in writing.
| Line | Package | Rule as published | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival Cruise Line | CHEERS! | Yes. Carnival's CHEERS! page says each adult assigned to the same stateroom must purchase the program. Buyers must be 21 or older, and the package must be bought for the entire cruise. | Carnival CHEERS! page Read 2026-10-18 |
| Royal Caribbean International | Deluxe Beverage Package | Yes. Royal Caribbean's FAQ says anyone who buys the Deluxe Beverage Package must buy it for all guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson told Royal Caribbean Blog that from Aug 1 2025 the line no longer grants exceptions to this rule. | Royal Caribbean FAQ (official) Royal Caribbean Blog, Aug 2 2025 (third-party report) Read 2026-10-18 |
| Celebrity Cruises | Classic Drink Package | Yes, with listed exceptions. Celebrity's FAQ says a guest who wants a drink package must buy it for all other guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom, and it lists exceptions (children 12 and under, teens, pregnant guests, and guests with a medical issue or in recovery who cannot drink alcohol). For several of these the FAQ says a zero-proof package is added instead. Read the FAQ for the current wording. | Celebrity beverage packages FAQ (official) Read 2026-10-18 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) | Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar Package | Yes for the Unlimited Open Bar. NCL says it applies to all guests 21 and older per stateroom; guests aged 3-20 in spots 1 or 2 receive complimentary soda and juice instead. | NCL FAQ: who the Unlimited Open Bar applies to (official) Read 2026-10-18 |
| Holland America Line | Signature Beverage Package | Yes. Holland America's FAQ says all adults of legal drinking age for the itinerary in the same stateroom must buy the same package for the whole cruise, and guests who are not of legal drinking age must buy the Quench package if other stateroom occupants have the Signature or Elite package. | Holland America FAQ: traveling companion who does not drink (official) Read 2026-10-18 |
| Princess Cruises | Princess Plus / Princess Premier | Not stated as an "all adults" rule on the pages we read. Princess's Plus & Premier page says the packages apply to guests 1 and 2 on the reservation and must be bought 4 days (96 hours) before departure for the lower price; purchases onboard or within 4 days of departure cost an additional US$5 per person per day. We did not find a Princess page that says whether other guests may or must buy it, so ask Princess. | Princess Plus & Premier packages (official) Read 2026-10-18 |
Questions and answers
Do all adults in the cabin have to buy the drink package on Carnival Cruise Line?
Yes. Carnival's CHEERS! page says each adult assigned to the same stateroom must purchase the program. Buyers must be 21 or older, and the package must be bought for the entire cruise.
Do all adults in the cabin have to buy the drink package on Royal Caribbean International?
Yes. Royal Caribbean's FAQ says anyone who buys the Deluxe Beverage Package must buy it for all guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson told Royal Caribbean Blog that from Aug 1 2025 the line no longer grants exceptions to this rule.
Do all adults in the cabin have to buy the drink package on Celebrity Cruises?
Yes, with listed exceptions. Celebrity's FAQ says a guest who wants a drink package must buy it for all other guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom, and it lists exceptions (children 12 and under, teens, pregnant guests, and guests with a medical issue or in recovery who cannot drink alcohol). For several of these the FAQ says a zero-proof package is added instead. Read the FAQ for the current wording.
Do all adults in the cabin have to buy the drink package on Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)?
Yes for the Unlimited Open Bar. NCL says it applies to all guests 21 and older per stateroom; guests aged 3-20 in spots 1 or 2 receive complimentary soda and juice instead.
Do all adults in the cabin have to buy the drink package on Holland America Line?
Yes. Holland America's FAQ says all adults of legal drinking age for the itinerary in the same stateroom must buy the same package for the whole cruise, and guests who are not of legal drinking age must buy the Quench package if other stateroom occupants have the Signature or Elite package.
Do all adults in the cabin have to buy the drink package on Princess Cruises?
Not stated as an "all adults" rule on the pages we read. Princess's Plus & Premier page says the packages apply to guests 1 and 2 on the reservation and must be bought 4 days (96 hours) before departure for the lower price; purchases onboard or within 4 days of departure cost an additional US$5 per person per day. We did not find a Princess page that says whether other guests may or must buy it, so ask Princess.
Does Princess Plus or Premier already include tips?
Yes. Princess says crew appreciation (its daily gratuity) is included in the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages and cannot be removed, exchanged or refunded, and that bar service charges are included in the package price. Our calculator has a bundle checkbox so these are not counted twice.
Work out whether a package is worth it
Use the calculator: enter your own drinks per day and drink price. Because most lines make every adult in the cabin buy the package, enter the number of adults in the cabin. Package prices, per-drink caps and daily limits are on the fees by line page, and price changes are in the fee changes log.