Cruise Drink Package Calculator

Cruise Drink Package Calculator

Use this calculator to determine if a cruise drink package is a cost-effective option for your next vacation. Input your estimated daily drink consumption and package costs to see the potential savings or extra expense.

Your Estimated Daily Drink Consumption (Per Person)

Drink Package Details

function calculateDrinkPackage() { var cruiseDays = parseFloat(document.getElementById('cruiseDays').value); var numAdults = parseFloat(document.getElementById('numAdults').value); var alcoholicDrinksPerDay = parseFloat(document.getElementById('alcoholicDrinksPerDay').value); var avgAlcoholicDrinkCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById('avgAlcoholicDrinkCost').value); var nonAlcoholicDrinksPerDay = parseFloat(document.getElementById('nonAlcoholicDrinksPerDay').value); var avgNonAlcoholicDrinkCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById('avgNonAlcoholicDrinkCost').value); var packageCostPerDay = parseFloat(document.getElementById('packageCostPerDay').value); var gratuityRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('gratuityRate').value); var resultDiv = document.getElementById('result'); resultDiv.innerHTML = "; // Clear previous results // Input validation if (isNaN(cruiseDays) || cruiseDays <= 0 || isNaN(numAdults) || numAdults <= 0 || isNaN(alcoholicDrinksPerDay) || alcoholicDrinksPerDay < 0 || isNaN(avgAlcoholicDrinkCost) || avgAlcoholicDrinkCost < 0 || isNaN(nonAlcoholicDrinksPerDay) || nonAlcoholicDrinksPerDay < 0 || isNaN(avgNonAlcoholicDrinkCost) || avgNonAlcoholicDrinkCost < 0 || isNaN(packageCostPerDay) || packageCostPerDay < 0 || isNaN(gratuityRate) || gratuityRate 0) { recommendation = 'Recommendation: The drink package could save you money!'; } else if (difference < 0) { recommendation = 'Recommendation: Buying drinks individually might be cheaper for you.'; } else { recommendation = 'Recommendation: The costs are approximately the same.'; } resultDiv.innerHTML = `

Calculation Results

Total Estimated Cost (Buying Individually): $${totalIndividualCostWithGratuity.toFixed(2)} Total Estimated Cost (Drink Package): $${totalPackageCostWithGratuity.toFixed(2)} Difference (Individual Cost – Package Cost): $${difference.toFixed(2)} ${recommendation} Note: This calculation assumes gratuities are added to both individual drinks and the package price at the specified rate. Always check your cruise line's specific policies. `; } .calculator-container { font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 25px; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); max-width: 700px; margin: 20px auto; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; } .calculator-container h2, .calculator-container h3 { color: #0056b3; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px; font-weight: 600; } .calculator-container p { color: #333; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 15px; } .calc-input-group { margin-bottom: 15px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; } .calc-input-group label { margin-bottom: 8px; font-weight: bold; color: #555; font-size: 15px; } .calc-input-group input[type="number"] { padding: 10px 12px; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 5px; font-size: 16px; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; transition: border-color 0.3s ease; } .calc-input-group input[type="number"]:focus { border-color: #007bff; outline: none; box-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(0, 123, 255, 0.2); } .calculator-container button { background-color: #007bff; color: white; padding: 12px 25px; border: none; border-radius: 5px; font-size: 18px; cursor: pointer; display: block; width: 100%; margin-top: 25px; transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.2s ease; } .calculator-container button:hover { background-color: #0056b3; transform: translateY(-2px); } .calculator-result { margin-top: 30px; padding: 20px; background-color: #e9f7ff; border: 1px solid #cce5ff; border-radius: 8px; font-size: 17px; color: #004085; } .calculator-result h3 { color: #0056b3; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: left; } .calculator-result p { margin-bottom: 10px; color: #333; } .calculator-result p strong { color: #0056b3; } .calculator-result .success { color: #28a745; font-weight: bold; } .calculator-result .warning { color: #dc3545; font-weight: bold; } .calculator-result .error { color: #dc3545; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; } .calculator-result .note { font-size: 14px; color: #6c757d; margin-top: 20px; border-top: 1px dashed #cce5ff; padding-top: 15px; }

Understanding Cruise Drink Packages: Are They Worth It?

