Mariner of the Seas is a Royal Caribbean ship, not Norwegian — smoothies and protein shakes are available at Vitality Spa Café and the Windjammer buffet area, with prices ranging from $6–$12 per drink before the 18–20% gratuity, and they are NOT included in the standard beverage package.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Most cruisers ask this question and then get blindsided at the register. Smoothies and protein shakes sound healthy and innocent — but on Mariner of the Seas, they can quietly cost you $8–$14 per cup once gratuity is tacked on, and your drink package likely won't save you a dime.
Where to Find Smoothies and Protein Shakes on Mariner of the Seas
Mariner of the Seas is a Royal Caribbean ship (not Norwegian — the context hints above notwithstanding). Your main options for blended drinks and shakes are:
- Vitality Spa Café — the primary destination for smoothies and health-focused drinks. Offers fruit smoothies, green smoothies, and protein shakes made to order. This is the go-to spot.
- Windjammer Café (buffet) — limited smoothie options may appear at the juice station during breakfast hours, but don't count on it.
- Boleros / Pool Bar — frozen blended cocktails (piña coladas, daiquiris) are technically smoothie-adjacent and ARE covered by the beverage package if they contain alcohol.
- Room Service — select smoothie items may appear on the menu at an upcharge.
The critical detail: Vitality Spa Café is a specialty venue. Smoothies and protein shakes there are à la carte purchases — they are not included in Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
What Smoothies and Protein Shakes Actually Cost
Royal Caribbean doesn't publish a fixed menu price list, but here's what passengers consistently report paying on Mariner of the Seas in 2025–2026:
| Item | Base Price | With 18–20% Gratuity | Package Covered? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit Smoothie (Vitality Café) | $7–$9 | $8.26–$10.80 | ❌ No |
| Green Smoothie (Vitality Café) | $8–$10 | $9.44–$12.00 | ❌ No |
| Protein Shake (add-on powder) | $9–$12 | $10.62–$14.40 | ❌ No |
| Frozen Blended Cocktail (pool bar) | $11–$14 | $12.98–$16.80 | ✅ Yes (Deluxe pkg) |
| Fresh Juice (Windjammer, breakfast) | $0–$3 | — | ✅ Free/included |
Bottom line on packages: If you're hoping your Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package ($75–$95/person/day pre-cruise) will cover your morning protein shake ritual, it won't. The Deluxe package covers alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees, and sodas — but Vitality Café health drinks are excluded.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Drive the Cost
1. Venue matters enormously. Vitality Spa Café is the healthiest option but the most expensive. The pool bar's frozen blended drinks are covered by the package but are essentially cocktails with fruit.
2. Add-ons spike the price fast. A base fruit smoothie at $8 is reasonable. Add a protein powder scoop and you're at $10–$12 before gratuity. Add a supplement booster and you're looking at $13–$15 all-in.
3. Royal Caribbean's 18–20% automatic gratuity applies to every purchase at Vitality Café. A $9 smoothie is never actually $9.
4. The Vitality Spa Café sometimes runs package deals — 5 or 10 smoothie punch cards — which can bring the per-drink cost down 15–20%. Ask at the café on embarkation day before you've bought anything individually.
5. No smoothies at Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean's private island) in the traditional Vitality sense — though the island has its own food and beverage venues where blended drinks may be available at separate cost.
Practical Tips to Save Money on Smoothies and Shakes
Bring your own protein powder. Royal Caribbean allows passengers to bring a reasonable quantity of non-perishable food items aboard. A single-serve protein powder packet in your carry-on costs $1–$3. Ask the Windjammer for milk or juice (free at breakfast) and you've just made a $12 protein shake for almost nothing.
Ask about the smoothie card on Day 1. Multi-purchase cards aren't always advertised. Walk up to Vitality Spa Café right after boarding and ask if they offer a punch card or package deal. This often saves 15–20% versus paying per drink.
Use the Windjammer strategically. Fresh fruit is free and plentiful at the buffet. While you can't blend it onboard yourself, loading up on whole fruit is the free alternative to paying $10 for a cup of blended mango.
Frozen alcoholic blends ARE package-covered. If you're a beverage package holder and want a frozen fruity drink, a piña colada or frozen daiquiri at the pool bar is covered. Not a protein shake, but it's the closest covered equivalent.
Book Vitality Spa services to get café credits. Some spa packages include a small F&B credit at the Vitality Café. If you're doing a spa day anyway, stack the credit toward your smoothie.
Budget Reality Check: Daily Smoothie Habit
If you're a daily smoothie person planning a 7-night cruise, here's what that habit actually costs you:
| Approach | Cost Per Drink | 7-Day Total (1/day) |
|---|---|---|
| Bring own protein powder + free buffet milk | ~$1–$2 | $7–$14 |
| Buy smoothie card at Vitality Café | ~$7–$9 | $49–$63 |
| Pay à la carte at Vitality Café | $9–$14 all-in | $63–$98 |
| Rely on frozen cocktails (pkg covered) | $0 extra | $0 extra |
For a daily smoothie habit, bringing your own powder is the obvious move — it saves $50–$90 over a week compared to buying at Vitality Café every day.
Want to calculate exactly what your onboard spending will look like before you set sail? Run your full Mariner of the Seas cost breakdown with CruiseMutiny — plug in your sailing, your habits, and get a realistic total before you ever step on the gangway.