MSC Cruises Minibar Menu & Prices: Drinks, Beer, Water & Snacks
MSC Cruises cabins include a minibar, giving passengers convenient access to drinks and snacks without having to leave their stateroom. The selection is relatively simple, with bottled water, soft drinks, juice, beer and snacks stocked directly inside the cabin.
MSC currently confirms that its cabins are equipped with minibars, making this useful as a broad MSC Cruises guide rather than an article tied to one particular ship. MSC also specifically excludes minibar purchases from its standard beverage packages, so passengers should understand the minibar charges even if they already purchased a drink package.
The photographed MSC minibar menu in this guide lists individual prices ranging from $3.25 for a smaller bottle of water to $9 for beer. Prices and products can vary by ship, itinerary and sailing, so this menu should be treated as a documented example rather than a permanent fleetwide price list.
For more information before visiting Ocean Cay, CruisePrism readers can also explore our MSC Cruises Dining Menus, MSC Drink Lists and MSC Onboard Guides for more dining, activities, schedules and cruise-planning information.
MSC Cruises Minibar Menu
The photographed minibar menu is divided into four categories:
- Soft drinks
- Mineral water
- Beers
- Snacks
The minibar sheet also includes spaces for the passenger’s name and cabin number, along with columns recording the quantity consumed and total charge.
MSC Minibar Prices
The photographed MSC Cruises minibar menu lists the following prices:
- Fruit juice, 8 oz – $4.50
- Soda, 12 oz – $3.50
- Still or sparkling mineral water, 32 oz – $5.25
- Still or sparkling mineral water, 16 oz – $3.25
- Corona Extra, 12 oz – $9
- Heineken, 12 oz – $9
- Potato chips – $5
These prices apply to the specific minibar menu photographed for this guide.
MSC states that products can vary according to destination and season, so passengers shouldn’t assume that every MSC ship will stock exactly the same brands or charge exactly the same amount.
MSC Minibar Soft Drink Prices
The photographed menu includes two types of nonalcoholic drinks.
Fruit Juice – $4.50
An 8-ounce bottle of fruit juice costs $4.50.
The menu doesn’t identify a specific juice flavor or brand, so availability may depend on what has been stocked in the cabin.
Soda – $3.50
A 12-ounce can of soda costs $3.50.
Again, the minibar sheet doesn’t identify specific soda brands.
MSC Minibar Water Prices
MSC provides two sizes of still or sparkling mineral water.
32 oz Still or Sparkling Water – $5.25
The larger 32-ounce bottle costs $5.25.
Passengers can choose still or sparkling water depending on availability.
16 oz Still or Sparkling Water – $3.25
The smaller 16-ounce bottle costs $3.25.
This is the least expensive item on the photographed minibar menu.
MSC has been changing how water is served across its fleet through its AQUA by MSC program, so the exact bottled-water products available in a minibar can change as the program continues to roll out.
MSC Minibar Beer Prices
The photographed menu includes two bottled beers, both priced at $9.
Corona Extra – $9
A 12-ounce bottle of Corona Extra costs $9.
Heineken – $9
A 12-ounce bottle of Heineken also costs $9.
The beer brands stocked inside the minibar can vary according to ship, destination and availability.
MSC Minibar Snacks
The photographed menu has one snack selection:
Potato Chips – $5
A container of potato chips costs $5.
The minibar isn’t intended to replace room service or the buffet. It’s primarily there for passengers who want immediate access to a drink or small snack without leaving their cabin.
Is the MSC Cruises Minibar Free?
Generally, no.
Items consumed from the standard minibar are charged to the passenger’s onboard account.
The photographed minibar sheet includes columns for the quantity consumed, price per unit and total, making it clear that the minibar is an individually charged service.
There are exceptions for certain accommodations and experiences.
Is the MSC Minibar Included With a Drink Package?
This is an important one: No, MSC’s current standard beverage packages exclude minibar purchases.
MSC’s current beverage-package terms specifically list the minibar among the exclusions.
That means having an Easy, Premium Extra, Alcohol-Free or other applicable beverage package does not automatically make the drinks sitting inside your cabin minibar complimentary.
This can be confusing because the exact same type of beverage may be covered when ordered at an eligible bar but cost extra when taken from the minibar.
For example, a beer obtained from an eligible bar could fall within the terms of your beverage package, while a beer removed from your cabin minibar can be charged separately.
Does MSC Premium Extra Include the Minibar?
Under MSC’s current beverage-package rules, Premium Extra does not include minibar purchases.
This is worth emphasizing because older versions of MSC’s highest-tier beverage packages did include minibar items.
MSC’s current terms specifically exclude:
- Minibar
- Room service
- Retail items
- Promotions
- Other specified exclusions
Passengers who remember older MSC beverage packages should therefore check the current terms rather than assuming the previous minibar benefit still applies.
Is the MSC Yacht Club Minibar Free?
MSC Yacht Club has different minibar benefits from a standard cabin.
Yacht Club passengers receive a higher level of included food and beverage service, so they should use the benefits associated with their Yacht Club booking rather than the standard minibar rules described on this menu.
The standard minibar price sheet is most useful for passengers staying outside the Yacht Club.
MSC Aurea Minibar Benefits
MSC currently lists a specific minibar benefit for Aurea Suites.
MSC describes the benefit as:
Premium Minibar – first minibar items for free
This applies specifically to Aurea Suites under MSC’s current experience benefits.
Passengers booked in Aurea should check their exact cabin category because minibar benefits can depend on the accommodation rather than simply seeing the word “Aurea” on a booking.
Does Every MSC Cabin Have a Minibar?
