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Royal Caribbean Deluxe vs Refreshment Drink Package 2026

By Cruise Advisor Editorial Team · Updated 2026-08-08 · 12 min read

Two cocktails and a latte on a Royal Caribbean ship deck in 2026

A practical, UK-focused guide to Royal Caribbean Deluxe vs Refreshment drink package 2026. Save money, know the rules and decide based on length of cruise and drinking habits.

If you’re searching for clarity on royal caribbean deluxe vs refreshment drink package 2026 you’re in the right place. In this in-depth, UK-focused guide we’ll break down exactly what each package includes, show up-to-date prices in £ for 2026 sailings, compare value for different types of cruisers, and give practical tips to save money before and during your cruise. Whether you’re sailing on Wonder of the Seas from Southampton, MSC rival options, or trying a P&O, Cunard or Marella crossover cruise, this article aims to make that decision simple.

Overview: What Royal Caribbean offers in 2026

In 2026 Royal Caribbean continues to offer tiered drink packages that cover different needs. The two most frequently compared are the Deluxe Beverage Package and the Refreshment Package. The Deluxe is the line’s most comprehensive alcohol-inclusive option and is best for those who enjoy cocktails, beer and wine on board. The Refreshment Package replaces the older non-alcoholic package options with a stronger focus on speciality coffee, fresh smoothies, premium soft drinks and bottled water. Prices vary by itinerary, ship and promotions, so the exact per-day cost you’ll pay can differ, but the structure remains: Deluxe for alcohol, Refreshment for non-alcoholic premium drinks. This guide uses examples from 2026 Southampton departures on Wonder of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas and references deals running early and late 2026.

Which ships and sailings this affects

The packages are available fleet-wide on Royal Caribbean ships including Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas and Icon of the Seas in 2026. UK departures from Southampton and other UK ports generally feature locally priced packages in £ rather than US$. When you book through Royal Caribbean UK or a UK travel agent, the daily rate you see will be in £ and will reflect any VAT or port-specific taxes applied for 2026 sailings. If you sail with P&O, Cunard or Marella you’ll find their packages are different — see our comparison article Drink packages compared: P&O, Cunard, Marella for alternatives.

<table><thead><tr><th>Feature</th><th>Deluxe Beverage Package (estimate)</th><th>Refreshment Package (estimate)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Typical 2026 price (per person, per day)</td><td>£68–£75</td><td>£18–£22</td></tr><tr><td>Includes alcohol?</td><td>Yes — cocktails, beer, wine by the glass</td><td>No — speciality coffees, smoothies, bottled water, soft drinks</td></tr><tr><td>Drink price cap</td><td>Up to approx £15 per drink included</td><td>Items up to approx £8–£10 included</td></tr><tr><td>Daily limit</td><td>Usually 15 drinks per day</td><td>Often unlimited specialty non-alcoholic items (check terms)</td></tr><tr><td>Useful for</td><td>Frequent drinkers, celebratory cruises, cocktails lovers</td><td>Families, teetotallers, coffee lovers</td></tr></tbody></table>

Royal Caribbean structures packages around a daily allowance and a per-item price cap. That means on the Deluxe package you’re generally limited to a certain number of drinks per day (commonly 15) and each drink must be under a specified price threshold (around £15 as of 2026). The Refreshment Package covers higher-end non-alcoholic items including Illy coffees, smoothies and fresh-press juices and usually has its own item price ceiling. Always read the terms for your specific cruise: specialty cocktails priced above the package cap can incur extra charges.

Price details and examples for 2026 UK sailings

Prices change with demand, ship and itinerary. For 2026 UK sailings the published Royal Caribbean website and UK travel agents commonly showed the Deluxe Beverage Package in the range £68–£75 per person per day for mainstream ships (Wonder, Odyssey, Symphony). Promoted fares during early 2026 deals might reduce the price to around £60–£65 per day. The Refreshment Package for UK sailings has been advertised approximately £18–£22 per person per day. For short breaks (2–3 nights) buying packages on board can occasionally be cheaper than pre-purchasing — but for longer cruises pre-purchase nearly always saves money. Example: a 7-night Southampton to Iberia cruise on Wonder of the Seas in June 2026 — Deluxe package listed at £69/day, Refreshment at £20/day.

When you buy a package the headline price usually includes service charges in 2026, but VAT or local taxes may still apply depending on itinerary and where you buy the package. UK bookings will show VAT-inclusive pricing when sold by Royal Caribbean UK. If you buy on board using a non-UK currency there can be conversion charges. Also remember that if a drink you order exceeds the package cap you’ll be billed for the difference plus applicable service charges.

