How Many Drinks Are Included In Royal Caribbean International: What Royal Caribbean International Guests Should Know for 2026
Plenty of Royal Caribbean International guests ask about included drinks and beverage packages, so here's a clear rundown of how it actually works.
What's actually bundled comes down to the beverage package structure: $18.50 per person, per day for standard staterooms, and $21 per person, per day for suite guests. It's added automatically to your onboard account and can be adjusted at Guest Services.
Since included drinks and beverage packages can vary by cabin category and sail date, an advisor at +1-800-406-8495 can confirm exactly what applies to your booking. Specialty dining venues sometimes have their own separate rules from the main dining room, so it's worth asking about those specifically. That detail alone can save some back-and-forth later.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many drinks are included in Royal Caribbean?
It depends entirely on your fare type and any beverage package you've purchased - base fares typically include only water, coffee, tea, and juice, while paid packages unlock unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails. Specialty dining venues sometimes have their own separate rules from the main dining room, so it's worth asking about those specifically. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Is water and coffee always free onboard?
Yes, basic non-alcoholic beverages like water, coffee, tea, and often lemonade or iced tea are included in virtually every cruise fare. It helps to check whether gratuities are already included in a package price or added separately at checkout. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Do I need to buy a drink package for everyone in my cabin?
Most lines require all adults in the same cabin to purchase the same beverage package, rather than letting one person buy it and share. If dietary restrictions are a factor, flagging them with the cruise line ahead of time usually gets a better result than asking once onboard. Small thing, but it matters if you're planning around it.
Can I buy individual drinks instead of a package?
Yes, à la carte drink purchases are always available and charged to your onboard account, which can make sense if you don't drink often enough to justify a package. If dietary restrictions are a factor, flagging them with the cruise line ahead of time usually gets a better result than asking once onboard. Not a bad idea to keep that in your back pocket.
Is the beverage package worth it for a week-long cruise?
It depends on your habits - if you'd normally have 4+ drinks a day, a package often pays for itself, but light drinkers usually come out ahead paying per drink. Specialty dining venues sometimes have their own separate rules from the main dining room, so it's worth asking about those specifically. Good to know before you finalize anything.
What beverage package options does Royal Caribbean offer?
Our advisors can walk through current package pricing and what's included - call +1-800-406-8495. It helps to check whether gratuities are already included in a package price or added separately at checkout. That detail alone can save some back-and-forth later.
Are mocktails included if I don't buy the alcohol package?
Non-alcoholic specialty drinks like mocktails are sometimes included in a non-alcoholic beverage package, though a basic fare without any package usually only includes water, coffee, tea, and similar basics. It helps to check whether gratuities are already included in a package price or added separately at checkout. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Does Royal Caribbean count a bottle of wine as 'one drink' toward package limits?
Package terms vary - some treat a bottle of wine as several drink equivalents against a daily cap, while unlimited packages don't cap it at all; check your specific package's fine print. It's worth asking whether a package needs to be purchased before boarding to lock in a lower rate versus buying it once onboard. That detail alone can save some back-and-forth later.
Can I gift my unused drink package days to someone else in my cabin?
Generally no, drink packages are tied to the individual guest who purchased them and aren't transferable to other travelers in the same cabin. Menus and package details can vary slightly by ship, so it's worth checking what's currently offered on your specific vessel. Not a bad idea to keep that in your back pocket.
Is the drink package cheaper if purchased for the whole cruise versus day by day?
Yes, buying the full-cruise package almost always works out cheaper per day than purchasing single-day packages, especially if bought in advance rather than once onboard. This is one of those details worth confirming close to your sail date, since packages and pricing are occasionally refreshed each season. Worth keeping in mind either way.