There are some free drinks onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise, and many more than will cost you extra.
After booking a cruise, many people start to consider a cruise add-on, such as a drink package. That decision is largely impacted by which beverages are included with their cruise fare.
Even if you don't want a drink package, it's good to know what you can expect in order to maximize the value of your cruise fare.
Here is a quick guide to what you need to know about the drinks on a Royal Caribbean ship.
What drinks are free on Royal Caribbean?
Royal Caribbean provides all its guests on all its cruise ships with a few different drinks throughout the day that are included in your cruise fare. These drinks include:
- Tap water
- Milk
- Tea
- Coffee (regular and decaf)
- Lemonade
- Iced tea
- Flavored waters
- Juices (at breakfast and not fresh squeezed)
- Hot chocolate (via instant packets)
These drinks are available throughout your cruise at a number of locations, so there will always be somewhere to get something to drink for free.
More importantly, you should feel confident these included beverages cover the basics, so if you don't want to spend extra for other beverages, these will keep you not only hydrated, but satisfied.
At any of Royal Caribbean's restaurants, you'll be able to order these drinks included with your cruise fare. Some of the grab-and-go locations may not have them all.
There's no limit to these drinks and all of them on this list are free.
What drinks cost extra on Royal Caribbean?
Alternatively, guests may purchase other beverages for an additional cost during the cruise.
This list is essentially anything else available onboard, including:
- Soda
- Beer
- Wine
- Liquor
- Cocktails
- Premium coffee and tea, such as Starbucks
- Bottled water (still or sparkling)
- Fresh squeezed juice
For all of these drinks, you may purchase each drink individually or purchase a beverage package that will give you either a set allotment of beverages or unlimited access onboard to them.
Free drinks at Perfect Day at CocoCay
Just like their ships, Royal Caribbean includes some drinks at its private destinations of Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
There are beverage stations by all of the food venues on the island that offer these drinks for free at CocoCay:
- Ice water
- Juices
- Lemon and lime
- Tropical mango
- Strawberry and kiwi
All other beverages cost extra, unless you have a drink package. Your drink package benefits work on CocoCay too!
Where to get drinks that cost extra for free
During your cruise, there are opportunities to get drinks that would otherwise cost extra for free. If you keep an eye on your Cruise Compass, you should see many, if not all, of these opportunities on your next cruise.
Crown and Anchor members with level Diamond or above
Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle members will get free alcoholic drinks before dinner. Since this post is aimed at first time cruisers, that is probably not you, but it is something to keep in mind for the future.
Welcome Back Parties
If you are at least a Gold member or above in Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, there are welcome back parties held, where wine and cocktails are served for free.
Art Auctions
There will be regularly held art auctions onboard your cruise and as a means of enticing guests to attend, there is complimentary champagne available.
Suite Guests (excluding Junior Suites)
Guests who are staying in a suite will have access to free drinks in the Concierge Lounge.
What drinks are included if I'm staying in a suite?
If you are staying in a Grand Suite or above, you'll have access to complimentary drinks in the Suite Lounge during their operating hours.
On Icon, Oasis, and Quantum Class ships, there are complimentary beers and wine in the Suite Lounge from 11am to 11pm. During their happy hour in the evening, a wider selection of alcohol becomes available.
Other ship classes have free drinks at their happy hour, around 4-8pm each day.
The free drinks are limited to when you are in the Suite Lounge only.
Are drinks free while I am playing at the casino?
Drinks are not free in the casino on Royal Caribbean ships unless you reach a certain level of the Casino Royale customer loyalty program.
If you are in Prime, Signature, and Masters levels of Casino Royale, then you can enjoy complimentary drinks while in the casino during operating hours.
Is soda free on Royal Caribbean cruises?
No, soda is not free on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
You can either buy sodas individually by the can or get them as part of your drink package benefits.
A can of soda should cost you $3.25 per can before gratuity.
Are the drinks included enough for me?
The amount of drinks Royal Caribbean includes with your cruise fare is enough to keep you hydrated and likely satisfied during your cruise.
The area where you would need to spend extra for drinks would be alcohol, soft drinks, or juices. Depending on your personal preferences, this may or may not matter.
Some people are content with what Royal Caribbean includes, while others specifically seek out drink packages in order to indulge while onboard. Many people see going on a cruise and alcoholic beverages as interlinked experiences.
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