Perhaps one of the most common questions we receive is whether a drink package is worth it. When it comes to purchasing Royal Caribbean Drink Packages in 2024, the cruise line has made some updates that could impact your decision.
So, for some, going with a drink package could be a complete waste of money. For others, these options will be a great value. As loyal to royal cruisers, we have purchased several of these packages over the years. Thus, we can help you determine which, if any, are right for your next Royal Caribbean cruise.
Table of Contents
- Royal Caribbean Drink Package Basics
- Royal Caribbean Drink Package Options
- Costs of Royal Caribbean Drink Packages
- Deluxe Beverage Package
- Refreshment Package
- Soda Package
- Is a Drink Package Worth it on RCI?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, the Royal Caribbean Drink Packages have been a good value. Purchasing one pre-cruise has saved us money during many cruises over the years. Also, it’s always been an easy way to make our cruise more hassle free. However, given recent changes in pricing and benefits, we have not purchased a drink package on our recent cruises because the value for us has been diminished.
Ultimately, you will need to weigh the pros and cons and run the numbers to determine if one of the Royal Caribbean Drink Packages is right for you. Whether or not you should purchase one for your next vacation is an individual decision that depends on several factors.
These factors can include the price, your drink preferences, your cruise itinerary and if private islands are included, and your loyalty status with the brand.
GUIDE TO ROYAL CARIBBEAN DRINK PACKAGES!
Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbean Drink Packages (2024)
Royal Caribbean Drink Package Basics
There are a few different drink package options available across the Royal Caribbean fleet. While what is included in each package differs, there are several basic policies that govern all of the drink packages. Knowing these basics before you even review the plan options might make your decision to purchase one easier.
- Prices for all drink packages are per person, per day.
- All drink packages must be purchased for the entire duration of the cruise.
- There is an additional 18% service charge added to the total price at the time of purchase.
- Beverage packages are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Beverage packages are available on most 2+ day sailings regardless of itinerary except for 2 or 3-day sailings from Southampton, England.
- The packages cover most beverages purchased at onboard restaurants, bars, and lounges.
- Currently, all Royal Caribbean drink packages are unlimited.
- All packages cover drinks on the cruise line’s two private islands, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee, Haiti.
The Royal Caribbean Drink Packages
In 2024, Royal Caribbean is offering three drink packages. There is the alcoholic drink package, also known as the Deluxe Beverage Package. There are also two non-alcoholic drink packages, the Royal Refreshment Drink Package and the Classic Soda Package.
For all the coffee lovers, there is also the Café Select coffee card.
In addition, cruisers can also pre-purchase cases of water. For most cruises, guests can order a 12 pack or 24 pack of 1 liter bottles of Evian.
The Cost of Royal Caribbean Drink Packages in 2024
Royal Caribbean drink packages have dynamic pricing. This means that the price will vary based on ship, time of year, and itinerary. However, don’t be surprised if the advertised price in your Royal Caribbean cruise planner is much higher than it was a few years ago.
The typical beverage package price ranges are as follows:
- Deluxe Beverage Package: $69.99-$125 per person, per day
- Royal Refreshment Drink Package: $29-$38 per person, per day
- Café Select Coffee Card: $31 for 15 drinks
- Classic Soda Package: $12.99-$15 per person, per day
However, the cruise line often runs pre-cruise sales and promotions. Often, cruisers can get drink packages on sale from 10% to 40% off the retail price. We have taken advantage of these discounts to get a better deal on several cruises.
As an example, the Deluxe Beverage Package for one of our upcoming cruises is quoting a sale price of $73.99 and an onboard price of $115, or 35% off! On the same trip, the Refreshment Package is $25.99 and the Soda Package is $9.99, for a discount of 30%.
If you see a deal, we recommend purchasing. Remember, if the price goes down even further prior to your sail date, it is possible to cancel and rebook the package at the lower rate.
Everything Included in Royal Caribbean Drink Packages in 2024
Royal Caribbean Deluxe Drink Package
Royal Caribbean offers only one alcoholic drink package, known as the Deluxe Drink Package.
So, many cruisers refer to this as the unlimited drink package, as it includes essentially all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Since the cruise restart, the price of the Deluxe Drink Package has skyrocketed. While the cruise line implements dynamic pricing, the starting price for this package is much higher than it was a few years ago.
For our upcoming Utopia of the Seas cruise, the starting price for this package is $115 per person, per day. That is certainly a lot of pina coladas and daiquiris to hit the break-even point!
This plan covers all alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine by the glass, and cocktails up to $14. This allotment covers basically all 16 oz beers and a decent selection of red and white wines at the onboard restaurants and bars.
Further, the package also includes most liquor and premium spirits. Brands such as Grey Goose, Tito’s Vodka, Patron, Johnny Walker Black Label, and Dewar’s 12 scotch are all included, as are Premium and Classic cocktails.
If a drink costs more than the maximum dollar amount, guests will only pay the difference (+18% gratuity on the difference).
While this package does include a lot, some drinks are excluded.
Room service and minibar items are not included. Drinks in souvenir glasses, specialty beers, and super premium category beverages are also excluded. Further, all beverages served inside licensed Starbucks stores are not included.
You can view our Royal Caribbean bar menus from a recent Icon of the Seas cruise to determine the pricing of your favorite beverages.
In addition, the Royal Caribbean Deluxe Drink Package includes several premium non-alcoholic beverages not included in the cruise fare. Among these are fountain soda, Coca-Cola freestyle machines (where available), still and sparkling water, premium coffees and teas, and fresh-squeezed juices.
Plus, guests who purchase the Deluxe drink package will receive a 40% discount on bottled wines priced up to $100, and 20% discount on wine prices above $100.
With current onboard pricing, it takes more than 8 cocktails to hit the “break even” point for the Deluxe drink package.
Royal Caribbean Non-Alcoholic Drink Packages 2024
Royal Refreshment Drink Package
If you want more options than just soda in your Royal Caribbean non-alcoholic drink package, then the Royal Refreshment package might be right for you.
