RBC Combo or Deluxe Bev Pass

Published April 29, 2026 · By Dave Giovacchini

Royal Caribbean's Refreshment Package (non-alcoholic) runs roughly $28–$35/person/day, while the Deluxe Beverage Package costs $65–$110/person/day pre-cruise. If you drink 5+ alcoholic drinks per day, the Deluxe package pays off — otherwise, the Refreshment Package is the smarter buy.

Photo: Royal Caribbean International

Most cruisers agonize over this choice in the Cruise Planner and end up overpaying for the wrong package. Here's exactly how the Royal Caribbean Refreshment (RBC) Combo and Deluxe Beverage Package stack up — with real numbers so you can stop guessing.

What Each Package Actually Costs (and Covers)

Royal Caribbean's drink packages are dynamically priced, so your exact sailing will vary. These are the typical pre-cruise rates you'll see in the Cruise Planner:

Important: Royal Caribbean charges a 20% service gratuity on all bar purchases. That $14 drink cap on the Deluxe package is the pre-gratuity price. Premium cocktails and top-shelf spirits frequently run $13–$16+, meaning you may face upcharges even with the package.

Always check your Cruise Planner for your exact sailing — sale prices during Black Friday, Wave Season (Jan–Mar), and the 60-day pre-cruise window can drop the Deluxe package to the $65–$75/day range.

Photo: Royal Caribbean International

The Break-Even Math: Which Package Wins

This is the only calculation that matters. Individual drink prices on Royal Caribbean (before gratuity):

To break even on the Deluxe Beverage Package at $85/day: You need roughly 5–6 alcoholic drinks per day — and that's assuming mid-tier cocktails, not the cheapest beers. Add in specialty coffees and waters and you hit that number faster.

To break even on the Refreshment Package at $33/day: You need to buy 4–5 specialty coffees, bottled waters, or sodas at the bar per day. On sea days at the pool bar, this is easy. On port-heavy itineraries, it's a stretch.

Key Factors That Determine Which Is Right for You

Choose the Deluxe Beverage Package if:

• You'll drink 5+ alcoholic drinks per day consistently (sea days make this easier)
• Your itinerary has 3+ sea days — port days crush your drink count
• You hate mental math and want one flat cost for the trip
• There are two of you buying — RC requires both adults in a cabin to purchase the same package or have a documented medical exemption

Choose the Refreshment Package if:

• You're a light or non-drinker who still wants specialty coffees and unlimited soda
• You drink 1–2 alcoholic drinks per day — you'll spend less paying for those individually
• Your sailing is port-intensive (Eastern/Western Caribbean short itineraries, Coco Cay heavy routes)
• Your travel partner doesn't drink — the forced same-cabin rule makes the Deluxe package extremely expensive for mixed couples

Skip both packages if:

• You rarely use the bars and are fine with free buffet drinks (water, lemonade, iced tea, basic coffee)
• You're doing a short 3-night sailing where the math almost never works out for the Deluxe package

Photo: Royal Caribbean International

The Forced-Purchase Rule Nobody Talks About Enough

Both adults in the same cabin must purchase the same tier of package. This is Royal Caribbean's anti-fraud policy and it's non-negotiable (barring a medical/sobriety exemption, which requires documentation and is granted at RC's discretion).

This rule dramatically changes the math for mixed-drinking couples. If one partner drinks 6 cocktails a day and the other drinks none, you're paying $170+/day combined for the Deluxe package. At that point, buying individual drinks for the non-drinker and the Refreshment Package for neither (or Refreshment for the non-drinker plus a la carte for the drinker) might actually win.

Run your own numbers before auto-clicking "add to cart."

How to Get the Best Price on Either Package

• Book during sales — RC's Cruise Planner runs promos constantly. The Deluxe package regularly drops 20–30% during sales events. Set a calendar reminder and check back monthly after booking.
• Don't buy at embarkation — port-day prices are the highest you'll see. Pre-cruise online pricing almost always beats the ship.
• Cancel and rebook freely — RC allows you to cancel and repurchase Cruise Planner items up until sailing if you find a better price. This is a legitimate strategy, not a hack.
• Check the 60-day window — prices sometimes drop further in the final two months before sailing as RC fills remaining package slots.
• Drink specialty coffee strategically — if you're on the Refreshment Package, every specialty coffee from the onboard café is covered. That's $6–$7 per cup. Three cups a day and you've nearly justified the package cost alone.

Bottom Line by Traveler Type

Before you commit to either, run your sailing's exact pricing through CruiseMutiny to see whether the Deluxe Beverage Package or the Refreshment Package actually makes financial sense for your specific itinerary, cabin category, and drinking habits.