Is the Royal Caribbean Refreshment Package worth it for non-drinkers?

Last updated: April 10, 2026 · By Dave Giovacchini

The Royal Caribbean Refreshment Package costs $28–$55 per person per day (2025 pricing) and covers non-alcoholic drinks including specialty coffees, fresh juices, sodas, and mocktails — making it a solid value for heavy coffee and juice drinkers, but a waste of money if you mostly drink water.

Photo: Royal Caribbean International

Most non-drinkers assume they'll save money on a cruise by skipping the booze package. Sometimes that's true. But Royal Caribbean's Refreshment Package is specifically designed for you — and whether it's worth it comes down to one brutally honest question: how much do you actually drink throughout the day?

What the Royal Caribbean Refreshment Package Costs and Covers

As of 2025, the Refreshment Package runs $28–$55 per person per day, depending on the sailing, ship class, and how early you book. Prices are almost always lower when purchased before boarding — sometimes 20–30% cheaper than the onboard rate.

Here's what's included:

• Specialty coffees (lattes, cappuccinos, espresso drinks at Café Promenade and similar venues)
• Fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies
• Sodas and fountain drinks (unlimited)
• Bottled water (standard size, not large bottles)
• Non-alcoholic cocktails and mocktails
• Premium teas
• Milkshakes (on ships with venues that offer them)
• Iced coffees and Frappuccino-style drinks

What it does NOT include: alcohol (obviously), bottled water larger than 500ml, Red Bull/energy drinks, specialty dining venue drinks beyond the standard menu, and freshly made smoothies at some venues.

Photo: Royal Caribbean International

Key Factors That Determine the Value

Your coffee habit is the biggest swing factor. A single specialty coffee on Royal Caribbean ships runs $5–$7. If you're a two-latte-a-day person, you've already spent $10–$14 before you've touched a drop of juice or soda. Three coffee drinks a day and you've nearly broken even on the lower end of the package price by themselves.

Fresh juices add up fast. A fresh-squeezed orange juice at the buffet or a specialty juice bar? $4–$6 each. Two a day is $8–$12 right there.

Bottled water is a hidden killer. If you're buying individual bottles throughout the day at $3.50–$5 each, the package pays for itself embarrassingly quickly in hot climates like the Caribbean or Mediterranean.

Mocktails and specialty drinks matter if you actually order them. A Virgin Piña Colada or a fancy mocktail at the pool bar runs $7–$10. Non-drinkers who enjoy the social experience of ordering cocktails — just without the alcohol — will find real value here.

Soda drinkers: do the math carefully. Sodas alone are unlikely to justify the package. A can of soda is around $3–$4 on board. If sodas are your primary drink, you'd need 7–14+ cans per day to break even, which is... a lot.

Voyage length matters. On a 3-night cruise, the math is tight. On a 7-night or longer sailing, habitual coffee and juice drinkers almost always come out ahead.

Photo: Royal Caribbean International

Practical Tips to Get the Best Value

Buy before you board — always. The onboard price for the Refreshment Package can run $10–$15/day more than the pre-cruise web price. Check your Royal Caribbean cruise planner as soon as your reservation is confirmed and watch for sale prices, which are common 60–90 days before sailing.

Don't confuse it with the Soda Package. Royal Caribbean also sells a cheaper Soda Package at roughly $12–$15/day. If you genuinely only drink sodas and the occasional water, that's a better fit. The Refreshment Package is worth the premium only if you'll use the coffee and juice options.

Track your first sea day honestly. Some experienced cruisers skip the package, track what they buy on day one, and then decide whether to add it at the onboard price. The math usually tells the story quickly — though you'll pay more if you wait.

Unlimited doesn't mean you have to go overboard. You don't need to guzzle seven lattes to justify the package. A realistic habit of 2 coffees + 1 juice + 1 soda per day puts you solidly in break-even or better territory on most sailings.

Beware the fine print on large water bottles. The package covers standard 500ml bottles. If you want the large 1.5L bottles for your cabin, those are typically not included and run around $5–$7 each. Factor that in if you're a big water drinker.

Which Royal Caribbean Ships and Sailings Make This Package the Best Deal

The value of the Refreshment Package scales with the ship's amenity offerings. Oasis-class and Icon-class ships (Wonder of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, etc.) have the most specialty coffee venues, juice bars, and mocktail menus — more opportunities to get your money's worth. A Refreshment Package on Icon of the Seas with its multiple pool bars offering non-alcoholic options and dedicated coffee venues is a much better deal than on a smaller Vision-class ship with fewer venues.

Caribbean and Bahamas sailings in warm weather are where non-drinkers rack up the most spend on bottled water, fresh juices, and cold drinks. Alaska sailings are cooler, you'll drink less overall, and the package math gets harder to justify unless you're a dedicated coffee drinker.

Bottom line: the Royal Caribbean Refreshment Package is worth it for non-drinkers who consume 2+ specialty coffees or fresh juices daily, or anyone who drinks a lot of bottled water in warm weather. If you're a tap water and the-occasional-soda type, skip it entirely and pay as you go. Want to run the exact numbers for your specific sailing before you book? Use CruiseMutiny to compare package costs against your actual drink habits and see whether it pencils out for your trip.