Royal Caribbean's Beverage Policy for Soda

Royal Caribbean allows you to bring your own soda on board, but with specific limits. You can pack up to 12 standard cans or bottles of non-alcoholic beverages per stateroom for the duration of your cruise. This means a family of four in one cabin can bring 12 total, not 12 per person. The soda must be in its original, unopened container when you board.

The policy exists because Royal Caribbean makes significant revenue from beverage sales onboard. By allowing a modest amount of outside soda, they balance passenger requests against their business model. Anything beyond the 12-can limit will be confiscated at the security checkpoint when you board, with no refund or return option.

Key Takeaways

  • You may bring up to 12 cans or bottles of soda per stateroom in original, unopened containers.
  • Soda must be packed in your carry-on luggage, not checked baggage, to be counted toward your allowance.
  • Any soda beyond 12 containers will be removed at the gangway security checkpoint before you board.
  • Opened beverages and glass bottles are not permitted under any circumstances.
  • You can purchase unlimited soda onboard through a beverage package or by paying per drink at bars and restaurants.

What Container Types Are Allowed

Your soda must arrive in aluminum cans or plastic bottles—never glass. Glass containers are prohibited entirely on Royal Caribbean ships for safety reasons. If you pack a glass bottle, it will be taken away at security, regardless of whether it counts toward your 12-container limit.

The containers must be sealed and unopened when you pass through the security checkpoint at the port. Once you are in your stateroom, you can open and drink them freely. Some passengers try to pack soda in their checked luggage, but Royal Caribbean crew members do not count beverages from checked bags toward your allowance—only items in your carry-on are tracked.

Where to Pack Your Soda

Put your soda in your carry-on bag or personal item, not in your checked luggage. The security team at the gangway inspects carry-on bags and counts your beverages there. If your soda is in checked luggage, it will not be visible to security, and you will not receive credit for it. This means you could theoretically pack soda in both places, but only the carry-on amount counts toward your limit.

Pack soda strategically to avoid taking up too much cabin space. Twelve cans take up roughly the volume of a small cooler. Many passengers bring six to eight cans instead, leaving room for other items. Once onboard, you can store soda in your cabin refrigerator or in an ice bucket filled with ice from the ice machine on your deck.

Beverage Packages as an Alternative

If you drink soda regularly during your cruise, a beverage package may cost less than buying drinks individually. Royal Caribbean offers several options: the Classic Beverage Package (non-alcoholic drinks, coffee, and juice), the Deluxe Package (adds specialty coffees and smoothies), and the Premium Package (adds alcoholic drinks). Prices vary by cruise length and sailing date, but a week-long cruise typically costs between $60 and $80 per person for the Classic package.

A beverage package covers unlimited soda at all bars, restaurants, and room service. If you are a heavy soda drinker, the package often saves money compared to paying $3 to $5 per can at the bar. However, if you drink only a few sodas per day, bringing your own 12 cans is cheaper. Calculate your expected consumption before you sail to decide which option makes sense for your group.

What Happens at the Security Checkpoint

When you arrive at the port and approach the gangway, security staff will open your carry-on bags and count your beverage containers. They are looking for the total number of cans and bottles, not the brands or types. If you have 12 or fewer, you proceed onboard with them. If you have 13 or more, the excess is removed and discarded—you do not get to keep them or take them back to your car.

The process is quick and routine. Security does not inspect the contents of sealed cans or bottles; they straightforward count them. Have your bags easily accessible so the team can open them without you unpacking everything. If you are unsure whether an item counts as a beverage, ask the security officer before they confiscate it.

Prohibited Beverages and Containers

Do not pack glass bottles, opened containers, or alcohol. Glass is banned for safety—if a bottle breaks in rough seas, the glass could injure passengers or crew. Opened beverages are not permitted because Royal Caribbean cannot verify they are safe to consume. Alcohol is strictly prohibited in carry-on bags; you can purchase alcohol onboard or bring it in checked luggage (with limits that vary by sailing destination).

Energy drinks, sports drinks, and juice boxes count toward your 12-container limit just like soda does. If you want to bring a mix of beverages, the total cannot exceed 12 containers. Powdered drink mixes and bottled water are not restricted—you can bring unlimited water bottles, which is helpful for staying hydrated during sea days.

Tips for Maximizing Your Beverage Allowance

If your stateroom has a mini-refrigerator, use it to keep soda cold. If not, request a refrigerator from housekeeping—most cabins can have one added at no charge. Fill an ice bucket from the ice machine on your deck and nestle cans into it for a makeshift cooler that takes up less space than a full refrigerator.

Bring soda you actually drink. Passengers sometimes pack 12 cans of a flavor they think they will want, only to find they prefer the onboard options or get tired of that taste. Bring six to eight of your favorite flavor and use the remaining allowance for variety or leave room in your bag for other items.

If you are traveling with multiple staterooms, each cabin gets its own 12-container allowance. A family with two connecting rooms can bring up to 24 containers total. Coordinate with your travel group to avoid duplication and to may support everyone's preferences are covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring soda in my checked luggage?

You can pack soda in checked luggage, but it will not count toward your 12-container allowance. Security only counts beverages in your carry-on bags at the gangway. Checked luggage is not inspected for beverages, so technically you could pack unlimited soda there—but it will be in your stateroom only after your bags are delivered, which can take several hours.

What if I bring more than 12 and security finds it?

Any soda over 12 containers will be removed and thrown away. You will not be refunded, and you cannot retrieve the items. There is no appeal or exception process. The best approach is to count your containers carefully before you board and stay within the limit.

Can I bring diet soda or sugar-free drinks?

Yes. Diet soda, zero-sugar drinks, and any other non-alcoholic beverage in a can or plastic bottle counts toward your 12-container limit. The policy does not distinguish between regular and diet versions.

Do I have to declare my soda at security?

No formal declaration is required. Security will see your beverages when they open your carry-on bag and will count them automatically. straightforward have your bags ready to open and let them do their job.

Can I buy soda at the port and bring it onboard?

Yes, as long as the total soda in your carry-on (including what you bought at the port) does not exceed 12 containers. If you purchase soda at the port and already have 10 cans from home, you can only bring two more onboard. Any excess will be confiscated.