Perhaps one of the most common questions we receive is whether a drink package is worth it. When it comes to purchasing Royal Caribbean Drink Packages in 2024, the cruise line has made some updates that could impact your decision.
So, for some, going with a drink package could be a complete waste of money. For others, these options will be a great value. As loyal to royal cruisers, we have purchased several of these packages over the years. Thus, we can help you determine which, if any, are right for your next Royal Caribbean cruise.
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Historically, the Royal Caribbean Drink Packages have been a good value. Purchasing one pre-cruise has saved us money during many cruises over the years. Also, it’s always been an easy way to make our cruise more hassle free. However, given recent changes in pricing and benefits, we have not purchased a drink package on our recent cruises because the value for us has been diminished.
Ultimately, you will need to weigh the pros and cons and run the numbers to determine if one of the Royal Caribbean Drink Packages is right for you. Whether or not you should purchase one for your next vacation is an individual decision that depends on several factors.
These factors can include the price, your drink preferences, your cruise itinerary and if private islands are included, and your loyalty status with the brand.
GUIDE TO ROYAL CARIBBEAN DRINK PACKAGES!
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Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbean Drink Packages (2024)
Royal Caribbean Drink Package Basics
There are a few different drink package options available across the Royal Caribbean fleet. While what is included in each package differs, there are several basic policies that govern all of the drink packages. Knowing these basics before you even review the plan options might make your decision to purchase one easier.
- Prices for all drink packages are per person, per day.
- All drink packages must be purchased for the entire duration of the cruise.
- There is an additional 18% service charge added to the total price at the time of purchase.
- Beverage packages are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Beverage packages are available on most 2+ day sailings regardless of itinerary except for 2 or 3-day sailings from Southampton, England.
- The packages cover most beverages purchased at onboard restaurants, bars, and lounges.
- Currently, all Royal Caribbean drink packages are unlimited.
- All packages cover drinks on the cruise line’s two private islands, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee, Haiti.
The Royal Caribbean Drink Packages
In 2024, Royal Caribbean is offering three drink packages. There is the alcoholic drink package, also known as the Deluxe Beverage Package. There are also two non-alcoholic drink packages, the Royal Refreshment Drink Package and the Classic Soda Package.
For all the coffee lovers, there is also the Café Select coffee card.
In addition, cruisers can also pre-purchase cases of water. For most cruises, guests can order a 12 pack or 24 pack of 1 liter bottles of Evian.
The Cost of Royal Caribbean Drink Packages in 2024
Royal Caribbean drink packages have dynamic pricing. This means that the price will vary based on ship, time of year, and itinerary. However, don’t be surprised if the advertised price in your Royal Caribbean cruise planner is much higher than it was a few years ago.
The typical beverage package price ranges are as follows:
- Deluxe Beverage Package: $69.99-$125 per person, per day
- Royal Refreshment Drink Package: $29-$38 per person, per day
- Café Select Coffee Card: $31 for 15 drinks
- Classic Soda Package: $12.99-$15 per person, per day
However, the cruise line often runs pre-cruise sales and promotions. Often, cruisers can get drink packages on sale from 10% to 40% off the retail price. We have taken advantage of these discounts to get a better deal on several cruises.
As an example, the Deluxe Beverage Package for one of our upcoming cruises is quoting a sale price of $73.99 and an onboard price of $115, or 35% off! On the same trip, the Refreshment Package is $25.99 and the Soda Package is $9.99, for a discount of 30%.
If you see a deal, we recommend purchasing. Remember, if the price goes down even further prior to your sail date, it is possible to cancel and rebook the package at the lower rate.
Everything Included in Royal Caribbean Drink Packages in 2024
Royal Caribbean Deluxe Drink Package
Royal Caribbean offers only one alcoholic drink package, known as the Deluxe Drink Package.
So, many cruisers refer to this as the unlimited drink package, as it includes essentially all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Since the cruise restart, the price of the Deluxe Drink Package has skyrocketed. While the cruise line implements dynamic pricing, the starting price for this package is much higher than it was a few years ago.
For our upcoming Utopia of the Seas cruise, the starting price for this package is $115 per person, per day. That is certainly a lot of pina coladas and daiquiris to hit the break-even point!
This plan covers all alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine by the glass, and cocktails up to $14. This allotment covers basically all 16 oz beers and a decent selection of red and white wines at the onboard restaurants and bars.
Further, the package also includes most liquor and premium spirits. Brands such as Grey Goose, Tito’s Vodka, Patron, Johnny Walker Black Label, and Dewar’s 12 scotch are all included, as are Premium and Classic cocktails.
If a drink costs more than the maximum dollar amount, guests will only pay the difference (+18% gratuity on the difference).
While this package does include a lot, some drinks are excluded.
Room service and minibar items are not included. Drinks in souvenir glasses, specialty beers, and super premium category beverages are also excluded. Further, all beverages served inside licensed Starbucks stores are not included.
You can view our Royal Caribbean bar menus from a recent Icon of the Seas cruise to determine the pricing of your favorite beverages.
In addition, the Royal Caribbean Deluxe Drink Package includes several premium non-alcoholic beverages not included in the cruise fare. Among these are fountain soda, Coca-Cola freestyle machines (where available), still and sparkling water, premium coffees and teas, and fresh-squeezed juices.
Plus, 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.
With current onboard pricing, it takes more than 8 cocktails to hit the “break even” point for the Deluxe drink package.
Royal Caribbean Non-Alcoholic Drink Packages 2024
Royal Refreshment Drink Package
If you want more options than just soda in your Royal Caribbean non-alcoholic drink package, then the Royal Refreshment package might be right for you.
