Royal Caribbean Drink Package: Your Comprehensive Guide
The Royal Caribbean drink package is a tempting offer for anyone booking a cruise, but whether or not it’s worth it is a very individualistic question.
It all really comes down to how much you plan on drinking and the average cost of drinks onboard compared to the package.
To help you clearly understand the contents and value of the drink package (and determine if it’s suitable for you), we’ve created this detailed guide.
Understanding The Royal Caribbean Drink Package
Beverages aren’t included in your Royal Caribbean Cruise fare, but there’s an opportunity to upgrade your cruise experience with a beverage package.
These packages are designed to allow you to enjoy an unlimited amount of drinks for a fixed daily price, ensuring you can have the drinks you desire without worrying about your budget.
The three packages are:
- Classic Soda Package
- Refreshment Package (Does NOT Include Alcohol)
- Deluxe Beverage Package
The Classic Soda Package provides unlimited fountain soda and Coca-Cola® Freestyle beverages, perfect for quenching your thirst throughout the cruise.
If you’d like a broader selection of non-alcoholic beverages, the Refreshment Package adds mocktails, premium coffees and teas, and fresh-squeezed juices to the mix.
For those who want to indulge in a wide array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, the Deluxe Beverage Package is the way to go.
This comprehensive plan covers most beverages on the ship, from cocktail classics to fine wine, allowing you to savor your favorites without stress.
You can even experience the Bionic Bar on certain ships, where robotic bartenders expertly craft your cocktails!
To make the most of your Royal Caribbean drink package, consider buying it before your cruise begins, as the prices are usually lower than onboard purchases.
Royal Caribbean Drink Package Prices
Classic Soda Package
The Classic Soda package costs $13 – $15 per day and includes the following:
- Barry’s root beer and creme soda (and diet versions)
- Coca-Cola (including diet, zero, caffeine-free, and different flavors like strawberry, cherry and lime)
- Dasani-flavored or sparkling waters
- Fanta, Sprite and Dr Pepper (and zero versions)
- Minute Maid orange and lemonade (and light versions)
- Powerade (and zero version), Vitamin water and Hi C
- Seagrams ginger ale (and diet version)
The Classic Soda Package provides you with a reusable souvenir cup, which you can refill at various self-service stations throughout the ship.
If you opt for the Deluxe Beverage Package or the Refreshment Package, you’ll also receive this special cup, granting you all the perks of the Classic Soda Package.
Refreshment Package (Non-Alcoholic Drinks)
The Refreshment package costs $29 – $28 per day and includes the following:
- Bottled water
- Freshly-squeezed juices
- Non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails)
- Premium teas and coffees
- Sodas and soft drinks
Deluxe Beverage Package
The Deluxe beverage package costs $49 – $89 per day and includes the following:
- Beer
- Bottled water
- Cocktails and mocktails
- Freshly-squeezed juices
- Premium teas and coffees
- Sodas and soft drinks
- Spirits and liquors
- Wine by the glass
Are Royal Caribbean Drink Packages Per Person Or Per Room?
Royal Caribbean structures its drink packages based on individual guests, meaning they’re not designed for sharing among several people. Should an adult in a stateroom opt for a drink package, it’s mandatory for all other adults in the same cabin to also acquire it.
While most beverage packages cater to individual guests, every package remains strictly for the personal use of the purchaser and isn’t transferable among multiple guests.
Does A Royal Caribbean Drink Package Include Gratuity?
When you purchase a Royal Caribbean drink package, gratuities are already incorporated. An 18% gratuity is applied during the online checkout process, ensuring all your beverage-related gratuities on board are pre-covered.
As a result, when you order a drink on the ship, there’s no obligation to provide an additional tip. That said, if you experience exceptional service, there’s always the option to bestow extra gratuities onboard.
In the itemized breakdown of your drink package order, this gratuity appears labeled as a “service fee.” To illustrate, if the package is priced at $70 daily, the total charge, inclusive of gratuity, amounts to $82.60.
Notably, for those interested in alcoholic beverages, the Deluxe Beverage Package is available, typically ranging from $63 to $102 per person each day.
What Are The Costs Of Cocktails And Mixed Drinks On Royal Caribbean?
Cocktails and mixed drinks aboard the Royal Caribbean are priced between $11 and $14. While most drinks fall within this range, super premium brands may command a higher price. The typical cost for a cocktail, including signature drinks like the Pineapple Guava Sangria and the Passion Spritz, stands at $14.
