American Cruise Lines is known for its small-ship luxury cruising experience, personalized service, and relaxed onboard atmosphere. Unlike large ocean cruise lines that often promote unlimited beverage packages with complicated rules, American Cruise Lines takes a more refined and guest-focused approach. This often leads travelers to ask a very common and practical question: how many drinks can you actually get per day with an American Cruise Lines drink package?
Understanding the drink policy is important, especially for guests who enjoy wine with dinner, a cocktail during sunset, or a nightcap while relaxing in the lounge. This article explores the drink package in depth, including daily drink limits, what is included, what is not included, alcohol policies, and whether purchasing the package truly makes sense for different types of travelers.
American Cruise Lines operates differently from mainstream cruise companies. Their cruises focus on river routes, coastal itineraries, and domestic destinations across the United States. Because of this, the onboard culture is quieter, more elegant, and less party-oriented.
Rather than encouraging excessive drinking, American Cruise Lines emphasizes quality over quantity. The beverage program is designed to complement meals, social gatherings, and scenic cruising rather than serve as an all-day open bar.
This philosophy directly impacts how their drink package works and how many drinks guests can reasonably expect per day.
One of the most important things to know is that American Cruise Lines does not publish a strict numerical daily drink limit like “15 drinks per day” the way some large cruise lines do. Instead, the policy is built around responsible consumption.
In practice, most guests can enjoy multiple alcoholic beverages throughout the day without issue. The crew monitors consumption discreetly and reserves the right to pause service if they believe a guest has had too much. This is done for safety, comfort, and compliance with maritime regulations.
While there is no officially stated cap, guests generally report being able to enjoy drinks at lunch, dinner, evening social hours, and in the lounge without being cut off, as long as consumption remains reasonable.
The drink package typically includes a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages served onboard during standard service hours.
Included beverages often consist of:
• Beer, including domestic and select craft options• House wines, both red and white• Basic spirits such as vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, and tequila• Classic cocktails made with included spirits• Soft drinks and sodas• Juice during meal service• Coffee and tea throughout the day
The selection is curated rather than extensive. You will not find dozens of premium brands, but you will find well-chosen, quality options that align with the refined cruising experience.
How Many Alcoholic Drinks Can You Realistically Have Per Day?
Although there is no printed limit, most guests can comfortably enjoy between 5 and 10 alcoholic drinks per day without any issue. This number varies depending on pace, timing, and behavior.
A typical day might look like this:
• One mimosa or Bloody Mary at brunch• One glass of wine or beer at lunch• One afternoon cocktail during scenic cruising• Two glasses of wine at dinner• One after-dinner drink in the lounge
This already brings the total to around six drinks, which is completely normal on American Cruise Lines. Some guests may have more, others less. The key factor is moderation and respectful behavior.
Yes, beverage consumption effectively resets each day. Since there is no official counter or digital tracking system tied to a daily maximum, guests are simply served based on that day’s activity and behavior.
There is no carryover from previous days, and no penalties for drinking more on one day and less on another, as long as consumption remains within reasonable bounds.
Alcohol service generally follows a schedule that aligns with meals and onboard activities.
Common service times include:
• Lunch service• Afternoon cruising hours• Dinner service• Evening entertainment or social hours
Alcohol is usually not served early in the morning unless it is part of a brunch offering or special event. Late-night service may also be limited depending on the itinerary and ship size.
These time windows naturally regulate consumption without imposing a strict numerical limit.
Most American Cruise Lines drink packages focus on house brands and standard selections. Premium spirits, high-end wines, and specialty cocktails may not be included in the base package.
If premium drinks are available, they may come with an additional charge per drink rather than being part of the unlimited-style offering. This encourages guests to enjoy the included selection while still allowing flexibility for special preferences.
Wine enthusiasts should note that while house wines are included, rare vintages or premium bottles typically cost extra.
American Cruise Lines prioritizes guest safety and comfort. If a guest appears intoxicated or disruptive, the crew may politely slow or stop alcohol service temporarily.
This is handled discreetly and professionally. There is no embarrassment or confrontation, and service usually resumes later once the situation stabilizes.
This approach ensures a pleasant experience for everyone onboard, particularly given the smaller, more intimate nature of American Cruise Lines ships.
In most cases, beverages ordered through room service may not be fully included in the drink package. Some ships may include basic beverages, while alcoholic drinks delivered to the stateroom may incur an extra charge.
Policies can vary by ship and itinerary, so guests should confirm details once onboard.
On some American Cruise Lines itineraries, select beverages may already be included in the cruise fare, particularly wine and beer during dinner. In other cases, a beverage package may be offered as an optional upgrade.
When optional, the package is usually priced per person per day and must be purchased for the entire cruise duration. Partial-day or selective-day purchases are generally not available.
Whether the drink package is worth it depends on your personal drinking habits.
The package is worth it if you:
• Enjoy multiple drinks per day• Like having wine with meals and cocktails in the evening• Prefer not to worry about per-drink charges• Want a more relaxed, all-inclusive feeling
The package may not be worth it if you:
• Only drink occasionally• Prefer premium spirits not included• Mostly consume non-alcoholic beverages• Are sensitive to alcohol
Because American Cruise Lines drinks are reasonably priced, light drinkers may find paying per drink more economical.
Unlike mega cruise ships that promote unlimited drinking with strict caps, American Cruise Lines takes a more personalized approach.
There are no drink cards, no wristbands, no scanning systems, and no published drink maximums. This creates a relaxed atmosphere where guests feel trusted rather than monitored.
However, guests who expect 15–20 drinks per day like on party cruises may find American Cruise Lines more restrained.
Special Events and Complimentary Drinks
Some events onboard may include complimentary drinks regardless of package status. These can include:
• Welcome receptions• Captain’s cocktail parties• Special themed evenings• Farewell celebrations
These complimentary offerings are in addition to whatever beverage plan you have.
Drink packages are strictly non-transferable. Each package is tied to an individual guest, and sharing drinks is not allowed.
Crew members are attentive and can easily identify misuse. Sharing may result in cancellation of the package without refund.
Does the Drink Package Include Excursions?
Alcoholic beverages during shore excursions are generally not included unless specifically stated. Drinks consumed off the ship are paid separately.
Once you return onboard, your drink package coverage resumes.
So, how many drinks can you get per day with an American Cruise Lines drink package?
The honest answer is that there is no fixed number, but most guests can comfortably enjoy several drinks throughout the day without concern. The experience is designed around enjoyment, elegance, and moderation rather than excess.
If you appreciate quality beverages, attentive service, and a relaxed cruising atmosphere, the American Cruise Lines drink package delivers a satisfying and stress-free experience. It may not be unlimited in the party-cruise sense, but it is generous, refined, and well-suited to the style of travel American Cruise Lines is known for.
For travelers who value comfort, conversation, and scenic cruising with a well-made drink in hand, the American Cruise Lines drink package offers exactly what it promises enjoyment without complication.
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