When planning a luxury voyage with Oceania Cruise Line, one of the most common questions travelers ask is: “How much is the beverage package?”
Oceania is known for offering a sophisticated and refined cruising experience, featuring gourmet dining and a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere. Unlike some other cruise lines, Oceania does not include alcoholic beverages as a standard part of its base cruise fare. Instead, it offers guests a choice of two main beverage packages—the House Select Beverage Package and the Prestige Select Beverage Package—each designed to fit different drinking preferences and budgets.
In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the full breakdown of Oceania’s beverage packages, current prices, what’s included, what’s not, and how to decide whether purchasing one makes sense for your voyage.
Before diving into pricing, it’s important to understand Oceania’s approach to dining and drinks.
Oceania Cruises markets itself as an upper-premium luxury cruise line. Their emphasis is on culinary excellence, offering gourmet meals designed by world-renowned chef Jacques Pépin. The beverage service follows this same philosophy—focused on quality over quantity. You’ll find a carefully curated wine list, premium spirits, and an extensive cocktail menu that matches the refined atmosphere onboard.
Unlike mass-market cruise lines that include unlimited drinks in the fare, Oceania allows guests to customize their beverage experience. You can either pay for drinks individually (à la carte) or select one of the beverage packages to enjoy unlimited wine, beer, or spirits at a set daily rate.
Oceania offers two distinct beverage packages for guests who want to enjoy drinks without worrying about the bill each time they order. These are:
House Select Beverage Package
Prestige Select Beverage Package
Let’s explore each in detail.
The House Select Beverage Package is the more basic of the two options, perfect for travelers who mainly enjoy wine or beer with their meals.
What’s included:
Unlimited premium house wines by the glass during lunch and dinner
Unlimited beer during lunch and dinner
Soft drinks and bottled water are already included in your cruise fare (no need for a separate package)
The key feature is that beverages are only available during meal times and in dining venues—not at bars, lounges, or poolside. If you’re someone who prefers a glass of wine or beer with lunch and dinner but doesn’t plan to drink throughout the day, this package fits nicely.
Price:As of the most recent rates, the House Select Beverage Package costs around $39.95 per guest per day.Prices are typically subject to a 20% service charge, bringing the total to about $47.94 per day.
Who should choose it:
Guests who enjoy wine or beer with meals only
Those who don’t need cocktails or spirits
Travelers who plan to spend much of their day exploring onshore rather than lounging at bars
The House Select package provides value if you prefer simplicity and moderation in your drinking habits.
The Prestige Select Beverage Package is Oceania’s top-tier, all-inclusive drink option, perfect for guests who want complete freedom to enjoy drinks anytime, anywhere on the ship.
What’s included:
Unlimited premium spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass, and beer throughout the day, in any bar or restaurant
Drinks available during all onboard hours, not limited to meal times
Specialty coffees and soft drinks are already included for all guests, but the Prestige package adds access to a wider selection of alcoholic beverages
Essentially, with this package, you can order a glass of Champagne at breakfast, a gin and tonic by the pool in the afternoon, and fine wine with dinner—all covered.
Price:The Prestige Select Beverage Package costs approximately $59.95 per guest per day (plus the 20% service charge), totaling around $71.94 per day.
While that may seem high at first glance, it can be quite reasonable for guests who enjoy a few cocktails, glasses of wine, or premium drinks daily.
Who should choose it:
Guests who enjoy cocktails, spirits, or premium wines
Those who spend more time onboard enjoying lounges and bars
Travelers who appreciate the convenience of not signing a bill each time they order a drink
The Prestige Select package delivers true all-day freedom for those who value variety and convenience.
Even without purchasing a beverage package, Oceania Cruises includes several complimentary options in the base fare:
Specialty coffees and teas (espresso, cappuccino, latte, etc.)
Fresh juices in the morning
Soft drinks and bottled water
Room service beverages (non-alcoholic)
These are included for all guests, so if you don’t drink alcohol, you can comfortably skip the beverage package and still enjoy a good selection of drinks throughout your voyage.
If you prefer to pay à la carte, Oceania offers a wide range of wines, beers, and cocktails priced individually.
