Your ultimate guide to cruise adventures. Discover amazing destinations, find the perfect cruise, and create unforgettable memories on the high seas.
© 2026 cruisebite.com All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
Deciding whether to buy a drink package can be one of the more confusing parts of planning a Royal Caribbean cruise. The packages offer convenience and access to a wide selection of beverages, but they can also become an expensive add-on if you do not drink enough to justify the cost.
The answer depends mainly on what you drink, how often you expect to order beverages, how many days you will spend onboard, and the price Royal Caribbean is offering for your particular sailing. The cruise line's Deluxe Beverage Package includes alcoholic drinks as well as many non-alcoholic beverages, while the Refreshment Package focuses on premium non-alcoholic options and the Classic Soda Package is designed primarily for soft-drink consumption.
For a guest who enjoys several cocktails, beers or glasses of wine every day, the Deluxe package can provide good value. For someone who mainly drinks complimentary water, coffee, tea and other included beverages, paying for a package may make little financial sense.
This guide explains how Royal Caribbean drink packages work, what they include, how to calculate their value, and when you should—and should not—buy one.
A Royal Caribbean drink package is generally worth considering if you regularly expect to purchase multiple alcoholic or premium non-alcoholic drinks every day.
It may be a good choice if you:
It may not be worth it if you:
The most important point is this: do not compare the package with the price of one or two drinks. Compare its total cost with what you realistically expect to spend on beverages each day.
Royal Caribbean currently offers three main beverage-package choices: the Classic Soda Package, Refreshment Package and Deluxe Beverage Package. The exact availability and pricing can vary by sailing.
The Classic Soda Package is aimed at guests who primarily want soft drinks.
It includes fountain soda and refills, with Coca-Cola products available through the package. Royal Caribbean also states that the Classic Soda Package continues to include a Coca-Cola Freestyle cup.
This can be a practical option for:
If you only want an occasional soda, however, buying drinks individually may be cheaper.
The Refreshment Package is the middle option for guests who want more variety without paying for unlimited alcoholic drinks.
Royal Caribbean says it includes:
This package can be especially attractive to guests who do not drink alcohol but enjoy premium coffee, bottled water, fresh juice and mocktails.
One important 2026 change is that the Refreshment Package no longer automatically includes access to Coca-Cola Freestyle machines. Royal Caribbean says guests can purchase a Freestyle cup onboard for $4.99 if they want to use those machines.
The Deluxe Beverage Package is Royal Caribbean's alcohol-inclusive option.
It includes a broad selection of beverages, including:
Royal Caribbean currently states that the package covers individual drinks priced up to $14. It also provides a 40% discount on eligible bottled wines priced up to $100 and a 20% discount on bottles priced above $100.
The Deluxe package is the one most people mean when they ask whether a Royal Caribbean drink package is worth buying.
There is no single price that applies to every Royal Caribbean cruise.
Royal Caribbean beverage-package pricing varies depending on the sailing and the offer available to you. The cruise line specifically advises booked guests to check their beverage options through their cruise account before sailing.
That means you should not assume that a package costs the same amount as a friend's package on another sailing.
Your price can depend on factors such as:
Also remember that an 18% gratuity is generally added to beverage packages, according to Royal Caribbean.
For example, if your displayed package price is $80 per day, an 18% gratuity would bring the beverage-package charge to $94.40 per day before considering any other applicable taxes or charges.
That distinction matters when calculating whether the package is actually a good deal.
The simplest way to decide is to calculate your expected daily beverage spending.
Use this basic formula:
Daily break-even cost = total package cost ÷ number of package days
Then estimate how much you would normally spend on drinks without the package.
For example, imagine a hypothetical package costs $80 per day before the applicable gratuity.
If you expect to spend:
Your estimated beverage spending would be about $52 per day.
In that example, paying $80 per day would not make financial sense.
But suppose you expect to have:
That brings your estimated spending to about $88 per day, making the package potentially worthwhile before accounting for the exact package price and gratuity.
