Royal Caribbean's drink packages can either be one of the smartest purchases you make before a cruise — or a complete waste of money. It all comes down to how you drink, which ship you're on, and when you buy.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the three package options in 2026, current pricing, what changed in March 2026, and the honest math to help you decide whether a package is worth it for your specific sailing.
The Three Royal Caribbean Drink Packages
Royal Caribbean offers three tiers. Here's how they stack up:
| Package | Pre-Cruise Price Range | What's Included | Alcohol? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Beverage | $56–$120/person/day | Cocktails, beer, wine, spirits, coffees, juices, mocktails, water, sodas | Yes |
| Royal Refreshment | $29–$42/person/day | Specialty coffees, juices, mocktails, smoothies, water, sodas | No |
| Classic Soda | $9.99–$18/person/day | Fountain soda, Coca-Cola Freestyle machine, souvenir cup | No |
All prices are pre-cruise rates before 18% gratuity. Dynamic pricing means your exact cost depends on ship, sail date, and current promotions. Onboard rates run 20–40% higher than pre-cruise Cruise Planner prices.
The Deluxe Beverage Package
This is Royal Caribbean's all-in package — one price covers virtually everything at the bar, from morning coffee to nightcap. It's the only package that includes alcohol.
What's included:
- Cocktails, spirits, beer, and wine by the glass (up to $14 per drink)
- Top-shelf brands including Grey Goose, Tito's, Patrón, Johnnie Walker Black, and Dewar's 12
- Specialty coffees and teas (excluding licensed Starbucks stores)
- Fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies
- Mocktails, frozen drinks, and non-alcoholic beers
- Bottled still and sparkling water
- Fountain sodas and canned sodas
- Johnny Rockets shakes (select ships)
- 40% discount on bottles of wine under $100; 20% off bottles over $100
- Works at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee
What's NOT included:
- Drinks over $14 per glass (you pay the difference)
- Licensed Starbucks stores onboard
- Room service beverages
- Mini-bar items
- Specialty beers above the price cap
- Duty-free bottles of liquor
- Coca-Cola souvenir cup and Freestyle machine (as of March 15, 2026 — now $4.99 separately)
2026 pricing by ship class:
Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing — the package costs more on newer, larger ships. Based on current Cruise Planner tracking:
- Older/smaller ships (Vision, Sovereign class): ~$55–$70/day
- Mid-range ships (Voyager, Freedom class): ~$70–$85/day
- Newest ships (Oasis, Icon class including Icon of the Seas, Utopia): ~$85–$120/day
- Fleet median: approximately $72–$77/day pre-cruise
After 18% gratuity, a $72/day package becomes approximately $84.96/day — or roughly $595 per person for a 7-night cruise.
The Royal Refreshment Package
The best option for non-drinkers who still want the full beverage experience — specialty coffees, juices, smoothies, and mocktails without the alcohol price tag.
What's included:
- Unlimited espresso-based coffees and premium teas (excluding licensed Starbucks)
- Fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies
- Mocktails and frozen non-alcoholic drinks
- Bottled still and sparkling water
- Fountain and canned sodas
- Non-alcoholic wines (guests of legal drinking age only)
- Johnny Rockets shakes and Desserted soda floats (select ships)
- Works at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee
What's NOT included:
- Any alcoholic drinks
- Licensed Starbucks stores
- Coca-Cola souvenir cup and Freestyle machine (as of March 15, 2026)
- Room service or mini-bar items
Price: $29–$42/person/day pre-cruise (plus 18% gratuity). For a 7-night cruise, budget approximately $240–$350 per person all-in.
The Classic Soda Package
The most affordable option — and after March 2026, the only package that still includes the Coca-Cola souvenir cup and Freestyle machine access.
What's included:
- Unlimited fountain sodas at any venue
- Coca-Cola souvenir cup
- Unlimited Coca-Cola Freestyle machine access (100+ flavor combinations)
- Discount on wine bottles and tastings at Vintages wine bar
Price: $9.99–$18/person/day pre-cruise (plus 18% gratuity).
If you're a soda drinker and want Freestyle machine access, this is now the better deal than upgrading to Refreshment just for that perk — especially since the cup costs $4.99 separately on the higher packages.
The Café Select Coffee Card
Worth mentioning for coffee lovers who don't want a full package. The Café Select card gives you 15 punches for specialty espresso-based drinks — lattes, cappuccinos, and the like — at onboard coffee locations like Café Promenade and Café Latte-tudes. Not unlimited, but a solid option if coffee is your main concern and you don't need everything else in the Refreshment Package.