MSC currently states that all cabins are equipped with a minibar.
The cruise line lists minibars among its standard cabin equipment alongside items such as a television, safe, hairdryer, air conditioning and telephone.
That is one of the reasons this menu works well as a general MSC Cruises resource rather than a ship-specific article.
The exact physical setup, contents and products can still vary between ships and cabin categories.
How Does the MSC Minibar Work?
The minibar is stocked with beverages and snacks inside your cabin.
When you consume an item, the charge is added to your onboard account.
The photographed inventory sheet provides columns for crew to record:
- Quantity consumed
- Price per unit
- Total charge
The sheet also includes spaces for the guest’s name, cabin number, signature and date.
Passengers should check their onboard account periodically, particularly if multiple people in the stateroom are using the minibar.
Does MSC Charge Gratuity on Minibar Purchases?
The photographed minibar menu states that an 18% beverage gratuity is automatically added for guests without a beverage package and for items excluded from their respective package.
MSC’s current U.S. onboard information also states that an 18% bar service charge is automatically added to purchases.
Because minibar items are currently excluded from MSC beverage packages, passengers should pay attention to the applicable service charge when calculating the actual cost.
Prices and applicable taxes or service charges can vary according to itinerary.
How Much Does a $9 MSC Minibar Beer Cost With 18% Gratuity?
If the 18% beverage gratuity shown on the menu applies, a $9 beer would add:
$9 × 18% = $1.62
That would make the total:
$10.62
Similarly, a $3.50 soda with an 18% charge would total approximately:
$4.13
These calculations don’t include any additional taxes that might apply in particular ports or itineraries.
Can Minibar Prices Change?
Yes.
The photographed menu itself states:
Prices are subject to change.
MSC also says beverage products can vary by destination and season.
That means passengers should treat this price list as a useful onboard snapshot rather than a promise that a future cruise will have identical pricing.
Check the minibar price sheet inside your cabin for the exact charges on your sailing.
MSC Minibar vs. Getting Drinks at the Bar
Passengers with a beverage package should pay particular attention to this difference.
If you have an eligible drink package, getting a covered drink from a participating bar may cost nothing additional.
Taking that drink from your minibar can result in a separate charge because minibar purchases are excluded from MSC’s current beverage packages.
For someone with a drink package, walking to a nearby bar can therefore make much more financial sense than opening a $9 beer from the minibar.
The minibar’s primary advantage is convenience.
MSC Minibar vs. Room Service
Minibar and room service are also separate services.
The minibar consists of products already stocked inside your cabin.
Room service involves ordering food or beverages for delivery.
MSC’s current beverage-package terms exclude both minibar and room service, so neither should automatically be assumed to be covered just because you purchased a beverage package.
Can You Ask MSC to Empty the Minibar?
Passengers who don’t intend to use the minibar can speak with their stateroom attendant about their preferences.
This can be particularly useful for families who don’t want children accessing charged beverages and snacks or for passengers who would rather use the available refrigerator space for other permitted items.
Whether items can be removed or how the minibar is handled can depend on onboard procedures, so ask your stateroom attendant once aboard.
Are MSC Minibar Prices in Dollars or Euros?
MSC operates cruises throughout the world, and onboard currency can depend on the itinerary.
The photographed minibar menu uses dollar signs, so the prices shown on this particular document are in dollars.
Passengers sailing in another region should not assume their minibar will use the same currency or pricing.
The minibar price sheet inside the cabin will show the applicable prices for that sailing.
MSC Cruises Minibar FAQ
Does MSC Cruises have minibars in the cabins?
Yes. MSC currently states that all cabins are equipped with a minibar.
Is the MSC minibar free?
Standard minibar purchases are generally charged separately. Certain premium accommodations and experiences can have different minibar benefits.
How much is a beer from the MSC minibar?
The photographed menu lists both Corona Extra and Heineken at $9 for a 12-ounce bottle.
How much is soda in the MSC minibar?
The photographed menu lists a 12-ounce can of soda for $3.50.
How much is bottled water in the MSC minibar?
This menu lists 16-ounce still or sparkling water for $3.25 and a 32-ounce bottle for $5.25.
Are snacks available in the MSC minibar?
Yes. The photographed menu lists potato chips for $5.
Does the MSC drink package include the minibar?
No. MSC’s current beverage-package terms specifically exclude minibar purchases.
Does MSC Premium Extra include the minibar?
No. Under MSC’s current beverage-package terms, minibar purchases are excluded from Premium Extra.
Does MSC charge gratuity on minibar drinks?
The photographed menu states that an 18% beverage gratuity is automatically added in the circumstances described on the menu. Additional taxes may apply on certain itineraries or in certain ports.
Are MSC minibar prices the same on every ship?
Not necessarily. Prices, products and brands can change according to ship, destination, season and availability.
MSC Cruises Minibar: What to Know Before Opening That Beer
The MSC minibar is convenient, but passengers should understand the charges before reaching for a drink.
The photographed menu lists soda for $3.50, water from $3.25, fruit juice for $4.50, beer for $9 and potato chips for $5. Those prices provide a useful example of what MSC minibar purchases can cost, but they shouldn’t be treated as permanent fleetwide pricing.
Most importantly, MSC’s current beverage packages exclude minibar purchases. Even passengers with Premium Extra should not assume the drinks inside their cabin refrigerator are covered.
For passengers without a package, the minibar provides the convenience of having drinks and snacks immediately available in the stateroom. For passengers with a beverage package, however, getting an included beverage from an eligible bar will generally make more sense than paying separately for the same type of drink from the minibar.
