Last updated: October 2026. Prices are listed before the automatic 18% gratuity unless stated otherwise.
On Royal Caribbean, a beer costs about $7.49 to $9.50, a glass of wine $8 to $16, a signature cocktail $14, a soda $3.50, and a zero-proof mocktail $7 to $10. After the automatic 18% gratuity, a $14 cocktail actually costs $16.52. If you plan to drink more than about 5 to 8 drinks a day, a drink package usually works out cheaper.
Quick Price Table
Prices below are taken from the current fleet-wide menu. The right-hand column shows the real price you pay once the 18% gratuity is added.
| Drink | Menu price | Price with 18% gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic beer (Bud Light, Budweiser, Coors Light, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite) | $7.49 | $8.84 |
| Import / craft beer (Corona, Heineken, Stella Artois, Dos Equis, Blue Moon) | $7.99 | $9.43 |
| Hard cider, hard seltzer, hard iced tea | $7.49 to $7.99 | $8.84 to $9.43 |
| Glass of wine | $8 to $16 | $9.44 to $18.88 |
| Signature cocktail | $14.00 | $16.52 |
| Drink of the Day | about $11.00 | $12.98 |
| Standard spirit pour (well and mid-shelf) | $9.99 to $12.99 | $11.79 to $15.33 |
| Zero-proof mocktail | $7.00 | $8.26 |
| Premium non-alcoholic cocktail (Seedlip) | $10.00 | $11.80 |
| Can of soda | $3.50 | $4.13 |
| Red Bull | $4.00 | $4.72 |
| Latte | $4.25 | $5.02 |
| Bottled water (500 ml) | $3.25 | $3.84 |
Note: You may see older tables showing cocktails at “$10 to $14” and wine at “up to $25.” On the current menu, signature cocktails are $14 and the most expensive wine by the glass is $16. Premium bottles and specialty pours cost more, see below.
How the 18% Gratuity Works
Every drink you buy without a package has an automatic 18% gratuity added. If you have a drink package, both the drink price and the gratuity are already covered by the package (the package itself has its own 18% service charge added to the daily rate).
Simple formula:
Menu price × 1.18 = what you actually pay
Examples:
- $14.00 cocktail → $16.52
- $7.99 beer → $9.43
- $10.99 vodka pour → $12.97
- Three cocktails and two beers → about $68 after gratuity, not $60
This is why budgeting from the menu price alone leaves you roughly 18% short at the end of the week.
Signature Cocktail Menu
Every signature cocktail below is $14.00 ($16.52 with gratuity). Menus are fleet-wide and available at most bars, including pool bars.
Taste of the Caribbean
| Cocktail | Ingredients | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dark ‘n Stormy | Goslings Black Seal rum, Goslings ginger beer | $14.00 |
| Goombay Smash | Malibu Coconut rum, Kraken Black Spiced rum, orange and pineapple juice | $14.00 |
| Papa Jac | Bacardi Superior rum, passion fruit syrup, lime juice | $14.00 |
| The Painkiller | Pusser’s Navy rum, coconut syrup, pineapple and orange juice, nutmeg | $14.00 |
| Rum Punch | Captain Morgan Original Spiced, Mount Gay Eclipse, guava and passion fruit syrup, pineapple and lime juice, Kraken float | $14.00 |
| Planter’s Punch | Myers’s Original Dark rum, pineapple, orange and lime juice, grenadine | $14.00 |
Light & Lively
| Cocktail | Ingredients | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pineapple Guava Sangria | Danzante Pinot Grigio, guava and passion fruit syrup, pineapple and lime juice | $14.00 |
| Scarlett’s Tropical Sangria | Castle Rock Pinot Noir, guava and passion fruit syrup, pineapple and lime juice | $14.00 |
| Tropic Like It’s Hot | Sparkling wine, guava and passion fruit syrup, lime juice, sparkling grapefruit | $14.00 |
| Make Me Blush | Lillet Blanc, Beefeater Pink gin, peach, lemon juice, club soda | $14.00 |
