7 Ways to Get FREE DRINKS on Your Next MSC Cruise!
You’ve booked your MSC cruise, and you’re now thinking about the onboard experience. The world of drinks on a cruise ship can be an expensive one, and so it’s important that you think about ways that you could save some money throughout your cruise vacation.
In this post, I’m going to share with you some of my top tips for getting free drinks on your next MSC cruise. Who knows - there might be something in here that gets you thinking, and helps you to save some money on your next trip.
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So, let’s jump in - what are my 7 ways for you to get FREE DRINKS on your next MSC cruise?
1. Buy your drinks package BEFORE your cruise. You’ll save money, and therefore you’ll get some free drinks for your money compared to buying onboard!
You can buy your drinks package onboard the ship, from crew members or via the digital screens found throughout the ship.
Ok, this one might sound a little strange, but I meet SO MANY PEOPLE who purchase their drinks packages once they get onto the ship. Factually, this will work out more expensive than purchasing before you board - MSC usually allow you to save about 20% on a drinks package if you order it online before you sail, so it’s well worth it!
You’ll need to log into your online account in advance of the cruise, and you’ll usually be able to order up until 3 days before your sailing. You should have access to your online account as soon as your cruise booking is confirmed, so why leave it until the last minute? Order (and pay for) your drinks package as early as possible to stand the best chance of saving money.
Of course, if you need to wait until onboard, there will be lots of opportunity to purchase a package, but this will come at the full price with no reduction - take note!
2. Got loyalty with MSC, or another travel organisation? Match it now to be invited to the Voyagers Club drinks reception onboard!
Some events onboard will have complimentary drinks, and it might be easier to get invited than you think…!
If you’re new to cruising, then it’s important to note that this is an industry that LOVES a loyalty programme. With most cruise lines, you’ll build points for each night you spend onboard a ship, and additional points for onboard spend, too! That’s the case for MSC Cruises, through their ‘Voyagers Club’ programme.
You can join this club from the point of your first cruise, and it’s well worth doing so! As you work your way through the programme, you can expect things like discounted onboard facilities, spa access, speciality dinners when you cruise, and other things.
Some members will even receive a complimentary bottle of wine (usually Prosecco) delivered to their cabin one evening of the cruise, and an invite to a ‘private event’ during the cruise. In my experience, there are usually lots of drinks on offer here, so this one could be of interest to you if you’re looking to save some money on your bar tab!
At these private events, you can often expect to meet the senior officers onboard, and share a toast with them. Cheers!
You’ll usually find a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks being offered, alongside canapés and snacks.
You might be reading this and thinking you haven’t cruised enough with MSC to qualify for such a benefit, but you need to be aware of their ‘Status Match’ programme. If you have a loyalty status with any other cruise line, hotel group or tour operator, you should check out the programme today - you can match your higher status elsewhere to instantly qualify for benefits with MSC Cruises!
Click here to find out more about the Status Match programme now.
3. Go Shopping! You’ll sometimes be treated to a free glass while browsing…
Did you know that cruise ships are often a great shopping destination? You’ll find multiple shops onboard, and usually a wide variety of products at ‘tax free’ prices!
Cruise ship shops are a great place to treat yourself. You can often buy designer brands at a discounted price onboard, thanks to the ability to shop ‘tax free’ as the ship is sailing in International waters.
If you’re looking to add a new handbag, designer fragrance, or even a piece of jewellery to your collection, then your cruise could be the perfect time for you to do this. While you’re browsing, you may even be treated to a complimentary drink. In short, if you’re enjoying spending time in the store, you’re probably more likely to make the purchase - it’s a really simple technique that’s used world-over.
Check your onboard daily schedule for shopping events - some will even state in the listings that you’re going to receive a glass of fizz, so you won’t even need to ask!
Check your daily schedule for special events!
4. Enjoy playing in the Casino? Well, if you’re known to MSC, you could get free drinks!
This one won’t be open to all players - you’re going to need to be known to the cruise line, and be a big player, in order to avail of this perk. It’s widely known that cruise lines will offer dedicated casino players a complimentary cruise. MSC explain that any players who build up 9,999 (number correct at the point of writing this post - January 2025) player points in their casino during the cruise will automatically qualify for this offer, for example.
You can build points across all of the facilities within the casino - if in any doubt, just speak to a casino host, and they’ll be able to help you.
Always remember to gamble responsibly.
Digital Roulette machines onboard MSC Preziosa.
You’ll find a wide selection of slot machines on your MSC Cruises ship.
5. Stick to what’s provided 24/7 at the buffet…
We’re talking about drinks in this post, and that covers both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. I meet lots of cruisers who don’t realise that, on an MSC cruise, there are a number of drinks available free of charge within the buffet restaurants.
All day (and all night), you’ll find coffee, water (both hot and cold), tea and ice available. During the breakfast service, you’ll then find the juice machine in the picture below available, with a number of fruit juices dispensed at the touch of a button.
There are some cruise lines out there who don’t offer any of this for free, but it’s great that MSC Cruises still do - long may that continue!
You’ll find multiple beverage stations like this available at your buffet venue onboard.
On MSC Preziosa, there was a wide selection of teas and powdered drinks available.
6. Look out for cocktail demonstrations - you’ll often get free samples at these!
Throughout the day on a cruise ship, there is a wide array of events available designed to keep passengers busy, and to prevent anyone getting bored while on their cruise vacation. I was delighted to see MSC Cruises offering a cocktail demonstration on one of my recent cruises during a day ‘at sea’.
A number of the bartenders from the ship were in the Promenade area of the ship, and they put on a show for the passengers while explaining how to make some of their favourite cocktails.
This event was great fun, and they even offered some free samples of the drinks they were making. You could then purchase the drinks they were making from the bars onboard - a clever ‘up selling’ technique from MSC, but also a great way to bag yourself a free drink!
Cocktail Masterclass onboard MSC World Europa (picture 1 of 2)
Cocktail Masterclass onboard MSC World Europa (picture 2 of 2)
7. Treat yourself to a Suite in the Yacht Club. If you’re staying in one of these rooms, you’ll also score a drinks package!
This one might sound like a really expensive option, but you might be surprised at what you might find price-wise for Yacht Club accommodations. Sure, on some cruises with MSC, you’ll expect to pay A LOT more for the privilege of staying in this locked-down part of the ship, but this isn’t always the case.
My tip here is to be flexible and shop around - you might just get yourself the deal of the decade! Most ships with the Yacht Club option also offer Inside cabins within the private ‘members only’ world of Yacht Club. These cabins get access to all of the same ‘suite guest only’ facilities as everyone else, but they pay a fraction of the price as they’re in an inside cabin without a window or balcony!
What lots of people don’t realise is that you automatically receive the ‘Premium Extra’ Drinks Package when you opt to stay in any Yacht club suite, and you’ll also have a fully stocked mini-bar (this is also replenished daily!) available in your room. If you do secure a good price for your cruise, this could be a great opportunity for you to also have a complimentary bar tab!
MSC Yacht Club offers you the best suites on the ship, and these come with a drinks package included!
That’s 7 of my tips to help you score some free drinks on your next MSC cruise! I really hope you’ve enjoyed this post today - if you have, then click here to read more about my experiences with MSC!
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