Is it worth buying a drink package on Oceania cruise?

Booking a voyage with Oceania Cruises means elegant ships, destination-focused itineraries, and excellent dining. But once you’ve booked, another question comes up quickly: is Oceania drink package worth it for your style of travel? The line offers bar packages that bundle Oceania drinks into a fixed daily price, which can simplify cruise budgeting—but only if you’ll actually use what you’re paying for.

What does the Oceania drink package include?

Oceania typically offers several beverage options, often in alcohol-included and non-alcoholic versions. While details can vary by ship and sailing, a bar package usually covers:

• Wine by the glass, beer, and standard cocktails

• Soft drinks, juices, bottled water

• Specialty coffees and teas

Higher-tier bar options may include additional premium spirits or upgraded wines. When you compare the package against paying à la carte, remember that the cruise costs for each drink individually can add up quickly if you enjoy multiple beverages per day.

Typical pricing and daily break-even point

Exact prices change over time, but many travelers report that an Oceania alcohol-included package tends to fall somewhere around the mid-to-upper tens of dollars per person per day, with non-alcoholic options lower. To judge the Oceania alcohol package value, you can do a simple mental calculation:

• Estimate what you’d normally order—coffee in the morning, maybe a soda at lunch, a pre-dinner cocktail, wine with dinner, and a nightcap.

• Compare that total to a typical bar package price.

If your realistic daily consumption is close to or above the package rate, the bar package can offer solid drink package value. If you’d only have one glass of wine and some water, paying per drink is probably cheaper.

Pros of buying an Oceania beverage package

Many guests find significant advantages in purchasing a package, especially when looking at cruise budgeting as a whole. Key benefits include:

1. Predictable cruise costs

One of the biggest pros in any Oceania cruise drink package review is budget certainty. With a fixed daily charge, you know what your drinks will cost before you step onboard. That makes it easier to plan your total vacation spend and avoid bill shock at the end of the voyage.

2. Convenience and simplicity

With a package, you don’t have to think about the price of every cocktail or cappuccino. You can order what you feel like and sign the check without mental math. For many people, this alone makes the Oceania beverage package feel more relaxing.

3. Freedom to try new drinks

Another plus in the “pros and cons of Oceania beverage package” discussion is variety. Guests often feel more comfortable experimenting with unfamiliar cocktails, different wines by the glass, or specialty coffees because they’re not paying separately for each item. If you enjoy exploring the menu, this can be a big part of the drink package value.

4. Easy sharing of experiences (but not drinks)

You can’t share one package between guests, but if your traveling companions also have packages, it’s easier to enjoy rounds of drinks together without worrying about who owes what. That can be especially nice for group celebrations or family trips.

Cons of buying an Oceania drink package

The package isn’t ideal for everyone. There are several reasons some travelers decide to skip it.

1. Light drinkers may overpay

If you’re a light drinker who sticks to one glass of wine at dinner and maybe a soda, the save money with Oceania drink package idea might not hold up. Your daily tab buying drinks individually could easily be lower than the bar package rate. In that case, paying as you go preserves your cruise budgeting better.

2. Port-intensive itineraries reduce onboard time

Oceania is known for destination-rich itineraries, which often mean long days ashore. On those days, you may be exploring cities, touring vineyards, or enjoying beaches instead of sitting at the ship’s bar. That can reduce your actual usage of the package and lower the overall Oceania alcohol package value.

3. Not all drinks are included

Another nuance in any honest Oceania cruise drink package review is that select premium labels, rare spirits, and high-end wines may fall outside the package. If your taste leans toward top-shelf options that are excluded or only partially discounted, you may still face extra charges even with a package.

4. Every adult in the stateroom may need a package

On many cruise lines, if one adult in a cabin buys an alcoholic package, all adults may be required to purchase it. Policies can evolve, so always check current terms, but if that rule applies, the total cost of bar packages for the whole cabin can significantly increase your cruise costs.

How to decide if the package is worth it

To decide is Oceania drink package worth it for you personally, walk through a simple three-step check.

Step 1: Estimate your realistic daily consumption

Think about a typical vacation day for you:

• Morning specialty coffee or juice

• A soda, mocktail, or beer at lunch

• A pre-dinner cocktail

• Wine with your meal

• Maybe a nightcap in a lounge

Add the approximate per-drink cost for that pattern. If it’s near or above a typical Oceania bar package daily rate, the package likely makes financial sense.

Step 2: Look at your itinerary

For sea-day heavy sailings, you’ll spend more time onboard using the package. For port-intensive cruises where you’re off the ship from early morning to evening, your actual bar time shrinks. Adjust your drink estimate downward if you’ll be off exploring most days.

Step 3: Consider your comfort and style

Even if the math is close, some travelers simply like the feeling of “it’s already paid for.” Others prefer a pay-as-you-go approach and enjoy seeing their bar bill reflect exactly what they consumed. There’s no wrong answer—your personal style matters just as much as pure numbers when weighing the pros and cons of Oceania beverage package options.

When the Oceania drink package is usually a good idea

Based on common patterns, the package often works well if:

• You typically have several alcoholic drinks plus coffees and sodas each day.

• You’re on a longer cruise where convenience and predictability matter more.

• You value not thinking about individual prices and want a smoother onboard experience.

• You find a promotion where the bar package is discounted or bundled with other perks, which boosts Oceania alcohol package value.

When it may be better to skip the package

On the other hand, paying per drink might be smarter if:

• You drink lightly or only occasionally.

• Your itinerary has many long port days where you’ll dine and drink ashore.

• You prefer a glass of premium wine or top-shelf spirit now and then rather than multiple standard drinks each day.

• You’re focused on keeping cruise costs as low as possible and don’t mind reviewing your bar bill.

In those situations, you may not save money with Oceania drink package options and could easily end up spending less without one.

FAQs about the value of Oceania drink packages

1. Is the Oceania drink package worth it for casual drinkers?

Usually not. If you only have one or two drinks a day, paying à la carte is often cheaper than buying a full bar package.

2. Does the beverage package include specialty coffee and soft drinks?

Yes, most bar packages cover a wide range of Oceania drinks, including specialty coffees, sodas, and juices, in addition to alcoholic beverages.

3. Can I still buy premium wine or top-shelf liquor with a package?

You can, but some of those items may not be fully covered. You might pay the difference between the package allowance and the premium item price.

4. Do drink packages help with cruise budgeting?

Yes. A fixed daily cost makes it easier to track and control cruise costs, which is why many guests see strong drink package value even when savings are modest.

5. Are there promotions that improve Oceania alcohol package value?

Sometimes Oceania offers deals where a bar package is included or discounted as part of a broader offer, which can significantly increase the perceived value of the beverage plan.