How Much Does Royal Caribbean Drink Package Cost?

Published on August 25, 2025
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Royal Caribbean sells three beverage bundles that price per person, per day in US dollars, with an automatic 18% gratuity added at checkout. The core options are the Deluxe Beverage Package (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), the Refreshment Package (non-alcoholic), and the Classic Soda Package.

If you came here for a quick price check, the short answer is that rates are dynamic and change by ship, sailing date, and demand, which means watching the Cruise Planner matters.

“Unlimited” means by the glass, with a monetary cap per drink and notable exclusions like room service and minibar. Packages work shipwide and at Royal Caribbean’s private destinations, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee, during normal operating hours. Check daily before you sail. Royal Caribbean states that an 18% service charge is applied to beverage packages, and that packages are honored on CocoCay and Labadee, which is essential to understanding sea-day versus island-day value.

Article Insights

• Typical daily prices: Deluxe $55 (≈3.7 hours of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour)–$115 (≈7.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour), Refreshment $29 (≈1.9 hours of your life traded for $15/hour)–$40 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour), Soda $12.99 (≈52 minutes of constant effort at a $15/hour wage)–$16 (≈1.1 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour), plus 18%.
• Cocktails now commonly price $14 (≈56 minutes working at a $15/hour wage)–$15 (≈1 hour of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour), which drives break-even around six alcoholic drinks per day with waters and coffees.
• Packages work on CocoCay and Labadee, raising value on island days.
• Pre-cruise sales beat onboard buys; you can cancel and repurchase if the price drops before the cutoff.
• From August 1, 2025, no more Deluxe exemptions in mixed staterooms. All adults must buy Deluxe if one does.
• Diamond and above get daily drink vouchers up to $14 (≈56 minutes working at a $15/hour wage), which can replace a package for many.

How Much Does Royal Caribbean Drink Package Cost?

Royal Caribbean Drink Package varies in cost from $12 (≈48 minutes of continuous work at a $15/hour job),99 per day for soda package to $115 (≈7.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per day for Deluxe package.

Across 2024–2025 sailings, credible trackers and cruise media place typical daily prices at roughly $55 (≈3.7 hours of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour)–$115 (≈7.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) for Deluxe, $29 (≈1.9 hours of your life traded for $15/hour)–$40 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) for Refreshment, and $12.99 (≈52 minutes of constant effort at a $15/hour wage)–$16 (≈1.1 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour) for Classic Soda, all plus 18% gratuity if the base price shown is pre-tip. On sale, you might see Deluxe in the $70 (≈4.7 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour)–$95 (≈6.3 hours working without breaks at $15/hour) with gratuity range, with higher onboard rates if you wait. Multiple observers report most cocktails price $11 (≈44 minutes of uninterrupted labor earning $15/hour)–$15 (≈1 hour of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour) each a la carte, which drives the break-even math below.

Short weekend cruises, spring break, holidays, and the newest or most in-demand ships often post higher package rates than shoulder-season or repositioning itineraries. Icon and Oasis class can run hotter than smaller, older ships. Royal Caribbean and specialist outlets also note onboard prices trend higher than pre-cruise sales, and you can cancel and repurchase in the Cruise Planner if a lower price appears up to two days before sailing.

The most popular option, the Deluxe Beverage Package, typically ranges from approximately $56 to $120 (≈1 day working for this purchase at $15/hour) per person, per day, plus an 18% gratuity. This package covers all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks up to about $14 (≈56 minutes working at a $15/hour wage) per serving, including cocktails, beer, wine by the glass, spirits, premium coffee (excluding Starbucks), fresh juices, and fountain sodas. The higher-end pricing toward $120 (≈1 day working for this purchase at $15/hour) or more per day is noted during peak seasons or on certain ships.

For travelers opting for non-alcoholic options, the Royal Refreshment Package is available, typically priced between $29 and $42 (≈2.8 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per day. This includes unlimited non-alcoholic beverages such as specialty coffees, fresh-squeezed juices, bottled water, mocktails, teas, and fountain soda. There is also a Classic Soda Package, focusing on unlimited fountain soda and refills, generally costing around $13 to $18 (≈1.2 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per day and including a souvenir Coca-Cola cup.

Prices for these packages can vary due to dynamic pricing models Royal Caribbean uses, meaning costs fluctuate based on sailing date, ship, and destination. Many cruisers find buying packages in advance online is less expensive than purchasing onboard. Additionally, an automatic 18% service charge is added to the package price, raising the daily effective cost. Beverage prices outside of packages generally range from $7.50 to $14 (≈56 minutes working at a $15/hour wage) for alcoholic drinks, making the value break-even point for packages usually around 6-7 drinks per day.

