How To Pay For Drinks On Royal Caribbean International: What Royal Caribbean International Guests Should Know for 2026
Short answer first on paying for drinks onboard, then the details that actually matter for Royal Caribbean International guests.
Drinks outside a package post to your onboard account, and if you're weighing whether to prepay instead, here's the 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.
Want paying for drinks onboard double-checked against your specific reservation? Reach an advisor at +1-800-406-8495. If dietary restrictions are a factor, flagging them with the cruise line ahead of time usually gets a better result than asking once onboard. That's the short version, at least.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay for drinks on Royal Caribbean?
Drinks are charged to your onboard account, which is linked to a credit card (or cash deposit) when you check in - you'll sign for each purchase and the full balance settles automatically at the end of the cruise. Pricing for packages tends to be updated periodically, so confirming the current rate before your cruise avoids surprises at checkout. That detail alone can save some back-and-forth later.
Can I use cash to pay for drinks onboard?
Most ships are largely cashless for onboard purchases, though some allow a cash deposit to fund your onboard account instead of a credit card. Pricing for packages tends to be updated periodically, so confirming the current rate before your cruise avoids surprises at checkout. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Is gratuity automatically added to drink purchases?
Yes, most lines automatically add an 18% service charge to each drink purchase in addition to any daily gratuity charge on your account. Specialty dining venues sometimes have their own separate rules from the main dining room, so it's worth asking about those specifically. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Can I set a spending limit on my onboard account?
Some lines let you set alerts or limits through the app, though a hard spending cap isn't standard across all cruise lines - check your specific line's account settings. This is one of those details worth confirming close to your sail date, since packages and pricing are occasionally refreshed each season. That's the short version, at least.
Do drink package holders still need to pay per drink?
No, package holders simply present their card or wristband at the bar - the package covers included drinks up to the package's price ceiling, with no separate charge. 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.
Who can explain the drink pricing on Royal Caribbean before I sail?
Call +1-800-406-8495 and our advisors can walk through current à la carte and package pricing. Pricing for packages tends to be updated periodically, so confirming the current rate before your cruise avoids surprises at checkout. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Do I need cash onboard to pay for drinks?
No, cruise ships operate on a cashless system where drinks and other purchases are charged to your onboard account, tied to a credit card or cash deposit set up at check-in. This is one of those details worth confirming close to your sail date, since packages and pricing are occasionally refreshed each season. That detail alone can save some back-and-forth later.
Can I set a spending limit for drinks on my Royal Caribbean onboard account?
Some lines allow you to set a spending cap or alert on your onboard account, which can help manage costs if you're not on an unlimited drink 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. That's the short version, at least.
How do I know how much I've spent on drinks so far?
Most cruise line apps let you check your real-time onboard account balance, including itemized drink purchases, throughout the cruise. For groups sharing a cabin, it's worth checking whether everyone in the room is required to buy the same package. That detail alone can save some back-and-forth later.
Can I split a drink tab with someone else in a different cabin?
Generally no, each onboard account is tied to an individual guest's cabin folio, so purchases are charged to whoever ordered, though some lines allow linking accounts for a shared family tab. Comparing the package cost against your expected daily consumption is the most reliable way to know if it's worth it for your trip. Not a bad idea to keep that in your back pocket.