NEW MSC Drink Packages (2021 onwards)

[Native Floridian 26]

1 hour ago, bafinegan said:

wow, not my experience at all.  Course this was last Jan on the Seashore, but drinks were strong and bar service was great.

I agree.  On both my cruises, the drinks have been great, as well as the service.  Just off the Armonia and we so enjoyed all the fancy coffees (alcoholic and non) in the coffee shop also.  Yes, the pool bars can be hard to get service, but a little patience works every time.

[mawvkysc]

12 hours ago, Native Floridian 26 said:

I agree.  On both my cruises, the drinks have been great, as well as the service.  Just off the Armonia and we so enjoyed all the fancy coffees (alcoholic and non) in the coffee shop also.  Yes, the pool bars can be hard to get service, but a little patience works every time.

That gives me hope. Mera seems to be having problems overall . My frozen toblerone literally tasted like ice with a splash of milk. My husband couldn’t believe it when he tasted it. (Just one example) A different ship will be home porting in PC this spring. 

[drsel]

22 hours ago, mawvkysc said:

One way they do it is that (in my experience) the drinks are very weak, the mixers are even weak, there are not many servers so you have to wait in line at the bar, 

You just need to tell them to add one or two more pegs of alcohol.

You won't have to wait at the bars at the specialty restaurants.

[mawvkysc]

5 minutes ago, drsel said:

You just need to tell them to add one or two more pegs of alcohol.

You won't have to wait at the bars at the specialty restaurants.

Good idea, but how do they make  the mixer less weak?MyMoscow Mule was made with watery ginger ale not ginger beer). The sour mix for my margarita very watered down. My frozen Toblerone  literally tasted like icy milk. It wasn’t sweet at all. 

  I’m a budget cruiser so I don’t eat in specialty. Can you walk in and order from there with the drink package?

At first it came with a lemon. I had to ask for a lime. 

[drsel]

9 minutes ago, mawvkysc said:

Good idea, but how do they make  the mixer less weak?MyMoscow Mule was made with watery ginger ale not ginger beer). The sour mix for my margarita very watered down. My frozen Toblerone  literally tasted like icy milk. It wasn’t sweet at all. 

  I’m a budget cruiser so I don’t eat in specialty. Can you walk in and order from there with the drink package?

At first it came with a lemon. I had to ask for a lime. 

So tell him to make it with a double or triple peg of alcohol and tell him to reduce (or remove) the ice and reduce the sparkling water.

 

and yes you can order drinks in the Specialty restaurants without a reservation, and without paying anything for the food.

 

Just walk into any specialty restaurant which is always empty, and order as many free drinks  as you want, after telling the bartender the above instructions

Edited November 24, 2022 by drsel

[Geeynots]

On 11/24/2022 at 1:53 PM, mawvkysc said:

That gives me hope. Mera seems to be having problems overall . My frozen toblerone literally tasted like ice with a splash of milk. My husband couldn’t believe it when he tasted it. (Just one example) A different ship will be home porting in PC this spring. 

I think the only alcohol in the Toblerone is Baileys. The Mud Slide tastes similar, but has vodka. Or you could ask them to add vodka to the Toblerone. I’m on the MSC Seascape right now and had the opposite problem. The bartender at the pool bar was free pouring triple mojitos. 

[mawvkysc]

1 minute ago, Geeynots said:

I think the only alcohol in the Toblerone is Baileys. The Mud Slide tastes similar, but has vodka. Or you could ask them to add vodka to the Toblerone. I’m on the MSC Seascape right now and had the opposite problem. The bartender at the pool bar was free pouring triple mojitos. 

I think they didn’t add the macadamia syrup or the white chocolate syrup. 

[drsel]

I was just wondering whether or not to choose the Easy Plus package for MSC Cruises in the Norwegian fjords and Baltics  from 17th May to 18 June 2023, considering how cold it will be.

 

As you well know, in the MSC Easy Plus package, the best drinks are the frozen cocktails, and even the other cocktails have got plenty of ice . Without ice, they would not taste as good.

 

So considering how cold it will be in the Norwegian fjords and Baltics from 17 May to 18 June, I expect that we will be mostly having hot coffee and hot water.

 

Hot water is freely available in all the bars and hot coffee is also free in the Buffet.

 

Hence I thought that it does not make sense to pay for the alcohol & WiFi package, even though it is economical, because we will not feel like having any cold drinks or frozen cocktails.

 

What is the majority opinion?

Edited November 26, 2022 by drsel

[bafinegan]

9 hours ago, drsel said:

I was just wondering whether or not to choose the Easy Plus package for MSC Cruises in the Norwegian fjords and Baltics  from 17th May to 18 June 2023, considering how cold it will be.

