Is a Royal Caribbean drink package worth it for your family in 2025? Here’s what you need to know to decide, and interactive calculators that you can adjust for your situation.
As you’re getting ready for your upcoming cruise, you will have the opportunity to buy a drinks package. Royal Caribbean has several options for drinks and beverages, and the value proposition of purchasing a beverage package can be murky.
This post focuses on the key facts you need to know about buying a Royal Caribbean drink package so that you can make a wise decision. You’ll also find information about the best deals we have seen recently!
Short Answer:
For most adults, the Deluxe Package (at full price) only saves money if you’ll drink 6+ $14 cocktails a day. Use our interactive calculators below for a personalized break-even number. Try different scenarios!
Here’s all of the information you need to make the best decision for your cruise.
Table of Contents
Beverages Already Included In Your Cruise Fare
So, what free drinks on Royal Caribbean will you find? Royal Caribbean complimentary drinks covered by your cruise fare include:
- milk
- some juices (not fresh-squeezed),
- hot chocolate
- regular coffee
- tea
- tap water
- non-carbonated juice-based punch (at the buffet)
Drinks that are not included:
- anything with alcohol
- fresh-squeezed juice
- specialty coffees like lattes, cappuccinos, or chai
- carbonated sodas
- mocktails
- shakes or smoothies
- bottled water
Royal Caribbean Beverage Packages at a Glance (2025 Prices)
Royal Caribbean offers three main beverage packages that may be purchased online before you sail, or onboard the ship. (The package pricing below is based on prices posted in the Cruise Planner as of May 2025 for a variety of sailings and itineraries from July 2025 through January 2026.)
Tip:
Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing that changes by ship, sail date, and demand. Buy early—then cancel and re-purchase if you spot a sale in your Cruise Planner.
While Royal Caribbean quotes pricing for its beverage packages on a “per day” basis, packages are only sold on a cruise length basis. This means that you will be assessed a charge equal to all of the days of your itinerary (plus an automatic 18% gratuity).
Individual Royal Caribbean Drink Packages
Deluxe Beverage Package
Royal Caribbean’s most inclusive (and most expensive) package is the Deluxe Beverage Package. It covers both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Guests will also receive a souvenir cup that can be used with onboard Coca-Cola Freestyle machines.
- The package will cover the price of individual drinks up to $14. If your drink costs more than $14, the difference is charged to your SeaPass.
- This package also provides discounted bottles of wine. Guests receive 40% off wines under $100 and 20% off wines exceeding $100 per bottle.
- Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package includes a wide range of well-known brands (e.g., Absolute, Johnnie Walker, Bacardi), and you’ll find an updated list of current brands on Royal Caribbean’s website.
Royal Caribbean Refreshment Package
This package includes all the same beverages as covered by the Deluxe Package, except for beverages containing alcohol. This package also includes the souvenir cup for the onboard Coca-Cola Freestyle machines.
- The package also includes shakes from Johnny Rockets and CocoLove water.
- As of 2025, the Refreshment Package also includes non-alcoholic beers, wines, and spirits (only for guests of legal drinking age).
- If you primarily drink water and coffee-based drinks, a Water Package and a Coffee Card would be cheaper.
Classic Soda Package
This is Royal Caribbean’s simplest and least expensive beverage package. It covers sodas only.
- It covers sodas only. No bottled water, juices, or specialty coffees. Just soda.
- As with the larger two packages, this package comes with a souvenir cup for the onboard Coca-Cola Freestyle machines.
Drink Packages Comparison Chart
Use the comparison table to spot which package matches your drinking style, then scroll to the break-even calculator to plug in the exact price you see today.
| Deluxe (Alcoholic) |
Refreshment (Non-Alcoholic) |
Soda Package |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Advance-Sale Price* | $66 – $90 pp/day |
$28 – $42 pp/day |
$12 – $15 pp/day |
| On-Board Price Range | $75 – $115 | $38 – $52 | $15 – $20 |
| What’s Included | All alcoholic + non-alcoholic drinks up to $14 each |
Mocktails, specialty coffees, fresh juices, NA beer/wine, bottled water, soda |
Fountain soda, canned soda, Freestyle refills, souvenir cup |
| Break-Even Example** | ≈ 6 cocktails *or* 8 beers/day |
≈ 3 mocktails + 2 specialty coffees |
≈ 4 fountain sodas |
| Best For | Frequent cocktail / wine & latte drinkers |
Non-drinkers who love coffee, juices, mocktails |
Kids & soda-only adults |
|
*Price ranges are based on May 2025 Cruise Planner sale data; Royal Caribbean’s dynamic pricing means your sailing may show higher or lower numbers. **Break-even math uses 2025 average menu prices: cocktail $14, beer $8.25, specialty coffee $5.50, soda $3.50. |
|||
Royal Caribbean Drink Package Break‑Even Calculators (2025)
Enter the sale price you see in your Cruise Planner and slide to the number of drinks you think you’ll order each day. The calculator shows whether the package will save you money or cost you money.
