Ladies, gentlemen, and esteemed cruisers of all beverages—welcome aboard this virtual voyage through the tropical twists and turns of the Royal Caribbean Drink Package! Now, if you’ve ever found yourself on one of Royal Caribbean’s grand ships, margarita in one hand, credit card bill in the other, you’d know that their drink packages could potentially cost more than the GDP of a small island nation. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but they sure do give your wallet a workout.

This Deluxe Beverage Package has the power to make you feel like a royal one minute and a pauper the next. From alcoholic delights to strictly non-alcoholic drinks, their range is as wide as the ocean we’re cruising on, and the prices, well, let’s say they’re as deep as the Mariana Trench.

So, why on Earth are we discussing this wallet-emptying topic, you ask? Is this some sort of sadistic pleasure we indulge in? Do we enjoy listening to the distant sound of wallets crying in the corner?

Not! This blog post is your personal treasure map, your secret code to deciphering the mysteries of the Royal Caribbean Drink Package. We’re here to share some cheeky hacks and tips that will help you make the most out of your drink package without breaking the bank. Now, who wouldn’t want that? So grab your pirate hat, and prepare to embark on a quest to conquer the Royal Caribbean drink package!

Royal Caribbean ship docked on the sea

How Much Does Royal Caribbean’s Drink Package Cost?

The Deluxe Beverage Package, The Refreshment Package, and The Classic Soda Package are the Bermuda Triangle of drink packages, so get ready, dear reader. Navigating these waters might feel a bit like trying to calculate the speed of light using a sundial, but don’t worry, we’ve got your back (and your calculator)!

Friends toasting their cocktail drinks

Deluxe Beverage Package

If you consider yourself a drink connoisseur (a fancy way to say you’re the life of the party), this package is your haven. It seems like a golden ticket that offers a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. This includes but isn’t limited to cocktails that are so exotic, that they make toucans jealous, and top-shelf liquors that could make a grown man weep with joy. But the fun doesn’t stop there! You’ve got premium coffees, bottled water, and refreshing sodas. The cost? Oh, just a tiny sum of around $63 to $89 per person per day.

Refreshment Package

If you’re someone who steers clear of the boozy stuff but still enjoys a good drink, this one’s for you. For about $29 per day, you can enjoy all the non-alcoholic beverages your heart desires. These include premium coffees, teas, bottled water, fresh fruit juices, and even those fancy virgin cocktails! You can get everything in the Deluxe package minus the alcohol. It’s a sweet deal, and you can even tell everyone you’re on a ‘detox’ while sipping on your fifth virgin piña colada of the day!

Classic Soda Package

Ah, the simple pleasures of life. The Classic Soda Package, at $12.99 per day, offers unlimited soda to keep you refreshed all day. That’s right; you can drink your body weight in cola, lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, and many more! It’s like Christmas for your taste buds, all vacation long.

To give you a sense of perspective, let’s talk a few dollars about individual drink prices. A single beer costs about $8.25, a glass of wine ranges from $9 to a whopping $25, a cocktail will set you back by $14, and a spirit and mixer combo costs between $9 and $11+. Even your standard soda costs $3.50, coffee is around $4, and a bottle of water is $3. Let’s just say the cost of these packages starts to look pretty appealing when you’re looking at shelling out nearly 25 bucks for a glass of wine that’s smaller than your pet hamster. So you see, dear reader, it’s all about playing the game right.

Reasons Why People Want To Cheat Royal Caribbean Drink Package

With the cost of Royal Caribbean’s drink packages being more intense than a Bollywood drama, it’s no wonder many cruisers are eager to find some shortcuts. Here are a few reasons why they feel compelled to cheat the system:

