10 Things People Don't Realize About Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Alcohol Package!

[@RUBYY813]

I remember my first rc cruise with the alcohol package I got on the ship and asked a bartender what the drink limit was. He looks at me and says *”Your limit or my limit?”* I LOVE royal. 😂

[@Anonarchist]

”Your limit or my limit?” Ah ha, ha ha ha, ah ha, ha ha ha *I'm going to be problematic this week.*

[@Mrkevi123]

They say that to everyone. I'm glad it made your trip.

[@Podgey25]

I read the small print - years ago and it was 15 drinks a day. Also, served within 15 mins minimum of each one.. Royal ain't stupid..they know legally, there's limitations and responsibilities for peoples health.

[@RUBYY813]

@@Mrkevi123 it was downhill from there 😂

[@nichtsistkostenlos6565]

@@Podgey25 I just looked, and there is no daily limit. Royal Caribbean says this explicitly, and a drink limit is nowhere in the fine print. Maybe it said so years ago, but it doesn't now. Like bars and stuff on land, I'm assuming they rely on the bartender to use their judgment to refuse service if somebody appears too intoxicated.

[@John-gx7hm]

My wife and I went on the ABC & Haiti cruise on Feb 2020, we purchased this package for first time after 7 cruises and it was well worth it. Even if you break even, the sheer convenience is well worth it!

[@paranormalcanuck]

We’ve travelled without and with the deluxe drink package. We did snag it at the BOGO 50% sale, so if you plan on having more than 5 drinks a day (and this includes enjoying the fresh juices, waters and specialty coffees, ie: Starbucks) than the drink package is more than worth it. My wife and I don’t typically drink alcohol unless on vacation and if you’re with friends (or make friends on the cruise)...you will find yourself enjoying more than 5 beverages easily. Just my opinion.

[@netsurfrdude]

Didn't the video say that Starbucks isn't included in the deluxe drink package?

[@paranormalcanuck]

@@netsurfrdude All I know is that when we travelled in September 2019, it was all included.

[@edwardklein5770]

That fresh squeezed orange juice with breakfast in the mornings is one of my favorite bonus features of the drink package.

[@02slackit]

I have never seen the fresh stuff around, do you just need to ask for it?

[@ilikefartjokes]

I was just on Harmony of the Seas about a month ago and started every day with a breakfast mimosa at the windjammer.... I couldn’t help myself!!!

[@EntropyGuardian]

I got it every morning in the windjammer. So good

[@punchdawg]

The flat or sparking bottled water at dinner/lunch is fantastic.

[@biancasmith7241]

I always get the ultimate drink package. It makes it so easy when I am at a bar and want to try multiple drinks and not worry about the price tag. I don’t normally drink coffee but I do get a iced one at least twice and get lots of bottled water and have them in my stateroom. At dinner we will start with a cocktail and then I get ginger ale for the remainder of dinner. Works great at the night clubs too! Just awesome

[@GaryMeolaJr]

Great info Matt !!! Deluxe beverage package is a great deal if you have at least 4-5 drinks per day.

[@pouponcrazycat5987]

In order to make it wer worth while u got to drink 12 drinks per day

[@gifink]

@@pouponcrazycat5987 That is totally incorrect. We bought it for $57/day on one of the sales. If you figure $12 per drink average, it only takes 5 drinks per day to cover the cost of the package.

[@bigpoppa1fasho]

Thank you for getting to the point without a lot of unnecessary talk prolonging the video.

[@joelsquire4086]

Going with my family on our first family cruise and def bought the deluxe drink package for the adults and the kids drink package 😊this video confirms I made the good call

[@khloebella789]

You forgot to include all beverages in the spa/gym area. Freshly made fruit/vege juices and/or smoothies (they have menu options or you can make up your own), vitamin water, powerade, ginger shots, etc.

[@mikephilpott8541]

Got mine!! Can’t wait to use it.

[@jjw8306]

So glad I saw this before my cruise on the Navigator next year. I'll be getting my package worth by the end of breakfast.

[@MissN77]

Lol

[@davva360]

Going on my first Royal Caribbean cruise in December. I have never tried the RC package, have tried the package on Holland before. My issue is I drink alcohol but only really beer. Very rarely drink a mixed drink. I do not drink coffee at all, so I would really just be drinking soda or beer on it. Right now it is $50 a day and I do not see me spending that much on beer and soda, especially on port days. Still thinking about it but based on my experience on Holland I did not save money.

[@nichtsistkostenlos6565]

Based on your description, I would say the drink package is definitely not for you. Unless you're just pounding beers all day every day (you'd need to drink upwards of 15 - 20 beers a day), it's going to be really hard to make up the cost. Depending on how much soda you drink, it might be worth it to get the soda package, but for the beers, just pay for them a la carte.

[@davva360]

@@nichtsistkostenlos6565 we actually got a sale on the drinks package around thanksgiving time. Instead of the normal $80 a day or so it was $50. At $8 a beer, plus sodas you don’t really have to drink all that much to hit $50. I would have struggled to make $80 worth every day but I think apart from one day in port I got the value out of it. Of course not having to think about how much you have spent when you are on vacation is nice too. Thanks for the response.

