When you sail with Royal Caribbean, your beverage choices are a core component of the vacation experience. The cruise line’s drink Royal Caribbean Cruises operations range from casual pool deck stations to high-tech mixology lounges, offering something tailored to every mood, time of day, and dietary preference.

Navigating the onboard menus, specialty bar concepts, individual drink pricing, and beverage packages ensures you make the most of your time at sea.

Understanding Onboard Drink Options & Menus

Royal Caribbean maintains a mix of standard fleet-wide bar menus alongside specialized menus tailored to specific venues.

Across these spaces, individual drinks generally fall into these price brackets (excluding the standard 18% gratuity):

• Signature & Specialty Cocktails: $14.00 – $15.00
• Standard Spirits & Mixers: $10.50 – $13.00
• Draft & Bottled Beers: $7.49 (domestic) to $8.25 (imported/craft)
• Wine by the Glass: $8.00 – $16.00+ (depending on vintage and varietal)
• Zero-Proof / Spirit-Free Cocktails: $7.00 – $10.00
• Premium Spirit-Free (e.g., Seedlip-based): $12.00
• Specialty Coffees & Teas: $3.50 – $7.00
• Fresh Juices & Smoothies (Vitality Cafe): $8.25 – $10.00
• Soda & Bottled Water (500ml): $3.50

Standout Cocktails & Regional Favorites

While classics like the Old Fashioned, Margarita, and Cosmopolitan are available at virtually any bar, several venues feature signature creations worth seeking out:

1. The Lime & Coconut Signature

Served at the multi-level pool bar concept The Lime & Coconut, this tropical staple combines Malibu Rum, Coconut Milk, Coconut Water, Monin Guava Syrup, and fresh lime juice. It is smooth, lower in perceived alcohol heaviness, and built specifically for hot afternoon sailing.

2. Lavender Daiquiri / Lavender Limeade

Found in classic piano lounges like the Schooner Bar, this twist on a traditional daiquiri pairs white rum with fresh lime juice and lavender syrup, balancing tart citrus with subtle floral notes.

3. Cuban Mojito & Caipirinha at Boleros

4. Smokey Rita & Watermelon ‘Rita

For tequila drinkers, poolside Mexican bar concepts (like Cantina Fresca) offer twists on the classic margarita. The Smokey Rita utilizes mezcal alongside tequila for an earthy, complex profile, while the Watermelon ‘Rita provides a sweet, hydrating flavor profile ideal for tropical climates.

5. Spirit-Forward Nightcaps (Manhattan & Negroni)

If you prefer spirit-forward drinks, venues like the Trellis Bar (in Central Park on Oasis-class ships) or the Schooner Bar offer well-crafted classics. The Blood Orange Negroni modifies the classic equal-parts recipe of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth with a splash of blood orange liqueur or juice to soften the bitterness.

Non-Alcoholic, Zero-Proof & Specialty Drinks

Royal Caribbean offers options for non-drinkers, families, and guests looking to stay hydrated.

• Zero-Proof Cocktails: Menu options like the Coconut Lime Refresher, Tropical Crush, Berry Necessary, and Watermelon Mint Lemonade mimic complex cocktail flavor profiles using fresh purees, herbs, and teas.
• Seedlip Mocktails: Select bars feature non-alcoholic botanical spirits like Seedlip to create elevated mocktails (such as a zero-proof Espresso “No-Tini” or Mule Kickback).
• Vitality Spa & Cafe Juices: Guests can select custom-pressed fruit and vegetable juices (e.g., carrot, ginger, apple, mint) or protein smoothies packed with workout supplements.
• Specialty Coffee: Espresso-based beverages (cappuccinos, lattes, cold brews) made with Lavazza or Starbucks beans are served at Café Promenade, Park Café, and standalone Starbucks locations.

Comprehensive Breakdown of Drink Packages

Royal Caribbean offers three primary beverage packages. Prices utilize dynamic pricing, meaning the daily cost varies based on the ship, itinerary length, season, and demand.

1. Classic Soda Package

• Cost: ~$12.00 to $18.00 per person, per day (+ 18% gratuity) EatSleepCruise.com
• Includes: Unlimited fountain sodas, soft drink refills across all onboard venues, and a souvenir cup.
• Details: Provides access to Coca-Cola Freestyle self-service stations found throughout many modern ships in the fleet.

2. Royal Refreshment Package

• Cost: ~$29.00 to $42.00 per person, per day (+ 18% gratuity) EatSleepCruise.com
• Includes: Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks fleet-wide. This covers premium espresso-based coffees, specialty teas, bottled still and sparkling water (500ml), fresh-squeezed juices from the spa cafe, zero-proof mocktails, fountain sodas, and classic milkshakes at Johnny Rockets.