Cruise drink packages are a popular offering on most major cruise lines, promising a hassle-free way to enjoy beverages throughout your voyage. These packages typically include a wide range of drinks, from sodas and specialty coffees to alcoholic cocktails, wines, and beers, for a fixed daily price. While they can seem like a great deal, deciding whether a drink package is right for you requires a bit of calculation and an honest assessment of your drinking habits.

What's Typically Included?

Most standard drink packages cover:

• Alcoholic Beverages: Beer, wine by the glass, spirits, and cocktails up to a certain price point (e.g., $12-$15 per drink). Premium brands or very expensive wines might be excluded or incur an upcharge.
• Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Sodas, fresh juices, bottled water, specialty coffees (lattes, cappuccinos), and sometimes energy drinks.
• Exclusions: Mini-bar items, room service beverages, souvenir glasses, and sometimes specific premium brands are often not included.

It's crucial to review the specific terms and conditions of the drink package offered by your cruise line, as inclusions and exclusions can vary significantly.

Factors to Consider Before Buying

1. Your Drinking Habits: This is the most critical factor. If you only have one or two alcoholic drinks a day, plus a few sodas, a package might not pay off. If you enjoy several cocktails, glasses of wine, specialty coffees, and bottled water daily, it becomes much more appealing.
2. Cruise Itinerary: Port-intensive cruises mean you'll spend less time on the ship and potentially less time utilizing the package. Sea-day heavy cruises, however, offer more opportunities to get your money's worth.
3. Cruise Line Policy: Some cruise lines require all adults in the same cabin to purchase a drink package if one person does. This can significantly increase the total cost, especially if one person drinks very little.
4. Included Gratuities: Many packages include gratuities in the upfront cost, while others add an 18-20% gratuity on top of the package price. Individual drinks almost always have gratuities added. Our calculator accounts for this.
5. Other Inclusions: Some cruise fares or loyalty perks might already include certain drinks (e.g., bottled water, basic coffee, juice at breakfast). Don't pay for what you already have!
6. Non-Alcoholic Consumption: Don't forget to factor in specialty coffees, sodas, and bottled water. These can add up quickly if purchased individually.

How to Use the Calculator

Our Cruise Drink Package Calculator helps you compare the total cost of buying drinks individually versus purchasing a package. Here's how to use it:

• Number of Cruise Days: Enter the total duration of your cruise.
• Number of Adults in Cabin: Input how many adults in your cabin would need to purchase the package (if applicable by cruise line policy).
• Avg. Alcoholic Drinks Per Day: Estimate how many alcoholic beverages you (and each adult in your cabin) would typically consume daily.
• Avg. Cost Per Alcoholic Drink: Provide an average cost for an individual alcoholic drink on your cruise (e.g., $12-$15).
• Avg. Non-Alcoholic Drinks Per Day: Estimate your daily consumption of sodas, specialty coffees, and bottled water.
• Avg. Cost Per Non-Alcoholic Drink: Input an average cost for these non-alcoholic items (e.g., $3-$7).
• Drink Package Cost Per Person Per Day: Enter the daily cost of the drink package per person.
• Gratuity Rate: Specify the gratuity percentage (e.g., 18 for 18%) that would be added to individual drinks and potentially the package if not already included.

The calculator will then provide a clear comparison, showing your estimated total cost for individual purchases versus the package, including gratuities, and recommend which option might be more economical for your specific habits.

Example Scenario:

Let's say you're on a 7-day cruise with one other adult. Each of you typically enjoys 4 alcoholic drinks (avg. $12 each) and 3 non-alcoholic drinks (avg. $5 each) per day. The drink package costs $70 per person per day, and gratuities are 18%.

• Individual Daily Cost (per person): (4 x $12) + (3 x $5) = $48 + $15 = $63
• Individual Total Cost (2 people, 7 days, before gratuity): $63 x 7 days x 2 people = $882
• Individual Total Cost (with 18% gratuity): $882 x 1.18 = $1040.76
• Package Total Cost (2 people, 7 days, before gratuity): $70 x 7 days x 2 people = $980
• Package Total Cost (with 18% gratuity): $980 x 1.18 = $1156.40

In this example, buying drinks individually ($1040.76) would be slightly cheaper than the package ($1156.40), saving you approximately $115.64. However, if you were to have just one more alcoholic drink per day, the package might become the better value.

Ultimately, a cruise drink package offers convenience and can help manage your budget by providing a fixed cost. However, it's not always the cheapest option. Use this calculator to make an informed decision tailored to your personal preferences and cruise details.