WHY I NEVER BUY A DRINK PACKAGE ON ROYAL CARIBBEAN

[@dolorescarr6511]

As a Diamond Plus on Royal with 5 drinks a day, you don't have to use the drinks only on alcohol. They can be used for Specialty Coffee, Soda, Water and Mocktails. Any combination of 5 per day.

[@doughooks7411]

Royal Caribbean’s drink packages are outrageously priced compared to most other cruise lines. Holland America has the Have It All package for $55/day that includes 15 drinks per day, some specialty dining, some shore excursions, and WiFi.

[@jayholiday256]

That’s why I don’t drink much on Royal Caribbean. We get the 4 free drinks as a diamond. Princess is a better deal, it’s packaged with gratuity and WiFi

[@brianbray2262]

I completely agree!! Even Princess has the plus and premier packages that are much more affordable and include specialty dining, internet, reserved seating for shows, etc...

[@marianjeffrey8684]

HAL includes water in that 15 drinks

[@doughooks7411]

@@marianjeffrey8684 It would take a lot of water to make up the difference between HALs and RCs drink package prices, and water is free in the dining facilities.

[@rungee1335]

I agree with you, I just hope Royal doesn’t take this perk away at some point for the sake of profits…

[@AxelQC]

Then they would offer almost nothing for loyalty.

[@704musicent]

@@AxelQC You mean like all the other cruise lines?

[@jobee1]

That’s great if you have that level of loyalty

[@brileygabriel4949]

I do four drinks between boarding and when the ship leaves the port!! lol.. Not a boast, but it is what it is! lol

[@Mrcruisefever1]

We carry on couple 12 packs of soda onboard. : Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

[@davidfence6939]

Meh, unless you don't like Coke products I often see the soda package for like 5.99-9.99 a day. If it was higher per day I'd agree, but I want as light as possible on board.

[@dougleclair5080]

I agree with you 100% Even before becoming D. My wife and I wanted to use our 50% off of a couple of beers. The guy at the bar said he wasn't able to honor it, and I was ok with that. He ended up, giving us the drinks for free.

[@John-hl4wz]

Same here Don, as a Diamond Plus guest we are entitled to 5 payable drinks each per day. Just off Anthem of the Seas and we were also given credit for speciality coffees (1 per day) though the Crown Lounge had a Coffee making machine which you could use all day. Also you can use the credits for coke, bottled water etc if you don't drink alcohol, pity it does not extend to Celebrity. However, Princess has the best offer and we are now more loyal to them.

[@randijaffe-7665]

Royal gives us 5 each, drinks per day. This is perfect!! I rather have it this way instead of the “Happy Hour” This happened prior to the pandemic! They started by taking your card at happy hour, to track- we knew something was going to happen in the future! They also had too many in the club and it was getting hard to sit and you couldn’t take the drink out of the club. They also started making the lounge’s smaller. I love the freedom of this now and you can basically use it anywhere except The bionic bar.

[@paulnelson5314]

In the past, I would purchase the d/p for me but not my wife. Then Royal made it so everyone of drinking age in the same cabin had to buy. Got divorced and quit alcohol, problem solved

[@tduck828]

Too many people abused the policy. A LOT of calories too!

[@kvom01]

Two problems solved.

[@nancyp2992]

😅😅😅

[@doughooks7411]

Just getting divorced will likely resolve the need for alcohol.

[@ladyblueamb]

😂😂😂

[@jamieroberts900]

I enjoy the coffee specialities and often the drink packages include water..Carnival allows 15 drink minimum daily.

[@davidfence6939]

Yeah, Carnival's package is cheaper, but that drink limit and if they're weak drinks...meh. I get it. Carnival is the Fun Ship and some get a bit too rowdy. Happens on RCL too. Just a bit more pronounced on Carnival imo.