The important word is potentially. You should perform the calculation using the actual package price displayed for your sailing.
One of the easiest mistakes is comparing the advertised package price with drink prices without accounting for gratuity.
Royal Caribbean says an 18% gratuity is automatically added to pre-cruise and onboard beverage-package purchases on most sailings.
Therefore, calculate using your actual final package price whenever possible.
For example:
Package price: $70 per day18% gratuity: $12.60Effective daily cost: $82.60
You would need to consume enough eligible drinks to reasonably approach that $82.60 value every day for the package to make financial sense.
Generally, you cannot simply buy the all-inclusive beverage package only on the days you feel like drinking.
Royal Caribbean states that the all-inclusive packages must be purchased for the length of the cruise. If purchased onboard, the price can be prorated based on the date of purchase, subject to the cruise line's applicable rules.
This is important for itineraries with many port days.
Imagine a seven-night cruise where you plan to spend three full days exploring ports. If you rarely return to the ship until late afternoon, you may have fewer opportunities to consume enough beverages to make the package worthwhile on those days.
You are effectively paying for beverage access even when you are not onboard for much of the day.
This is one of the biggest considerations for couples and families.
Royal Caribbean states that guests wishing to purchase an alcoholic beverage package generally must have all guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom purchase the same alcoholic beverage package.
That means one person usually cannot simply purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package while their adult roommate buys nothing.
This requirement can dramatically change the mathematics.
Suppose two adults share a cabin and the effective package price is $80 per person per day.
For a seven-night cruise:
$80 × 2 guests × 7 days = $1,120
That is a substantial beverage expense.
If one person drinks heavily while the other only has an occasional drink, buying the package for both people may not represent good value.
Royal Caribbean's current terms and booking-specific rules should always be checked before purchasing because requirements and exceptions can vary.
One reason the drink package is not automatically worthwhile is that some beverages are already available without purchasing a package.
The exact complimentary beverage selection can vary by venue and ship, but guests commonly have access to options such as water, coffee, tea and certain other basic beverages.
If you are satisfied with those choices, your beverage spending can remain relatively low.
That makes the Deluxe package difficult to justify for a guest who does not drink much alcohol.
Before purchasing, think about what you would genuinely order if the package did not exist.
For regular drinkers, the Deluxe Beverage Package can be worthwhile.
The package covers cocktails, spirits, beer and wine by the glass, along with a variety of non-alcoholic drinks. Eligible individual beverages up to $14 are included under Royal Caribbean's current terms.
It becomes more attractive if you typically have several drinks throughout the day.
For example, someone who enjoys:
may get substantially more value from the package than someone who has one drink with dinner.
However, drinking more is not a reason by itself to buy the package. The question is whether you would have purchased those drinks anyway.
Usually, no.
If you typically have one alcoholic drink per day, the math often works against the package.
The same applies if you only drink on formal nights or special occasions.
Suppose you normally spend $15 to $30 per day on beverages. Paying a much higher fixed package price simply to make sure you can have unlimited drinks does not create savings.
A package should match your existing drinking habits—not encourage you to drink more to “get your money's worth.”
The Refreshment Package can be a better choice for non-drinkers than the Deluxe package.
Consider it if you regularly want:
For someone who orders several of these every day, the package can offer convenience and potentially lower the total beverage bill.
But if you mainly drink water, tea and basic coffee, you may not need it.
A common mistake is assuming that because a package includes many drinks, buying it automatically saves money. It does not. The value comes from consuming enough of the included products that you would otherwise have purchased individually.
A port-heavy itinerary can make the calculation more difficult.
Suppose your ship visits several destinations where you plan to spend most of the day ashore.
During those hours, you are not using your beverage package.
Some travelers may return to the ship for lunch, spend the afternoon onboard and then go back ashore. Others may leave early in the morning and return shortly before dinner.
