Have you gotten to the end of your cruise and dreaded getting that final bar bill? Well, you can avoid sticker shock on your next sailing by considering a beverage package. Many mainstream cruise lines now offer alcoholic beverage packages that allow travelers to pay one flat fee for access to most drinks on board.

To help you sift through some of the confusion around the various programs and options, we've put together this updated Super guide to cruise ship drink packages available to cruisers age 21 and up. Note that drinks are included on all-inclusive luxury cruise lines.

JD Lasica / Special to CruiseableColorful cocktails served in the Explorers' Lounge on Viking Star.

Cruise ship drink package basics

While each cruise line’s alcoholic beverage package is slightly different, they almost all have certain inclusions and restrictions that you should know before buying one of the packages.

• Most drink packages are priced per person, with a flat fee per day.
• You need to purchase the drink package for the entire cruise, not just select days.
• An additional service charge (of either 15% or 18%) is added to the total purchase price of a drink package at checkout.

• Once the cruise has begun, beverage packages are non-refundable and non-transferable.
• Many cruise lines require all individuals in a stateroom to purchase a beverage package.
• Beverage packages are usually not offered on chartered sailings or on cruises of two nights or fewer.
• Most packages cover beverages purchased in onboard restaurants (including specialty restaurants), lounges, bars, at poolside and at outside venues, and they usually work on the cruise lines’ private islands. 
• Cruise drink packages often cover drinks up to a certain dollar amount, with cruisers needing to pay the difference for any drinks that are above this maximum allotment. Sorry, no $1,200 bottles of Chateau Lafite Rothschild!
• Most drink packages do not cover bottles of wine (though discounts sometimes apply) or bottles of liquor, nor are mini-bar items, souvenir cup/specialty promotions or room service purchases usually covered.
• Cruisers are entitled to one drink at a time, whether it is alcoholic or non-alcoholic, and the drink package does not cover onboard specials like “buckets of beer” (thank goodness).
• Drink packages are for your own personal consumption, meaning no sharing of drinks with other cruisers who don't have a package.
• Most cruise line packages are “unlimited” for the duration of the cruise. Do the math and decide if you'll save money by springing for a drink package. 
• Make sure you consume responsibly as cruise lines reserve the right to deny service to individuals who are intoxicated.

Here's our rundown of cruise line beverage package options: 

Don and Heidi Bucolo / Special to CruiseableRelax with a margarita — a Grand Sabor or Jalapeño Cucumber — at Sabor on Harmony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean International

• The Deluxe Beverage Package: Starting at $56-$105 a day depending on the sailing —plus 18% service charge — the Deluxe Beverage package covers all beers, wines by the glass, cocktails priced up to $14, plus premium coffee drinks. The package also includes 500-milliliter bottled still water, specialty coffees at onboard coffee shops (Starbucks on Oasis-class ships is not included), as well as soda, energy drinks and juices. The plan can't be used for drinks priced above $14. If you are booked on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you can often score a 20% (or greater) discount on the package by purchasing early in your Cruise Planner. Plus, receive a 40% discount on bottled wines priced up to $100, and 20% discount on wine prices above $100. Beverage packages may be used on Royal Caribbean's private islands, Perfect Day at Coco Cay and Labadee.

Rick Diaz / Courtesy of Carnival Cruise LineThe BlueIguana Tequila Bar on Carnival Vista is a great spot to chill and enjoy a slushy tequila drink or an ice-cold Mexican cerveza.

Carnival Cruise Line

• The Cheers! Program: One of the best mainstream cruise line packages, the Cheers program on Carnival cruise ships covers quite a lot for $59.95 a day (purchased in advance) or $64.95 (purchased on board), plus 15% service charge. All cocktails, beers and wines by the glass up to $20 are covered on the package. The line reasonably limits the number of alcoholic beverages consumed by an individual to 15 drinks during a 24-hour period. A variety of additional non-alcoholic beverages are unlimited, including soft drinks, zero-proof cocktails, energy drinks, 500ml bottled water, premium bottled water at dinner and specialty coffees and teas. You also get a 25% discount off the menu price for any spirit or wine by the glass above $20. All individuals over 21 in a cabin must purchase the plan for the entire duration of the cruise. The package is available on all ships except those sailing in Europe or Australia.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise LineSip away at Sugarcane Mojito Bar, one of 21 bars and lounges on board Norwegian Escape.

