Cruising with Oceania Cruises is often described as a journey of culinary excellence and refined elegance. Known for its boutique-style ships, gourmet dining curated by world-renowned chefs, and intimate atmosphere, Oceania attracts travelers who value comfort, cuisine, and culture. Among the various onboard luxuries, beverages play an important role in enhancing the cruise experience. Whether you love sipping fine wine with dinner, enjoying cocktails by the pool, or simply prefer your morning espresso with a sea view, understanding Oceania Cruise Line’s drink package options is essential before you set sail.
In this detailed guide, we’ll explore everything about Oceania’s drink packages — their cost, inclusions, differences between tiers, and whether they’re worth the price. We’ll also cover tips on how to save money and get the best value from your beverage plan.
Oceania Cruises positions itself as a premium line — not quite as formal as luxury brands like Regent Seven Seas, but more upscale than mainstream cruise lines such as Norwegian or Royal Caribbean. The atmosphere onboard is elegant yet relaxed, and this balance extends to its beverage service as well.
Oceania offers guests two main drink package options: the House Select Beverage Package and the Prestige Select Beverage Package. Additionally, soft drinks, specialty coffees, and bottled water are generally included in the base fare, depending on the specific voyage and promotions.
For wine and cocktail lovers, the drink packages offer convenience and potential savings, especially if you enjoy a few drinks daily or prefer premium wines with your meals.
Oceania Cruises simplifies its beverage program into two core packages, each catering to different types of travelers and drinking preferences. Let’s look at them in detail.
The House Select Beverage Package is designed for guests who primarily enjoy wine and beer during lunch and dinner. It’s a perfect option for those who don’t drink heavily throughout the day but still want the comfort of unlimited drinks with meals.
Inclusions:
Unlimited premium house wines by the glass during lunch and dinner
Unlimited beer selections during lunch and dinner
Available in all onboard restaurants, including specialty dining venues
Served only during meal times
Price:The House Select Beverage Package typically costs around $39.95 per guest per day (plus gratuity, which is usually 20%). Prices can slightly vary depending on the ship, region, and voyage length.
Who should choose it:This package is best suited for travelers who enjoy a couple of glasses of wine or beer with lunch and dinner but don’t necessarily drink outside of meal hours. It’s cost-effective, elegant, and fits perfectly for those who enjoy dining as a key part of their cruise experience.
For those who like to enjoy drinks throughout the day, the Prestige Select Beverage Package is the top-tier option offered by Oceania Cruises. It covers a wide variety of alcoholic beverages at almost any time of day, making it ideal for cocktail lovers and those who like premium spirits or Champagne.
Inclusions:
Unlimited premium spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass, and beers at any time
Available in all onboard bars, lounges, restaurants, and pool areas
Includes soft drinks and bottled water
Access to most premium-brand liquors and specialty cocktails
Price:The Prestige Select Beverage Package is priced at approximately $69.95 per guest per day, plus a 20% service charge. Again, minor variations may occur based on itinerary or promotions.
Who should choose it:This package is perfect for guests who plan to enjoy multiple drinks per day — perhaps a mimosa at breakfast, a cocktail by the pool, wine with dinner, and a nightcap later on. If you prefer flexibility and premium choices, this plan offers excellent convenience.
To help you decide between the House Select and Prestige Select packages, here’s a quick side-by-side comparison:
FeatureHouse Select PackagePrestige Select Package
Price per day~$39.95 + 20% gratuity~$69.95 + 20% gratuity
Drink TypeBeer and wine onlyBeer, wine, spirits, cocktails
Service HoursDuring lunch and dinnerAny time, anywhere onboard
Best forCasual wine or beer drinkersAll-day drinkers and cocktail lovers
ValueGreat for moderate drinkersBest for those who drink 4+ beverages daily
As the table shows, the biggest difference lies in the variety of beverages and the time restrictions. The House Select plan is limited to meals, while the Prestige Select plan covers virtually all hours and all bars.
Even if you don’t purchase a drink package, Oceania Cruises offers a generous range of complimentary beverages as part of its inclusive experience. Here’s what you can expect to enjoy without any additional cost:
Specialty coffees and teas (such as cappuccino, espresso, and herbal blends)
Bottled water (still and sparkling, depending on your cabin class)
Soft drinks and juices
Non-alcoholic cocktails (in some venues)
Room service beverages like tea or coffee
For many guests, this selection is more than enough, especially for those who don’t drink alcohol daily. Oceania’s coffee and tea offerings are particularly well-regarded, and the service quality adds a touch of luxury even to non-alcoholic options.
Once you’ve chosen and purchased your preferred beverage package, it’s applied to your onboard account and linked to your cruise key card. Every time you order a drink at a bar, lounge, or restaurant, the staff simply scans your card to confirm your inclusion in the package — no signing of receipts or extra charges.
Gratuities are usually added upfront when you buy the package, so there’s no need to tip bartenders separately, though many guests still offer small cash tips for exceptional service.
It’s important to note that Oceania requires all adults in the same stateroom to purchase the same beverage package if one person opts in. This policy prevents sharing or misuse of the package.
If you’re unsure whether the drink package is worth it, you might want to know how much drinks cost individually onboard. Prices can vary slightly by ship and region, but here’s a general guide to Oceania’s typical bar prices:
Glass of house wine: $10–$14
Premium wine by the glass: $15–$25
Beer: $6–$8
Cocktails: $10–$15
Premium spirits: $12–$20
Champagne (glass): $18–$25
Bottled water (if not included): $3–$5
Specialty coffees (espresso, cappuccino): Usually complimentary
If you plan to enjoy more than 3–4 alcoholic beverages per day, the Prestige Select package may start to make financial sense. For moderate drinkers who only enjoy wine with meals, the House Select plan offers good value.
