Booking a Royal Caribbean cruise is an exciting adventure filled with fine dining, world-class entertainment, and endless opportunities to relax or explore. One of the most common add-ons travelers consider is a beverage package. These packages allow guests to enjoy a wide variety of drinks—ranging from soda and coffee to wine and cocktails—without worrying about individual charges.

But many first-time cruisers ask: How much is a beverage package on Royal Caribbean? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all because the cost depends on several factors, including the type of package, the length of the cruise, and seasonal promotions. This article provides an in-depth breakdown of Royal Caribbean beverage package prices, what they include, and how you can make the most out of them.

1. Understanding Beverage Packages

Royal Caribbean offers three main types of beverage packages:

1. Deluxe Beverage Package – Covers almost all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages onboard.

2. Refreshment Package – Focuses on non-alcoholic premium drinks such as mocktails, juices, coffees, and bottled water.

3. Classic Soda Package – Provides unlimited access to fountain sodas and Coca-Cola Freestyle machines.

Each package is priced per person, per day, and must be purchased for the entire duration of the cruise.

2. How Much Is the Deluxe Beverage Package?

The Deluxe Beverage Package is the most popular option because it includes alcoholic beverages along with sodas, specialty coffees, bottled water, and more.

• Typical Price Range: 65 to 89 USD per person, per day.

• What’s Included:

  • Beer, wine by the glass, and cocktails (up to a set menu price, usually 14–15 USD per drink).

  • Spirits and liquors with mixers.

  • Non-alcoholic beverages such as bottled water, soda, fresh juices, smoothies, and mocktails.

  • Premium coffees like lattes, cappuccinos, and espressos.

  • Discounts on bottles of wine.

Example Calculation

On a 7-night cruise, if the Deluxe Beverage Package is priced at 75 USD per day:

• 75 × 7 = 525 USD per person for the cruise.

• For two adults sharing a stateroom, the total would be 1,050 USD.

3. How Much Is the Refreshment Package?

The Refreshment Package is a great choice for non-drinkers who still want variety beyond basic beverages.

• Typical Price Range: 29 to 38 USD per person, per day.

• What’s Included:

  • Unlimited soda and juices.

  • Premium coffees and teas.

  • Mocktails and smoothies.

  • Bottled still and sparkling water.

Example Calculation

On a 7-night cruise with a 32 USD per day rate:

• 32 × 7 = 224 USD per person.

• For a family of four, this totals 896 USD for the entire cruise.

4. How Much Is the Classic Soda Package?

This is the most budget-friendly package, designed for soda lovers and children.

• Typical Price Range: 12 to 15 USD per person, per day.

• What’s Included:

  • Unlimited fountain sodas.

  • Coca-Cola Freestyle machine access.

  • Souvenir refillable cup.

Example Calculation

For a 7-night cruise with a 13 USD per day rate:

• 13 × 7 = 91 USD per person.

• A family of four could enjoy unlimited soda for 364 USD for the trip.

5. Why Prices Vary

Several factors affect the cost of beverage packages on Royal Caribbean:

• Ship and Itinerary – Longer cruises or popular destinations like the Caribbean may have slightly higher rates.

• Season and Promotions – Prices can fluctuate based on holiday seasons or promotional discounts.

• Advance Purchase vs. Onboard – Packages are often cheaper when purchased before the cruise through the Cruise Planner compared to buying onboard.

6. Gratuities and Service Charges

Royal Caribbean automatically adds an 18–20% gratuity to the cost of drink packages. This means that if the base price of your Deluxe Beverage Package is 75 USD, the actual billed amount could be closer to 88–90 USD per day.

Always factor gratuities into your budget when calculating total costs.

7. Cost Comparison – Buying Individually vs. Packages

To decide whether a package is worth it, compare daily drink prices individually:

• Cocktail or wine by the glass: 12–14 USD

• Beer: 7–8 USD

• Specialty coffee: 4–6 USD

• Bottled water: 3–4 USD

• Soda: 3–4 USD

Example Daily Spending Without a Package

• 3 cocktails (14 × 3) = 42 USD

• 2 specialty coffees (5 × 2) = 10 USD

• 2 bottled waters (4 × 2) = 8 USD

• 2 sodas (3 × 2) = 6 USDTotal: 66 USD per day

This is nearly the same as the daily cost of the Deluxe Beverage Package, proving that it can quickly pay for itself if you drink moderately.

