Royal Caribbean drink package reviews

Royal Caribbean Drink Package Reviews: Is the Upgrade Worth It for Your Cruise? 🍹🚢

Stepping onto a Royal Caribbean ship, you’re immediately immersed in a world of endless possibilities. From thrilling activities to gourmet dining, every detail is designed for enjoyment. But for many cruisers, one question looms large: **”Should I get a Royal Caribbean drink package?”** These packages promise a worry-free way to enjoy your favorite beverages, but they come with a significant cost. Is the convenience worth the price tag? Let’s dive deep into Royal Caribbean’s drink packages, what they include, how much they cost, and help you determine if upgrading is the right choice for your next unforgettable vacation at sea.

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Understanding Royal Caribbean’s Drink Packages: Your Options Explained 🤔

Royal Caribbean offers a tiered system of drink packages, designed to cater to different preferences and consumption habits. It’s crucial to understand what each package covers to make an informed decision.

1. The Deluxe Beverage Package (DBP): The All-Inclusive Drink Experience 🌟

This is Royal Caribbean’s most comprehensive drink package, often referred to as the “ultimate” or “unlimited” option. It’s designed for guests who want to enjoy a wide variety of beverages without worrying about individual costs.

• **Alcoholic Beverages:** Includes virtually all beers 🍺, wines by the glass 🍷 (up to $13-15 value, depending on ship/region), cocktails, frozen drinks 🍹, and spirits (up to $13-15 value). This covers drinks at bars, lounges, dining rooms, and private destinations like CocoCay.
• **Non-Alcoholic Beverages:** Includes premium coffees (latte, cappuccino) ☕, teas, bottled water (sparkling & still), fresh-squeezed juices, fountain sodas (with a Coca-Cola souvenir cup), and mocktails.
• **Discounts:** You typically receive a **20% discount** on bottles of wine, and also on any alcoholic beverage exceeding the package’s per-drink price limit.

2. The Refreshment Package: For Non-Alcoholic Indulgence 🥤

This package is perfect for guests who don’t consume alcohol but still want unlimited access to a wide range of premium non-alcoholic drinks.

• **Beverages Included:** Premium coffees ☕ and teas, bottled water (sparkling & still), fresh-squeezed juices, fountain sodas (with a Coca-Cola souvenir cup), mocktails, and sometimes even a non-alcoholic beer option.
• **Exclusions:** Alcoholic beverages of any kind.

3. The Classic Soda Package: Simple & Sweet 🥤

The most basic and budget-friendly package, designed for soda lovers.

• **Beverages Included:** Unlimited fountain sodas (Coca-Cola products) at any bar or lounge, with a complimentary Coca-Cola souvenir cup.
• **Exclusions:** Bottled water, fresh juices, specialty coffees, mocktails, and all alcoholic beverages.

Keep in mind that tap water, basic iced tea, lemonade, and filter coffee are always complimentary on Royal Caribbean ships, regardless of whether you purchase a drink package.

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Royal Caribbean Drink Package Costs: What to Expect in 2025 💰

The pricing for Royal Caribbean drink packages can vary significantly based on the ship, itinerary, time of year, and promotions. They are sold on a per-person, per-day basis, and you must purchase the package for the entire duration of your cruise.

• **Deluxe Beverage Package (DBP):** Typically ranges from **$63 to $89 per person, per day**, before gratuities.
• **Refreshment Package:** Usually costs between **$29 to $38 per person, per day**, before gratuities.
• **Classic Soda Package:** Generally ranges from **$12.99 to $15 per person, per day**, before gratuities.

Important Note on Gratuities: An 18% gratuity is automatically added to the total cost of the drink package at the time of purchase. So, if a DBP costs $80/day, your actual charge will be $94.40/day.

How to Get the Best Price: Royal Caribbean frequently offers sales on its Cruise Planner website (pre-cruise portal). Prices online are often lower than purchasing onboard. Look for sales during holidays, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or “Wave Season” (January-March). It’s common to see discounts of 10-40% off the onboard price.

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Is a Royal Caribbean Drink Package Worth It? A Detailed Analysis 🤔📊

Deciding if a drink package is “worth it” boils down to your personal drinking habits and financial philosophy. Let’s break down the “break-even” point for the Deluxe Beverage Package, as it’s the most common dilemma.