[@HT-kv3nt]

You answered my gratuity question. Thank you very much. Great video.

[@g.alistar7798]

Diamond Plus members can wait until boarding and get 30% off....trade off is the Diamond plus guests get three free drinks daily.

[@Brandis13]

Do you mean Diamond plus gets three more free? Since Diamond already get 3 free drinks in the evening. As well as unlimited drinks during Happy Hour in the Diamond Lounge.

[@marcusnewman5562]

The deluxe package is super convenient when you think about all of the non alcohol drinks including juices, espressos and bottled water. If you don't have a package you will definitely feel "nickel and dimed" to death all during the cruise. Norwegian has free deals that include beverages, but the stateroom prices seem to be higher.

[@brianschultz1]

Nothing is free! They build the price of the package in to the price of the cruise for the first 2 people on NCL

[@ajbyname]

Not if you don't drink alcohol. There's another package that used to cater for someone who doesn't drink alcohol that includes all that but it's not an option now if another adult purchases a deluxe package. It's why, I gather, different packages were created because not everyone consumes alcohol! They've taken that freedom of choice away from you now.

[@raymondcastillo5320]

You can get multiple drinks at once you just have to have everyone's cards with u for them to scan. And by day 3-4 the bar tender new me and he just needed to see mine.

[@pouponcrazycat5987]

No what you need to do my friend says go go to every bar toget ur mates a drink too

[@pouponcrazycat5987]

If u give one of the bartenders a 5.00.buck tip he ir add he will give u anything they want the cash. They don't care

[@guesswho-sx8ec]

Souvenir cups are included, I have a bunch of them. More than I know what to do with them all. Also you can have the gratuity removed from the drink package if you choose to pay cash for bartender tips.

[@lrf6399]

A Facebook memory from last year popped up today. 20 days prior to sailing on our last cruise, I snagged a BOGO 50% off 2nd deluxe package which was a major score since it was a 12 night cruise. We sail in 2 months and I’m hoping to snag a sale again.

[@pouponcrazycat5987]

It depends if they sell them fast or not...if they sell it fir 500.00 no less packages but mostly they make up pay as much as they can make up pay for ssh somthing u done.like.mits all about the money ac and to makenu spend alot on board the halhave a quota ti make 300,000.00 a sailing ..that's what they ate told the more u drink more money they make personally not worth

[@blaster-zy7xx]

Did you get to go or was it canceled due to the "situation?"

[@lrf6399]

It was canceled

[@way469]

I think I drank 4-5x the cost of the package with multi-latte mornings, mid day margaritas and night time scotch. With Evian all day long. Great times, can't wait to go again.

[@dcdave861]

I bought the deluxe drink package. The fine print says $12.00 but looking at the menus on the RC app all the drinks are $13.00 except beers and shots of liquor. So with every $13.00 drink will I be charged a dollar and add 18% gratuity to that? It was my understanding that the older ships had drinks for $12 and the newer ships have them for $13. I am going on Enchantment of the Seas in May and it's an older ship. Also if I order a vodka cranberry for example how is that charged? The amount of the vodka shot and then add the cranberry juice to that? Is that a $12 or $13 dollar drink or more?

[@AmyLSchulte]

Are drinks timed? Meaning, you order a drink and then have to wait a certain amount of time before you can order another.

[@rothenbergt]

5 min

[@Brandis13]

My favorite use of the Refresher package (valid for the Deluxe Drinks Package as well though) was the Johnny Rockets milk shakes on Harmony of the Seas. I think I broke even with those alone :-)

[@EntropyGuardian]

Did you have to pay the cover for Johnny Rockets or can you just get a milkshake and no food?

[@Brandis13]

@@EntropyGuardian No, I usually got them to go. But sometimes I also had it while sitting at the bar. No charge, as I didn't order anything else.

[@EntropyGuardian]

@@Brandis13 We are going again in Oct and I'd try it. I paid cover for Johnny Rockets once but wasn't crazy about it. But I'll take a "free" milkshake real quick.

[@Brandis13]

It depends on the ship though, there is a discussion in the Cruise Critics forum on which ships they accept the Refreshment package for milkshakes. I know, doesn‘t make sense, but is what it is. BTW, breakfast is free at Johnny Rockets as well.

[@EntropyGuardian]

We'll be on Liberty, I don't think JR is open for breakfast.

[@shayj5124]

If your spose cannot drink alcohol due to health issues he/she does not have to buy a drink period. The rep will try to push a non-alcoholic package however there is no requirement to purchase it.

[@patrickdunphy5864]

Another "hidden use" is a smoothie from the Vitality Spa juice bar.

[@ErikDaVinci]

Patrick Dunphy That is great to know, thank you! I've been wondering when seeing presentation of the ships if that Vitaly Spa juice bar was complementary or not.