Friends having a toast of their drinks

  • A Case of the Every Day – The Royal Caribbean doesn’t do “casual” when it comes to their drink package. They’re all in. The deal is that you don’t buy it for a day but for the entire length of the cruise. This makes some passengers feel like they’re stuck in a beverage-themed Groundhog Day.
  • The Cabin Conspiracy – Ah, the age-old ‘all for one and one for all’ policy. If one person in a cabin is buying a package, everyone else in the same cabin must buy a drink package and work with it too. It’s great for uniformity, but not so great when your cabin partner prefers sipping on H2O over a $25 bottle of wine.
  • Overdrinking Overdrive – It’s no secret, that the drink package system indirectly encourages overdrinking. I mean, who doesn’t want two drink packages to get their money’s worth, right? But there are only so many mojitos you can down before you start seeing double everything!
  • The Expense Excuse – Cruises aren’t cheap. Many feel the drink packages are the proverbial cherry on top of an already very pricey cake. It seems unfair to some to have to shell out even more moolah for drinks they might not fully utilize.

In essence, it’s about striking a balance between having a good time and ensuring your bank account doesn’t stage a revolt. That’s where our cruise hacks come into play, helping you navigate these frothy waters with ease. Stay tuned!

How To Cheat Royal Caribbean Drink Package: 10 Ways

We hope you’re buckled in because we’re diving right into the stormy seas of savings with a handy compass pointed straight at your pockets. We’re about to unveil 10 daring ways to outfox the Royal Caribbean on drink package prices. So pull out your treasure maps, and let’s plot this course!

Sharing Royal Caribbean Drinks Package

 

Group of friends having a drink

Sharing isn’t just a life skill you learn in kindergarten, folks. See, the staff at Royal Caribbean insists that when a single individual in a cabin purchases a drinks package, every individual in that cabin who is of legal drinking age must do the same. But there’s a loophole! One of you wants the Deluxe Beverage Package, and the other prefers to stay sober. Call them in advance, tell them your unique situation, and voilà! The other party can get the Refreshment Package for non-alcoholic drinks instead. Brilliant, eh?

Buy Early & Cancel If Discount Price Available Later

If you’re a bit of a bargain-hunter, you’ll love this approach. Here’s how it works: snag your drink package early before you even set foot on the ship. Now, don’t just sit back and relax. Keep a watchful eye on the horizon for discounted offers. If you spot one, quickly cancel your first order without facing any penalties, and pounce on the cheaper deal.

Make Friends With The Bartender / Waiters

Bartender and a woman smiling

Remember, the folks serving you those delightful cocktails can be your best friends on board if you play your cards right. Establish a friendly rapport with them, sprinkle in some compliments about their mixology skills, and don’t forget a generous tip. In return, they might serve you quicker when the bar gets busy. They may even let restrictions go unnoticed.

Drink Your Wine

Couple doing a wine toast during sunset

Royal Caribbean graciously allows us to bring our wine onboard. There’s a $15 corkage fee for public consumption, but hey, that’s what your cabin and handy corkscrew are for, right? Buy wine at the ports and savor it as you sail—it’s the sophisticated pirate’s way.

Ask For Top-Shelf Liquor

Smiling asian bartender preparing a drink

Remember, you’re not just on a cruise; you’re on a Royal Caribbean cruise. So, don’t settle for any old plonk. Be assertive and ask for top-shelf liquor in your drinks. It’s not every day you get to taste the nectar of the gods without paying the heavenly prices.

Sneak Drinks On Board

Now, let me be clear. We don’t endorse anything that breaks the rules. But, it’s been rumored that a few adventurous souls have managed to sneak some of their favorite beverages on board. Whether it’s a special edition single malt or a locally sourced craft gin, sometimes the call for one’s preferred booze is just too strong. And no, I don’t mean smuggling in extra pairs of socks!

Specify The Brand Of Liquors

Bartender mixing a cocktail

Don’t just ask for a drink; ask for the brand of liquor you want. Don’t let them fob you off with house brands when you’re entitled to the fancy stuff. When you’re out at sea, there’s no need to be shy. Be explicit about your drink choices. Don’t just ask for a whisky and coke. Say it loud and proud: “I’ll have a Glenfiddich 18 and Coke, please.” It’s your vacation, after all. Make sure every sip is as memorable as the stunning ocean views.

