Royal Caribbean Drink Package Guide for 2024 cruises 

I normally prepay gratuities, excursions, flight tickets, the cruise itself, and the ultimate deluxe drink package all at least three months before my cruise starts. There is no better feeling, imo, then going on the vacation knowing that you can have anything you want and have all this fun stuff to do, and not worry about cost for an entire week. Even If I don't "break" even on my package, it simply doesn't matter with the peace of mind that I have knowing if i want it I can have it.

I save about $60 by buying the Refreshment Package and paying at the bar for 2 drinks per day. Since I know I won't be drinking more than 2 alcoholic beverages per day, this works for me. With the refreshment package I can get lots of mocktails, waters, etc.

Another benefit of the refreshment and the deluxe beverage package that not many talk about is that, at least on the Wonder, the drinks at the cafe in the Vitality Spa are included in your package. There is a good selection of smoothies, fresh fruit squeezed right there, Gatorade bottles, Red Bull, etc. They also have protein powder available, and you can add those to your drinks. You can also make a concoction of whatever is right in front of you. My partner and I are avid gymmers, so we would use the gym, grab a protein smoothie (usually chocolate protein with banana and orange), and walk the track. It was a great added bonus to our drink package that we were not expecting and do not hear about it in reviews.

Thank you so much for all your detailed information. This is such a Great Help for my first Cruise. 😊

Always worth it for me :) I love getting the drinks package on a cruise and being able to try new drinks and cocktails I normally wouldn't.

If drink packages were just a SMIDGE lower, or revised their packages, then I’d consider purchasing. Recently went on a 4 night on Independence and the cruise planner (months ahead) prices reflected $425 pp ! On the ship it increased to $500. To put this into perspective, we paid $400 pp for our sailing. To us, it seemed like we were paying for an extra trip. RC should explore an alcoholic beverage package with a cap of 3-4 drinks per day. That would likely attract more passengers to pay.

I'm going on a cruise in June, this information helped me greatly. Thank you.

Good to know all this, confirms it's free water and lemonade for me all the way!

My friend and I have one booked for our Oasis 7 night Med sailing in May 2024. We're from the UK and got it for £64 (around $81) per person, per day during the Black Friday sale. For us it's convenience, but also, we know our drinking habits. A couple of specialty coffees in the morning, some bottled waters to take ashore, a couple of pre-dinner drinks, wine with dinner and then a drink or 2 in the evening - it makes sense for us. He's never cruised before and wanted as much paid for upfront as possible so we could just relax and go with the flow once we board.

Listening right now on the TV to your New Year's Day live. Enjoy your content so much. You might be my favorite. You really make me want to cruise with RCL. I'm glad I watched this video the other day. When you said if you only drink beer you probably don't need a drink package. That hit the nail on the head. My first and only cruise was with NCL Escape which included the drink package. So I made use of it but didn't abuse it. Had a pina colada at the pool usually once a day. Some kahlua and cream . And one Sambucca but I really only need a few beers. Planning on doing that a la carte on FOS in June.

I'm part of the convenience crew! Not having to sign for every drink is great and if you go to the same bar often they won't even ask for your room number!

I bought deluxe drink package for us for December! The convenience of not worrying about it on the ship is worth it for me!

I'm getting the drink package so I can try all the things without worrying that I might not like it. That is very true with me, with coffee. I only just started to drink coffee and the non-Starbucks coffees are on the package. I also drink a lot of juices and love mixed juice for breakfast.

Purchased the drink package on my last 5 night cruise and I’m planning on doing so again for my 7 night cruise next year! I watched the prices frequently and was able to get our package for around $63 a day on our last cruise. We mostly drank cocktails, which were generally $15 if bought a la carte. On sea days, drinking 4 cocktails throughout the whole day was not difficult at all for us! I love the convenience of it, and I love being able to try different drinks without worrying if I will like it or not. If I didn’t like it, I could easily just leave it at the bar and order something different! Totally agree with the budgeting aspect as well. It gave me a lot of peace of mind having everything booked and paid for prior to the cruise so I didn’t have to give money a second thought on my vacation!

