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Royal Caribbean drink package — is it worth it in 2026?

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

Passengers enjoying cocktails on Royal Caribbean ship deck with sea view in 2026

Thinking about buying the Royal Caribbean drink package for your 2026 cruise? This in-depth UK-focused guide compares prices in £, explains what's included, shares practical tips and helps you decide.

If you’ve typed "royal caribbean drink package is it worth it 2026 uk" into Google, you’re in the right place. This guide explains in plain British English what the packages include in 2026, gives real UK prices in £, compares them with P&O and Cunard, and helps you decide whether to buy one before you board.

What types of drink packages does Royal Caribbean offer in 2026?

In 2026 Royal Caribbean continues to offer a range of beverage packages to suit different tastes. The main options you'll see on UK sailings are:

Deluxe Drinks Package: Covers beers, spirits, cocktails, non-alcoholic cocktails, juices and most branded drinks up to a set price per drink (limits apply). Typical onboard price is £65 per person per day on newer ships like Odyssey of the Seas, but prices can vary by ship and voyage.
Refreshment Package: Alcohol-free option for coffees, mocktails, bottled water and still-branded soft drinks — roughly £30pp/day.
Classic Soda Package: Unlimited fountain sodas and refills — usually around £19pp/day.
Tea & Coffee Package: For specialty coffee and tea — about £7–£9pp/day or a lower fixed rate for a whole cruise.

Royal Caribbean also sells a Wine Package (by the glass or by the bottle) and Coffee-to-go and Tea packages. Exact prices in 2026 vary by ship, itinerary and time of booking, so check the price on your booking page or the Royal Caribbean app.

Important 2026 change: Royal Caribbean has standardised some inclusions across the fleet this year. On ships like Oasis of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, classic cocktails such as Mojitos and Martinis are included in the Deluxe package up to around £12 a drink. Premium top-shelf spirits or bottles at specialty bars may still have a supplement.

What's usually excluded from the drink packages?

Common exclusions in 2026 include: bottles of wine and champagne bought by the bottle (unless you have a separate wine package), drinks above the set price cap (for example limited top-shelf liquors), minibar items in your cabin, speciality tastings and some private events. Room service tray fees for drinks can vary — often included if ordered via in-stateroom dining at certain times, but check for a cover charge.

<table><thead><tr><th>Package</th><th>What's included</th><th>Typical UK price (per person per day)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Deluxe Drinks Package</td><td>Beers, wines by glass up to a price cap, cocktails, spirits, mocktails, juices, bottled still & sparkling water (some restrictions)</td><td>£60–£70</td></tr><tr><td>Refreshment Package</td><td>Specialty coffees, bottled water, juices, mocktails, smoothies</td><td>£30–£35</td></tr><tr><td>Classic Soda Package</td><td>Unlimited fountain sodas & refills, select packaged drinks</td><td>£18–£20</td></tr><tr><td>Tea & Coffee Package</td><td>Specialty coffees, hot chocolates and selected teas</td><td>£7–£9</td></tr></tbody></table>

How Royal Caribbean prices look for UK passengers in 2026

Prices advertised on Royal Caribbean’s UK site in 2026 show minor fluctuations between ships. For example:

Symphony of the Seas (Mediterranean summer 2026): Deluxe approx. £65pp/day when purchased pre-cruise; onboard price may usually be £70pp/day.
Oasis of the Seas (Caribbean departures from UK-connected flights): Deluxe circa £65pp/day on certain sailings.
Anthem of the Seas (short UK sailings): Deluxe often nearer £60pp/day due to shorter itineraries and promotional pricing.

Tip: Royal Caribbean frequently offers early-bird discounts of roughly 10–15% if you buy before final payment. Loyalty members (Crown & Anchor) can get additional discounts — for example, Gold status in 2026 can reduce the package price by an estimated £5–£8pp/day on selected sailings.

Remember: advertised prices rarely include the automatic 20% gratuity that Royal Caribbean adds to drink packages (Royal Caribbean, checked 1 Nov 2026). In 2026 this gratuity is commonly displayed at checkout and will increase the daily effective price — so add about 18% to the published rate to get your true cost per day.

How to calculate break-even for the drink package

To find out if a package is worth it, do a simple calculation:

Add the cost per person per day (including the estimated 18% gratuity). Example: £63 + 18% = £74.34/day.
Estimate how many drinks you'd have in a typical day. For example, two cocktails and a soft drink might cost ~ £10 + £10 + £3 = £23 without the package.
If the typical daily spend without a package is close to or exceeds the effective package cost, the package is worth it.

For cruise newbies: if you plan on having more than 3–4 alcoholic drinks a day or want the freedom to order cocktails without worrying about the cost, the Deluxe package usually makes sense.

