I spent $600 on cruise drink package & I think it was worth it!

Elizabeth tried Royal Caribbean's drink package for the first time and spent $600 and got 36 cocktails over a 7-night cruise and shares why she thinks it was worth the cost.

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[ctlt-pgtm]

I'm a 21 cruise veteran and I'm amazed at how every cruise some in our group stress over whether or not to get the package. It's soooo simple. If you drink, get it. If you don't drink, don't ! Just the fact that you don't have to sign anything, keep track of your drink spending or calculate gratuity ( which is included in the package ) every time you order a drink, is worth it. I drink 2 or 3 glasses of wine at dinner. That's $45.00 alone. At the end of the day, if you don't drink enough to feel like the package is worth it, you may be out $100 bucks or so. Big deal. We just booked Feb. 4 2024 on The Oasis out of Miami. See you onboard ! Enjoy your cruise everybody !

[sportsMike]

For me it’s not about getting back the value you paid for it. It’s just nice not having to keep track of every drink you buy. More of a convenience for me.

[edv]

Always remember that the refreshment package includes the coffees she mentioned as well as bottled water and soda (and frozen mocktails!!) . So, for $20-35/day (instead of $70-85/day for the deluxe) you can have a lot of the perks, without the alcohol. Me and my wife (in our 30s) do this often and have a few drinks here or there. It works out if you're not a heavy drinker!

[psrtrainingllc]

I was going back and forth on whether to get the deluxe package on our upcoming cruise on Liberty. I finally decided to go for it. Whether I break even was less important to me than freedom from no bill at the end to worry about. For my wife and I that mental freedom to just let go and enjoy was worth the cost.

[Mikidy]

I'm glad drink packages are there for those that consume them. But I gave up drinking years ago and never drank coffee. The free water and iced tea more than satisfy me. I prefer the upgraded dining packages.

[jonathanpace]

Having just hit the Diamond status, we booked the refreshment package for our upcoming cruise in April. In the past we have tried both the deluxe package and the refreshment packages and trying to do the math. What we found was that if you only count the alcohol, it doesn't add up to being worth it. However we had to include the waters, sodas and coffees which then put it over the top as being worth it. Elizabeth was spot on with her comments, so good job there!

[kellyb]

just went on wonder of the seas two weeks ago! had a drink package for the first time. the convenience of not having to keep track of the price of drinks was well worth the price considering all drinks are $14 or more. Plus, the premium coffee, fresh juice & smoothies & as much soda as you want is always a plus (idk why they charge people for soda lol) .

[NWong]

Great perspective! Another great video!
Great insight on the non-alcoholic included beverages as well. Coffees and bottle waters make up a great amount on why I choose the drink package.

[TheMaxRebo]

One thing I learned on our cruise was they have booze at Cafe Promenade - so I enjoyed a few late morning iced coffees with a shot of Baileys ... definitely lots of ways to get your value out of the package - but what i like best was freedom to try different drinks and if I didn't like it, just leaving it. If I didn't have the package I would stick to wine and beer or a "safe" drink I know I would like

[mylessmith]

My girl friend and I got a drink package for our oasis of the seas 7 day cruise last year
Spent about a little over $1000 on the package but drank over $2000 on the trip
Definitely worth it

[teddybetts]

I went on the Oasis in September '22. I bought the Deluxe drink package. I think it was about slightly over $700 for the package.
On the cruise I had about 50 cocktails, about 3 wines and 3 or so beers. If we assume $11.75 average for the cocktails and wines and $8 average for the beers, plus 18% gratuity; that would come out to about $730 or there about.
So I think I got my money's worth.

[Darin_Martell]

For us it's really about the cost between the refreshment package and the deluxe. We will always get the refreshment package. I then base my average alcoholic drinks needed per day to break even based on the price difference of the 2. Our drinking habits are on average 5/6 alcoholic drinks per day max. We have it pretty much down to if the deluxe is between 73-77pp a day we will purchase. (depending on itinerary)

[jona]

My wife and I cruised on Odyssey of the seas in January and we got the Deluxe Drink Package and it was totally worth it. We would never cruise without it now. It was nice not having to worry about a big bill at the end, which we would definitely have had. It was very nice getting to know the wait staff and when you have as many as we did, they remembered your names and cabin #! haha

[lisam]

I've sailed on a cruise with and without a drink package and it was way more fun with. There were days that I didn't feel like drinking a lot, but I always start out with a mimosa or bloody mary or 2 at breakfast and a few throughout the day so it's always been worth it. Plus, I get bottled water and coffee with it. I think if you drink at least 5 drinks a day plus coffee, then it's worth your money.

[maytemcconnell]

We always get the drink package. I have a system. I book the cruise, watch the drink package prices every day or so. When it takes I huge plunge (cheaper) usually $69 to $90 but it's buy 1 get another half off. I buy for hubby and myself. I then watch the drink package weekly for and better deals. I have yet to see something better than what I got. We were just on the Harmony of the Seas in January. Our drink package was $490/person for 7 days. We drink Captain Morgan mainly and margaritas or tequila shots. We really saved on our drinks by having the drink package. I believe we saved as much as $600. We enjoy drinking and not worrying about all those charges on our sea pass.

[edvaira]

I’d rather save my money to take a second cruise… And I’d rather save my calories for dessert! It helps that I really don’t enjoy alcoholic drinks that much more than just the nonalcoholic versions of it, so the refresher package is just fine for me and light years cheaper!

[stevefrank]

Always do a drink package. Even if your only drinking bottled water, and coffees and milk shakes, all the stuff that's not free. Costs more than you think!

[theartofgettingready]

I've gone with it and without it. It is the ULTIMATE LUXURY, but I was in the same spot as Elizabeth, I was drinking just to drink and even drank more BEFORE the cruise to make sure I could level up my tolerance. It was a 4 day cruise and I would be tired the next day and didn't even leave the ship on one port day (Bahamas, no biggie if you've been before). I'm going on a six day cruise this year and not purchasing the drink package. I'm bringing 2 bottles of wine and a 12 pack of Diet Coke (which RC allows) and may purchase the coffee card and a drink or 2 the pool or dinner per day. I'm spending my $$ on more excursions this time around and will have more energy for the entire cruise.

[Mnkeybomber]

That hand shaking at 2:58 was what got me haha. She's living her best life lol

[Stllno]

Just about to go on another Royal Caribbean cruise and the drink package costs almost as much as our balcony stateroom. Having said that, the cost of individual alcoholic drinks (plus the exorbitant gratuity fee) makes the package worthwhile even if you are a very moderate drinker. The great thing about the package is that if you don’t like the cocktail, just get another one… simple. For a special holiday and if you enjoy your beers, wines, spirits or cocktails get the package - despite if you think the cost seems high. On our first cruise we didn’t have the drink package and paid a lot more!

My typical drink profile on a cruise would be a premium coffee in the morning, beer or two with lunch, afternoon cocktail x2 pre-dinner drinks, three glasses of wine with dinner and maybe a couple of cocktails during the evening. Ok that may seem a lot - but heh, I’m on holidays!! 😎🍸🍹