I don't drink alcohol, but love a good cup of tea, mocktails, a glass of milk at night, lemon lime and bitters (yes I know Angostura bitters have alcohol, but so little as to not matter), and a bottle of water for shore tours. So it's a refreshment package for me. Not only is it convenient, but being in Australia, and prepurchasing, I can pay for it in AUD instead of paying USD when on board.

Going on my first cruise for my 30th birthday in march. Getting the package was a no brainer due to convenience of being able to try different drinks and having the ability to not worry about signing anything.

I loved the drink package. It allowed me to taste different drinks that I've always been interested in, but wasn't sure I would like. If I didn't like it, I just got something else. I've been checking the app everyday to see when the drink package becomes available to purchase it for our next cruise, lol.

i love their soda package such good value and is so convenient

I purchased the premium package for 4 of us in 2022 and will again for our next cruise in 2024. I think it's an easier option than worrying about paying later. It can be hard to try to 'get your money's worth' if that bothers you on days off the boat or if you just don't feel like a drink. We did not regret buying the full package ahead of time and I did not sit around waiting for the price change much, but did rebook once to save a few bucks. Either way it was very easy and helpful to have it all taken care of and not have to worry about up charges later IMO

Great video again Matt!!! You should do a video like this for the dining packages

done 4 cruises, 3 of them I did deluxe and regretted not doing it the 4th time. and you're right Matt, the magic number to "break even" is 6 cocktails but because the package is so encompassing you don't really need to just drink cocktails. the convenience factor of A: hand server card B: receive drink and card. C: DRINK with no paperwork is marvelous.

I'm ok with the Refreshment package... the mocktails are delicious and if I want an alcoholic drink I'll just buy it but maybe will have one a day (if that).

For every Royal Caribbean cruise, we have chosen a deluxe drinking package and we will continue to do so... it makes things a little easier + an easy way to test new drinks. 😁

Just got off a 7 day Western Caribbean on Harmony and after doing the math, the drink package had paid for itself after 2 days. Granted, my wife and I started our days with Fresh Squeezed OJ Mimosas at the Wind Jammer in the morning and had drinks in our hands pretty much all day until a night cap at Boleros on a regular basis during our trip. But if you are a heavy drinker, $14 per drink adds up real quick and that was the price almost universally for cocktails ($12 for the drink of the day).

I’m going on a 7 night European cruise and decided to do the drink package. It was definitely pricey but I think it will be convenient and save money. Plus I love being able to try everything without worrying about the price.

I have sailed Royal twice and never bothered to book a drink package as the complimentary drinks were good enough for me. Both cruises were 9-night port-intensive so I thought it would no be worth paying extra for drinks I would not have time to enjoy. But my next cruise will be 4-night on board Liberty of the Seas featuring one sea day and one day at Cococay, so I decided to try it. Booked the refreshment package for US$ 24 during black friday. I will become diamond in february and because of that I doubt I will ever book a drink package again.

I'm going in early March of 2023. I'm so excited, will be my first cruise. I think I'm going to get the basic drink package. I'm not a huge drinker when it comes to alcohol. So it makes since for me to get the basic drink package and pay for alcohol separately, (which i probably won't be drinking a whole lot of)

One reason I like having the drink package is it makes it easier for me to try new/different drinks - if I don't like it, oh well, leave it and get something else. Or if a drink is just poorly made, oh well, just get another. Whereas if I was paying by the drink I would make "safer" choices. Obviously I still want to at least come close to breaking even, but this aspect makes it feel a bit more "vacationy" to me

