When it comes to cruising, nothing says vacation quite like a cocktail (or mocktail) in hand, ocean breeze on your face, and flip flops up. If you’re setting sail with Margaritaville at Sea, there’s a beverage package that could take your cruise experience from chill to Ultimate Chill – literally. With so many drink options onboard, one big question stands out: Is Margaritaville at Sea’s Ultimate Beverage Chill worth the price?
The Ultimate Beverage Chill
Introducing the Ultimate Beverage Chill, your all-access pass to cocktails, beers, wines, sodas, and water! You get beverages across the ship without worrying about a sky-high bar tab. If you’re a fan of variety – or just like knowing your drink costs are covered – this package is worth a serious look.
Why We Loved It
According to Margaritaville at Sea’s website, cruisers can save up to 75% off bar menu prices when the Ultimate Beverage Chill is purchased pre-cruise. Starting at $64.99 per night, per person, this package includes:
- Beer, wine, cocktails, and specialty drinks up to $20 each
- Unlimited soda and 500ml bottled water
- Juices, mocktails, and other bottled or canned non-alcoholic drinks
- A 25% discount on bottles of wine or champagne
For a flat nightly rate, it’s a fantastic way to budget ahead—and drink freely (and responsibly!) onboard.
What’s Not Included (and one important caveat!)
Like all good things, there are a few limitations to keep in mind:
- No bottles of liquor, beer buckets, blender cups, or room service drinks
- No large bottles of water (over 500ml) or mini bar items
- Specialty coffee drinks from Margaritaville Coffee Shop are not included in the package
- 15 alcoholic/specialty drink limit per day. But keep in mind, soda and water are unlimited. Pace yourself and enjoy responsibly!
One important caveat: If one adult (21+) in a stateroom buys the package, all other adults in the same room must purchase it too. That’s standard for most cruise lines. It’s definitely something important to consider when budgeting. It is interesting to note that Margaritaville at Sea does include a disclaimer that states there may be “limited exceptions to this rule: “Limited exceptions to this policy (e.g., documented medical condition) may be made at the discretion of Margaritaville at Sea and may require authorized approval.”
Carnival Cruise Line has moved away from exceptions to their policy claiming that their own CHEERS! beverage package includes more than just alcohol, so all adults must purchase it, no exceptions allowed.
Some Additional Extras…
If you’re a fan of your morning cappuccino or iced specialty coffee, the Ultimate Beverage Chill won’t cover that. We’re bummed that Margaritaville Coffee Shop isn’t included (similar to how Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t include specialty coffee on their drinks package).
You’ll also need to pay separately for room service drinks and anything from the in-room mini bar (if your room happens to be set up with one).
Also, if your go-to cocktail is more than $20, you’ll be responsible for paying the difference.
Is Margaritaville at Sea’s Ultimate Beverage Chill Worth the Price?
This is the number one question we get about each cruise line’s drinks package. And the answer is always the same: It depends. Let’s break down what the break-even point based on what you might drink each day on board. And if you only drink sodas, not to fear, we break that down for you, too!
Cocktails
Cocktail pricing on board Margaritaville at Sea generally ranges between $12-$16. Based on this, you would need to drink between 4-5 cocktails a day to break even. If you also plan to order soda and bottled water, this number actually may be a little less. A Bloody Mary with breakfast, some drinks throughout the day by the pool, a pre-dinner drink… and you’ve already hit your break-even point.
Wine and Beer
Wine and beer pricing on board Margaritaville at Sea generally ranges between $8-$14. If you only drink beer, you’ll need a few more to break even. If 5 beers and a glass or two of wine seems reasonable, then the package is likely a right fit. And, again, if you plan to order soda and bottled water, the number of beers or wines you’d need to drink is likely less.
Sodas
Hey, if you prefer soda over alcoholic drinks, that’s ok, too! The Ultimate Beverage Chill isn’t for you, however, Margaritaville at Sea still has you covered with the Unlimited Soda Package at $10 per night per person.
For your own planning purposes, we’ve posted all of the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise bar menus in a separate post. This can help you plan out your cruise – and determine whether or not the Ultimate Beverage Chill will be right for you.
Final Thoughts
For those who like sipping poolside, pairing a drink with dinner, or toasting to the sunset with a glass of champagne, the Ultimate Beverage Chill can be a fantastic value. It’s a no-brainer for social cruisers, drink samplers, and folks who just want to set it and forget it when it comes to drink spending.
Would we buy it again? Absolutely. For the peace of mind, convenience, and savings, the Ultimate Beverage Chill delivers just the right blend of value and vacation vibes.