Typical prices:
Glass of wine: $9 to $16
Beer: $7 to $9
Cocktails: $12 to $16
Premium spirits: $14 to $20 or more depending on brand and age
If you usually drink one or two glasses of wine a day, paying per drink may be cheaper than buying a package. However, if you tend to enjoy multiple drinks daily, especially cocktails, the beverage package can save you a substantial amount.
Once you’ve purchased a beverage package, it will be linked to your stateroom keycard. Each time you order a drink, the bartender or server simply scans your card, and your package will automatically cover the cost—no need to sign receipts or worry about your onboard account tallying up.
Both guests sharing the same stateroom must purchase the same beverage package if one chooses to do so. This rule ensures fairness and prevents sharing between guests.
Packages must be purchased for the entire duration of the cruise; partial-day or selective use is not permitted.
Yes. Oceania allows guests to pre-purchase beverage packages before sailing, usually through the Oceania Cruises online portal or by contacting your travel agent. This can simplify embarkation and sometimes lock in prices before any increases.
If you forget to add a package before sailing, you can still purchase one onboard, typically on the first or second day of the voyage.
Oceania is known for its OLife Choice or OLife Ultimate promotions, which often bundle perks like shore excursions, onboard credits, or beverage packages.
For instance, OLife Choice may allow you to select one of several free amenities—such as:
Free shore excursions
Free beverage package (House Select)
Free onboard credit
If you book during such a promotion, you can enjoy the House Select Beverage Package at no additional cost. You can also upgrade to the Prestige Select Package by paying only the difference in daily rate.
It’s worth checking which offers are active at the time of your booking, as these can greatly enhance your cruise value.
To better understand Oceania’s pricing, it helps to compare it with other premium cruise lines:
Celebrity Cruises: Drink packages range from $69 to $109 per day, including spirits and cocktails.
Princess Cruises: Offers a Plus package with drinks included starting around $65 per day.
Regent Seven Seas: Fully all-inclusive, with drinks included in the fare.
Azamara: Includes select wines and spirits, with optional upgrades.
In this context, Oceania’s packages are reasonably priced for its category. It maintains flexibility by letting guests decide whether they want an inclusive beverage experience or prefer to pay per drink.
Oceania’s beverage service is curated to complement its world-class cuisine. Guests can expect fine selections rather than mass-produced options.
Wine selection: The wine list features labels from renowned regions like Napa Valley, Bordeaux, Tuscany, and New Zealand. The sommelier onboard often rotates selections to match the daily menu.
Spirits and cocktails: Oceania’s bartenders craft both classic and modern cocktails using premium brands such as Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire, Hendrick’s, Johnnie Walker Black, and Patron.
Beer options: You’ll find popular international and craft beers from Europe and North America, along with local selections depending on your cruise region.
For wine lovers, Oceania also offers wine-pairing dinners or private tasting events at an additional charge, providing opportunities to sample rare vintages not included in the beverage packages.
Yes, Oceania Cruises allows guests to bring wine or Champagne onboard, which is rare among cruise lines.
Policy details:
You may bring up to six bottles of wine or Champagne per stateroom at embarkation.
Additional bottles can be purchased in port and brought onboard.
A $25 corkage fee applies if you consume your wine in public venues such as restaurants.
If consumed in your cabin, there is no corkage fee.
However, bringing spirits or beer from shore is not permitted. Any such beverages will be held until the end of the voyage.
Even if you don’t drink alcohol, Oceania offers a delightful range of beverages.
At Baristas Café, guests can enjoy Italian-style espresso, cappuccino, macchiato, or iced coffee made from Illy coffee beans. These are included for all guests.
At breakfast, fresh juices like orange, pineapple, and vegetable blends are complimentary. Some ships feature smoothie bars at the Terrace Café, offering healthy blends of fruit, yogurt, and protein powder for an extra charge.
This high level of beverage quality ensures that even non-drinkers feel pampered onboard.
Here’s how to determine whether buying a beverage package makes financial sense for you:
Estimate your daily drinking habits: If you enjoy two glasses of wine at dinner and a cocktail before, that’s roughly $40–$45 in drinks. The Prestige Select package might already pay for itself.
