Is It Worth Buying a Drink Package on Avalon Waterways?

If you're planning an Avalon Waterways cruise, you may be wondering whether you should buy a separate drink package or simply pay for beverages as you go. The answer is somewhat different from what you might expect from a traditional ocean cruise.

For European Avalon cruises, many beverages are already included in the cruise fare. Avalon currently includes wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, sparkling wine with breakfast, and complimentary specialty coffee, tea, and filtered water. Complimentary Happy Hour is also offered each evening except the first, with select beer, wine, spirits, cocktails, and zero-proof options.

Because of these inclusions, most travelers do not need to buy a traditional unlimited beverage package simply to enjoy drinks onboard.

The more useful question is whether your drinking preferences go beyond what Avalon already includes.

Is an Avalon Waterways Drink Package Worth It?

The short answer

For most European Avalon passengers, there is little reason to purchase a separate drink package because Avalon already includes a substantial selection of beverages.

If you are happy with wine or beer at meals, soft drinks, coffee, tea, water, and select Happy Hour drinks, you may have very little additional beverage expense.

A separate beverage package becomes less relevant because Avalon does not currently present a standard unlimited daily drink package for European cruises in the way many large ocean cruise lines do. Instead, the company builds many beverages into the cruise experience.

That makes the Avalon Waterways beverage package worth the cost question primarily a matter of what you like to drink.

What Drinks Are Included on Avalon Waterways?

Before deciding whether to spend extra money on drinks, understand what you already receive.

Wine and Beer With Lunch and Dinner

On European Avalon cruises, complimentary wine and beer are served with lunch and dinner. Avalon also emphasizes regional wines selected from the areas through which its ships sail.

For travelers who enjoy a glass of wine or beer with their meals, this is a significant inclusion.

You don't need to purchase a separate package just to have a drink alongside lunch or dinner.

Sparkling Wine at Breakfast

Sparkling wine is complimentary with breakfast on European Avalon cruises.

It's another example of Avalon incorporating beverages into the cruise fare rather than treating every drink as an additional purchase.

Soft Drinks

Complimentary soft drinks are available throughout the day on European cruises.

This is particularly useful for passengers who don't drink alcohol.

Specialty Coffee and Tea

Avalon Suite Ships have a 24-hour Club Lounge beverage station with complimentary specialty coffees, hot chocolate, and tea.

If you normally buy several coffees a day while traveling, this inclusion can make a noticeable difference to your onboard spending.

Filtered Water

Avalon provides complimentary filtered water stations, and its ships are designed to make refilling reusable bottles convenient.

That means bottled-water purchases generally aren't necessary simply to stay hydrated onboard.

Is Avalon Happy Hour Included?

Yes. Complimentary Happy Hour is one of the strongest reasons many passengers don't need a separate cruise drink package.

Avalon currently says Happy Hour is complimentary every evening except the first, with select beer, wine, spirits, cocktails, and zero-proof drinks.

This gives passengers an opportunity to enjoy cocktails and other alcoholic beverages without paying separately during that service.

The important word is “select.” Avalon does not say that every premium spirit, wine, or cocktail available onboard is automatically included.

Are Cocktails Included on Avalon Waterways?

Select cocktails are included during complimentary Happy Hour.

Avalon has partnered with mixologist Martin Hudák on signature cocktails and zero-proof drinks for its fleet.

However, that does not mean every cocktail available at the bar is free throughout the day.

Avalon Suite Ships also have bars serving premium spirits, so travelers who prefer particular premium brands should check the current menu and ask whether their selection is included.

What About Premium Wine and Spirits?

This is where your personal drinking habits become important.

Avalon's included beverage selection is broad, but the company also offers premium spirits and other bar selections.

If you are happy drinking the regional wines and included beer, you may have little reason to spend extra.

If you specifically want:

• Premium spirits

• A particular brand of liquor

• High-end wine

• Specialty cocktails outside the included selection

• Other premium bar offerings

you should expect that some choices may cost extra.

The best approach is to check the bar menu before ordering rather than assuming every beverage onboard is included.

Avalon Drink Package Pros and Cons

If you're comparing Avalon with another cruise line, it helps to look at the issue from both sides.

Pros of Avalon's Beverage-Included Approach

Many everyday drinks are already covered. You can enjoy wine and beer with meals, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water without calculating a daily package fee.

Happy Hour adds cocktail value. Select beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails are complimentary during Happy Hour on evenings after the first night.

Coffee lovers have convenient options. The Club Lounge provides specialty coffee and tea around the clock on Avalon Suite Ships.

