Most cruise fares cover water, coffee, and some juices.
But specialty drinks like cocktails, lattes, and smoothies typically cost extra.
So if you’re planning to book a Royal Caribbean cruise, you might wonder: does Royal Caribbean have a drink package?
A drink package is a great way to get unlimited specialty drinks on a cruise without spending for each individual drink.
So if you know you can consume several drinks a day, it might be worth subscribing to one.
Luckily, Royal Caribbean does offer a drink package.
In fact, it has several packages catered to different needs.
So if you prefer soda, gourmet coffee, bottled water, mixed drinks, or alcoholic beverages, there’s definitely an option for you.
Here’s a breakdown of Royal Caribbean’s drink packages so you can decide which one suits you more.
Types of Royal Caribbean Drink Packages
Deluxe Beverage Package
This is Royal Caribbean’s most popular drink package because it offers both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
What’s included?
- Unlimited cocktails, beer, and wine by the glass (up to $14 per drink)
- Non-alcoholic drinks like soda, mocktails, and bottled water
- Premium coffee and tea (not Starbucks)
- Fresh-squeezed juices
- 40% off wine bottles up to $100 (20% off bottles over $100)
How much does it cost?
- Prices range from $60 to $115 per person, per day
- An 18% gratuity is added to the total cost
If you enjoy alcoholic beverages and plan to drink multiple drinks a day, this package might be a good value.
Royal Refreshment Package
This package focuses purely on non-alcoholic drinks.
It’s a great choice if you don’t drink alcohol but still want variety with different teas, sodas, and juices.
What’s included?
- Soda with a Coca-Cola souvenir cup
- Non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails)
- Premium coffee and tea
- Bottled still and sparkling water
- Fresh-squeezed juices
How much does it cost?
- Prices vary depending on the cruise and itinerary
- Cheaper than the Deluxe Beverage package
If you drink soda, coffee, and juices often, this package is worth considering.
Classic Soda Package
Does Royal Caribbean have a drink package for sodas?
Yes, it does.
If you’re the kind that can guzzle a soda or two every meal, this package will have the most value for you.
And around $8 a day per person, it’s also the most affordable drink package available.
What’s included?
- Unlimited fountain soda
- A Coca-Cola souvenir cup
- Access to Coca-Cola Freestyle machines
How much does it cost?
- Around $8 per person, per day
- An 18% gratuity is added
Water Package
If you prefer bottled water over tap water, this package can help you save loads on bottled water service.
What’s included?
- Packs of 6, 12, or 24 bottles of water
- Bottled water delivered to your stateroom
How much does it cost?
- A 12-bottle pack costs about $39
- A 24-bottle pack costs about $69
Can You Buy a Drink Package After the Cruise Starts?
Most of Royal Caribbean’s drink packages can be purchased before departure date.
But if you change your mind once onboard, you can still buy a package after the cruise starts.
However, you must do so within the first two days of the cruise.
Note that once purchased, the package applies to the entire cruise.
Also note that if one person in a stateroom buys the Deluxe Beverage Package, all adults in that stateroom must buy it too.
And if you’re thinking about getting a drink package, buying it before the cruise is usually cheaper.
Royal Caribbean offers pre-cruise discounts through their Cruise Planner.
Are There Any Restrictions on Drink Packages?
Yes, Royal Caribbean’s drink packages come with some rules.
- One drink at a time – You can’t order multiple drinks at once
- No sharing – You can’t give drinks to another guest
- No Starbucks coffee – Specialty coffee from Starbucks is not included
- Wine bottle discount – Instead of being included, bottles over $100 get a 20% discount
- Drink packages don’t work on CocoCay or Labadee – The exception is Coco Beach Club on CocoCay
Can You Customize a Drink Package?
Does Royal Caribbean have a drink package that’s customizable?
Unfortunately, no — all Royal Caribbean drink packages are set.
But if you purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package, you can choose from the drinks included.
You also get discounts on premium wine bottles.
Is a Royal Caribbean Drink Package Worth It?
Many passengers – especially first-timers on Royal Caribbean – often wonder if a drink package is worth the extra expense.
Some reasons why it might be a good idea to purchase a package:
- You drink multiple alcoholic beverages daily
- You regularly drink soda, juice, coffee, or bottled water
- You want to budget in advance and not worry about drink costs
On the other hand, if you:
- Only drink a few alcoholic beverages per cruise
- Don’t drink soda or premium coffee
- Plan to bring your own wine (Royal Caribbean allows two bottles per stateroom)
… then a drink package might not be worth the price you pay for it.
To figure out if you’re going to save more under the package, you can always check the menu prices of the drinks you’re interested in and compare them with the daily cost of the package.
If you find it’ll cost more to purchase each drink individually, getting a drink package is definitely the smarter option.
How to Buy a Drink Package on Royal Caribbean
You can buy a drink package before your cruise or onboard.
Before the cruise:
- Purchase through Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner
- Look for pre-cruise discounts
Onboard:
- Buy at bars, restaurants, or kiosks
- Purchase within the first two days of sailing
As mentioned earlier, if you think you’d benefit from a drink package, booking early can save you money.
If you’re working with a travel agent to book your cruise, you can also ask them to help you buy a drink package.
Does Royal Caribbean Have a Drink Package That Covers Everything?
Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package is the closest to all-inclusive. It includes alcohol, soda, juice, coffee, and water.
However, it does not include:
- Starbucks coffee
- Wine bottles over $100
- Drinks at Labadee and CocoCay (except Coco Beach Club)
While it’s not completely unlimited, it’s the most comprehensive drink package Royal Caribbean Cruises offers.
Should You Get a Royal Caribbean Drink Package?
Ultimately, the value of a drink package depends on how much you plan to drink.
As mentioned earlier, if you know you can drink several beverages a day (aside from juice and tap water), then it’s definitely a good deal.
It’ll also save you the stress of keeping track of all your drink expenses while you’re on the cruise.
But if you don’t drink much, paying per drink may be cheaper.
Book Your Royal Caribbean Cruise with Team Thompson Travel
So, does Royal Caribbean have a drink package that’s right for you?
If you’re still on the fence, we can help you decide!
At Team Thompson Travel, we make booking your dream cruise simple.
We’ll help you choose not just the best drink package but also the best itinerary and ship for your vacation.
What’s more, our services are completely free.
We work directly with Royal Caribbean, so you get the best prices without extra costs.
Contact us today to start planning your big Royal Caribbean adventure!