| Demure Paloma | Lillet Blanc, Mijenta Blanco tequila, agave, lime juice, sparkling grapefruit | $14.00 |
| Botanical Breeze | Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose vodka, St-Germain, lime juice, mint, sparkling grapefruit | $14.00 |
Crisp & Refreshing
| Cocktail | Ingredients | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Love Story | Beefeater Pink gin, lavender syrup, blueberry purée, lemon and pineapple juice, club soda | $14.00 |
| Berried Treasure | Tito’s Handmade vodka, blueberry purée, cranberry and lime juice, ginger beer | $14.00 |
| Handcrafted Margarita | Espolón Silver tequila, Cointreau, agave, lime, muddled limes and oranges, salt rim | $14.00 |
| Yuzu the One | Hendrick’s gin, yuzu purée, lemon and pineapple juice, tonic | $14.00 |
| Curaçao Cosmo | Malibu Coconut rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice | $14.00 |
| Cool as a Cucumber | Bombay Sapphire gin, St-Germain, simple syrup, lemon juice, muddled cucumber, club soda | $14.00 |
| Cozumel Sunrise | Jose Cuervo Gold tequila, mango, lime juice, grenadine | $14.00 |
| Strawberry Blonde | Tito’s Handmade vodka, St-Germain, strawberry, lemon juice, mint | $14.00 |
Strong & Spirited
| Cocktail | Ingredients | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Passion Spritz | Aperol, vodka, sparkling wine, passion fruit syrup, lemon juice | $14.00 |
| Blackberry Lemon Drop | Ole Smoky Blackberry moonshine, simple syrup, lemon juice | $14.00 |
| ‘Rol and Rye | Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye, Aperol, simple syrup, lemon juice | $14.00 |
| Teqkil-Ya Zombie | Espolón Reposado tequila, Bosscal mezcal, cinnamon syrup, grenadine, lime and grapefruit juice, tiki bitters | $14.00 |
| Kentucky Summer | Buffalo Trace bourbon, St-Germain, mango, lime juice, mint | $14.00 |
What is the Drink of the Day?
Every day one cocktail is discounted by roughly 25%, usually landing around $11.00 ($12.98 with gratuity). It is advertised in the daily Cruise Compass and on signs at the bars, and any bartender can tell you. Expect a fruity, crowd-pleasing drink. If you are paying per drink and not on a package, this is the cheapest cocktail on the ship.
Beer, Cider and Seltzer Prices
| Beer | Menu price | With gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| Bud Light | $7.49 | $8.84 |
| Budweiser | $7.49 | $8.84 |
| Coors Light | $7.49 | $8.84 |
| Michelob Ultra | $7.49 | $8.84 |
| Miller Lite | $7.49 | $8.84 |
| Blue Moon Belgian White | $7.99 | $9.43 |
| Corona Extra | $7.99 | $9.43 |
| Dos Equis | $7.99 | $9.43 |
| Heineken | $7.99 | $9.43 |
| New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA | $7.99 | $9.43 |
| Paulaner Weissbier | $7.99 | $9.43 |
| Stella Artois | $7.99 | $9.43 |
| Stone Delicious IPA (gluten-reduced) | $7.99 | $9.43 |
| Red Stripe (473 ml) | $8.25 | $9.74 |
| Foster’s Oil Can (750 ml) | $9.50 | $11.21 |
Cider, seltzer and other
| Drink | Menu price | With gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| Angry Orchard Hard Cider | $7.99 | $9.43 |
| Strongbow Hard Cider | $7.99 | $9.43 |
| Truly Hard Seltzer (Wild Berry or Strawberry Lemonade) | $7.49 | $8.84 |
| Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea | $7.49 | $8.84 |
| White Claw Hard Seltzer, Mango | $7.49 | $8.84 |
Non-alcoholic beer
| Drink | Menu price | With gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Moon Non-Alcoholic Belgian White | $6.99 | $8.25 |
| Heineken 0.0 | $6.99 | $8.25 |
| Sam Adams Non-Alcoholic Just The Haze IPA | $6.99 | $8.25 |
Cheapest way to drink beer: the Oil Can is a big 750 ml serving, so per ounce it is better value than a standard bottle if you are sharing or sipping slowly.