 

As you well know, in the MSC Easy Plus package, the best drinks are the frozen cocktails, and even the other cocktails have got plenty of ice . Without ice, they would not taste as good.

 

So considering how cold it will be in the Norwegian fjords and Baltics from 17 May to 18 June, I expect that we will be mostly having hot coffee and hot water.

 

Hot water is freely available in all the bars and hot coffee is also free in the Buffet.

 

Hence I thought that it does not make sense to pay for the alcohol & WiFi package, even though it is economical, because we will not feel like having any cold drinks or frozen cocktails.

 

What is the majority opinion?

I would still do the easy + because it includes the specialty coffees ( with or without alcohol) and a better beer/wine selection.  Here is avlink that breaks down the different packages.  https://www.cruzely.com/worth-it-complete-guide-to-msc-cruises-drink-packages/

Edited November 26, 2022 by bafinegan

[Geeynots]

On 11/25/2022 at 11:18 PM, drsel said:

I was just wondering whether or not to choose the Easy Plus package for MSC Cruises in the Norwegian fjords and Baltics  from 17th May to 18 June 2023, considering how cold it will be.

 

As you well know, in the MSC Easy Plus package, the best drinks are the frozen cocktails, and even the other cocktails have got plenty of ice . Without ice, they would not taste as good.

 

So considering how cold it will be in the Norwegian fjords and Baltics from 17 May to 18 June, I expect that we will be mostly having hot coffee and hot water.

 

Hot water is freely available in all the bars and hot coffee is also free in the Buffet.

 

Hence I thought that it does not make sense to pay for the alcohol & WiFi package, even though it is economical, because we will not feel like having any cold drinks or frozen cocktails.

 

What is the majority opinion?

Also it would depend if you enjoy beer. Much more selective with the plus package. Also, one of the bartenders mentioned I should order a Bacardi mojito instead of just a regular because it is included in the plus and better than the well liquor. Really not sure how much of a difference it would make, but I do know that matters to some. 

[PTC DAWG]

1 hour ago, Geeynots said:

Also it would depend if you enjoy beer. Much more selective with the plus package. Also, one of the bartenders mentioned I should order a Bacardi mojito instead of just a regular because it is included in the plus and better than the well liquor. Really not sure how much of a difference it would make, but I do know that matters to some. 

I always call my liquor when I am afforded the opportunity. The "well" liquor is there for a reason.  

[juancarlosgarciasanchez]

Hello -

Can anyone direct me to where I can read exactly what is "currently" covered under the EASY PLUS PACKAKE onboard the Meraviglia for a cruise in January? Thanks 

[drsel]

1 hour ago, juancarlosgarciasanchez said:

Hello -

Can anyone direct me to where I can read exactly what is "currently" covered under the EASY PLUS PACKAKE onboard the Meraviglia for a cruise in January? Thanks 

See the beginning of this thread

 

[ready2cruzagain]

19 hours ago, juancarlosgarciasanchez said:

Hello -

Can anyone direct me to where I can read exactly what is "currently" covered under the EASY PLUS PACKAKE onboard the Meraviglia for a cruise in January? Thanks 

Is this what you want?

https://www.msccruisesgetforms.com/cms/cmsimages/flyer/drink-packages/MSC-18-352_DRINK_PACKAGE_TRADE_KIT_dec2019_TA.pdf?

[juancarlosgarciasanchez]

On 12/2/2022 at 6:35 AM, ready2cruzagain said:

Is this what you want?

https://www.msccruisesgetforms.com/cms/cmsimages/flyer/drink-packages/MSC-18-352_DRINK_PACKAGE_TRADE_KIT_dec2019_TA.pdf?

THANK YOU ! But do you have the linky to the CURRENT list as your list states 2020 options and not sure if the CURRENT policy mimics the one you listed. 

Edited December 3, 2022 by juancarlosgarciasanchez

[hawkeyetlse]

Yes, that information is outdated. None of those packages exist anymore. Easy Plus package includes any drink that costs up to $9. Look at the menus in this thread:

 

Current bar menus with drink packages

[phissy]