The cruise line advertises the Royal Refreshment package onboard price as $38 per person, per day on most cruises.
This plan gives cruisers unlimited choice of premium coffees and teas, soda (including the souvenir cup), bottled water (both sparkling and still), freshly squeezed juices, smoothies at Vitality Cafe (on select ships), and non-alcoholic frozen drinks.
Essentially, you can enjoy almost any non-alcoholic beverage on this package, including Johnny Rockets milkshakes. There are only a few exclusions, such as Starbucks from licensed kiosks and Desserted milkshakes. Starbucks brewed coffee from other onboard locations ARE included.
Recently, Royal Caribbean has introduced a number of new zero-proof cocktails. These alcohol-free options are usually around $7 and are included in this package. Among some of our favorites include the Blueberry Nojito and All Aboard Spritz.
With current onboard pricing, it takes about 6-8 non-alcoholic drinks to hit the “break even” point for the Royal Refreshment drink package.
Classic Soda Package
The Classic Soda Package is a popular drink package choice for families. Current onboard pricing for this package is $15 per person, per day.
This plan includes unlimited soda from the bars and restaurants onboard the ship and at the private islands. However, it does not include cans of soda or soda ordered through room service.
Further, guests who purchase this package will get a souvenir cup. If you happen to lose this cup, there is a $9.95 replacement fee.
Many Royal Caribbean ships have Coke Freestyle machines. These freestyle machines dispense over 100 different soda/flavor combinations. So, you can make your own crazy soda concoctions using your souvenir cup.
Of note, guests who do not purchase a drink package will not be able to use the freestyle machines.
Soda is priced around $3.50, meaning that you will need to drink about 4-5 sodas a day to recoup the costs of purchasing the Soda package.
Are Royal Caribbean Drink Packages Worth it?
Ultimately, that is a question that only you can answer based on your own drinking habits. Essentially, the question should be whether you will consume enough to make the purchase “worth it”.
Below are the average costs of the different beverages within each category from a recent Royal Caribbean drink menu.
Using this chart, you can do the quick math to see if you would routinely hit the daily “break even” point for the above drink packages based on the current pricing for your particular sailing.
| Category | Price |
| Bottled Water (500 ml) | $3.50 |
| Soda | $3.50 |
| Energy Drinks | $4.00 |
| Specialty Coffees | $4.50 |
| Smoothies/Squeezed Juices | $8.25 |
| Zero-Proof Cocktails | $7.00 |
| Beers | $7.50 |
| Wine | $11.00 |
| Mixed Drinks | $11.00 |
| Specialty Cocktails | $14.00 |
When compared to competitor brands, Royal Caribbean drink packages are on the higher end of pricing, with Carnival being cheaper and NCL being more expensive.
However, if you are looking for convenience, a Royal Caribbean drink package ensures you never have to worry about the bar tab at the end of the cruise!
Another caveat is that the revamped Crown and Anchor member drink perk does make the decision to purchase a beverage package a bit more difficult for those Diamond status and above.
With these new perks, C&A guests can use their drink vouchers for any drink up to $14, any time of day. This is no longer limited to just Happy Hour in the Crown Lounge. Diamond cruisers receive 4 drink vouchers, Diamond Plus 5 vouchers, and Pinnacle 6 vouchers.
Honestly, this is the main reason we’ve stopped purchasing a Royal Caribbean drink package. Instead, we purchase a Cafe Select coffee card and a case or two of water.
We Answer All of Your Royal Caribbean Drink Package Questions!
Complimentary beverages on Royal Caribbean include select drinks like iced tea, lemonade, filtered water, some juices, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea.
These free drinks are available in the Windjammer buffet and while dining in the main dining rooms.
While these items are complimentary, soda, bottled water, specialty coffee, and alcoholic beverages will cost extra money.
You can purchase the Royal Caribbean drink package pre-cruise using the online Cruise Planner. Or, you can purchase once onboard during the first day (or two) of your cruise. However, you will usually save money by purchasing pre-cruise.
You can purchase a drink package up until 72 hours prior to your sail date. You might also be able to score some savings by bundling a drink package with a WiFi package.
Of note, if you purchase a Royal Caribbean drink package and subsequently find a cheaper rate, you can always cancel and re-book prior to your sailing.
The Royal Caribbean Drink packages are “unlimited” for the duration of the cruise, unlike Carnival Cruise Line which limits guests to 15 drinks.
However, you need to consume responsibly as the company has the right to deny service.
Further, you can only order one drink at a time, whether it is alcoholic or non-alcoholic. In addition, you must show your SeaPass card every time you order a beverage. There will be a notation on your SeaPass card indicating that you have purchased the package.
Of course, it is never mandatory to buy a drink package. The Royal Caribbean drink packages are add-ons to your cruise vacation. However, there is no sharing of the package or using your package to order drinks for other cruisers.
So, if one guest in the stateroom wishes to purchase the Royal Caribbean Deluxe drink package, then all guests of legal drinking age in the stateroom do have to purchase this alcoholic drink package as well.
Typically, you can purchase a drink package pre-cruise using the online cruise planner for cheaper than onboard prices.
From time to time, Royal Caribbean may run sales on drink packages. So, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your Cruise Planner and your email for any such promotions. The discount does vary by ship, itinerary, and time of year.Comments
Have you purchased one of the Royal Caribbean drink packages on a cruise? Do you think Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe beverage package is a good value? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences with drink packages on a cruise.
128 comments
Dana
Hi, When you buy a drink package, do they give you a wristband or is it linked to your sea pass? Thanks for the great info and advice!
Garrett
Does the drink package start the minute you get on the ship?
Cindy
Yes although recently they don’t put the soda cup in your room anymore. You have to go to the promenade deck to get it.
Thomas
How do you utilize the drink package at the buffet? Is there a drink bar or will a server come to the table to take drink orders?
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John Webster
Our cruise has back to back days where we will be off ship at the beginning. The second half of the cruise has 2 sea days and a visit to perfect day. Can we purchase a drink package during the cruise when we get to the second half?
