To Buy the Drink Package, or Not to Buy the Drink Package on Royal Caribbean

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Start with the Math

Before making any decisions, do the math. Drink package pricing can fluctuate before your cruise, so it’s smart to monitor the Cruise Planner for discounts. However, simply looking at the price isn’t enough—you need to compare it to what you’re likely to spend if you go without the package.

Drinks on Royal Caribbean typically cost between $12–$15 each. Most cocktails are now around $15, and with an automatic 18% gratuity, two drinks will set you back approximately $35.40. If you plan to have a few drinks each day, the cost adds up fast.

 

Calculating the True Cost of a Drink Package

It’s important to understand how Royal Caribbean calculates gratuity on drink packages, because they don’t make it easy to see.

Here’s how you can calculate it:

• Multiply the daily drink package rate by 18%.
• Round the gratuity down.
• Add that gratuity to the base daily rate.
• Multiply by the number of cruise nights and number of people.

Example Calculation:

• Cruise Length: 8 nights
• Package Price: $54.99 per person/day
• Gratuity: $54.99 x 18% = $9.89
• Total Daily Cost: $54.99 + $9.89 = $64.88
• Total for Two People: $64.88 x 8 x 2 = $1,038.08

I use a spreadsheet that lets me plug in the numbers as prices change, and it instantly tells me what the actual cost is. In this example, the break-even point is about 3.66 drinks per person per day, based on the $17.70 cost (including gratuity) per drink.

Here is a link to a simple calculation spreadsheet.  You can use to find your break even point, or to see how much you'll save if the price drops.

Your break-even point will vary depending on the current pricing, number of cruise nights, and how much you plan to drink.

 

Don’t Forget About Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Both the Deluxe and Royal Refreshment Packages include more than just alcohol. Bottled water, soda, milkshakes at Johnny Rockets, specialty coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, and more are included. If you enjoy multiple types of drinks throughout the day, these extras can add a lot of value to the package.

For example, we always grab bottled waters to stock our stateroom, enjoy sodas by the pool, and rarely pass up a post-dinner espresso. Without a package, these would all be extra charges.

Traveling with Someone Who Doesn’t Drink?

Royal Caribbean typically requires that all adults in a stateroom purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package. However, if one of you doesn’t drink, there’s a workaround. Your travel agent can help you request a waiver that allows one person to get the Deluxe Package and the other to purchase the Royal Refreshment Package. It’s not automatic, but it’s possible with assistance.

Are You Diamond or Above with Crown & Anchor?

Crown & Anchor Society members who are Diamond or higher receive between 4 and 6 free drinks per person, per day. That benefit might make the drink package unnecessary for you. If you don’t plan to exceed your daily limit of complimentary drinks, skipping the package could save you money.

Pro Tip for First-Timers

Once you’ve purchased a drink package, don’t stress over “getting your money’s worth.” It’s already paid for. Trying to drink more than you want just to beat the math isn’t worth ruining your vacation. Enjoy the freedom to have what you want, when you want it—without second-guessing every order.

Final Thoughts

This decision isn’t always easy, and it’s different for every traveler. My wife and I usually find the drink package to be worthwhile. We enjoy wine, cocktails, specialty coffees, bottled water, and more. The cost of the package tends to match what we would have spent à la carte, but with added convenience and peace of mind.

At the end of each cruise, we reflect on whether it was worth it—and most of the time, it was.

 

What’s your take on the drink package?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

 

To book your next Royal Caribbean adventure or talk through whether the drink package makes sense for you, call me at (937) 343-1241 or email mike.brenner@cruiseplanners.com.