Royal Caribbean is one of the most popular cruise lines in the world, known for its luxury ships, endless entertainment, and world-class dining. While meals are generally included in your cruise fare, beverages are handled a little differently. Many travelers often wonder: how do you pay for drinks on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

The answer is simple—Royal Caribbean uses a cashless system onboard. Guests pay for drinks using their SeaPass card, which links directly to their onboard account. This account can be settled through a credit card, debit card, prepaid deposit, or onboard credit. You can either pay per drink or buy a drink package that covers unlimited beverages for the entire cruise.

This guide covers everything you need to know about paying for drinks on a Royal Caribbean cruise, including what’s included for free, drink prices, payment methods, package options, and tips to save money.

1. Drinks That Are Included for Free

Not every drink costs extra. Royal Caribbean offers several complimentary beverages that are available throughout the ship. These are included in your cruise fare and do not require additional payment.

Free Drinks on Royal Caribbean

• Regular coffee and hot tea

• Iced tea

• Tap water

• Lemonade

• Milk

• Basic juices at breakfast

For many passengers, these drinks are sufficient. But if you enjoy specialty coffee, soda, premium water, or alcoholic beverages, you’ll need to pay separately.

2. Pay-As-You-Go Drinks

One of the simplest ways to enjoy beverages on your cruise is to pay per drink. Instead of paying upfront for unlimited drinks, you only pay for what you consume. This works best for light drinkers or those who prefer the occasional soda, coffee, or cocktail.

Average Drink Prices on Royal Caribbean

• Soda: 3 to 4 USD

• Bottled water: 3 to 4 USD

• Specialty coffee: 4 to 6 USD

• Beer: 7 to 8 USD

• Wine by the glass: 9 to 14 USD

• Cocktails: 12 to 15 USD

• Premium spirits: 15+ USD

Every purchase is charged to your SeaPass card, and an automatic gratuity of around 18 to 20 percent is added. At the end of the cruise, your account is settled with your chosen payment method.

3. Drink Packages – Prepaid Unlimited Options

If you prefer not to think about the cost of every drink, Royal Caribbean offers drink packages. These provide unlimited beverages for a fixed daily fee and are popular among guests who enjoy multiple drinks each day.

Types of Drink Packages

1. Deluxe Beverage Package

   • Covers nearly all alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits.

   • Includes non-alcoholic drinks such as specialty coffee, bottled water, fresh juices, sodas, and mocktails.

2. Refreshment Package

   • A non-alcoholic option for those who do not drink alcohol.

   • Includes sodas, specialty coffee, bottled water, mocktails, premium teas, and fresh juices.

3. Classic Soda Package

   • Provides unlimited refills of fountain soda.

   • Includes access to Coca-Cola Freestyle machines available onboard.

Drink packages must be purchased for the entire duration of your cruise and are charged per person, per day. In most cases, if one adult in a cabin buys the Deluxe Beverage Package, other adults in the same cabin must also purchase it.

4. How to Purchase Drink Packages

Royal Caribbean allows you to buy drink packages at different stages of your journey:

• Before your cruise via Cruise Planner – Often comes with discounts of up to 40 percent.

• On embarkation day – Available at bars and kiosks, but usually at full price.

• During the cruise – You can upgrade or add packages anytime, though it will still apply for the remaining days of the cruise.

Booking early is always the best way to save money.

5. Payment Methods for Drinks

Royal Caribbean operates a cashless system, making it easy to pay for drinks without carrying cash or credit cards around the ship.

5.1 SeaPass Card

The SeaPass card is your room key, onboard ID, and payment card. Every drink purchase is automatically charged to your onboard account through this card.

5.2 Credit or Debit Card

Most passengers link a credit card or debit card during online check-in. This allows all onboard purchases, including drinks, to be automatically charged to the card at the end of the cruise.

5.3 Cash Account

If you prefer not to link a credit card, you can open a cash account at check-in. You deposit cash upfront, and your drink purchases are deducted from this balance. If funds run low, you’ll need to add more during the cruise.

5.4 Onboard Credit (OBC)

Sometimes, Royal Caribbean offers onboard credit as part of a promotion. This credit can be used to pay for drinks, whether individually purchased or through drink packages.

6. Packages vs. Pay-As-You-Go – Which Is Better?

The best option depends on your drinking habits.

Example Calculation:

• 2 cocktails per day: 28 USD

• 1 glass of wine at dinner: 12 USD

• 1 specialty coffee: 5 USD

• 2 bottles of water: 8 USDTotal = 53 USD per day

If the Deluxe Beverage Package costs around 75 USD per day, you would need to drink more to make it worthwhile. On the other hand, if you only drink one glass of wine and some water daily, paying as you go is the better choice.

7. Drinks on Private Islands

Royal Caribbean owns private destinations such as Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas and Labadee in Haiti. Your drink package or SeaPass card works seamlessly at these locations, meaning you don’t need cash to purchase beverages on the islands.

8. Important Rules About Drinks

• Drink packages cannot be shared between guests.

• All adults in the same stateroom may be required to purchase the same package.

• Packages must be purchased for the full cruise, not for individual days.

• An automatic gratuity is added to every purchase.

9. Tips for Saving Money on Drinks

1. Pre-book packages – Always cheaper than buying onboard.

2. Bring your own wine – You can bring up to two bottles per stateroom.

3. Look for happy hours – Some bars offer daily specials.

4. Check the “Drink of the Day” – Usually available at a lower price.

5. Share bottled water wisely – Consider packages if you consume a lot.

10. Families and Non-Drinkers

Not everyone on a cruise drinks alcohol. Royal Caribbean offers affordable packages for kids and non-drinkers. Children can enjoy unlimited soda or juice packages, while adults who avoid alcohol can opt for the Refreshment Package. This makes it easier for families to manage drink expenses.

11. Settling Your Account

At the end of your cruise, Royal Caribbean provides a statement of all your onboard charges, including drinks. Depending on your setup:

• If you linked a credit card, the charges are processed automatically.

• If you used a cash account, you must settle your balance before disembarkation.

• If you have unused onboard credit, it will be applied before charging your card.

12. Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to carry cash for drinks?

No, all payments are handled through your SeaPass card.

Can I buy a package for one day only?

No, packages must be purchased for the entire cruise.

Can I share my package with another guest?

No, sharing packages is against cruise policy.

Are gratuities included?

Yes, an automatic service charge is added to each drink purchase.

Can I bring alcohol onboard?

You can bring up to two bottles of wine per stateroom. Beer and spirits are not allowed.

Conclusion

Paying for drinks on a Royal Caribbean cruise is simple and convenient thanks to the SeaPass system. Guests can either pay for each drink individually or choose from drink packages that provide unlimited beverages. The right option depends on your drinking preferences, budget, and cruise length.

For light drinkers, paying per drink is the most cost-effective choice. For those who enjoy multiple cocktails, wines, or specialty coffees daily, a package offers both value and peace of mind. With smart planning and a clear understanding of your options, you can enjoy your Royal Caribbean cruise without worrying about how to pay for drinks.