Ah, the MSC Seascape! We’ve spent some fantastic days aboard her, exploring incredible destinations, and let us tell you, one of the questions that pops up most frequently when we’re chatting with fellow travelers, whether they’re seasoned cruisers or just embarking on their first ever cruise vacation, is about the drink packages. Specifically, “Is the MSC Seascape drink package worth it?” It’s a question we get asked so often, we decided to pull together our honest, no-holds-barred experience. We’ve been on enough cruise ships to know that these packages can feel like a gamble, and we want to help you make an informed decision for your own cruise booking.
Deciphering the MSC Seascape Drink Packages: A Sea of Options
Let’s dive right into the heart of it. MSC, like most cruise lines, offers a variety of drink packages. For the MSC Seascape, these aren’t just one-size-fits-all. We’ve seen them evolve, and it’s important to understand what’s on offer before you even think about clicking that “confirm” button on your cruise booking. The key is to identify which package aligns with your drinking habits and your overall cruise vacation style. Are you someone who enjoys a leisurely coffee in the morning, a refreshing soda with lunch, and a cocktail or two in the evening? Or are you more of a water-and-the-occasional-juice person? Your answer will heavily influence the value you get.
The ‘Easy’ Package: Simplicity for the Casual Sipper
This is often the entry-level option, and for many, it’s the one that sparks the initial question. The Easy package typically covers a good range of non-alcoholic beverages, including sodas, juices, and often some standard hot beverages like coffee and tea. For those who don’t consume alcohol or who prefer to stick to just a few drinks a day, this can be a sensible choice. We’ve seen friends opt for this when they’re not big drinkers, or when they’re traveling with younger family members who will happily stay hydrated with sodas and juices throughout the day. It takes the guesswork out of smaller purchases and can prevent those little additions from adding up unexpectedly on your onboard bill.
The ‘Easy Plus’ Package: Stepping Up Your Beverage Game
This is where things start to get more interesting for those who enjoy a bit more variety. The Easy Plus package usually expands to include a wider selection of alcoholic beverages. Think house wines by the glass, draft beers, and a more extensive list of cocktails and spirits. This is often the sweet spot for many cruisers. If you plan on enjoying a glass of wine with dinner, a beer at the pool bar, and perhaps a pre-dinner cocktail, this package can very quickly become cost-effective. We’ve found ourselves frequently in this category, as it allows for a good balance of enjoyment without breaking the bank. It offers a sense of freedom to order without constantly checking prices, which is a big part of a relaxing cruise vacation for us.
The ‘Premium Extra’ Package: The Ultimate Indulgence
For the true connoisseurs and those who want to savor every sip, the Premium Extra package is the pinnacle. This package typically includes almost everything you can think of. Premium spirits, a wider selection of wines (often including some higher-end bottled options), specialty coffees, fresh juices, and a vast array of cocktails. If you’re someone who enjoys exploring the bar menu, trying new craft beers, or indulging in premium liquors, this is the package to consider. We’ve definitely treated ourselves to this on occasion, especially during longer cruises or when celebrating a special occasion. It’s a true all-inclusive experience for your beverages.
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Our Personal Experience with the MSC Seascape Drink Packages
Now, let’s get down to brass tacks. We’ve sailed on the MSC Seascape numerous times, and each time we’ve evaluated the drink packages based on our specific needs for that particular cruise. Our approach is always to do a little mental math before we sail. We’ll estimate how many drinks we think we’ll realistically consume per day. This isn’t an exact science, of course – sometimes a particularly tempting shore excursion leads to an extra celebratory drink, or a relaxing afternoon by the pool calls for more than planned! But it gives us a solid baseline.
The ‘Easy’ Package: A Calculated Decision
On one particular cruise, we decided to go with the Easy package for a portion of our travelers. This was a cruise that included several very active shore excursions. We knew we’d be doing a lot of walking, exploring bustling markets, and climbing historical sites. Our focus on those days was more on staying hydrated with water and occasional sodas. We found that the Easy package covered our needs perfectly. We weren’t looking for alcoholic beverages during our daytime explorations, and the selection of non-alcoholic drinks was more than sufficient. It was a smart move that saved us money, allowing us to splurge on an extra souvenir or a special meal ashore. This highlights how the context of your cruise vacation, including the activities you plan, plays a huge role.