Deluxe Beverage Package Break‑Even Calculator
*Prices are 2025 fleet averages used for calculation; adjust sliders if your cruise offers different menu prices.
Refreshment Package Break‑Even Calculator
*Prices are 2025 fleet averages used for calculation; adjust sliders if your cruise offers different menu prices.
Additional Royal Caribbean Beverage Options
The Water Package
Royal Caribbean now offers two versions of a water package–one that features Evian still water and a second that features San Pellegrino sparkling water. You can order an Evian package of either 12 or 24 one-liter bottles, or a San Pellegrino package of either 8 or 12 (200ml) bottles. Recent prices for the Evian package started at $49.50, and prices for the San Pellegrino package started at $24.00.
Regardless of the brand of water featured, the package itself is very simple and specific. The specified number of bottles of water is delivered to your stateroom at the beginning of the cruise.
You’ll find a variety of options for Royal Caribbean bottled water on board in terms of size, brands, and packaging. But the Water Package only covers the designated brands of water.
If you are interested in other types of Royal Caribbean bottled water, you will need to get the Refreshment Package or go ala carte.
The Cafe Select Coffee Card
With this coffee card, you can order 15 different specialty coffees of your choice. With each order, the server will punch or stamp your card. One of the benefits of this card is that you can easily (and openly) share the benefits with other guests. The card is not specific to any one passenger. Depending on your coffee beverage of choice, this card will save you up to 50% off the regular price of individually purchased coffees.
The Coffee Cards do not work at the Starbucks stand-alone kiosks. However, specialty coffees made with Starbucks beans at Café Promenade are included.
For a 6 or 7-night Caribbean cruise, this card is typically priced around $30.
Discounted Mini-Bar Packages
This is not promoted as a stand-alone package. Nor is it available to order prior to boarding (yet). (Also, it apparently is not available on every sailing.) Basically, you have the opportunity to place a bulk order for non-alcoholic beverages to stock your in-room mini-bar.
You can save money by making bulk mini-bar purchases. These prices work out to less than the à la carte prices outside your room. Note that the quoted prices already include gratuity. However, the $7.95 room service charge will be assessed for delivery.
Crown & Anchor Privileges For Diamond Level And Above
Cruisers with a certain loyalty status can receive vouchers for complimentary beverages each day. Specifically, Crown & Anchor members who are at the Diamond level or above can get 4 free drinks each day, Diamond Plus receive 5 free drinks, and Pinnacle receive 6. These vouchers are available at any venue in the ship and at any time of day. They do not, however, rollover. The benefit comes preloaded on your cruise card. Vouchers cover drinks up to $14.
Bringing Your Own Beverages Aboard A Royal Caribbean Cruise
One simple way to save money on cruise beverages is to bring some onboard yourself. And Royal Caribbean allows guests to BYOB a limited quantity of non-alcoholic and/or alcoholic beverages.
BYOB Alcoholic Beverages (Wine & Champagne only)
Royal Caribbean permits each guest (of drinking age) to bring one sealed bottle (750 ml) of wine or champagne. Note that boxed wine and other containers are prohibited. Royal Caribbean prohibits guests from bringing any kind of beer or hard liquor onboard for consumption or any other use.
If you have two adults in your cabin and you each bring on the allowed amount, those two full bottles may be sufficient for your entire cruise, depending on how much wine you typically drink. Royal Caribbean conveniently provides a corkscrew so that you can enjoy it in your room.
Or alternatively, you can bring it with you to dinner and pay a corkage fee of $15 per bottle. If you don’t finish the bottle, the dining room staff will hold it for you for the next night(s). Also, if you end up dining in a different venue from where you originally purchased your bottle of wine, you can have it transferred to your new location, just as the wait staff.
These BYOB allowances for alcohol only apply at embarkation. The crew will confiscate any alcohol purchased while you are in port after sailing. They will store it until the end of your cruise.
What About Sneaking On Alcoholic Beverages?
Be forewarned: A harsher rule applies if you try to bring on or sneak on excess alcohol at embarkation.
