A drinks package pays off only if the two of you order enough drinks each day to reach break-even. If you will not, pay per drink and keep the money for something you will use.
This guide sits under our budget topic, and the method below works with any resort’s price list.
How do you work out the break-even?
Use three numbers from the resort: the package price for two, the number of nights, and the menu price of one drink. The idea is simple.
- Divide the package price by the number of nights.
- Divide that by the menu price of one drink.
- The result is the drinks per day you must order, as a couple, to break even.
Be honest about the answer. If the number is higher than the two of you drink on a quiet beach day, the package will cost more than it saves.
Which drinks should you count?
Count only what the package covers and what you would really order. Coffee at breakfast, a juice by the pool and a mocktail at dinner can add up, but only if all three are included.
Ask whether the package covers:
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, or only one kind.
- Bottled water and fresh juice.
- Premium brands, or only house options.
- Room service and the minibar.
- Every restaurant and bar, or only some.
What can reduce the value of a package?
Limits sit in the small print. Ask about them before you pay.
| Limit | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Hours of service | Drinks at the sunset bar may fall outside the hours |
| One drink per order | A round for two takes two orders |
| Excluded outlets | The most scenic bar may be left out |
| Premium brands excluded | You may pay a top-up for the drink you like |
| Minimum stay | Some packages apply only from a set number of nights |
Is it worth it if you do not drink alcohol?
It can be, if the package covers coffee, juice and mocktails at every outlet. Some packages are priced around alcohol, so a couple who do not drink may find the value low.
Ask whether a soft-drink-only rate exists, or whether the resort will discount the package if you do not use the bar. Keep the reply in writing. Our guide on halal meal plan checks shows the same approach for food.
When is paying per drink the better option?
If you will spend most days out at attractions, the package sits unused. If the resort is in a town with plenty of cafes, you will drink elsewhere. And if you prefer quiet evenings in the room, you will use the package less.
In those cases, paying per drink gives you more control. It also avoids one of the hidden honeymoon costs couples miss, which is paying for a benefit you rarely use.
What should you do next?
- Ask the resort for the package price for two and the full menu.
- Work out the break-even using the three steps above.
- Ask what is excluded and which hours apply, and get the answer in writing.
- Compare with the cost of paying per drink, using the honeymoon budget calculator.
- Send us the wording if anything is unclear, and we will read it with you.