Wine Prices
Sparkling
| Wine | Glass | Bottle |
|---|---|---|
| Chandon Brut “Classic,” California | $12 | $58 |
| Chandon “Garden Spritz,” Mendoza, Argentina | $12 | $58 |
| Santa Elvira Prosecco, Veneto, Italy | $8 | $40 |
White and Rosé
| Wine | Glass | Bottle |
|---|---|---|
| Beringer White Zinfandel, California | $8 | $29 |
| Château d’Esclans “Whispering Angel” Rosé, Provence | $14 | $55 |
| Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand | $12 | $54 |
| Robert Mondavi Private Selection Sauvignon Blanc, California | $10 | $35 |
| Danzante Pinot Grigio, Italy | $10 | $40 |
| Penfolds “Koonunga Hill” Chardonnay, South Australia | $9 | $35 |
| Kendall-Jackson “Vintner’s Reserve” Chardonnay, California | $11 | $42 |
| Château d’Aussières Chardonnay, Languedoc, France | $9 | $33 |
| Meiomi Chardonnay, California | $10 | $35 |
| Caymus Conundrum White Blend, California | $16 | $61 |
Red
| Wine | Glass | Bottle |
|---|---|---|
| Meiomi Pinot Noir, California | $10 | $35 |
| Josh Cellars Pinot Noir, Central Coast | $12 | $47 |
| Terrazas de los Andes Malbec, Argentina | $14 | $56 |
| Robert Mondavi Private Selection Merlot, California | $10 | $35 |
| Meiomi Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington | $10 | $35 |
| Château d’Aussières Cabernet Sauvignon, Languedoc | $9 | $33 |
| Murphy-Goode Cabernet Sauvignon, California | $11 | $42 |
| Torres “Celeste” Crianza, Ribera del Duero, Spain | $11 | $42 |
Non-alcoholic wine
| Wine | Glass |
|---|---|
| Natureo Sparkling, Spain | $10 |
| Cero Coma Blanco, Spain | $10 |
| Ariel Chardonnay, California | $10 |
| Ariel Cabernet Sauvignon, California | $10 |
| Natureo Syrah, Spain | $10 |
Wine price with gratuity
| Menu price | Final price |
|---|---|
| $8 glass | $9.44 |
| $10 glass | $11.80 |
| $12 glass | $14.16 |
| $14 glass | $16.52 |
| $16 glass | $18.88 |
| $35 bottle | $41.30 |
| $42 bottle | $49.56 |
| $55 bottle | $64.90 |
| $58 bottle | $68.44 |
| $61 bottle | $71.98 |
Value tip: A bottle costs about the same as 3.5 to 4 glasses. If two people will each have two glasses, buying the bottle saves money, and any leftover wine can be re-corked and taken back to your cabin or kept by the restaurant for a later dinner.
Spirits and Liquor Prices
Prices are per pour, before gratuity.
Vodka
| Brand | Price | With gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| Absolut, Absolut Citron, Absolut Vanilia | $10.99 | $12.97 |
| Stoli | $10.99 | $12.97 |
| Tito’s Handmade | $10.99 | $12.97 |
| Ketel One | $11.99 | $14.15 |
| Belvedere | $12.99 | $15.33 |
| Grey Goose | $12.99 | $15.33 |
| Elit by Stoli | $12.99 | $15.33 |
Rum
| Brand | Price | With gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| Kraken Black Spiced | $9.99 | $11.79 |
| Malibu Original | $9.99 | $11.79 |
| Myers’s Original Dark | $9.99 | $11.79 |
| Appleton Estate | $10.99 | $12.97 |
| Bacardi Superior | $10.99 | $12.97 |
| Captain Morgan Original Spiced | $10.99 | $12.97 |
| Leblon Cachaça | $10.99 | $12.97 |
| Goslings | $11.99 | $14.15 |
| Mount Gay Eclipse | $11.99 | $14.15 |
| Bacardi Reserva Ocho | $12.99 | $15.33 |
| Pusser’s Navy | $12.99 | $15.33 |
| Ron Zacapa | $12.99 | $15.33 |
| Pyrat XO | $13.99 | $16.51 |
Gin
| Brand | Price | With gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| Aviation | $10.99 | $12.97 |
| Beefeater London Dry | $10.99 | $12.97 |
| Beefeater Pink | $10.99 | $12.97 |
| Tanqueray | $10.99 | $12.97 |
