Whether it is worth buying a drink package on Windstar Cruises depends on how much you expect to drink, the type of beverages you prefer, the number of days you will spend onboard, and whether you value the convenience of paying for drinks in advance. For many travelers, the answer can be yes, especially if they regularly enjoy several eligible alcoholic beverages throughout the day. Windstar’s current Ultimate Beverage Package is listed at $79 per guest, per day when purchased in advance, or $89 per guest, per day when purchased onboard. It includes unlimited eligible beer, wine, and cocktails by the glass. Windstar also offers an All-In Package priced at $99 per guest, per day in advance or $109 onboard, combining unlimited eligible beverages with Wi-Fi and gratuities. These prices make the decision more complicated than simply asking whether unlimited drinks sound attractive. The real question is whether the package matches your normal spending habits and whether you will use enough of the included benefits to justify the daily cost. Windstar’s published à la carte prices list beer at approximately $5.95–$7.95, wine by the glass at $8–$13, and cocktails at $8.75–$13, with an 18% beverage service charge automatically added to individual beverage purchases. As a result, moderate or frequent drinkers may find value in the package, while light drinkers may prefer to pay as they go.
Quick answer:
The first step in this Windstar drink package review is understanding the current pricing. Windstar’s Ultimate Beverage Package costs $79 per guest per day when purchased in advance and $89 per guest per day when purchased onboard. This package is designed for guests who want unlimited eligible beer, wine, and cocktails by the glass. The All-In Package costs $99 per guest per day in advance or $109 per guest per day onboard and adds Wi-Fi and gratuities to the beverage benefits. The $10 daily difference between advance and onboard pricing is significant over a longer voyage. On a seven-day sailing, purchasing the Ultimate Beverage Package in advance costs approximately $553 per guest, compared with approximately $623 if purchased onboard. The seven-day All-In Package costs approximately $693 in advance or $763 onboard. These calculations show why timing matters when considering drink package value. Windstar’s current package information states that packages must be purchased for the full duration of the cruise and are available for purchase in advance or during the early part of the sailing under the applicable package conditions. The package is also sold per guest, per day, and the standard 18% beverage service charge is included in the package pricing. That means travelers should compare the package price with their realistic daily beverage spending rather than simply comparing the listed price of a drink with the package price.
Current pricing snapshot:
The value of a beverage package depends heavily on what you actually drink, so understanding the inclusions is essential. Windstar’s current Ultimate Beverage Package includes unlimited eligible beer, wine, and cocktails by the glass, with cocktails based on house and select brands. The package is not a promise that every alcoholic beverage onboard is included. Instead, it applies to the selections covered by the package terms. Windstar also states that guests with beverage packages can receive a 30% discount on wine bottles with a retail value of up to $100, which can make the package more attractive to wine drinkers. The All-In Package includes the same general unlimited beverage benefits while also adding Wi-Fi and gratuities. Windstar’s published information also indicates that non-alcoholic beverages such as bottled water, sodas, specialty coffees, mocktails, and juices are generally included as part of the cruise experience, although specialty products and specific conditions should always be checked for the sailing. This is important because a traveler who mainly drinks coffee, soda, water, or other non-alcoholic beverages may not need an alcoholic beverage package at all. The package is most relevant for guests who would otherwise purchase multiple eligible alcoholic drinks. It is also important to remember that package benefits are personal, and Windstar’s terms do not turn an individual package into a shared benefit for other guests. The cruise line also encourages responsible alcohol use and reserves the right to limit service when necessary to avoid intoxication.
Included benefits can include:
The package is most likely to be worthwhile for travelers who naturally consume several eligible beverages on most cruise days. At the $79 advance price, a guest who enjoys a cocktail, several glasses of wine, or a combination of beer and cocktails can potentially approach the daily package cost relatively quickly. For example, using Windstar’s published price ranges, two $11 cocktails, two $10 glasses of wine, and one $7 beer would total approximately $49 before the 18% service charge. After the service charge, the total would be approximately $57.82, which is still below the $79 advance package price. However, adding two or three more eligible drinks can move the daily à la carte total much closer to or above the package price. This illustrates why the package is not automatically a bargain for every traveler. The most important factor is what you would genuinely purchase if you did not have a package. A guest who normally drinks five or six eligible beverages throughout a full day onboard may find the package convenient and potentially financially attractive. A guest who usually has one glass of wine with dinner may not. The package can also be more valuable for travelers who enjoy variety. Someone who likes to switch between wine, beer, and cocktails may receive more practical value than someone who drinks only one inexpensive beer per day. Ultimately, the best decision is based on your actual habits rather than the desire to maximize the package after purchasing it.