You don't have to “drink enough” to justify a package. On cruise lines with paid beverage packages, passengers often calculate whether their daily consumption makes the package worthwhile. Avalon's included-drink model removes much of that decision.

Non-drinkers can benefit too. Soft drinks, coffee, tea, water, and zero-proof cocktails mean you don't have to consume alcohol to take advantage of the beverage inclusions.

Potential Cons

Premium drinks may still cost extra. If you prefer expensive wines or premium spirits, Avalon's included selection may not cover everything you want.

Not every drink is available free at every time. Wine and beer are included with lunch and dinner, while select cocktails and spirits are associated with Happy Hour. The inclusion is not the same as an all-day premium open bar.

Policies vary by destination. Avalon's beverage inclusions are not identical in Europe, Asia, the Amazon, and the Galápagos.

Should I Buy an Avalon Waterways Drink Package?

For a typical European river cruise passenger, probably not.

If your normal drinking pattern looks like this:

• Coffee in the morning

• Soft drinks during the day

• Wine or beer with meals

• An occasional cocktail during Happy Hour

Avalon's included beverages already cover much of what you are likely to consume.

You are unlikely to gain much by looking for a separate package.

You probably don't need one if you:

• Drink moderately

• Enjoy wine or beer with meals

• Prefer regional wines

• Drink coffee or tea

• Don't require premium spirits

• Like occasional cocktails

• Don't want to pay for an unlimited package you may not use

Who Might Want to Spend More on Drinks?

There are travelers for whom the included selections may not be enough.

Heavy Cocktail Drinkers

If cocktails are an important part of your vacation and you want drinks outside the complimentary Happy Hour selection, you may have additional costs.

Premium-Spirit Drinkers

If you have a preferred premium whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, or another spirit, check whether it is part of the included selection.

Wine Enthusiasts

Avalon places considerable emphasis on regional wines, but serious wine collectors or enthusiasts may want bottles or selections beyond the standard offering.

Avalon also offers dedicated wine-lover cruises featuring a certified sommelier, tastings, food pairings, and visits to vineyards and cellars.

What If You Drink Wine Every Day?

This is one area where Avalon can offer particularly good value.

European cruises include regional wine with lunch and dinner.

So if you typically have wine with both meals, you don't need to budget for two paid drinks every day simply because you enjoy wine.

The bigger question is whether you want something beyond the included wine selection.

For many casual wine drinkers, the included regional wines may be more than sufficient.

What If You Don't Drink Alcohol?

You can still get substantial value from Avalon's beverage inclusions.

European Avalon cruises include:

• Soft drinks throughout the day

• Specialty coffees

• Tea

• Filtered water

• Zero-proof Happy Hour selections

• Coffee and tea in the Club Lounge

This is important because the value of Avalon's beverage model isn't dependent entirely on alcohol consumption.

Is Avalon Better for Moderate Drinkers?

Generally, yes.

If you drink one or two alcoholic beverages with meals and occasionally enjoy a cocktail, Avalon's included beverage structure can be more convenient than paying a separate daily beverage-package fee.

You don't have to decide before the cruise that you will consume a certain number of drinks every day.

And on days when you spend most of your time exploring ashore, you aren't paying for a beverage package that you barely use.

What About Heavy Drinkers?

Heavy drinkers should look more carefully at the details.

Avalon does not advertise its European beverage offering as an unlimited premium alcohol package. Instead, particular drinks are included at particular times or as part of specific services.

If you regularly want premium cocktails throughout the afternoon and evening, you may incur additional charges.

That doesn't necessarily make Avalon poor value. It simply means you should compare your actual drinking habits with the included offerings rather than assuming unlimited access.

Does the Answer Change by Destination?

Yes.

This is important if you're booking an Avalon cruise outside Europe.

Europe

Avalon's current FAQ lists complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner, sparkling wine with breakfast, soft drinks throughout the day, specialty coffee and tea, and filtered water.

Asia

Avalon says Asia cruises include complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, and local beer and spirits throughout the day, with wine included at lunch and dinner.

Amazon

Avalon's current FAQ says Amazon itineraries include coffee, tea, select soft drinks, and local beer and spirits throughout the day, with wine included at dinner.

Galápagos

For Galápagos cruises, Avalon lists complimentary coffee and tea throughout the day and wine with dinner.

Because the policies differ, don't use the European beverage rules to estimate the value of an Asian, Amazon, or Galápagos itinerary.

How Much Could You Actually Spend on Avalon Drinks?

