What Royal Caribbean drink packages cost

Royal Caribbean offers three main drink packages, and the price depends on the length of your cruise and when you book. The Beverage Package (the standard option) costs between $15 and $18 per person per day for cruises of seven days or longer, and slightly more for shorter voyages. The Deluxe Beverage Package runs $20 to $25 per person per day. The Premium Beverage Package costs $25 to $30 per person per day. Prices are lower if you buy before your cruise than if you buy onboard, sometimes by $3 to $5 per day.

These are per-person, per-day costs, so a family of four on a seven-day cruise buying the standard package might spend $420 to $504 total. Prices shift based on the ship, the sailing date, and how far in advance you purchase. Royal Caribbean does not publish a fixed price list — you see your specific price when you log into your account or call the cruise line directly.

Key Takeaways

  • The standard Beverage Package costs $15 to $18 per person per day and covers beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, and coffee.
  • The Deluxe package adds specialty drinks and premium spirits for $20 to $25 per person per day.
  • The Premium package includes top-shelf liquor and specialty cocktails for $25 to $30 per person per day.
  • Booking before your cruise saves $3 to $5 per person per day compared to buying onboard.
  • You can buy packages for some passengers but not others in your group, and you can cancel within a set window before your sailing.

What each package covers

The Beverage Package includes beer (domestic and imported), house wine, well spirits, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and juice. It does not cover premium or top-shelf liquor, specialty cocktails made with premium ingredients, or drinks from the specialty coffee bar (like lattes). Bottled water is not included unless you buy the water add-on separately.

The Deluxe Beverage Package adds specialty cocktails, premium wines, and premium spirits to everything in the standard package. It still excludes the very top shelf (like Grey Goose or Patrón) and the specialty coffee bar drinks.

The Premium Beverage Package covers everything: top-shelf liquor, all specialty cocktails, premium wines, and drinks from the specialty coffee bar. The only exclusions are bottled water (separate charge) and drinks sold in the casino or at special events like wine tastings.

How to buy a drink package

You can buy a package through your Royal Caribbean account online, by phone, or onboard at the bar. Online and phone purchases happen before your cruise and lock in the lower pre-cruise price. If you wait until you board, you pay the higher onboard rate.

You do not have to buy a package for everyone in your cabin. You can add it for one person, two people, or all of them. If you change your mind, Royal Caribbean allows cancellations up to a certain number of days before your sailing (usually five to seven days, depending on your fare type). After that window closes, you cannot cancel, though you can still purchase onboard if you decide to add one during the cruise.

When a drink package makes financial sense

A drink package saves money if you plan to order multiple drinks per day. On a seven-day cruise, the standard package at $17 per day costs $119 total. If you order four drinks per day at $8 to $12 each (typical bar prices), you spend $224 to $336 without a package. The package pays for itself in about three days of moderate drinking.

If you drink only one or two drinks per day, or if you prefer non-alcoholic beverages, you may spend less by paying as you go. Soft drinks, coffee, and water are cheaper per drink when purchased individually than when bundled into a package. Some passengers also bring their own bottled water and refill bottles at the cabin, which costs nothing.

Gratuity and taxes on drink packages

The price quoted for a drink package does not include gratuity (tip). Royal Caribbean automatically adds 18 percent gratuity to the package cost. So a $17-per-day package actually costs about $20 per day after gratuity is added. Taxes vary by the ship's registry and the ports visited, but they are usually included in the quoted price or added at checkout.

If you buy onboard, you pay the full price plus gratuity plus any applicable taxes in one transaction. If you buy before your cruise, gratuity is often added to your onboard account and charged to your payment method at the end of the trip.

Specialty packages and add-ons

Royal Caribbean also sells a Soda Package for passengers who do not drink alcohol. This costs roughly $8 to $10 per person per day and covers unlimited soft drinks, coffee, tea, and juice. It is cheaper than the alcohol packages but still more expensive than buying drinks individually if you only order one or two per day.

You can also buy a Bottled Water Package for around $2 to $3 per person per day, which covers a set number of bottled waters. Some passengers skip this and refill reusable bottles at the cabin or water fountains, which is free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a drink package for just part of my cruise?

No. Royal Caribbean sells packages by the full cruise length only. You cannot buy a package for three days of a seven-day sailing. If you want drinks for only part of the trip, paying per drink is your only option.

Do drink packages work at all the bars and restaurants on the ship?

Packages work at most bars, the main dining room, and casual dining venues. They do not work at specialty restaurants (like steakhouses or Italian restaurants that charge a cover fee), in the casino, or at some poolside bars during special events. Check your onboard materials or ask at the bar if you are unsure.

What happens if I buy a package and do not use it?

Unused portions do not roll over or refund. If you buy a package for seven days and use it for only four days, you lose the remaining three days of value. This is why some passengers wait to see how much they drink before committing to a package.

Are there discounts if I buy a package for multiple people?

Royal Caribbean does not offer group discounts on drink packages. The per-day price is the same whether you buy for one person or ten. However, booking early for your whole group locks in the pre-cruise price for everyone.

Can I upgrade from the standard package to the Premium package during my cruise?

Yes. You can upgrade onboard by paying the difference between what you already paid and the higher package price. The difference is calculated for the remaining days of your cruise, not the full week.