Example drink-price comparisons (typical 2026 estimates)

On-board single purchase prices for context: a house cocktail at a pool bar might retail for about £11–£14; a premium cocktail in a specialty bar could typically be £14–£18; bottled beer £5–£7; glass of wine £7–£12; Illy espresso-based coffee £3.50–£5.50; fresh-pressed juice £4.50–£6. These prices mean the Deluxe package typically pays off if you drink 3–4 alcoholic drinks per day on average, whereas the Refreshment package pays off for those who order multiple speciality coffees, smoothies or fresh juices daily.

<table><thead><tr><th>Scenario</th><th>No package</th><th>Deluxe (£69/day)</th><th>Refreshment (£20/day)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Total package cost (7 nights)</td><td>£0</td><td>£483</td><td>£140</td></tr><tr><td>Average daily drink spend (example)</td><td>£25 (3 drinks)</td><td>Included</td><td>£8 (coffees/smoothies)</td></tr><tr><td>Total spend over cruise</td><td>£175</td><td>£483</td><td>£56</td></tr><tr><td>Which is cheaper?</td><td>Cheaper if you drink less than ~2 drinks/day</td><td>Better for 3+ alcoholic drinks/day</td><td>Best for non-alcoholic heavy users</td></tr></tbody></table>

What’s included in the Deluxe Beverage Package

The Deluxe Beverage Package in 2026 typically includes: cocktails (including classic and many speciality drinks), beer (bottled and draught), wine by the glass, spirits and mixers, mocktails and non-alcoholic soft drinks, bottled water, fountain beverages, and Illy coffee up to certain sizes. Specialty items above the package price cap are excluded. Also included are select boxes of wine or bottles only when ordered by the glass; full bottles of premium wine usually are charged separately. The package is available for the whole sailing or can be bought on a per-day or per-person basis in some cases, though Royal Caribbean often requires all adults in a cabin to purchase the same alcoholic package when on the Deluxe plan.

Restrictions and fine print for Deluxe

Common restrictions in 2026: a daily drink limit (e.g., 15), a per-drink price cap (approx £15), no sharing of package benefits between guests, and the rule that all adults in the same cabin must purchase the same alcoholic package when one adult buys it. There are also designated start and end times for package validity (for example, parked at a port not counting for some limited offers). Guests under the legal drinking age cannot buy or use an alcoholic package; the legal age varies by itinerary and the law of the ship’s flag state. Always check Royal Caribbean’s current policy for your specific sailing.

What’s included in the Refreshment Package

The Refreshment Package covers a wide range of premium non-alcoholic options: Illy brewed espresso/latte/cappuccino style coffees, fresh-squeezed juices, smoothies and shakes, fountain drinks and bottled water, plus certain mocktails and speciality soft drinks. In 2026 Royal Caribbean leaned into higher-quality coffee and juice options as standard for this package. For families with children, the Refreshment Package offers a way to get elevated drinks without paying for alcohol-focused packages. It’s often priced roughly a quarter of the Deluxe package per day.

Terms differ by sailing: some iterations are effectively unlimited for eligible non-alcoholic items while others apply a reasonable use policy or item price cap. For example, high-ticket bottled smoothies or speciality proprietary drinks sometimes sit above the allowed price cap and could be charged separately. In practice for most people ordering coffees, juices and soft drinks multiple times per day, the Refreshment package behaves like unlimited for normal consumption.

How family cabins should decide

If you travel as a mixed-age family, remember the rule that all adults in a cabin must buy the same alcohol package if one does. That makes the Refreshment package an attractive option for families where adults don’t all drink frequently. For cabins with parents who want alcohol and teenagers who want premium soft drinks and coffees, sometimes buying one Deluxe for the main drinker and Refreshment for others (across separate cabins) is the only option — but where possible, split cabins or book children in separate rooms to avoid automatic adult package requirements.

You’ll usually save money by buying a package before you travel — Royal Caribbean often offers a discount of 10–15% for advance purchases in 2026. However, for very short cruises (a weekend 2–3 night sailing) the maths can change and buying on board may sometimes be cheaper. Always check the advertised pre-purchase rates and compare to the average single-drink price you would pay during your trip.

  1. Your average daily drinks (alcoholic) — Deluxe is worth it for 3+ drinks/day.
  2. Coffee and juice habits — Refreshment pays off for 3+ premium coffees or smoothies/day.
  3. Length of cruise — longer cruises favour pre-purchased packages.
  4. Cabin composition — mixed adult cabins may require the same adult package.
  5. Special occasions — celebrations often push value toward Deluxe for champagne and cocktails.

    Real-life scenarios: who should pick Deluxe?

    Pick the Deluxe Beverage Package if you fall into any of the following categories: you enjoy cocktails or craft beers daily; you’re celebrating a special occasion and plan to order champagne or cocktails; you prefer the convenience of a single bill; you’ll be socialising at bars frequently; or you sail multiple sea days.