Amy Siemens
Thank you for your informative post. Unfortunately the deluxe drink package would be a wast because we don’t drink beer, wine or alcoholic beverages. However, I might consider the refreshment package. I have a few questions regarding the drinks. How much does squeezed out cost and is it only served at breakfast? Do they have a supply of sugar free drinks, I.e., sugar free Shirley temple or Roy Rogers? Are only the non alcohol frozen drinks included? Since I don’t drink alcohol, the only frozen drink I know is strawberry daiquiri and the greenish drink that looks like the strawberry one. I also had one with cream de mint with another ingredient…is that a nonalcoholic drink? Also what are specialty coffees? Are these the iced coffee or flavored coffee? As you might guess, I don’t drink regular coffee or regular tea except for iced tea with lots of lemons. Too bad they don’t have diet Dr. Pepper. Hopefully, they’ll have Coke Zero. Looks like I’ll be hard pressed to make a drink package with it because my son can only drink nonalcoholic drinks due to his meds.
Thank you.
Angela Q
Hello, went on Independence of the Seas in February. Favorite drink was Strawberry Blonde. I know the main ingredients and have tried to replicate it. It’s their on twist apparently on it. If anyone can snag a detailed recipe, I would appreciate it! If you’re cruising soon, have it on the rocks or frozen by the pool. Yum!
Trond-Erik Rød
We went on Oddesy for a 6 day cruise, and on the second day we wnt and got the deluxe package, we where two people and got charged 2 times 525 dollar. The poster said 50% off on the second package so we went to guest service to complian. They said that the amount was right. I drink beer and missus drink strawberry daquiry, it varied from 17.4 to 24.4 depending on what bar and what time of day we purchused it so that meant that we had to drink atleast 9 drinks each to break even. And with two days ashore we had no chance of drinking that much. Luckily they let us cancel it. And we bought drinks evry time we wanted one and the bill ended up with 400 dollar for the both of us. So for us the package would not have been beneficial at all
Diane
This was great info! One questions – if you purchase the alcoholic beverage package – is that included when you order drinks via room service to a balcony stateroom – or is that a separate charge?
Bridget
Hi DB, enjoy your blog and YT videos. Always helpful.
Question regarding RC drink packages:
If I purchase the Deluxe Drink Package and my husband, who only drinks occasionally or at dinner, purchases the Refreshment Package, can I purchase a bottle of wine at dinner using my plan’s 40% discount and share that with him? Or only in our cabin?
I phoned RC and their representative was unclear/unsure of whether or not this would be a ship by ship decision to allow sharing of a bottle of wine that was purchased with the Deluxe package – In my view, I’m paying for the drinks package and paying again for the bottle of wine, so it seems it would be reasonable to share this with my husband at dinner. Thoughts or comments from other cruises who have opted for these disparate plans?
Connie
What about a shorter cruise? 3 nights would you purchase the deluxe drink package?
I’m schedule for a cruise June 2022.
Mrs. B.
how do you order a drink that comes under a drink package? (anything besides water, tea and lemonade). On Holland America, any drink order had to be placed through a “steward” in any restaurant, not the waiter. Stewards were scarce, and the whole experience was very frustrating. Even getting a glass of sparkling water was a cumbersome process. Not only were we challenged to get beverage access, we could in no way come near getting value for the package. For this reason, i do not recommend an HA cruise.
On a Royal Caribbean ship can i order a beverage anywhere without difficulty? i have not sailed with RC before, and having easy access to the beverages i want makes a difference. thanks!
Terri Kintner
Do they carry any gluten-free beer?
Alex
Can you take drinks out of the bar you order them from? For instance, could I get a drink at the Lime and Coconut and then drink it as I walk back to my stateroom?
Connie
Stay on top of the specials before your cruise. We bought at the 30% off and then got an offer for buy one get one for 50% off. You can cancel and buy at that price and it saved us $50 on the total package.
Roshan Milinda
Hi, I will be on this cruise in the month of Sep. Do you have any Bottle packages on the cruise? can i purchase any bottles for consumption during my stay?
Please let me know..
JS
Hi, We are sailing on RC Harmony in Oct and have purchased the deluxe drink package. I have been told it DOES include gratuities (18%) because we booked online ahead of time. I called twice to double check and was told this both times. Can anyone clarify? Thanks
Kathy Murphy Holden
we are cruising the Enchantment in Jun. we purchased the deluxe drink package. question: with this package can I order memosa’s for breakfast and would my drink package include the gratuities?
Sandy
Did Royal Carribean give you any perks being a blogger?
Wesley Sonner
Hi. I hate to beat a dead horse but…I plan to buy the refreshment package for my two children but not buy any drink package for myself. Will they allow that or do we all three have to have a package? Also, the kids love to drink virgin pina coladas. Would those be included in the refreshment package?
John
I am so excited about our upcoming cruise … our first ever!! Just reviewed the beverage package and I will be signing up for the full alcoholic beverage package. My wife does not drink any alcoholic beverages but will probably purchase the basic beverage package. Your policy states everyone sharing a suite has to purchase the beverage package. Can your policy accommodate our circumstances?
John
DB
Hi John, Thanks for reading and the question. You will need to contact Royal Caribbean. The current policy is that both individuals in the room have to purchase the same beverage package. So, if you purchase the Deluxe Package, your wife needs to do the same. There are some exceptions, but these usually require a medical note from a doctor. Let us know if you have any other questions. Happy Cruising.
April B
We will be cruising on Allure this summer. Is there a place to get mochas and lattes with the drink package? I heard Starbucks does not accept the drink package on the Oasis class ships so I’m trying to figure out if the drink package is worth it for an espresso junkie. I’m not sure if they have other coffee shops on Allure.
DB
HI April, great question. Yes, the Deluxe Beverage Package works at Cafe Promenade. You can get lattes, mochas, cappuccinos, and other espresso-based drinks there and they are covered in the package. It is found on the Promenade on Deck 5. Happy Cruising.
