Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package costs $109–$129 per person, per day when purchased onboard in 2025, but drops to $79–$99 per person, per day if you pre-purchase before sailing — making advance booking the single biggest money-saving move you can make.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean's beverage package pricing is intentionally confusing — they want you to wait until you're onboard, drink in hand, already loosened up, before you see the full price. Don't fall for it. The onboard rate runs $20–$30 more per day than what you'd pay booking in advance through your Cruise Planner.
What the Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package Actually Costs
Here's the real-world pricing breakdown for 2025–2026 sailings. Note that prices vary by ship, itinerary length, and how far in advance you book.
| Purchase Timing | Cost Per Person, Per Day | 7-Night Trip Cost (Per Person) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-purchase (Cruise Planner, best sale) | $79–$89/day | $553–$623 |
| Pre-purchase (standard Cruise Planner) | $89–$99/day | $623–$693 |
| Onboard purchase (Day 1) | $109–$119/day | $763–$833 |
| Onboard purchase (Day 2+) | $119–$129/day | N/A — daily rate only |
Key rule: The package must be purchased for the full length of the cruise if bought in advance. Onboard, you can buy it day-by-day, but at a brutal premium.
Royal Caribbean runs Cruise Planner sales constantly — Black Friday, Wave Season (January–March), and random flash sales can push the package down to $79/person/day. That's the sweet spot. Set a price alert or check back weekly.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
What's Included (and What Isn't)
The Deluxe Beverage Package covers:
- Cocktails, spirits, and beer up to $15 per drink (most premium pours are covered)
- Wine by the glass (not the bottle — that's a different package)
- Non-alcoholic drinks — fresh-squeezed juices, specialty coffees, sodas, energy drinks
- Bottled water (important for port days)
- Milkshakes at venues like Johnny Rockets
What's NOT included:
- Bottles of wine or spirits
- Drinks over $15 — you pay the difference
- Room service beverages
- Souvenir cups and certain specialty items
- Mini-bar in your cabin
The $15 drink cap catches people off guard. Premium whiskeys, top-shelf tequilas, and some craft cocktails run $16–$18 — you'll owe the difference plus an automatic 18% gratuity on the overage.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Drive the Price Up or Down
Ship class matters. Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and other Oasis-class ships tend to price packages at the higher end of the range. Older, smaller ships in the Vision or Radiance class often come in $5–$10/day cheaper.
Itinerary affects pricing. Caribbean sailings are typically priced higher than Bermuda or short Bahamas runs. Alaska and European sailings can go either direction depending on season.
Gratuity is already included in the Deluxe Beverage Package — this is one area where Royal Caribbean is actually transparent. No 18% added on top of the package price itself.
The breakeven math is real. At $89/day, you need to drink roughly 5–6 cocktails per day (at ~$15–$17 each) to break even. Two cocktails at lunch, two at dinner, and one or two at the pool bar gets you there without trying very hard.
How to Get the Best Price on the Royal Caribbean Beverage Package
1. Buy through the Cruise Planner before you sail. Log into Royal Caribbean's website, go to Cruise Planner, and add the package. Watch for sales — prices fluctuate weekly.
2. Cancel and rebook if a sale drops the price. Pre-purchased Cruise Planner packages are fully refundable before sailing. If you buy at $94/day and see it drop to $79/day, cancel and repurchase immediately. Royal Caribbean lets you do this.
3. Check whether a drink package is already included in your fare. Royal Caribbean's "Royal Perks" promotions frequently bundle the beverage package with your cabin booking — especially on sailings booked during Wave Season. If it's already included, you've won.
4. Compare against the Refreshment Package. If you don't drink much alcohol, the non-alcoholic Refreshment Package runs $39–$49/person/day and covers specialty coffees, juices, mocktails, and sodas. For light drinkers, this is the smarter buy.
5. Don't buy it for a 3- or 4-night cruise without doing the math. On a short sailing, the package economics are tighter and you may come out behind — especially if a sea day is limited or port days eat into your onboard drinking time.
| Package Option | Price/Day | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Beverage Package (pre-purchase sale) | $79–$89 | Daily drinkers, cocktail lovers |
| Deluxe Beverage Package (standard pre-purchase) | $89–$99 | Most adult cruisers |
| Refreshment Package | $39–$49 | Non-drinkers, light drinkers |
| Soda Package | $14–$18 | Soda-only drinkers |
| Buy drinks individually | $12–$18/drink | Cruisers who drink 2–3/day max |
Which Ships and Sailings Get the Best Package Value
If you're sailing on Icon of the Seas or Wonder of the Seas, the sheer volume of bars, specialty venues, and cocktail options makes the package pay off faster — there are more opportunities to use it throughout the day. Ships with dedicated craft cocktail bars, pool bars, and multiple restaurant options reward package holders.
For Alaska sailings, package usage tends to be lower (more time in port, outdoor activities, earlier nights) — worth factoring into your breakeven calculation before you commit.
Caribbean itineraries with lots of sea days are where the package delivers maximum value. Seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailings with 2–3 sea days are the sweet spot.
For comparison shopping and booking Royal Caribbean sailings where the beverage package is already bundled as a perk, check rates at CruiseHub — bundled promotions can effectively bring the package cost down to zero.
Before you book anything, run your numbers through CruiseMutiny to see whether the Deluxe Beverage Package actually pencils out for your specific sailing, your drinking habits, and the current Cruise Planner price. The difference between buying smart and buying onboard can easily hit $200–$400 per couple on a 7-night sailing.