[@l0ufromdaBX]

I don’t understand the anti drink package people lol. I really don’t drink at home but I’m a social drinker. We do the Cococay trip every year. It’s 4 days. The drink package is $252 bucks and we can drink whatever we want, all day long, all night long for those days/nights. That includes water, soda, sparkling water, milkshakes, coffees, and basically any drink alcoholic or non alcoholic. That is a no brainer for me. We don’t have status for 4 drinks and even then you are limiting yourself to 4 drinks a day? Odd. It’s a vacation and I want to enjoy myself and not get that bummer of a drink bill at the end of my cruise. Drink package always worth it IMO.

[@dahomieg1]

The drink package is $769 not including gratuity…

[@eggs5258]

@@dahomieg1 its 80~ bucks a day for a single person.

[@thurayyadrew]

Hey Don, it's always a pleasure watching you! Thank you for what you do!

[@davidhazard1195]

Me neither. I don't drink enough for the drink package

[@teresamiller5412]

We don’t drink much either, used to do refreshment pkg, but with diamond drinks we rarely use all of them, finish out each night getting water bottles with the pkg

[@Louis-x9q]

That’s one reason why staying loyal to one cruise line can give you a few perks

[@nicolemiller4688]

Great perk for a longtime cruiser. Cheers!

[@lowvizlife]

Yes, if I get my loyalty up like that I would definitely reconsider not getting the drink package.

[@choco.es.unlimited]

4 drinks go QUICK. A double shot, two times you're done. You go poolside, get a frozen drink, 2 glasses of wine at the club, and if you watch a show. It goes super quickly. That's why I like MCL

[@jeanetteraichel8299]

On Carnival in 2013 on the Conquest we decided to try the new Cheers package. We knew we'd need to drink 7 drinks a day. That's at least two more than I normally would drink. I struggled to get seven. Only one night I managed 10, two were mimosa at breakfast and one was for the SIL of my friend i cruised with. It wasn't worth it. Fast forward to 2022 and I upgraded the inside cabin my friend rented with her covid canceled cruise with my covid canceled cruise to a much better balcony cabin. She bought the Cheers, so I had to pay too. I got $500 back for the upgrade and used the money for the Cheers. I was buying drinks for the two 20yr Olds with us. At least four drinks a day went to them and I'd have five or six tops. Even though I had cut back on my meds that warned me not to drink, I learned the warnings were real and the ONLY time i ever felt sea sick. I cut them back to one pill a day and limited myself to no more than five in the whole day. I'd have 8-10 logged by bed time. Only one day did I splurge and learned.....embarkation day...

[@marymcmann9546]

When my sister and I used to sail Royal Caribbean we would go to the Diamond Lounge every night before dinner. We would each have a drink and then before we went to dinner we would have the waiter fill up 2 wine glasses with the wine we would have with dinner. Hardly ever had to buy any drinks unless we wanted to have one by the pool. I was the only one that was Diamond level.

[@melvinjacobs2328]

I'm Diamond and love the 4 drinks per day. It's much better than the old happy hour. How many drinks can you really have in the happy hour?

[@krispressler1005]

I have bought the soda package a few times but now that I am diamond on RC I will definitely never buy a package again. My friends who are also newly diamond just sailed and they said they didn't even use their 4 vouchers per day.

[@beatlejeff65]

Even with the four vouchers I still buy a refreshment package because I'm going to consume plenty of bottled water, soda, coffee, and tea during the day in addition to the adult bevs I'm entitled to.

[@lindagraham1147]

Great tip. Next cruise will have to think about the d/p. Too bad that princess doesn't let us share the drink package.

[@jaypurvis7191]

Specialty coffee is a must so I will get drink package,hope someday the Specialty coffee will be included with bubbles package instead

[@band3513]

it was actually 3 hours at the club plus 3 vouchers you could use anywhere and it was for diamond and above and we miss it big time. We would meet new people and have a great time during the happy hour and down way more than 4 or 5 drinks.

[@charlesturner1377]

If I was a diamond level I wouldn’t need the package either but since I’m lowly platinum if I want a few drinks it costs me money.