The cruise line advertises the Royal Refreshment package onboard price as $38 per person, per day on most cruises.
This plan gives cruisers unlimited choice of premium coffees and teas, soda (including the souvenir cup), bottled water (both sparkling and still), freshly squeezed juices, smoothies at Vitality Cafe (on select ships), and non-alcoholic frozen drinks.
Essentially, you can enjoy almost any non-alcoholic beverage on this package, including Johnny Rockets milkshakes. There are only a few exclusions, such as Starbucks from licensed kiosks and Desserted milkshakes. Starbucks brewed coffee from other onboard locations ARE included.
Recently, Royal Caribbean has introduced a number of new zero-proof cocktails. These alcohol-free options are usually around $7 and are included in this package. Among some of our favorites include the Blueberry Nojito and All Aboard Spritz.
With current onboard pricing, it takes about 6-8 non-alcoholic drinks to hit the “break even” point for the Royal Refreshment drink package.
Classic Soda Package
The Classic Soda Package is a popular drink package choice for families. Current onboard pricing for this package is $15 per person, per day.
This plan includes unlimited soda from the bars and restaurants onboard the ship and at the private islands. However, it does not include cans of soda or soda ordered through room service.
Further, guests who purchase this package will get a souvenir cup. If you happen to lose this cup, there is a $9.95 replacement fee.
Many Royal Caribbean ships have Coke Freestyle machines. These freestyle machines dispense over 100 different soda/flavor combinations. So, you can make your own crazy soda concoctions using your souvenir cup.
Of note, guests who do not purchase a drink package will not be able to use the freestyle machines.
Soda is priced around $3.50, meaning that you will need to drink about 4-5 sodas a day to recoup the costs of purchasing the Soda package.
Are Royal Caribbean Drink Packages Worth it?
Ultimately, that is a question that only you can answer based on your own drinking habits. Essentially, the question should be whether you will consume enough to make the purchase “worth it”.
Below are the average costs of the different beverages within each category from a recent Royal Caribbean drink menu.
Using this chart, you can do the quick math to see if you would routinely hit the daily “break even” point for the above drink packages based on the current pricing for your particular sailing.
Category PriceBottled Water (500 ml)$3.50Soda$3.50Energy Drinks$4.00Specialty Coffees$4.50Smoothies/Squeezed Juices$8.25Zero-Proof Cocktails$7.00Beers$7.50Wine$11.00Mixed Drinks $11.00Specialty Cocktails$14.00
When compared to competitor brands, Royal Caribbean drink packages are on the higher end of pricing, with Carnival being cheaper and NCL being more expensive.
However, if you are looking for convenience, a Royal Caribbean drink package ensures you never have to worry about the bar tab at the end of the cruise!
Another caveat is that the revamped Crown and Anchor member drink perk does make the decision to purchase a beverage package a bit more difficult for those Diamond status and above.
With these new perks, C&A guests can use their drink vouchers for any drink up to $14, any time of day. This is no longer limited to just Happy Hour in the Crown Lounge. Diamond cruisers receive 4 drink vouchers, Diamond Plus 5 vouchers, and Pinnacle 6 vouchers.
Honestly, this is the main reason we’ve stopped purchasing a Royal Caribbean drink package. Instead, we purchase a Cafe Select coffee card and a case or two of water.
We Answer All of Your Royal Caribbean Drink Package Questions!
What are the free drinks on Royal Caribbean? Complimentary beverages on Royal Caribbean include select drinks like iced tea, lemonade, filtered water, some juices, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea.These free drinks are available in the Windjammer buffet and while dining in the main dining rooms.
While these items are complimentary, soda, bottled water, specialty coffee, and alcoholic beverages will cost extra money. How do you purchase a Royal Caribbean drink package? You can purchase the Royal Caribbean drink package pre-cruise using the online Cruise Planner. Or, you can purchase once onboard during the first day (or two) of your cruise. However, you will usually save money by purchasing pre-cruise.You can purchase a drink package up until 72 hours prior to your sail date. You might also be able to score some savings by bundling a drink package with a WiFi package.Of note, if you purchase a Royal Caribbean drink package and subsequently find a cheaper rate, you can always cancel and re-book prior to your sailing. How many drinks can you get a day with a Royal Caribbean drink package? The Royal Caribbean Drink packages are “unlimited” for the duration of the cruise, unlike Carnival Cruise Line which limits guests to 15 drinks.However, you need to consume responsibly as the company has the right to deny service.Further, you can only order one drink at a time, whether it is alcoholic or non-alcoholic. In addition, you must show your SeaPass card every time you order a beverage. There will be a notation on your SeaPass card indicating that you have purchased the package.
Is it mandatory to buy a drink package on Royal Caribbean? Of course, it is never mandatory to buy a drink package. The Royal Caribbean drink packages are add-ons to your cruise vacation. However, there is no sharing of the package or using your package to order drinks for other cruisers.So, if one guest in the stateroom wishes to purchase the Royal Caribbean Deluxe drink package, then all guests of legal drinking age in the stateroom do have to purchase this alcoholic drink package as well.
How do you get the best deal on a Royal Caribbean drink package? Typically, you can purchase a drink package pre-cruise using the online cruise planner for cheaper than onboard prices.From time to time, Royal Caribbean may run sales on drink packages. So, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your Cruise Planner and your email for any such promotions. The discount does vary by ship, itinerary, and time of year.
Comments
Have you purchased one of the Royal Caribbean drink packages on a cruise? Do you think Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe beverage package is a good value? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences with drink packages on a cruise.
Appeared first on: Eatsleepcruise.com
