Royal Caribbean Drink Prices 2023

While cruises are a great value, not everything is included once onboard your cruise ship. This is especially true when it comes to beverages. Many of the drinks on Royal Caribbean will cost you extra. To help you budget accordingly, we have put together this updated look at Royal Caribbean drink prices for 2023!

Royal Caribbean Drink Prices 2023

What drinks are included in a Royal Caribbean cruise?

At the cruise line’s buffet, the Windjammer, cruisers have a wide selection of complimentary beverage options. These free drinks include iced water, iced tea, lemonade, and other flavored waters. At breakfast, juices are also available, with orange juice and apple juice among the included options.

In addition, the buffet offers coffee and a selection of teas. Many of the mega-ships also have beverage stations at complimentary restaurants, like Park Café or Sorrento’s pizza, with coffee and tea available throughout the day.

In the main dining room, lemonade, iced tea, and hot coffee and tea are also free of charge. At breakfast, juices are complimentary as well.

Similarly, at the cruise line’s private islands of Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee, Haiti, options liked flavored water, iced tea, lemonade, and iced water are also complimentary. However, if cruisers are looking for other premium, non-alcoholic beverages, they will need to pay for them.

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What non-alcoholic drinks cost money on Royal Caribbean?

Whether you order from the bar, main dining room, or a specialty restaurant, soda will cost extra on all Royal Caribbean cruise ships. Currently, the price for a can of soda is $3.50, before the 18% gratuity.

Additionally, cruisers wanting juice from a bar or during other meals will also be charged $3.50.

Bottled water can be purchased at most bars for $3.25. At some of the bars and cafes, cruisers can also get energy drinks like Red Bull or Powerade. These drinks will cost you $4.00-$4.50, before the service charge.

While hot tea and coffee are included, specialty coffees like espresso based drinks will be an upcharge. Most Royal Caribbean cruise ships have a Café Promenade serving up lattes, cappuccinos, and similar drinks.  Most of these drinks range from $4.00 to $5.00. These include iced beverages as well as Teavana handcrafted drinks.  

For those who are caffeine junkies, like us, you should consider a Café Select Coffee card. These coffee cards can help you save money on your cruise.

On ships that have licensed Starbucks, pricing is slightly higher than similar beverages served at the Café Promenade. Standard espresso based drinks are around $5.00, with specialty drinks at Starbucks being over $6.00 for a grande, including the line’s frozen Frappuccinos. Of note, drinks at licensed Starbucks kiosks are NOT included in the Royal Caribbean drink package.

Lastly, Royal Caribbean features a selection of zero proof cocktails. These drinks, like the fruity and flavorful Blueberry Nojito, are $7.00.

How much is beer on Royal Caribbean?

For the most part, bottles of beer on Royal Caribbean ships cost around $7.00 to $8.00 a serving. Domestic beers like Bud Light or Coors Light are $7.49, whereas international beers like Heineken, Blue Moon, and Corona Extra are priced at $7.99. Craft beers, like the Funky Buddha Hop Gun IPA or Sierra Nevada pale ale, are also $7.99 a bottle.

Of course, these beer prices on Royal Caribbean are before the 18% gratuity.

This pricing is also similar for beer alternatives like seltzers or ciders, which tend to be around $7.99 a serving.

Royal Caribbean cruise ships do have an English pub that has a more extensive beer list. But, most of these beers are priced under $8, except for one or two rare beers that are $8.25 a glass.

How much does wine cost on Royal Caribbean ships?

One adult libation that varies greatly in price on Royal Caribbean is wine. For a glass of wine, the range is from $8 for a Beringer White Zinfandel to $24 for a glass of Moet & Chandon champagne.

Still, most glasses of wine are around $11 a serving, which is well within the drink package allotments (see below). On Royal Caribbean ships, there are often wine bars, from Vintages on ships like Oasis of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas to Giovanni’s Wine Bar on Wonder of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas. These wine-specific venues will have a greater selection of wines. However, many of them will have higher price tags.

None of the Royal Caribbean drink packages cover bottles of wine. Though, 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.

As one would expect, bottles of wine vary greatly depending on the label, brand, and vintage. Most bottles of wine are priced around $50 to $60. Of course, you can find some selections in the $40 range, or you can splurge for a $231 bottle of Dom Perignon while on vacation.

Note, cruisers are allowed to bring two bottles of wine, per cabin, onboard in their carry-on luggage. Although, Royal Caribbean does have a corkage fee.

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What are the costs of cocktails and mixed drinks on Royal Caribbean?

Cruisers who are particular about their spirits will have a range of brands to choose from at most Royal Caribbean bars. The cruise line stocks a variety of vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, and other popular spirits.

For the most part, one serving is priced around $10 to $12. For instance, Tito’s Handmade Vodka will cost $10.99. Cruisers can enjoy Patron Silver or Bulleit Bourbon for $11.99. Even Remy Martin V.S.O.P. or Glenlivet are within the drink package allotments at $12.99. 

The Royal Caribbean drink prices for specialty cocktails are $14. These prices apply to specialty drinks like the Lime and Coconut or the Goombay Smash poolside at the Lime and Coconut. The signature old fashions and Collins drinks at the Schooner Bar, like the Sidecar or Lavender Daiquiri, are also $14 each.

Royal Caribbean’s bar menu revealed a number of new libations with the restart in 2021. These signature drinks, like the Pineapple Guava Sangria or the Passion Spritz, are all $14.

So, for the most part, unless you are looking for a super premium brand, the mixed drinks and cocktails on Royal Caribbean ships will cost between $11 and $14.

What are the prices of Royal Caribbean drink packages?

Royal Caribbean drink packages have dynamic pricing. This means that the price will vary based on ship, time of year, and itinerary. Historically, the onboard price of the Deluxe Beverage Package ranges from $63 to $98 a day (plus gratuity).

This package covers all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine by the glass, and cocktails up to $14. 

Prices for the non-alcoholic drink packages are obviously much cheaper.

• Royal Refreshment Drink Package: $29-38 per person, per day
• Classic Soda Package: $12.99-$15 per person, per day
• Café Select Coffee Card: $31 for 15 drinks

Keep in mind that the Royal Caribbean Drink packages are “unlimited” for the duration of the cruise, unlike Carnival Cruise Line which limits guests to 15 drinks.

Recap of the Drink Prices on Royal Caribbean

Now that you know the Royal Caribbean drink prices, you can calculate whether purchasing a drink package is right for you.

In our experiences, it’s not too difficult to realize a cost savings with these packages, especially if you consume specialty coffee drinks, soda, and bottled water in addition to alcoholic beverages. Of course, it really depends though just how much the drink package costs for your particular sailing.

To summarize, we have listed all of the Royal Caribbean Drink Prices in this handy chart. Knowing how many drinks from each category you typically consume, you can determine if a drink package is worth it for your next Royal Caribbean cruise vacation.

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