Thanks for all of your videos Matt! All of them are very informative👍 My brother’s family and my family are going on the Adventure of the Seas later this month (July ‘24) and this is my first time on RC. I’ve sailed 6 other times on Disney and my brother sailed a bunch on Disney as well but he sailed on RC last year and enjoyed it and recommended RC to me so I booked RC! So while I was on the Disney cruises I was able to bring a 12 pack of beer on the ship (6 cans per person) and since my wife doesn’t drink alcohol I enjoyed the 12 pack and stored them in my mini fridge in my stateroom. I always enjoyed a few beers on my balcony while everyone was getting ready for dinner! Now I just purchased the unlimited drink package for myself and was able to talk to RC and told them that my wife doesn’t drink alcohol and they let her just purchase the refreshment package 👍. Nice of RC to allow this and have us save $47/day otherwise it would have been a waste of $! So my question to you is since I now have the drink package I would like to stock my stateroom fridge (preferably 6 beers) so I can enjoy them in the evenings on my balcony 👍 What would you recommend I do to stock a few beers in my stateroom fridge? I’ve read that they only give 1 drink per person at a time that have the drink package. It would be nice to get a bucket of beers and take them back to my stateroom to put in my fridge. I’m assuming I’ll have to hop around different bars collect a few beers then take them back to my stateroom in which I’m ok with doing that, just thought maybe you knew a better way since your the RC guru! 👍 Also can I get the beers at the bar unopened? Or do they automatically open them when I get them at the bar? Thanks in advance and keep on recording great content videos 👍

Already booked ours! $69 on Anthem. Can’t wait to get my first drink when we get on!

My husband and I are going on a cruise to Japan for his 60th Birthday. We don’t drink very often so we can do without. We’re getting the refreshment package then each buy a drink for his birthday dinner.

We buy it ever time we cruise 🚢. Always feel like we get our money’s 💰 worth. Cheers 🍻 to 2024

I love the fact that Royal will work with us on drink packages. My wife is on medication and cannot drink alcohol. Royal will allow me to get the deluxe and her to get the refreshment package. Others, like carnival, won't even consider it. What i dont like is the dynamic pricing that Royal uses! Why is alcohol more expensive on one of the new/large ships, than it is on one of the old/small ships! Why can it not be standardized? I like getting the drink package for the convenience, but have passed on a couple of cruises, because of the inflated cost.

Already bought canceled and. Re- bought twice for a better price. Expensive but probably worth it. Also saved almost $150 watching the prices. 😊

Yes the drink package is the way to go 🎉🎉🎉

GREAT INFO!! LOVE THE CHANNEL!!

I just came off of icon on May 4 all I could’ve think about was drinks I regretted not getting the package I won’t miss it again!

We decided to go for the refreshment package for our Alaskan cruise.

Right now the package for the cruise I've booked for this summer is $79.99. I'm fine with drinking lemonade from the Wind Jammer, water from the bar (put it in the TermoFlask), and I couldn't care less about specialty coffee. Maybe I'd be interested in the smoothies from Vitality, but that's a stretch. So basically, the only thing I'd be interested in would be the booze. Point being, I'd have to drink a minimum for 5 cocktails daily to break even, and that's assuming I'm buying the $15 dollar drinks each time. At my age, I'm not sure that I'm still capable of subjugating my body to that much drinking over the course of 7 days.

Matt, love your videos, thank you! My husband and two boys recently went on Harmony to the Caribbean and we purchased 2drink packages and 3 refreshment packages. Totally worth it! Not having to worry about prices and how much we have consumed provided us with no stress. We drink a lot of water on land and being on the Caribbean we increased making it about 6 water bottles per person, my husband and had on average 4 drinks. Some nights more than 4 since we ventured into trying other cocktails and if we didn’t like them we ordered something we did like. Every morning I had a specialty coffee and they had freshly squeezed orange juice. They also got a smoothie every morning after working out. We all got milkshakes every evening. Totally worth getting it!

We have been 4 Royal cruises now and have never purchased a drink package. We drink what we want and each time we have paid less going AlaCarte.

I appreciate these videos! I've never cared about soda, or non-alcoholic specialty drinks. Unfortunately they don't have just and alcohol drink package, which is a bummer.

I’m glad we don’t drink alcohol anymore. For our upcoming cruise I plan on getting the refresh packages for us, my husband might only want the soda.

The package dropped for seniors on the wonder sailing for February 5th- 18th. Started at $83 then $77 and now it's $67 I've redone it 3 times now.