[@patrickdunphy5864]

You do have to pay for any added supplements, like protein powder etc

[@melchizedek129]

Its difficult to prevent you from sharing your drink package. Unless you're sitting at the bar. But it's easy to just go to another bar and get another drink. Done it many times. Besides I worked for royal for 8 years not difficult to navigate around that

[@Brandis13]

One thing they do to try preventing you to share the package is that each adult in the same cabin has to get their own drink package if one wants to get it.

[@alexiagordy5193]

@@Brandis13 Turning 21 in December while at sea, Do I have to purchase the package or can my bf (he's over 21) and share with me after I turn 21?

[@sharkbait9934]

Going on allure of seas in 5 days. Got the deluxe drink package for 1 person in a 2 person room (gf is 19 I’m 21). Definitely going to be getting my $ worth.

[@kdub4318]

They usually let u get two drinks at once. Or u can go to 2 different bars.

[@pouponcrazycat5987]

You go to all the bars order what u want my friend told me that she wanted two bloody mary they only gave him one. He went to another bar got another one

[@kdub4318]

@@pouponcrazycat5987 Yea i think 2of the same Drink won't work (ex. Two Bloody Marrys, Two Long Islands, etc) but I had no problem getting a Beer and a Shot or a beer and a Jack and Coke.

[@DocMcFluhry]

My wife doesn't drink, but RC would not give us an exemption to the rule. They told us unless it was a medical condition and we could prove it, everyone 21+ had to buy the package. Maybe I just got a customer service rep who wasn't feeling too helpful but it's a big reason why we've decided not to go with RCCL.

[@mrcamjones1]

I wish call back and talk to someone else or supervisor

[@skeletor9121]

Same thing happened to me. They refused to sell me the single deluxe packaged despite my wife not drinking any alcohol.

[@leannebrooks7629]

We have a similar situation. My husband wanted to get the deluxe package but I don’t drink. We called and they allowed us to get us get the deluxe package and the refreshments package for me. We leave on feb 23 on Anthem :)

[@EddieLondon]

My wife is pregnant and they said as long as she gets the lower tier "Refreshment Package" for her, we were good to go.

[@impackrat9]

I was able to call and get deluxe for me and refreshment (non-alcoholic) for my wife because she is on a medication that is listed as "do not take with alcohol"

[@mariuspettersen664]

Benefit of buying drink package on the ship is that you don't have to buy any drink package for all the people in state room. Saved us 50%!

[@ajbyname]

I can book a cruise in Oz at the moment in our currency equivalent for $89 a day and the deluxe drink package works out being $143 a day! 🤯 THAT'S clearly where RCI make their money! As I've said before here, booking your cruise is the cheapest part of the holiday, it's all the add-ons that make cruising expensive but I can only speak for RCI and I'm not referring to shore excursions because you can book them independently. If you can stick to just the cruise fare, great, I commend your will power! The cruiser, especially with RCI just needs to be aware that not everything is all inclusive and they need to keep that in mind. The Australian cruiser also has the double whammy of having everything calculated in USD once they get onboard and when our dollar has been very weak against the greenback for some time, you need to factor that in when choosing RCI and brace yourself when you receive the AUD amount show up on your bank statement! So when I'm on board, I'm always figuring out how much that USD30 tee will be in AUD. 😩 Of course it would be nice to have enough money not to have to worry about things like that but for my daughter and I, cruising or any holiday for that matter, is a luxury and we still need to be watching every penny we spend. I'd love to be frivolous like some but our life has dictated that we can't be and I'm sure many others are in our position and have saved up JUST enough to make it onboard! 🤗 I live in hope that one day I will be able to holiday that way but I'm grateful that I get to do so in any capacity and that it's more than many are able to but we save and sacrifice a lot to finally make it on board and never take anything for granted. Edit: Cruise hack! It might actually be more profitable, (I haven't done the maths yet), for you and your traveling partner to book separate cabins at this price to avoid being forced to purchase a deluxe drink package for the 2nd person if one of you don't drink. WITH the added bonus of you both getting double points by traveling 'solo' to help you climb up the Crown & Anchor membership tier faster! I'm a genius! 😄

[@uncaboat2399]

It needs to be mentioned that you need to consume *at least* 6 or 7 drinks *each day* in order to break even compared to just buying the drinks _a la carte._ For some of us, that is an *awful lot* of booze. So if you're expecting just an after-dinner drink or a night cap, forget the drink package. On-board drinks are hugely expensive, but the drink package is even more so. I'm looking at more than $800 for me and the missus for an upcoming Alaskan 7 night cruise, and there is just *no way* we could drink enough to be worth it.

[@alexgrey7972]

Which is why he mentioned non alcoholic drinks,soda cans are like 4 bucks water bottles are like 3.50 if you have 3/4 alcoholic drinks a day combined with say a coffee in the morning and a couple bottled waters you’ll be saving money especially with tips included

[@uncaboat2399]

@@alexgrey7972 As it so happens, non-alcoholic drinks usually come under a completely separate package with its own price. It would certainly be nice if the alcoholic package included non-alcoholic drinks such as water, coffee and soda, but it doesn't.