8. Do All Guests in a Stateroom Need to Buy the Same Package?

For the Deluxe Beverage Package, Royal Caribbean requires that all adults of legal drinking age in the same stateroom purchase the package. This rule exists to prevent sharing and ensures fairness.

For non-alcoholic packages, such as the Refreshment or Soda package, this rule does not apply.

9. Packages on Private Islands

One major benefit is that beverage packages extend to Royal Caribbean’s private destinations, including:

• Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

• Labadee in Haiti.

This means drinks you enjoy at island bars are included in your package, making it even more valuable.

10. Promotions and Discounts

Royal Caribbean frequently offers discounts on beverage packages when purchased in advance.

• Discounts can range from 20% to 40%.

• These deals are often available in the Cruise Planner online portal.

• The earlier you book, the better chance you have of locking in a lower price.

11. Who Should Buy a Beverage Package?

A package makes sense if you:

• Drink at least 5–6 alcoholic beverages per day.

• Enjoy a mix of cocktails, wine, soda, coffee, and bottled water.

• Want peace of mind without tracking expenses.

It may not be worth it if you:

• Only drink a few sodas or a single glass of wine daily.

• Plan to spend a lot of time off the ship where packages don’t apply (except private islands).

• Prefer bringing your own permitted beverages (like limited wine bottles) onboard.

12. Alternatives to Packages

If you choose not to purchase a package, Royal Caribbean offers other options:

• Pay per drink – Simply charge beverages individually to your SeaPass card.

• Bring your own – Guests are allowed to bring up to two bottles of wine per stateroom.

• Drink specials – Happy hour promotions, loyalty program perks, and “Drink of the Day” offers can reduce costs.

13. Tips for Saving Money

• Purchase early: Always buy your package before boarding for the best price.

• Watch for sales: Royal Caribbean often discounts packages around holidays and special events.

• Share soda with kids: If parents purchase the Refreshment Package, children may not need an additional soda package.

• Evaluate drinking habits: Do a rough calculation of how many drinks you’ll realistically consume daily.

14. The Value of Convenience

Beyond saving money, beverage packages provide peace of mind. Guests can order drinks freely without thinking about the cost or signing receipts each time. This convenience often makes the package worthwhile, even if the financial savings are minimal.

15. Real Passenger Experiences

Cruisers who drink a mix of alcohol, coffee, and soda often find the package highly valuable. Families with teenagers lean toward the Refreshment Package, while soda lovers enjoy the simplicity of the Classic Soda Package.

Light drinkers, however, often report that paying per drink is more cost-effective.

16. Average Total Costs

Here’s a quick look at the average total beverage package cost for a 7-night cruise (before discounts):

• Deluxe Beverage Package: 525–623 USD per person.

• Refreshment Package: 203–266 USD per person.

• Classic Soda Package: 84–105 USD per person.

17. Is It Worth It for Short Cruises?

On short cruises (3–4 nights), packages can still be valuable if you plan on indulging. For example, a weekend cruise in the Bahamas often comes with parties, poolside drinks, and nightlife—making the Deluxe Package a smart choice.

18. Beverage Packages for Children

• Children under 21 cannot purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package.

• Families often choose the Classic Soda Package for kids.

• Teens and young adults may benefit more from the Refreshment Package.

19. Looking Ahead – Future of Packages

Royal Caribbean continues to expand its drink menus, offering more mocktails, energy drinks, and health-conscious beverages. As demand grows, package prices may increase slightly, but the value proposition remains strong for frequent drinkers.

20. Conclusion

So, how much is a beverage package on Royal Caribbean?

• Deluxe Beverage Package: 65–89 USD per person, per day.

• Refreshment Package: 29–38 USD per person, per day.

• Classic Soda Package: 12–15 USD per person, per day.

While these costs may seem high, the unlimited access, convenience, and inclusion of gratuities make them a popular choice for cruisers who enjoy multiple drinks each day.

For some travelers, paying per drink is more economical, but for others, the package is not just about cost savings—it’s about freedom and peace of mind. Whether you prefer cocktails by the pool, lattes in the morning, or sodas all day, Royal Caribbean offers a package that suits your style and budget.