Is it worth buying a drink package on Royal Caribbean?

 Buying a drink package on Royal Caribbean can be worthwhile for frequent beverage consumers; call at 1-866-291-7625 confirm benefits and pricing.

A Royal Caribbean cruise is more than just a vacation at sea. It is an experience filled with dining, entertainment, relaxation, and memories that last a lifetime. While food is included in your cruise fare, beverages are not. Each cocktail, soda, specialty coffee, and even bottled water can add up quickly on your final bill. To make things simpler, Royal Caribbean offers drink packages that allow passengers to pay a fixed daily price for unlimited access to certain types of drinks.
But the real question many travelers ask before booking is whether these drink packages are actually worth the money. To answer that, we will explore how the packages work, what they cost, what is included, and what kind of traveler gets the most value from them.
What Is a Drink Package on Royal Caribbean
A drink package is a prepaid plan that gives you unlimited beverages within the rules of the package. Instead of paying for each individual drink, you pay a daily fee upfront. Your onboard SeaPass card is scanned when you order, and your drink is included without any extra charges.
The key appeal is both convenience and potential cost savings. Instead of worrying about surprise bar bills at the end of the cruise, you can budget ahead of time.
Types of Drink Packages
Royal Caribbean offers three main types of drink packages. Each is designed for different preferences and budgets.
1. Deluxe Beverage Package
  • The most complete package available
  • Includes cocktails, spirits, beer, wine by the glass, soda, bottled water, specialty coffee, and fresh juices
  • Covers drinks up to a certain price per serving
  • Popular among adults who enjoy both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
2. Refreshment Package
  • Focused on non alcoholic beverages
  • Includes sodas, bottled water, specialty coffees, teas, mocktails, and fresh squeezed juices
  • Ideal for adults who do not drink alcohol or teens who want more than soda
3. Classic Soda Package
  • The simplest and least expensive option
  • Provides unlimited fountain sodas and refills
  • Great for kids, teens, and soda lovers
How Much Do Drink Packages Cost
The price of drink packages is not fixed. Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing, which means the cost depends on the ship, itinerary, and season. However, average ranges are as follows
  • Deluxe Beverage Package: 65 to 95 USD per person per day
  • Refreshment Package: 29 to 38 USD per person per day
  • Classic Soda Package: 12 to 15 USD per person per day
The cost is charged for each day of the cruise and must be purchased for the full duration. For example, a Deluxe Beverage Package at 80 USD per day on a 7 night cruise totals 560 USD per person.
What Drinks Cost Individually
To determine if a package is worth it, you need to compare against the price of buying drinks individually. Average prices onboard are
  • Cocktails: 12 to 15 USD
  • Glass of wine: 10 to 14 USD
  • Beer: 7 to 9 USD
  • Soda: 3 to 4 USD
  • Specialty coffee: 4 to 6 USD
  • Bottled water: 3 to 5 USD
  • Fresh squeezed juice: 5 to 7 USD
If you plan to drink multiple cocktails, sodas, bottled waters, and coffees daily, the package can save money.
How Many Drinks You Need Per Day to Break Even
At an average of 80 USD per day for the Deluxe Beverage Package, here is an example of how many drinks you would need to consume daily to justify the price
  • 5 cocktails at 15 USD each = 75 USD
  • Or 3 cocktails at 15 USD plus 2 glasses of wine at 12 USD each plus a specialty coffee = 81 USD
  • Or 2 beers at 8 USD each plus 2 cocktails at 15 USD each plus 1 wine at 12 USD plus 2 bottled waters at 4 USD each = 66 USD
This shows that if you drink 5 or more alcoholic drinks per day plus some non alcoholic extras, the package pays for itself.
The 15 Drink Per Day Guideline
Royal Caribbean promotes its packages as unlimited, but in practice there is a soft limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per person per day. This is not meant to reduce value but to ensure responsible service. Non alcoholic drinks like soda, juice, coffee, and water do not count toward this limit.
For most passengers, 15 alcoholic drinks per day is far more than they would reasonably consume. This means the package offers more than enough freedom without restriction.
When the Drink Package Is Worth It
The drink package is worth it if
  • You regularly drink multiple alcoholic beverages daily
  • You like the convenience of not worrying about bills
  • You enjoy variety such as cocktails, wine, beer, coffee, and bottled water
  • You plan to stay on the ship often and take advantage of bars and lounges