| Bombay Sapphire | $11.99 | $14.15 |
| The Botanist | $11.99 | $14.15 |
| Hendrick’s | $12.99 | $15.33 |
Tequila and Mezcal
| Brand | Price | With gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| Jose Cuervo Gold | $9.99 | $11.79 |
| Don Julio Blanco | $10.99 | $12.97 |
| Espolón Blanco | $10.99 | $12.97 |
| Ilegal Joven Mezcal | $10.99 | $12.97 |
| Patrón Silver | $11.99 | $14.15 |
| Mijenta Blanco | $11.99 | $14.15 |
| Bosscal Mezcal | $12.99 | $15.33 |
| Patrón Reposado | $12.99 | $15.33 |
| Espolón Reposado | $12.99 | $15.33 |
| Casamigos Silver | $13.99 | $16.51 |
| Patrón Añejo | $13.99 | $16.51 |
| Dobel Diamante Cristalino | $13.99 | $16.51 |
| Don Julio Reposado | $15.00 | $17.70 |
| Mijenta Reposado | $15.00 | $17.70 |
| Don Julio Añejo | $17.00 | $20.06 |
| Mijenta Añejo | $20.00 | $23.60 |
| Komos Reposado Rosa | $24.99 | $29.49 |
| Komos Cristalino Añejo | $27.99 | $33.03 |
| Don Julio 1942 | $30.00 | $35.40 |
| Komos Añejo Reserva | $31.99 | $37.75 |
Whiskey and Bourbon
| Brand | Price | With gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| Seagram’s 7, Canadian Club, Fireball, Screwball Peanut Butter | $9.99 | $11.79 |
| Buffalo Trace, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye, Templeton Rye, Rittenhouse Rye, Jameson Irish | $10.99 | $12.97 |
| Bulleit, Maker’s Mark | $11.99 | $14.15 |
| Woodford Reserve, Gentleman Jack | $12.99 | $15.33 |
Scotch
| Brand | Price | With gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| Dewar’s White Label | $9.99 | $11.79 |
| Chivas Regal 12 YR, Johnnie Walker Black Label | $10.99 | $12.97 |
| Glenfiddich, Johnnie Walker Double Black | $11.99 | $14.15 |
| The Glenlivet | $12.99 | $15.33 |
| The Macallan 12 YR | $14.00 | $16.52 |
Cognac
| Brand | Price | With gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| Hennessy V.S | $10.99 | $12.97 |
| Rémy Martin V.S.O.P | $15.00 | $17.70 |
Apéritifs and Liqueurs (all $10.99, or $12.97 with gratuity)
- Apéritif: Aperol, B&B, Campari, Fernet-Branca, Jägermeister, Pernod, Pimm’s
- Liqueur: Baileys Irish Cream, Chambord, Cointreau, Disaronno Amaretto, Drambuie, Frangelico, Grand Marnier, Kahlúa, Midori Melon, Sambuca, Southern Comfort
Pro insight: A single pour of premium spirit (for example Don Julio 1942 at $35.40 all-in) costs more than two signature cocktails. If you are on a drink package, check your package’s per-drink cap before ordering premium pours, since anything above the cap is billed at the difference.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks and Mocktails
Everyday non-alcoholic drinks
| Drink | Price | With gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Fanta Orange, Ginger Ale, Tonic | $3.50 | $4.13 |
| Cranberry, grapefruit, orange or pineapple juice | $3.50 | $4.13 |
| Red Bull (Regular, Sugarfree, Yellow Edition) | $4.00 | $4.72 |
| Cocolove Coconut Water | $4.95 | $5.84 |
| Latte | $4.25 | $5.02 |
| Bottled water (500 ml) | $3.25 | $3.84 |
Zero Proof Mocktails: $7.00 ($8.26 with gratuity)
| Mocktail | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Berry Press | Strawberries, lavender syrup, lemon juice, club soda |
| Passion Starlight | Passion fruit syrup, lemon juice, pineapple juice, lemonade, mint |
| Coconut Lime Refresher | Coconut syrup, lime juice, lemonade, mint |
| Crave the Wave | Guava and watermelon syrup, lemon juice, cranberry juice, club soda |
| All Aboard Spritz | Desert pear syrup, lime juice, cranberry juice, club soda |