Winter 2021 - Onwards Drink Package Comparison		The Bahamas  & Caribbean Cruises		Europe, Emirates,  Southern Caribbean & World Cruise
Drink Package:	Easy Select drinks	Easy Plus  (Included in All-In offer) All drinks up to $9	Premium Extra All drinks  up to $15	Easy Select drinks	Easy Plus (Included in All-In offer) All drinks up to €8	Premium Extra All drinks  up to €13
BEER BRANDS
Affligem Blond					⚫	⚫
Amstel Light					⚫	⚫
Angry Orchard Apple Cider		⚫	⚫
Beck's		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Blue Moon		⚫	⚫
Bud Light		⚫	⚫
Budweiser		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Coors Light		⚫	⚫
Corona / Corona Light		⚫	⚫
Desperados					⚫	⚫
Dos Equis		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Draft Beer	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
Franziskaner					⚫	⚫
Guinness		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Heineken		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Heineken 0.0 Alcohol-free	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
Michelob Ultra		⚫	⚫
Miller Lite (bottle)	⚫	⚫	⚫
Nastro Azzuro		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Newcastle Brown Ale		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Paulaner					⚫	⚫
Pilsner Urquell		⚫	⚫
Red Stripe		⚫	⚫
Samuel Adams		⚫	⚫
San Miguel					⚫	⚫
Sol					⚫	⚫
Stella Artois		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Strongbow Apple Cider					⚫	⚫
Yuengling Lager		⚫	⚫
WHISKEY BRANDS
Ballantine's Finest					⚫	⚫
Bell's					⚫	⚫
Bushmills						⚫
Canadian Club		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Chivas Regal 12Y			⚫			⚫
Crown Royal		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Dewar's					⚫	⚫
Dewar's Special Reserve 12Y			⚫
Dewar's White Label		⚫	⚫
Elijah Craig		⚫	⚫
Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey		⚫	⚫
Gentleman Jack			⚫
Glenlivet Master Distiller's Reserve			⚫			⚫
J&B					⚫	⚫
Jack Daniel's Old N° 7			⚫			⚫
Jameson Irish		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Jim Beam White Label		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Johnnie Walker Black 12Y			⚫			⚫
Johnnie Walker Red		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Maker's Mark			⚫			⚫
Mitcher's Rye			⚫
Nikka Days						⚫
Seagram's 7		⚫	⚫
Whiskey (well)	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
Woodford Reserve			⚫			⚫
VODKA BRANDS
Absolut		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Absolut Elix			⚫			⚫
Belvedere			⚫			⚫
Chopin			⚫			⚫
Finlandia		⚫	⚫
Grey Goose			⚫			⚫
Houpert & Frère			⚫
Ketel One		⚫	⚫
Moskowskaya					⚫	⚫
Ocean (organic vodka)			⚫
Smirnoff		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Stolichnaya		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Tito's		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Ultimat			⚫
Vodka (well)	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
RUM BRANDS
Appleton Estate		⚫	⚫
Bacardi 8Y			⚫			⚫
Bacardi Black		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Bacardi Flavored					⚫	⚫
Bacardi Oakheart		⚫	⚫
Bacardi Superior White		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Brugal Anejo		⚫	⚫
Captain Morgan		⚫	⚫
Captain Morgan Spiced					⚫	⚫
Gosling's Black Seal		⚫	⚫
Havana Club 3Y					⚫	⚫
Havana Club 7Y						⚫
Malibu Coconut		⚫	⚫
Myer's Original		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Pirat XO Reserve			⚫
Rum (well)	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
Santa Teresa 1796			⚫			⚫
Zacapa 23Y			⚫			⚫
GIN
Aviation			⚫			⚫
Beefeater		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Bombay Saphire		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Bulldog						⚫
Gin (well)	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
Gordon's Dry		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Gordon's Premium Pink					⚫	⚫
Hendrick's			⚫			⚫
Plymouth			⚫
Tanqueray N° Ten			⚫			⚫
The Botanist			⚫
TEQUILA
1800 Reposado		⚫	⚫
Cazadores Reposado			⚫
Cuervo Gold		⚫	⚫
Cuervo Silver		⚫	⚫
Don Julio Reposado			⚫
Don Julio Silver						⚫
Herradura Reposado						⚫
Jose Cuervo Gold					⚫	⚫
Jose Cuervo Silver					⚫	⚫
Patrón Añejo			⚫
Patrón Silver			⚫			⚫
Tequila (well)	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
BRANDY, COGNAC & ARMAGNAC / GRAPPA
Aalborg Akvavit					⚫	⚫
Armagnac Janneau XO			⚫			⚫
Brandy (well)	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
Cardinal Mendoza		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Grappa Montanaro White					⚫	⚫
Grappa Montanaro Aged					⚫	⚫
Hennessy VS			⚫			⚫
Kirschwasser					⚫	⚫
Martell VS					⚫	⚫
Martell VSOP			⚫			⚫
Metaxa					⚫	⚫
Piore Williams					⚫	⚫
Rémy Martin VSOP			⚫			⚫
Vecchia Romagna Etichetta Nera		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
LIQUORS & BITTERS
Amaretto Disaronno		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Amaro Averna					⚫	⚫
Amaro Ramazzotti
Amato Montenegro		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Aperol		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Baileys Irish Cream		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Bitter Campari		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Cointreau		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Drambuie		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Fernet Branca		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Godiva Chocolate		⚫	⚫
Grand Marnier		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Jägermeister		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Kahlúa		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Limoncello		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Malibu					⚫	⚫
Patron XO Cafe		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Porto Sandeman Ruby		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Ricard		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Ruaviejo Licor de Hierbas					⚫	⚫
Sambuca		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Sherry Harvey’s Bristol Cream					⚫	⚫
Southern Comfort		⚫	⚫
Vecchio Amaro del Capo					⚫	⚫
Vermouth Martini (white & red)		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
APERTIFS
Campari Soda					⚫	⚫
Crodino					⚫	⚫
Ouzo					⚫	⚫
Pastis 51					⚫	⚫
Raki					⚫	⚫
Ramazzotti Aperitivo Rosato					⚫	⚫
Sanbitter					⚫	⚫
COCKTAILS
Alcohol-Free Cocktails	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
Classic Cocktails	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
Contemporary Classics		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Featured Cocktails						⚫
Fresh Fruit Cocktails		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Frozen Drinks		⚫	⚫
Mixed Drinks with Well Spirits	⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫	⚫
Premium Cocktails & Mixed Drinks			⚫			⚫
Protein Shakes		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Signature Cocktails						⚫
Spritz Cocktails					⚫	⚫
Tropical Treasures			⚫			⚫
CHAMPAGNE & WINES
House-Brand Wines	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
Wine by the glass up to $9		⚫
Wine by the glass up to $15			⚫
Wine by the glass up to €8					⚫
Wine by the glass up to €10						⚫
SOFT DRINKS & OTHER
Bottled Mineral Water	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
Energy Drinks		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Fountain Soda / Soda by the glass	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
Fresh Orange Juice		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Fruit Juices by the glass	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
Iced Tea (cans)		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Soda (cans)		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
PREMIUM COFFEES
Caffè Latte	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
Cappuccino	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
Espresso	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
Hot Chocolate	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
Hot Tea	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫	⚫
Specialty Coffees		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫
Spirit Coffees		⚫	⚫		⚫	⚫