Tricia Ray
we are sailing on the adventure of the seas on Nov 14, i purchased the premium drink package while it was on sale for 44.00 plus 18% gratuity for a total of 51.92 per day and right after i purchased it they changed it to included coffees and stuff making it essentially the ultimate drink package, theres no way to go wrong with this package!
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Tricia, we agree, nothing wrong with that at all. Taking advantage of the 20% discount and then getting the upgrade is an added bonus. Thanks for sharing your good fortune with us. We do recommend getting the package early, especially when it is on sale. Have a great time on Adventure. We sailed on her last year and had a blast. Let us know how your cruise turns out when you are back next month. Happy sailing.
Brian B
This is a great article. I really love the way all the drinks for a day layout ow much one would actually spend. So many people when determining the value of the package focus solely on the alcoholic drinks. Just bottled water alone can add up to $10 per day.
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Brian, thanks for the comment. Glad you found the breakdown useful. You are correct, the benefits of the beverage packages can go well beyond just the alcoholic drinks. When is your next cruise?
Brian B
Jan 29 on the Allure OTS. I had booked the drink package on special 25% off, but I just re-booked t because they are offering the drink package and Voom for only $5 per day extra.
Stephen Anderson
I’m booked for a 3 day on the Enchantment next Jan. The website offers the drink packages and says they are 20% off. It states the Premium for 46 and the Ultimate for 48. I have tried to calculate from the regular prices and these numbers seem off. The 46 for Premium– includes the 18% gratuity? The 48 for Ultimate seems less then it maybe should be. What’s up?
Eric
Hi DB,
Have you found anything definitive on the issue of the service charge either being included in the package price, or added to each “free” beverage ordered? It seems like RCCL can’t give the same answer twice, and the information on their site is contradictory as well.
Thanks.
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Eric, Thanks for the question. The gratuity is included when you buy the package. We just got back from a 5 night Anthem Cruise and bought the package pre-cruise. We were never charged a service charge once onboard. All receipts came up zero. They will not double charge you. You pay the service charge based on the total cost of the beverage package you purchase, not per drink. Sorry for the delay getting back to you, I hope this helps. Happy sailing.
hccruiser
We’re cruising on the Harmony in June with kids–one who will be 4. How stickler are they if both adults have drink packages and we order her a juice or bottle of water, too? I’m not planning on getting her a drink package at this age…also, if there is a Starbucks on board, will there be OTHER shops that we can get our espresso-based drinks (that are included in the packages)? Thanks!
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi HC, thanks for reading. With the package you are allowed one drink per card, per transaction. Doesn’t matter what that drink is as the computer only allows the staff to input one drink at a time for someone on the drink package. You are not allowed to buy someone else a drink. So, say you go to the bar to get two drinks for the adults, and two bottles of water for the kids. You have two cards in your hand for the adults that have the drink package. Your alcoholic drinks will be covered, but they will charge you for the the two bottles of water. But, if you go to the bar and get one adult drink and one water, you are fine. If you then give the water to your kids, odds are they won’t say anything. Are you sailing on Allure or Oasis? Those are the only two ships with official Starbucks onboard. On those ships, the drink package is not accepted at Starbucks. However, the Cafe Promenade does make lattes and specialty coffees that are accepted with the Ultimate Drink Package. Some ships, like Anthem of the Seas, have cafes that brew Starbucks coffee. At those shops, the drink package does work. Let us know if you have any other questions. When do you set sail?
Libby
Great to have all of this input. We have never thought to get the drink packages before due to more city/island visits than sea days. However, at the end of April we are going on our first transatlantic cruise that will have 8 sea days, then a couple of more in between the places we visit. My questions are 1) after 8 days, would it be OK to stop the package and get a refund for the difference in days and 2) we do enjoy a couple of cocktails prior to dinner, wine with dinner and perhaps an after dinner drink. We also may have a drink during the day and at a show. Would you think for this particular cruise, the Premium package would be worth it for both of us? 3) They are offering a 20% discount off each package but it was still higher than what was advertised. I am thinking the service fee is added to it when in the final cart because my calculations certainly were not the same as theirs. We are 15 days, so I know to multiply by 15! 4) I get the impression that you think it is a better idea to book it onboard. I just am concerned that it will be difficult to get it on our account on time to take advantage of our first drink! Or maybe it is still going to count for the full day… thanks for future replies!!!!!
Dr. Hook
To comment on (2), if you are going to log 6 drinks/day then you should break even or better over that 8-day span – especially if you have 20% off. But depending on your constitution, it can be difficult to maintain that level of drinking day after day. And taking into account all the food that is available, sometimes your body just says, “Okay, I’ve had enough calories.”
My experiences have been that one needs to accomplish dedicated, sustained drinking in order for the package to make sense from a financial standpoint. But from a psychological standpoint, the package is nice because you aren’t making value decisions on a drink-by-brink basis (e.g., Is this $12 cocktail worth it vs a $6 beer). And it’s always nice to be able to grab an overpriced bottled water without a care.
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Thanks Dr. Hook for your always thoughtful comments. We agree, there are both financially and psychological benefits to using the drink package. We showcased our experiences on vacation. It is not always about trying to get your moneys worth. There is also the nice feeling of knowing how much things costs and not having to worry about the bar tab. Now, RCI is doing some specials where the prepaid package is 20% off for some sailings. This might make it an even better deal for those who are heavy drinkers. Appreciate the additional thoughts. Happy sailing.
kdizzydaze
Hey guys. Just got off the phone with a rep from Royal Caribbean who was most helpful explaining the drink package. Here it is. The Gratuities are NOT included in the package. You WILL PAY an 18% gratuity on EACH DRINK YOU ORDER. Not the price of the package.
So if you order the ultimate package for $59/day. You do not pay 18% on the $59/day price. You pay it on EACH DRINK. These are the facts.
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Thanks Kdizzydaze for reading and the comment. We have checked numerous upcoming bookings we have for RCI and all of them include the 18% service charge if you go to purchase the drink package as they have for previous sailings. We are going to contact Royal Caribbean for clarification to see if this a new policy.We will be sailing on Anthem of the Seas next month and see if this new pricing structure is in effect as we plan on purchasing at least one drink package. We will report back and update this post. Thanks.
