Is the Royal Caribbean Drink Package Worth It?

The Deluxe Beverage Package is worth it if you realistically drink 5 to 6 alcoholic beverages per day (cocktails average $14 each) PLUS enjoy specialty coffees, bottled waters, and sodas. If your daily drink consumption falls below this threshold or you have long port days off the ship, paying à la carte is significantly more cost-effective.

Your cruise itinerary and number of sea days. On Caribbean sailings with 2 to 3 sea days and Perfect Day at CocoCay (where the package works on the beach), you have ample time to utilize the package. On port-intensive European or Mediterranean cruises where you are off the ship for 10+ hours daily, you rarely spend enough time onboard to break even.

Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing, ranging from $65 to $105+ per person per day depending on the ship, sailing date, and demand. In addition, a mandatory 18% gratuity is added at checkout, bringing the actual out-of-pocket cost to $76.70 to $123.90 per person per day ($536.90 to $867.30 per person for a 7-night cruise).

Yes, by default Royal Caribbean requires all adults (21+) sharing the same stateroom to purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package if one adult does. However, if one guest does not drink alcohol due to pregnancy, medical conditions, religious reasons, or recovery, you can call Royal Caribbean customer service to request that the non-drinking guest purchase the non-alcoholic Royal Refreshment Package instead.

No. Royal Caribbean strictly enforces a one-drink-per-card-per-transaction policy and prohibits sharing. Bartenders swipe SeaPass cards and bar security monitors transactions. If caught sharing beverages, your drink package will be confiscated with zero refund.

The Deluxe Beverage Package covers cocktails, spirits, and glasses of wine up to $14 per beverage. If you order an ultra-premium cocktail, top-shelf scotch, or vintage champagne priced above $14 (e.g., $18), you simply pay the difference ($4.00) plus an 18% gratuity on the difference ($4.72 total).

Yes! Your beverage package benefits extend 100% to Royal Caribbean's private island destinations, including all beach bars, the Oasis Lagoon swim-up bar, and Hideaway Beach. You can enjoy unlimited drinks on the island just as you would onboard.

Specialty espresso coffees, lattes, cappuccinos, and iced coffees are included at Café Promenade, Park Café, the Main Dining Room, and specialty restaurants. However, standalone licensed Starbucks kiosks found on Oasis and Quantum-class Royal Promenades are excluded and charge standard retail Starbucks pricing.

No. Beverages ordered through in-stateroom room service or consumed from the cabin minibar are excluded and will be billed directly to your SeaPass folio at full a la carte rates.

Beginning March 15, 2026, Royal Caribbean updated its policy so that the Deluxe Beverage Package and Royal Refreshment Package no longer automatically include a free souvenir Coca-Cola Freestyle thermal cup. Guests who want a physical RFID cup for automated Freestyle dispensers can purchase one onboard for $4.99, or continue ordering sodas directly from bartenders for free.

If you are booked in a Star Class suite (the highest tier of Royal Suite Class, including Royal Loft Suites, Ultimate Family Suites, and AquaTheater 2-Bedroom Suites), the Deluxe Beverage Package is 100% complimentary for all guests in your suite. Sea Class (Junior Suites) and Sky Class (Grand Suites) do NOT include drink packages, though Sky Class guests receive complimentary beer, wine, and cocktails in the Suite Lounge during evening cocktail hours (typically 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM).

Yes! If you purchase a drink package through the online Cruise Planner and notice a cheaper weekend flash sale or Black Friday price later, you can cancel your existing package and immediately repurchase it at the lower sale rate with zero penalty fees right up until 48 hours before embarkation.

Yes, exceptionally so! At $30 to $45 per day, the Royal Refreshment Package includes unlimited espresso coffees, morning fresh-squeezed orange juices, Red Bull energy drinks, premium mocktails, frozen smoothies, canned sodas, and 1-liter bottled waters. If you drink 2 coffees, 2 waters, and 2 mocktails or smoothies daily, it easily pays for itself.

At $10 to $15 per day, the Classic Soda Package pays for itself with just 3 to 4 fountain sodas daily ($3.50+ each à la carte). It is an affordable, high-value choice for avid soda drinkers and children.

Yes! On embarkation day only, each stateroom with guests 21+ may bring up to two 750ml bottles of personal wine or champagne in carry-on bags (no corkage fee in staterooms; $15 corkage in dining rooms if opened by waitstaff). In addition, you may bring up to twelve 500ml non-alcoholic cans or cartons per stateroom.

Full bottles of wine are not included for free, but the Deluxe Beverage Package gives you a 40% discount on bottles under $100 and a 20% discount on bottles over $100 in the Main Dining Room and all specialty restaurants.

Never buy the drink package on the ship! Onboard prices are always full retail ($89 to $105+ per day). Pre-purchasing on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner online portal prior to sailing saves you 20% to 35%.

Be honest about your drinking habits. Tally your realistic daily beverages: morning coffee ($5), afternoon bottled waters ($8), pool cocktails ($28), dinner wine ($26), and evening lounge drinks ($14). If your realistic daily spend exceeds $80–$90, buy the package for financial savings and peace of mind. If not, pay à la carte.