The Deluxe Beverage Package Break-Even Point:

Assuming an average DBP cost of **$75 per day (before gratuities)** or **$88.50 per day (with 18% gratuity)**, here’s roughly what you’d need to consume daily to justify the cost, based on typical drink prices:

• **Cocktails/Wine/Beer:** Most individual alcoholic drinks on Royal Caribbean range from $10 to $15.
  • If a cocktail is $14, you’d need ~6-7 cocktails per day ($14 x 6 = $84) to break even.
  • If a glass of wine is $12, you’d need ~7-8 glasses per day ($12 x 7 = $84) to break even.
  • If a domestic beer is $8, you’d need ~11 beers per day ($8 x 11 = $88) to break even.
• **Mixed Consumption:** A more realistic scenario involves a mix of drinks. Consider this example daily consumption to break even:
  • 2 Specialty Coffees ($5 each = $10)
  • 3 Bottled Waters ($4 each = $12)
  • 2 Fresh Juices ($6 each = $12)
  • 1 Soda ($4)
  • **3 Cocktails/Wines ($14 each = $42)**
  • **Total Estimated Cost if purchased individually: $80** (close to the package price, before gratuity)

So, generally, if you plan to have **5-7 alcoholic drinks per day (depending on their price)** plus a few premium non-alcoholic beverages, the Deluxe Beverage Package can be worth it. If you drink less than that, paying à la carte might be more cost-effective.

Factors That Make the DBP Worth It: 👍

• **High Daily Consumption:** If you consistently enjoy multiple alcoholic drinks plus specialty coffees, bottled water, and fresh juices every day.
• **Convenience and “Budgeting Peace of Mind”:** You don’t have to worry about the bar tab growing. You just order what you want, when you want it. This mental freedom is a huge draw for many.
• **Voyages to CocoCay:** Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay, honors the drink packages, allowing you to enjoy unlimited beverages there as well. 🌴
• **Dining Room Wine:** If you enjoy wine with lunch and dinner, those glasses quickly add up.
• **Pre-Cruise Discount:** Buying the package during a good Cruise Planner sale significantly lowers the break-even point.

Factors That Make the DBP Less Worth It: 👎

• **Low Daily Consumption:** If you only have 1-2 alcoholic drinks per day, or prefer only water/basic beverages.
• **Port-Intensive Itineraries:** If you spend most of your day ashore on excursions, you’ll have fewer hours onboard to utilize the package.
• **Not a Big Drinker of Premium Non-Alcoholic Drinks:** If you’re happy with tap water, basic coffee, and iced tea, a significant portion of the DBP’s value from specialty non-alcoholic drinks is lost.
• **Minimum Age Requirement (21+ in North America):** All adults in a stateroom aged 21+ (or 18+ on cruises from non-North American ports) *must* purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package if one person in the cabin buys it. This “all-or-nothing” rule can make it not worth it if one adult drinks significantly less than the other.
• **Kids/Teens in Cabin:** While children are not required to buy the DBP, they will need a Refreshment or Soda package if the adults have the DBP.

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Tips for Maximizing Value & Deciding for You ✅

• **Track Your Habits:** Before your cruise, honestly assess how many drinks you typically consume daily, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
• **Pre-Purchase on Sale:** Always check the Cruise Planner! Discounts can make a substantial difference. You can purchase and cancel/re-purchase if the price drops further.
• **Consider the Refreshment Package:** If you don’t drink alcohol, or only occasionally, the Refreshment Package offers great value for premium non-alcoholic options.
• **Calculate for Your Party:** If the “all-or-nothing” rule applies (all 21+ adults in a cabin must buy DBP), calculate the combined daily cost for everyone and assess if the total consumption justifies it.
• **Mix and Match (If Allowed):** Sometimes, if there’s a valid reason (e.g., medical), Royal Caribbean *might* allow one adult to purchase the Refreshment Package while the other buys the DBP, but this is rare and needs prior arrangement.
• **Use All Included Perks:** Remember to utilize the bottled water, specialty coffees, and fresh juices throughout the day to boost your value.
• **Understand the Gratuities:** Factor in the automatic 18% gratuity when calculating your daily break-even point.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Royal Caribbean Drink Packages ❓

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Conclusion: Crunch the Numbers, Then Enjoy the Freedom! 🌟

Royal Caribbean drink packages offer ultimate convenience and peace of mind, freeing you from worrying about the ever-growing bar tab. However, the value is highly personal. Take an honest look at your drinking habits, factor in the “all-or-nothing” rule for your stateroom, and consider whether the freedom of unlimited beverages outweighs the upfront cost. For many, especially those who enjoy a variety of drinks throughout the day, the **Deluxe Beverage Package** can significantly enhance the cruise experience. For others, paying à la carte remains the more economical choice. Whichever path you choose, Royal Caribbean promises a fantastic voyage! Happy cruising! 🚢🍹✨