For going on the Icon in a few months, we want to be able to try as many of the new drinks as we can so we will be getting the package! We cut loose on cruises, but we space the drinks out throughout the day. A few in the early afternoon, a few in the evening and a few at night and it’s easy to get to 6 drinks or more and not be sloshed out of your mind all the time. Add in plenty of water and snacks/meals and it’s a great time for us.

The last 3 days of our cruise on Vision of the seas was a $99 card for 10 drinks. My girlfriend and I used that to enjoy a few drinks. Normally we drink 1-2 a day on cruise but this card worked for us. We will make diamond on the next cruise so that will go away for us, because we will get 4 drinks a day for the cruise.

Purchased the soda packages based on this video, then found out AFTER we got on Liberty of the Seas (March 2024) that this boat does NOT have the self-serve soda machines. Very frustrating! I have definitely drank less than I would have because I now have to wait in long lines behind everyone ordering mixed drinks at the bars just to get my soda. I will definitely do more research before buying the soda package again.

We buy the DBP every time. 100% worth the convenience, if you can drink 6 drinks a day that is, plus coffee and bottled water and smoothies and everything else. No brainer in my book.

I do like the convenience and not having a big bill at the end of the cruise. However, going on my first Royal cruise since 2019 this summer and the sticker shock of the drink package has me rethinking getting it this time!

If you can figure out if you can make the refreshment work for you, subtelract that price frome the deluxe package price. Divide the difference by the price of your usual drink. That's how much alcohol you need to drink each day to break even. My number is 2 or 3 per day.

The drinks being unlimited for the alcohol is one reason why we stick with Royal Carribean. I understand the 15 drink limit at carnival, and I would say that's a lot of drinks for most people, especially as you can have those drinks be really strong if you like. But I love having all the tropical slushy style beverages, which have a very, very low alcohol content and contain, naturally due to the slushie nature, a ton of water. This makes the drinks not only extremely refreshing, but you're also hydrating while drinking alcohol - something that when you're doing tons of walking per usual on a cruise and enjoying the sun, is vital. You want to stay hydrated, and staying hydrated also gets rid of the chance of hangovers. I definitely was consuming on my last cruise two years ago, more than 15 of these drinks in a day. Did I ever get to buzzing? Sure, but it was never out of control, and I never had a hangover and it just made for an extremely enjoyable trip. Not everyone of course even with these lighter drinks, can handle that amount, so you need to understand your own limits or you could waste a lot of money. For me, this makes Royal Carribean's unlimited Deluxe package a no brainer because those slushie drinks can run $15 to $20 a pop on their own. I have around 20 per day, which can be about $400 worth of drinks per day. Naturally, I would not be having that many drinks if I was drinking heavier, non watered down beverages. But I found that I really enjoy these style of drinks on a cruise as it's not normally what I drink at home and they work so damn well in a tropical setting.

For a 5-7 night cruise I’ll get the deluxe package. Frozen style drink and a bottle water every 45 minutes or so during the day. Then a couple fancy cocktails in the evening. For just a weekend cruise, I can have water and coffee like I do at home.

I LOVE the drink package. Keeps the shakes at bay.

We just returned from a Western Caribbean cruise on the Mariner of the Seas. I was very disappointed that I spent $850 for my wife and I on the delux drink package. The drinks were absolutely watered down. I am not a heavy drinker, with two drinks giving me a buzz. I had four cocktails on boarding day and nothing happened other than getting bloated. I did not go on the cruise to get drunk, nor did I buy the package for that. But one expects that part of the experience of having drinks is to feel the experience. My brother in law had the same experience, along with others I spoke with. Royal Caribbean needs to do something about that. $850 for a drink package for 5 night cruise for two people is crazy expensive and to get ripped off on drinks is unconscionable. And if they're trying to keep younger people from super over-indulging, come up with another way of dealing with it.

On our first cruise we regretted not getting it because we ended up having less fun stressing over money. For our next cruise we prepaid, we might end up paying too much, but at least we don't have to worry about the money.

Love that I’ll get unlimited shakes at Johnny Rockets on Adventure of the Seas this year

Very pro drink package. Buy it for every cruise.