Below is a breakdown of other drink prices available on Royal Caribbean:
- Beer: Priced at $8.25.
- Glass of Wine: Ranges between $9 to $16, depending on the selection.
- Spirit and Mixer: Costs between $9 to $11.
- Soda: Available for $3.50.
- Coffee: Priced at $4.
- Bottle of Water: Costs $3.
For a comprehensive overview, here’s a tabulated summary of drink prices:
Cost Comparison: Package vs. Individual Purchases
Determining whether the beverage package is the right choice is different for every passenger.
The Deluxe Beverage Package ranges in price from $49 to $89 per person daily. This package includes an unlimited amount of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, making it the most comprehensive option.
To decide if this package is a good fit for you, think about how many drinks you plan to consume each day. Remember, the more drinks you have, the more value you can get out of the package.
Let’s take a closer look at individual drink prices on board:
- Cocktails: $8 to $15
- Beer: $7 to $9
- Wine (per glass): $9 to $20
- Soft drinks: $3
- Bottled water: $3
Now, let’s imagine you plan to drink four cocktails, three beers, and two glasses of wine over the course of a day. Without the package, your cost for these drinks would be roughly:
- 4 x $12 (Average cocktail price) = $48
- 3 x $7 (Average beer price) = $21
- 2 x $15 (Average wine price) = $30
In this scenario, your total daily drinks cost would be about $99. Given that the Deluxe Beverage Package costs between $63 and $89, it’s clear that you would save money by purchasing the package.
However, if you know that you’ll be consuming fewer beverages or sticking mostly to non-alcoholic drinks, the package might not be the best choice for you.
Also, if you have a lot of port days, you may not be onboard enough to take advantage of the drink package.
Take a look at your cruise schedule and think about how many drinks you think you’ll have on the days you will be onboard.
If you have a lot of port days that you won’t be able to take advantage of the drink package, it may be worth purchasing the drink individually as you go.
What Non-Alcoholic Drinks Cost Money On Royal Caribbean?
While Royal Caribbean provides a selection of complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, including drip coffee, milk, lemonade, iced tea, and breakfast juices, there are several drinks for which guests will incur an additional charge.
Drinks that come with an extra cost include sodas, fresh-squeezed juices, bottled waters, and specialty coffees.
When To Buy The Drink Package?
Purchasing the Royal Caribbean beverage package is most cost-effective when done in advance through the Cruise Planner, which allows for acquisition up to 72 hours before the cruise departure.
Onboard prices tend to be higher; even with promotional offers like “Buy One Get One Free,” you’ll often end up paying more.
For those on short 2 or 3-night cruises, note that the package must be bought on the first day. Also, remember that the price can change, so if you see a good rate, it’s best to lock it in.
If the price later drops on the Cruise Planner, you can cancel and repurchase at the reduced rate. Avoid purchasing the drink package on the same day you book your cruise; it’s typically not the best deal.
How Often Do Royal Caribbean Beverage Packages Go On Sale?
Royal Caribbean drink packages do frequently find their way into promotional sales, typically appearing in the Cruise Planner approximately every few weeks. The discounts promoted during these sales can range anywhere between 10% to 30%.
For those eyeing an annual deal, it’s worth noting that Black Friday typically features a significant sale on these packages. In terms of the weekly cycle, Wednesdays are the days when sales are most likely to be launched.
However, a key observation to be aware of is the fluctuation in prices even within the designated sale periods. This means that the price of the drink packages can vary daily.
An important piece of advice for potential buyers: exercise caution when considering the advertised percentage discounts. The reason being, these percentage discounts can be misleading.
Since the base price of the packages tends to oscillate in a manner that’s hard to predict, a higher percentage discount does not necessarily guarantee a greater monetary saving.
Focus on the final price rather than the discount percentage to ensure the best value for your money.
How To Purchase The Drink Package
You have the option of purchasing a drink package up to 72 hours before your cruise sets sail. To do so, simply visit the Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner website. The online platform will provide you with all the necessary information and options related to the various drink packages available.
Another option is to purchase your drink package on the first day of your cruise. Once you’re onboard the ship, you can ask any of the friendly bartenders or bar staff for more information on the available drink packages.