What Changed in March 2026
Effective March 15, 2026, Royal Caribbean quietly removed two perks from the Deluxe and Royal Refreshment packages:
- The Coca-Cola souvenir cup (previously included, now $4.99)
- Unlimited Freestyle machine access (now only available with the souvenir cup purchase)
The package prices didn't change. Fountain soda from bars, lounges, and restaurants is still included in both packages — just not through the Freestyle machines. The Classic Soda Package is unaffected and still includes both the cup and machine access.
For most Deluxe package holders, this barely matters. For people who bought the Refreshment package partly for unlimited Freestyle access, it's worth considering whether the Classic Soda package now makes more sense for kids or non-drinkers in your group.
How to Buy — and When
There are three ways to purchase:
- Cruise Planner (before sailing) — Best price, almost always 10–40% below onboard rates. Buy here first.
- Call Royal Caribbean — Can add to your booking before departure. Prices match Cruise Planner.
- Onboard — Available throughout the cruise while at least 4 days remain. Full onboard price applies. You cannot buy on the last day.
You can cancel a pre-purchased package through the Cruise Planner up to 2 days before sailing for a full refund. This matters because Royal Caribbean's dynamic pricing means packages fluctuate — buy early, then check back. If the price drops, cancel and rebook at the lower rate.
Is the Drink Package Worth It? The Honest Math
Whether a package pays off depends entirely on how much you drink each day. Here's the break-even calculation for each:
Deluxe Beverage Package (at $72/day + 18% gratuity = ~$85/day):
Individual drinks average $12–$14 each. At $85/day, you need approximately 6–7 drinks per day to break even. That includes everything — morning lattes, poolside cocktails, wine at dinner, and a nightcap.
Royal Refreshment Package (at $35/day + gratuity = ~$41/day):
Individual specialty coffees run $5–$7; juices and mocktails $6–$9. You need approximately 5–6 non-alcoholic drinks per day to break even.
Classic Soda Package (at $14/day + gratuity = ~$16.50/day):
Sodas are $3–$4 each. You need approximately 4–5 sodas per day to break even — very achievable on a warm Caribbean sailing.
When a package is probably worth it:
- You drink consistently throughout the day, not just at dinner
- You enjoy specialty coffees, fresh juices, or smoothies in the morning
- You're on a sea-heavy itinerary with more time on the ship
- You prefer the simplicity of not signing receipts at every bar
- You're sailing on a shorter cruise (3–5 nights) where you'll be onboard more
When you're probably better off paying as you go:
- You're a light or occasional drinker (1–2 drinks per day)
- You have a port-heavy itinerary and will be off the ship most days
- You're a Royal Caribbean Diamond member or above — you already receive free drink vouchers daily
- You mostly drink beer or wine with dinner and not much else
- Only one person in your cabin drinks alcohol, and the other would have to buy the full package too
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring wine or alcohol onboard?
Yes. Royal Caribbean allows passengers to bring two 750ml bottles of wine or champagne per stateroom at embarkation. No spirits or beer. Any wine beyond that will be held and returned at the end of the voyage.
Does the drink package work at Starbucks onboard?
No. Licensed Starbucks stores on Royal Caribbean ships operate independently and are not included in any drink package. Espresso-based coffees from other onboard coffee locations (like Café Promenade) are included in the Deluxe and Refreshment packages.
Does the drink package work at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee?
Yes. Both the Deluxe and Refreshment packages are valid at Royal Caribbean's private destinations, including Perfect Day at CocoCay. This is a genuine advantage over some competing cruise lines.
Do I have to buy the same package as my cabin mate?
If one adult (21+) in your stateroom buys the Deluxe Beverage Package (the alcoholic one), all other adults in the cabin must also purchase it. This rule does not apply to the non-alcoholic Refreshment or Classic Soda packages — those can be purchased independently.
Can I upgrade my package once onboard?
Yes, you can upgrade or purchase a package onboard, but you'll pay the full onboard rate. Packages cannot be downgraded once purchased.
What's the best strategy for buying a drink package?
Buy through the Cruise Planner as soon as you can access it after booking. Monitor the price — if it drops before your sailing, cancel and rebook for the lower rate (full refund, no penalty up to 2 days before departure). Avoid buying onboard unless you forgot or changed your mind during the cruise.