Don’t Overlook The Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Strawberry mocktails in a flatlay

Don’t forget about the non-alcoholic options in your alcohol package. From premium coffees to fresh fruit juices and bottled water, they’re all there for the taking.

Free Drinks For Excursions

Three friends having a selfie with their drinks

You can carry your complimentary water bottles while off the ship on excursion days. This is a simple step that saves you money from spending extra on bottled water in the ports.

Leverage The Perks Of Free Drinks

Many travelers overlook the range of complimentary drinks offered on board. From flavored water, tea, and coffee to the occasional alcoholic drink at special events, these freebies can add up and offset the need for a drink package.

What Happens If You Don’t Buy A Drink Package On Royal Caribbean?

Opting out of a Royal Caribbean drink package is fine. You’re still free to enjoy a variety of beverages on board. Complimentary drink options include coffee, tea, iced tea, water, lemonade, and a few fruit juices. If you want something more premium, like alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees, or bottled water, these are available a la carte at the listed menu prices.

What Happens If You Get Caught Cheating Drink Packages?

Navigating through the drink package rules can be a bit like walking a tightrope. Consequences for breaking the law might range from minor to severe if you are found trying to do so. For minor infractions, such as sharing your drink package benefits with another guest, you might get a warning. However, more serious actions, like sneaking your alcohol back onboard, can lead to more severe consequences. Royal Caribbean’s policy states they have the right to confiscate unauthorized alcohol. In extreme cases, they may even prohibit you from boarding.

Security guard talking on the radio

Each Royal Caribbean beverage package comes with its own set of guidelines. For example, you cannot order more than one drink at a time, and sharing is strictly not allowed. These policies are in place to discourage overconsumption and ensure a pleasant onboard experience for all guests.

It’s essential to read the fine print before purchasing a drink package. Violating the cruise planner’s rules, whether by sharing drinks or trying to sneak alcohol onboard, could lead to the drink package being canceled without a refund. It’s also worth noting that the cruise line reserves the right to refuse service to anyone who appears intoxicated, regardless of how many drinks they have left on their package. So, while it might be tempting to cheat the Royal Caribbean drinks package, doing so could end up costing more than you save.

Conclusion

Alright, folks, that’s the skinny on squeezing every last drop of value from your Royal Caribbean drink package. From skillful bargaining with bartenders to transforming into a cruise ship’s top sommelier with your wine, there’s an ocean of ways to navigate. But remember, we’re all aboard for a good time, not a long-winded debate with the cruise authorities about why you thought it would be okay to smuggle a bottle of whisky in your swimming trunks. So, enjoy your drinks responsibly, be a good shipmate, and the next time you’re sipping on a top-shelf margarita while soaking up the sun, give a cheer to your newfound savvy cruising skills. Fair winds and following seas, my friends!

FAQs

Is the Royal Caribbean Deluxe Drink Package unlimited?

Well, the term “unlimited” comes with a slight asterisk. While you can enjoy a plethora of beverages throughout the day, there is a limit to ordering one drink at a time. Remember, the ocean waves are much easier to navigate when you’re not seeing double!

Can a couple share a drink package on Royal Caribbean?

Ah, the old “Can we share soft drinks?” conundrum. Here’s the catch—if one person in a cabin purchases a drink package, all the other occupants of the cabin (of drinking age, of course) must purchase it too. If you’re thinking of slyly passing your piña colada to your partner, be warned. They have an attentive crew.

Is it cheaper to buy a drinks package on board Royal Caribbean?

Contrary to what you might think, it’s typically cheaper to buy your drinks package before you board the ship rather than waiting until you’re out at sea. Early bird gets the cheaper beer, as they say.

Can one person get the drink package on a cruise?

The answer is technically true, but there is a catch. Anyone over the age of 18 in the same cabin has to buy the package if one person does. Exceptions can sometimes be made for medical reasons or if a cabinmate doesn’t drink. But these exceptions typically require the other person to buy a non-alcoholic package, and you’ll need to contact Royal Caribbean directly to discuss this. So, if you’re planning to go solo on the drinks package, prepare for a bit of legwork.