[@Elijah_Carroll]

@@uncaboat2399 if you go on royal website so can see it actually does include soda etc

[@uncaboat2399]

@@Elijah_Carroll Heck with their website, we just went on Royal Caribbean last May to Alaska. I know what I'm talking about! Maybe they changed it, but as of May 2022, water and soda was *not* included in their alcohol package.

[@julieb7882]

​@Unca Boat on Royal the deluxe package does include all nonalcoholic beverages. We figure we drink enough of those that 2 or 3 drinks a day is the break, even point. Do the math.

[@paulweiss4419]

Does it include drinks in the main dinning room?

[@danielwillis2774]

Yes

[@mattc3696]

I got the package a few years ago... It was far too much alcohol, and I love to drink... Have just paid as I go ever since and always save. I didn't enjoy feeling tipsy the entire holiday.

[@makomadns4]

Thats when the other drinks come into play making the package worth it for most people: Specialty coffee, juices, soda, bottled water & virgin tropical drinks. Still you need to sit down and do the math. Even with the other drinks it won’t be worth it for people who just want a beer or two by the pool.

[@madisonharrill1935]

That’s how my family is. We enjoy some drinks but we just won’t break even. We get the other drink package and then buy the alcohol drinks as we want them.

[@tonyS4853]

74days left to harmony of the seas, have the drink pack, didnt know if i had to pay a tip when using drink pack, but now i know, good video as always

[@ilikefartjokes]

Tony Skagerlund I was just on harmony about a month ago. Beautiful ship!!! I usually tipped the guys who actually brought me drinks 1-2 extra, but mostly went and got my own. If you go to the Japanese joint be careful!!! The hot sake goes straight to your head! Lol. The only time I actually got pretty drunk that week.

[@alberthuffington8588]

hahaha

[@blaster-zy7xx]

Did your trip get canceled?

[@williamsaunders670]

This is all facts. On board its almost 100 a night if you by it on the ship..

[@digital0785]

you can only do 1 drink every 5 mins just an fyi .. but unless you get too hammered/ obnoxious you can get cut off as like any other bar. the big thing is as you mentioned the "others" the difference in cost on the next drink package down is like 30 bux so.. thats basically 2 cocktails a day to "cover" the difference in cost which pretty much anyone on the face of the planet can do if they do drink lol like you mentioned try new things.. if it sucks thats fine .. take a sip.. set it down / give it back 5 mins later try something else

[@wendibryceguerrero4835]

I am a huuuuuuge fan of the unlimited drink package. My husband and I definitely like the worry free factor of it! I've had a few friends not do it and the sticker shock they get at the end of their cruise is crazy! If you like to kick back, I cannot stress this enough, just save yourself the stress and order it ahead of time! We even got ours on a pretty decent discount for this next cruise since we booked it so far in advance! 233 days until we are back on Symphony of the Seas!

[@ronaldvecchione1441]

Did u guys. Pay per person for the drink package

[@erikagholston6610]

I will be purchasing this on my next cruise. It will save some money.

[@nabeelrafique7166]

Are all Single Malts & Cognacs included in the deluxe package?

[@redtcstang]

My wife and i had 3-4 drinks a day and ended up saving about half of what the drink package price was.

[@pouponcrazycat5987]

Dont waste ur money uts not worth it...we had 7 drinks it still was alot less than to pay 500.00 more for alcohol...its so.much cheaper when u buy it on your own..

[@benknapp3787]

@@pouponcrazycat5987 I think it depends on what you drink. Top shelf liquor is 12 bucks per drink. We got the drink package for 56 per day so at 5 drinks per day we are already 8 dollars per day ahead per couple. I can tell you right now there will be multiple days of 10-15 drinks per day each! It's only not worth it if you only have 20 drinks total on an entire 5 night cruise.

[@guesswho-sx8ec]

I have been on alot of RC cruises...there is also a way to get 30 mins of free WiFi a day on the ship as well if you really learn how to use the RC app on the ship.

[@vxcxyy]

Pls spill

[@debragallagher7760]

On our last cruise I forgot to ask my travel agent to add the drink package. I hadn’t added after boarding. The first bar we were at our bartender asked if we had the package and allowed us to purchase it there. It was $300 cheaper than purchasing it online!

[@mqncesar]

what was the price?

[@sunseeker8457]

Question. If me and my family all have drink packages. Can they sit down while I go to the bar and get a round for everyone. Or do we all have to be at the bar with our cards to do this?

[@double5338]

You can go up to the bar by yourself. Just have your family hand you their cards and present them to the bartender.

[@mrjc12]

Great info! What ships have Tiki Bars? Thanks!

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

Mariner and Navigator so far

[@mrjc12]

@@RoyalCaribbeanBlog great!! That might be the way to go. Thank you!

[@bigchicago01]

Can you take your drink out of bars? Like could you get a drink from a bar and then bring it back to your room?

