Royal Caribbean’s drink package seems like an easy way to enjoy unlimited cocktails, wine, sodas, and specialty coffee at sea. But is it actually worth it?
It sounds hassle-free, but more and more cruisers are skipping it. The price keeps climbing, and if one person in a stateroom buys it, every adult has to as well. That’s fine if you both drink a lot, but if one of you just wants the occasional cocktail, you’re stuck paying for something you don’t really need.
I remember staring at my cruise booking, debating whether I’d drink enough to justify the cost. Turns out, I’m not alone. Many cruisers are second-guessing the package, and once you see the real math, you might too.
Why Royal Caribbean’s Drink Package Is Not Worth It
Here’s why Royal Caribbean’s drink package might be one of the worst deals on board.
It’s More Expensive Than You Think
Royal Caribbean loves to promote its drink package as an unlimited, stress-free way to enjoy your cruise. But let’s be real—the price is a lot higher than most people expect.
The Deluxe Beverage Package is the only option that includes alcohol, but depending on the sailing, it can cost anywhere from $56 to $115 per day. Even if you manage to catch a “sale” at $80 per day, Royal Caribbean automatically tacks on an 18% gratuity, bringing the real cost to $94.40 per day.
Now multiply that by a 7-night cruise, and suddenly, you’re looking at a $660 bill per person just for drinks. And if you’re traveling as a couple, things get worse—Royal Caribbean requires all adults in the same cabin to buy the package if one does. That means for two people, you’re now paying $1,320 for the week.
To break even, you’d need to drink at least:
- Six cocktails per day ($13 each)
- Or eleven beers per day ($8 each)
And that’s every single day, without missing a beat.
“I thought I’d save money, but I barely drank enough to break even. Even with the ‘drink more’ mindset, I still ended up overpaying,” said one cruiser after their Symphony of the Seas sailing.
And if breaking even is already tough on sea days, what happens on port days when you’re off the ship for most of the day—but still paying full price?
How Port Days Make Your Drink Package a Waste of Money
Here’s a big reason so many cruisers skip the drink package—it only works on the ship.
The problem? Most cruises have multiple port days, and when the ship docks, passengers head out to explore, swim, go on excursions, and enjoy drinks at local beach bars.
But guess what? That pricey drink package you paid for? It doesn’t work in regular ports. While you can use it at Royal Caribbean’s private islands like Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee, anywhere else, you’re paying out of pocket.
So let’s say you’re on a seven-night cruise with four port days. That’s four days where you’re off the ship for most of the day, still paying full price for a drink package you aren’t even using. By the time you return in the evening, you might only have time for one or two drinks before bed, but the package still costs the same.
Unless you plan to spend every single day lounging at the ship’s bars, you’re paying for way more drinks than you’re actually consuming.
The Hidden Limitations of Royal Caribbean’s Drink Package
Royal Caribbean’s drink package is not truly all-inclusive, and some exclusions catch cruisers off guard. According to Royal Caribbean’s official Deluxe Beverage Package guide (source), it does not cover minibar drinks or room service, so if you want a cocktail in your cabin, you will have to pay extra.
Starbucks is another limitation. You can get premium coffee at Café Promenade, but full Starbucks menu items like a Refresher or an Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso are not included.
There is also a price cap. The Deluxe Beverage Package covers drinks up to $14, but anything more expensive, such as top-shelf liquors and high-end wines, will have an extra charge. Even souvenir cocktails only include the drink itself, and you will have to pay more for the fancy glass.
Lastly, port taxes and fees can add unexpected charges. While drinks are included onboard, some ports impose alcohol taxes, which means you might see additional fees on your bill when docked.
How Savvy Cruisers Skip the Drink Package and Still Enjoy Drinks
Skipping the Package and Paying Per Drink
A lot of cruisers are realizing that paying as you go is a way better deal than locking into an overpriced drink package.
Think about it. If you’re not drinking all day, every day, you probably won’t come close to the amount needed to break even. Let’s say your average day looks like this:
- One cocktail by the pool – $14
- A glass of wine with dinner – $12
- A bottle of water – $3
That’s $29 for the day. Even with gratuity added, it’s way less than the $94.40 per day the drink package costs. Even if you throw in an iced coffee ($6) and a soda ($4), your total is still around $40—less than half the price of the package.
And here’s the best part: you’re not locked in. If you don’t feel like drinking much one day, you don’t have to. You’re not under pressure to keep ordering drinks just to “get your money’s worth.”
Plus, Royal Caribbean offers plenty of free drink options onboard, including coffee, tea, lemonade, and fruit juices at breakfast. You can also take advantage of happy hour deals, duty-free liquor purchases, and free loyalty perks if you’re a frequent cruiser.
For most people, the flexibility of paying per drink beats the high price of the package every time.
Bringing Their Own Drinks (Within Limits)
Instead of buying a drink package, some cruisers choose to bring their own beverages to save money. However, Royal Caribbean limits both the type and quantity of drinks you can bring onboard.
According to Royal Caribbean’s FAQ (source), each guest of legal drinking age is allowed to bring one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne on embarkation day. Any additional bottles will be stored by the ship and returned at the end of the cruise.
Boxed wine and other containers aren’t allowed, and beer, seltzer, and hard liquor are strictly prohibited—if found, they won’t be returned. If you’re on back-to-back cruises, you can bring one bottle per sailing, but extra bottles will be stored and given to you one at a time on the first day of each new voyage.
