Why drinks are the hardest part to budget
Your fare, cabin and flights are fixed numbers. Drinks aren't. They depend on how many sea days you have, whether you're celebrating, and how long those sunset conversations run.
That's why bar bills surprise people. A cocktail before dinner, wine with it and a nightcap afterward feels modest in the moment, then adds up across a week.
Start with how you actually drink
Before you look at any prices, picture a typical day. Be honest, and remember that vacation days rarely look like weekdays at home.
- How many drinks would you have on a lazy sea day?
- And on a port day, when you're ashore until late afternoon?
- Cocktails, wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee, or a mix?
- Are there celebration nights where you'll order a bottle?
- Will you drink ashore, where you pay local prices instead?
Estimate it in two minutes
Our estimator turns those habits into a number. Enter your nights, how many adults are drinking and how many drinks each of you has on a typical day, then the average price from your ship's menu. It works out your total, per person and per day.
It doesn't assume any prices, so it stays accurate whichever sailing you choose. Come back and update it once you have the real menu.
Free toolCruise Drink Cost Estimator
Three quick questions give you a realistic Virgin Voyages bar bill, using Virgin's own published drink prices, and tell you which Bar Tab to prepay, if any.
Is a prepaid bar tab or drink package worth it?
If your cruise line offers a prepaid tab or a drink package, the question is simple: will you drink enough to come out ahead? Divide the price of the offer by the number of drinks you expect. If that's less than the price of the drinks you usually order, it's worth a look.
Read the terms before you buy. Check whether unused credit expires, whether it can be refunded, and whether everyone in the cabin has to buy it.
Easy ways to keep the bar bill in check
None of these mean drinking less. They just stop the total from drifting.
- Check which drinks your fare already includes, and lean on them during the day
- Set a rough daily number for the two of you and check your onboard account midway
- Share a bottle of wine at dinner instead of ordering by the glass
- Save the cocktail list for sunset rather than poolside all afternoon
- Enjoy a drink ashore on port days, where local prices may be lower
Check what's already included
Inclusions vary by cruise line and can change. Before you budget, check exactly which drinks come with your fare for the sailing you're considering, and whether a service charge is added at the bar.
Frequently asked questions
Are drinks included on Virgin Voyages?
Alcoholic drinks are usually extra. Check the cruise line's website for which non-alcoholic drinks your fare includes before you sail.
Is a cruise drink package worth it?
Only if you'll drink more than its break-even point. Divide the package price by the drinks you expect; if that's below what you'd normally pay per drink, it may be worth it.
Can I bring my own alcohol on a cruise?
Each cruise line sets its own rules on bringing wine or spirits aboard. Check the current policy for your sailing before you pack a bottle.
Do people drink more on sea days?
Usually, yes. With nowhere to be, sea days tend to mean more time at the pool and the bar, so estimate them separately from port days.
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