Chris Pekkala
If the 18% gratuity is not included, then that’s a brand new policy. I just got off Freedom of the Seas on February 21st, having had the $59 package. All my drink receipts had “18% gratuity included” written clearly on the receipt. Although there is a space to tip an amount of your choosing on top of that 18%. Furthermore the only charges to my Seapass account as far as tips went were those $1-$3 additional tips that I left throughout the week.
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Thanks Chris for the update. We are sailing next month on Anthem of the Seas and will see what the pricing is like for the beverage packages. In the meantime, we are going to contact the Crown and Anchor Society to see if the service charge policies have changed. Appreciate the comment and info.
Brit
One question though if the schedule is Day1- disembark 2-sea3-port4-sea 5-back home super early, how many days of the package would you technically be paying for, mainly concerned if I’m paying for that 7am home day as I’m new to this drink package set-up
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Brit, Great question. Sounds like you are doing a 4 night cruise. If that is the case, you would only have to pay for four days. In our experience, the morning of disembarkation (which you label Day 5) our drink packages have covered specialty coffees. So, even though you don’t pay for that 5th day, the drink package still work. However, we have not tested this out with alcoholic beverages, so not sure if it applies or not. What ship are you sailing on with RCI?
Brittany
We’re looking at Brilliance of the Seas, thinking about doing the second from the top drink package but I’m not sure if we’ll drink enough to justify the splurge
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Brittany, Thanks for reading. It is a tough call. For the most part, you have to average about 6-7 alcoholic drinks a day to break even. Then, any bottled water, soda, or additional alcoholic drinks you consume within the plan are the “extra value”. On sea days, it is probably much easier to hit these numbers than days in port. That said, we routinely drank 8-10 waters a day (and I a few sodas) so we ended up saving. How many port days do you have on the Brilliance?
Florian Poellinger
Hi, we are on Anthem of the Seas on 21st January. I am thinking of the Royal Replenish Drink Package. One question: is the bottled water unlimited in this package? Thanks in advance and keep on cruising.
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Florian, Thanks for reading. Great question. Yes, the bottled water is unlimited in this package. Our mother recently used the package on Adventure of the Seas and enjoyed unlimited bottles of water, along with the other included drinks. There were never any issues using the plan. Have a great cruise.
Shana
We are sailing on the majesty of the seas in June. I was wondering if we can use our on board credit to purchase the drink package once we board the ship?
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Shana, Great question. The short answer is yes, you can use your onboard credit (OBC). Essentially, your onboard credit applies to all purchase made onboard. You can not specify what you want to use the OBC towards, it just comes off your bill. Have a great cruise. We have yet to sail on Majesty, so we would love to hear your take of the ship. Happy Cruising.
carolyn
Hi, if you go on the smaller boats what soda’s are available? I am told they do not have the 100 different flavors on the smaller boats. I try to stay away from the regular drinks so will I only have one choice for diet sodas?
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Carolyn, you are correct not all of the Royal Caribbean ships have the freestyle machines. What ship will you be sailing on? If the ship does not have a freestyle machine, then you have the typical coke, diet coke, sprite, ginger ale, etc. I believe that is all. Here is a list of the ships that have freestyle machines as of the Fall 2015.
Allure of the Seas
Anthem of the Seas
Enchantment of the Seas
Explorer of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
Grandeur of the Seas
Jewel of the Seas
Majesty of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas
Let us know if you have any other questions. Happy sailing! Appreciate the comment.
Joe Pirog
does anyone know with the ultimate package on the anthem of the seas if the bionic bar is covered? Or Michaels Pub? Just making sure the ultimate includes everywhere. Also we are will be sailing for xmas and new years with kids. Do they do anything special for the holidays?
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Joe. Great questions. We sailed on Quantum of the Seas and know that the drinks at Bionic Bar are covered. Also, most drinks at Michael’s Genuine Pub are covered-there are a few extra large size beers on the menu that are not included in the package, and there are a few wines that are not covered. Neither are the whiskey flights. We have a review of that venue, complete with menus (https://eatsleepcruise.com/2015/02/quantum-seas-michaels-genuine-pub-review/) from this time last year. Around the holidays, the ship is decorated and there are some special activities geared toward the holidays. All of the main shows stay the same. On the actual holidays, there are usually specialty menus on the ships featuring holiday favorites. We would love to hear about your experiences on the ship as we have never sailed around Christmas time. Hope this helps. Appreciate you reading the post.
Krystle
This blog post has been so helpful! My boyfriend and I are going on the Harmony of the Seas next week out of Barcelona and it is his first cruise, my second (but it has been 10 years since my last). We were unsure if he should get the Ultimate Package since he likes iced coffee a lot and of course several alcoholic drinks at night. Oh and he drinks water like a fish. I have been searching all over for pricing of individual drinks and info on if the Bionic bar is included. So glad I stumbled across this post! It is hard to really compare pricing if you can’t find drink pricing! Thanks so much for clarifying all of this!
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Krystle, thanks for the kind words and comment. We are glad you found the post helpful. We are interested to see how the prices compare as when you are sailing in Europe, everything will be in Euros, not USD. The packages have gone up slightly since this post, but so too have drink prices, so we think the math should compare. We sail on Harmony of the Seas in January and we plan on doing an entire post about the package after that sailing. Please do report back about your experiences on the ship. Happy sailing.
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Joe. Great questions. We sailed on Quantum of the Seas and know that the drinks at Bionic Bar are covered. Also, most drinks at Michael’s Genuine Pub are covered-there are a few extra large size beers on the menu that are not included in the package, and there are a few wines that are not covered. Neither are the whiskey flights. We have a review of that venue, complete with menus (https://eatsleepcruise.com/2015/02/quantum-seas-michaels-genuine-pub-review/) from this time last year. Around the holidays, the ship is decorated and there are some special activities geared toward the holidays. All of the main shows stay the same. On the actual holidays, there are usually specialty menus on the ships featuring holiday favorites. We would love to hear about your experiences on the ship as we have never sailed around Christmas time. Hope this helps. Appreciate you reading the post.