3. Deluxe Beverage Package

• Cost: ~$63.00 to $120.00 per person, per day (+ 18% gratuity) EatSleepCruise.com
• Includes: Virtually all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks served on the ship. It covers cocktails, spirits, liqueurs, draft/bottled beer, and wines by the glass up to $14 (or $15 on newer ships where menu base pricing has increased). It also includes a 20% to 40% discount on bottles of wine purchased onboard.

Crucial Fine Print & Package Rules

Before purchasing a drink package, consider these operational rules:

1. The “All Adult Guests in Stateroom” Rule: If one adult (21+) in a stateroom purchases the Deluxe Beverage Package, all adults in the same stateroom are required to purchase it as well. This prevents package-sharing. Exception: If a guest in the room does not drink alcohol due to pregnancy, medical reasons, or personal choice, you can call Royal Caribbean customer support to request an exemption—they will usually allow the second guest to purchase the Refreshment Package instead.
2. Individual Use Only: Packages cannot be used to order multiple drinks at once for friends or family members. Drinks are served one at a time, and bartenders may enforce a 5- to 15-minute window between orders.
3. Excluded Venues & Items: Packages do not cover drinks from room service, items in the stateroom mini-bar, or beverages purchased inside standalone, licensed Starbucks storefronts onboard. They also do not cover super-premium wines or high-end cognac/whiskey pours exceeding the per-drink dollar cap (you pay the difference for these orders).
4. Private Destinations Included: Beverage package perks carry over to Royal Caribbean’s private destinations, including Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas and Labadee in Haiti.

Financial Break-Even Analysis: Is a Package Worth It?

To evaluate whether the Deluxe Beverage Package makes financial sense for your vacation, run a basic calculation against ala-carte pricing.

Assuming an average Deluxe Beverage Package cost of $80 per day (including gratuity, ~$94.40 total per day):

Beverage Type	Average Cost per Unit	Daily Quantity to Match $95
Cocktails Only ($14 – $15)	~$16.50 (with tip)	~6 drinks per day
Beer Only ($7.99 – $8.25)	~$9.50 (with tip)	~10 beers per day
Wine by the Glass ($10 – $14)	~$14.00 (with tip)	~7 glasses per day
Mixed Consumption	Varies	2 Coffees + 2 Waters + 4 Cocktails + 1 Beer

When it IS Worth It:

• You enjoy drinking consistently throughout the day (a morning latte, bottled water on excursions, pool drinks, wine with dinner, and evening lounge cocktails). Cruise.Blog
• You value the all-inclusive peace of mind of having your onboard spending settled before embarking, eliminating post-cruise bill surprises.

When it IS NOT Worth It:

• Your cruise itinerary is heavy on port days where you spend 8–10 hours off the ship exploring destinations, leaving limited time to use the package onboard.
• You are a light or occasional drinker who rarely consumes more than 1–3 alcoholic beverages a day.
• One adult in your stateroom drinks, but the other does not (and you do not wish to go through the process of requesting an exemption).

Pro-Tips for Saving Money on Royal Caribbean Drinks

1. Pre-Purchase via Cruise Planner: Never wait to buy a drink package onboard. Onboard retail rates are almost always the highest possible price. Log into your Royal Caribbean account months before your cruise; sales regularly offer 20% to 35% off standard package rates.
2. Bring Your Own Wine/Bubbles: Royal Caribbean allows each guest of legal drinking age to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne onboard in their carry-on luggage on embarkation day. No corkage fees apply if consumed in your stateroom (a modest corkage fee may apply if brought to the Main Dining Room).

1. Carry-On Non-Alcoholic Drinks: On embarkation day, guests can bring up to 12 standard cans/cartons of non-alcoholic beverages (sodas, juices, sparkling water) per stateroom.
2. Leverage Crown & Anchor Loyalty Status: If you are a member of Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program at the Diamond level or higher, you receive daily complimentary drink vouchers (usable for almost any drink up to $14–$15) loaded directly onto your SeaPass card every day of the sailing. This often eliminates the need to purchase a drink package altogether.
3. Look for Complimentary Drink Events: Captain’s Welcome receptions, Crown & Anchor events, art auction previews, and casino events often serve complimentary champagne, mimosas, or house wines.

Daily Beverage Strategy BlueprintTo help organize your days at sea, here is a breakdown of how to pair onboard beverages across a typical cruise day

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