[@thomasallen6980]

I laugh at the losers in line bragging about their level of loyalty to cheap introductory cruises. After the first couple of cattle cars, it's time to move up to something nicer. It is. They dont want you climbing up the totem pole of luxury.

[@LottiePatrick-d7o]

We always buy the drink package We are both wine drinkers and at 14.00 per glass you're a little over the drink package per day plus we use the included bottles of water, specialty coffee, energy drinks and sodas.

[@ronw1864]

Nice perk for those who have achieved diamond status!

[@theotherdonald8604]

I get the drink package. Just got off harmony of the seas yesterday. Friday night alone I had 30 cocktails. Day 1 was 23. Averaged 15 a day on the rest of the days except Saturday which I used to recover. The weather was horrible overall and there just wasn’t much to do other than eat, drink and gamble.

[@thomasbronk7324]

We get the refreshment drink package only not the alcohol

[@sandrawilkinson2557]

As Diamond Plus I don’t buy the deluxe package, but if I get a good price I buy the non alcohol one to cover all my non alcohol drinks.

[@susantownsend8397]

I will only get a drinks package if it’s bundled with a bunch of other stuff like Wi-Fi, early embarkation, specialty desserts, etc.

[@Aust-NZ-SPandtheworld]

As they do on Princess Cruises.

[@tobiebrave]

Diamond now, but even before never got a drink package. You have to really pound them down to get your money’s worth especially on port days. I’m sure there are some people come out ahead, but not me.

[@davidfence6939]

Meh, if you're worried about your money's worth there's a lot more you should be concerned about.

[@PaulBishop-v1o]

It really depends on how many sea days you have on your sailing

[@GrantMcLeod-u2r]

Those Happy Hours got real expensive for the cruise lines. Lots of "profit" gone. People would yes drink all they could, then not pay regular prices other times. I never get the drink package, except ONCE on a cruise to Antarctica. Package allowed drinks up to $15 per drink. Soooo....I tried the good, top shelf scotches. Boy, they were good. Seemed to me that the bartenders liked me, and had me trying all the top shelf scotches. So...that one cruise, they lost "money" on me on the drink package. But it was excellent !!

[@Tee55118]

Did you see the bartender actually remove the seal from the bottle open first opening it? I wonder if alcohol fraud, like fish fraud, occurs on cruise ships......the mafia makes a fortune putting cheap stuff under expensive labels.

[@jameshoffman2163]

Gotta have the drink package, keeping track of drink transactions on a pay as you go gets to be too much !

[@KS-kr4ok]

I am Diamond Plus. I love the vouchers. I get wine. my husband gets coke

[@khardy1801]

That’s well and good if you’ve sailed enough to get that perk

[@vickiezalesky8222]

Royal Caribbean’s Happy hour prior to Covid started the day you boarded and ran from 5-8 with an appetizer buffet and all you could drink for that time. Celebrity’s Captains Club started day 2 and did not happen on the Captains toast day and runs from 5-7 and they walk around serving appetizers

[@TheMarkF001]

Thank You, Don. We will be Diamond, after our August cruise. So this is great to know!

[@robbyrocksoo]

I going on my first RC cruise next month, and I heard that both people in the cabin must get the package, if one person does. My wife is on medication where she can't drink, so I obviously won't be getting the drink package, as it is so not worth it. Not to mention, I am not a huge drinker myself. The math doesn't math.

[@peterasacker5948]

Celebrity should follow this practice...

[@garybelew7813]

No bill at the end because of the enormous bill at the beginning.. And the restrictions are like being treated like children.. I like to buy beer in the buckets, that way they not only cost less, but I can take some to my cabin to put in the fridge for when I don't want to run to the bar, that's not permitted, they are so afraid someone might try to cheat them out of a drink, they make stupid rules to ruin it for the majority that have no intent of doing that. Most people on cruises are couples out to have fun.. The drink package with gratuity added is well over $900 for a 7 day cruise, if purchased in advance. If a person adds what they spend every day for drinks, I'm betting they will be below or close to equal that amount anyway..