You will also see tables onboard during your first day promoting the packages. You can stop by any of them and add the drink package of your choice.
However, even though you can purchase the drink package onboard, it’s always more cost-effective to do so before boarding.
FAQs About Royal Caribbeans Drink Package
Does Royal Caribbean Drink Package Work On Cococay?
Absolutely! If you’ve bought a beverage package onboard or through Cruise Planner, it’s valid on Cococay. Additionally, the island boasts five free dining spots for guests to enjoy.
Cococay, also known as Perfect Day at CocoCay, is Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in the Bahamas. It is an extension of the cruise ship, and the beverage package works the same as onboard.
Does Royal Caribbean Drink Package Have A Limit?
There is no limit to the amount of drinks you can order.
Royal Caribbean’s drink package offers guests flexibility without a cap on the number of drinks they can enjoy daily or during the entire cruise.
Some guidelines include ordering just one drink at a time, though options like doubles or mixed drinks are typically available. While there’s a suggested five-minute wait between drink orders, it’s seldom enforced.
On the first day, each guest of legal drinking age is permitted to bring aboard one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne.
Though Royal Caribbean isn’t an all-inclusive cruise, guests have the choice to buy drinks individually or opt for a drink package, which provides unlimited beverages for a set daily price.
Remember, if multiple guests are using a drink package, the staff might request each individual’s SeaPass card when ordering.
Can You Cancel the Royal Caribbean Drink Package?
You can secure a beverage package either through Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner up to 72 hours prior to your sailing date or directly onboard on your cruise’s first day. Onboard, you can inquire at any bar or look for dedicated promotional tables regarding these packages.
Once you’ve made your purchase, a sticker will be added to your SeaPass® card for identification purposes. Ensure you have your SeaPass card accessible, as bar staff will request it for verification before serving you.
For any pre-cruise planning questions, you can reach out to Royal Caribbean at 1-800-398-9819.
Cancellations:
- Purchases made through the Cruise Planner can be canceled and fully refunded if done so at least 2 days prior to your sailing date.
- Should you cancel onboard, any partial use of the package will be billed at its full price. While onboard cancellations result in credits to the guest’s onboard account, it’s worth noting that the refunds are issued as onboard credits and not returned to the original payment method.
- Any item bought via Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner is eligible for a complete refund up to two days before the cruise starts. If you decide to cancel, the amount is refunded to the original payment method within 3-4 business days. This flexibility lets you book at current prices and still have the option to cancel without any penalties.
For onboard cancellations, remember that refunds are given as onboard credit, not to your credit card.
Can Only A Single Individual Purchase The Drinks Package?
Royal Caribbean requires that if one adult in a stateroom purchases a beverage package, all adults in the same stateroom must purchase the same package.
This means if one person opts for the Deluxe Beverage Package that includes alcohol, the other adult in the same room must also purchase it.
This policy is in place likely to prevent package sharing between guests in the same room, for instance, one person obtaining drinks on behalf of another.
However, there are notable exceptions to this rule. If one of the guests has a medical condition, is pregnant, is dealing with alcohol addiction, or has religious reasons preventing them from consuming alcohol, they may be allowed to choose a different package, such as the Refreshment Package.
Packages are intended for individual use and sharing among multiple people is not permitted. If you find yourself in a situation where only one guest wants or is able to consume alcohol, it’s advisable to contact Royal Caribbean directly.
They might be more flexible with their policy, especially if there’s a valid reason like health concerns or pregnancy. Always remember to consider this policy when budgeting for your cruise.
Is It Mandatory To Purchase A Beverage Package For Children?
On Royal Caribbean, guests below the legal drinking age are not obligated to purchase any beverage package.
This means adults can opt for alcohol or soft drink packages without a concurrent need to purchase one for their children.
Is There A Wine Package On Royal Caribbean Cruises?
Royal Caribbean has discontinued its wine package. While in the past they provided options such as five bottles for $165, seven for $220, and ten for $300, these packages are no longer available.
Currently, guests can buy wines by the bottle. If you possess the Deluxe Beverage Package, a 40% discount is applied to bottled wines costing up to $100. For wines exceeding this price, a 20% discount is offered.
Can You Buy The Drinks Package Onboard?
Yes, you have the option to purchase a Royal Caribbean beverage package onboard during the first day of your cruise or in advance through Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner.
However, securing it in advance is typically more cost-effective.