Check the price in your booking portal and include the estimated 18% service charge.
Estimate your average drinks per day while onboard.
Factor in port days when you might drink ashore and not use the package.
Look for pre-cruise discounts — buying early often saves money.
Consider your Crown & Anchor status and promotional codes.
Decide based on break-even and convenience rather than FOMO.

Illustrative example (hypothetical)

Royal Caribbean now adds a 20% gratuity to beverage packages (Royal Caribbean, checked 1 Nov 2026), so in a hypothetical example a package priced at close to £62 a day would typically cost £74 a day once the gratuity is added.

Not having to watch every drink is a soft benefit that is hard to put a number on, but it matters when deciding whether to buy a package.

Comparing Royal Caribbean packages with P&O, Cunard and Marella (2026)

UK-centric travellers often ask how Royal Caribbean stacks up against popular British lines. In 2026:

P&O Cruises: P&O’s drinks packages tend to be slightly cheaper on average; a deluxe-style package might be priced somewhere around £55pp/day, though inclusions can differ (P&O Cruises, checked 1 Nov 2026).
Cunard: Known for a more formal dining environment, Cunard’s package rates are comparable to Royal Caribbean for food & drink premium packages but often exclude certain bar promotions.
Marella: Marella focuses on value; their all-inclusive options may be cheaper overall but have narrower drink lists.

If you’re comparing value, look at what’s included — Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe package is more likely to include a wider selection of cocktails and branded beers on big ships like Oasis-class vessels.

<table><thead><tr><th>Line</th><th>Deluxe-style package (per day)</th><th>Best for</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Royal Caribbean</td><td>£60–£70</td><td>Variety of cocktails, big-ship bars & entertainment</td></tr><tr><td>P&O Cruises</td><td>£50–£60</td><td>UK-friendly menus & value</td></tr><tr><td>Cunard</td><td>£60–£75</td><td>Traditional dining & afternoon tea drinks</td></tr><tr><td>Marella</td><td>£40–£55</td><td>All-inclusive pricing & cheaper basics</td></tr></tbody></table>

Sharing rules and policy notes (2026)

Royal Caribbean's policy in 2026 is strict: when one passenger in a stateroom purchases the Deluxe Drinks Package, all passengers over 21 (18 in some international sailings — check your voyage) in the same stateroom are required to purchase it as well. This is to prevent sharing and misuse. Solo travellers or those in separate cabins aren't affected, but do check the fine print — there are rare exceptions and promotions that allow single-cabin purchases.

Should families or non-drinkers buy the package?

Families and non-drinkers should weigh options carefully. For teenagers and children, the Classic Soda Package at ~£19pp/day is a smart buy compared with paying per can or cafe pricing. Adults who don’t drink alcohol should prefer the Refreshment Package (mocktails, coffees and juices) if they regularly use specialty coffees or bottled drinks.

Note: Royal Caribbean often offers discounted youth packages for under-21s on some sailings in 2026 — double-check your booking portal for family bundles and promotions.

Onboard promotions and happy hour (2026)

Many bars on Royal Caribbean run daily drink promotions such as buy-one-get-one or '2-for-1' happy hour that can tilt the math in favour of ordering a la carte rather than buying the package. If your cruise has multiple long port days and you plan to drink ashore, add the likely number of drinks you’ll consume at sea only when calculating break-even.

Pro tip: Watch the daily programme for promotions and free tastings.

How to buy, upgrade or cancel a drinks package in 2026

Buying online before you sail is usually cheapest. Here’s the procedure:

Log in to the Royal Caribbean UK booking portal or app.
Find the 'Add Ons' or 'Onboard Account' section and choose the drinks package.
Pay with your booking card to secure any early-bird discounts.
Upgrades: You can upgrade once onboard, but the price may be higher.
Cancellations: If you buy pre-cruise and change your mind, Royal Caribbean's 2026 policy often allows cancellation up to 48–72 hours before sailing for a refund, though some promotional fares may be non-refundable. Check your receipt.

Keep screenshots of purchase confirmations and watch for email vouchers or codes that apply onboard.

What if you forget to buy before sailing?

You can buy your drinks package onboard via the Royal Caribbean app or at guest services, but prices tend to be higher than pre-cruise offers. If you prefer flexibility, wait until you are on the ship and take advantage of any initial-sailing promos — sometimes the first day or evening has a short window of discounted purchases.

Practical tips to get the most value from the package

Use the package on sea days when bars and poolside prices are highest.
Try more expensive cocktails and speciality drinks included in the package — that’s where you get value.
If the package includes bottled water, bring a reusable water bottle to refill at beverage stations.
Check the price cap per drink (e.g., £12 or so per drink); order cocktails below that to avoid extra charges.
Track your daily drinks on the Royal Caribbean app to ensure you’re getting value.