The ‘Easy Plus’ Package: Our Go-To for Many Cruises
For the majority of our MSC Seascape voyages, the Easy Plus package has been our tried-and-true choice. We find it offers the best balance of value and enjoyment. We’re not always ordering the most expensive drinks, but we certainly enjoy the freedom to choose from a good selection of wines, beers, and cocktails. For instance, we’ll often have a craft beer while watching a show, a glass of house red with our dinner, and a refreshing mojito on our balcony as we sail into a new port. The cost of this package, when broken down per day, often comes out significantly less than if we were to purchase these drinks individually. It truly enhances the overall experience, allowing us to relax and indulge without constantly worrying about our onboard bill. We’ve also found that the staff are much more relaxed when you have the package, which makes for a smoother and more enjoyable service.
The ‘Premium Extra’ Package: A Treat for Special Occasions
We’ve only indulged in the Premium Extra package a couple of times, and each instance was for a very specific reason. One time, it was a milestone anniversary cruise, and we wanted to truly celebrate every moment. We enjoyed trying a wider variety of premium spirits, sampling more expensive wines, and even ordering some of the higher-end specialty coffees. Another time, we were on a longer itinerary where we knew we’d be spending a lot of time onboard, and we wanted the full onboard beverage experience. While it’s undeniably more expensive, for those special occasions or extended stays, it offers an unparalleled level of beverage enjoyment. It’s important to remember that the value of this package is directly tied to how much you plan to drink and the type of drinks you prefer. If you’re not a big drinker of spirits or premium wines, it might be overkill.
How to Calculate if a Drink Package is Worth It for YOUR Cruise Vacation
The million-dollar question, right? We always advocate for a little personal financial planning before you commit. Here’s our foolproof method for assessing the worth of a drink package for your specific cruise booking.
Step 1: Estimate Your Daily Drink Consumption
Be honest with yourself! How many alcoholic drinks do you think you’ll have per day? How many sodas? Coffees? Juices? Don’t forget to factor in your travel companions. If you’re traveling as a couple and both plan to have a few drinks, that’s double the consumption. We usually have a mental notepad where we jot down rough numbers. For example: two beers, one glass of wine, one soda.
Step 2: Check Current Drink Prices Onboard
This is a crucial step that many people skip. While we can give you general price ranges, actual prices can fluctuate and vary slightly between cruise ships and itineraries. The best way to get an accurate idea is to check the MSC website or your cruise booking portal for an example onboard menu or to look at past passenger forums where people often share current pricing. You can also often find sample menus on the cruise line’s website for their specific ships. This will give you a clearer picture of what a single drink costs.
Step 3: Do the Math: Individual Purchase vs. Package Price
Once you have your estimated daily consumption and the approximate price of individual drinks, you can do some simple multiplication.
- Calculate the cost of individual drinks per day: (Number of beers x Price of beer) + (Number of wines x Price of wine) + (Number of sodas x Price of soda) + etc.
- Calculate the cost of individual drinks for the entire cruise: Daily cost x Number of cruise days.
- Compare this to the package price: If the total cost of individual drinks is significantly higher than the price of the drink package you’re considering, then the package is likely worth it.
Example:
Let’s say you plan to have:
- 2 beers per day (at $7 each)
- 1 glass of wine per day (at $9 each)
- 1 soda per day (at $4 each)
Your estimated daily drink cost would be: ($7 x 2) + ($9 x 1) + ($4 x 1) = $14 + $9 + $4 = $27.
For a 7-night cruise, this would be $27 x 7 = $189 per person.
If the Easy Plus package is priced at $60 per person per day, then for a 7-night cruise, it would cost $60 x 7 = $420 per person.
In this specific scenario, buying individual drinks would be cheaper. However, if you planned on having more drinks, or perhaps a cocktail or two at $12 each, the math would quickly shift in favor of the package. This is why personalized calculation is key!
