American Cruise Lines is known for its small-ship, river, and coastal cruises that focus on comfort, enrichment, and an intimate onboard experience. Unlike large ocean cruise companies that operate massive ships with thousands of passengers, American Cruise Lines caters to travelers seeking a relaxed, premium, and mostly all-inclusive journey through the rivers and coastlines of the United States.
One of the most common questions prospective passengers ask before booking is about drinks and alcohol. Specifically, many travelers want to know how much is the American Cruise Lines drink package, what beverages are included, and whether purchasing anything extra is necessary.
The answer is refreshingly simple compared to mainstream cruise lines. American Cruise Lines does not operate traditional drink packages in the way that most major cruise companies do. Instead, beverages are largely included in the cruise fare, which changes the entire cost calculation and overall value.
This article provides a deep, detailed explanation of American Cruise Lines’ drink policies, what is included, what is not, potential extra costs, and whether you should budget for drinks at all. By the end, you will have a crystal-clear understanding of how drinks work on American Cruise Lines cruises.
To understand the drink policy, it helps to first understand the company’s overall pricing philosophy. American Cruise Lines positions itself as a premium, nearly all-inclusive cruise line. The fare you pay upfront is designed to cover most onboard expenses so that passengers can relax without constantly pulling out their wallets.
This approach is very different from mass-market cruise lines, where the base fare is often low but additional costs quickly add up through drink packages, specialty dining, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and excursions.
American Cruise Lines simplifies the experience by including most essentials in the cruise fare. Drinks fall squarely into this philosophy.
The short answer is no, American Cruise Lines does not offer a separate drink package for purchase.
There is no daily beverage package, no unlimited alcohol add-on, and no tiered drink plans. Instead, a wide selection of beverages, including alcoholic drinks, is already included in the cruise price.
This is one of the biggest selling points for travelers who dislike the complexity and pressure of deciding whether a drink package is worth the cost.
American Cruise Lines includes a generous range of beverages throughout the cruise day. These are available in dining areas, lounges, and during onboard events.
Included beverages typically consist of:
• Wine (red, white, and sometimes sparkling)• Beer (domestic and select craft options)• Spirits such as vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, and bourbon• Cocktails and mixed drinks• Soft drinks and sodas• Juices• Bottled water• Coffee, tea, espresso, and specialty coffee drinks
Alcoholic beverages are available during lunch, dinner, and evening hours. In many cases, wine and beer are served freely during meals without any limitation on quantity.
Cocktails are usually available in the lounge during designated bar hours, especially in the evening.
Quality of alcoholic beverages
While American Cruise Lines does not market itself as a luxury ultra-premium alcohol experience, the quality of beverages is solid and appropriate for its upscale demographic.
The wine selections are typically good-quality table wines chosen to pair well with meals. Beer options often include popular domestic brands along with some regional selections that reflect the itinerary.
Spirits are generally mid-range brands rather than top-shelf ultra-premium labels. However, the cocktails are well-made, and bartenders are known for personalized service due to the small passenger count onboard.
For most travelers, the quality exceeds expectations, especially considering there is no extra charge.
There is no published or enforced drink limit on American Cruise Lines. The atmosphere onboard is refined and relaxed, and passengers are expected to drink responsibly.
Because the cruise line caters primarily to mature travelers, excessive drinking is extremely rare. Crew members are attentive but discreet, and service is based on hospitality rather than upselling.
If a passenger were to overindulge, staff would naturally manage the situation professionally, but there is no formal “two drinks per meal” rule or daily cap.
This creates a comfortable, pressure-free environment where guests can enjoy drinks without counting or calculating value.
Although American Cruise Lines includes a wide range of beverages, there are a few exceptions where additional charges may apply.
Premium or rare spirits may not be stocked onboard. If a ship carries a very high-end whiskey, cognac, or specialty liquor, it may come with an extra charge, though this is uncommon.
Special event tastings or themed alcohol experiences, if offered on a particular itinerary, may carry an additional cost. These are usually optional enrichment experiences rather than standard service.
