Royal Caribbean quietly rolled out a new add-on that bundles some of the most popular cruise add-ons into one combo package.
At first glance, these seem like the "easy button" solution, but at over $100 per person, per day, it's a major up-front investment. However, these bundles combine a full-cruise drink package with access to extra-cost areas at Perfect Day at CocoCay or the new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.
For the right cruiser, these combos can be a big money-saver. But others may be overpaying for things you might not use.
Here's what Royal Caribbean's combo packages include, how the pricing really works, and how to decide if one actually makes sense for your cruise.
What's are the combo packages?
Combo packages are an all-in-one bundle that combines a beverage package with entry to extra cost areas of Perfect Day at CocoCay and/or Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.
Instead of buying each add-on separately, Royal Caribbean offers them together at a discounted daily price.
Each of the combo packages are priced per person, per day and the daily price includes an unlimited drink package, and up to two extra cost areas
- Deluxe Beverage Package + Royal Beach Club Open Bar Day Pass
- Refreshment Package + Royal Beach Club Non-Alcoholic Day Pass
- Deluxe Beverage Package + Ultimate Beach Combo (Royal Beach Club & Hideaway Beach)
- Refreshment Package + Thrill & Chill Combo (Royal Beach Club & Thrill Waterpark)
There are a few things to know up front:
- The drink package applies to the entire length of the cruise, not just beach days
- Beach club and CocoCay access applies only on the port day
- Combos aren't available on every sailing
- Pre-cruise discounts are often tied to sales, casino offers, or loyalty status
They're also not available on every sailing. Primarily you can expect to find them on a sailing that visits either Nassau and CocoCay.
✔️ YES, it’s usually worth it if:
• You already planned to buy a Deluxe Beverage Package
• You want access to Hideaway Beach, Thrill Waterpark, or Royal Beach Club
• You prefer prepaying and avoiding onboard spending
❌ Probably skip it if:
• You don’t drink much alcohol
• You’re happy with free CocoCay beaches
• Only one person in your cabin wants the upgrade
• You value flexibility over prepaying
How much do they cost?
There's a daily fee for the entire duration of the cruise, and it's available to book before the cruise begins.
Like all of Royal Caribbean's pricing, it's based on your sail date, ship, and demand. That means one person could pay more than someone else on a different ship.
Plus, Royal Caribbean has extra discounts tied to Casino Royale status, or Crown & Anchor status.
Here are example prices for an upcoming Utopia of the Seas 3-night cruise:
- Deluxe Beverage Package + Royal Beach Club: $110.99 per guest, per day
- $332.97 total for 3 nights per person
- Refreshment Package + Royal Beach Club Non-Alcoholic Day Pass: $74.99 per adult, per day, $27.99 per child per day
- $224.97 total for 3 nights per adult
- $119.97 total for 3 nights per child
- Deluxe Beverage Package + Ultimate Beach Combo: $124.99 per guest, per day
- $374.97 total for 3 nights per person
- Refreshment Package + Thrill & Chill Combo: $100.99 per guest, per day
- $302.97 total for 3 nights per adult
- $227.97 total for 3 nights per child
If you have status with the casino, the Deluxe Beverage Package + Royal Beach Club price drops to $100.99 per guest, per day and the Deluxe Beverage Package + Ultimate Beach Combo drops to $113.99 per guest, per day.
Combo packages vs buying separately
The obvious question is do these bundles actually save you any money compared to buying it all separately.
| Option | What’s Included | Who It’s Best For | Potential Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combo Package | Full-cruise drink package + CocoCay/Royal Beach Club access | Guests already planning to buy both | Less flexible, higher upfront cost |
| Buy Separately | Drink package + beach upgrades purchased individually | Guests unsure about beach upgrades | Usually costs more if you end up buying everything |
| Drink Package Only | Unlimited beverages onboard | Guests who prefer free CocoCay areas | Misses paid beach experiences |
| Beach Upgrade Only | Hideaway Beach, Thrill Waterpark, or Beach Club | Light drinkers or families | Pay-as-you-go drinks add up |
Using my Utopia sailing example, here is how the pricing works out for a combo versus booking the items individually. Keep in mind I have Prime casino status discount applied to my offers.
- Deluxe Beverage Package + Royal Beach Club: $302.97
- Deluxe Beverage Package: $179.97
- Royal Beach Club Day Pass: $136.99
- Combo savings: $13.99
- Deluxe Beverage Package + Ultimate Beach Combo: $341.97
- Deluxe Beverage Package: $179.97
- Royal Beach Club Day Pass: $136.99
- Hideaway Beach Day Pass: $49.99
- Combo savings: $24.98
- Refreshment Package + Royal Beach Club Non-Alcoholic Day Pass: $224.97
- Refreshment Beverage Package: $92.97
- Royal Beach Club Day Pass: $139.99
- Combo savings: $7.99
- Refreshment Package + Thrill & Chill Combo: $302.97
- Refreshment Beverage Package: $92.97
- Royal Beach Club Day Pass: $139.99
- Thrill Waterpark pass: $64.99
- Combo savings: -$5.02
In all but one package, I would save money by purchasing a combo. Multiply the savings per person, and it can add up.
Are Royal Caribbean combo packages worth it?
Combo packages can make sense for the right buyer, assuming you were already interested in everything the bundle includes.
The cost savings aren't enormous, but it's enough that it's worth buying compared to each item individually.
The better question is, are you interested in everything the combos include? Meaning, you already planned to buy a Deluxe Beverage Package and you were planning to visit Hideaway Beach, Thrill Waterpark, or Royal Beach Club anyway.
If so, the combo deal offers prepaid convenience and predictable onboard spending.
However, combo packages may not be ideal if:
- You don’t drink much alcohol (or any)
- You prefer free CocoCay areas
- You only want beach upgrades for one person in the cabin
- You’re sailing with kids who don’t need drink packages
- You don’t want to commit in advance
Should you buy a Royal Caribbean combo package?
Royal Caribbean is offering a convenient way to package popular add-ons into one, and it could save you money.
Before buying, I'd recommend doing the math to ensure the combo will actually save you money. These are not automatically a good deal. However, for the right cruiser, they can offer real savings and convenience.
If you were already planning to buy a Deluxe Beverage Package and a paid beach experience, the combo is often cheaper, but only if you would’ve bought both anyway.
As with most cruise add-ons, it's important to match the package to how you actually will cruise before blindly buying it.