When a Drink Package Might NOT Be Worth It
It’s not always a clear-cut win. We’ve found situations where we’ve consciously decided against a drink package, and it was the right call for us at the time.
The ‘Casual Drinker’ Scenario
If you’re someone who rarely drinks alcohol, perhaps only one or two drinks throughout your entire cruise vacation, then a package is almost certainly not going to be worth it. The cost of the package will far outweigh the cost of purchasing those few drinks individually. The same goes for those who primarily drink water and only occasionally a soda or coffee.
The ‘Focus on Shore Excursions’ Cruise
On cruises where you plan to spend the vast majority of your time off the cruise ship, exploring various ports of call, and perhaps enjoying local beverages at your destination, a drink package might be largely unused. If your days are packed with shore excursions and your evenings are spent enjoying local flavors, you might find yourself not even getting to the bars onboard enough to justify the package cost. For a cruise that visits many unique cruise ports, you might want to allocate your budget to those experiences rather than an all-inclusive drink package.
The ‘Budget-Conscious Traveler’ with Limited Consumption
If your priority is keeping your overall cruise vacation budget as low as possible and your drinking habits are very moderate, then carefully calculating individual drink costs is essential. Sometimes, the savings from not buying a package can be put towards other aspects of your trip, like a special meal ashore or an upgraded cabin for your next cruise booking.
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Maximizing Your Drink Package Value: Tips from the Pros
So, you’ve decided to go for a drink package. Congratulations! Now, let’s talk about how to get the most bang for your buck. We’ve learned a few tricks over the years.
Hydrate Smartly (and for Free!)
Most cruise ships offer complimentary water, both still and sparkling, at various water stations and in the buffet. Make sure you take advantage of this! Staying well-hydrated will not only save you money on bottled water but will also help you feel your best throughout your cruise vacation. If your package doesn’t include bottled water, make it a point to fill up a reusable bottle from the dispensers.
Embrace the Variety: Try New Things!
One of the best parts of having a drink package is the freedom to experiment. Don’t stick to your usual go-to drink. Explore the cocktail menu, try a different type of beer, or sample a house wine you wouldn’t normally order. This is your chance to discover new favorites without the financial pressure of individual purchase. We’ve stumbled upon some amazing cocktails this way!
Don’t Forget the Specialty Coffees
If you’re a coffee lover, the Premium Extra package often includes specialty coffees from the ship’s cafes. This can be a significant saving if you typically buy a fancy latte or cappuccino every morning. Even the Easy Plus package might include some standard coffee and tea options, so check the specifics of your package.
Share the Experience (Within Reason!)
While you can’t technically share your drink package with someone else (it’s usually for one person per package), you can certainly influence each other’s choices. If your travel companion has a package and you don’t, you might be more inclined to order a drink if they are. Conversely, if you have a package, you might be more likely to offer to get a drink for your companion if you’re heading to the bar.
Pre-Cruise Purchase for Potential Savings
Often, MSC offers discounts on drink packages if you purchase them before your cruise. Keep an eye on your cruise booking portal or MSC’s website for these promotions. We’ve managed to snag some great deals this way, making the package even more worthwhile. This is a classic tip for any cruise booking.
The Final Verdict: Is the MSC Seascape Drink Package Worth It?
After all is said and done, and after countless hours spent enjoying beverages on the MSC Seascape, our honest opinion is this: for most people who enjoy more than just a couple of drinks a day, the MSC Seascape drink packages offer excellent value and significantly enhance the overall cruise vacation experience.
The key, as we’ve emphasized throughout, is to be realistic about your consumption habits and to do your homework. The Easy Plus package, in particular, seems to hit the sweet spot for a large number of cruisers, offering a good balance of choice and affordability. However, if you’re a very light drinker or planning extensive time exploring ashore, you might be better off paying for drinks as you go.
Ultimately, the decision is a personal one, but by understanding the options, doing a little math, and considering your travel style, you can make an informed choice that will contribute to a truly memorable and enjoyable cruise. We hope our experiences have shed some light on this popular cruise booking query, and we wish you a fantastic time on your MSC Seascape adventure! Happy sailing, and happy sipping!