Understanding Royal Caribbean's Drink Package Structure
Royal Caribbean offers several different drink package options for cruise passengers, each with varying price points and included beverages. The drink packages represent a way for cruisers to pre-pay for beverages rather than purchasing drinks individually during their voyage. Understanding what each package includes helps passengers make informed decisions about which option, if any, might work for their cruise plans.
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The primary drink packages offered by Royal Caribbean include the Deluxe Beverage Package, the Premium Beverage Package, the Refreshment Package, and various specialty packages. Each tier includes different categories of beverages, from soft drinks and coffee to alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, and spirits. Royal Caribbean also offers a non-alcoholic Refreshment Package for passengers who prefer non-alcoholic options or who are traveling with children.
Pricing for these packages varies based on several factors. The length of your cruise, the ship you're sailing on, and when you purchase the package all affect the final cost. Packages purchased before your cruise typically cost less per day than purchasing them onboard. A seven-day cruise package, for example, will cost more in total than a three-day cruise, but the per-day rate is generally more affordable when purchased in advance.
The drink packages function on a daily basis, meaning you pay per night of your cruise. So a five-night cruise with the Deluxe Package would cover five days of beverage service. It's worth noting that gratuities (tips for service staff) are not automatically included in most drink packages and are typically charged separately, though some promotions may bundle gratuities together.
Practical Takeaway: Before selecting a drink package, list the types of beverages you typically consume during a day. Then compare that list against what each package tier includes. This comparison helps determine whether purchasing a package makes financial sense compared to buying drinks individually.
The Deluxe Beverage Package Explained
The Deluxe Beverage Package represents Royal Caribbean's mid-tier drink option and includes a broad selection of beverages without reaching the highest price point. This package typically includes all soft drinks, juices, coffee, tea, and most alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and well spirits. The package covers beverages ordered at bars, restaurants, and through room service throughout the ship, with some exceptions for premium brands and specialty items.
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One key aspect of the Deluxe Package is what it does not include. Premium spirits like top-shelf vodka, rum, or whiskey are not covered. Bottles of wine purchased for your cabin are not included. Certain specialty coffees, smoothies made with premium ingredients, and bottled beverages purchased from retail shops on the ship fall outside the package coverage. Room service beverages ordered from your stateroom also have limitations, though basic coffee and tea typically remain covered.
Daily pricing for the Deluxe Package fluctuates throughout the year. During peak travel seasons like summer and holidays, per-day costs run higher than during off-season cruises. Advance purchase discounts generally apply, with prices typically ranging from $14 to $16 per person per day when purchased before your cruise. Onboard purchases cost significantly more, sometimes $18 to $20 per person per day or higher.
The Deluxe Package works well for passengers who enjoy a variety of beverages throughout the day—multiple coffee runs in the morning, cocktails at lunch, and drinks with dinner. Passengers with this package can order beverages without tracking consumption or worrying about individual drink costs. The package also applies to both adults and children in your party, so families with multiple members see value across several passengers.
Real examples help illustrate value. A family of four on a seven-day cruise purchasing the Deluxe Package in advance might pay approximately $400 to $450 total (four people × seven days × $14-16 per day). If that family averages three drinks per person per day, and individual drinks cost $7 to $12 each, they would spend roughly $588 to $1,008 on beverages without the package. This shows how the package can produce savings for moderate to heavy drinkers.
Practical Takeaway: Calculate your expected daily beverage consumption and multiply it by the per-drink cost ($7-12) to estimate what you'd spend without a package. Compare that figure to the package cost to determine if purchasing makes financial sense for your situation.
Premium Beverage Package and Top-Shelf Options
The Premium Beverage Package represents Royal Caribbean's highest-tier drink option and includes everything in the Deluxe Package plus premium and top-shelf spirits. This package covers high-end brands of vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, tequila, and other spirits. Premium wines and champagnes are also included, along with specialty cocktails that may use premium ingredients. For passengers who prefer higher-quality spirits or specific premium brands, this package eliminates the surcharge typically added to premium drinks.
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Premium Package pricing reflects its expanded coverage. Per-day costs typically range from $20 to $28 per person per day when purchased in advance, and considerably more when purchased onboard. For a couple on a seven-day cruise, advance purchase might total $280 to $392 (two people × seven days × $20-28). This represents roughly double the cost of the Deluxe Package, though the added expense covers premium spirits and specialty beverages not available under the Deluxe tier.
The Premium Package still maintains certain exclusions. Bottles of wine purchased for your cabin, retail shop beverages, and some ultra-premium or rare spirits may fall outside coverage. Gratuities remain separate unless included in a promotional offer. Late-night room service beverages and certain premium coffee preparations might carry additional charges, though the parameters vary by ship.
Passengers who benefit most from this package include those who regularly order premium spirits, wine enthusiasts who enjoy multiple wine tastings daily, and passengers who want flexibility without monitoring their spending. Business travelers and special occasion celebrants sometimes choose this tier to ensure premium options remain available throughout their cruise without additional charges interrupting their experience.
A practical comparison: A passenger ordering four premium cocktails daily at $14 each ($56 per day) plus wine with dinner ($15 per day) spends approximately $71 daily on beverages. Over seven days, that totals about $497. The Premium Package at $24 per day would cost approximately $168 for the same seven-day period, potentially generating $329 in savings if that consumption pattern continues throughout the cruise.
Practical Takeaway: If you regularly order premium spirits or enjoy wine, calculate daily premium beverage spending to compare against Premium Package pricing. The package typically saves money only if you consume a significant quantity of premium items daily.
The Refreshment Package and Non-Alcoholic Options
Royal Caribbean's Refreshment Package serves passengers who prefer non-alcoholic beverages or who want to limit alcohol consumption during their cruise. This package includes all non-alcoholic beverages: juices, soft drinks, coffee, tea, bottled water, specialty coffees, smoothies, and other non-alcohol options available throughout the ship. The Refreshment Package does not include any alcoholic beverages, making it distinct from the Deluxe and Premium packages.
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The Refreshment Package carries significantly lower pricing than alcohol-inclusive packages, typically ranging from $9 to $12 per person per day when purchased in advance. This lower cost reflects the reduced scope of covered beverages. For families with children, the Refreshment Package can represent an economical choice, as children often consume multiple juices, sodas, and specialty drinks throughout the day. A family with two children on a seven-day cruise might spend approximately $252 to $336 (two children × seven days × $9-12) for unlimited non-alcoholic beverages.
The Refreshment Package removes the concern about constantly purchasing soft drinks and juices at individual rates. Specialty items like premium coffees, fresh-squeezed juices, and smoothies normally cost $5 to $8 each when purchased outside a package structure. Passengers ordering three to four non-alcoholic specialty beverages daily recoup the package cost quickly. A passenger ordering four specialty coffees at $6 each ($24 daily) over seven days spends $168, while the Refreshment Package for the same period costs roughly $63 to $84.
Some passengers combine the Refreshment Package with à la carte alcoholic beverage purchases. This hybrid approach makes sense for passengers who drink occasionally but want unlimited