How many drinks can you get a day with a Royal Caribbean drink package?

This is one of the most common questions asked by cruise enthusiasts planning their vacation, especially those looking to maximize value from the ship’s beverage options. Royal Caribbean has become renowned not just for its world-class ships, entertainment, and excursions, but also for its drink packages, which allow guests to enjoy unlimited beverages without constantly worrying about the cost of individual drinks. Understanding the daily limits, options, and strategies for drink packages is essential for making the most of your cruise experience.

Royal Caribbean offers several beverage packages, each tailored to different preferences, from soft drinks to specialty cocktails, wines, and spirits. The most popular among passengers is the Deluxe Beverage Package, which provides access to cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages like specialty coffees and smoothies. There is also the Refreshment Package for non-alcoholic drinks and the Classic Soda Package for unlimited soda. Each package comes with its own rules and pricing structure, which affects how many drinks you can realistically enjoy per day.

When asking, “how many drinks can I get a day?” it is crucial to consider both the type of package and Royal Caribbean’s policies. Technically, the Deluxe Beverage Package offers unlimited drinks, meaning there is no formal daily limit enforced by the cruise line. However, practical limits do exist. Royal Caribbean’s policy is that each guest can order one drink at a time. This means you cannot stockpile drinks or have multiple beverages delivered at once. Bartenders are instructed to serve responsibly, ensuring that alcohol consumption stays safe and enjoyable for all passengers.

So, while the package is “unlimited,” realistic consumption is typically around 15 to 20 drinks per day for someone actively drinking, depending on the duration of the cruise day and availability of bars and restaurants. This estimate includes alcoholic beverages like cocktails and beer as well as non-alcoholic drinks such as specialty coffees or smoothies. Of course, the number of drinks you consume per day can vary significantly based on personal preference, tolerance, and cruise activities.

The Deluxe Beverage Package allows guests to enjoy a wide variety of drinks. Cocktails and mixed drinks are a favorite choice, including classics like mojitos, margaritas, and martinis. Beer lovers can enjoy domestic and imported beers on tap or bottled, while wine enthusiasts can savor glasses of wine by the glass. Even non-alcoholic beverages such as fresh juices, bottled water, and specialty coffees count toward your daily drink total. For many guests, the key to maximizing value from the package is strategic planning: timing drinks during onboard happy hours, pairing cocktails with meals, and enjoying a mix of beverages throughout the day.

Understanding how Royal Caribbean structures its pricing helps in calculating daily value. The Deluxe Beverage Package is priced per day, and purchasing it for the duration of the cruise often results in savings compared to ordering drinks individually. On average, the package costs between $63 and $89 per day per person, depending on promotions, age, and location. If you were to pay for the same number of drinks individually, you could easily spend twice as much. Therefore, knowing how many drinks you can consume per day becomes an important factor in determining if the package is worth it.

Guests often ask if there are hidden rules about how many drinks can be ordered. Royal Caribbean’s guidelines are designed for safety. For instance, bartenders may refuse service to guests who appear overly intoxicated. Additionally, guests cannot bring drinks from the bars back to their staterooms, and sharing beverages with other guests not on the same package is not allowed. Despite these restrictions, the daily consumption potential remains high, allowing most guests to feel they are getting excellent value from the package.

Planning your daily drink consumption also involves considering cruise activities and dining schedules. A typical day on a Royal Caribbean cruise is packed with options: breakfast at the buffet, poolside lounging, excursions, lunch at a specialty restaurant, evening shows, and dinner at the main dining room. Guests can plan to have a morning coffee, a pre-lunch cocktail, an afternoon smoothie, and evening drinks with dinner. On days at sea, when excursions are not scheduled, it’s common to enjoy higher consumption rates, sometimes reaching 15 to 20 drinks in a single day.

For those trying to maximize their drink package, timing can make a difference. Starting your day with coffee or a smoothie, enjoying a mid-morning cocktail, and reserving wine or cocktails for lunch and dinner ensures a steady flow of drinks without overindulging. Poolside bars and evening lounges offer convenient spots to enjoy drinks throughout the day. Some passengers even plan mini “drink crawls” across different bars and lounges to experience the variety offered on larger ships.

Another factor to consider is how cruise length affects daily consumption. On shorter cruises, guests may aim for moderate consumption, focusing on their favorite beverages. On longer cruises, drinking patterns can vary, with guests spacing out drinks more evenly to avoid fatigue or overindulgence. Some passengers even create their own informal daily limits based on alcohol tolerance and enjoyment levels, which can be anywhere from 6 to 20 drinks per day.