  • You want peace of mind knowing gratuities are already included
When the Drink Package May Not Be Worth It
The package may not be worth it if
  • You are a light drinker who only has one or two alcoholic drinks daily
  • You plan to spend most of your days off the ship on excursions and will not drink much onboard
  • You prefer to bring your own wine since Royal Caribbean allows limited bottles at embarkation
  • You are traveling on a tight budget and prefer to buy drinks individually
Comparing Packages
Deluxe Beverage Package
Best for passengers who enjoy a full range of drinks, both alcoholic and non alcoholic. Provides maximum convenience but is the most expensive.
Refreshment Package
Great for non drinkers or teens who want coffee, juice, and soda. Offers solid value for around 32 USD daily if you drink multiple non alcoholic beverages.
Classic Soda Package
The most affordable and worth it if you drink at least 4 sodas per day.
Example Scenarios
Scenario 1: The Cocktail Enthusiast
John enjoys a Bloody Mary with breakfast, a few beers by the pool, wine with dinner, and cocktails in the evening. His daily drinks total about 90 USD if purchased separately. The Deluxe Beverage Package at 80 USD per day saves him money.
Scenario 2: The Light Drinker
Mary has one glass of wine with dinner and a soda at lunch. Her daily total is 16 USD. For her, the package would not be worth it.
Scenario 3: The Coffee and Juice Lover
David does not drink alcohol but loves specialty coffee and juices. He spends around 30 USD daily. The Refreshment Package at 32 USD fits his needs perfectly.
Scenario 4: The Family with Kids
A family of four with two kids who love soda finds the Classic Soda Package worthwhile, as the kids can have unlimited refills without running up the bill.
Other Benefits of a Drink Package
  1. Peace of Mind: You never need to sign receipts or track costs.
  2. Variety: Encourages trying new cocktails, wines, or specialty coffees you might not otherwise order.
  3. Convenience: Your SeaPass card covers all transactions quickly.
  4. Gratuities Included: The package price includes service charges, so no tipping stress.
  5. Flexibility: You can grab bottled water to take on excursions without extra cost.
Drawbacks of a Drink Package
  1. High Upfront Cost: Paying hundreds of dollars per person before the cruise can feel steep.
  2. Not Useful for Light Drinkers: If you drink only occasionally, you will overspend.
  3. Port Heavy Cruises: On days when you are exploring off the ship, you may drink less onboard.
  4. Required for Cabin Mates: If one adult buys the Deluxe Package, all other adults in the cabin may be required to purchase it as well.
Tips for Maximizing Value
  • Buy the package before boarding to take advantage of online discounts.
  • Track your average consumption realistically before deciding.
  • Use the package not only for alcohol but also for water, coffee, and juice.
  • Remember that it includes gratuities, which adds hidden value.
  • Take bottled water on excursions, making the package more useful even off the ship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do drink packages include bottled water
Yes, most packages include bottled water, which is especially useful for excursions.
Can you share a package with another person
No, sharing is not allowed and may result in the package being revoked.
Do kids need a drink package
Kids can get the Classic Soda Package for unlimited sodas, which is cost effective for families.
Does the price ever change after booking
The price can go on sale before the cruise, and if it does you can usually cancel and repurchase at the lower rate.
Do non alcoholic drinks count toward the 15 drink limit
No, only alcoholic beverages count toward the 15 per day guideline.
Final Thoughts
So, is it worth buying a drink package on Royal Caribbean The answer depends on your drinking habits, preferences, and cruise style.
If you enjoy cocktails, beer, wine, soda, bottled water, coffee, and juice every day, the Deluxe Beverage Package can save money and provide unmatched convenience. If you do not drink alcohol but love premium non alcoholic beverages, the Refreshment Package is an excellent choice. For soda lovers, the Classic Soda Package is the cheapest way to enjoy unlimited soft drinks.
However, if you are a light drinker or plan to spend most of your days in port, it may not be worth the cost. In those cases, buying drinks individually is a smarter financial choice.
Ultimately, the drink package is not just about cost. It is about peace of mind, convenience, and the freedom to enjoy your cruise without constantly thinking about the price of every beverage. For many passengers, that alone makes it worthwhile.
Location: Florida, USA

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