Royal Caribbean Has Made a Small, But Important Change to One of Its Drink Packages

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In May 2025 Royal Caribbean made a quiet but meaningful tweak to one of its most popular drink packages—and many cruisers are saying it’s about time. The Royal Refreshment Package, Royal Caribbean’s mid-tier drink option, has always included a generous selection of non-alcoholic beverages. Think soda, fresh juices, specialty coffees, smoothies, and even mocktails. But for years, one specific type of drink was oddly absent—non-alcoholic beer. That has now changed.

A Small Addition with Big Impact

Without any formal announcement, Royal Caribbean updated the terms of the Refreshment Package to now include non-alcoholic beers, such as Heineken 0.0. This might seem like a small detail, but for many guests—especially those who enjoy the taste of beer without the alcohol—it’s a welcome update. Previously, if you wanted a non-alcoholic beer on board, you needed to purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package—the cruise line’s top-tier alcohol package—which could cost double (or more) compared to the Refreshment Package. Now, if you’re of legal drinking age (which varies by region—21 for most U.S. sailings, 18 in Europe), you can enjoy a cold non-alcoholic beer without upgrading your package.

What the Royal Refreshment Package Now Includes

Here’s what’s currently offered in the Refreshment Package:

• Coca-Cola Freestyle Machine beverages (sodas, sugar-free options, lemonades, Powerade, vitaminwater®, etc.)

• Bottled still and sparkling water

• CocoLove coconut water

• Fresh-squeezed juices

• Smoothies and protein shakes

• Specialty coffees and teas

• Johnny Rockets® shakes and floats

• Frozen drinks (non-alcoholic piña coladas and more)

• Non-alcoholic spirits, wines, and now beers

• Coca-Cola souvenir cup

Why This Matters

The price difference between packages is significant. The Refreshment Package typically costs $28 to $42 per person per day, while the Deluxe Beverage Package ranges from $55 to $115 per person per day depending on your sailing. Adding more value to the mid-tier package means guests who don’t drink alcohol—or are cutting back—now have even more ways to get their money’s worth. Whether it’s for health reasons, religious beliefs, or just personal preference, non-alcoholic options matter more than ever. And the timing makes sense. The rise of sober-curious culture, especially among younger travelers, is reshaping the beverage world. In fact, a recent study showed 61% of non-alcoholic beer drinkers in the U.S. are Millennials, up from 45% just a year prior.

What Cruisers Are Saying

The change didn’t go unnoticed. On the Royal Caribbean Reddit forum, many guests expressed excitement:

• “Finally!”

• “I don't drink a ton of NA beer, but it'll be great to have it included.”

• “Nice! Finally have more options than just mocktails.”

• “Great for former drinkers like me who miss the taste of wine and beer.”

• “Especially with the shift by younger passengers to limit alcohol intake... the NA beer market has exploded.”

Final Thoughts

It might not grab headlines like a new ship or waterslide, but this small update reflects a bigger shift in cruise culture. Royal Caribbean is clearly paying attention to what its guests want—and adjusting accordingly. So next time you're sailing with Royal and holding a cold, refreshing Heineken 0.0 in hand—just know, you can thank the quiet changes that are making cruising even better for everyone.