Does full board include drinks?
Your quotation says full board and you wonder whether a cold drink at lunch is included.
Full board almost always describes the meals, not the drinks. Whether water, tea, coffee or soft drinks come with those meals is stated separately, and it differs between resorts. If your quotation does not say, ask for it in writing before you pay.
This guide sits inside our wider look at what a full-board package includes and excludes. The island trip cost calculator can add the drinks you expect to buy.
What do the drink phrases in a quotation mean?
Quotations use short phrases, and each one can be read two ways. Here is how to read the common ones, and what to ask next.
| Phrase | Likely meaning | Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Full board | Three meals, drinks not stated | Are drinks at meals included? |
| Welcome drink | One drink on arrival | Is anything else included? |
| Tea and coffee | Hot drinks at set meals | Is there a limit, and which meals? |
| Mineral water | Bottled water, perhaps in the room | How many bottles per day? |
| Soft drinks | Could be free flow or per glass | Are refills included? |
| All-inclusive | Wider than full board | What exactly does it list, and what is left out? |
If a phrase is vague, send it back and ask the agency to define it. A good agency will not mind.
How much could drinks add to your bill?
Do this sum with your own numbers. Take the number of people, multiply by the number of days, and multiply by the drinks each person is likely to buy per day. Then multiply by the price per drink from the resort’s price list.
For example, a family of four for three days, with two bought drinks each per day, is 4 x 3 x 2 = 24 drinks. If a drink costs RM X, the extra is 24 times RM X. We do not state prices, because they differ by resort, so ask for the price list. The result tells you whether to look for a package that includes drinks, or to plan on bringing a refillable bottle if the resort allows it.
Which questions put the answer on paper?
Send these to the agency, one per line, so each gets its own reply.
- Are drinks included with breakfast, lunch and dinner?
- If so, which drinks, and are refills included?
- Is drinking water provided free, in the room or at the restaurant?
- Are drinks on the boat or during activities included?
- Can I see the resort’s drinks price list?
Ask also about the boat. Our guide on which boat legs count shows another place where one word hides a difference.
Where else can drink costs hide?
Look at snack stalls on the island, minibars and activity days. A snorkel outing might include water, or it might not. A day trip off the resort might include a packed lunch without a drink.
When you compare two quotations, make sure both treat drinks the same way. Our guide on finding the real differences between two quotations shows how to line them up.
A better fit if…
A package with drinks included may suit you if you have children, or if the group drinks a lot through the day. A basic full-board package may suit you better if you drink little and prefer to pay only for what you use. Either way, the right choice is the one where you know the drink cost before you arrive.
Common questions
Does full board always include drinks?
No. Full board refers to the meals, and drinks are a separate question. Some resorts include water, tea or coffee at set meals and charge for the rest. The only reliable answer is in writing from the agency or resort for your booking.
What does a welcome drink cover?
A welcome drink is usually one drink on arrival, not a drinks package. Treat it as a small courtesy and keep asking about drinks at meals and between meals.
Can I bring my own water to the island?
Ask the resort and the boat operator. Some set rules on what you can bring, and boats may limit luggage. Our guide on luggage limits explains how to ask. If you can bring it, it may lower your drinks bill.
Where do drink prices usually appear?
On the resort menu or a price list at the restaurant or shop, not in the package. Ask the agency for a sample price list, so you can estimate the cost before you travel.