I brought the refreshment package for my family and I.

When are they going stop forcing both people to buy the same drink package. My boyfriend doesn't drink but I like a few cocktails or wine. I.m not the only one! Come on!!

I like the refreshment package because if I was paying per drink, I would either not get the drinks or not enjoy paying 8 to 15 dollars a drink when I did get it. That way, I paid for it up front, and I dont think about cost. I just get a drink any time I feel like it. Also, when you get off the ship I always stop by the drink cart and grab some bottled water, powerade, and energy drinks while I am ashore which is included when I was on Allure.

My favorite is getting the refresher package and using my free drinks (diamond plus) for alcohol. The last couple of sailing the refresher package did not go on sale so I got the coffee card and water that was on sale. Worked great for me.

First time cruise coming up. Going with the refreshment package because unlimited coffee, juice, soda, and water are already "treats" to me. I would need to drink 4+ alcoholic drinks to make the ultimate drink package worth it.. and I could do that 1 night, but not 4 days in a row. My perspective is purchasing the ultimate drink package would make me feel like I had to drink, and that's the opposite vibe of what I'm wanting on vacation.

Thanks!

We’re cruising to New England and Canada in September and we opted for the Refreshment Package over the Deluxe drink package which we usually get when we do Caribbean cruises. With so many port days on this cruise, we felt we would not be on the ship enough to benefit much from the drink package. The refreshment package provides the essentials and if we want to add a drink or two on top of that, it’s cheaper to pay for the drinks separately. Also, we can always order a shot with one of the mock cocktails in the refreshment package if we want to have an alcoholic beverage.

A friend of mine just returned from a cruise on odyssey of the seas a month ago and said that every day they made announcements offering a discounted drink package. And each day was cheaper then the last

My cruise on Grandeur of the Seas, I got a soda package and put $300 onboard credit for drinks. I barely used it. If I was to get the deluxe package, would've cost 1000 for two people. 6 night cruise

I think the main thing you’re going to need if you buy the drink package is a dialysis machine package. Or a liver transplant package.

It depends on the person -- or people since everyone in the cabin must get it if you want it. If you only drink 4-6 drinks per day the deluxe package isn't going to make sense. Personally, I can put away over a dozen per day and the 40% wine discount can save me $30-40 per day since I like a decent bottle with dinner. If I pay $130 per day for two people it actually works out pretty well for us since it also covers my coffees and other beverages. Plus, as others have pointed out, the bartenders tend to know who has it pretty quickly, so you get in and out with your drink quicker and easier -- especially if throw a few bills down now and then.

Could you do a guide to Royal’s mocktails?

I'll admit. I used to get the soda package on my first few cruises. But it's a little too much now. And when I hit the Diamond (soon to be Diamond Plus) I found myself rarely drinking the soda and using my free drink vouchers for something else.

Deluxe beverage is awesome you have no worries about nothing. You get water, specialty coffe, sodas, cocktails, beers, wine and all types of alcohol

I’m debating about getting a drink package. Probably getting the soda package . Going in June to Bahamas and Florida. Never done it before. Last year ended up buying more soda than usual and was thinking this was more economical.

So a question about the Soda Package, do you have to fill up your soda cup before dining in the main dining room or will they bring you a glass with soda?

😂 Matt, love your blog! Yes I am going to buy a drink package cuz.... I like the carefree feeling of not having a big tab at the end of the sailing. Peace of mind. Just sayin. Besides @ 14$ a drink thats about 4 and a half drinks a day. Again just ssyin

I decided to get the refreshment package for me and my daughter. Sailing July 5th 2024, symphony of seas, 7 nights @ &29.99 first time ever cruising so we are going to enjoy will I make even who knows/ who cares. I’ll see after 🎉. It’s a celebration she turns 18 and high school graduation.

I am going on a wedding cruise to Cozumel this February, and my daughter and son-in-law have a cabin to themselves, while I will be sharing a cabin with a wedding guest, whom I am not familiar with. I did not choose the deluxe package because I don’t know if my cabin mate is going to want one either. I was wondering if my daughter buys a bottle of wine for dinner, would I be able to drink some of it as well, not having the deluxe package?

