On a recent voyage (December 2023), we took the time to scan each of the drink menus on the Celebrity Constellation. These menus are representative of the drink & cocktail prices across the fleet of Celebrity ships, though some newer ships may have more unique bar menus.
Don’t forget that the prices do not include the mandatory 20% gratuity/service charge
We thought the prices were in line with most major cruise lines, however, there were an incredible number of standard wines and other beverages that were not available during the voyage leaving only more expensive options to choose from. If this is what is happening across the company it makes the drink package(s) seem like a decent deal if you can get it at the right price.
Pool Bar & Buffet Beverage Menus on Celebrity
The typical menus found at the pool bars and in the buffet area of the ships. Some of the beer, in my opinion, is excessively priced. The rest of the drinks seem on par with what you’d expect on any cruise line.
Cocktail & Bar Menus
The bar menus in the lounges vary, but this is the staple offering across the cruise line. Most cocktails were $12 throughout the ship and none were poured “light”.
Celebrity Cruises Wine Menu
Even though there was a dedicated wine bar on our latest cruise, the options seemed quite limited. Many weren’t available even if listed. What is posted as the available brands on the Celebrity website is unfortunately quite different than what the reality is.
Celebrity Cruises Martini Bar Menu
The martini bars on the Celebrity ships are hugely popular, for good reason! But the prices have gone up quite a bit in recent years. At $17 each, there are no martinis that now fit within the Classic beverage package, meaning you have to splurge for the Premium drink package if you want them included (or pay the difference in cost of a few dollars).
Other drink Prices on Celebrity Cruises
We try to scan every menu while we’re on a cruise, but for whatever reason, Celebrity has pulled many of the menus that are more general and replaced them with the above cocktail menus that aren’t totally inclusive.
It could be because of the rapid price changes across the fleet.
It left us asking everywhere we went, how much certain spirits were before we ordered. It was relatively frustrating to not be able to know what was offered and what the pricing was like.
Here are a few takeaways from our inquiries while onboard:
- Macallan is $19 a pour now.
- Woodford is at $17 a pour
- There are very few wines and beers within the $10 price of the basic drink package
- Wines by the glass and beers are priced between $12 and $17
- There is an “elevated” selection of wines by the glass anywhere between $22-$36
Going on the Ascent Greece cruise in September 2025. Trying without success to find prices for bottled water, sodas, coffee, etc. at the buffet and restaurants. So far, we do not have a drink package. Thanks
Dave – on some of the menus we have posted, in the back you’ll see soda prices, water, etc. Expect to pay about $4 for soda and water (!) – Remember that the drip coffee and tea are complimentary everywhere even in the restaurants. The only package that would make sense is the $45/day per person non-alcoholic package (Zero Proof) .. but that’s a LOT of soda to break even. Most of the time, it’s better to pay as you go, even if the sodas are ridiculously overpriced. Enjoy the Ascent!
Hi Phil,
We would love to take a repositioning cruise but not sure how to find them?
Thank you for your advice.
Jackie – Normally – each cruise website has a filter where you can select transatlantic cruises, but there are other repositioning options that aren’t transatlantic as well (i.e. Florida to California via Panama Canal) – So it really depends on what you’re looking for – but each cruise line usually has a filter for either repositioning or transatlantic. We also have a search site with some filters that you can see by clicking here — This search engine allows you to look across multiple lines for a repo or TA voyage. I hope this helps!
Thank you so much for posting the costs via the ship’s menus. We are embarking on a 16-day repositioning cruise in 2025. I fear adding the drink packages will be pretty pricey! I think we’ll go “by the drink!” I’d also be interested in how many people on average take the repositioning cruises — are they usually full or just partly so — do you have any idea?
Hi Judy – I take a couple repositioning cruises per year and they’re never full, but the last one I just did was nearly 90%! Which is crazy to me. In the past if they reached 70% capacity, that would be a lot. So expect they’ll be fuller these days, but I doubt they’d be at 100% capacity. As for the drink package, it starts to be worth it if you end up having a few drinks a day. It also allows to experiment and not feel bad about not drinking something you don’t love. But yes, it’s really expensive for sure. I’ve done long cruises with and without a package, and I’ve always found I end up drinking more because of sea days and it ends up the package is always cheaper. (in my case)
Thanks for sharing the drink menus. Helps us to decide to upgrade out drink package to premium. Much appreciated.
Pattie
I’m glad this helped Pattie! Unfortunately you almost have to upgrade the drink package to get anything decent now 🙁
Enjoy your cruise!
Thanks so much for the above information, really helps me.
I’m trying to find out the cost of spirits, especially whiskey.Do you have this information please.
Thankyou
Hi Sue – They weirdly didn’t have separate spirits menus! I do know Dewar’s White Label, Famous Grouse, Jim Beam, Johnnie Walker Red, Monkey Shoulder, Seagram’s VO were all under $10 for a single pour. Since these are under the higher end drink package, they’ll be less than $17 : Aberfeldy 12, Bulleit Bourbon, Chivas Regal 12, Dewar’s 12, Gentleman Jack, The Glenlivet, Jack Daniel’s Black, Jack Daniel’s Rye, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Johnnie Walker Black, Johnnie Walker Double Black, The Macallan Lumina, The Macallan Quest, Maker’s Mark, Rittenhouse Rye, Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve.
I hope this helps a little. Unfortunately, I looked at all the menus we have and none are specific with prices of their other brands.
Perfect,thankyou so much.
Just trying to work out if it’s worth the drinks package,this helps a lot.
Do they put the 20%on every drink you order rather than the package??
Thanks for your help
If you don’t buy a package, and buy drinks as you go, the gratuity is added on every drink. If you buy the package, there is a 20% gratuity added to the package during checkout, and you won’t pay anymore – UNLESS – the drink you order isn’t covered by the package, then you pay 20% on the difference of the price only.
Thankyou,
It’s very strange because we’ve reserved the package and the 20%wasnt added,just wanted to check it wouldn’t be later.
Really appreciate your help and advice.
That is strange, are you by chance outside of the US? On European and UK prices, the price includes gratuities (not separate line item during checkout like it is in the USA)
Yes,I did wonder if this was the case.
Yes in uk