One of our favorite cruise lines is Royal Caribbean. Like many contemporary cruise lines, the cruise fare on Royal Caribbean covers many onboard amenities, dining, and beverages. While some drinks are included in the cruise fare, many of them will cost you extra. Knowing the costs of these drinks can help you budget for your next trip. Plus, they can help you decide if a drink package is worth it. So, to help you plan accordingly, we have put together this updated look at Royal Caribbean drink prices for 2024!
Table of Contents
Complete Guide to Royal Caribbean Drink Prices 2024
What drinks are included in a Royal Caribbean cruise?
At the cruise line’s buffet, the Windjammer, cruisers have a wide selection of complimentary beverage options. These free drinks include iced water, iced tea, lemonade, and other flavored water choices. At breakfast, juices are also available, with orange juice and apple juice among the included options.
In addition, the buffet offers coffee and a selection of teas. Many of the mega-ships also have beverage stations at complimentary restaurants, like Park Café or Sorrento’s pizza, with coffee and tea available throughout the day.
The standard complimentary offerings have remained pretty consistent over the 15 years we have been sailing with the cruise line. Although, we have noticed on newer ships, the beverage dispenser systems have improved. This makes it easier for guests to access the included drinks from several casual restaurants across the ship.
In the main dining room, lemonade, iced tea, and hot coffee and tea are also free of charge. At breakfast, juices are complimentary as well.
Similarly, at the cruise line’s private islands of Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee, Haiti, options liked flavored water, iced tea, lemonade, and iced water are also complimentary.
However, if cruisers are looking for other premium, non-alcoholic beverages, they will need to pay for them.
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What non-alcoholic drinks cost money on Royal Caribbean?
While a number of non-alcoholic beverages are part of the cruise fare, there are several premium offerings which will cost more. However, Royal Caribbean does allow cruisers to bring some beverages onboard on embarkation day.
Currently, Royal Caribbean allows cruisers to bring up 12 cans or bottles (no larger than 17 oz) per cabin on the first day of the cruise. If that is too much work, there are several options to purchase these drinks onboard.
Whether you order from the bar, main dining room, or a specialty restaurant, soda will cost extra on all Royal Caribbean cruise ships. Currently, the price for a can of soda is $3.50, before the 18% gratuity.
It will cost cruisers $3.50 to purchase juice from a bar or during other meals.
Cruisers can purchase bottled water at most bars for $3.25. At some of the bars and cafes, cruisers can also get energy drinks like Red Bull or Powerade. These drinks will cost you $4.00-$4.50, before the service charge.
While hot tea and coffee are included, specialty coffees like espresso based drinks will be an upcharge. Most Royal Caribbean cruise ships have a Café Promenade serving up lattes, cappuccinos, and similar drinks. Most of these drinks range from $4.00 to $5.00. These include iced beverages as well as Teavana handcrafted drinks.
For those who are caffeine junkies, like us, you should consider a Café Select Coffee card. These coffee cards can help you save money on your cruise.
On ships that have licensed Starbucks, pricing is slightly higher than similar beverages served at the Café Promenade. Standard espresso based drinks are around $6.00, and lattes are close to $7.00 for grande sized drinks. If cruisers want one of the coffee house’s signature frozen Frappuccinos those will cost over $7.00. Of note, drinks at licensed Starbucks kiosks are NOT included in the Royal Caribbean drink package.
Many bars on Royal Caribbean features a selection of zero proof cocktails as well. These drinks, like the fruity and flavorful Blueberry Nojito, are $7.00.
Some Royal Caribbean ships, like the new Icon of the Seas, features a Vitality Cafe. Here, cruisers can purchase freshly made juices, like the Fruit Oasis. These custom juices are $8.25 before the service charge. Also for $8.25, the Cafe serves smoothies and protein shakes. Luckily, all of Royal Caribbean’s drink packages include these non-alcoholic beverages.
How much is beer on Royal Caribbean?
For the most part, bottles of beer on Royal Caribbean ships cost around $7.00 to $8.00 a serving. Domestic beers like Bud Light or Coors Light are $7.49, whereas international beers like Heineken, Blue Moon, and Corona Extra are $7.99. Craft beers, like the Funky Buddha Hop Gun IPA or Sierra Nevada pale ale, are also $7.99 a bottle.
Of course, these beer prices on Royal Caribbean are before the 18% gratuity.
This pricing is also similar for beer alternatives like seltzers or ciders, which tend to be around $7.99 a serving.
Royal Caribbean cruise ships do have an English pub that has a more extensive beer list. But, most of these beers are under $8, except for one or two rare beers that are $8.25 a glass.