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Joe. Great questions. We sailed on Quantum of the Seas and know that the drinks at Bionic Bar are covered. Also, most drinks at Michael’s Genuine Pub are covered-there are a few extra large size beers on the menu that are not included in the package, and there are a few wines that are not covered. Neither are the whiskey flights. We have a review of that venue, complete with menus (https://eatsleepcruise.com/2015/02/quantum-seas-michaels-genuine-pub-review/) from this time last year. Around the holidays, the ship is decorated and there are some special activities geared toward the holidays. All of the main shows stay the same. On the actual holidays, there are usually specialty menus on the ships featuring holiday favorites. We would love to hear about your experiences on the ship as we have never sailed around Christmas time. Hope this helps. Appreciate you reading the post.
Gabriella
Hi we are going on VOTS on Jan 22 2016 and was wondering is filtered water free on board and can you refill your own water bottles?
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Gabriella, Thanks for reading and I appreciate the comment. Not sure what you mean by filtered water. At the bars, restaurants, and on the pool decks ice water is available as part of the cruise fare. You are not allowed to refill your water bottles directly. You must use a cup provided by RCI, fill it with water, and then use the cup to refill your water bottle. This is for sanitation reasons. We have done this before and it is easy to do. Let us know if you have any other questions. Have a great cruise this week!
Morgan
Does anyone have experience with sharing a drink with someone else? I know it’s not “allowed” but I will only have 1 drink/day (I’m breast feeding) while my husband will have the ultimate package. Should we just buy my drink? Or can he get me one fairly easily? Thanks!
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Morgan. Thanks for reading and the question. It really depends where you have the drink. If you both order a drink at dinner, then you will be charged by the bar service for your drink. If you are at the pool deck, and your husband gets a drink at one bar, then goes to another bar to get you a drink, he will not be charged. Same holds true if you go from one bar to another on the Promenade. While we don’t recommend doing this on a regular basis, I know from personal experience that this is possible. Hope this helps. Have a great cruise.
Judith Foster
$55 per day for the ultimate drink package….. So why is it $65 per day for RC cruises leaving from Australia?
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Judith, Thanks for reading and the comment. Just recently RCI increased the price of the drink package. We are in the process of updating the article to reflect the new pricing. Also, keep in mind the prices here are in USD, so depending where in the world you are sailing, the amounts may vary due to currency conversions. Appreciate the question. Happy sailing!
Linda Clynk
Hi, I too have asked the same question, I wrote to Royal Caribbean, but am yet to get a reply. The 2016 rate is $US49 for Premier, and $59 for the ultimate. Based on XE (yes well aware it fluctuates daily – I actually keep a close eye on it) that amounts to $AU65.88 for Premier and $AUD79 for Ultimate. According to RC Australian site, it is $74 for Premium and $87 for Ultimate. So, if we pre-purchase, we will pay for 2 packages almost $200 more than US or UK passengers!!!! So, there is absolutely NO incentive to pre-purchase, correct?
Judith Foster
Thanks for the reply, I am sailing on the Legend of the Seas on a South Pacific cruise and all the prices quoted for this cruise are in US dollars, so even before the price rise there still seemed to be quite a discrepancy in the price of drink packages. I will be interested though to see the new price list.
jes
I have a question about the drink packages. My boyfriend and I are mostly beer and wine drinkers. I see that if we get the select package it does include beer and wine which is awesome. However I am seeing that the beer and wine is limited. My boyfriend really enjoys craft beers. Are the beers that are offered on this plan primly domestic (coors, bud light, miller, etc) or can you find some quality beers on this list. As far as the wine, is it cheaper wine?
My other question is I see that I am allowed to bring 2 bottles of wine with me on board. Is there a way to chill it? Will they store it for me, and can I bring it to dinner? I wanted to bring a couple of bottles of champagne with me to enjoy, preferably at dinner. I don’t to pack them if there is no way to chill it.
william
On a recent Greek isle cruise, they offered a 30% discount on drink packages on embarkment day. It was set out outside the windjammer. I was told they didn’t sell enough packages , so were trying to get more sold. Our cruise this January 2016, I have told the kids to wait until we are on board to see if there are any deals like this, as you are able to purchase a prorated package anytime three days prior to sailing.
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Thanks William for the feedback and for reading the post. We have heard that occasionally, drink packages do get discounted, so we also always wait to purchase until we are on-board. One thing to be careful about is buying the package in certain ports, as you maybe charged sales tax in some home-port cities. It has not happened to us, but we heard others have been charged local sales tax when buying the package, or even buying a drink. Happy cruising!
DB
Hi Jes. Thanks for reading and the great questions. The Select Package includes beers up to $6 and wines up to $8. For beers, this will include basically all the beers onboard, except for some high end specialty beers or larger sized beers (e.g., Fosters large cans). From our experience, most ships have a limited number of craft beers, and the selection changes throughout the cruise. Getting either the Premium or Ultimate plan really wouldn’t affect your options for beer, so your boyfriend should be fine with the Select. The wines on the other hand are very limited at the $8 range on the select. It is basically house wine, and the brands and varietal vary greatly. If you are a wine connoisseur, you would probably be better off with a Premium package. What time of room do you have? Most rooms have a small refrigerator where you can store the champagne. You can also ask your stateroom attendant for ice to keep the bottles cold. If you bring the bottles to dinner, and do not finish them, then your waiter might store them for you. They do store unused bottles you purchase from the bar, but I am not 100% sure if they will store the remaining champagne from a bottle you bring onboard. Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy cruising!
jes
Thank you so much for your response! It was very helpful! With what you said, does that mean that it acceptable for me to bring my own wine to dinner? Thank you so much!
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
You are welcome Jes. Short answer is yes, you can bring your wine. Most likely they will store it for you as well if you do not finish it during the meal. Thanks again.