The second traveler has fewer opportunities to use the package.
Therefore, consider your itinerary before purchasing.
A sea-day-heavy cruise generally gives you more time to use onboard amenities, while a port-intensive itinerary may reduce your beverage consumption.
Royal Caribbean says beverage packages are accepted at onboard bars and lounges, the Windjammer Café, Main Dining Room and private destinations during normal business hours.
However, not every beverage or venue is necessarily included.
For example, Royal Caribbean's beverage-package information excludes drinks served inside licensed Starbucks locations.
Mini-bar purchases and room service beverages are also not included.
Therefore, do not assume that every drink on the ship is automatically covered.
The Deluxe Beverage Package includes eligible drinks up to the package's stated individual-drink limit.
Royal Caribbean currently lists the limit as $14 per individual beverage.
If you choose a drink above the included limit, you should check the current onboard rules to determine how the price difference is handled.
The package also excludes certain categories and locations, so always check the menu or ask the bartender before ordering an expensive specialty drink.
No.
Royal Caribbean states that beverage packages are for individual guest use and cannot be shared.
You also cannot use your package to order multiple drinks at the same time for another person.
The cruise line's FAQ specifically states that only one beverage per guest will be served at a time under the personal package.
Trying to share a package is therefore not a legitimate way to reduce the cost.
No.
Royal Caribbean specifically states that room service and minibar purchases are not included in its beverage packages.
If you want a drink delivered to your cabin, expect the applicable room-service or minibar charge rather than assuming your beverage package covers it.
This is another reason your actual spending can differ from what you expect when calculating the package's value.
There is an important change for Royal Caribbean guests in 2026.
Beginning March 15, 2026, the Deluxe Beverage Package and Refreshment Package no longer include the Coca-Cola Freestyle cup.
Royal Caribbean says guests with those packages can purchase a Freestyle cup onboard for $4.99 if they want to use the Freestyle machines. The cup is valid only for the sailing on which it is issued.
The Classic Soda Package continues to include its Coca-Cola Freestyle cup under Royal Caribbean's current information.
This is a relatively small cost compared with the full package price, but it is worth knowing before boarding.
If you decide a package is worthwhile, check Royal Caribbean's cruise planner before sailing.
The cruise line allows guests to pre-purchase beverage packages, and prices can vary.
There is no universal rule that buying early will always be cheaper, so compare the price currently shown for your sailing with any onboard offer.
A sensible approach is:
Royal Caribbean's published material also states that beverage-package refund requests are subject to specific conditions, including a 48-hour window in the referenced package terms.
Because policies can change, check the terms attached to your actual booking before completing the purchase.
A package is more likely to be worthwhile when several of these factors apply:
If cocktails are a regular part of your vacation rather than an occasional treat, the Deluxe package may make financial sense.
The Deluxe package is more useful when you regularly switch between cocktails, beer, wine, coffee, bottled water and non-alcoholic drinks.
Sea days give you more opportunities to use the package.
Not every purchase needs to be justified solely by mathematical savings. Some guests prefer paying one beverage bill in advance and not thinking about the price every time they order.
Royal Caribbean offers different prices and promotions depending on the sailing. A package that is poor value at one price could become attractive at a lower promotional rate.
There are also strong reasons not to buy a beverage package.
One or two drinks a day may not be enough, depending on the package price.
You may not have enough opportunities to consume beverages onboard.
If basic included beverages satisfy you, buying a package adds an unnecessary expense.
If your booking requires eligible adults in the same stateroom to purchase the alcoholic package, the total cost can become much higher than expected.
This is one of the worst reasons to purchase a drink package.
Estimate your actual consumption first.
Before buying, answer these five questions:
Do not use a price from another cruise.
Royal Caribbean generally adds 18% beverage-package gratuity.
Estimate honestly.
Port-heavy itineraries can reduce package usage.
This is the most important question.
If the answer to the last question is no, the package may not be saving you money.
It can be.
