Table Of Content
- What is a Royal Caribbean beverage drink package?
- So What’s The Bottom Line On Whether Royal Caribbean Drink Package Is Worth It?
- Royal Caribbean Drink Packages
- Turkish Desserts to Sweeten your Vacation
- Pre-purchase your Royal Caribbean drink package to save money
- What do Royal Caribbean drink packages cost?
- Breaking even on a Royal Caribbean drink package is possible
This non-alcoholic package is more reasonably priced, ranging from $29 to $38 per person, per day. Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package, the only alcoholic option, usually costs anywhere between $63 to $102 per person, per day, plus 18% for gratuities. It is just about all-inclusive, meaning that you can enjoy as many beverages as you want each day, even if all your drinks are made with top-shelf liquors. Essentially, you can enjoy almost any non-alcoholic beverage on this package, including Johnny Rockets milkshakes. There are only a few exclusions, such as Starbucks from licensed kiosks. Starbucks brewed coffee from other onboard locations ARE included.
What is a Royal Caribbean beverage drink package?
You cannot "cherry pick" days to have the drink package benefits. Basically, when you purchase a drink package, you are buying it for the duration of the cruise. While the drink packages work on Royal Caribbean’s private islands of Labadee and Perfect Day at CocoCay, they don’t work when you’re in other ports of call. But overall, these packages offer convenience and help manage your onboard expenses, providing a fixed cost for unlimited drinks.
So What’s The Bottom Line On Whether Royal Caribbean Drink Package Is Worth It?
While you can always find classic cocktails like piña coladas and daiquiris, you can also try some seriously unique concoctions around the ship. I have long held a love-hate relationship with this particular package. It’s available to anyone, but the most obvious target audience is children. And I have procured a soda package for at least one of my kids on many occasions. And pretty much every time that I have outright paid for it (vs receiving it as some kind of free perk), I’ve been left with the lingering suspicion that I didn’t quite get my money’s worth. As of October 2017, Royal Caribbean has changed the rule so that if one adult purchases an unlimited alcohol package, all adults in the same stateroom have to purchase a drink package.
Royal Caribbean Drink Packages
The only exception to this rule, being the two 750ml wine bottles allowed per stateroom. But, ensure you carry the wine in your carry on, if you don’t want to make a trip to security to claim your luggage and potentially lose the wine. The official policy can be found here and please note that it could change so always check from Royal Caribbean before your cruise. If you're lucky and can purchase your package at the lowest possible price, almost anyone who drinks a combination of non-alcoholic drinks and a couple of cocktails daily would break even. That equals six beers or four or five glasses of wine or cocktails.
And if you’re on a budget, I suggest you stick with the complimentary drinks offered by the Cruise Line. I’m sure this article has provided you with all the information you need about Royal Caribbean Drink packages. Each night on a cruise gives you one point, and for suite guests, either Junior or Grand, you get 2 points per night.
The best time to buy Royal Caribbean drink packages
You must be 21 years of age or older to purchase a beverage package that includes alcohol. When you purchase any of the Royal Caribbean Drink Packages, an 18% gratuity is added at checkout. You are always welcome to add extra gratuities on the ship to recognize the outstanding service of the crew, but there is no requirement as it’s included with your purchase. There is no hard limit to the number of drinks you can purchase on Royal Caribbean. However, if you appear too intoxicated, the staff won’t serve you more drinks. You are NOT allowed to share the Royal Caribbean drink package.
Pre-purchase your Royal Caribbean drink package to save money
Moreover, guests are allowed to bring up to two bottles of wine per stateroom on their Royal Caribbean cruise. All of this contributes to bringing down the cost of drinks on a cruise, especially if you forgo a drink package and pay a la carte for your drinks. Every drink package includes gratuities when you purchase it, so there's no additional tips or costs for anything included in the package.