 

 

 

 

FAQ

[I M INDIAN]

I am sailing on Meraviglia in few days with my husband and 2 kids. We are not into alcohol and sodas so we don't see worth to pay for drinks package for all of us. If I want to get Alcohol free package only for myself for coffees, can I do it onboard?

[drsel]

4 hours ago, I M INDIAN said:

I am sailing on Meraviglia in few days with my husband and 2 kids. We are not into alcohol and sodas so we don't see worth to pay for drinks package for all of us. If I want to get Alcohol free package only for myself for coffees, can I do it onboard?

Yes you can, but you will have to buy the alcohol free drinks package for all four of you.

it won't be worth it unless the four of you together consume around 28 or more non alcoholic drinks everyday.

 

Also the non alcoholic drink package onboard price is more than the easy plus  package when included with the cruise at the time of booking.

Edited December 10, 2022 by drsel

[9876]

On 11/23/2022 at 7:20 PM, bafinegan said:

wow, not my experience at all.  Course this was last Jan on the Seashore, but drinks were strong and bar service was great.

Same.  I was on Seashore in October and it was packed.  I will be on Mera in January so I will see firsthand if there is a difference.

[9876]

I am curious, does anyone know what brands they use for well drinks?  I am sure they can vary but I was wondering if there was any information on that.

 

[vunico]

Are the Martinis and Manhattans properly made with the Plus package?   Thanks...

[ready2cruzagain]

37 minutes ago, vunico said:

Are the Martinis and Manhattans properly made with the Plus package?   Thanks...

The Martini's we had were

 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

I logged into my cruise personalizer but I cannot see where and how I can add a non-alcoholic beverage package. Does MSC have those? There is a bunch of cakes under the Beverage section, and some bottles of champaigne/wine, but I can't see a soda package/minor's package.

Help?

[Sailbolter]

First time on MSC. Have done RC, Carnival, Princess and Norwegian.

Checking out drink packages and it seems they are much higher than what I recall from other lines.

I don't drink alcohol and I seem to remember that package on other lines being in the $60-80 range for a 7 day cruise.

Does anyone know if it's cheaper at the website or once you board.

Just talked to TA and they quoted $30 per day.

Any information or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.