How to Save on Drink Packages and Dining Upgrades

Cruises are known for their all-inclusive perks—but not everything comes bundled with your fare. Drink packages, specialty dining, and premium upgrades can easily add hundreds to your total bill. The good news? You don’t have to skip the indulgence to stay on budget. With a few strategic choices and tools, you can save money on cruise extras without sacrificing your experience.

Here’s how to make the most of onboard packages while keeping costs in check.

Understand what’s already included

Before you purchase any add-ons, know what’s free. Most cruise lines include:

• Standard dining in main dining rooms and buffets

• Basic drinks like water, tea, coffee, and some juices

• Entertainment and daily activities

However, alcohol, soft drink packages, premium coffee, and specialty restaurants often cost extra.

Book drink and dining packages in advance

Most cruise lines offer a discount if you pre-purchase drink or dining packages before embarkation. You can often save 10–20% compared to buying on board. Pre-booking also lets you lock in pricing before any onboard price hikes.

Skip the package: pay as you go

If you’re not a heavy drinker or you only want one or two specialty meals, paying a la carte might make more sense. Here’s when it’s better to skip the bundle:

• You plan to spend most of your day off the ship

• Your itinerary includes ports with cheaper local drinks and food

• You prefer non-alcoholic beverages not covered by drink packages

• You’re part of a loyalty program that offers free perks

Also consider that many lines offer “happy hour” deals or free drinks at events like the captain’s reception or casino.

Use gift cards or cashback tools to reduce the cost

Cruise lines allow the use of gift cards for pre-paying onboard packages. This means you can buy a Carnival gift card from Fluz and apply it to dining or drink upgrades while earning cashback. You can also get cashback from Marriott (if you’re staying pre-cruise) and Uber to save on transportation to the port!

You can also use a Fluz virtual card to earn up to 1.5% cashback on purchases made through cruise portals, hotel bookings, or excursions that don’t accept gift cards directly.

Watch for promotions and bundle deals

Cruise lines regularly run sales offering package upgrades as part of their promotional fares. These can include:

• Free drink packages with balcony cabin upgrades

• “Pick your perk” sales that include Wi-Fi, dining, or drinks

• Discounts for booking multiple dining nights in advance

Visit your cruise line’s promotions page or subscribe to their email lists to stay informed. You can also monitor sites like Cruise Critic or Cruisewatch for sales alerts.

Enjoy more, spend less

With the right approach, you can enjoy cocktails at sunset and fine dining at sea without breaking your budget. From booking early to using gift cards with cashback, each step can shave dollars off your total cost.

To make your cruise even more rewarding, explore platforms like Fluz that help travelers earn cashback on pre-cruise and onboard spending. The savings add up—one sip and bite at a time.