Price Of Drink Package On Royal Caribbean

Okay, picture this. It was my first ever cruise with Royal Caribbean, and I was thrilled. Like a kid on Christmas morning, but with the added bonus of unlimited buffet access. So, there I am, marveling at the sheer enormity of the ship, the endless activities, the feeling of being completely pampered. And then, it hit me. Thirst. A big, bold, vacation-mode thirst.

I waltzed up to a bar, feeling like royalty, and ordered my go-to vacation drink: a ridiculously fruity concoction with an umbrella that probably cost more than my first car. The bartender, bless his efficient soul, presented me with the bill. My eyes widened. My jaw, which had been happily slack from awe, did a little flutter. I swear, I almost choked on my own excited anticipation. “Wait, that’s… how much?” I stammered, internally calculating how many of these delightful, umbrella-laden beverages I’d need to consume to make it “worth it.” And that, my friends, is how I learned about the glorious, sometimes terrifying, world of Royal Caribbean drink packages.

Now, if you’re anything like me, the idea of a cruise brings visions of endless sunshine, turquoise waters, and… well, also a slight panic about how much all those little extras are going to add up. And when it comes to Royal Caribbean, the “extras” often start with what you’re sipping on.

The Big Question: To Package or Not To Package?

This is the question that haunts many a potential cruiser as they navigate the booking process. You see those enticing little boxes pop up on the Royal Caribbean website, each promising a different level of beverage bliss. And immediately, your brain goes into overdrive. Should you go for the basic water and juice? Or are you about to embark on a journey of gourmet coffee, craft beers, and cocktails that look like they belong in a magazine?

Let’s be honest, nobody wants to be that person, the one constantly peering at the menu, agonizing over whether a single mojito is a sound financial investment for the day. It’s your vacation! You should be able to order a drink without needing a calculator and a spreadsheet. Right?

What Exactly Is a Drink Package, Anyway?

Essentially, a drink package on Royal Caribbean is a pre-paid plan that allows you to enjoy a certain selection of beverages throughout your cruise for a fixed daily or per-cruise price. Think of it as an all-you-can-drink (within limits, of course!) pass for your sips. It’s designed to simplify your spending and, for many, make budgeting easier. No more individual tabs for every single piña colada.

Royal Caribbean usually offers a few different tiers of drink packages. They’re not all created equal, and that’s where things can get a little… nuanced. Understanding what’s included in each is key to avoiding that aforementioned bill shock.

The Royal Caribbean Drink Package Lineup (The Usual Suspects)

While the exact names and inclusions can shift slightly (cruise lines are always tweaking things, aren't they?), here are the common players you'll likely encounter:

The Refreshment Package (The "Staying Hydrated" Option)

This is your entry-level package. It’s for those who are perfectly happy with their hydration needs being met by something other than spirits. Think sodas, juices, mocktails, specialty coffees and teas (yes, those fancy lattes count!).

Who is this for? Definitely families with kids, or anyone who is a strictly non-alcoholic drinker. It’s great for ensuring little ones can have their favorite sodas or that you can get your morning Starbucks fix without an individual charge.

What it generally doesn't include: Alcohol. Yep, that's the big one. So if you're picturing yourself sipping on a margarita by the pool, this isn't your ticket.

The Classic Soda Package (The "Just the Bubbles" Option)

This is even more basic. As the name suggests, it’s primarily for unlimited fountain sodas and maybe a few other basic drinks. If all you care about is quenching your thirst with a Coke or a Sprite, this might be your jam. It’s often the most affordable option.

Who is this for? The dedicated soda enthusiast. Or perhaps someone who only drinks a couple of sodas a day and finds it more convenient than paying per can.

What it generally doesn't include: Specialty coffees, juices, mocktails, or anything alcoholic. This is strictly for the fizzy drink lovers.

The Royal Caribbean Cheers! Drink Package (The "Let's Get This Party Started" Option)

Ah, the one many people are really curious about. This is the package that includes alcohol. This is where the real decision-making begins. Generally, the Cheers! package covers a wide range of alcoholic beverages, including beers, wines by the glass, and cocktails.

What it generally includes: This is where you’ll find your standard beers (think domestics and some imports), house wines by the glass, and a selection of cocktails. It also often includes specialty coffees, teas, and sodas, so it’s a pretty comprehensive package if you plan on drinking both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

What it generally doesn't include: This is important. Usually, premium liquors, top-shelf wines, bottled water (sometimes), energy drinks, and specialty coffees beyond the standard offerings might be excluded. There’s also a limit on the number of drinks you can order per day (usually 15) and a minimum interval between orders (often 30 minutes). So, you can't just down 15 beers in an hour. Good to know!

Pro Tip: Always check the specific inclusions for your sailing. These details can change!

The Deluxe Drink Package (The "Everything But the Kitchen Sink" Option)

This is the big daddy, the all-rounder. The Deluxe Drink Package typically includes everything from the Cheers! package, plus a wider selection of premium liquors, top-shelf wines, and fancier cocktails. You’re talking about the good stuff here.

What it generally includes: All the alcoholic beverages, including those premium spirits and wines that might be excluded from the Cheers! package. It will also include specialty coffees, teas, sodas, and potentially even bottled water and fresh-squeezed juices.

Who is this for? The serious beverage aficionado. If you love trying different craft beers, enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner, and aren't afraid of a complex cocktail, this might be your best bet. It’s also a great option if you're a big fan of specialty coffees and want them included too.

What it generally doesn't include: Honestly, by this point, there's not much left out! It's rare for anything to be excluded from the Deluxe package, except perhaps very high-end, rare vintages of wine or spirits that you'd likely order as a separate premium purchase anyway.