The package may be a good fit if you:
Paying individually is often the better option for light drinkers, travelers who spend most of the day ashore, or guests who prefer mostly complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. Windstar’s current published prices show that beer, wine by the glass, and cocktails are available at different price points, allowing guests to choose exactly what they want without committing to a daily package charge. A traveler who drinks one $8 glass of wine with dinner and perhaps an occasional $9 cocktail may spend considerably less than the $79 daily advance package price. The same can be true for guests on port-intensive itineraries. If you leave the ship early in the morning and return late in the afternoon or evening, you may have fewer opportunities to use an unlimited beverage package. The calculation becomes even more important on itineraries with many excursions or long days ashore. Travelers should also consider whether they already receive any included beverages or benefits through their cruise fare, booking promotion, suite category, or other package. Paying individually provides flexibility because you only pay for what you order. There is no need to drink more simply because a package has already been purchased. For guests whose beverage habits vary significantly from day to day, this flexibility can be valuable. The downside is that individual charges can accumulate quickly for travelers who regularly order cocktails, wine, or multiple drinks throughout the day, especially because Windstar applies an 18% service charge to à la carte beverage purchases according to its published beverage information.
Paying individually may be better if you:
For some travelers, the best beverage package on Windstar Cruises may actually be the All-In Package because it combines drinks with other valuable onboard services. The current All-In price is $99 per guest per day when purchased in advance and $109 onboard. The package includes Wi-Fi, unlimited eligible beer, wine, and cocktails, and gratuities. The key question is whether you would purchase those additional services separately. If you already want Wi-Fi for email, messaging, work, social media, or travel planning, the additional $20 per day over the advance Ultimate Beverage Package may be worth comparing with the cost of a standalone internet plan. Gratuities also matter because the All-In Package bundles them into the overall package. For travelers who value predictable budgeting, this can make the cruise feel simpler because fewer expenses need to be tracked onboard. However, the All-In Package is not automatically the best choice. A guest who drinks very little, rarely uses Wi-Fi, and does not need bundled gratuities may pay for benefits they will not use. The value therefore depends on the combined value of the services rather than the beverage component alone. Travelers should also check the exact package terms for their sailing because pricing, availability, and inclusions can change. In practical terms, the All-In Package is most attractive when you already expect to use all or most of its benefits. If you only want drinks, the Ultimate Beverage Package is the more direct comparison.
The All-In Package may make sense if you:
A simple break-even calculation can help answer should I buy a Windstar beverage package. Using the current advance price of $79 per guest per day, you need to compare your expected individual beverage spending with $79. Because Windstar’s listed à la carte prices range from approximately $5.95 for some beers to $13 for some wines and cocktails, the number of drinks needed to reach the package price depends on what you order. If you drink only $6 beers, it could take roughly 13 drinks to reach $79 before considering the service charge. If you choose $13 cocktails, approximately six drinks would reach $78 before the service charge. A mixed drinking pattern produces a different result. For example, three $10 glasses of wine and three $11 cocktails would total $63 before the service charge and approximately $74.34 after an 18% charge. One additional eligible drink could bring the daily total close to or above the advance package cost, depending on the price of that beverage. These examples are only illustrations because actual prices vary by selection, and the package may include benefits beyond simple drink mathematics. The key lesson is that the break-even point is not a universal number. A traveler should estimate the actual beverages they would normally buy rather than assuming that a particular number of drinks automatically makes the package worthwhile. The value can also change from day to day, which is why the overall cruise itinerary and average consumption are more useful than focusing on one unusually busy drinking day.
A rough comparison:
Your itinerary can significantly influence whether a package provides good value. On a sea day, you may spend nearly the entire day onboard, giving you more opportunities to visit bars, restaurants, lounges, and other areas where eligible beverages are served. On a port day, however, you might leave the ship after breakfast and spend many hours exploring a destination. If you purchase several drinks onboard before and after going ashore, the package may still be useful, but you may have fewer opportunities to use it than on a full sea day. This is why a beverage package review should consider the complete itinerary rather than only the package price. A seven-day cruise with four sea days could offer more opportunities to use an unlimited package than a seven-day cruise with six long port days, even though the package price is the same. Travelers should also think about their personal travel style. Some guests return to the ship early and enjoy the onboard bars in the afternoon, while others spend every possible hour ashore. Neither approach is better, but each affects the value calculation. A traveler who enjoys relaxing onboard after excursions may still use the package regularly. Someone who spends most evenings dining and drinking ashore may find fewer reasons to purchase an unlimited onboard option. The best strategy is to estimate the number of hours you will realistically spend onboard each day and then consider how often you would naturally order eligible drinks during that time.