Consider sea days vs. port days: On port days, you may spend most of your time ashore, drinking less onboard. On sea days, you might drink more at bars and lounges. Multiply accordingly.
Check if you qualify for free packages under promotions: The OLife Choice offer often includes the House Select package for free—this alone can save hundreds of dollars per couple.
Factor in convenience: Beyond the cost, having a package provides peace of mind. You can try new wines or cocktails without worrying about price.
Compare your cruise length: On shorter cruises, buying à la carte might make more sense. For longer voyages (10+ days), the package becomes more economical.
Let’s do a quick example for a 10-night cruise.
If you buy the Prestige Select Beverage Package:$59.95 per day × 10 days = $599.50 per personWith 20% service charge = $719.40 total
If you normally order:
2 glasses of wine ($14 × 2 = $28)
2 cocktails ($13 × 2 = $26)
1 beer ($8)
That’s $62 daily in drinks. Over 10 days, you’d spend about $620 before service charge. The package gives you unlimited access, extra flexibility, and savings if you occasionally order premium options or multiple drinks.
Hence, for moderate to heavy drinkers, the package quickly pays off.
Once purchased, beverage packages are non-transferable and typically non-refundable after the first day of sailing.
If you experience medical issues or other circumstances, exceptions may be handled case by case at guest services.
You cannot transfer your package to another guest or share drinks with someone who does not have the package—bartenders are trained to enforce this policy.
Oceania’s specialty restaurants—such as Polo Grill, Toscana, Red Ginger, and Jacques—offer exceptional wine lists curated to match their menus. If you have the House Select or Prestige Select package, wines by the glass and beers during lunch and dinner are included in these venues.
Guests without a beverage package can still order wines by the bottle or glass, with prices starting around $45 per bottle and increasing depending on the vintage and label.
Guests can enjoy 24-hour room service at no charge. However, alcoholic beverages ordered through room service are not included unless you have the Prestige Select package.
Mini-bar drinks (wine, beer, or spirits) are also chargeable unless covered by the package. Non-alcoholic options like soft drinks or water remain complimentary.
Yes, Oceania allows guests to use onboard credit (OBC) toward the purchase of beverage packages. If you have OBC from a promotion, travel agent, or loyalty benefit, it can offset part of the package cost. This makes it even more appealing for guests who like to bundle savings.
Frequent cruisers enrolled in the Oceania Club loyalty program can receive exclusive discounts or onboard credit that can be applied toward beverage packages. Higher-tier members sometimes enjoy complimentary events with free-flowing drinks or wine tastings, enhancing overall value.
Myth 1: “Oceania is fully all-inclusive.”Not entirely—while it offers many inclusions like specialty dining and soft drinks, alcohol is extra unless you buy a package or have a promotion.
Myth 2: “You can share drinks from one package.”Oceania requires all stateroom guests to have the same package if one chooses to buy it, preventing sharing.
Myth 3: “All drinks are covered.”Some ultra-premium or vintage wines, Champagne by the bottle, and specialty spirits (like Louis XIII Cognac) are not included but can be purchased separately.
Package NameInclusionsPrice per DayTotal (with 20% service)
House SelectUnlimited wine & beer with lunch and dinner$39.95$47.94
Prestige SelectUnlimited spirits, wine, beer, cocktails all day$59.95$71.94
Oceania Cruises provides a thoughtful and flexible approach to onboard beverages. The choice between paying à la carte or opting for a beverage package depends largely on your personal drinking habits, cruise length, and promotional offers.
For those who simply enjoy a glass of wine or beer with meals, the House Select Package offers excellent value—especially if included free under the OLife Choice promotion.
However, for travelers who enjoy cocktails, premium spirits, or wine throughout the day, the Prestige Select Package provides a truly carefree experience. It allows you to savor the ship’s full bar selection without thinking about the bill, turning your voyage into a fully indulgent escape.
Ultimately, Oceania’s beverage packages are designed to enhance the onboard luxury experience—balancing elegance, quality, and choice. Whether you sip a glass of Sauvignon Blanc at sunset or enjoy a martini before dinner, the right package ensures that every moment at sea feels effortlessly refined.
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