How much is the Royal Caribbean drink package?

When planning a Royal Caribbean cruise, one of the most common questions travelers ask is: How much is the Royal Caribbean drink package? Whether you love sipping cocktails by the pool, enjoying a fine glass of wine with dinner, or just want unlimited coffee, soda, and juices, understanding the drink package options is key to budgeting your cruise experience.

Royal Caribbean offers several beverage packages that cater to different preferences—from non-alcoholic drink lovers to cocktail enthusiasts. The prices vary depending on the type of package, the ship, and the length of the cruise. Let’s break down each type, what it includes, and how much you can expect to pay in 2025.

Understanding Royal Caribbean’s Beverage Packages

Royal Caribbean currently offers three main drink packages:

1. Deluxe Beverage Package (alcoholic drinks included)

2. Refreshment Package (non-alcoholic drinks but premium choices)

3. Classic Soda Package (basic soft drink plan)

Each of these packages is priced differently and is subject to change based on cruise duration, itinerary, and seasonal promotions.

The Deluxe Beverage Package

The Deluxe Beverage Package is Royal Caribbean’s most popular and comprehensive option. It includes virtually all beverages onboard—making it the best choice for guests who enjoy alcoholic drinks or premium coffee and fresh juices throughout the day.

What’s included:

• Unlimited cocktails, spirits, beers, and wines by the glass (up to $14 per drink)

• Non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails)

• Fountain sodas and Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages

• Premium coffees and teas (like lattes, cappuccinos, and espressos)

• Bottled water (sparkling and still)

• Fresh-squeezed juices at select venues

It’s an all-in-one package designed to cover your entire beverage experience onboard.

How much does the Deluxe Beverage Package cost?

As of 2025, the average price of the Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package ranges from $65 to $100 per person per day before gratuity.

Royal Caribbean adds an automatic 18% service charge at checkout, bringing the total to around $77–$118 per day, depending on your cruise.

The price fluctuates due to:

• The ship’s location (Caribbean cruises often have lower rates than European ones)

• Cruise duration (shorter cruises tend to have higher daily rates)

• Seasonal demand (holiday and summer cruises usually cost more)

• Pre-cruise purchase discounts

If you buy the package before your cruise through the Cruise Planner, you can often save 20–30% compared to onboard prices.

Example of total cost:

For a 7-night cruise:

• At $75/day × 7 days = $525 per person

• With 18% gratuity = around $620 total per person

For two adults sharing a stateroom, the total can reach $1,240 for the week. It’s a significant expense, but depending on how much you drink, it can be excellent value.

The Refreshment Package

The Refreshment Package is ideal for guests who don’t drink alcohol but still want a premium non-alcoholic beverage experience.

What’s included:

• Premium coffees and teas

• Fresh-squeezed juices

• Bottled water

• Coca-Cola Freestyle machine access

• Mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails)

• Smoothies and milkshakes at select venues

How much does the Refreshment Package cost?

The average cost of the Refreshment Package in 2025 ranges from $30 to $38 per person per day, plus 18% gratuity.

That makes the final price between $35 and $45 daily.

Example of total cost:

For a 7-night cruise:

• $35/day × 7 = $245 per person

• With gratuity = around $290 per person total

This package works well for families, teenagers, or adults who want more variety than soda but don’t need alcohol.

The Classic Soda Package

The Classic Soda Package is the simplest and most affordable beverage option offered by Royal Caribbean.

What’s included:

• Unlimited fountain soda refills

• Coca-Cola Freestyle machine access (100+ flavors)

• Souvenir Coca-Cola cup (one per package)

How much does the Soda Package cost?

The 2025 price typically ranges from $12.99 to $15.00 per person per day, plus 18% gratuity, which brings the total to around $15.50–$17.70 daily.

Example of total cost:

For a 7-night cruise:

• $13/day × 7 = $91 per person

• With gratuity = about $107 per person total

This plan is especially popular with children, teens, and adults who primarily drink soft drinks.

What’s Not Included in Drink Packages

While Royal Caribbean’s drink packages are generous, there are still a few exclusions:

• Drinks priced above $14 (you just pay the difference)

• Mini-bar beverages in staterooms

• Drinks from Starbucks kiosks (available on select ships)

• Souvenir glassware (you’ll get the drink, but not the fancy cup)

• Room service beverages

Being aware of these exclusions helps you avoid unexpected charges on your final bill.

Comparing Drink Package Costs vs. Paying Per Drink

To decide if a Royal Caribbean drink package is worth it, you need to compare how much you’d typically spend per day without it.

Here’s an average cost of drinks onboard without a package:

• Cocktails: $12–$14 each

• Beer: $8–$9

• Glass of wine: $10–$14

• Specialty coffee: $5–$6

• Bottled water: $3–$5

• Soda: $3.50

If you drink around:

• 5–6 alcoholic beverages a day + water and coffee, the Deluxe Beverage Package can easily save you money.

• 3–4 mocktails, sodas, or specialty coffees daily, the Refreshment Package offers good value.

• 2–3 sodas per day, the Soda Package may pay for itself.

The key factor is your drinking habits. If you’re a light drinker who enjoys only a glass of wine at dinner, it might be cheaper to buy drinks individually.

Seasonal Promotions and Discounts

Royal Caribbean frequently offers discounts on beverage packages before sailings.

Typical discounts include:

• 20–30% off Deluxe Drink Packages during pre-cruise sales

• 10–20% off Refreshment Packages

• Occasional buy-one-get-one-half-off offers for select sailings

These deals appear in your Cruise Planner account, usually 90–120 days before sailing. Booking early or during flash sales can save you hundreds of dollars.

