How To Pay For Drinks On MSC Cruises: What MSC Cruises Guests Should Know for 2026
Plenty of MSC Cruises guests ask about paying for drinks onboard, so here's a clear rundown of how it actually works.
Drinks outside a package post to your onboard account, and if you're weighing whether to prepay instead, here's the package structure: Roughly $16 per person, per day for standard staterooms, rising to around $20 per person, per day for MSC Yacht Club suites.
Want paying for drinks onboard double-checked against your specific reservation? Reach an advisor at +1-800-406-8495. It's worth asking whether a package needs to be purchased before boarding to lock in a lower rate versus buying it once onboard. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay for drinks on MSC?
Drinks are charged to your onboard account, which is linked to a credit card (or cash deposit) when you check in - you'll sign for each purchase and the full balance settles automatically at the end of the cruise. This can also depend on whether you're sailing during a promotional period, when packages are sometimes discounted or bundled with other perks. That detail alone can save some back-and-forth later.
Can I use cash to pay for drinks onboard?
Most ships are largely cashless for onboard purchases, though some allow a cash deposit to fund your onboard account instead of a credit card. Specialty dining venues sometimes have their own separate rules from the main dining room, so it's worth asking about those specifically. Worth keeping in mind either way.
Is gratuity automatically added to drink purchases?
Yes, most lines automatically add an 18% service charge to each drink purchase in addition to any daily gratuity charge on your account. It's worth asking whether a package needs to be purchased before boarding to lock in a lower rate versus buying it once onboard. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Can I set a spending limit on my onboard account?
Some lines let you set alerts or limits through the app, though a hard spending cap isn't standard across all cruise lines - check your specific line's account settings. It's worth asking whether a package needs to be purchased before boarding to lock in a lower rate versus buying it once onboard. Small thing, but it matters if you're planning around it.
Do drink package holders still need to pay per drink?
No, package holders simply present their card or wristband at the bar - the package covers included drinks up to the package's price ceiling, with no separate charge. Menus and package details can vary slightly by ship, so it's worth checking what's currently offered on your specific vessel. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Who can explain the drink pricing on MSC before I sail?
Call +1-800-406-8495 and our advisors can walk through current à la carte and package pricing. Pricing for packages tends to be updated periodically, so confirming the current rate before your cruise avoids surprises at checkout. Small thing, but it matters if you're planning around it.
Do I need cash onboard to pay for drinks?
No, cruise ships operate on a cashless system where drinks and other purchases are charged to your onboard account, tied to a credit card or cash deposit set up at check-in. This can also depend on whether you're sailing during a promotional period, when packages are sometimes discounted or bundled with other perks. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Can I set a spending limit for drinks on my MSC onboard account?
Some lines allow you to set a spending cap or alert on your onboard account, which can help manage costs if you're not on an unlimited drink package. Comparing the package cost against your expected daily consumption is the most reliable way to know if it's worth it for your trip. Worth keeping in mind either way.
How do I know how much I've spent on drinks so far?
Most cruise line apps let you check your real-time onboard account balance, including itemized drink purchases, throughout the cruise. Specialty dining venues sometimes have their own separate rules from the main dining room, so it's worth asking about those specifically. Small thing, but it matters if you're planning around it.
Can I split a drink tab with someone else in a different cabin?
Generally no, each onboard account is tied to an individual guest's cabin folio, so purchases are charged to whoever ordered, though some lines allow linking accounts for a shared family tab. Pricing for packages tends to be updated periodically, so confirming the current rate before your cruise avoids surprises at checkout. That's the short version, at least.