Drink/Dining packages on Royal Caribbean worth it?
First up - Drink Packages
Picture this: you’re lounging by the pool, sea breeze in your hair, an umbrella drink in hand, no mental math—just sipping. That’s the dream on a cruise. But when you check the cost of Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package, your stomach might drop. Is that carefree drinking really a good deal, or just a premium add-on cruise lines rely on you not doing the math?
I recently dove into the numbers, read through traveler reviews, and sailed (vicariously and sometimes in real life) to figure out: Are Royal Caribbean drink packages worth it?
What Are the Drink Packages (Basics & Inclusions)
Royal Caribbean offers multiple beverage package tiers. What’s included and what’s not depends on which you pick.
Here’s a simplified breakdown:
Soda package ($10/day) is only worth it for frequent soda drinkers.
Refreshment package ($40/day) is good for guests who enjoy multiple premium non-alcoholic beverages daily.
Deluxe package ($80/day) makes sense for those who drink multiple cocktails, beer, or wine each day, or who value convenience and worry-free ordering. Pro Tip: The lowest I have seen was 45% off - if you ever see that it is 100% worth it.
Couple Things to note: These are average prices, sometimes it is higher and sometimes it is lower. If you book and it goes down you can cancel/rebook the package for the lower rate. If you are sailing Sky Class already, upgrading to Star may be worth the beverage package difference and the other inclusions.
All adults in the same stateroom must purchase the same alcohol package.
Booking early and monitoring Cruise Planner for promotions can save money.
When we aren’t sailing suite class we enjoy having sodas in our room so we do carry on multiple 12 packs which in turn makes the soda package not worth it for us. I do love a good iced vanilla latte everyday and other non alcoholic drinks so the refreshment package around $30 per person per day (on a killer sale) is worth it for me. Anything above that price is not. Some people swear by having them just for the convenience and “all inclusive” factor. Whether you buy the drink packages or not, you will still have an amazing cruise!
Specialty Dining Packages
These are for SPECIALTY dining only. There are multiple options for dining already included in your cruise fare. If food is super important to you - like #1 priority I would do an unlimited dining package. Otherwise you can preschedule meals in the cruise planner for the same cost typically as you would be getting them in a package. Pre booking is going to be cheaper than booking on the ship from what I have seen. Again, if you are looking at adding the unlimited specialty dining we should look into suite class options that already include that and much more. These are rough prices and subject to change.
3-Night Package: Ideal for guests who plan to enjoy exactly 3 specialty meals.
Unlimited Package: Perfect for frequent specialty diners or those who want flexibility without tracking costs.
Pay-as-you-go: Often cheaper for light diners or guests who prefer buffets and the main dining room.
Packages can save money and make planning easier, especially for celebrations or culinary enthusiasts.
Even without a specialty dining or drink package, you can still have an amazing time on a Royal Caribbean cruise. The main dining room and buffet offer a wide variety of delicious meals every day, from international cuisines to comfort favorites, so no one goes hungry. On sea days, poolside snacks, casual cafes, and complimentary options provide plenty of tasty choices. Plus, part of the fun of cruising is exploring the ship, enjoying activities, shows, and excursions — and sometimes, keeping things simple means more time to relax and savor the experience without worrying about extra packages. Whether you indulge occasionally or stick to included dining, there’s always a way to make your cruise enjoyable and memorable.
thanks for letting me be your family travel planner!
-Nikki
If I am not your family travel planner yet but you are already booked and would like some assistance in getting the most out of your cruise, I may still be able to help! -
looking for a vacation quote? I can help with that as well!
Recently on Instagram