Oceania Cruises often runs promotions that bundle drink packages with bookings, especially under their OLife Choice or OLife Ultimate offers. Depending on your booking tier and voyage, you may receive a free House Select package or a discounted upgrade to Prestige Select.
For instance:
OLife Choice Promotion: Often includes one free perk, which can be a shore excursion credit, onboard spending credit, or the House Select Beverage Package.
OLife Ultimate Promotion: Sometimes includes multiple perks, with drink packages automatically upgraded or included.
If you book during one of these offers, you can enjoy significant savings. Therefore, it’s wise to check your cruise fare inclusions before paying separately for any package.
One of the highlights of Oceania Cruises is its gourmet dining, featuring restaurants like Jacques, Polo Grill, Toscana, and Red Ginger. These venues serve world-class cuisine inspired by master chef Jacques Pépin and regional culinary traditions.
If you have the House Select or Prestige Select package, you can enjoy wine or beer pairings at these specialty restaurants without additional cost. However, note that very high-end or rare wines from the ship’s premium cellar list are not covered under either package. Guests can still purchase those by the bottle or glass à la carte.
Some ships occasionally host wine tastings or cocktail-making classes, which are also not included in the drink packages but are popular paid experiences for wine enthusiasts.
Determining whether Oceania’s drink package is worth it depends on your drinking habits, preferences, and travel style. Let’s break it down with a few real-life examples:
If you typically enjoy one glass of wine at lunch and another at dinner, you’re consuming about $20–$25 worth of drinks daily. The House Select package costs about $40 (plus gratuity), so unless it’s included in a promotion, it may not be worth it financially. However, the convenience of not signing bills at every meal can still make it appealing.
If you like cocktails by the pool, wine with dinner, and maybe a nightcap after a show, you could easily spend $60–$80 daily on beverages. In this case, the Prestige Select package at $70/day offers both convenience and potential savings.
If you only drink occasionally or prefer coffee, tea, and soft drinks, there’s no need to buy any package at all. Oceania’s complimentary offerings are already generous enough for a pleasant experience.
Buy Before You Sail: Pre-purchasing your package before embarkation may save you money compared to onboard prices.
Watch for Promotions: Oceania frequently bundles drink packages into limited-time deals. Booking under OLife offers can save hundreds of dollars.
Know Your Drinking Habits: Track your average consumption for a couple of days at home or during previous cruises to see if the package suits your lifestyle.
Don’t Forget the Gratuities: Remember that Oceania adds about 20% gratuity automatically to package prices.
Use Specialty Venues: Since the package applies to all restaurants and lounges, take advantage of signature cocktails or wine pairings at high-end venues.
Avoid Duplicate Purchases: Soft drinks and specialty coffees are already included, so don’t factor those into your justification for the package.
Bring Your Own Wine: Oceania allows guests to bring a limited number of wine bottles onboard (usually two per cabin), which can also offset costs.
Before finalizing your decision, here are a few important policies related to Oceania’s drink packages:
Age restriction: You must be at least 21 years old to purchase or consume alcohol on U.S.-based cruises.
Sharing not allowed: Packages are personal and non-transferable.
Cancellation: Once activated onboard, packages cannot be canceled or refunded.
Service limitations: Packages cover drinks by the glass only; bottles of wine or Champagne are not included.
Special events: Private receptions or in-room mini-bar items may not be covered.
Understanding these policies can prevent confusion or disappointment once you’re onboard.
If you don’t drink much but still want flexibility, there are a few alternatives:
Pay As You Go: Simply charge drinks to your onboard account. Ideal for light drinkers.
Purchase Wine by the Bottle: Many guests prefer buying a few bottles of fine wine at the start of their cruise. Unfinished bottles can be stored and served at future meals.
Drink Specials: Oceania often offers daily specials, happy hours, or tasting events that let you enjoy drinks without committing to a full package.
Unlike many cruise lines that focus on quantity, Oceania emphasizes quality in every pour. Wines are carefully curated from around the world, featuring European and New World labels. Cocktails are freshly prepared using premium ingredients, and bartenders are trained in classic mixology techniques.
Even the non-alcoholic selections receive the same attention to detail — from freshly squeezed juices to artisanal teas. This commitment to quality ensures that regardless of whether you buy a package or not, the experience always feels indulgent.
So, how much is the Oceania Cruise Line drink package?To summarize:
House Select Package: Around $39.95/day + 20% gratuity — wine and beer during meals.
Prestige Select Package: Around $69.95/day + 20% gratuity — unlimited drinks anytime, anywhere.
Both options reflect Oceania’s refined yet flexible approach to cruising, allowing guests to tailor their experience according to taste and budget.
If you love fine wines and enjoy multiple drinks daily, the Prestige Select plan adds comfort and luxury without constant calculations. But if your indulgence is limited to dining hours, the House Select package strikes the perfect balance of value and sophistication.
Ultimately, Oceania Cruises’ beverage program mirrors its overall philosophy — providing elegance, choice, and high-quality experiences that elevate life at sea.
Recent Guide
Your ultimate guide to cruise adventures. Discover amazing destinations, find the perfect cruise, and create unforgettable memories on the high seas.
Quick Links
Cruise Types
© 2025 Cruisebookinghub.com. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service