Alcoholic beverages seized on embarkation day will not be returned.
You should also be aware that security personnel may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage, etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Guests who violate any alcohol policies (over-consume, provide alcohol to people under the legal drinking age, demonstrate irresponsible behavior, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage checkpoints or any other time), can be disembarked (expelled) or denied boarding altogether. All at their own expense.
BYOB Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Guests may also carry on 12 cans or cartons of non-alcoholic beverages in their hand luggage.
Non-alcoholic beverages may not exceed 12 standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles, or cartons per stateroom. Milk and distilled water brought on for infant, medical, or dietary use are permitted.
Cost Of Individual Drinks On Royal Caribbean
Cost Of Individual Drinks On Royal Caribbean
| Drink Category | 2025 Average Price |
|---|---|
| Bottled Water | $3.25–3.50 |
| Soft Drinks | $3.50 |
| Sports / Energy Drinks | $4–5 |
| Specialty Coffees | $3–6 (avg. $4) |
| Smoothies / Mocktails | ~$7 |
| Beer | $7.50–8.50 (avg. $8.25) |
| Wine by the Glass | $8–16+ (typical ~$11–12) |
| Hard Liquor (Spirits + Mixer) | $9–14 |
| Cocktails | $13–14 |
*Drink prices on Royal Caribbean ships can fluctuate by ship, sailing, and venue based on dynamic pricing. The prices listed here are typical averages as of 2025.
Note that all drink orders will be assessed an automatic gratuity of 18%, which will be added to the prices above.
Saving Money On A Royal Caribbean Drink Package
Royal Caribbean usually provides many opportunities to purchase its drink packages at discounted prices prior to boarding your cruise. You would have to be really unlucky or not paying attention to miss out on an opportunity to purchase a discounted drink package.
You can typically find discounts in the 25-30% range offered at several points throughout the year. Essentially, they run sales around every major holiday, additional thematic promotions (e.g., Cinco de Mayo, Royal Birthday Bash), and random weekend flash sales.
There is rarely any reason for anyone to pay full price for a Royal Caribbean beverage package. You can almost always purchase at a discount online prior to your sailing.
There is also no reason to wait to see if a better promotion pops up. If you purchase online and then you receive a better offer later, you are permitted to cancel your original order and book under the better deal.
The best deal we have seen so far in 2025 has been the Royal Birthday Bash Offer. For a 7-night Caribbean sailing on a new ship, guests received discount offers described as being 40% off onboard prices for the Deluxe Package, which was $66 per day. The Refreshment Package was priced at a 35% discount to $26 per day. The discounted soda package was advertised at $9.99 per day.
For sailings in 2023 & 2024, we saw the following deals:
- The best deals we saw
- Deluxe beverage package — Buy 1, get 1 for 50% off
- Refreshment package — 20% off
- Deluxe package + 1 Voom device — 25% off
- Classic soda package + 1 Voom device — 30% off
- In years past, the best deals were offered Black Friday and Cyber Monday periods
- 30% off Deluxe Beverage Package
- 50% off Refreshment Package
- 35% off a bundle of Deluxe Beverage Package + 1 Voom device
Related Content: Try These Top Ways To Stretch Your Family Cruise Dollars
How A Royal Caribbean Drink Package Works
When you purchase a Royal Caribbean drink package, it’s linked to your SeaPass card. If you buy it in advance online, the package will be printed directly on the card you receive at embarkation. If not, a sticker will be added when you board. Just present your card when ordering drinks throughout your cruise.
The rules are pretty straightforward:
- You may order one drink at a time (but requesting a bottled water along with another drink is typically allowed).
- Sharing drink packages is not permitted.
- There’s no daily limit and no required wait time between orders.
Royal Caribbean also has a policy requiring that all adults of legal drinking age in the same stateroom purchase an alcoholic drink package if one person does. This is automatically enforced online. However, if a guest does not drink alcohol for medical or religious reasons, you can call customer service in advance to request that they be allowed to purchase a non-alcoholic package, such as the Refreshment Package, instead.
Keep in mind that drink packages do not apply to room service, minibar items, or beverages purchased at onboard Starbucks locations.
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10 Common & Frequently Asked Questions About Royal Caribbean Beverage Packages
Must all adults purchase drink packages?
If one person purchases an alcoholic drink package, then all adults of legal drinking age in the same cabin must also purchase the Deluxe Package. If an adult is a non-drinker, call customer service (before boarding) and explain the situation. In which case, the non-drinker may be allowed to purchase the Refreshment Package instead of the alcohol Deluxe Package.
