Many first time Royal Caribbean guests are surprised by how quickly onboard drink costs can add up. This includes not just alcohol, but also sodas, juices, and specialty coffee drinks. Unless you have loyalty status that includes a few free drinks per day, a drink package can make sense for both convenience and budgeting.
The Deluxe Beverage Package is the most comprehensive option. It includes soda, specialty coffee, energy drinks, smoothies, fresh pressed juices, milkshakes, mocktails, beer, wine, and cocktails, with drinks covered up to a $15 value each. One of the benefits of the package is the freedom to try drinks you might normally skip. If you order something and do not like it, you can simply get something else without worrying about paying twice. While it is still best not to be wasteful, this flexibility is a big perk.
When ordering alcoholic drinks, it helps to ask for premium alcohol. If you do not specify, bartenders typically use well liquor by default.
Royal Caribbean drink package pricing adjusts frequently in the weeks and months leading up to your cruise. You might see one sale advertised as $90 per day at 30% off and another as $100 per day at 35% off. The discount percentage is not what matters. Always look at the final per day price.
The best strategy is to buy the drink package before your cruise and keep checking the price. If it drops, you can cancel and rebook at the lower rate. Prices are almost always higher once you are onboard, so purchasing in advance and watching for price changes is usually the smartest move.