Norwegian Cruise Line

• Premium Beverage Package: Starting at the hefty price of $138 per day (plus 20% service charge), Norwegian’s Premium Beverage Package includes wines, beers, spirits, champagnes and cocktails priced at $15 or less per glass. The package also covers unlimited Starbucks coffee and specialty drinks, bottled water, soda, juices and energy drinks. There's also a 40% discount on other bottles of wine. While the package works on the cruise line’s private island of Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, it does not include drinks at the line’s Harvest Caye in Belize. Beverage packages must be purchased for all guests staying within the same stateroom, additional stateroom or adjoining stateroom. Individuals under the age of 21 will be required to purchase the Soda Program.
• The Unlimited Open Bar Beverage Package, at a cost of $109 per day, adds spirits and cocktails priced up to $15. This is the drink package that many travelers get comped as part of Norwegian's Free at Sea promotion, although cruisers still have to pay 20% of the package price for gratuities. As with the above, all guests in the party must purchase the package, and those under 21 must buy the Soda Program. 

JD Lasica / Special to CruiseableLucia, one of the servers on Ruby Princess, en route to bringing drinks to guests.

Princess Cruises

• Premier Beverage Package: With a per-day price of $84.99 (plus an 18% service charge), the Premier Beverage Package on Princess Cruises covers all beverages, including soda, water, specialty coffees, as well as beers, wines by the glass, cocktails up to $20 a glass. Also included are energy drinks, smoothies, milkshakes, specialty coffees, teas and bottled water. The package also brings a 25% discount on wine bottle purchases. Depending on the region/ship, Princess Cruises may not offer the package for certain sailings, and the prices and coverage are different for Australian cruises. Still, the package covers the vast majority of drinks offered at onboard bars and restaurants. Plus, the cruise line does not require all individuals in a cabin to purchase the package.

Courtesy of Holland America LineRelax and chat up some new friends at the Panorama Bar on ms Koningsdam.

Holland America Line

• Elite Beverage Package: Holland America offers a Signature Beverage Package. For a daily charge of $59.95 (plus 18% gratuity), the package covers beers, wines by the glass and cocktails priced up to $15. The package also includes bottled water, soda, mocktails, juices, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas and bottled water. Holland America caps the total number of drinks to 15 a day, and this total includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Also, any drink not covered in the plan must be paid 100% out of pocket. Also available is the Signature Beverage Package at $54.95 per day, you're able to order single drinks up to $11.

Courtesy of Celebrity CruisesThe Martini Bar aboard Celebrity Solstice is a great venue for mingling and socializing.

Celebrity Cruise Line

• Premium Drink Package: At a per day cost of $109 (plus 20% gratuity), the Premium Package on Celebrity Cruises includes all beer, wine and cocktails priced at $17 a glass or less. A wide range of premium options are covered in the package, including craft cocktails and specialty beers and wines. Along with premium coffee and soft drinks, this package also includes bottled and freshly squeezed juices, purified bottled water as well as Vitamin Water and Red Bull. All cruisers in a cabin are not required to purchase a beverage package. The package also offers a 20% discount on wine bottle purchases.
• Classic Package: At a cost of $89 a day (plus 20% gratuity), this package includes a more limited selection than the Premium Package: beers, cocktails and wines. Many liquor brands are included, but signature cocktails cost extra. Premium coffees and “non-premium” bottled water, along with juices and soft drinks, are also part of this package. Packages do not include drinks from in-room minibars. Drinks ordered from room service also aren't included.

JD Lasica / Special to CruiseableA cool blue drink served in the Explorers' Lounge on Viking Star.