Are you expected to tip when you receive drinks?
All Royal Caribbean beverage packages have an 18% gratuity automatically assessed. The same automatic gratuity assessment applies to individual drinks purchased onboard. Nevertheless, when you sign the receipt for your drinks, you have the option to add an additional tip. This is completely at your discretion. In all circumstances, you will have already paid an 18% gratuity, and you are welcome to go beyond that amount by writing in more tip if you think it is warranted.
Where can you use the drink package?
You can use your drink package privileges at any venue onboard your Royal Caribbean ship outside your cabin except for Starbucks’ facilities. Room service and mini-bar are not included. You can also use your drink package at all Royal Caribbean private destinations, including Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas and Labadee in Haiti.
What happens if you lose your soda cup?
If you lose the soda cup required to access the freestyle soda machine, you can purchase a replacement for $9.95.
Is there a drink package day pass?
No. And a beverage package must be purchased for the duration of your cruise. You may purchase a package while onboard (if 4 or more days remaining) and pay a prorated charge, but the package will be priced for all remaining days of your sailing.
Are there any limits on the number of drinks you can consume under a package?
Unlike some cruise lines, there are no numeric caps on the number of drinks that you can consume with a Royal Caribbean beverage package. However, Royal Caribbean may refuse to serve additional alcoholic beverages to any guest who does not consume alcohol responsibly, including those who have purchased an all-inclusive beverage package.
Can you drink at 18 on Royal Caribbean?
On certain sailings, guests who are 18-years-old may drink alcohol on Royal Caribbean. This is limited to sailings that originate from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, or New Zealand. For any sailing that originates from North America, the drinking age is 21. (Interestingly, there’s a different policy for gambling. With the exception of Alaska sailings, you only have to be 18 to play in the casino, regardless of where the sailing originates.)
Is water free on Royal Caribbean?
The regular “tap” water that you receive in a cup or glass is free. As for bottled water, unless you have a beverage package that includes bottled water, you will be charged.
Does the Royal Caribbean drink package include shots?
Yes. Up to $14 per drink. Any amount that exceeds $14 will be charged to your SeaPass card.
What’s the best deal on a Royal Caribbean drink package?
Beverage packages purchased online via the Cruise planner will be less than the onboard package price. In addition, Royal Caribbean frequently offers discounts in the 25-40% range (from onboard prices). These are often found during the summer months and around Black Friday/Cyber Monday. If you purchase a drink package and later spot a better price, you can cancel and rebook at a lower price.
Bottom Line: Is a Royal Caribbean Drink Package Worth It
A Royal Caribbean beverage package can be “worth it” in terms of the economic value, provided you meet certain criteria:
- Buy in advance (to receive the online discounts)
- Buy the right package
- Any adult in the same cabin wants a similar package
- Cruise itinerary includes many days/hours on the ship or a private island
- Drink more than specialty coffee
- Drink more than bottled water
- Drink most beverages outside of your room
- Aren’t a diamond member or above who typically drinks 4 beverages.
- Remember that you don’t have to double-tip
Closing Thoughts
A Royal Caribbean drink package is a tool, not a must-have. Decide what problem you’re solving before you click “buy.”
- Stretching the budget? Open the break-even calculator, plug in the sale price you see today, and be honest about how many $14 cocktails—or $12 glasses of wine—you’ll actually finish every day. If the verdict line glows red, skip the package and pay à-la-carte.
- Craving convenience or spontaneity? The Deluxe or Refreshment package can still be priceless. Unlimited lattes at Café Promenade, a poolside piña colada on impulse, a glass of malbec at dinner—no mental math required.
- Non-drinkers in your cabin? Call Royal Caribbean and downgrade them to the Refreshment package; don’t let the website upsell everyone.
- Watching your wallet? Buy the package early, then cancel and re-book whenever a Cruise Planner sale drops the price. Every flash sale is a chance to shave another few dollars off.
Bottom line: If you won’t drink at least six $14 drinks a day, the Deluxe package rarely pays for itself. But if the freedom to order without thinking is part of your vacation vibe, that convenience may be worth every penny—especially when you snag it during a sale.
Elaine Warren
Founder & Crew Chief
Elaine founded this website after publishing the book The Family Cruise Companion’s Guide to Cruising With Kids. She has sailed on 45 cruises (and counting). She loves helping families navigate their way to an adventure-filled, fun, and memorable vacation.
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Last update on 2025-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