[@scottadelman5907]

Yes

[@kentl7660]

If we have the drink package and want to just drink at specialty restaurants like wonderland, do we still have to pay the dining fee? Or is it like Johnny rockets where it’s included if we just sit at the bar?

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

If there's a bar, you can go and just have drinks

[@Podgey25]

Hmmm.. that no sharing.. I've seen guests in busy bars (Discos / club bars), tip a bill to a barman and the barman has served him a drink on his package, that the guest then passed to their friend and all was well.. stuff does go on..

[@kaitiesanders993]

So drinks like orange juices in the buffet really aren’t available to everyone?

[@terenceetullyjr]

Juices on the buffet, or dining room/restaurant, are complimentary for all passengers. FRESH SQUEEZED has a charge.

[@kaitiesanders993]

Toirdhealbhach Óg Ó Maoltuile okay thank you! That makes sense.

[@8803surri]

Does it work on milkshakes at Johnny Rockets?

[@vcjtx]

Yes - at least it did last year on Symphony of the Seas

[@Brandis13]

Seems to depend on the Ship, Harmony works as well.

[@fitybux4664]

I'm going to tell my spouse we have the UNLIMITED "drink of the day" package. It goes right to my CC, lol. If we drank more than 120 x $8.00 drinks of the day in a week long trip, then it would have made more sense to get the official deluxe drink package. I don't know about you, but that is a LOT of drinks! Of course this doesn't apply if you are trying to taste different things.

[@AngelLuis95]

The deluxe package on woder of the sea now i think is like $1,200 or more for 2 people. Idk if to buy it 😕

[@benknapp3787]

Question for you. Are there certain times they allow you to purchase alcoholic beverages? Do they cut off sales at 2am like a domestic establishment or can you purchase drinks around the clock?

[@makomadns4]

There are times when the bars all close. Usually the last ones open are in the Casino. Think it’s around 2am. Then they won’t open again until late morning. Though there are some specialty morning drinks available.

[@alexpartridge807]

My has always included a refillable cup for soft drinks as well, and you keep the cup. But in the past it has been chipped or color coded to only work on that cruise.

[@lifeiscruisey1912]

I was told there's a limit - has to be drinks under $12... anything above that is charged

[@nichtsistkostenlos6565]

Correct, if you buy a cocktail that costs more than $12, they'll charge you for the difference plus gratuity. For example, if a cocktail costs $14, you'll pay $2.36 for that cocktail instead of the full $16.52 ($14 + 18% gratuity) that you would normally pay. Typically only cocktails/mixed drinks will be this expensive, most hard liquor (on their list of approved alcohols), glasses of wine, etc., won't reach this dollar amount.

[@TheeCharmLife]

How far in advance can you purchase the drink package? I have a cruise next March and was wondering when It would be available.

[@nichtsistkostenlos6565]

I have a cruise planned for November of this year and they opened up the drink packages for purchase sometime in late December/early January. So, probably around 11 months before your cruise departs. As long as the price isn't unreasonable for you, snag it right away and just check back periodically for price drops. When they first release the pricing, you're typically getting a pretty decent deal. As they mentioned in the video, if you see a price drop, just cancel the package and re-buy it.

[@TheeCharmLife]

@@nichtsistkostenlos6565 awesome, thank you!

[@angelabutts5849]

How long does it usually take to get the refund on the cruise site it says up to 14 days My cruise is in 19

[@wompa70]

Every time I go to the bar, I order the drink, a bottle of water, and add ice to the cup. It’s a great way to stay hydrated while drinking all day.

[@erickvorst5776]

For the deluxe drink package for the wife and I for Rhapsody of the seas in March is $970. And that's pre booking it... no thanks we just got the soda package instead no way were spending a thousand dollars on drinks to brake even. Wast of money.

[@83FB7]

Erick Vorst Keep in mind that the Deluxe Beverage package includes everything from the lower packages as well. So really, you’d only need to drink the difference between the Refreshment Package and the Deluxe which is usually $30-$40 difference per day per person. 4 drinks a day on average.

[@pouponcrazycat5987]

Its really not worth it unless u have the money...do u at home drink on the weekends 970.00 bucks of booze Nou don't..so why pay them..my suggestion is this if you spend 100.00 on 10 drinks on the cruise. That's alot. 10.00 a drink when they water it down wer ith lots of ice. Forget the icy drinks u can taste some of the booze but after two sips its gone. Dont waste ur money on that package. Not worth it at all. I am a Diamond cruiser.

[@erickvorst5776]

@@pouponcrazycat5987 the wife doesn't really drink so I'd be drinking for her as well. I added it up I'd have to get drunk every day just to break even. No thanks. I want to remember the cruise.

[@83FB7]

Poupon Crazy Cat The package isn’t just about alcohol either. It covers sodas, juices, premium coffees, malts, milkshakes, and the alcohol. You miss the point if you focus solely on alcohol.

[@phoebemeador7028]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@Lisa12329]

Got it! 12 days till we're on the Harmony!

[@pouponcrazycat5987]

Be sure u get to see the chocolate bar

[@dawngillis475]

Great information. Thanks.

