Skipping Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package can absolutely make financial sense — if you drink fewer than 5–6 drinks per day, you'll likely save money paying as you go, even after the 18% gratuity surcharge on every individual purchase.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
The cruise industry has done a masterful job convincing passengers that skipping the drink package is financial suicide. It isn't. The real question is whether your drinking habits justify ~$80/day per person (typical pre-cruise Deluxe Beverage Package rate) — and for a surprising number of cruisers, the math just doesn't work out in the package's favor.
The Break-Even Math: What You Actually Need to Drink
Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package runs $56–$120/person/day depending on your sailing, with a typical pre-cruise Cruise Planner price around $80/day. Every purchase also carries an 18% gratuity surcharge tacked on automatically.
Here's what individual drinks cost onboard (before that 18% gratuity):
| Drink | Base Price | With 18% Gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic beer | $7.50 | $8.85 |
| Imported/craft beer | $9.00 | $10.62 |
| Well cocktail | $11.50 | $13.57 |
| Signature cocktail | $13.50 | $15.93 |
| Premium cocktail (top shelf) | $16.00 | $18.88 |
| Wine by the glass | $11.00 | $12.98 |
| Specialty coffee | $6.00 | $7.08 |
| Bottled water | $4.00 | $4.72 |
At $80/day for the package, you need roughly 5–6 drinks per day to break even — assuming a mix of cocktails and beers. If you're a 2–3 drinks-per-day cruiser who grabs a coffee in the morning and drinks water the rest of the time, you're almost certainly overpaying for the package.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Package vs. Pay-As-You-Go: Three Traveler Tiers
| Traveler Type | Estimated Daily Spend (PAYG) | Package Cost/Day | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light drinker (1–2 cocktails, water, 1 coffee) | ~$45–$55 with gratuity | ~$80 | Skip it — save $25–$35/day |
| Moderate drinker (3–4 drinks, specialty coffee daily) | ~$65–$80 with gratuity | ~$80 | Borderline — flip a coin |
| Heavy/social drinker (6+ drinks, cocktails, wines at dinner) | ~$100–$130+ with gratuity | ~$80 | Buy the package |
| Non-drinker wanting non-alcoholic options | N/A | $35/day (Royal Refreshment) | Consider Royal Refreshment only |
Important caveat: Royal Caribbean requires all adults in the same cabin to purchase the same package. If your travel partner barely drinks, that $80/day per person math gets ugly fast.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Tip the Scales
Itinerary type matters enormously. A 7-night Caribbean cruise with 4 sea days encourages more drinking than a port-heavy Mediterranean sailing where you're off the ship by 8am. Package value drops significantly on itineraries where you're ashore — and spending money ashore — most of the day.
Port days cut into package value. You're not drinking ship cocktails while you're exploring St. Thomas or Cozumel. Every hour off the ship is an hour you're not extracting value from that $80/day package.
The $14 drink cap bites. Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package only covers drinks up to $14. Anything above that, you pay the difference plus 18% gratuity. Top-shelf cocktails regularly hit $16+, meaning even package holders get nickel-and-dimed.
Starbucks is excluded. Those specialty coffees from the onboard Starbucks? Not covered. Basic specialty coffees from non-Starbucks venues are included, but if you're a Starbucks loyalist, factor that in separately.
The package works at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee, which helps — beach days at private islands are exactly the kind of all-day drinking occasions that justify the cost. It does NOT work at the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, so factor that in if your itinerary includes it.
Practical Tips for Going Package-Free
1. Set a daily cash budget and stick to it. Decide before you board: "I'm spending $40/day on drinks, period." Having a mental limit prevents the open-bar mentality from inflating your tab anyway.
2. Use the mini-bar strategically. Pre-stocking your cabin with drinks from the first port or bringing allowed wine/beer aboard can supplement onboard purchasing. Royal Caribbean allows one bottle of wine per adult at embarkation.
3. Free drinks exist — find them. The casino sometimes runs drink promotions for active players. Captain's Club events (if you have Crown & Anchor status) include complimentary drinks. Suite guests get more perks. Know your tier.
4. Watch the Cruise Planner for flash sales. If you're on the fence, monitor your Cruise Planner obsessively in the 60–90 days before sailing. Package prices can drop to $56–$65/day during sales. At that price, the math shifts toward buying. You can repurchase at the lower rate and get refunded the difference.
5. The Classic Soda Package ($9.99–$18/day, ~$13 typical) is legitimately useful if you're a soda drinker and want to avoid paying $3.50+ per glass at the bar. For non-drinkers, the Royal Refreshment Package at ~$35/day covers specialty coffees, smoothies, mocktails, and juices without paying for alcohol you won't touch.
6. Track what you actually drink on day one. Keep a running tab on day one and extrapolate. If you're $45 deep by dinner with two drinks and a coffee, you'll know whether the package would have saved you money.
The Honest Bottom Line
Skipping the package for the first time is a completely reasonable experiment — especially if you've never actually tracked what you drink on a cruise. The industry wants you to feel anxious about going package-free. Don't. Worst case, you learn your exact drinking patterns and make a more informed decision next sailing.
Before you decide either way, check your exact sailing price in the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner. Prices are dynamic and your sailing's actual rate could be meaningfully lower than the $80/day typical — or higher. Don't assume.
Want to run the numbers for your specific sailing and drinking habits? The CruiseMutiny tool can help you figure out whether the package pencils out before you commit.