Royal Caribbean is beginning to raise the prices of its popular unlimited alcohol packages on select sailings.

We ran spot checks across a variety of Royal Caribbean sailings in 2016 and 2017 and found in more than half the cases, the drink package pricing has changed as follows:

• Select drink package: $46.02 per day (old price $42)
• Premium drink package: $57.82 per day  (old price $57)
• Ultimate drink package: $69.62 per day  (old price $67)

The increase has also affected the non-alcolohic drink packages.  Most notably, there is now no longer a change in price between children and adults for the Royal Refreshment package.

• Royal Replenish package: $22.42 per day (old price $22)
• Royal Refreshment package 
  • Adults: $9.44 per day (old price $8)
  • Children: $9.44 per day (old price $5.50)

Interestingly enough, the Evian bottled water package went down in price

• Evian bottled water package: $46.02 (old price $47)

The new pricing does still include the service charge.

The change in pricing is not reflective of all Royal Caribbean sailings we have seen.  Some sailings still reflect the old pricing, and it is unclear as of yet if or when this new pricing will spread fleetwide.

Royal Caribbean has not increased the base price of its drink packages since they debuted in 2012, although they have played with service charge pricing, as well as increasing the service charge to 18%. 

What do you think about the drink package pricing change? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Royal Caribbean has changed up how it advertises the cost of its unlimited alcohol packages and unlimited beverage packages.

Royal Caribbean is now including the 18% service charge into the daily cost of the package.  

Previously, Royal Caribbean would advertise a lower rate for the packages and then add the service charge upon purchase.

The new pricing for the unlimited alcohol packages is as follows

• Select package: $42 per person, per day
• Premium package: $57 per person, per day
• Ultimate package: $67 per person, per day

SHOULD YOU BUY THE UNLIMITED ALCOHOL PACKAGES?

In addition, the new pricing is reflected in the Royal Replenish and Royal Refreshment packages as well.

• Royal Refreshment (soda package)
  • $8 per adult, per day
  • $5.50 per child, per day
• Royal Replenish package: $22 per person, per day

The new pricing allows the total cost of the package to be more transparent to guests and without the surprise of a service charge added on just prior to purchase.

Do you like that the service charge is now part of the daily price? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Royal Caribbean's popular unlimited alcohol packages have had a small change in the total price, with the gratuity amount going up on each package from 15% to 18%.

Pricing any of the unlimited alcohol packages in Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner software reveals the base price of the packages are the same but when added to your cart, the total price now reflects an 18% gratuity service charge included.

In addition, the Royal Replenish package and the Royal Refreshment package have had its gratuity amount increased to 18% as well.

Until now, Royal Caribbean's unlimited alcohol packages had included a 15% gratuity since the packages' inception.  The base price of the packages remains the same.

The new gratuity amount appears to be in effect for all new purchases on all sailings we could test.

Royal Caribbean has found a gold mine in offering its passengers unlimited alcohol packages but has recently changed the package pricing.  To be exact, the packages are now priced without gratuity.

At first glance, it look like Royal Caribbean lowered the prices across all of its unlimited alcohol and non-alcoholic drink packages by about $10 per day.

New unlimited package pricing

Old unlimited package pricing

The truth is, the packages are still about the same price.  The difference is Royal Caribbean has separated out the package price from the automatic gratuity included when you buy the package.  

We priced out the Premium Drink package in Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner to confirm the changes and you can see the package price along with an additional service charge.

With the new pricing, the real package prices have changed by a few dollars.  We calculated the prices via the Cruise Planner for an upcoming cruise we had booked and here's what we found.

• Royal Replenish package: $21.85 per person, per day ($1.85 increase)
• Select drink package: $40.25 per person, per day ($0.25 increase)
• Premium drink package: $56.35 per person, per day ($1.35 increase)
• Ultimate drink package: $63.25 per person, per day ($1.75 decrease)

As we reported last month, Royal Caribbean launched an expanded selection of unlimited alcohol packages, and starting today guests can pre-purchase their unlimited alcohol packages online.