    When Deluxe won't pay off

    Skip Deluxe if you usually have one drink an evening or only drink on port days. It’s also not ideal if you prefer high-end bottled wines by the bottle (these are usually excluded) or if many guests in your cabin are teetotal; the cabin purchase rules can make Deluxe costly if applied to all adults.

    Real-life scenarios: who should pick Refreshment?

    Choose Refreshment if you don’t drink alcohol or if you prioritise speciality coffees, bottles of water and fresh juices. It’s excellent for parents who buy multiple soft drinks for children, for shift workers who want multiple high-quality coffees across the day, and for guests with diet preferences who want smoothies.

    • Illy espresso drinks (latte, cappuccino)
    • Freshly squeezed juices and cold-pressed options
    • Smoothies and shakes
    • Bottled water and premium still/sparkling
    • Fountain soft drinks and mocktails
    • Selected kombuchas and speciality sodas

      Royal Caribbean’s policies often require that all adult guests sharing a stateroom purchase the same alcohol package if one adult buys an alcoholic package. This is an important consideration for UK groups and families. Refreshment is non-alcoholic, so this rule typically doesn’t force non-drinkers into buying it; but if an adult in your cabin orders Deluxe, expect to be obliged to buy Deluxe as well unless the cruise line has changed policy. Always check the purchase terms at time of booking in 2026.

      Practical tips to save money (UK-focused)

      1. Pre-purchase packages during early booking offers to capture discounts in 2026. 2) Compare per-day totals — a family of four buys packages vs paying-as-you-go differently: Refreshment for kids often beats individually billed drinks. 3) Use MyCruiseAdvisor checklists: see our guide on saving money on board for additional strategies. 4) Consider an a la carte approach for short cruises or if only one or two people in your cabin drink heavily. 5) Join the Crown & Anchor/loyalty schemes to access member-only offers; sometimes there are exclusive package discounts for loyal UK customers.

      Using shore days to change habits

      Remember that on port days your cocktail consumption may fall because you’re off the ship. If most of your drink consumption happens in ports at local bars, you might not need a full-cruise Deluxe package. Use your itinerary to calculate likely consumption — long sea days are when packages deliver the most value.

      Special offers and promotions in 2026

      In 2026 Royal Caribbean UK ran several targeted promotions: early-bird discounts for pre-purchasing beverage packages, bundled offers where guests received onboard credit plus packages, and occasional flash sales through travel agents. Always compare offers through authorised UK agents and Royal Caribbean’s site; sometimes a travel agent package with flight+hotel bundle includes discounted drink packages or onboard credit that effectively reduces the per-day cost.

      What about single-day drink coupons and vouchers?

      Some agents and promotions offer drink vouchers or limited coupons rather than full packages — these can be useful for short cruises or occasional use. Vouchers rarely beat a full package for frequent drinkers, but they are flexible for guests who don’t want to commit.

      Before you board, review your cruise documents and the Royal Caribbean app for package terms. The app shows whether you’ve hit daily limits and provides details on items that may incur extra charges. Our advice is to screenshot the package terms page for the specific sailing — it’s useful if there’s any disagreement at a bar about inclusions.

      Alternatives to Royal Caribbean packages

      If the Deluxe or Refreshment packages don’t suit you, consider alternatives: buy on demand, use onboard drink deals (happy hours, 2-for-1 offers), or take advantage of specialty bar promotions. Also look at sister brands: Cunard’s drink packages differ in structure, P&O offers more British-style pub pricing and packages, and Marella often includes different complimentary drinks in certain fare types. See our deep dive on other cruise line packages Which cruise line drink package is best?.

      Health, allergies and dietary considerations

      If you have dietary requirements (e.g., dairy-free coffees or sugar-free syrups), check with bar staff — most Royal Caribbean bars cater for such needs but some package items may carry a supplement. For allergies, always inform staff; some pre-mixed cocktails or smoothies can contain allergens.

      1. Estimate how many alcoholic drinks you’ll have per day (including pre-dinner, dinner and evening). 2) Multiply by the average single-drink price you’d otherwise pay (use £11–£13 for cocktails). 3) Compare the total to the daily Deluxe price (e.g., £69). 4) Factor in any welcome drinks or shore-day changes. 5) If your average exceeds the daily Deluxe price, buy Deluxe; otherwise consider Refreshment or pay-as-you-go.

        On-board experience: bars, speciality venues and locals’ tips

        Royal Caribbean ships in 2026 continue to up the quality of their bars. Specialty cocktail venues and craft beer taps are common on larger ships like Wonder and Symphony. Staff often remember regular orders and size consistency.