How much does wine cost on Royal Caribbean ships?
One adult libation that varies greatly in price on Royal Caribbean is wine. For a glass of wine, the range is from $8 for a Beringer White Zinfandel to $22 for a glass of Moet & Chandon champagne.
Still, most glasses of wine are around $11 a serving, which is well within the drink package allotments (see below). On Royal Caribbean ships, there are often wine bars, from Vintages on ships like Oasis of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas to Giovanni’s Wine Bar on Wonder of the Seas and Icon of the Seas. These wine-specific venues will have a greater selection of wines. However, many of them will have higher price tags.
None of the Royal Caribbean drink packages cover bottles of wine. Though, guests who purchase the Deluxe drink package will receive a 40% discount on bottled wines priced up to $100, and 20% discount on wine prices above $100.
As one would expect, bottles of wine vary greatly depending on the label, brand, and vintage. Most bottles of wine are priced around $50 to $60. Of course, you can find some selections in the $40 range, or you can splurge for a $231 bottle of Dom Perignon while on vacation.
Note, cruisers are allowed to bring two bottles of wine, per cabin, onboard in their carry-on luggage. Although, Royal Caribbean does have a corkage fee.
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What are the costs of cocktails and mixed drinks on Royal Caribbean?
Cruisers who are particular about their spirits will have a range of brands to choose from at most Royal Caribbean bars. The cruise line stocks a variety of vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, and other popular spirits.
For the most part, one serving is priced around $10 to $12. For instance, Tito’s Handmade Vodka will cost $10.99. Cruisers can enjoy Patron Silver or Bulleit Bourbon for $11.99. Even Remy Martin V.S.O.P. or Glenlivet are within the drink package allotments at $12.99.
The Royal Caribbean drink prices for specialty cocktails are $14. These prices apply to specialty drinks like the Lime and Coconut or the Goombay Smash poolside at the Lime and Coconut. The signature old fashions and Collins drinks at the Schooner Bar, like the Sidecar or Lavender Daiquiri, are also $14 each.
Royal Caribbean’s bar menu revealed a number of new libations with the restart in 2021. These signature drinks, like the Pineapple Guava Sangria or the Passion Spritz, are all $14 as well.
So, for the most part, unless you are looking for a super premium brand, the mixed drinks and cocktails on Royal Caribbean ships will cost between $11 and $14.
What are the prices of Royal Caribbean drink packages?
For the past couple of years, we have been tracking drink prices on Royal Caribbean ships. Thankfully, we have found that the prices have not increased substantially. Although, we have found that the prices of Royal Caribbean’s drink packages have gone up quite a bit the last two years.
Royal Caribbean drink packages have dynamic pricing. This means that the price will vary based on ship, time of year, and itinerary.
Historically, the onboard price of the Deluxe Beverage Package ranges from $63 to $98 a day (plus gratuity). However, in 2024, the Deluxe Drink Package can start at a price as high as $115 a person, per day.
This package covers all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine by the glass, and cocktails up to $14.
Prices for the non-alcoholic drink packages are obviously much cheaper.
- Royal Refreshment Drink Package: $29-38 per person, per day
- Classic Soda Package: $12.99-$15 per person, per day
- Café Select Coffee Card: $31 for 15 drinks
Keep in mind that the Royal Caribbean Drink packages are “unlimited” for the duration of the cruise, unlike Carnival Cruise Line which limits guests to 15 drinks.
Also, we tend to find that Royal Caribbean runs discounts pre-cruise. These deals can range from 25% to 50% off some of these offerings. We always suggest that if you see a deal on a package, you should buy it. There is always the ability to cancel later if you find a better price, or decide the drink package isn’t worth it.
Recap of the Drink Prices on Royal Caribbean
Now that you know the Royal Caribbean drink prices, you can calculate whether purchasing a drink package is right for you when cruising in 2024.
In our experiences, it’s usually not too difficult to realize a cost savings with these packages, especially if you consume specialty coffee drinks, soda, and bottled water in addition to alcoholic beverages. Of course, it really depends though just how much the drink package costs for your particular sailing.
Category PriceBottled Water (500 ml)$3.25Soda$3.50Energy Drinks$4.00Specialty Coffees$4.50Other Non-Alcoholic Drinks$7.00Beers$7.50Wine$11.00Mixed Drinks $11.00Specialty Cocktails$14.00
To summarize, we have listed all of the Royal Caribbean Drink Prices 2024 in this handy chart. Knowing how many drinks from each category you typically consume, you can determine if a drink package is worth it for your next Royal Caribbean cruise vacation.
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Appeared first on: Eatsleepcruise.com
