🍺🍹We Bought the Cruise Drink Package Once. Here’s Why We Never Will Again.
🍹 Should you buy a cruise drink package or skip it? It’s one of the first questions every cruiser asks when they start planning — and honestly, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Kevin and I actually learned this the hard way. On a trip to Catalina Island and Mexico with Carnival — just the two of us — we bought the drink package. And instead of relaxing into it, we felt pressured to drink to “get our money’s worth.” We like an umbrella drink here and there, and we’ll definitely do a drink of the day each day, but suddenly we felt like we had to keep drinking just to justify the cost. We haven’t bought the package since, and honestly, we never would again — but that’s just us.
That experience is a big part of why we’re sharing what we’ve learned. 🍺
🥤 1. Take Advantage of the Included Drinks First
Before you even think about a package, remember most cruise lines — including Royal Caribbean — already include a solid lineup for free:
- Water
- Iced tea
- Lemonade
- Regular coffee
- Hot tea
- Some juices and chocolate milk at breakfast
💡 Our Tip: Bring a reusable water bottle or tumbler and refill it throughout the day. It sounds small, but it adds up — and it’s one less thing to think about between excursions.
🍹 2. Do the Math on Buying A La Carte
If you’re only having one or two alcoholic drinks a day, paying per drink is often cheaper than the package.
Here’s the rough math:
- 1 cocktail ≈ $14–$16
- 2 cocktails/day for 7 days ≈ $200–$225
- A 7-day drink package can run significantly more than that per person
💡 Our Tip: The package really only makes financial sense if you’re drinking several alcoholic beverages a day. If that’s not you, skip it and pay as you go.
🎉 3. Watch for Daily Specials (Our Go-To!)
This is genuinely our favorite move. Check the Royal Caribbean app and the Cruise Compass every day for:
- Happy hour specials
- Drink-of-the-day promotions
- Bar events and tastings
These are frequently cheaper than ordering your usual drink at full price — and it’s a fun way to try something new each day.
☕ 4. Consider the Refreshment Package Instead
If a full alcohol package feels like overkill, look at the Refreshment Package — many families find it a much better value than the Deluxe Beverage Package. It includes:
- Specialty coffees
- Mocktails
- Premium teas
- Bottled water
- Fresh juices
- Fountain drinks
💡 Our Tip: This is a great middle ground if you don’t drink much alcohol but still want the convenience of not paying per item all week.
🍷 5. Bring Allowed Beverages Onboard
Royal Caribbean typically allows guests to bring a bottle of wine per person and a case of pop onboard at embarkation, which can cut down on onboard spending.
A quick note: Cruise line policies can and do change, so always double-check the current rules before you sail.
🏝️ 6. Drink Before You Head Back From Port
In a lot of ports, drinks are noticeably cheaper than they are onboard. Grabbing a beverage during your shore excursion — instead of waiting until you’re back on the ship — is an easy way to stretch your budget.
💡 Family Budget Tip
Most experienced cruisers land on one of these approaches:
- No package at all, plus the occasional drink
- Refreshment Package only
- The alcohol package only when it’s deeply discounted before sailing
Our own trick: we pre-purchase Royal Caribbean’s Coffee Card whenever it’s on sale, then use the punch pass for the occasional frappe, cappuccino, or latte. It’s a way better price than buying them one at a time.
The Bottom Line on Drink Packages
There’s no universal right answer here — it really comes down to how much you drink, how you like to vacation, and what feels worth it to your family. For us, skipping the big package and mixing included drinks, the occasional special, and a Coffee Card punch pass has worked out great.
Cruise smart. Sip happy. Sail often. 🚢
— Kevin, Angie, Taylor and Cassidy
Family Adventures Tool Kit