There is no reliable one-size-fits-all daily figure because your spending depends on what you order beyond the included selections.

A traveler who drinks:

• Coffee

• Tea

• Soft drinks

• Included wine with meals

• Included beer with meals

• Select Happy Hour drinks

could potentially have very little additional onboard beverage expense.

Someone who prefers premium spirits, premium wine, or specialty cocktails outside the included selection could spend more.

For that reason, a fixed “drink package cost” is not the best way to estimate your Avalon beverage budget.

How to Keep Your Avalon Beverage Costs Low

You don't need to avoid drinks to control your onboard spending.

Use the Included Wine and Beer

If you're happy with the included selections, enjoy them with lunch and dinner rather than purchasing premium alternatives.

Take Advantage of Happy Hour

Happy Hour provides select complimentary alcoholic and zero-proof drinks on evenings after the first night.

Use the Club Lounge

The 24-hour Club Lounge beverage station provides complimentary specialty coffees and teas on Avalon Suite Ships.

Ask About Premium Drinks

If you want a premium beverage, ask whether it is included before ordering.

Check the Daily Menu

Avalon's AvalonGO app provides updated bar and wine menus, along with daily schedules and dining information.

This can make it easier to understand the day's offerings.

What Should You Check Before Sailing?

Before deciding whether you'll need extra money for beverages, review the details of your specific cruise.

Check:

• Your destination

• The current beverage inclusions

• Your ship's bar menu

• Happy Hour details

• Premium beverage selections

• Your itinerary's specific terms

Avalon's daily bar and wine menus are available through AvalonGO, which can help you stay informed while onboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Avalon Waterways drink package worth it?

For most European Avalon passengers, a separate drink package is generally unnecessary because many beverages are already included. Wine and beer come with lunch and dinner, soft drinks are available throughout the day, and select drinks are included during Happy Hour.

Should I buy an Avalon Waterways drink package?

If you're taking a European Avalon cruise, you generally don't need to buy a traditional beverage package for everyday drinks. Consider your preferences for premium wines, spirits, and specialty cocktails instead.

Does Avalon Waterways include alcohol?

Yes. European Avalon cruises include wine and beer with lunch and dinner, plus select beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails during complimentary Happy Hour.

Is wine free on Avalon Waterways?

Yes. Regional wine is included with lunch and dinner on European Avalon cruises. Sparkling wine is also included with breakfast.

Are cocktails free on Avalon Waterways?

Select cocktails are complimentary during Happy Hour. Avalon does not state that every cocktail or premium spirit available at the bar is free throughout the day.

Does Avalon have an unlimited drink package?

Avalon currently does not advertise a standard unlimited daily beverage package for its European cruises. Instead, many beverages are included in the cruise fare.

Is Happy Hour included on Avalon Waterways?

Yes. Avalon currently offers complimentary Happy Hour every evening except the first, featuring select beer, wine, spirits, cocktails, and zero-proof drinks.

Are soft drinks included on Avalon cruises?

On European cruises, complimentary soft drinks are available throughout the day.

Are coffee and tea included on Avalon Waterways?

Yes. Avalon Suite Ships provide complimentary specialty coffee and tea through the 24-hour Club Lounge beverage station.

Are premium drinks included on Avalon?

Not necessarily. Avalon offers premium spirits and other bar selections, and drinks outside the complimentary offerings may have an additional cost.

Does the Avalon beverage policy vary by destination?

Yes. Avalon has different beverage inclusions for Europe, Asia, the Amazon, and the Galápagos.

Conclusion

So, is an Avalon Waterways drink package worth it?

For most travelers taking a European Avalon river cruise, you probably don't need one. That's because Avalon already includes a broad selection of beverages in the cruise fare, including wine and beer with lunch and dinner, soft drinks throughout the day, sparkling wine at breakfast, specialty coffee and tea, and select drinks during complimentary Happy Hour.

The situation changes if you are a premium-drink enthusiast. If you prefer specific high-end spirits, premium wines, or cocktails outside the included selections, you may want to budget separately for those purchases.

The biggest advantage of Avalon's approach is that you don't have to drink a certain amount every day to make a beverage package worthwhile. Your standard drinks are already included, so you can simply enjoy them when you want them.

Before your trip, check the beverage inclusions for your particular destination and sailing. Avalon operates in several regions, and the rules are not identical everywhere.

For a typical European river cruiser, however, the verdict is straightforward: take advantage of the drinks Avalon already includes and only pay extra when you genuinely want something beyond the standard selection.