Important Policies and Tips

Here are a few crucial details to remember when purchasing a Royal Caribbean drink package:

1. All adults in the same stateroom must buy the same alcohol package

If one adult purchases the Deluxe Beverage Package, Royal Caribbean requires every other adult (of legal drinking age) in the same room to buy one too.However, exceptions can sometimes be made for guests who don’t drink alcohol (they may be allowed to buy the Refreshment Package instead).

2. The package works everywhere onboard

You can use your drink package at bars, restaurants, lounges, the pool deck, and even at the private islands like Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee, where the same privileges apply.

3. Age restrictions

• The legal drinking age is 21 on U.S. sailings.

• On European and international itineraries, the age may drop to 18 or 20 depending on the departure country.

4. Daily activation

Packages are charged per day for the entire cruise duration — you can’t buy it for just a few days or share it with another person.

5. Refill policy

You can order one drink at a time, but there’s no limit to how many drinks you can order throughout the day.

Is the Royal Caribbean Drink Package Worth It?

Whether the Royal Caribbean drink package is worth it depends on your personal preferences, habits, and cruise itinerary.

Let’s consider a few typical scenarios:

If you’re an occasional drinker:

You might only have a couple of cocktails or glasses of wine each evening. In this case, paying per drink could be more economical.

If you’re a social or heavy drinker:

If you enjoy multiple cocktails during the day, wine at dinner, and perhaps some late-night drinks, the Deluxe Package can save you a considerable amount.

If you don’t drink alcohol:

The Refreshment Package is often worth it just for the unlimited bottled water, juices, and specialty coffees, especially on warm-weather cruises.

If you’re traveling with kids:

The Soda Package can keep children happy while giving them unlimited access to soft drinks throughout the cruise.

Sample Cost Comparison: 7-Night Caribbean Cruise

Package TypeAverage Price/DayTotal (7 Nights)Typical Savings vs. Buying Individually

Deluxe Beverage$75 + 18%$620$150–$250

Refreshment Package$35 + 18%$290$50–$100

Classic Soda Package$13 + 18%$107$20–$40

These figures can fluctuate slightly, but they offer a reliable baseline for most 2025 cruises.

Ways to Save Money on Drink Packages

If you’re looking to make the most of your Royal Caribbean cruise without overspending, consider these strategies:

1. Purchase before your cruise

Pre-purchasing through the Cruise Planner almost always offers a lower rate than buying onboard.

2. Watch for flash sales

Royal Caribbean runs promotions frequently — especially during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and “Cruise Planner Sale” events.

3. Use loyalty perks

If you’re a Crown & Anchor Society member, you might receive free drink vouchers or discounts that make buying a package unnecessary.

4. Share smartly (without breaking rules)

While official policy forbids sharing packages, some guests choose to mix and match drink types strategically among friends — but this can lead to warnings if overdone.

5. Consider port days

If you plan to spend most of your time exploring on shore excursions, you might drink less onboard — reducing the package’s overall value.

What About Specialty Dining and Drink Packages?

Royal Caribbean also allows pairing specialty dining with drinks. When you dine in a specialty restaurant, your beverage package applies seamlessly to any drink order within its limits.

If you’re a wine lover, you can also buy a Wine Package separately (available on select ships). These are not as flexible as the Deluxe Package but can be ideal for guests who only enjoy wine at dinner.

Are Drink Packages Refundable?

Yes, drink packages are fully refundable if canceled before the cruise begins.Once onboard, however, the package becomes non-refundable and non-transferable.

If you decide mid-cruise that you’re not drinking enough to justify the cost, you can’t get a partial refund — so make the decision carefully before sailing.

The Experience Beyond the Price Tag

Many Royal Caribbean guests say that the real value of the drink package isn’t just financial—it’s about convenience and peace of mind.

With a package, you never have to sign receipts, carry cash, or worry about your bill adding up after every round. You can try new cocktails without guilt, hydrate freely with bottled water, and even grab a cappuccino after dinner without thinking twice.

This freedom adds to the relaxed, all-inclusive cruise experience that many travelers seek.

Insider Tips for Maximizing Your Drink Package

1. Start early – Packages are active from the moment you board. Order your first drink at embarkation!

2. Try specialty cocktails – Bartenders often create custom drinks not on the menu.

3. Ask for bottled water with meals – It’s included and great for excursions.

4. Use the package on private islands – Many cruisers forget this perk.

5. Try different venues – From the pool bars to the English pub and Schooner Bar, each has unique signature drinks.

What Guests Are Saying in 2025

Cruisers in 2025 continue to give positive feedback on Royal Caribbean’s drink packages, praising the quality and variety of beverages.

Common pros:

• Excellent cocktail menu across all bars

• Premium coffee quality (especially Lavazza and Starbucks options)

• Great value during promotional discounts

• Easy to use anywhere onboard

Common cons:

• Mandatory purchase for both adults in a room can increase costs

• Occasional wait times at crowded bars

• Overpaying if you don’t drink daily

Overall, satisfaction remains high—especially among guests who take advantage of pre-cruise discounts.

Final Thoughts: How Much Is the Royal Caribbean Drink Package Really Worth?

When you add everything up, the Royal Caribbean drink package can range between $13 and $100 per person per day depending on the level you choose.

To recap:

• Deluxe Beverage Package: $65–$100/day

• Refreshment Package: $30–$38/day

• Classic Soda Package: $12.99–$15/day

For many travelers, the package provides both financial savings and the luxury of worry-free indulgence. It transforms your cruise into a more all-inclusive experience—where you can simply relax, enjoy your favorite drinks, and make the most of every moment at sea.

Before you book, always check your Cruise Planner for the latest promotions and compare your drinking habits with the package costs.

If you’re the type who enjoys multiple drinks daily, loves variety, or values convenience, the Royal Caribbean drink package is absolutely worth it in 2025.