To help expedite the process of getting the new package, as well to help break up the cost of your cruise, guests can now purchase these unlimited alcohol packages as well as the other unlimited alcohol packages before their cruise.

The package can be purchased via the Royal Caribbean website by logging in and going to "My Cruises" and then finding the "Alcoholic Beverage Packages" link.  Alternatively, guests can book by phone by calling the pre-cruise planning specialists at 1-800-398-9819. Guests should be able to purchase these packages approximately 2 months before sail date.

All three of the unlimited alcohol packages are available for purchase.  

• The select package costs $45 per person, per day and includes all beers, house wines by the glass (up to $12 value), non-alcoholic cocktails & fountain soda and juices, fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup and 20% discount on purchases of bottles of wine.  
• The premium beverage package costs $55 per person, per day and includes all well, call, and premium brand cocktails (up to $10 value), all beers, frozen cocktails, house wines by the glass (up to $12 value), non-alcoholic cocktails & fountain soda and juices, fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup and 20% discount on purchases of bottles of wine.  
• The ultimate package costs $65 per person, per day and includes all beers, cocktails (up to $10 value), house wines by the glass (up to $12 value), premium coffee & tea, bottled water, sparking water, still water, fresh squeezed orange juice, fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup and 20% discount on purchases of bottles of wine

The other signifigant change to the unlimited alcohol packages is that you do not have to purchase the package for all adults in the same stateroom.

In addition, the unlimited beverage packages (non-alcoholic) are available for pre-purchase online.

• The Royal Replenish Package costs $20 per person, per day and includes premium coffee, premium tea, bottled water, sparkling water (375ml), still water (500ml), fresh squeezed orange juice, non-alcoholic cocktails & fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup.

After being reported earlier this week, Royal Caribbean officially launched made changes to its unlimited alcohol packages as well as added two new packages to the mix.  

The packages are available across Royal Caribbean's fleet on sailings 4-nights or longer. For North American departures it is available on board only from November 15, 2013. All other international departures it will be available from mid December 2013.

There are now four unlimited drink packages to choose from with changes to the Select and Premium packages (changes have been italicized)

The Royal Replenish Package

$20 per guest each day, includes:

• Premium coffee 
• Premium tea 
• Bottled water 
• Sparkling water (375ml) 
• Still water (500ml) 
• Fresh squeezed orange juice 
• Non-alcoholic cocktails
• Fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup

The Select Package

$40 per guest each day, includes:

• Beer 
• Wine by the glass (up to $8 value) 
• Non-alcoholic cocktails 
• Fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup
• 20% discount on purchases of bottles of wine

The Premium Package

$55 per guest each day, includes:

• Call and premium cocktails (up to $10 value) 
• Frozen cocktails 
• Beers 
• Premium wine by the glass (up to $12 value) 
• Non-alcoholic cocktails 
• Still bottled water (500ml) 
• Fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup 
• 20% discount on purchases of bottles of wine

The Ultimate Package

$65 per guest each day, includes:

• Premium coffee 
• Premium tea 
• Bottled water 
• Sparkling water (375ml) 
• Still water (500ml) 
• Fresh squeezed orange juice 
• Call and premium cocktails (up to $10 value) 
• Frozen cocktails 
• Beers 
• Premium wine by the glass (up to $12 value) 
• Non-alcoholic cocktails 
• Fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup 
• 20% discount on purchases of bottles of wine

The other major change to the unlimited alcohol packages is now any eligible guest in a stateroom may purchase a package. This is a change from the previous policy where all eligible guests in a stateroom had to purchase a package. 

The new unnlimited beverage packages will be available for guests purchase starting today, November 15th on all ships, and pre-purchase online the first week of December at http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/cruiseEnhancements.do or by calling our pre-cruise planning specialists at 1-800-398-9819. Once available online, you can purchase them approximately 2 months before sail date.