Considering that a bottle of wine onboard can cost $40–$100, while the same bottle from home might be $10–$20, bringing your own can save you $30–$80 per bottle—a significant difference, especially for wine drinkers.
For non-alcoholic beverages, guests can bring up to 12 cans, bottles, or cartons (17 oz. max each) per stateroom on boarding day. This is a great way to have your favorite soda, juice, or flavored water without paying onboard prices.
Given that a single soda onboard costs around $4 (including gratuity), and a 12-pack from home costs about $6–$10, a cruiser who drinks two sodas per day on a 7-day cruise would save around $46–$50 per person.
Using Cruise Loyalty Perks to Get Free Drinks
Many Royal Caribbean cruisers are skipping the drink package and relying on their Crown & Anchor Society perks for free and discounted beverages. Diamond members get four free drinks per day, Diamond Plus gets five, and Pinnacle Club gets six, covering drinks up to $14 in value (source). Whether it’s cocktails, wine, beer, or mocktails, these vouchers add up fast—especially on longer sailings.
Beyond the daily free drinks, loyalty members also score discounts on individual beverages. Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members receive 25% off a single glass of wine, beer, or soda per sailing, adding even more savings. Those sailing in a suite or at the highest tier can also access exclusive lounges with complimentary happy hours, making it even easier to enjoy drinks without extra charges. If you’re a frequent Royal Caribbean cruiser, tapping into these perks can significantly cut down your costs—no drink package required.
Take Advantage of Free or Complimentary Drinks Onboard
While many cruise-goers opt for the drink package, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy discounted or even free drinks while sailing with Royal Caribbean. One of the easiest ways to save on drinks is by taking advantage of happy hour promotions available onboard. For instance, on select Royal Caribbean ships, the English Pub offers “2-for-1 draft beers” on specific days, which means you can enjoy two drinks for the price of one.
Additionally, many ships offer happy hour specials, such as $6 house margaritas or $5 glasses of wines in specific bars, typically from 4 to 6 p.m. during the afternoon. These deals can be a great way to enjoy your favorite drinks at a lower cost, especially if you’re planning to relax and socialize during the day.
Another way to get discounted drinks is through the “Drink of the Day” specials, often advertised around the ship. These drinks are typically priced a few dollars lower than regular cocktails. It’s a great option if you’re looking to try something new without spending too much. You can often find these deals in the bars around the pool or in the main dining areas, depending on the ship and itinerary.
On top of these discounts, Royal Caribbean also offers several complimentary beverages throughout the day. These include water at bars, restaurants, and self-service stations like the Windjammer buffet, along with free coffee, tea, and iced tea (unsweetened) in the Main Dining Room, Windjammer buffet, and Café Promenade. You can also enjoy lemonade, flavored water, and fruit juices (apple and orange) during breakfast hours, with hot chocolate available in the Windjammer buffet and through room service.
Enjoying Drinks at Ports Instead of Onboard
Certain suites on Royal Caribbean cruises offer exclusive drink perks, but the level of benefits varies depending on the suite category. If you book a Junior Suite or lower-tier suite, you won’t receive complimentary drink benefits. However, if you upgrade to a higher-tier suite like a Grand Suite, you’ll have access to the Suite Lounge, where drinks are available during select hours.
For example, in Cozumel, you can grab a cold beer for around $2–$5 USD, and cocktails often range from $6–$10 USD at beach bars. In Nassau, the prices for cocktails typically range from $8–$12 USD, with beers priced around $4–$6 USD. These prices are generally much lower than the $14–$15 USD per cocktail you’ll find onboard, making it a great way to save.
Royal Caribbean also makes it easy to bring your favorite drinks back onboard. You can bring up to two bottles of wine per stateroom, which can be enjoyed during dinner or in your room. For soda lovers, many passengers stock up on cans of their preferred beverages in port. Royal Caribbean allows each stateroom to bring up to 12 standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles, or cartons of non-alcoholic drinks, making it easy to stock up on sodas or juices while in port.
Playing in the Casino for Free Drinks
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy free drinks while on your Royal Caribbean cruise, consider hitting the casino. The Casino Royale offers a unique opportunity for cruisers to earn free drinks by playing games.
When you join the Club Royale rewards program, you earn points every time you play in the casino, and once you hit the Prime tier (or above) with 2,500 points, you’ll get complimentary drinks while you’re playing at Casino Royale (source). This is a great way to enjoy some free beverages while trying your luck, without having to purchase drinks separately.
Keep in mind that to actually earn benefits from the casino rewards program, you’ll need to dedicate a fair amount of time at the gaming tables or slots. One cruiser suggested that reaching the Prime tier, where you start getting complimentary drinks, may require a cumulative spend of around $12,500 on the slots. This is just an estimate, but it gives you a sense of the level of play needed to unlock those perks. Because the points accumulate over multiple cruises, you can work toward this tier at your own pace without pressure.
Booking a Suite That Includes Drinks
Certain suites on a Royal Caribbean cruise offer exclusive beverage perks, with the level of benefits depending on the suite category. Guests booking Junior Suites or lower-tier suites will not receive complimentary drink benefits, but higher-tier suites like the Grand Suite provide access to the Suite Lounge, where drinks are offered during select hours.
For the most comprehensive drink perks, you’ll need to book a suite in the Royal Suite Class, such as a Star Class suite. These suites come with the Deluxe Beverage Package included, which covers unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the ship (source).
I’ve left this point for last because, honestly, if you’re booking a higher-tier suite, the cost of the drink package probably won’t make a huge difference in your overall expenses.
