Royal Caribbean deluxe beverage package: Daily price and break-even guide

Deciding whether to purchase the Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package is a rite of passage for many British cruisers departing from Southampton. Unlike lines such as Marella or Virgin Voyages, where many drinks are included in the base fare or through 'Bar Tab' incentives, Royal Caribbean operates a predominantly pay-as-you-go system unless you opt for a pro-active add-on. For those used to the straightforward pricing of P&O Cruises or Fred. Olsen, Royal Caribbean’s dynamic pricing model can feel complex. This guide deconstructs the daily costs, evaluates the break-even point in Sterling, and helps you decide if the unlimited approach suits your holiday style.

Understanding Dynamic Pricing and Daily Costs

Royal Caribbean does not have a fixed global price for its Deluxe Beverage Package. Instead, they use a dynamic pricing model where the cost fluctuates based on the ship, the itinerary (a Caribbean sailing often costs more than a Mediterranean one), and how far in advance you book. For UK travellers, this can be particularly frustrating when trying to budget in GBP.

• Typical Price Range: Expect to pay between £55 and £85 per person, per day, including the mandatory 18% gratuity.
• The Onboard Surcharge: If you wait until you are onboard Anthem of the Seas or Independence of the Seas to buy the package, you will almost certainly pay the ‘rack rate,’ which is the most expensive price point.
• The 'BOGOHO' Offer: You will frequently see 'Buy One Get One Half Off' promotions in the Cruise Planner app. While marketed as a discount, this effectively averages out to 25% off each package.
• Comparison with Rivals: To put this in perspective, a P&O Cruises 'Classic' drinks package is significantly cheaper at roughly £40-£45 per day, while MSC Cruises often bundles drinks into their 'Fantastica' or 'Aurea' experiences for a lower daily supplement.

What is Included (and What is Left Out)

The Deluxe Beverage Package is the only alcohol-inclusive option on Royal Caribbean, sitting above the Refreshment Package (non-alcoholic) and the Soda Package. It is designed to be comprehensive, covering almost every liquid consumed onboard.

• Included: Cocktails, spirits, liqueurs, beer, and wine by the glass up to a value of $14 (approx. £11). It also covers fountain sodas, fresh-pressed juices, premium coffees and teas, and bottled still and sparkling water.
• The $14 Cap: If you fancy a premium glass of Champagne or a high-end Scotch that costs $18, you don’t pay $18. You simply pay the $4 difference plus the gratuity on that difference.
• Exclusions: Mini-bar items, room service, and 'multi-dose' bottles (such as a full bottle of wine or a 1-litre bottle of spirits) are not included. You do, however, get a 40% discount on bottles of wine under $100.

The Break-Even Analysis: Doing the Maths

To determine if the package is value for money, you must look at the individual item costs onboard. Royal Caribbean prices its drinks in US Dollars, even on sailings out of Southampton, so your final credit card statement will be subject to exchange rates.

On average, a cocktail costs $14, a glass of wine $10–$12, and a pint of draught beer $8. Non-alcoholic premium items like a latte or a fresh orange juice cost around $5. Using a mid-range package price of £65 per day, your daily consumption to break even would look like this:

• Morning: 1 Premium Coffee (£4) and 1 Fresh Orange Juice (£4).
• Afternoon: 2 Beers by the pool (£14) and 2 Sodas/Bottled Waters (£6).
• Evening: 2 Cocktails before dinner (£22) and 2 Glasses of wine with dinner (£18).
• Total: £68.

In this scenario, you have broken even. If you are a light drinker who only enjoys a single glass of wine with your evening meal, you are better off paying as you go. However, the inclusion of speciality coffees and bottled water often tips the scales for British travellers who enjoy a morning caffeine fix and hydration throughout the day.

The 'Double Occupancy' Rule and UK Exceptions

One of the most debated rules is Royal Caribbean’s requirement that if one adult in a stateroom buys the Deluxe Beverage Package, all adults in that stateroom must also buy it. This is designed to prevent 'sharing'—a practice the cruise line monitors strictly.

• The Exception: If you have a medical reason or are a recovering alcoholic, you can often call Royal Caribbean (or have your travel agent do so) to request an exemption. Usually, they will allow the second adult to purchase the Refreshment Package (non-alcoholic) instead.
• Comparison: Unlike Princess Cruises, which often allows more flexibility in their 'Plus' and 'Premier' packages when booked as part of a fare bundle, Royal Caribbean remains quite firm on this policy to protect their margins.

Port Days vs. Sea Days

A common mistake UK cruisers make is forgetting the itinerary's impact. If you are on a 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise with five intensive port days, how much time will you actually spend on the ship?

• Port Heavy Itineraries: If you are off the ship from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm exploring Stavanger or Olden, you aren't using the package. You might only have two drinks in the evening, making the £70 daily cost very poor value.
• Sea Day Itineraries: On a transatlantic crossing or a long cruise down to the Canaries from Southampton, you have multiple consecutive days at sea. This is where the package shines, as the 'flow' of drinks throughout the day—from morning lattes to late-night brandy—is uninterrupted.
• Private Destinations: If your itinerary includes Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee, your drink package does work on the island. This is a significant advantage over lines like Cunard or MSC, where drinks in private beach clubs often require separate payment.

Strategic Booking: When to Pull the Trigger

Because of the dynamic pricing, the price you see today might not be the price you see next month. The golden rule for Royal Caribbean is: Book now, reprice later.

1. Check the Cruise Planner: Log in as soon as you have your booking reference. If the price looks reasonable (under £60), buy it.
2. Monitor Sales: During Black Friday, Boxing Day, or 'Wave Season' (January-March), prices often drop.
3. Cancel and Re-book: If you see the price has dropped since you purchased, you can cancel your existing package in the Cruise Planner for a full refund and immediately re-book at the lower price. This is a perfectly legal and encouraged 'hack' for savvy cruisers.
4. The Loyalty Factor: If you are a Crown & Anchor Society member (Diamond level or above), you receive a set number of free drink vouchers per day. For these passengers, buying the full package is almost never worth it, as the vouchers cover their primary consumption.