Royal Caribbean Cruise: Drink Prices
It’s always quite difficult to accurately estimate the price of a cruise, as the base fare doesn’t include gratuities, nor drinks, nor excursions.
Drinks can be a significant additional budget, and it’s not always easy to find information before you’ve booked. Here’s a rundown for Royal Caribbean cruises.
What you can bring on board
Upon embarkation, Royal Caribbean allows you to bring beverages (only at the start, this won’t be the case at ports of call).
You’re entitled to precisely (per cabin):
- 2 bottles of wine or champagne up to 750 ml each
- 12 non-alcoholic drinks of 17 oz (equivalent to 1/2 liter)
These drinks must be in your carry-on luggage, not your checked baggage.
Obviously, that might not be enough for two people for the duration of the cruise 🙂
Are any drinks free on board?
It’s probably a reflection of American culture, as I don’t recall that being the case on our MSC cruise, but many drinks are 100% free with Royal Caribbean. So much so that you can do the entire cruise without paying for a single drink. When you know the price of drink packages (see below), that can amount to a huge saving!
First of all, tap water is free. You can ask for a carafe at the restaurant or a glass at any bar. American blogs even explain that the tap water is of excellent quality, it’s filtered, and the piping system is modern, unlike that of cities which can be decades old. Tap water is also available from dispensers in many places around the ship, as well as in the buffet area.
The dispensers also provide free access to:
- milk
- tea
- iced tea
- coffee
- lemonade
- flavored waters
- fruit juices (breakfast only)
- hot chocolate (instant sachet)
See, you’re not going to die of thirst!
The price of drinks on board
If you want something else, you can buy drinks à la carte.
I’ll add the prices after I’ve done my cruise.
Note that an 18% gratuity is automatically added to the price of the drink.
The price of drink packages
Royal Caribbean also offers drink packages.
Here’s the breakdown of these packages. Prices are better if you buy them online in advance. They’ll be more expensive once you’re on board.
For the unlimited packages, they must be purchased by every traveler in the same cabin.
| Package name | Advance price | Onboard price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deluxe beverage package | €74.28 / day per person | €99.04 / day per person | All you can drink! Vodka, Gin, Rum, Tequila / Mezcal, Whiskey, Cognac, Wine by the glass, Beers, non-alcoholic drinks |
| Refreshment Package | €32.06 / day per person | €40.07 / day per person | Unlimited: sodas, mocktails, bottled water, premium coffees and teas, fresh squeezed juices |
| Classic soda package | €10.51 / day per person | €15.02 / day per person | Unlimited sodas |
| Classic soda package and VOOM One device | €23.41 / day per person | Original: this pack includes unlimited sodas and unlimited internet for one device per person | |
| San Benedetto Water Package 12 Cans | €13.34 per pack | €22.24 / pack | 12 cans of 16 oz (about 47 cl) |
| San Benedetto Water Package 24 Cans | €19.35 per pack | ? | 24 cans of 16 oz (about 47 cl) |
| Cafe Select Coffee Card | €34.5 / pack | ? | This pack gives you 15 “premium” coffees |
