Why Cruise Ship Beverage Classes Are Worth Booking

A bartender demonstrating a cocktail onboard a Princess Cruise. Photo credit Princess Cruises

For many passengers, cruise ships and drinking go hand in hand. But cruise lines are moving beyond unlimited beverage packages by turning drinking into a learning experience. Once little more than a sea-day diversion, beverage classes have evolved into immersive experiences that help passengers explore new drinks, build confidence, and discover new favorites.

What type of beverage classes are available on board, what should you expect, and most importantly, are they worth it? Here’s the rundown.

Why Cruise Ship Beverage Classes Stand Out

I've been on more than two dozen cruises and taken beverage classes on roughly half of them, and no two have been exactly alike. Some focus on a single spirit or wine region, while others combine cocktail history, technique, and storytelling. Some classes are educational tastings led by sommeliers or master bartenders, while others are more hands-on, where everyone takes a turn behind the bar. 

Regardless of the drink subject or how it’s taught, I’ve found that beverage classes consistently rank among my favorite on-board activities because they’re relaxed, social, and approachable.

What to Expect

Bartender at Hemisphere Dancer Craft Cocktail Lounge making a drink - credit Margaritaville at Sea

A Margaritavilla at Sea bartender garnishing a cocktail at the Hemisphere Dancer Craft Cocktail Lounge. Photo credit Margaritaville at Sea

Like shore excursions and limited activities, mixology classes and guided tastings typically come with an additional charge. Most shipboard cocktail classes and tastings cost about $35 to $75 per person, and luxury experiences such as tastings of rare bottlings or a tasting with food pairings can cost significantly more.

Sometimes classes will sell out quickly because they're intentionally kept small. They may be held in a private or semi-private bar area, adding an element of intimacy that makes it feel special. The smaller format gives guests more interaction with bartenders and beverage experts while also creating a premium onboard experience.

Many cruise ship beverage courses blend education with entertainment to appeal to people who aren’t even cocktail enthusiasts. One of my favorites took place aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Islander: bartenders Fernando Emanuel Flores of the Philippines and Lingga Anak Agung Gde Darma of Bali, Indonesia, walked guests through four Jimmy Buffett-inspired cocktails while weaving in stories about Buffett's music and the culture that inspired the brand. The class struck a nice balance between hands-on instruction and entertainment. Along the way, we learned why some cocktails are stirred while others are shaken, when to use a Boston shaker instead of a mixing glass, and which tools are actually worth buying for a home bar.

That emphasis on experience isn't unique to Margaritaville. Daniele Salamone, Senior Director of Beverage Operations for Celebrity Cruises, says Celebrity Cruises focuses on craft, creativity, and guest experience. “Every element is designed with the same level of expertise and intention you'd expect from the world's best cocktail bars — not just in what we serve, but in how it's experienced,” she says.

Expect a Few Surprises

The Parlor, a bar on the Celebrity Solstice. Photo credit Celebrity Cruises

One thing most beverage classes have in common is a little mystery. Unless you're signing up for a class built around a specific spirit or winery, you usually don't know exactly what cocktails or wine you’ll be tasting until you arrive.

That element of surprise is part of what makes these classes so enjoyable. You're putting yourself in the bartender's hands for an hour or so, and while that occasionally means tasting something you wouldn't order again, it also opens the door to trying something you would have never thought to select for yourself. 

I've never loved every single pour or cocktail I've been served in a class, but I've also never walked away feeling like I've wasted my time. Most instructors intentionally build a lineup with a range of flavors, from spirit-forward to sweeter or more citrus-driven, so chances are you'll find at least one new favorite.

A Low-Pressure Way to Explore New Drinks

Cocktails at Boulevard Bar on the Celebrity Solstice. Photo credit Celebrity Cruises

One of the biggest appeals of cruise ship beverage classes is that they remove much of the intimidation that can come with wine and spirits. Instead of committing to a full cocktail at dinner, you're tasting smaller pours or miniature-sized drinks alongside explanations of why ingredients work together and how different spirits change a drink’s character.

Wine, in particular, can feel intimidating. There always seems to be someone who knows the “right” pronunciation, the “right” food pairing, or the difference between two bottles that look almost identical on the shelf. That can make people reluctant to ask questions or venture beyond familiar bottles. But cruise ship tastings take away much of that pressure. Everyone is there because they're curious, not because they're prepping for a sommelier exam, and asking questions is a crucial part of the experience.

That approachability extends beyond alcoholic beverages. Princess Cruises has launched POURS, a program that includes both premium cocktails and alcohol-free options featuring botanicals, adaptogens, and other functional ingredients. 

During a recent sailing aboard Celebrity Solstice, I noticed a similar philosophy in practice at Boulevard Lounge, a midship cocktail bar that hosts mixology classes and showcases many of the line's premium spirits. It's also where I found some of the most thoughtfully crafted zero-proof cocktails on board — drinks designed to stand on their own rather than simply replacing alcohol with soda or juice.

What You’ll Take Home

The Celebrity Solstice in Alaska. Photo credit Celebrity Cruises

The best beverage classes leave passengers with more than recipes. Guests leave with surprisingly practical techniques they can actually use at home rather than simply recreating a vacation drink. Whether I'm learning basic cocktail mechanics or sampling a new wine I wouldn’t order at home, I almost always leave feeling a little more confident than when I walked in.

One class introduced me to the French 75, a cocktail I probably would never have ordered on my own because I was convinced I didn’t like gin (turns out I do). Now, even when it appears on a menu under another name or with a slight variation, I usually recognize the combination of gin, citrus, and sparkling wine and know it's something I'll enjoy. That's one of the unexpected benefits of a cocktail class. Bar experts don't just teach you to make a drink — they help you understand why you like it.

The best cruise ship cocktail classes don't just teach people how to mix a drink. They give travelers the confidence to order something unfamiliar, experiment at home, and understand the difference between stirring and shaking. Even guests who never plan to build an elaborate home bar leave with a better appreciation for what's in their glass and perhaps the courage to step out of their comfort zone and try something new or to venture into the world of fine wines at home when it previously felt intimidating.

Even if you leave knowing one cocktail you'll never order again, you'll probably also discover one you never would have tried otherwise. You might come away with a recipe card, a few new techniques, and perhaps a bottle recommendation. More importantly, you'll leave with a better understanding of what you enjoy drinking — and that's a souvenir that doesn’t take up extra room in your suitcase.