[@AdultinginThemeParkLand]

I’m curious about the Bamboo Room. I know the limit is $13 and with the package I’ll pay an extra $1 (plus gratuity) for the $14 cocktails, but how does the bowl ($35) work? Can my husband and I combine our drink packages to get one and pay $9 more?

[@nichtsistkostenlos6565]

As far as I am aware, you can't combine drink packages to pay for a single drink. One of you would have to use your package to get the $13 credit and then pay the extra $22 plus gratuity.

[@checkenginelightison8317]

After the second day the Casino Royale gave me a sticker on my card for free drinks for my wife and I while in the Casino so often we would head down to the bar in the casino and get a couple of beers or drinks and either sit and drink at the bar or take off to the rest of the ship.I always tipped for those free drinks and I remember one night I didn't have any small bills on me so those guys got some nice tips. They made my vacation deluxe!

[@pouponcrazycat5987]

If u find a guy or galnu like just give them a few tips of cash they will make u any drinks

[@wsukwhit]

When is a good time to find the best deals on drink packages?

[@pouponcrazycat5987]

Book on board in the middle like day 4

[@marcusnewman5562]

Months before the sail date.

[@NFNJP]

I love your posts. Clear and precise. Has anyone done a video on How to become a live aboard. I am thinking very seriously of becoming one. Would love someone to show the ins and outs of actually doing this.

[@pouponcrazycat5987]

Bring ur camera. But u will not have any signal on board

[@floridaorbust5038]

Always make your quota each day

[@lt305theu]

The one thing I never understood was a glass of castello muscato can be purchased with the drink package everywhere but the main dining Room. Any insight? I literally had to go outside the MDR to Schooner bar and get a glass and return to my table.

[@nadster7164]

Can you buy alcohol beverages without having a drinks packages? I will be cruising in July but I am not much of drinker but like the odd cocktail every now and again and dont think it would be worth me having a package as I wont be getting much use out of it.

[@josephh4948]

Yes. You hand them your sea pass card at the bar when you order and it gets charged to your room. You settle your bill either the last night of the cruise or before you disembark. Plus they do specials throughout your cruise. For instance they ran a $2 mimosas a few times around noon in the casino on my last RC cruise. I would grab 2 and charge it before heading to the buffet for lunch. Also you are allowed to bring 2 bottles of uncorked/un open wine per stateroom for your cruise for free. I'm not much of a drinker so bringing a bottle of wine and charging the random drinks tonmy room was cheaper.

[@amandahunter6722]

Cruises will always take your money's

[@mcqvrie]

question. what if my mom wants to buy the package for me and her? i’m 18 and i still live with her and i always will. so there’s no way for me to buy it…

[@bigrich6750]

What is a cruise and what is a cruise line? Is that something people did in olden times?

[@tomhenry1592]

I don't understand the promotion being emailed saying there is a sale buy one drink package and get 2nd for 50%off. I went to my cruise planner and no discount was shown. False advertising? Or am I missing something. I am an NCL experienced cruiser and first cruise on Mariner OTS this July.

[@swcollector5921]

It comes out to be a 25% discount person based on on board pricing.

[@joeynavarro4926]

Can you get a drink and a bottle of water in the same order?

[@impackrat9]

We were able to on our cruise a few weeks ago. Our bartenders said we could get 2 bottles of regular water at a time as well

[@mrcamjones1]

Was there a change in gratuity, you had posted in 2019 stating 18% gratuity added at end of cruise for all drinks consumed...

[@digital0785]

18% on the total drink package. Normally it's 18% each drink so each cocktail ends up being 15-16$ after that factored in

[@mattanderson3807]

25 days till Symphony of the Seas and I will definitely be enjoying the deluxe beverage package. It has been $57 per day at its lowest compared to the $49 I paid on Oasis last year but oh well, it’s vacation

[@mommylovestv1]

Matthew Anderson I’ve been wondering how low it goes! I believe I paid $59 for Harmony of the Sea in June! Hoping it will go lower!!!

[@pouponcrazycat5987]

Just got back..loved symphony seas. Go to the chocolate bar

[@pouponcrazycat5987]

Dont buy a drink package not worth it cause they water down ur booze

[@mattanderson3807]

The chocolate bar is in the Windjammer right? What day did they have it?

[@sasha71299]

Lucky you, for my cruise deluxe package is 72.99

[@jamesnunez1703]

Are you allowed to go into the specialty restaurant just for drink?

[@milagrosrodriguez-leigon9138]

Great question!! Wondering the same

[@williamsaunders670]

Yeah but you have to pay the cover charge any way .

[@jamesnunez1703]

William Saunders do u have an idea of the charge

[@williamsaunders670]

@@jamesnunez1703 it depends on the restaurant anyway between 20 to 50 $ per person depending on the venue

[@jamesnunez1703]

William Saunders wow so it is just best to eat there. Thanks for the info.