So, How Much Does It Cost? (The Million-Dollar Question)

This is where things get a bit… fluid. The prices for Royal Caribbean drink packages are not fixed. They can vary based on:

• The specific cruise ship: Larger, newer ships might have slightly different pricing.
• The length of your cruise: Longer cruises can sometimes have slightly better per-day rates.
• The itinerary: Some itineraries might influence pricing.
• When you purchase it: Buying in advance online is usually cheaper than purchasing on board.
• Sales and promotions: Royal Caribbean frequently runs sales on their drink packages, especially leading up to sailing. Keep an eye out!

As a very rough ballpark, and I cannot stress rough enough, you might see prices ranging from:

• Refreshment Package: Around $29 - $40 per person, per day.
• Cheers! Package: Around $65 - $90 per person, per day.
• Deluxe Drink Package: Around $89 - $110 per person, per day.

Important Note: These are estimates! You need to go to the Royal Caribbean website and enter your specific sailing details to get the actual current pricing. Don't rely on outdated information!

Is It Really Worth It? The Great Debate

This is the million-dollar question, and the honest answer is… it depends on your drinking habits.

Here’s a simple way to break it down. Most people aim to break even or save money by buying a package. To do that, you need to figure out how many drinks you’d realistically consume in a day and compare the total cost of those individual drinks to the daily package price.

Let’s do some quick math (because I know you’re all thinking about it):

Imagine the Cheers! Package is $75 per day. Let’s say a beer is $8, a glass of wine is $10, and a cocktail is $12.

• If you have 2 beers ($16), 1 glass of wine ($10), and 2 cocktails ($24), that’s $50. Not quite there yet.
• But, add in a specialty coffee in the morning ($5), a soda ($3), another beer ($8), another glass of wine ($10), and another cocktail ($12) … suddenly you’re at $88. You’ve already made your money back and then some!

You also have to factor in:

• Specialty Coffees: If you’re a daily latte or cappuccino drinker, the Refreshment or Deluxe packages can quickly pay for themselves.
• Juices and Sodas: For families, the cost of a few sodas and juices for kids can add up.
• Convenience: The sheer mental freedom of not having to track individual drink costs can be priceless for some. No more fumbling for your SeaPass card (which is also your room key and onboard charge card, by the way!) every single time you want a sip.
• Trying New Things: With a package, you might be more inclined to try that fancy cocktail or that craft beer you wouldn't normally order. It encourages exploration!

On the flip side, you might not save money if:

• You’re a light drinker: If you only have a couple of drinks a day, or primarily stick to water and tea, the cost will likely outweigh the benefits.
• You’re not a fan of the included drinks: If the only beer they offer isn’t your favorite, or the wine selection is too limited for your taste, you might regret the purchase.
• You don't drink alcohol: Obviously, the Cheers! and Deluxe packages are not for you.
• You plan on purchasing a lot of premium wines or spirits: These are often priced individually even with the Deluxe package.

The Fine Print and Other Important Tidbits

Before you click that “buy” button, there are a few more things you should know:

• One Person, One Package: This is a biggie. If one person in your stateroom purchases an alcoholic drink package (Cheers! or Deluxe), then every adult (18+ or 21+, depending on the ship's departure port laws) in that same stateroom must also purchase a package. This is to prevent people from sharing packages. So, if your travel buddy doesn't drink, or your spouse is on the wagon, you'll need to factor this in. It's a bit of a “tough love” policy from Royal Caribbean.
• Purchasing on Board: You can buy drink packages once you're on the ship, but they are usually more expensive than purchasing online in advance. Plus, you might miss out on special online sales.
• The 15 Drink Limit: As mentioned, the Cheers! and Deluxe packages usually have a 15-drink per day limit. This is important to remember if you're planning on being a very enthusiastic sipper.
• Minimum Interval: There’s also a minimum time between ordering drinks, typically 30 minutes. This prevents rapid consumption.
• No Sharing: Seriously, don't even try. They have ways of knowing.
• Gratuities: Sometimes, the package price includes the gratuity, and sometimes it doesn't. Double-check this when you’re looking at the pricing. You don't want any surprise service charges!
• Bottled Water: Usually, bottled water is NOT included in the Cheers! package, but may be included in the Deluxe package. If you’re a big bottled water drinker, this is something to confirm.
• Sale Strategy: Royal Caribbean often runs sales on drink packages. Keep an eye on your booking portal. Sometimes, they offer them as part of a larger cruise deal.

My Personal Take (And Why I Usually Go For It)

On my first cruise, I did not buy a drink package. I ended up meticulously tracking my spending and, by the end of the week, realized I probably would have saved money and definitely saved myself some mental energy if I had just gone for it. The feeling of constantly calculating was, dare I say, a bit of a buzzkill on my vacation.

For me, a typical cruise involves enjoying a specialty coffee or two each morning, a few glasses of wine with dinner, and a couple of cocktails while enjoying the entertainment or relaxing by the pool. Add in a soda or two for good measure. When I do the math for a 7-day cruise, even with the higher end of the estimated prices, the Deluxe package often works out to be a worthwhile investment for me. I like the freedom to order what I want, when I want, without constantly looking at the price tag.

It’s about setting a budget, knowing your habits, and deciding what will make your cruise experience more enjoyable. If the thought of ordering another drink without worrying about the cost brings you joy, then it’s probably a good investment. If you’re someone who sips one drink all afternoon, or you primarily stick to free tap water, then skip it. Easy peasy.

So, there you have it. The Royal Caribbean drink package saga. It’s not as simple as just saying “yes” or “no.” It’s a strategic decision, a vacation budgeting puzzle. But once you understand the options and do a little personal cost-benefit analysis, you can make the choice that’s best for your perfect cruise. Now, go forth and sip wisely!