        Special events and package upgrades

        For onboard events like mixology classes, wine tastings or exclusive pairing dinners, packages may not cover the event fee. If you plan to attend several paid events, rebuild the maths: does the convenience of Deluxe outweigh the cost of individual event tickets? Many 2026 events were optional extras and not covered by basic packages.

        Set up your package early on embarkation day via the app or guest services to start using it immediately. Also check if pre-purchase vouchers need to be added to your SeaPass account — some offers require activation. On busy embarkation days lines at guest services can be long, so sorting this out online or via the app saves time.

        FAQ: Can I share my package with someone else?

        No. Package benefits are for the registered guest only. Sharing drinks from your package with another passenger could result in charges. Royal Caribbean monitors usage and enforces the non-sharing rule to prevent misuse.

        Final verdict: which should UK cruisers pick in 2026?

        For UK cruisers in 2026, the decision comes down to drinking habits. If you enjoy multiple alcoholic drinks per day and want the freedom to drink without watching the tabs, the Deluxe Beverage Package is the best choice. If you prefer specialty coffees, fresh juices and non-alcoholic premium options — especially families and teetotal guests — the Refreshment Package is the smarter buy. For short cruises or mixed drinking habits, consider buying Refreshment and adding Deluxe selectively on board.

        • Check prices in £ for your specific sailing date in 2026
        • Confirm whether VAT and service charges are included
        • Read per-item caps and daily limits
        • Consider cabin purchase rules for adults
        • Compare pre-purchase discounts vs on-board buying prices

        Where to read more on MyCruiseAdvisor

        For more on drink packages and saving money on board see these MyCruiseAdvisor guides: Drink packages compared: P&O, Cunard, Marella, saving money on board, which cruise line drink package is best?. These links provide complementary comparisons to help you decide across multiple cruise lines.

        FAQ: Are children included in Refreshment packages?

        Children and teenagers can be included on Refreshment packages if the booking allows it; however, policies can vary and some items may be age-restricted (e.g., caffeinated drinks). For family bookings, check the terms when purchasing in 2026.

        FAQ: Can I refund or cancel a package if plans change?

        Royal Caribbean’s refund policy for beverage packages depends on when you cancel. Pre-purchase packages often allow changes up to a set number of days before departure; after embarkation some purchases are non-refundable. Check your booking terms and contact your travel agent or Royal Caribbean UK for specifics.

        FAQ: Do packages cover room service and speciality restaurants?

        Typically packages cover beverages ordered in bars and main dining venues but exclude speciality dining surcharges and some room service items. Room service coffees are often included but bottled water or premium wines in speciality restaurants may cost extra. Always check the specific exclusions for your 2026 sailing.

        FAQ: Does the Deluxe package include bottled wines by the bottle?

        No. Deluxe generally covers wine by the glass up to a certain value, but full bottles of premium wine are usually charged separately. Some less-expensive bottles may be available for per-glass purchase under the package but bottles are normally excluded.

        FAQ: Can I mix and match packages between different cabins?

        Yes. Each cabin’s guests are billed according to the package purchased for that cabin. You can have Deluxe in one cabin and Refreshment in another, but within a cabin adults sharing a stateroom may be required to buy the same alcoholic package if one adult chooses it.

        Frequently Asked Questions

        How much does the Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package cost in 2026?

        For 2026 UK sailings the Deluxe Beverage Package is typically priced between £70 and £75 per person per day, varying by ship and itinerary. Promotions can lower this price for pre-purchase. Always check the exact daily rate for your sailing date and whether VAT and service charges are included.

        How much does the Refreshment Package cost in 2026?

        Refreshment Package prices for 2026 UK sailings are usually around £18–£20 per person per day. It covers speciality coffees, juices, smoothies and premium soft drinks. Verify the exact price for your ship and departure date.

        Does the Deluxe package cover specialty cocktails above £15?

        No — Deluxe packages typically include drinks up to a per-item price cap (commonly around £15 equivalent). Specialty cocktails priced above the cap would be charged to your account in addition to the package unless otherwise specified for your sailing.

        Do I need to buy the same alcoholic package as other adults in my cabin?

        Royal Caribbean often requires all adults in the same stateroom to purchase the same alcoholic package if one adult buys it. This policy prevents partial adult coverage in a cabin and is important when calculating cabin costs in 2026.

        Is it cheaper to buy packages before sailing or on board?

        Generally, pre-purchasing through Royal Caribbean UK or a travel agent in 2026 gives the best rates (often 10–15% off). For very short sailings, sometimes on-board purchase can be comparable or slightly cheaper — always compare the advertised pre-purchase price to the on-board price for your specific cruise length.

        Will the Refreshment package cover my child’s drinks?

        Children can be added to Refreshment packages depending on the booking terms, and the package covers many child-friendly items like juices and milkshakes. Age restrictions apply for caffeinated items and some products; always check the package terms for family bookings in 2026.

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