[@ajbyname]

Wow, I've just discovered (and something you should also perhaps include in this list), is that the deluxe drink package only includes beverages up to $13, which pretty much excludes all the cocktails! 🤯 That's a relatively new policy because the package used to include just about all the cocktails bar a few of the frozen ones or what they classified as premium and often the speciality ones of the day. A big part of cruising is enjoying a cocktail by the pool, its part of the culture and they've essentially pulled them from the 'deluxe' package! You REALLY need to factor whether it's worth purchasing it now with that new rule in place, especially if you're mainly going to drink cocktails and not to many of them! Geez, there's nothing much left to incentivise me at this point to stay loyal to RCI anymore and I'm not even a drinker! But it's their overall practices that aren't sitting well with me that's discouraging me from considering sailing with them again and looking to broaden my horizons. They say a sea change can be good, pun intended! 😝

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

Since this video was produced the drink package covers drinks up to $14. So you’re good

[@karlferguson]

This is a very cunning ad my brilliant marketing friend.

[@dvandentop]

I am struggling on whether to get it for my Alaska cruise or not. Just seems like we will be off the ship a lot more during the day and won't be using it like a Caribbean cruise how about everybody else?

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

There's an argument to be made for both cases. It really boils down to how much you plan on drinking.

[@checkenginelightison8317]

If you buy it ahead of time your paying for a full day BEFORE you even board and your paying for the full day on departing (your not going to feel like "tying one on" the morning your packing to leave. Save your money ,nothing worst then trying to "get your monies worth" and dealing with a hang over.

[@dwarden3]

@@checkenginelightison8317 Then you are vacationing wrong, I'm drunk the minute the cab picks me from home to the cab ride home. Then a nice big drink at home and no hangovers. I can see your point though.

[@cmunch7473]

How fulfilling

[@julieb7882]

​@Check Engine Light Is On it's actually billed by number of nights. Thus on 7 night cruise day 1 & 8 technically share a night

[@anastasiacline6159]

Not worth it for me and my husband. My husband doesn't drink alcohol, tea, or coffee, and we both don't really like bottled water (or rather the waste it creates). We couldn't find "fresh" squeezed drinks on our cruise - only the pitcher served orange juice that was complementary without the drink package anyways. We only used it to get bottled water for our excursion, but we brought our own reusable bottles anyways so that wasn't really necessary. So for me to get 3-4 glasses of strawberry daiquiri, it really doesn't make sense to buy 2 drink packages, I'll just pay full price and save more money that way.

[@EntropyGuardian]

Yeah for your situation, definitely sounds like it isn't a good fit. The fresh OJ is in the windjammer. Just ask one of the servers who come around and they'll bring you some. There's a machine by the windjammer bar. I loved it. My wife had coffees, I had juice, otherwise we were having beers or mixed drinks all day long, several glasses of wine with dinner, then more cocktails at night, every night. You do the math in our situation and it really was a bargain.

[@richardwingard4011]

Kind of odd that you stumbled into a video about the drink package when you clearly where never a candidate for purchasing it in the first place.

[@guesswho-sx8ec]

Been there done that have the T-shirts for it.

[@ErikDaVinci]

My family don't drink that much alcohol to motivate to buy the full beverage alcohol pagage. We consider to invest in that non-alcoholic refreshments package and then buy a bottle of wine at special dinner ocations and some few alcoholic drinks at the bars. So I am interested in the mocktails. Will there be any good special mocktails on the restaurant menys as well for us to try?

[@lukemilner9787]

What's stopping you doing what everyone else does on other cruise lines: just buying the drink for someone and as soon as you have turned your back just passing it to anyone? Do they go round like crazy people checking everyone dipping from a cup has a drinks package? I mean that's nuts

[@pouponcrazycat5987]

We found out that one guy next door to us did they and his privileges were taken away He still had to pay for the booze package

[@gifink]

If a bar tender or an officer sees you handing the glass to another person they can ask to see both your cards. We saw a guy get his yanked on the Harmony by an officer for sharing with another person. We were eating as Sabor and he got a drink from the Sabor bar and took it back to Johnny Rockets and gave it to the person at the table with him. The bartender had a chat with a nearby office and the officer went over and asked both people for their seapass. After a conversation they all three left heading for guest services. At times you will see officers just hanging out near the bars watching where people go with their drinks.

[@Tigerfied67]

this is what I did....but I always walked away from the bar out of sight and gave away my drinks.

[@igotbandTHEFROG]

lmao if i'm paying 1k+ for a room and food i'm sharing my drinks fuck out of here lol

[@allong9937]

My ultimate relaxing ang refreshing package in cruise ship.

[@1995drizzy]

What time can you start buying alcohol? Can I have a beer in the morning if I wanted to?

[@pouponcrazycat5987]

Sure. U can drink from 6 am to 3 am. Every 20 minutes

[@ampuran]

Start the day with champagne mimosa..!

[@ms.lovely5719]

So how come on their web site it allows me to select only my husband to buy the drink package and not me which I don't drink so I dont need one.