All package prices include the 15% gratuity.  Also the the basic soda package and water package stay intact.

Guests who have already bought a ‘Classic’ package prior to the changes in November/December 2013, will receive the new Select package once on board and a refund to their onboard account for the $5 per day difference in pricing.

Guests who have already bought a ‘Premium’ package prior to the changes in November/December 2013, will receive the new Premium package once on board.  If they wish to upgrade to the new Ultimate package, this can be done at a cost added to their onboard account of the $10 per day difference in pricing. 

Royal Caribbean's unlimited alcohol packages have been wildly popular since they debuted last year and there's a number of reports that the cruise line is revamping its unlimited alcohol packages by adding some more options.

According to readers on Cruise Critic, Royal Caribbean has told certain callers that they will change their unlimited drink package options starting on November 15.

The rumored changes and additions to the options are as follows:

• New $20 per day, per person non-alcoholic drink package that includes fountain soda (with the Freestyle cup), specialty coffee & tea, fresh juice.

• Classic unlimited alcohol beer and wine package will remain the same bit with the addition of the Freestyle cup for soda

• Premium unlimited alcohol package will add the Coca-Cola Freestyle cup as well as bottled water and wine up to $12 a glass. 

• A new Ultimate unlimited alcohol package will cost $65 per person, per day and be the same as the Premium package, but adds fresh juice, Red Bull and specialty coffees & teas

These additions and changes to the unlimited alcohol packages are not confirmed by Royal Caribbean directly yet but enough people have had it independently verified by calling the cruise line to warrant reporting the potential change.

Since this is still a rumor, guests cannot purchase the new packages yet. Once we receive confirmation by Royal Caribbean, we will post any and all details to clarify details.  

11/14 9:38am UPDATE: More information is coming in pointing to this rumor being accurate.  Some more details on the new plans include the fact gratuity is included in all the packages. The biggest change for the unlimited alcohol packages is not everyone in the stateroom has to get it.

Select package ($40 per person, per day) includes beer, wine by the glass value up to $8, non-alcoholic cocktails, and the Fountain soda package with cup. 

The Premium unlimited alcohol package ($55 per person, per day) includes cocktails up to $10 value, frozen cocktails, beer, premium wines up to $12 value, non-alcoholic cocktails, 500 ml bottled still water and Fountain soda package with cup. 

Ultimate package ($65 per person, per day) is virtually unlimited including all that is included with the premium package but with no price limit and is $65 per person per day.

A 20% discount off of select premium wines are offered with the Select, Premium and Ultimate packages.

The basic soda package and water package stay intact 

Since Royal Caribbean rolled out its unlimited alcohol packages last year, there has been a lot of questions out there about package specifics.  So without further adieu, we present answers to the most common questions we've seen about the alcohol packages.

Someone I am cruising with does not/cannot drink alcohol but I would like to.  Can I buy the package just for me?

The rules of the Royal Caribbean unlimited alcohol package stipulate everyone over the age of 21 in a stateroom must buy the package, however, if someone in your cabin has a medical reason why they cannot drink, then you can speak with guest services onboard your ship about getting the package removed for that person.

This is something you must do onboard the ship on the first day of your cruise.  A letter from your health professional should suffice.

As of November 15, 2013 Royal Caribbean no longer requires every eligible adult in the same stateroom to purchase an unlimited alcohol package. 

How much are drinks a la carte? I want to decide if the unlimited package is worth it.

Prices for alcohol varies but generally speaking, you can get most beer onboard for about $5-6 per beer.  Mixed drinks will run you closer to $7-10, depending on the drink and how good alcohol you want.  

How much do I have to drink per day to "break even" with the drink package?

To break even on the standard drink package, you would need to drink about 8-10 beers/glasses of wine.

To break even for the premium drink package, you would need to drink 6-7 mixed drinks per day.  Of course, if you mix in beer or wine, then you will need to increase the amount of drinks per day since beer and wine are cheaper.