Note that there will be a line on your drink receipt for additional gratuity if you are feeling generous, but it’s not required. If you’re about to set sail, you likely have pictured yourself on the ship — hanging out poolside, drink in hand, soaking up the sun. In the evening, live entertainment pairs with pulsing music and amazing visuals across a floor-to-ceiling wall of windows to dazzle guests late into the night. You can use the coffee card at Royal Caribbean coffee locations, such as Cafe Promenade or Cafe Latte-tudes. Experience exquisite dining on vacation with Navigator of the Seas cruise restaurants. Sample the best foods in New York with our guide to uncovering the top places for enjoying the secrets of NY water in bagels, pizza, and doughnuts.
Or relegating ourselves to drink the same old drinks because we know we like them. If you are on a short cruise and are looking to have a good time, the drink package can make a lot more sense, since there are less days to use the package benefits. Likewise, shorter cruises have a tendency to have more of a party atmosphere than longer cruises.
Even the smoothies and protein shakes at Vitality Café are included in this package, as is the sweet tea at Portside BBQ on Oasis of the Seas. A bartender will happily blend up vanilla ice cream, coffee, hazelnut syrup and chocolate syrup blended into a perfect mocha shake. If you're traveling to a private destination, such as Labadee, Haiti or Perfect Day at CocoCay, you can try one of their unique beverage that's perfect for sipping on the beach.
However, the added bonus of the C&A drink vouchers has swung the pendulum for us from always buying a drink package to not purchasing one as of late. Instead, we have opted to purchase a case of water for our room and a Café Select Coffee card. If you want more options than just soda in your Royal Caribbean non-alcoholic drink package, then the Royal Refreshment package might be right for you.
Discover 10 onboard restaurants that will make you a believer. Discover new flavors in restaurants by the water or within the historic city of Nassau. Discover the most delightful foods to enjoy on a sweet-lover's journey as you treat yourself to the best desserts in the world. Planning to visit famous speakeasy bars around the world without the password? Enjoy insider details on traveling to these interestingly unique experiences.
On the surface, this makes sense because you can buy a drink package before your cruise and break up the cost of the cruise, or opt to purchase it onboard and cap your drinking spending. In either scenario, it goes to making your total cost more predictable. It reminds us of cell phone plans and why so many people prefer unlimited data plans rather than fixed-data plans. Simpler to have one cost that covers everything, than worry about "going over." In addition to being convenient, a lot of its fans advocate the unlimited drink packages help them stay on a budget and avoid thinking about money on a vacation.
Are cruise line drink packages worth the price? Not necessarily - USA TODAY
Are cruise line drink packages worth the price? Not necessarily.
Posted: Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
This is probably the part of the blog post where we recommend drinking responsibly. With a decade of firsthand experience in the cruising industry, I have developed a deep understanding of the intricacies and wonders that these majestic vessels hold. The packages purchased onboard or through Cruise Planner will be active at these islands and honored anywhere. But don’t be foolish by sharing drinks from your package; otherwise, you’ll also forfeit your package. You can pay for it individually alongside your drink package transaction if you want to treat someone. With this package, you can get different drinks, like domestic, imported, and craft beer.
Guests will also receive a souvenir cup that can be used with onboard Coca-Cola Freestyle machines. All of Royal Caribbean’s beverage packages include unlimited sodas, teas, and coffees, as well as a 15% discount on bottled water, energy drinks, and specialty cocktails. Royal Caribbean offers several different drink packages, and the inclusions vary based on your choice.
Instead, you can head straight to the bar and grab your favorite beverage to enjoy before all the fun sail away festivities begin. You’ll also be able to use this package to enjoy sodas at bars, lounges, the Windjammer Café, and the Main Dining Room. Finally, if you're someone who loves having 100+ soda options to choose from, you'll want to get the Classic Soda Package. With this, along with every other drink package, you will get a souvenir cup to use at any of the Freestyle machines onboard, which include more than just soda. Most Freestyle machines also offer Vitamin Water, Powerade, and Minute Maid lemonade. For those under the legal drinking age or who do not frequently drink alcohol, there's the Royal Refreshment Package.
No comments:
Post a Comment