Lisa
Thanks for putting all this together. It makes figuring it out much easier. When we cruised last February, they ran a special the day we boarded of buy one package, get the second half price. This made it even easier to decide! The only problem is that they would not refund the difference to people who prepurchased their packages. I have three cruises coming up in the next year and I will not be purchasing anything ahead of time in case they do this again. Just an FYI.
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Lisa. Thanks for reading! Appreciate the information about the deal you got. Sounds like a great money saving offer and I hope one cruise they run that promotion when we are onboard! We do always purchase the drink package onboard, so we agree with your recommendation. Where are you going on your upcoming cruises?
Gloria
Does anyone know if Crown Royal Regal Apple is served onboard RCCL’s Enchantment of the Seas?
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Gloria. Thanks for reading and the question! My suggestion would be to contact Royal Caribbean and see if they can get your request to the Food and Beverage manager on Enchantment of the Seas. Normally, on a longer sailing you could speak to the manager on day 1, and they would try and accommodate your request at the next port of call. Given that Enchantment does short sailings, you probably would need to put the request in before the sailing. Please let us know how you make out. We sailed on the ship earlier this year and had a blast! Enjoy your cruise.
Chris
Thanks for all the great info on the drink packages! I read that they do not allow you to buy two drinks at a time. How stringent are they with this rule? Meaning there’s no way to have a bottle of water with your alcoholic drink as your poolside? Also is there some kind of time limit on the card, for example could you grab a water in one location on the ship and then grab a beer at another a couple minutes later? We’re sailing on Freedom of the Seas in February and I’m still weighing the pros and cons of these packages. Although this blog has been a big help.
Dr. Hook
My experience is that the bartenders are not too concerned with bottled water – some of them don’t even swipe your card. I did not try ordering a drink + water at the same time; what I usually did was walk by one bar, get a water, then go to the next for a drink-drink. To your next question, I was able to do the same routine for alcoholic drinks as well. No bartender ever said anything about my last drink being only X minutes ago – I doubt they are looking too closely at that. Certainly a timestamped audit trail does exist, but I’d guess the cruise line only pulls that out if they suspect egregious abuse of the drink plan.
Michael Davis
I just finished purchasing the Ultimate for a 4 night out of Tampa March 2016, this is our 4th cruise and I can tell you sitting around the pool can be costly if you need to pay per drink, so now we get the package and have less to worry about. I love the breakdown which you have provided above however on another site it stated that no coffee products from Starbucks were includes in any of the packages. I like an good iced coffee in the morning versus something hot and while it isn’t a big issue I would like clarification. Thanks and Happy Sailing. Citrus County Jeep Life sailing March 31st Tampa.
Amelia
Hello! I am planning on going on a 4 night cruise in March. When purchasing a drink package do they charge you for the 4 days that you’re on the ship? Or do they charge you for the 5th day when you reach port at 7am? Thank you!
Steve
Just four days.
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Thanks Steve for the concise answer.
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Ameila. Thanks for reading. Great question. The drink package is paid per night, so no the fifth day is not “included” and you are not charged for that day. However, we have found that you can still get bottled water and specialty coffees (depending on the package you buy) the morning of disembarkation and we have never been charged. So, you may be able to squeeze a few more drinks out of the package that day. We have never tried to get alcoholic beverages, as we do get right off the ship, so not sure if those would be included on that final morning. Have a great cruise.
DB
Thanks Michael for the comment. I am glad you found the post useful. You are correct, the coffee at Starbucks is not included; however, Starbucks is only found on a few ships (I believe just the Oasis class). On Quantum there was a cafe that served Starbucks brand coffee, and on Enchantment the coffee shop there also brewed Starbucks. Neither ship had an “official” Starbucks, so the lattes and premium coffees on both of those ships were included. Hope this helps.
Cindy Schneider
Great review on the drink packages. Just booked a cruise on Anthem of the seas. On Celebrity I could bring a case of water on. Can I do the same for Royal Caribbean?
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Thanks Cindy for reading and the question. Many individuals do bring a case of water onboard- some cruisers just put a luggage tag on the case of water and check it, or place it in a duffel bag. Honestly, we have not done this personally, but know many people who have been able to bring bottled water with no problems. According to RCI’s policy, they can inspect containers to ensure you are not trying to smuggle alcohol onboard. So, you should be fine with the water. We will be sailing on Anthem of the Seas in April 2016, when do you depart?
Tiffany
We sailed last year on Explorer and are going again in December on Freedom. Last year my husband and I both took a 6 pack of water and my suitcase showed up fine at my door. However, my husband got called to the naughty room and told him that water wasn’t allowed. So we don’t know what to do this year…
DB
Thanks Tiffany for the comment. It does seem like the policies are enforced unevenly, especially if one of you brought water on and the other one was “tagged”. It seems the new “official” policy on RCI is that “Guests are not allowed to bring beer, hard liquor, fortified wines or non-alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use on boarding day or while in port. Alcoholic beverages seized on boarding day will not be returned”. Cases of water have always been a wild card, that is another reason we purchase a drink package that includes water. Have a great cruise on Freedom, it is a great ship!
Tiffany
Thank you for your reply!! Your break down is very helpful!!
Cindy Schneider
We are sailing June 16, 2016. I will be anxious to see how you make out. So far I have not been able to sign up for any dining or entertainment.
SteveC
Are you sure you can get this package on a three night cruise? I’m going on Enchantment for three nights in October. On the RC website, it says this package is available for cruises four nights or longer.
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi SteveC, sorry for the delay. Yes, you can get a drink package on a 3 night Enchantment of the Seas cruise. We literally just went on that same cruise this past March and both got the package. We do a comparison of our experiences on that cruise and a longer cruise to show how these packages compare on short vs long cruises (https://eatsleepcruise.com/2015/04/compare-cruise-drink-packages-short-vs-long-cruisesn-drink-packages-on-long-vs-short-cruises/). There were actually a lot of people getting the drink package on Enchantment and the bars were always pretty busy. Have a great cruise!