[@joewines3883]

We like the drink package because it gets so much more. We like the smoothies in the spa and the specialty coffee as well. But we also enjoy a few cocktails too.

[@johncaruana6406]

The free drinks Don is talking about applies to any drinks, not just alcohol.

[@rockhilltravelers]

We've used ours for smoothies in the spa, speciality coffee at non Starbucks establishments on board and drinks at any bar on the ship. All really convenient

[@tonydawson2670]

I'd much rather we all paid for every drink and bring the price back to a sensible level.

[@larryrobinson1256]

Wish I was diamond and I wouldn't have to but drinks on RCL either.

[@debschultz143]

Hubby & I are Diamond plus...he doesn't drink (and doesn't like Coke products) . He brings pepsi. Before we retire for the evening, we stock up on bottled water! I only remember 1 sea day where I consumed my 5 and a couple of his! (I won't do that again!)

[@richrand7964]

That is a great perk from Royal, they gave us equal status on Celebrity, but drinks don't qualify would be nice to equal status

[@cynthiareifsnider5794]

That is a great perk. I am not a heavy drinker either, so this would be perfect for me.

[@kylady1959]

I have never gotten a drink package on any cruise

[@davidyoung3237]

There we go again if it weren’t clear already how decent and caring and just a good guy Don is- this video proves it he’ll even shout you a drink at a royal Caribbean bar on the high seas! Good on you don! - I for one wouldn’t drink 6 drinks a day weather on a cruise or just a night out Nor would I ever by a drinks package it would never be value for money for me either- I think this offering is good for responsible service of alcohol guidelines - but it does also allow Royal Caribbean to cut costs …. but at the end of the day any free drinks are good and letting them go to others too is another good point to spreading g out the alcohol to others rather than just one person maybe having 4 drinks in one session. David Young 39 Brisbane Australia.

[@valerie577]

we don't either, we get 25% discount on specialty coffees, beverages in the mini bar and there is 50% off at Happy hour...we buy a wine package which also gives a discount of 25%

[@zulickj]

Good information! However, Im taking my first Royal Caribbean cruise next year....and i have peasant status.

[@sfh14ers]

I don't drink, so never have considered buying a drinks package, but just looking at the price, even if I was a drinker I would probably not buy a package but just pay as I go. Can't imagine drinking the amount necessary to justify the cost. That's just me

[@davidfence6939]

You have the loyalty level and can share it. Great in that situation, but others that don't. Plus when you just want to vacation and not think about the drinks you're grabbing...you buy the package. I get it if your goal is multiple cruises a year. I'd love that...one day in the future. I'm still working and my job doesn't allow remote work. A cruise a year is all I get so I buy the package to not think about it while I'm on board. It's why I try to do CocoCay and Labadee (unrest :( ).Not so much to "make it worth it". I mean if I was that concerned about the cost of cruising I'd probably have given up cruising with the current rates across the industry. I just check the drink package sales after booking as soon as the cruise I want drops and drink to my heart's content on board. Some days I don't touch the daily $$ amount. Other days I'm over it. But I NEVER have to think "will I have to pay this off on the day before disembarkation?". Always leave with 0 balance on my account. So for first time RCCL cruisers and most under Diamond...this doesn't work unless you're of level for free drinks or have someone willing to share. It's a GREAT loyalty perk and one day it would be nice to have, but it's also just that, a loyalty perk. I like how Celebrity does it with the happy hour at bars across the ship. Strange RCL can't have the same considering they don't seem to have as much of an issue on Celebrity with it. Guess being it's a family friendly lines you get a mix of 20-30 somethings and the overzealous 40+ that ruin it for the rest. Speaking of already booked drink package on sale for 50% off on 2025 sailing. Doubt it'll go lower unless a random holiday/Black Friday sale drops it to like 55/60% Did think about the Refreshment package and just buying alcohol...then again can't be bothered visiting Guest Services at the end of the cruise. LOL

[@bigfishlonnie5572]

Hi Don really enjoy your channels been watching since back in covid days. Me and the wife check them out daily.