Got my unlimited drink package, oh yeah!

It seems like when I buy the refreshment package at lets say 29 per per (20% off) day ahead of time on my cruise planner (8 Months out). It shows I have i already paid , and the price never goes down once i bough it. I've tested this with many other couples that traveling with us, Where on their cruise planner its 35 % off on the refreshment package but my still shows what I already paid this i don't get (it show already RESEVERED). I've never seen anything lower once it's paid for.

Thanks Matt my wife and I are headed out on Royal Caribbean in December for a 7 day. She cannot drink alcohol due to meds she is on. So I don’t know how that will work out for us

It's the only way to go, Deluxe Drink Package is really nice when you book around Christmas, also in January., best sales for the Package. Believe me

I’m going on Liberty next month and I’m thinking about getting it. My other guest doesn’t drink soda or alcohol so will I still benefit from it?

On ultimaaate world cruise, so hav delux drink package, serenade only has coke wish ther wer more options!

I had one on harmony in December of 23 and tried new drinks and made my moneys worth Averaging 16 drinks a day 😅

I never cruise without the drink package. Im waiting for Icon to go to 35% or 40 its at 30% now which is good....

I wish there was a “special price” for Diamond or above members on the Deluxe Beverage Package because we would use it much less because of the Diamond drinks. I love the four free drinks, don’t get me wrong, but the four a day just isn’t enough not to need to purchase additional drinks. I like to have special coffee and sodas too, but adding on the individual packages for those or the Refreshment Package just isn’t cost effective when you add up the total because I like to have more alcoholic drinks too. I’ve tried all of the packages except the coffee package and just purchasing additional drinks in addition to my four Diamond drinks but still would have preferred the Deluxe Package, but can’t see paying for it with the four free. Would love to see the package of X$ for 10 drinks or something like that on every ship. Reminder, if you purchase the deluxe beverage package and you get free drinks with your Diamond or higher level you can give them away to friends unlike drink package drinks that are for you only.

I like the Silversea drink package...

When discussing the cost analysis to decide if the cost is worth it, people only consider the cost of alcohol. If you drink a couple sodas and a few bottles of water a day the package pays for itself after maybe 3 alcoholic drinks. I knew I wanted soda and bottled water and at the time I bought my package, the deluxe was only $25 more than the mid-tier package that's the cost of one mixed drink and a beer

Have usually gotten a drink package, but have booked a 3 night cruise, so wondering how those usually run because have never done one and it's not until 2025. Any help would be appreciated since it's not available yet.

If two in a cabin, can one order deluxe package and the other order refreshment package, Do the package have to be the same?

ROFL. that line: [Royal Caribbean wouldn't offer packages if they didn't save people money] is hilarious. I've got a bridge to sell you. it's only slightly used, but it'a great deal.

It would be really nice if you could reuse your cups on other cruises. Maybe just have a sticker for each cruise. This would save us from having many cups and eventually putting them in the trash.

QUESTION??? Is there any special holiday they usually drop the prices we should be watching for?

I want to do the beach club. But holy moly, is it high! I think i pd $150 in 2022. I hope it goes down in the new year. Do u think it will go down? My sailing will be in May. I think its not fair we are charged a gratuity for the soda package.

I had a Long Island Iced Tea and did’t feel the alcohol. I def should have. Is their alcohol watered down?

Does anyone know if there is a time they serve alcohol? I've heard they stop serving around 11pm on Carnival, I've never been, but want to know if it is similar on Royal Caribbean. Thank you.

Is there a special cup for the drink package fountain drinks?

Are you saying that Both adults may NOT HAVE to both the deluxe drink package if the other adults gets another one of the lower drink packages??

Can you do the same price trick with water park tickets?

Is Bailey's Irish Cream part of the deluxe drink package?

Do they let you buy multiple drinks at a time? Say I wanted to order 2 specialty coffees and my family member was not with me & wanted to bring it to them?