Itinerary factors to consider:
Wine lovers may receive additional value from the package because Windstar states that guests with beverage packages can save 30% on bottles of wine with a retail value of up to $100. This benefit is worth considering when comparing the package with paying individually. A couple who enjoys sharing wine with dinner may find that the bottle discount reduces the effective cost of the package over the course of a cruise. The benefit is particularly relevant for travelers who would already purchase qualifying bottles. However, the discount should not be used as a reason to buy a package if you do not normally drink wine. A discount only creates real value when it applies to something you would otherwise purchase. Travelers should also distinguish between wine by the glass, which may be included under the eligible beverage package, and bottles, which may receive a discount rather than being included without additional charge. This distinction is important when calculating the total value of the package. For example, someone who drinks cocktails and also regularly purchases a qualifying bottle of wine could receive more overall value than someone who only drinks inexpensive beer. Wine enthusiasts should also check the current package terms and available wine selections for their specific sailing because beverage offerings and conditions may change. In a complete Windstar drink package review, the bottle discount should therefore be treated as a valuable secondary benefit rather than the main reason to purchase the package.
Wine-related value can come from:
The easiest way to save money with the package is to purchase it at the lower advance rate when possible. Windstar’s current published pricing shows a $10 per guest per day difference between advance and onboard pricing for both the Ultimate Beverage Package and the All-In Package. On a seven-day cruise, that difference can equal approximately $70 per guest. Travelers should also compare the package with their actual drinking habits before purchasing. Buying an unlimited package and then drinking more than you normally would simply to justify the price is not a genuine saving. A better approach is to estimate your likely daily consumption, consider the service charge that would apply to individual purchases, and factor in the qualifying wine-bottle discount. If you are considering the All-In Package, include the value of Wi-Fi and gratuities in the comparison. Another useful strategy is to consider the itinerary. A package may be more valuable on a cruise with multiple sea days and less valuable on a trip where you spend most of your time ashore. Finally, read the current package terms before purchasing because Windstar states that packages are subject to availability, are sold per person, and must be purchased for the full cruise duration under the applicable conditions. The most effective way to save is not necessarily to buy a package; it is to choose the option that most closely matches how you actually travel and spend.
Smart ways to improve value:
It can be worthwhile for travelers who regularly enjoy several eligible alcoholic beverages each day. Light drinkers may save money by paying individually, while frequent drinkers may appreciate the convenience and predictable cost of an unlimited package.
It depends on how much wine you drink. Guests who enjoy several glasses daily or regularly purchase qualifying wine bottles may find value in the package and its 30% discount on eligible wine bottles. Occasional wine drinkers may prefer paying individually.
The Ultimate Beverage Package is the most direct choice for guests who primarily want unlimited eligible beer, wine, and cocktails. The All-In Package may be better for travelers who also want Wi-Fi and gratuities bundled into one daily price.
Yes. Windstar’s current published rates show that advance purchase costs $10 less per guest per day than onboard purchase for both the Ultimate Beverage Package and the All-In Package.
Yes, potentially. The package can offer value when your normal daily spending on eligible drinks would approach or exceed the package price. However, light drinkers may save more by paying for beverages individually.
For many travelers, the answer to is the Windstar Cruises drink package worth buying is yes, but only if your normal beverage habits match the package price. The Ultimate Beverage Package costs $79 per guest per day when purchased in advance and includes unlimited eligible beer, wine, and cocktails by the glass. The All-In Package costs $99 per guest per day in advance and adds Wi-Fi and gratuities. Guests who regularly enjoy multiple cocktails, glasses of wine, or beers may find the package convenient and potentially valuable. Wine drinkers may also benefit from the 30% discount on qualifying wine bottles. On the other hand, guests who drink lightly, spend most of their days ashore, or mainly choose complimentary non-alcoholic beverages may be better off paying individually. The strongest recommendation is to calculate your expected daily spending honestly, consider your itinerary, compare the Ultimate and All-In options, and purchase in advance if you decide the package fits your needs. A drink package should make your cruise more convenient and predictable—not encourage you to spend more or drink more than you otherwise would.
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