[@rsvihla]

Diamond Plus. I have never bought the drink package even when I was Platinum or lower.

[@chrisrobertson3189]

Once you are a Diamond member on RCI, you get four free drinks a day! Before this level, if you drink/party a lot, the drink package is worth it. If you are a light drinker, pay as you go is the better option.

[@roan6125]

I love NCL free at sea package which includes the drink package and MSC bundle of the wifi and drink package. I refuse to buy a drink package from RC. Their cruise and drink package is ridiculously high.

[@tibcordeiro]

Ncl will charge you a 20% on that free package. Even if you get gratuities included they still charge you 20% on the VALUE of the drink package , not on the drinks you consume. Ncl will never see another Nickle from me, they are a Nickle and dime cruise line.

[@rickwalton8476]

Normally we love your videos but this one is not your best. It’s not easy for the avg person to sail enough to gain diamond plus status and collect the free drinks. Unfortunately most of us need to buy the drink package or pay the $18 per drink cost.

[@isabelhovig]

I agree! I love Don’s videos, but he is completely out of touch with this one!

[@markb8954]

Exactly……he’s just bragging now about his status. It would be better to say, there are some great perks to cruise with the same company. Frequent cruises with same cruise line yields significant savings.

[@memelissa2]

LOL... Shhhhhhhhhhhhh... I just hit diamond and am looking forward to this perk on my next cruise. My husband and I aren't big drinkers either so 4 a day will be more than enough. Honestly, it's great marketing and keeps me loyal to Royal. 😀

[@kristenkroes9649]

I like the newer drink certificate system.

[@timdye1879]

I used to always buy the Drink package. Since become Diamond and Prime it's not necessary anymore

[@MarthaHernandez-bx3js]

I don’t buy drink packages, but I used to buy the soda package for my children.

[@thomaswhite7951]

Royal caribbean is our favorite. We enjoy the perks.

[@judithjohnson7962]

I'm not a drinker but I wish there was a better package for us, soft drinks and special coffee. 😊

[@steveturner1644]

Carnival gives 1 drink only at breakfast dining room. They do have one happy hour per cruise.. I'm platinum

[@dwtslots2925]

Have a vantastic Day!

[@ruthkringle1353]

Glad the drinks transfer. I went to company parties where they gave each person a drink ticket. Someone would buy my soda and I gave them a booze ticket.

[@jawsxx8683]

I'll keep an eye out for ya.

[@garyrasmussen7951]

Pretty slick if RCL is for you.

[@jonasoverka3956]

Like you Don, I dont drink liquor. Nor beer or coffee, and rarely soft drinks, maybe an orange juice or fruit punch I usually just drink water.

[@debbiemartin6714]

Drink packages are two expensive. My husband drinks a lot but I don't. So when we total it up the money doesn't make sense.

[@cycoswmn1]

Hello Don. I look forward to your informative videos

[@LauraPerry63]

I never pay for drink package as I might maybe have one spirited drink during a cruise .

[@lindahuggins4518]

I am now in the same boat because Norwegian the drink package is a add on and having to pay the gratuities on there just about breaks me even since I only drink a couple a day.

[@AllenHUS]

Finally made it to diamond! Can't wait to use it for the first time!

[@pattappurple]

Sounds like a great perk. I probably wouldn't buy a drinks package as we don't drink much.

[@joeseatac331]

I don’t drink alcohol either. I love specialty coffee and soda, but don’t drink enough to justify any drinks packages I’ve seen so far.

[@Ravenclaw0536]

I’ve been cruising since 2002. My husband and I are one cruise away from Emerald. We can only go once every few years at the most. We don’t drink very much so I guess it’s ok we will never get to diamond.

[@rhondawilson1206]

Good to know if you are Loyal to Royal.

