Premium cruise drinks packages, decoded — Azamara, Viking, Oceania & Windstar

You’ve paid a premium fare, so a $30-a-day drinks upgrade won’t break you. The mistake people actually make is paying twice for something their fare already includes, because nobody really spells out what “included” covers. So treat this as a guide to what you’re getting, not a budget scare.

The CruiseClarity Three-Question Test

One habit does most of the work here, and it works on any line. When a brochure says a drink is “included,” it’s usually skipped over three questions. Ask them yourself:

• Which drinks — the house pour, or the brand you’d actually order? The upgrades mostly buy recognisable premium labels — supermarket wine versus a restaurant’s reserve list — not more alcohol.
• When — only at lunch and dinner, or any time you fancy one?
• Where — only at the dining table, or at the pool bar at four o’clock?

Answer those three and most of the confusion goes — and most of the upsell with it. They also split the premium lines into two groups:

• Upgrade lines (Azamara, Viking, Oceania) — a lot is already included; you pay only to climb to premium brands or to drink more freely.
• Bundle lines (Windstar) — almost no alcohol is included; you either pay per drink or buy one all-in package.

Meals-only or anytime — the part most people miss

On most premium lines the “included drinks” are poured only at lunch and dinner, in the restaurants. A gin and tonic at the bar at 3pm, or a nightcap after the show, isn’t included — that’s what the upgrade is for. The exception is Azamara, where the included drinks are available all day, at the bars and lounges too. Here’s how the four compare:

Who should actually buy the package?

You probably think in habits, not break-even sums. So here’s the plain version — buy the upgrade if:

• Azamara — you’re particular about wine, drink champagne, or want top-shelf spirits. Otherwise the included range already covers you.
• Viking — you enjoy cocktails or a drink in the bar in the evening. If it’s just wine with dinner, you’re already covered.
• Oceania — you took the excursion credit (so have no drinks included), or you drink spirits and cocktails.
• Windstar — you average roughly five to six alcoholic drinks a day. That’s about the $99/day break-even; below it, pay per glass.

On Azamara, Viking and Oceania, the package usually isn’t about saving money — it’s about convenience and the brands you like. Only on Windstar does it come down to plain arithmetic.

What first-time guests get wrong

• Azamara — most people discover they were already covered, and over-bought a package they didn’t need.
• Viking — the bar isn’t included after dinner — the included drinks stop when the meal does.
• Oceania — Your World Included doesn’t automatically cover alcohol; it depends on the perk you chose at booking.
• Windstar — the All-Inclusive package isn’t just drinks — it also folds in Wi-Fi and gratuities, which changes the maths.

A few quick questions

Is the Viking Silver Spirits package worth it?

Only if you drink at the bar between meals, or want spirits and cocktails — house wine and beer are already included with lunch and dinner. If it’s mainly wine with dinner, you can skip it.

Does Oceania include alcohol?

Only sometimes. Non-alcoholic drinks are always included; wine and beer come with lunch and dinner only if you chose the Wine & Beer amenity over the excursion credit under Your World Included. Spirits and cocktails need the Prestige Select upgrade.

What does Oceania’s Prestige Select package cover, and what costs extra?

It covers the full standard bar menu — cocktails, spirits, beer and more than 30 wines and champagnes by the glass — with by-the-glass pours running up to roughly $18–20 each. Outside it: anything on the separate Premier Spirits list, wines by the bottle, and a few specialty items such as the Red Ginger sake selection. Gratuities on covered drinks are included. For most guests that ceiling sits above almost everything they’d order, so it rarely comes into play.

Can I use Oceania’s shore-excursion credit as onboard credit?

Partly. The shore-excursion credit is one of the two Your World Included choices, and it lands on your account as a shipboard credit. You’re meant to spend it on Oceania excursions, but any unused portion can still be used onboard during the same voyage. The catch: it’s non-refundable and is forfeited if you don’t use it before you disembark — so pick this option only if you’ll genuinely book Oceania tours, rather than expecting to take the value home.

Is Azamara’s drinks package worth buying?

For most guests, no — standard spirits, beer, wine and cocktails are already included all day. The Premium and Ultimate upgrades only pay off if you want top-shelf brands or champagne.

Do both guests in a cabin have to buy the drinks package?

Usually yes. Azamara, Viking and Oceania all require both adults sharing a stateroom to buy the package, for the full length of the cruise. If one of you barely drinks, that doubled cost is the single biggest thing to weigh.

Are soft drinks, coffee and water included if I don’t drink alcohol?

Specialty coffees, teas and water are free on all four lines, and soft drinks are included too — all day on Azamara, Oceania and Windstar. The exception is Viking: a soft drink from the bar between meals is charged there (coffee, tea and water stay free around the clock). A non-drinker rarely needs a full package — just factor in Viking’s between-meals sodas.

Can I bring my own wine on board?

Usually yes, within limits, and you may pay a corkage fee to drink it in the restaurants rather than your cabin. Policies vary by line and fare, so confirm yours before you pack a bottle.

Can I buy the package onboard, or must I pre-book?

Both, usually — but onboard often costs more. Windstar’s All-Inclusive is about $99/day pre-cruise versus $109 onboard, and some lines want you to commit in the first day or two.

Is the package refundable?

Generally not once you’ve sailed. Pre-cruise cancellations may be refundable under your fare terms, so check the conditions before you commit.