Room service alcohol requests outside of standard service hours may also incur a small fee, depending on the ship and itinerary.
Overall, these exclusions are minimal, and most passengers never encounter any additional drink charges during their cruise.
Since most drinks are included, passengers rarely need to pay individually for beverages. However, if an extra charge does apply, prices are generally reasonable and comparable to upscale restaurant pricing rather than resort or cruise ship markups.
A cocktail might cost roughly the same as it would in a good hotel bar, and a glass of premium wine would reflect its quality rather than being inflated.
Because extra charges are rare, exact drink prices are not heavily advertised, reinforcing the idea that drinks are not a profit center for American Cruise Lines.
Comparison with mainstream cruise drink packages
To understand the real value, it helps to compare American Cruise Lines with large ocean cruise companies.
On mainstream cruise lines, drink packages typically cost anywhere from $60 to $120 per person per day. For a seven-night cruise, this can add $420 to $840 per person, not including gratuities.
In contrast, American Cruise Lines includes drinks in the base fare. While the upfront cruise price may appear higher, once you factor in drink packages, specialty dining, and other extras on mainstream cruises, the overall cost difference often narrows significantly.
For travelers who enjoy wine with meals and cocktails in the evening, American Cruise Lines can be a better financial value without the stress of “drinking enough” to justify a package.
While American Cruise Lines does not label itself as fully all-inclusive, its beverage policy comes very close.
The majority of drinks most passengers want are included. You can enjoy wine at lunch, cocktails before dinner, and a nightcap in the lounge without thinking about cost.
This semi-inclusive model works particularly well for river cruising, where days are filled with excursions and evenings are calm and social rather than party-focused.
In general, the drink policy is consistent across American Cruise Lines’ fleet, whether you are sailing on the Mississippi River, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, New England coast, or Alaska itineraries.
However, minor variations can occur based on ship size and onboard facilities. Larger modern riverboats may have more extensive bar setups than smaller coastal ships.
Seasonal or regional beverage offerings may also vary. For example, a New England cruise may feature regional beers, while a Mississippi River cruise may highlight Southern bourbon selections.
These variations enhance the experience rather than restrict it.
Yes, gratuities for beverages are included as part of the cruise fare.
You are not expected to tip bartenders or servers for each drink. Crew members are salaried or compensated through the overall service charge included in your booking.
That said, some guests choose to leave small personal tips for exceptional service at the end of the cruise, but this is entirely optional.
The American Cruise Lines drink policy is particularly beneficial for:
• Travelers who enjoy wine with meals• Guests who prefer cocktails in the evening• People who dislike prepaid drink packages• Older or mature travelers seeking relaxed cruising• Couples and solo travelers who value simplicity
For these guests, the included beverages enhance the feeling of value and luxury without complexity.
Passengers who prefer ultra-premium spirits, rare wines, or heavy daytime drinking may find the selection limited compared to luxury ocean cruises with high-end beverage programs.
Similarly, travelers who enjoy poolside drinking all day may find American Cruise Lines’ more structured service hours less suitable, as the experience is focused on dining and social hours rather than constant bar access.
When evaluating how much is the American Cruise Lines drink package, the key takeaway is that there is no separate cost. The value is built into the fare.
If you compare the experience holistically, including drinks, excursions, dining, and service, many travelers find American Cruise Lines to be excellent value for money.
The lack of a drink package removes a common source of stress and decision-making, allowing passengers to fully relax and enjoy the journey.
So, how much is the American Cruise Lines drink package? In practical terms, it costs nothing extra because it doesn’t exist as a separate purchase.
Instead, American Cruise Lines includes a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in the cruise fare, creating a seamless, refined, and stress-free onboard experience.
For travelers who appreciate simplicity, quality service, and transparent pricing, this beverage policy is one of the strongest reasons to choose American Cruise Lines over more complex mainstream cruise options.
Rather than counting drinks or calculating value, you can focus on what truly matters: the scenery, the history, the company, and the joy of cruising America’s waterways in comfort and style.
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