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

The rule only applies to the deluxe beverage package

[@danielparrish5438]

sounds like the Royal Caribbean drink package is a better deal than the one Carnival has ....... Carnival's package doesn't kick in until the 2nd day of the cruise, they limit the number of alcoholic drinks you can have per day

[@anakerose]

Isn't that only from Galveston? We saw people use their drink package in Port Canaveral. They just had to pay the taxes.

[@Zstray17]

Let me put this simply. If you bring kids, you won’t benefit from the drink package. You just won’t. Between the responsibility as a parent and 3 ports per week, there is just no time to drink the amount needed to benefit from the package.

[@joubertkristoffersen4183]

Both me and my wife have the drink package on our upcoming cruise on Feb 22. Are we able to order/bring drinks to enjoy on our balcony ?

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

You can definitely bring a drink to your balcony. Room service is not covered by the drink package.

[@transamkeith4160]

drink package does not cover the drink in a pineapple that they sell near the main pool.

[@chrismaines1285]

I just want the Volkswagen ball for my yard.

[@billyperry7779]

"Unlimited drinks" actually has a limit on my one cruise. It was 15 drinks which sounds like a lot, but no it's not. And also in some states like MASS any discount on drinks is actually illegal so "unlimited drinks" does not take effect until the boat leaves MASS waters.

[@nichtsistkostenlos6565]

I've heard a lot of people say there's a 15 drink maximum, but there's nothing in the fine print or on their website that says this. In fact, if you look up Royal Caribbean's FAQs and blog posts on the matter, it says explicitly there is no daily limit. Are you guys potentially confusing this with another cruise line's drink package? Or did they previously have a hard limit and then removed it?

[@EntropyGuardian]

Did you board a carnival ship by accident?

[@nelloffdaave8937]

Never purchased any drink package, never been sober on a cruise. Nice AD by the way

[@guesswho-sx8ec]

Again not everyone has to buy the drink package, all you need is a doctor letter stating that you have a medical condition that doesn't allow you to drink alcohol and only on person in a Stateroom can get the drink package.

[@missystrathmeyer7398]

It is their non-alcoholic beer?

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

Yes

[@MahendraSingh-rp6er]

how can they know if i get a drink at one bar, then go to another bar and just give someone that drink?

[@Bradley7708]

there are cameras all over that place, its like a casino

[@nalod23]

Sounds like a great package to get, however I imagine these packages are SUPER expensive

[@nichtsistkostenlos6565]

They are pricy and they're not for everyone. They range from about $50 - $90 per person per day. If you're not planning on drinking cocktails or hard liquor, you can immediately count yourself out, no way you're going to make up the cost with beer and wine alone. If that doesn't count you out, my absolute biggest tip to make your money from the drink package is to NOT go crazy the first few nights. I've seen too many people do this, get huge hangovers, and not want to drink for the rest of the cruise. Just make the drink package worth it each day with a combination of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks that's sustainable. A specialty coffee or juice in the morning, a couple of bottles of water throughout the day, a couple of drinks with lunch and dinner, a cocktail here and there, try something you've never tried before each day of the cruise... All that adds up and makes up the cost of the package and then some.

[@enqviststaffan]

Why are they calling it a "deluxe package" when you can't even get a glass of champagne when you have purchased the package???? On our last cruise we asked specifically if the package covered champagne and the answer was: YES, yuo get it all.... that's a HUGE lie, the package just covers drinks up to 12-13$ per glass! If they sell a package named deluxe it should cover ALL drinks available! Why aren't they selling beverage-packages in different categories and different costlevels like: soda(1), beer&wine(2), regular cocktails(3) and all inclusive number 4???

[@02slackit]

Its not a lie. Stated right in the information about the package is the 13 dollar limit. Plus, you can just pay the difference between the 13 dollars and the coat of the drink you want.

[@enqviststaffan]

@@02slackit it was a lie because we asked specific if the package cover real champagne and it didn't! I know that you can pay the difference but that wasn't the question here....

[@Brandis13]

Not a lie, as long as you get a champagne that is no more than $13 per glass ;-)

[@binds321]

Good to know about not having to get delux for my partner he doesn’t drink

[@amiaquino]

I set sail in about 30 days, on the Explorer of the seas. I was able to snag a great deal of $43 a day Deluxe drink package.

[@brianschultz1]

We just booked that ship. Did you get emailed about the $43 a day or did you just keep checking the website/app?

[@amiaquino]

@@brianschultz1 I kept checking daily. I was unwilling to spend more than $50 a day. You def have to be committed to checking everyday.

[@brianschultz1]

@@amiaquino that is what I figured. Luckily, I can write/create a bot to due that for me.

[@jacklove6681]

How many days is your cruise?

[@amiaquino]

@@jacklove6681 my cruise was back in mid Dec. 7 days.

[@davidsworld5837]

for cost being forced to buy for every day does mean you are forced each day to drink above the health alcohol limit, and that you can really not have a non alcohol day. Without losing money by doing it. so really cruises are for alcoholics people spending most of there trip working on just having loads of drink if you look at prices for drinks the cost of one glass may be equal to the cost of the whole bottle