Real-Life Cost Examples

Example 1, light pattern, 3–4 drinks: one latte ($4–$6), one beer ($7–$9), one pool cocktail ($14 (≈56 minutes working at a $15/hour wage)–$15 (≈1 hour of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour)), and two bottled waters ($3–$4 each). A la carte total about $31 (≈2.1 hours working without breaks at $15/hour)–$38 (≈2.5 hours at the office earning $15/hour) plus 18% where applicable. Refreshment at $29 (≈1.9 hours of your life traded for $15/hour)–$40 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) plus gratuity is close, depending on coffee preferences and waters; Deluxe rarely makes sense at this tally.

Example 2, moderate pattern, 6–8 items: two specialty coffees ($8–$12 (≈48 minutes of continuous work at a $15/hour job) total), three cocktails ($33 (≈2.2 hours spent earning money at $15/hour)–$45), two waters ($6–$8), and a glass of wine ($9–$16). A la carte lands roughly $56–$81 pre-tip. Deluxe begins to compete if your sailing price sits near the lower end of the range during a sale, while Refreshment plus one or two paid cocktails can also be efficient.

Example 3, sea-day heavy, 9–12 items: five to seven alcoholic drinks ($55–$105), two waters ($6–$8), one coffee ($4–$6), and a fresh juice ($3–$5). A la carte total often exceeds $70–$120. Here Deluxe usually wins on value when you bought during a sale. On an Icon of the Seas week in May 2025, one cruiser documented a Deluxe price drop to $70 per day including gratuity, calling it worth it over seven nights.

Edge case, non-drinker adult: if you only want soda and coffee, the Refreshment or Soda package usually beats Deluxe by a wide margin. The key is your real daily count, not an optimistic plan.

You might also like our articles on the cost of a cruise in general, a Disney cruise, or an Antarctica cruise.

Cost Breakdown

What drives value are the inclusions you actually consume. Deluxe covers most cocktails, spirits, beer, wine by the glass, mocktails, sodas, fresh juices, bottled water, and premium coffees by the cup. Two rules shape the ceiling and the wine math. First, the per-drink cap historically covered menu items up to $14, with reports in May 2025 of menus creeping to $15 and the cap matching that on some ships. Second, bottles of wine get 40% off up to $100, then 20% off above that. If a drink is over the cap, you pay only the difference.

Packages exclude room service, minibar, and unopened bottles to take away. Coffee cards are separate products and Starbucks storefronts are typically excluded even when barista drinks elsewhere are included. The 18% service charge is applied to the package purchase, and not again each time you order a covered drink.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing. Ship class, season, itinerary demand, and booking window all move the rate. Newer ships and peak calendars tend to run higher. Many sailings see frequent Cruise Planner sales that change the headline percentage off, yet the only number that matters is the total daily price you see after logging in for your sailing. If it drops, cancel and repurchase before the cutoff. It is simple. It works.

Onboard purchases generally cost more than pre-cruise buys. Sales often appear around major retail events and holidays, but not always. Watch your sailing, not the marketing banner.

Alternative Products or Services

Light drinkers should run the a la carte strategy. Typical pricing puts cocktails around $14–$15, beers $7–$9, wine by the glass $9–$25, sodas $3.50, and lattes around $4–$6. One or two paid spirits plus unlimited included beverages like iced tea, lemonade, and tap water can undercut any package.

Non-alcohol planners have two viable options. The Refreshment Package bundles mocktails, coffees, juices, waters, and sodas, commonly in the $29–$40 band. The Classic Soda Package, usually $12.99–$16, unlocks Coca-Cola Freestyle dispensers and fountain soda at bars and restaurants. Both can be smart on port-heavy itineraries.

Ways to Spend Less

Buy during a sale in the Cruise Planner, then re-price if it drops. Royal Caribbean allows you to cancel and repurchase up to two days before sailing for a full refund to your original form of payment. Some cruisers price-check several times a week and capture meaningful savings.

If your party is mixed, pairing one Refreshment Package with a la carte spirits for the non-drinker can lower the cabin’s total outlay. Use included beverages to reduce paid drink count, especially on port days when you are ashore. Consider loyalty benefits before you buy, because those vouchers can offset bar charges on their own.

Expert Insights & Tips

Royal Caribbean Blog’s 2025 coverage pegs a typical Deluxe out-the-door daily spend around $80–$90 with gratuities, which aligns with many recent reports and helps set a realistic break-even target of six or so alcoholic drinks plus waters and coffees.

