One of the biggest decisions you’ll make before your Royal Caribbean cruise is whether to add the Deluxe Beverage Package.
For some cruisers, it’s an easy yes. For others, it can add hundreds of pounds to the cost of a holiday before you’ve even stepped onboard.
So, is Royal Caribbean’s drinks package worth it in 2026?
The honest answer is simple: it depends on how you cruise.
What’s Included in Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package?
Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package remains the cruise line’s most comprehensive drinks package and includes:
- Cocktails
- Spirits and mixed drinks
- Beer
- Wine by the glass
- Premium coffees and teas
- Fresh juices
- Mocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails
- Fountain sodas
- Bottled still and sparkling water
- Milkshakes at select venues
- Selected energy drinks where available onboard
The package covers drinks up to a specified menu value. At the time of writing, drinks priced up to $14 are included, although Royal Caribbean can change package terms and pricing over time.
Unlike many other cruise lines, there is no daily drink limit. You can order as many included drinks as you like throughout your cruise.
The package price also includes prepaid gratuities, meaning you won’t see an additional service charge added every time you order a drink.
One recent change worth noting is that Deluxe Beverage Package guests no longer receive a complimentary Coca-Cola Freestyle cup. Guests who wish to use Freestyle machines can purchase a cup separately onboard.
How Much Does Royal Caribbean’s Drinks Package Cost in 2026?
Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing, meaning the cost varies depending on:
- Ship
- Itinerary
- Cruise length
- Time of year
- Demand
In 2026, most passengers can expect to pay somewhere between $70 and $110 per person, per day after discounts, although premium itineraries can sometimes exceed this.
The best prices are almost always available before sailing through Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner.
One thing that hasn’t changed is Royal Caribbean’s policy regarding stateroom purchases. In most cases, all adults of legal drinking age staying in the same cabin must purchase a beverage package if one guest buys the Deluxe Beverage Package. Exceptions may sometimes be granted for genuine non-drinkers.
That means the cost can quickly add up.
For a seven-night cruise, a couple could easily spend well over $1,000 on drinks packages alone.
How Many Drinks Do You Need To Break Even?
This is the calculation I always do before booking.
Drink prices vary by ship and venue, but typical onboard prices in 2026 often look something like this:
- Cocktails: $14 to $16
- Beer: $8 to $10
- Wine by the glass: $11 to $16
- Specialty coffee: $5 to $7
- Bottled water: $3 to $4
- Soda: $4 to $5
When you start adding everything together, the numbers climb surprisingly quickly.
A typical sea day might look like this:
Morning
- Latte from Café Promenade
- Bottled water for the pool
Afternoon
- Two cocktails by the pool
- Glass of wine with lunch
- Another bottled water
Evening
- Two glasses of wine with dinner
- Two cocktails during the evening entertainment
That’s often enough to justify the package without feeling like you’re drinking excessively.
The key question isn’t whether you can drink enough to make it worthwhile.
It’s whether that’s how you’d naturally spend your day onboard.
The Biggest Benefit Isn’t Actually the Savings
For me, the biggest advantage isn’t necessarily saving money.
It’s convenience.
Once you’ve paid for the package, you stop thinking about the cost of every drink.
Want to try a cocktail you’ve never heard of? Go for it.
Fancy another bottle of water before heading ashore?
No problem.
Need a coffee before breakfast and a mocktail by the pool later?
It’s already covered.
That freedom is what many cruisers are really paying for.
When the Deluxe Beverage Package Makes Sense
The package is often good value if you:
- Enjoy cocktails throughout the day
- Drink wine with lunch and dinner
- Order specialty coffees daily
- Regularly buy bottled water
- Spend plenty of time onboard during sea days
- Prefer an all-inclusive holiday experience
If that sounds like your cruise style, you’ll likely get your money’s worth.
When You Should Skip It
You may be better paying as you go if you:
- Only drink occasionally
- Prefer exploring ports all day
- Rarely order specialty coffees or soft drinks
- Primarily drink beer in moderation
- Feel pressured to “drink your money’s worth”
Remember, there is absolutely no requirement to buy a drinks package to enjoy a Royal Caribbean cruise.
Many passengers happily pay for drinks individually and still spend far less than the package would have cost.
Alternative Drink Packages
If the Deluxe Beverage Package feels too expensive, Royal Caribbean offers several alternatives.
Refreshment Package
A popular middle-ground option that includes:
- Premium coffees
- Fresh juices
- Bottled water
- Mocktails
- Soft drinks
Classic Soda Package
The most affordable package, covering:
- Unlimited fountain sodas
- Access to Coca-Cola Freestyle machines
- Souvenir Coca-Cola cup
So, Is Royal Caribbean’s Drinks Package Worth It?
For cocktail drinkers, wine lovers, and anyone who enjoys specialty coffees, bottled water and soft drinks throughout the day, the Deluxe Beverage Package can still represent good value in 2026.
For everyone else, the maths becomes much harder to justify.
My advice is simple: calculate what you’d realistically drink on a typical sea day, not what you’d drink if you were trying to break even.
If your estimated spend comes close to the package price, the convenience alone may make it worthwhile.
If not, you’re probably better keeping that money in your holiday budget and paying for drinks individually.