| Berry Necessary | Cranberry juice, blueberry purée, lime juice, ginger beer |
| Tiger’s Tale | Coconut and watermelon syrup, lemon juice, club soda, mint, strawberry, watermelon |
| Tropical Crush | Pineapple juice, mango, Red Bull Yellow Edition |
| Passionista | Guava and passion fruit syrup, lime juice, club soda |
| Watermelon Mint Lemonade | Watermelon syrup, lemonade, mint |
| Yuzu Sunrise | Orange juice, yuzu purée, lemon juice, pineapple juice |
Premium non-alcoholic cocktails with Seedlip: $10.00 ($11.80 with gratuity)
| Drink | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Lush Life | Seedlip Garden 108, blueberry purée, lemon juice, club soda |
| Mai Spice | Seedlip Spice 94, orgeat syrup, lime juice, mango, orange juice |
| Peach Perfect | Seedlip Grove 42, peach, lemon juice, pineapple juice |
| Espresso No-Tini | Seedlip Spice 94, chai tea concentrate, espresso mix, half & half |
| Mule Kickback | Seedlip Grove 42, lime juice, tropical mix, ginger beer |
Blind Tiger sparkling mocktails: $9.00 ($10.62 with gratuity)
Lavender French 75, Side Car Mimosa, or Southside Mojito.
Drink Prices by Ship Class
Drink prices are the same regardless of where your ship sails. A ship in the Caribbean charges the same dollar prices as a ship in Europe. Prices do vary slightly by ship class: Icon and Oasis Class ships are typically 50 cents to $1 more per drink than the rest of the fleet.
| Class | Ships | Typical price level |
|---|---|---|
| Icon Class | Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas | Higher end (+$0.50 to $1) |
| Oasis Class | Oasis, Allure, Harmony, Symphony, Wonder, Utopia of the Seas | Higher end (+$0.50 to $1) |
| Quantum / Quantum Ultra Class | Quantum, Anthem, Ovation, Odyssey of the Seas | Standard fleet pricing |
| Freedom Class | Freedom, Liberty, Independence of the Seas | Standard fleet pricing |
| Voyager Class | Voyager, Explorer, Adventure, Navigator, Mariner of the Seas | Standard fleet pricing |
| Radiance Class | Radiance, Brilliance, Serenade, Jewel of the Seas | Standard fleet pricing |
| Vision Class | Grandeur, Enchantment, Rhapsody, Vision of the Seas | Standard fleet pricing |
| Newest | Legend of the Seas | Check Cruise Planner |
Because menu pricing is updated periodically, always confirm in the Royal Caribbean app or Cruise Planner before you sail.
Drink Packages
Royal Caribbean offers several beverage packages. Package prices change by ship, sailing length and booking date, so use the ranges below as a guide and confirm your exact price in the Cruise Planner.
| Package | What it covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Beverage Package | Beer, wine by the glass (up to the $14 value), cocktails, frozen cocktails, premium coffee and tea, bottled water (still and sparkling), fresh juice, fountain sodas with the Coca-Cola souvenir cup | Guests who plan to drink alcohol daily |
| Refreshment Package | Non-alcoholic drinks such as specialty coffees, mocktails, juices, bottled water and more | Non-drinkers, designated drivers on shore, teens |
| Soda Package | Fountain sodas | Soda lovers and families |
| Coffee Card | Specialty coffees at Starbucks and onboard cafés | Coffee fans |
| Kids’ package | Drinks for younger guests, sold at a reduced rate | Families with children |
Deluxe Package: typically $60 to $125 per guest, per day, plus an 18% service charge. The wide range reflects different ships and sailing lengths.