Viking Ocean Cruises

• Silver Spirits: Viking, with its fleet of sleek ocean-faring ships, offers a Silver Spirits drinks package for $25 per day for its ocean ships, covering beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks and cocktails priced at up to $18 with no restrictions, apart from champagne. Soda, beer and house wines by the glass ordered at lunch and dinner are already included in the fare at Viking; specialty coffees and teas at all hours also come with the base fare. The package also offers a 15% discount on wine bottles and premium beverages costing more than $15 that aren't included in the package. The package can be booked in advance or purchased on board.  

Courtesy of MSC CruisesWith a décor both exotic and whimsical, the Savannah Bar brings a touch of Africa to MSC Orchestra.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers a choice of multiple drinks packages. The three main packages are:

• Easy Package: With prices of $46 to $60 per day depending on the sailing, guests can select from a limited number of drinks. It's not valid in specialty restaurants. Note that, unlike most cruise lines, MSC does not add service charges to drink package purchases.
• Easy Plus Package: At a cost of $61 per day (booked in advance) or $72 (booked on board), cruisers can consume a selection of draught and bottled beers, a wider selection of wines by the glass and cocktails priced up to $10, standard and premium spirits and more. Certain venue restrictions apply.
• Premium Extra Package: This package will set you back $85 per day (for sailings of seven days or longer) if booked in advance, $100 if booked on board, or $88 and $104, respectively, for sailings of six or fewer nights. Covered are draft, craft and bottled beers, wines and champagne by the glass, connoisseurs' selection of spirits, all cocktails, minibar, drinks and food from room service menu. Also included are soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, hot chocolate drinks, specialty coffees, teas and bottled water. Certain venue restrictions apply. The package also offers a 25% discount on wine and Champagne bottle purchases. 

Courtesy of Cunard LineYou can choose from a wide assortment of brews on tap at the Golden Lion Pub aboard Queen Mary 2 — just don't look for a drink package on Cunard.

Cunard Line

• Cunard Line, with upscale ships Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and the new Queen Anne, offers a World of Drinks package that covers individual drinks up to $12 in price. The package includes draft beer, wine (served in 150ml measures), spirits and liqueurs (served in 1 oz. measures) and cocktails by the glass. The package also includes all beverages available in ITS Premium Non-Alcoholic package. Purchasers also receive 20% off drinks that are priced over $12. Here's the pricing for on-board daily prices for cruises of 6 nights or more (and fewer than 5 nights in parentheses):
  Beers, Wines and Spirits Option — $85.50 ($95)
  Premium Non‑Alcoholic Option — $40.50 ($45)
  Speciality Hot Drinks Option — $15.75 ($17.50)
  Soft Drinks Option — $13.50 ($15)

Disney Cruise Line

• Disney Cruise Line does not offer a traditional alcoholic beverage package for its family-friendly ships. It does offer a wine and dine program, where cruisers can save by pre-purchasing select bottles of wine for a discounted price.

Courtesy of Costa CruisesCosta Fascinosa hosts 13 bars and lounges.

Other cruise lines

• Windstar Cruises features a Captain's Exclusive Beverage Package at $65 per person per day (plus an 18% gratuity) that includes beer, wine by the glass, spirits and cocktails. Soda, specialty coffees and other nonalcoholic beverages are already included in the base fare on Windstar sailings. You can also opt for the Topmast Discoveries Beer and Wine Package at $55 per day, which includes a choice of beers and premium wines but not spirits and cocktails.
• On Virgin Voyages, pre-purchase a $100, $200, or $300 Bar Tab and score bonus onboard credit to boost your drink experience.
• Costa Cruises' My Drinks and My Drinks Plus packages that cover Heineken, Corona, Beck's beers, aperitifs, liqueurs, spirits, soft drinks, coffee drinks and wines with dinner. Prices vary. 

How about you? Have you purchased a drink package, and was it worth it? Let me know in the comments below.

Updated from an earlier post. 

In our series: Cruise Food & Drink

• 5 favorite cruise ship bars
• 5 best cruise ship bars for beer lovers
• All about specialty restaurants
• 6 rooftop bars with world-class views