For light drinkers, purchasing individual beverages is often the more economical approach.
For example, a guest who has only a cocktail at dinner and an occasional coffee or bottled water may spend considerably less than the cost of an all-inclusive beverage package.
On the other hand, someone ordering several drinks throughout the day could quickly accumulate a beverage bill that approaches or exceeds the package price.
This is why there is no universal answer to whether Royal Caribbean drink packages are worth it.
The right answer depends on your consumption and your specific package price.
If you decide to buy one, use these strategies.
Package prices can vary, so check your cruise planner rather than relying on a generic internet price.
Include the 18% beverage gratuity when comparing the package with individual drinks.
You are more likely to use the package when you spend the day onboard.
The Deluxe package is not only about alcohol. Bottled water, premium coffee, fresh juice and other eligible beverages can contribute to its value.
A vacation should not turn into a challenge to consume enough drinks to justify a package.
If you are forcing yourself to order another cocktail because you “paid for it,” the package is not providing the experience you actually wanted.
It can be worth it for guests who regularly consume several eligible alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks each day. The best way to decide is to compare the package's actual price, including applicable gratuity, with your expected daily beverage spending.
There is no fixed number because Royal Caribbean package prices vary by sailing and different drinks have different prices. Calculate your personal break-even point using the actual package price shown for your cruise.
Yes. Royal Caribbean states that an 18% gratuity is generally added to beverage-package purchases on most sailings.
No. Beverage packages are intended for individual guests and cannot be shared.
Royal Caribbean states that guests purchasing an alcoholic beverage package generally must have all guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom purchase the same alcoholic package.
Yes. Royal Caribbean lists premium coffees and teas among the Deluxe Beverage Package inclusions, subject to exclusions such as beverages served inside licensed Starbucks locations.
Yes. The Deluxe Beverage Package includes bottled still and sparkling water. The Refreshment Package also includes bottled water.
No. Royal Caribbean states that room service and minibar purchases are not included in its beverage packages.
No. Royal Caribbean's beverage-package materials state that beverages served inside licensed Starbucks stores or cafés are excluded.
Royal Caribbean allows beverage packages to be purchased onboard under applicable conditions. Its FAQ states that all-inclusive packages can be purchased during the voyage subject to the cruise line's purchase window and package rules.
The current Deluxe Beverage Package covers individual beverage items valued up to $14. Drinks or categories outside the package's terms may require an additional charge or may be excluded.
It depends on whether you drink alcohol. If you do not, the Refreshment Package can provide many premium non-alcoholic choices without paying for alcoholic beverages. If you regularly drink cocktails, beer or wine, the Deluxe Package is the relevant option.
It depends on the package price and how much you drink. A short cruise can provide plenty of onboard drinking opportunities, but the total package cost can still be substantial. Calculate the daily break-even amount rather than assuming a short cruise automatically makes the package worthwhile.
For frequent drinkers, a Royal Caribbean drink package can be worth the money. For light drinkers, it often is not.
The best decision comes from doing a simple calculation rather than following someone else's recommendation.
Start with the actual package price for your sailing. Add the applicable gratuity. Then estimate what you would realistically spend on cocktails, beer, wine, bottled water, coffee, juice and other eligible beverages if you paid individually.
Also consider how much time you will spend onboard, whether everyone in your stateroom must purchase the alcoholic package, and which drinks you actually enjoy.
If your expected beverage spending is close to or higher than the package's effective daily cost, the package may provide good value and convenience. If your normal spending is substantially lower, buying drinks individually is likely the smarter financial choice.
Ultimately, the best Royal Caribbean drink package is not necessarily the one with the most inclusions. It is the one that matches your drinking habits and your cruise itinerary without encouraging you to spend or consume more than you otherwise would.
Recent Guide
Your ultimate guide to cruise adventures. Discover amazing destinations, find the perfect cruise, and create unforgettable memories on the high seas.
© 2026 cruisebite.com All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