Key package rules:
- Everyone in the same cabin (21 and over) must buy the package, if you buy it.
- Only one drink may be ordered per package at a time at the bar.
- Drinks above the per-drink value limit (currently $14 for most drinks) are not covered.
- Premium and top-shelf spirits above the limit can be purchased by paying the difference.
- Packages cover ship bars, but some specialty venues (like certain upscale bars, shops or the casino) may have exclusions.
Is the Drink Package Worth It?
Here is a clever trick: because the 18% service charge is applied to both the package price and each individual drink, it cancels out in the math. To find your break-even point, divide the package price by the menu price of your usual drink.
Break-even formula:
Daily package price ÷ average drink price = drinks you need per day
Break-even table (number of drinks per day)
| Package price per day | If you drink cocktails ($14) | If you drink beer ($7.99) | If you drink wine ($10) | Mixed drinks (avg $11) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| $70 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 7 |
| $80 | 6 | 11 | 8 | 8 |
| $90 | 7 | 12 | 9 | 9 |
| $100 | 8 | 13 | 10 | 10 |
| $110 | 8 | 14 | 11 | 10 |
| $125 | 9 | 16 | 13 | 12 |
Numbers are rounded up to the next whole drink.
Who should buy the package
- You drink 5 or more cocktails per day
- You enjoy a mix of coffee, soda, juices and alcohol and would otherwise buy each one separately
- You prefer one fixed budget and no bill shock
- You are celebrating on a long, relaxed sailing where you will be at the pool all day
Who should skip it
- You have 2 or 3 drinks a day. Pay as you go.
- You are on a short cruise with a lot of port time spent off the ship
- Your drinks are mostly beer. Beer needs the highest volume to break even.
- Your group has one drinker and several non-drinkers. Every adult in the cabin must buy it.
Sample 7-night cost comparison (one adult, 4 cocktails and 2 beers a day)
| Method | Daily cost | 7-night total |
|---|---|---|
| Pay per drink | (4 × $16.52) + (2 × $9.43) = $84.94 | $594.58 |
| Deluxe package at $75 + 18% | $88.50 | $619.50 |
In this example, paying as you go is slightly cheaper. Add a fourth beer and a morning latte, and the package moves ahead. This is exactly why you should calculate with your own habits before you buy.
Free Drinks: Crown & Anchor Society
Guests at Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club level receive complimentary drinks each day.
| Tier | Daily beverage vouchers |
|---|---|
| Diamond | 4 |
| Diamond Plus | 5 |
| Pinnacle Club | 6 |
Vouchers are valid all day at any bar, except Starbucks.
Royal Caribbean also holds “welcome back” parties for Crown & Anchor members on each cruise, with complimentary alcoholic drinks served. It is a great way to enjoy free drinks while hearing about what is new.
Bringing Your Own Drinks Onboard
Policies can change, so check the official Royal Caribbean guest policy before packing.
| Item | General rule |
|---|---|
| Wine or champagne | Typically one 750 ml bottle per adult (21+) can be brought at embarkation. Additional bottles or a bottle opened in a restaurant incurs a corkage fee. |
| Water and soda | Sealed non-alcoholic drinks may be brought in limited amounts at embarkation |
| Liquor, beer and spirits | Not allowed in carry-on or luggage, they will be taken and stored until the end of the cruise |
| Purchases in port | Alcohol bought in port or the duty-free shop is typically held by the ship and delivered to your cabin on the final night |
Drinking Age Rules
- The minimum age to drink alcohol is 21 on most sailings.
- On certain itineraries (for example some sailings departing from Europe), the minimum age may be 18.
- Guests under the legal age cannot buy or consume alcohol, and ID is checked at the bar.
Private Islands: CocoCay and Labadee
Both of Royal Caribbean’s private destinations sell drinks, and standard drink packages generally work there. A couple of notes:
- Perfect Day at CocoCay has several bars, including swim-up and beach spots, and some premium experiences (like the Coco Beach Club) are paid add-ons that may include their own drink arrangements.
- Labadee has beach bars and snack areas where package drinks are served.
- Prices on private islands can differ from the ship’s menu, so confirm before ordering if you are not on a package.