Non-alcoholic drink packages are also popular, especially for families, teens, and those avoiding alcohol. The Refreshment Package includes specialty coffees, teas, bottled water, juices, and smoothies, while the Classic Soda Package covers unlimited soda. With these packages, guests can easily consume more than 20 drinks per day, particularly on hot days by the pool. While alcohol-free drinks may be lower in cost per serving than cocktails, the unlimited nature still provides excellent value, especially when factoring in specialty coffees that can cost $5–$7 per cup individually.

For guests concerned about responsible drinking, Royal Caribbean encourages moderation. Crew members are trained to monitor guest consumption and intervene if necessary. The one-at-a-time rule for drinks ensures that guests cannot binge excessively, which protects both the individual and the broader passenger group. This system balances unlimited access with safety, allowing most guests to enjoy a generous number of drinks each day without risk.

Understanding “how many drinks can you get a day?” also depends on personal lifestyle and cruise goals. Some guests focus on cocktails and beers, while others mix in coffee, tea, and juices. Certain ships may offer seasonal or themed drinks, adding variety and excitement to daily consumption. Additionally, guests can track their consumption using the cruise card, which logs each beverage charged to their package, allowing them to monitor how many drinks they have consumed in a day.

It’s worth noting that Royal Caribbean occasionally updates its drink package policies. While the general rules of unlimited one-at-a-time drinks have remained consistent, small changes, such as pricing, drink inclusions, and promotions, can affect the daily value. Guests planning a cruise should check the latest package options and pricing before booking. Doing so ensures that the expectations regarding daily consumption are aligned with current policies.

Maximizing your drink package is also about choosing the right package for your preferences. For heavy cocktail and wine drinkers, the Deluxe Beverage Package offers the most variety and value. For those who prefer soda and non-alcoholic options, the Refreshment or Classic Soda Packages are cost-effective and allow high daily consumption without overspending. By aligning the package with your consumption habits, you can maximize the number of drinks enjoyed per day while minimizing costs.

Socializing is another aspect that affects daily drink numbers. Royal Caribbean cruises are known for their lively bars, lounges, and pool decks. Guests often consume more drinks during social activities, happy hours, and parties. Engaging in group activities not only enhances the cruise experience but also increases the number of drinks consumed naturally throughout the day. This makes the question of daily drink limits more flexible, as social settings encourage a steady, moderate intake.

Some passengers wonder if tipping affects the value of the drink package. It’s important to note that Royal Caribbean automatically charges a daily gratuity, which covers service including drinks. Therefore, while each drink is technically unlimited, tipping is already factored into the overall cost, and there is no need to tip separately per beverage. Understanding this ensures you have an accurate idea of daily cost and the number of drinks you can enjoy without surprise charges.

Special promotions can also impact daily consumption. During certain cruises, Royal Caribbean offers discounts on beverage packages or bundles that combine drinks with dining experiences. Taking advantage of these promotions can enhance daily drink value, allowing guests to enjoy more beverages without increasing their overall cost. Planning ahead and booking beverage packages early can further maximize value per day.

Family considerations are another factor. Adults on the cruise might purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package, while teens and children may enjoy the non-alcoholic Refreshment or Classic Soda Packages. In family settings, calculating daily drink numbers per person helps manage expectations and ensures that everyone benefits from their package. Parents may plan morning coffee for themselves, smoothies for children, and cocktails in the evening, spreading consumption throughout the day efficiently.

The cruise itinerary also influences daily drink patterns. Sea days provide the most opportunities for higher drink consumption, as passengers spend more time on the ship, enjoying bars, pools, and lounges. Port days often involve excursions where drinks are limited to onboard or purchased externally. Strategically planning consumption around these days can increase the average number of drinks per day, especially for those looking to get maximum value from their package.

It’s essential to recognize that “unlimited” does not mean you must drink excessively. Royal Caribbean encourages responsible enjoyment. For many guests, pacing drinks over the course of the day enhances the experience without leading to overindulgence. A realistic expectation is between 10–20 drinks per day for adults with the Deluxe Beverage Package, and potentially more for non-alcoholic packages, depending on preferences and pacing.

In conclusion, the number of drinks you can get per day with a Royal Caribbean drink package varies based on package type, personal preference, cruise schedule, and social activities. The Deluxe Beverage Package offers one drink at a time, unlimited access, and a wide variety of beverages, making it possible for an adult to enjoy between 15–20 drinks per day realistically. Non-alcoholic packages allow for even higher daily consumption, especially for families and children. Understanding package rules, pacing consumption, and planning around cruise activities are key to maximizing value. By carefully choosing the package and planning your daily drink schedule, you can enjoy a stress-free, fun, and memorable Royal Caribbean cruise experience, all while getting the most out of your beverage package investment.