Is a Cruise Package Worth It?

Published: June 30, 2026|Kimberly Williams
Cruise departing from Vancouver, Canada passing under the Lions Gate Bridge with Stanley Park and sunset in view

Most travelers approach cruise packages the same way: look at what’s included, check the price, and try to figure out if they’ll get their money’s worth. That’s the wrong question.

The right question is simpler: would you have bought those things anyway?

A package that saves one traveler hundreds of dollars may add unnecessary cost for the traveler in the next cabin. The difference isn’t the price. It’s how they vacation. This guide walks you through a three-step framework for making that decision clearly, without second-guessing yourself at every port.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend experiences, accommodations, and services I’ve taken part in personally or researched thoroughly. See our Privacy Policy for more details.

1Estimate What You’d Buy Without a Package

Before you look at package pricing, think honestly about how you travel. Not how you wish you traveled. How you actually travel.

Start by asking yourself these questions:

Beverages

  • Will I purchase alcoholic beverages onboard?
  • How many specialty coffees will I drink each day?
  • Will I buy bottled water regularly?
  • Do I drink soda, mocktails, or energy drinks?

Wi-Fi

  • Is staying connected important to me onboard?
  • Will I use Wi-Fi throughout the cruise or only occasionally?
  • Do I need it for work, or just casual browsing?

Dining

  • Am I interested in specialty dining restaurants?
  • Would I pay for them individually if not included?
  • How many specialty meals would I realistically book?

Everything Else

  • Would I prepay crew appreciation if given the option?
  • Do I value having most expenses settled before boarding?
  • Does a simpler onboard experience matter to me?

💡 BSF Tip

Be honest with yourself here. If you rarely drink alcohol at home, a premium beverage package probably won’t change that onboard. If you can’t start your morning without a specialty coffee, that matters. The accuracy of this step determines how useful the next one is.

2Compare the Total Cost

Once you know what you’d realistically purchase, estimate what those items would cost if you paid for them individually. Then compare that total to the cost of the package.

There are three possible outcomes:

✅

Package Saves Money

The package costs less than buying each item separately. Clear financial value.

≈

About the Same

The math is close either way. Other factors should drive your decision.

💰

À la Carte is Less

Paying individually costs less. A package may still make sense for other reasons.

Any of those three outcomes can still be the right decision. The numbers matter, but they don’t tell the whole story.

3Consider the Value Beyond the Numbers

Not every benefit of a cruise package shows up in a spreadsheet.

Some travelers genuinely enjoy knowing that most of their vacation expenses are settled before they board. There are no daily decisions about whether to order another drink, no mental math at dinner, no bill to review at the end. The vacation feels simpler because it is simpler.

Other travelers prefer the flexibility of paying only for what they actually use. They’d rather keep control and not feel like they’re racing to justify a package. That preference is just as valid.

⭐ BSF Recommendation — The Better Question

Instead of asking “Will I get my money’s worth?” ask yourself: “Would I have purchased these items anyway?” That shift in perspective often makes the decision straightforward. A package that covers three things you’d definitely buy is almost always worth it. A package padded with perks you’ll never use rarely is.

BSF Firsthand Observations

We’ve sailed with two different package structures, and the experience was noticeably different each time. Not better or worse. Just different.

BSF Firsthand

Princess — Alaska Cruise

“Knowing that most of our onboard expenses were already settled made the vacation feel more relaxed. We spent very little time thinking about additional purchases.”

With Princess Plus, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and beverages were bundled before we boarded. The mental freedom that came with that was real. For our travel style, that was worth as much as the dollar value of what was included.

BSF Firsthand

Norwegian — Mediterranean Cruise

“We found ourselves paying closer attention to what was and wasn’t included. The charges were consistent with the terms, but the experience reminded us that the details really matter.”

Understanding what’s in (and out of) a package before you board makes a meaningful difference in how the vacation feels once you’re onboard. Reading the fine print isn’t exciting, but it pays off.

👀 Things to Expect

Neither experience was right or wrong. They were two different approaches to packaging a cruise vacation. Your experience will depend on your travel style, what you prioritize onboard, and how carefully you understand your package terms before you sail.

Questions to Ask Before You Book

Cruise package names may sound similar across cruise lines, but the details often differ significantly. Before committing, get answers to these questions. The answers can have as much impact on your vacation cost as the advertised fare.

Beverage Package ▼
  • Which drinks are included, and which aren’t?
  • Is there a per-drink dollar cap? What happens if a drink exceeds it?
  • Is there a daily limit on alcoholic beverages?
  • Are specialty coffees, bottled water, fresh juice, mocktails, and energy drinks included?
  • Are beverage service charges included in the package price, or added on top?
Wi-Fi ▼
  • How many devices are covered under the package?
  • Can I switch between devices, or is it locked to one?
  • Does it support streaming, or is it basic browsing only?
  • Is the connection likely to meet my needs in remote sailing areas?
  • Is Wi-Fi included for all guests in the cabin, or just one?
Specialty Dining ▼
  • Which restaurants are included, and are any excluded?
  • How many specialty dining meals are included?
  • Are reservations required? Are there blackout dates or peak-time restrictions?
  • Is dining complimentary or discounted? There is a significant difference.
  • Are dining service charges included in the package?
Crew Appreciation & Service Charges ▼
  • Is daily crew appreciation (gratuities) included in the package?
  • Are beverage or dining service charges separate from gratuities?
  • Are there automatic charges that still apply even with the package?
  • Does the package cover all guests in the cabin, or just the primary guest?
General Package Questions ▼
  • Does everyone in the stateroom have to purchase the same package?
  • Can the package be added or changed after booking?
  • Is it less expensive to purchase before sailing than onboard?
  • Are there promotions available for my specific sailing?
  • What happens to my package if I change or reprice my reservation?

Bottom Line

Cruise packages are designed to simplify your vacation. But they don’t all simplify it in the same way, and simplicity isn’t free.

The best package isn’t the one with the most inclusions or the highest price. It’s the one that covers the amenities you’d actually use, removes the onboard decisions you’d rather not think about, and fits the way you naturally travel.

⭐ BSF Recommendation

Our goal isn’t to tell you which package to choose. It’s to give you the framework and the right questions so you can choose the one that fits how you actually vacation. Start with what you’d buy anyway. Work backward from there. The answer usually becomes clear.

Continue Planning

Compare Packages Across Cruise Lines

See how Princess, Norwegian, Holland America, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival structure their packages side by side.

Alaska Cruise Planning Guide →
| |