The Points Guy reminds readers that value depends on your actual bar mix and the ship’s price environment. If your habits are beer-heavy, you need more units to justify Deluxe than if you order cocktails and specialty coffees. Your drink pattern matters more than the headline percentage off.

Bar managers change menus and pricing settles at round points, which is why observers noted a shift from a $14 max to $15 for many cocktails in May 2025. Order within the cap and the math improves fast.

Total Cost of Ownership

Think beyond the daily sticker. A seven-night couple buying Deluxe at $85 base plus 18% pays about $140.30 per day for two, roughly $982 for the week before any a la carte extras. Add a sea-day-heavy itinerary and the per-cruise spend can surpass $1,000 quickly. On the other hand, a five-night with Refreshment at $35 base plus tip for two totals about $413. Actual TCO rises if your sailing is peak season or a brand-new ship.

Hidden & Unexpected Costs

Over-cap premium liquor or wine triggers a simple surcharge equal to the difference between menu price and the cap. Specialty cafés branded as Starbucks are usually excluded even when Cafe Promenade barista drinks are included. Room service beverages, souvenir glassware, and minibar pulls appear as separate charges on your folio.

Financing & Payment Options

Onboard credit can be used toward beverage packages, and Royal Caribbean’s guidance now highlights using credits pre-cruise in the Planner for packages and reservations tied to your booking. Gift cards primarily pay fare or can be applied to your onboard account, then used for packages. If you see a lower price later, cancel and repurchase before the cutoff for a full refund to the original payment method.

Seasonal & Market-Timing Factors

Summer, school holiday weeks, and spring break sailings price higher than shoulder windows. New ships, private-island heavy itineraries, and weekend short cruises often show higher daily rates. Watch your sailing’s Planner, because the same ship can show different prices for adjacent weeks.

Set a realistic personal baseline. If you reliably drink three cocktails, two waters, a latte, and a juice, Deluxe can win when priced at the lower end of its range. If you tend to sip one beer and a coffee, a la carte or Refreshment will free budget for shore excursions or Wi-Fi. Float the math against your actual day, not a wish list.

Policy Rules & Eligibility

Royal Caribbean’s long-standing policy requires that all adults of legal drinking age in the same stateroom purchase the Deluxe package if one adult purchase it. As of August 1, 2025, the company ended case-by-case exemptions, removing the prior pathway for a non-drinking adult to be switched to Refreshment by calling in. Sharing is prohibited. The legal drinking age and enforcement vary by region, and packages cannot be used for room service or minibar.

Packages are honored at CocoCay and Labadee, which raises the value on those days compared with ports where you spend most of the day ashore. Menu and venue mix on larger classes can add perceived value for coffee and cocktail fans. If your route touches only EU ports, expect VAT on a la carte receipts, which is another reason some guests prefer pre-paid coverage.

Cost Table, Current Typical Ranges

The table below compiles credible 2024–2025 bands from Royal Caribbean’s FAQs and leading cruise media. Use it as a directional guide, then check your own sailing.

Expert Insights & Tips

If you are Diamond or higher in Crown & Anchor, you receive daily drink vouchers that cover drinks up to $14 each, available at bars onboard and on private islands. These can meaningfully reduce or eliminate the need for a package on shorter cruises. Confirm your tier benefits before buying.

On island days at CocoCay and Labadee, packages work at bars, which increases a package’s appeal. If you plan to spend the day at the Coco Beach Club, beverages are still a la carte unless covered by your package.

Answers to Common Questions

Q1. What is the typical daily price and does it include gratuity?

Deluxe commonly runs $55–$115 per day, Refreshment $29–$40, and Classic Soda $12.99–$16. Royal Caribbean automatically adds an 18% gratuity to package purchases pre-cruise or onboard.

Q2. Can one adult buy Deluxe while the other buys Refreshment?

Royal Caribbean now enforces the rule that all adults of legal drinking age in the same stateroom must purchase Deluxe if one does, with no exemptions from August 1, 2025.

Q3. Are specialty coffees, fresh juices, and bottled water included?

Yes with Deluxe and Refreshment, not with Classic Soda. Starbucks-branded locations are generally excluded.

Q4. Does the package work at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee?

Yes, packages are active on the islands. Your island-day consumption counts toward value.

Q5. How do I re-price if a sale appears after I purchased?

Cancel in the Cruise Planner and immediately repurchase at the lower rate up to two days before sailing. Refunds return to the original form of payment.