Specialty Venues and Premium Drinks
Some of the ship’s most popular spots carry their own prices:
- Bionic Bar: Robot bartenders prepare cocktails. Pricing is similar to signature cocktails, and is included in a drink package up to the cap.
- Schooner Bar and Pesky Parrot: Classic bars with the full fleet menu.
- Starbucks: Sold separately and covered only by certain coffee or refreshment options.
- Champagne and bottle service: Bottles of Chandon start at $58 ($68.44 with gratuity).
- Premium tequila and scotch: Pours from $24.99 to $31.99 can easily double the cost of a drink.
Royal Caribbean vs Other Cruise Lines
Prices change constantly, so use this as a guide for what to compare rather than a fixed table.
| What to compare | Royal Caribbean | What to check on other lines |
|---|---|---|
| Gratuity on drinks | 18% | Carnival, NCL, Princess and Disney all add an automatic gratuity. Percentages vary. |
| Signature cocktail price | $14 | Often similar, within a dollar or two |
| Package structure | Several tiers, per-drink cap of $14 | Check the per-drink cap and whether packages are mandatory for all adults |
| Free drinks for loyalty members | Yes, Diamond and above | Compare loyalty perks on other lines |
| Non-alcoholic options | Refreshment Package | Compare whether mocktails are included |
When comparing, the fairest way is to use the same formula: package price ÷ average drink price = break-even drinks per day.
12 Ways to Save Money on Drinks
- Order the Drink of the Day. It is about 25% cheaper than a regular cocktail.
- Buy a package early. Prices in the Cruise Planner can rise as sailing day approaches, and pre-cruise offers may be discounted.
- Bring your allowed bottle of wine. One bottle per adult at embarkation can save $40 to $70.
- Bring sealed water and soda, within the allowed limits.
- Use Crown & Anchor vouchers. Diamond and above get 4 to 6 free drinks daily.
- Attend the member welcome-back party for free drinks.
- Order wine by the bottle if two or more people are drinking.
- Compare per-ounce value. An Oil Can beer is a much bigger pour.
- Choose standard spirits. A $9.99 pour costs nearly $26 less than a $31.99 premium pour.
- Do the break-even math before you decide on a package.
- Check the “Refreshment” package if you rarely drink alcohol.
- Track your bill in the app so you can adjust before the last day.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting the 18% gratuity when budgeting
- Assuming the package covers everything. Premium pours and some venues are excluded.
- Buying a package for beer-only drinking. The break-even is high.
- Not checking the age rule for younger guests in your group
- Wasting package days. Sea days make the package pay off, port days often do not.
- Ordering several drinks at once on a package. Only one at a time is normally allowed.
Frequently Asked Questioned By Our Readers
How much is a beer on Royal Caribbean?
A domestic beer is $7.49 and an import or craft beer is usually $7.99, before the 18% gratuity. The Red Stripe is $8.25 and the 750 ml Foster’s Oil Can is $9.50.
How much is a cocktail on Royal Caribbean?
Signature cocktails are $14.00, which is $16.52 with gratuity. The Drink of the Day is about $11.00.
How much is a glass of wine on Royal Caribbean?
Wine by the glass ranges from $8 to $16, with most popular choices between $10 and $12.
Is there an automatic gratuity on Royal Caribbean drinks?
Yes. An 18% gratuity is automatically added to every drink you order. Drink packages already include it.
Are drinks cheaper on a drink package?
Only if you drink enough. Use the break-even formula: daily package price ÷ average drink price.
Do drink prices change by ship or by region?
Prices are the same regardless of where the ship sails, but Icon and Oasis Class ships generally cost 50 cents to $1 more per drink.
Can I bring my own alcohol on Royal Caribbean?
You can generally bring one bottle of wine or champagne per adult at embarkation. Hard liquor and beer cannot be brought onboard.
What is the drinking age on Royal Caribbean?
Typically 21, though some sailings allow 18.
Do kids need a drink package?
No. There are non-alcoholic options and a kids’ package, but they are optional.
How much do drinks cost on CocoCay?
You can pay per drink or use your package, but confirm pricing on the island before ordering.
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