A Royal Caribbean cruise is an experience packed with sun-soaked adventures, ocean views, world-class entertainment—and for many, a good drink in hand. Whether it’s sipping a frosty cocktail poolside, enjoying a crisp beer during a comedy show, or indulging in a specialty coffee in the morning, beverages are a big part of cruise life. Drink Prices on Royal Caribbean Cruises
But how much do drinks cost on a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2025? From alcoholic beverages to soda, bottled water, coffee, and smoothies, this guide breaks down the latest prices, drink options, and available beverage packages to help you plan your cruise budget accordingly.
Understanding Beverage Pricing on Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean uses pricing consistent with land-based resorts or premium vacation spots. While you can certainly get complimentary drinks like water, coffee, tea, and juices during breakfast, anything more premium—soda, cocktails, beer, wine, and specialty coffee—comes at an additional cost unless you have a beverage package.
Drink prices are fairly standard across the fleet, though some ships may offer occasional promotions or exclusive cocktail menus in specialty bars Drink Prices on Royal Caribbean Cruises
Alcohol Prices on Royal Caribbean Cruises
Here is a general look at what you can expect to pay for alcohol on board in 2025:
Cocktails
- Standard cocktails: $12 – $14
(Examples: Mojito, Margarita, Long Island Iced Tea) - Frozen cocktails: $13 – $15
(Pina Coladas, Daiquiris, Lava Flow) - Specialty cocktails: $14 – $16
(Exclusive drinks from the Bionic Bar or venues like The Bamboo Room)
Beer
- Domestic beer (Bud Light, Miller Lite, etc.): $7.49 – $7.99
- Imported beer (Heineken, Corona, Stella Artois, etc.): $7.99 – $8.99
- Craft beers (varies by ship, including IPAs and porters): $8.99 – $10.99
Wine by the Glass
- House wines: $9.00 – $11.00 per glass
- Premium wines: $12.00 – $16.00+ per glass
Spirits
- Standard liquors (rum, gin, vodka): $8.00 – $10.00
- Premium liquors (Grey Goose, Patron, Johnny Walker Black): $11.00 – $14.00
Gratuity Note: A 18% gratuity is automatically added to all beverage purchases, so factor this into your pricing.
Non-Alcoholic Drink Prices
Not drinking alcohol? No problem. Royal Caribbean offers a wide array of non-alcoholic beverages, each with its own pricing. Royal caribbean alcohol prices
Soda Prices
- Canned soda (Coca-Cola products): $3.50 – $4.00
- Fountain soda (with souvenir cup if part of a package): included with package, or about $3.50 per serving
Bottled Water
- 500ml Evian or Dasani: $3.00 – $3.50
- 1-liter bottles: $4.00 – $5.00
- Case of 12 (delivered to stateroom): $30 – $45
Specialty Coffees
- Espresso: $2.75 – $3.25
- Cappuccino / Latte: $4.25 – $5.25
- Iced Coffee / Mocha: $4.50 – $6.00
Energy Drinks & Bottled Juices
- Red Bull / Monster: $5.00 – $6.00
- Bottled juices (orange, apple, cranberry): $3.50 – $4.50
Mocktails & Smoothies
- Mocktails: $6.00 – $8.00
- Smoothies: $6.95 – $7.95 (often available at Vitality Café or the spa)
Beverage Packages: Are They Worth It?
If you plan to enjoy several drinks per day, one of Royal Caribbean’s beverage packages could save you money. Here’s a breakdown:
Deluxe Beverage Package (Alcoholic)
- Cost: $65 – $105 per day (price varies by sailing)
- Includes:
- All alcoholic beverages (up to $14 per drink)
- Non-alcoholic beverages (sodas, mocktails, specialty coffees, water)
- Bottled still and sparkling water
- Premium coffees and teas
- Fresh squeezed juices
Refreshment Package (Non-Alcoholic)
- Cost: $29 – $39 per day
- Includes:
- Premium coffees and teas
- Bottled water
- Fresh juice
- Non-alcoholic cocktails
- Fountain soda and Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages
Classic Soda Package
- Cost: $12.99 – $15.00 per day
- Includes:
- Unlimited fountain soda
- Coca-Cola Freestyle cup
Tip: Packages must be purchased for the entire duration of the cruise and for every day of the sailing. Sales and pre-cruise discounts are often available online before you sail. Drink Prices on Royal Caribbean Cruises
Drink Locations Onboard
Drink availability and variety can depend on where you are on the ship:
Main Dining Room
- Alcoholic beverages, wine pairings, and mocktails are available. You can purchase by the glass or use your package.
Bars & Lounges
- Ships typically have 10+ bars, including:
- Schooner Bar
- Bionic Bar (robot bartenders)
- Boleros (Latin-themed)
- English Pub (beer heavy)
- The Lime & Coconut (poolside tropical bar)
- Vintages (wine)
Pool Deck / Solarium
- Great for frozen drinks, cocktails, and soda
Windjammer Buffet
- Complimentary drinks only (lemonade, iced tea, water, basic coffee/tea). Soda and other beverages must be paid for.
Café Promenade / Starbucks
- Premium coffees, pastries, and snacks; Starbucks pricing is comparable to land.
Room Service
- Beverages can be ordered to your stateroom, but expect a $7.95 delivery fee (plus gratuity).
Bringing Your Own Drinks
Royal Caribbean allows limited alcohol to be brought onboard during embarkation:
- Wine: Each adult (21+) can bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne onboard at the beginning of the cruise.
- No Beer or Liquor: Strictly prohibited.
- Corkage Fee: $15 if you consume your wine in public areas like the dining room.
For non-alcoholic drinks:
- You may bring small quantities of non-alcoholic beverages like bottled water or soda (up to 12 cans or bottles, under 17 oz each).
Budgeting Your Drink Spend
Here’s an example estimate for a 7-night cruise without a drink package:
| Beverage Type | Daily Average | 7-Night Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2 cocktails/day | $28 | $196 |
| 1 beer/day | $8 | $56 |
| 1 specialty coffee | $5 | $35 |
| 1 soda | $3.50 | $24.50 |
| Total | $44.50/day | $311.50 |
In this example, the Deluxe Beverage Package (~$85/day) would actually cost more unless you drank additional beverages per day.
Tips to Save on Beverages
- Buy Packages Pre-Cruise: They are almost always cheaper online before embarkation.
- Bring Allowed Wine: Two adults in a stateroom can bring two bottles—worth $60+.
- Use Your Crown & Anchor Points: Members often get free drinks or discounts.
- Attend Events: Some art auctions, tastings, or loyalty parties offer complimentary drinks.
- Drink of the Day: Offered at a discount, often between $7 – $9.
Specialty Bars Worth Visiting
- Bionic Bar: Robotic bartenders make futuristic cocktails—pure entertainment.
- The Bamboo Room: Tiki-style drinks with strong rum-based favorites.
- Playmakers Sports Bar: Great for beer flights and game-day drinks.
- Vintages: Wine tastings and sommelier-led pairings.
- Rising Tide Bar: A moving bar that ascends between decks—unique ambiance.
Conclusion
Royal Caribbean drink prices in 2025 are comparable to upscale bars and resorts, but with strategic planning—such as beverage packages, bringing allowed wine, or sticking to a budget—you can manage your onboard drink spending with ease.
Whether you’re sipping tropical cocktails in the sun, enjoying a chilled beer at the pub, or nursing a rich latte while staring out to sea, knowing the drink prices helps you cruise smarter and enjoy every moment to the fullest. Royal Caribbean Cruise Compass