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi SteveC, sorry for the delay. Yes, you can get a drink package on a 3 night Enchantment of the Seas cruise. We literally just went on that same cruise this past March and both got the package. We do a comparison of our experiences on that cruise and a longer cruise to show how these packages compare on short vs long cruises (https://eatsleepcruise.com/2015/04/compare-cruise-drink-packages-short-vs-long-cruisesn-drink-packages-on-long-vs-short-cruises/). There were actually a lot of people getting the drink package on Enchantment and the bars were always pretty busy. Have a great cruise!
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi SteveC, sorry for the delay. Yes, you can get a drink package on a 3 night Enchantment of the Seas cruise. We literally just went on that same cruise this past March and both got the package. We do a comparison of our experiences on that cruise and a longer cruise to show how these packages compare on short vs long cruises (https://eatsleepcruise.com/2015/04/compare-cruise-drink-packages-short-vs-long-cruisesn-drink-packages-on-long-vs-short-cruises/). There were actually a lot of people getting the drink package on Enchantment and the bars were always pretty busy. Have a great cruise!
lboyer89
Can you order wine during dinner with the package or does it need to be brought in with you? I could easily see myself drinking 2 glasses of wine at dinner, a drink before dinner, a drink before the show and one at the show if I had the package. Wondering if this would be worth it for me. Especially since i could get coffee and OJ in the morning. I would love to see current bar menus from the Oasis!
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Iboyer, Thanks for the question. Yes, with the drink packages you can order wine at dinner. The drinks packages can be used anywhere on the ship. Just keep in mind that wine options are different at every venue. If you do the classic, at dinner you will be very limited to what types of wine you can get. Even with the Ultimate, which covers up to $12 a drink, the varietals and brands available will vary in each venue, and may even change night to night in the main dining room. We used our drink packages multiple times at dinner to get cocktails and wine and never had an issues. Have a great cruise!
Ed Q
PLenny of time. This is tremendously helpful. Thanks so much
Ed Q
Err, plenty that is. My fault for replying on my phone
DB
Anytime. Thanks for stopping by and reading the post. Have a great cruise. Let us know how you make out with your drinks onboard!
Ed Q
Thanks for the piece. My family and I are taking our first cruise (Alaska) in July. I noticed you included bottled water & coffee. Is there no other water available on board? And are coffee and juice not included with breakfast? Thanks.
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Ed Q. So sorry for the delay. Just seeing your comment now. Tap water is available on board, as is drip coffee, or what European’s refer to as “American Coffee”. If you want bottled water, or espresso coffee drinks (lattes, mochas, etc) those are not included in the cruise fare, but are part of the upgraded drink packages. At breakfast, they do offer some juices, and throughout the day unsweetened ice tea and lemonade are complimentary. For the remainder of the day other juices and sodas are additional charges. Hope this gets to you in time!
Jada
Thanks so much this has been very helpful. I am cruising in August 2015 and i was debating on weather to get a package or not and this has helped me. I am going to go for it and try to keep track of all my beverages to see if i saved or not. Thanks again!
Rhys
Hey, great review. I am sailing on Anthem of the seas on the 4th of july and have the select package included. However, i have been told that this only includes beers up to $6.25 and therefore blue moon for example is not available through the package. Did you have any experience of this or any other beers that you can remember that were not on offer through the select package? thanks in advance, rhys
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Rhys, thanks for reading. We did not get the Select package, but I am pretty sure it includes all beers that are 16oz or less. On our sailing on Quantum of the Seas, there were a few craft beers/specialty beers that came in larger sizes that were not covered even on the Premium and Ultimate Packages. Blue Moon is a pretty common beer, and the Select Package does cover wines up to $8.00, so I think you should be good. Just check to make sure when you are onboard before purchasing the package. Appreciate the comment. When do you set sail on Anthem?
Rhys
when we booked there was a deal that meant we got the select package free of charge. Think my partner is going to upgrade to premium because she does not drink beer or wine ha! We sail on the 4th of July of this year. This will be my 4th cruise but first time with a drinks package. Thanks for your quick response 🙂
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Sounds like you got a great deal! Upgrading for the difference seems like a perfect option for your travel partner. Have a great cruise!
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Hi Cesar, Thanks for reaching out. Yes, you can buy a package for just yourself. RCI changed this a few years ago as they used to require both adults in a cabin have the same package. So, you can purchase the Select plan, and no plan for your wife. The package works in any venue, so you can get beer and wine at the restaurants and bars that are part of that package. In the Select package, the wines are very limited, so the options might differ in the different venues, but if you are not too picky on the brand of wine, you should be all set. Let us know if you have any other questions. Happy Cruising!
Cesar Lizarraga
Hi:
My wife and I will be on our first cruise, a 5 night at the Independence of the Seas and I have some questions, I like to drink beer and wine I can easily drink up to 6 to 7 beers/wine per day I’m not so keen on spirits and my wife doesn’t drink to much maybe 2 or 3 mixed drinks, wine or beer, so Can I buy a “select” or “premium” package just for me and buy single drinks for her? Beer and wine included in these packages are available on all restaurants and bars or do I need to buy in certain areas of the ship regardless the packages? thank you so much.
Dr. Hook
Great write up! Interestingly, I’m seeing different package pricing on my RC cruise, which *DOES* include gratuity. For example, the Premium is $57/day. Screencap of the pricing shown on my 12-night Scandinavia And Russia Cruise: http://i.imgur.com/Qvvfiag.jpg
DB
Thanks Dr. Hook for reading. We just checked our cruise planner for an upcoming August 2015 Caribbean cruise and the price quoted for the Ultimate Package is $64.90, which is the $55 dollars a day, plus 18% service charge, in USD. Same price breakdown for the Premium. Strange that you are getting a different price, is your cruise in 2016? Given the recent increase in drink prices fleet wide, it is only a matter of time until the beverage package prices increase. Appreciate the comment and keep on cruising!
Dr. Hook
Our cruise is June of this year (2015). Perhaps there is some cruise-specific component to the pricing.