MSC To Stop Offering Drinks Package To Guests

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MSC Cruises has made a big announcement regarding its onboard offerings, with a drinks package being dropped.

From 1st August 2025, the cruise line will no longer allow guests to book an Easy Plus Drinks Package.

MSC Cruises Drinks Packages

There are still four other package options that guests can book – the Easy Package (Europe only), the Premium Extra Package, the Alcohol-Free Package and the Minors Package.

The change impacts all cruisers who booked from 1st August 2025 onwards. Any guests who have already booked an Easy Plus package prior to 31st July 2025 will have the package honoured, no matter their sailing date.

The Easy Plus package had already been removed from sailings in the Caribbean, North America and Pacific Ocean regions, along with the Easy package. Those changes were made in December 2024.

Easy Plus – What You Got

The Easy Plus Drinks Package has been a popular mid-tier option for cruisers seeking a balance between variety and value.

It included a broad selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages priced up to $10 (or the equivalent in other currencies), covering draught and bottled beers, wines by the glass, cocktails, soft drinks, specialty coffees, and more.

Guests also received a 10% discount on bottles of wine.

A standout feature of the Easy Plus package was its availability in specialty restaurants – something not offered with the lower-tier Easy Package.

Cruise Mummy raises a glass of amber-colored beverage in the Main Dining Room on an MSC cruise ship, with elegant décor and attentive staff in the background, capturing a moment of joy and fine dining on a luxury voyage.

This made it a go-to choice for guests who wanted to enjoy drinks in more venues across the ship, including the main dining room, buffet, bars, and à la carte restaurants.

While it wasn’t an all-inclusive package, Easy Plus was generally considered good value, especially when booked in advance at discounted rates.

Prices ranged from £47 to £57.50 per night on UK sailings, and they included gratuities – removing the need for additional service charges on drinks.

The package was already phased out from the North American market in late 2024, but had remained available for European and UK cruises – until now.

With its removal, guests looking for wider drink choices will now need to upgrade to the Premium Extra Package, or settle for the more limited selection in the Easy Package.

The shift may also complicate dining plans for those who frequently dine in specialty venues, as the Easy Package doesn’t cover drinks in those locations.

As ever, guests are advised to carefully consider whether a drinks package suits their habits – particularly as packages must be purchased for the full length of the cruise, and for every guest in a cabin, including children.

Other Package Options

With the Easy Plus Package being removed, guests will still have four drinks packages to choose from, each catering to different budgets and preferences:

Premium Extra Package

This is MSC’s top-tier drinks package, including all drinks priced up to $16 / €14 / £14. It features:

  • Craft, draught and bottled beers
  • Full range of wines and Champagne by the glass
  • Premium brand spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, soft drinks and energy drinks
  • Specialty coffees, hot teas, and hot chocolate
  • 25% discount on wine and Champagne bottles purchased onboard
  • Available in all bars (except the Starship Club), restaurants (including speciality venues), Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, and selected premium venues like the Raj Polo Tea Room and The Coffee Emporium.

Easy Package

A budget-friendly option, this package is only available in Europe and the Middle East with MSC, and includes:

  • Heineken draught beer
  • A limited selection of house wines, classic cocktails and mocktails
  • House spirits, fruit juices, soft drinks, mineral water
  • Classic hot drinks like espresso, cappuccino and tea

Drinks can be enjoyed in bars, the buffet, and the main dining room, but not in speciality restaurants or the Starship Club.

Alcohol-Free Package

Designed for adults who don’t drink alcohol, this package offers:

  • Alcohol-free cocktails
  • Sodas, fruit juices, flavoured water, energy drinks, mineral water
  • Coffee drinks, hot teas, hot chocolate
  • Soft-serve ice cream

Available throughout the ship, including Ocean Cay, but excludes speciality restaurants and the Starship Club.

Minors Package

Tailored for younger cruisers (ages 3 to 17 in Europe, 3 to 20 in North America and the Caribbean), this mirrors the Alcohol-Free Package and includes:

  • Alcohol-free cocktails
  • Sodas, juices, mineral and flavoured water
  • Hot drinks and soft-serve ice cream

As with the Alcohol-Free Package, this can be used in most venues except speciality restaurants and the Starship Club.

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