[@KevinDellit]

4 drinks are gone by lunch time LOL

[@MidgeBorsilli]

I wish I was diamond or diamond plus! Between the fresh squeezed orange juice, specialty coffee and refreshing sodas and drinks, I have to purchase the drink package

[@cydneystephen2814]

Was on the Allure 2018 and don’t recall a happy hour. But had the drink package so maybe ignored it. Buy your status amazing. Definitely don’t need the package

[@davidcichra1373]

Give my drinks in refrigerator to room steward if I have extras..

[@bethlowell7336]

Verrry interrrresting. Wonder if other cruise companies have the same perk. Cheers

[@jacquelinestewart5550]

Nice, I will be D. after my next trip. I don’t drink more than one a week, so I will share

[@DRMTTJ]

My husband and I are Diamond Plus with RCCL but didn't realize that you could share the drinks with anyone NOT in your stateroom. I believe anyone that shares your stateroom gets the same benefits as you though. Anyway, good to know. We never use more than one or two a day.

[@randa200771]

Don, I volunteer myself to assist you in the consumption of your drinks. Normally I would not do such a thing but on this occasion, oh go on 😂

[@joelroach416]

It is like the bar setup in your cabin when you are Elite with Princess. I give it away.

[@paulinelinton3382]

The drink vouchers cover alcohol and non alcohol beverages.

[@donaldedmondson4918]

I totally agree with you about the drink package ⚓️

[@karencragg5873]

They is a great loyalty gift

[@charlesschroeder4062]

I have Diamond status. I get the Refreshment Package, so I can order anything throughout the day, iced coffee, soda, shakes, smoothies, bottles of water, energy drinks and get 4 alcohol drinks as well from my Diamond status. You do realize you can use the 5 drinks you have on non alcoholic drinks.

[@Retiredtraveler1961]

Hey Don, great video. I am not a fan of royal Caribbean simply because their ships are too crowded! I’ve given them a shot twice. The first was my first cruise experience in 1993 Majesty of the seas, outstanding. In 2017 I went on freedom of the seas and it was much different picture. I can’t imagine enjoying a vacation with 5000 6000 or 7000 other passengers. Even though I am loyal to princess and I am a platinum member with 100+ sea days, I will not be using them too much longer. The cruise industry as I’ve mentioned before has become something far different than it was a decade ago. I’m not interested in being nickel and dimed the entire time Im board. I agree with you and giving the drinks away, that’s very kind of you. But what ever cruise line you’re on you have to remember several factors before you buy these drink packages 1. Both parties in the cabin have to buy the package, if your friend or guest doesn’t drink, then you’re wasting money. 2. The price they charge for these drink packages! Just a break even you have to drink five or six drinks every day. 3. People don’t account for shipboard credit when doing a cost benefit analysis. Using my upcoming cruise in two weeks July 12 of on Caribbean princess, I have $250 military credit, $100 princess credit, and $350 travel agency credit. Even though I’m paying for my gratuities, and drinks, I get Wi-Fi half off. It makes no sense to buy the drink package.

[@williamwatson689]

Not only too crowded but full of kids running wild.

[@Retiredtraveler1961]

@@williamwatson689 my idea of hell😬

[@Jazzykatt23]

I tried Royal for the first time and was completely disappointed. Way too many people and long lines and no seating.

[@TheJm129]

Great tip! Become a travel agent with the ability to do multiple cruises to reach diamond status! Absolutely brilliant!

[@rsvihla]

We’re not travel agents and we’re Diamond Plus.

[@markb8954]

Yeah….at this point Don is just bragging what he has & we don’t. Why?

[@TheJm129]

@@markb8954 Good question

[@dawnturner8735]

I have been on NCL a couple of times and I am not a huge drinker so I find I can't justify buying the drink package. To cover the cost I would have to have 7-8 drinks a day and there is no way I can do that. lol

[@redking3718]

It’s great. I share most of mine to 🎉

[@jessicadevoto6864]

Do you get a nonalcoholic package? I don’t drink enough to justify the alcoholic drink package either, but I’m a heavy soda drinker, and I like the mocktails, so I always get the nonalcoholic beverage package.