These are approximations and it depends on how expensive/cheap your drink happens to be. 

For the premium alcohol package, is ____ included?

• Martinis are INCLUDED
• Shots are INCLUDED, although certain uber-premium brands, like Patron, were not included.
• All beer is INCLUDED
• Mixers are INCLUDED (including Red Bull)
• The only spirits not avail are any Scotch over 12 years old Cognac VSOP and above
• Ultimate Vodka, Belvedere. chopin and Grey Goose are INCLUDED
• Patron is NOT INCLUDED
• House wine are INCLUDED (although we've heard the included house wines are not very good)
• Drinks on Private islands are INCLUDED
• Virgin (non-alcoholic) mixed drinks are INCLUDED

What does the unlimited alcohol packages not cover?

Package does not include room service or in-stateroom purchases, specialty coffee, mini bar items, canned sodas, bottled water / juice and souvenir glassware, specialty beers as listed on bar menus, or super premium category beverages. 

What beers are NOT included with either drink package?

Officially, all beers $6.25 and under are included.  Here are the beers we've found not to be covered.  There may be others...

• Sam Adams Imperial White
• Sam Adams Double Bock
• Foster's Oil Can
• Grolsch Premium Lager
• Chimay Blue 750ml

Are you charged the price of the unlimited drink package each night? All at once? At the end of the cruise?

Royal Caribbean will charge you immediately on the first day for the duration of your cruise for the price of the package.  So for a 7-night cruise for the premium package, you will be charged $385 (7 nights x $55) per person.

Did we miss your question? Post it in the comments below and we will try our best to answer it!

The new unlimited alcohol packages are now available for pre-purchase online prior to getting aboard your Royal Caribbean cruise.  

Royal Caribbean announced the all-you-can drink beverage packages last month and initially the package was available to purchase on the first day of your cruise.  Now, guests may pre-purchase the package online to expedite the process.

The package can be purchased via the Royal Caribbean website by logging in and going to "My Cruises" and then finding the "Alcoholic Beverage Packages" link.

Both the classic beverage package and premium beverage packages are available for purchase. The classic package costs $45 per person, per day and includes all beers, $6.25 or less, house wines by the glass, non-alcoholic cocktails & fountain soda and juices.  The premium beverage package costs $55 per person, per day and includes all well, call, and premium brand cocktails, all beers, frozen cocktails, house wines by the glass, non-alcoholic cocktails & fountain soda and juices.

The drink packages are available on all sailings 4 nights or longer and must be purchased by all guests in your stateroom, 21 years of age or older.  Package prices already include gratuity,

After a few weeks of rumors, Royal Caribbean officially announced two new all-inclusive beverage packages to all the ships in its fleet.  The new packages are available on seven-night or longer sailings now and will be available on every sailing by early 2013.

The two new beverage packages, Classic and Premium, allow guests to pay one price at the beginning of their cruise and enjoy unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for the duration of the cruise.

Classic Beverage Package

Cost: $45 per guest, per day (includes service charge)

Package includes: 

• beer
• house wines by the glass
• all non-alcoholic cocktails
• fountain soda
• juices

Premium Beverage Package

Cost: $55 per guest, per day (includes service charge)

Package includes: 

• beer
• frozen drinks
• all cocktails including premium brands
• house wines by the glass
• all non-alcoholic cocktails
• fountain soda
• juices

Both beverage packages must be purchased on the first day of the cruise.   Guests choosing either package also must purchase the package for guests 21 years old or older sailing in the same stateroom.

The two new packages are currently available on 13 ships and will be available on the remaining ships with seven-night or longer itineraries by early 2013.

Royal Caribbean executive vice president of operations, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, commented on the addition, "Royal Caribbean is in the midst of an extensive revitalization program that will leave no ship untouched and includes enhancing the variety of new dining and beverage options for our guests.The addition of these new beverage and culinary packages creates a seamless vacation experience for our guests, providing them with a greater selection of choices and delivering it to them at an incredible value and convenience.”