Pre-cruise during early-bird offers
When you have Crown & Anchor loyalty discounts
If you prefer not to fuss about tabs while on holiday
Before peak-sailings where onboard prices rise

<table><thead><tr><th>Scenario</th><th>Per person total cost</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Deluxe package bought pre-cruise (£63/day incl. VAT, plus 20% gratuity)</td><td>£63 × 7 = £441 + 18% = £520.38</td><td>Best if you drink 3–4 drinks/day</td></tr><tr><td>Pay-as-you-go estimate (3 cocktails & 2 soft drinks/day at £11/£3)</td><td>((3×£11)+(2×£3)) × 7 = (£33+£6) × 7 = £273</td><td>Lower cost if you drink little or buy ashore frequently</td></tr><tr><td>Mixed approach (package for sea days only — 4 sea days)</td><td>£63 × 4 = £252 + 18% = £297.36 + pay-as-you-go port days</td><td>Useful if itinerary has many port days</td></tr></tbody></table>

Special case: Solo travellers and groups

Solo travellers should note that buying a package is allowed, but the per-person cost can look high compared to travelling with a partner who shares cabin-based requirements. Groups should arrange plans before booking: if everyone in a cabin must buy the package, factor the additional cost into your overall cruise budget. In 2026, some group promotions exist for wedding parties or large group bookings — ask your travel agent.

If you're cruising as a couple and one of you drinks less, it sometimes makes sense for the heavier drinker to take the package and the other to order individually — but remember cabin rules may prohibit mixed choices in the same stateroom.

Alcohol limits and responsible drinking

Royal Caribbean enforces responsible-serving policies in 2026. Bartenders may refuse service if a guest appears intoxicated. There are daily drink limits under the package to deter excess — usually around 15 drinks per day. These rules protect guests and help keep everything family-friendly.

Alternative strategies to save money on drinks

If you don’t want to buy a full package, consider these tactics:

Buy individual drink vouchers or pre-paid credit if available in your UK booking portal.
Take advantage of silverware and soft opening parties that come with complimentary drinks.
Buy bottles of water and soda ashore and bring them on board where permitted (check policy).
Share cocktails during happy hour but be mindful of Cove rules.

Using loyalty and cruise club perks

Crown & Anchor members in 2026 often receive offers: percentage discounts on drink packages (generally 5–10%), exclusive promotions and early access. If you’re close to the next loyalty tier and you drink regularly, consider whether upgrading your booking or spending will help you reach a saving threshold on future sailings.

FAQ: Can I use the Royal Caribbean drink package in port?

No — drink packages typically only apply to purchases made onboard the ship. Drinks purchased ashore in ports of call are paid locally and not covered by your Royal Caribbean package.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Royal Caribbean Deluxe Drinks Package worth it for a UK cruiser in 2026?

If you regularly drink more than 3 drinks per sea day — especially cocktails — the Deluxe package (typical pre-cruise price £60–£70pp/day in 2026 plus 20% gratuity) often pays for itself. Consider itinerary (sea vs port days), loyalty discounts and onboard promotions before deciding.

Do UK prices include gratuity?

No. In 2026 Royal Caribbean adds an automatic service charge (commonly 20%) to drink package purchases. Always add this to the listed price to calculate the true per-day cost.

Can you buy the drink package only for some days of the cruise?

You can usually buy the package for the whole cruise or add it onboard; Royal Caribbean does not commonly sell packages just for selected days in advance. A common workaround is to buy it onboard only for the days you want, but onboard prices may be higher.

Are there any sharing restrictions?

Yes. Royal Caribbean’s 2026 policy requires all guests in the same stateroom to purchase the Deluxe Drinks Package if one person in that stateroom buys it. This rule prevents sharing and misuse.

What about non-alcoholic drinkers or parents with children?

The Refreshment and Classic Soda packages are better value for non-drinkers or families. Classic Soda is typically ~£19pp/day and Refreshment about £30–£35pp/day — check youth pricing and child allowances for family bundles in 2026.

Should I buy before sailing or onboard?

Buying before sailing is generally cheaper due to early-bird discounts. Onboard purchases are possible but often cost more. If you want flexibility and there are few sea days, wait until you're onboard and monitor promotions.

How does Royal Caribbean compare with P&O and Cunard in 2026?

Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe package tends to be competitive with P&O and Cunard, offering broad cocktail choices and big-ship bar experiences. P&O may be slightly cheaper on some sailings, while Cunard can be similar or a touch higher depending on the package. Compare inclusions rather than just price.