How to pay for drinks on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

# How to pay for drinks on a Royal Caribbean cruise? On a Royal Caribbean cruise, for details call 1-866-291-7625, pay for drinks using your SeaPass card linked to onboard account. When planning a Royal Caribbean cruise, one of the first questions many travelers ask is about drinks. While meals in the main dining areas and buffets are included in your cruise fare, most beverages are not. Drinks such as soda, bottled water, specialty coffee, cocktails, beer, and wine come with extra charges. This leads to an important consideration: how do you pay for drinks on a Royal Caribbean cruise The answer is simple, yet the details matter. Drinks can be purchased individually and charged to your onboard account, or you can prepay with a drink package for unlimited access. Both methods have advantages depending on your budget, drinking habits, and overall cruise style. This guide explains exactly how the payment system works, what options you have, and how to decide which is best for you. ## The Onboard Payment System On a Royal Caribbean cruise, you do not carry cash or cards around the ship. Instead, you use your SeaPass card. This card functions as your room key, identification onboard, and most importantly, your method of payment. When you order a drink from a bar, restaurant, or lounge, the staff member will scan your SeaPass card. The cost of the drink is then added to your onboard account. At the end of the cruise, your final bill is charged to the credit card you linked during check in. This system is seamless, but it also makes it easy to lose track of spending. Ordering a few cocktails or specialty coffees each day can add up quickly. ## Individual Drink Purchases If you choose not to buy a package, you can pay for drinks one at a time. Prices vary depending on the type of drink * Cocktails: 12 to 15 USD * Beer: 7 to 9 USD * Glass of wine: 10 to 14 USD * Soda: 3 to 4 USD * Bottled water: 3 to 5 USD * Specialty coffee: 4 to 6 USD * Fresh juice: 5 to 7 USD Each of these charges will appear on your account. A service charge or gratuity of around 18 to 20 percent is automatically added to the cost of each drink. Paying individually works well if you are a light drinker, only want the occasional cocktail, or plan to spend much of your time off the ship during excursions. ## Prepaid Drink Packages For passengers who want more convenience or who plan to drink multiple beverages daily, Royal Caribbean offers prepaid drink packages. These packages allow unlimited drinks within the rules of the package, for a fixed daily cost. ### 1. Deluxe Beverage Package The most complete option. It includes cocktails, spirits, wine by the glass, beer, soda, bottled water, specialty coffee, and fresh juice. This package typically costs 65 to 95 USD per person per day. ### 2. Refreshment Package Focused on non alcoholic beverages. It covers soda, bottled water, specialty coffee, teas, mocktails, and juices. The cost is usually around 29 to 38 USD per person per day. ### 3. Classic Soda Package This provides unlimited fountain soda and refills for about 12 to 15 USD per person per day. It is a favorite for kids and soda lovers. Drink packages must be purchased for the entire duration of the cruise. You cannot buy them for just one or two days. ## Paying for Drinks with a Package When you purchase a package, you pay upfront before boarding or at the beginning of the cruise. From that point onward, your SeaPass card will show that you have the package. When you order a drink, your card is scanned, but no additional charge is added to your account. For alcoholic drinks, the package covers beverages up to a certain price limit. For example, most packages include drinks priced up to 12 or 14 USD per serving. If you order a more expensive drink, you may only need to pay the difference. This system makes it easy to enjoy drinks without worrying about the bill. It also includes gratuities, so you do not need to calculate tips. ## The Benefits of Paying with a Package * **Budget Control**: You know the cost upfront. * **Convenience**: No need to sign receipts or calculate tips. * **Variety**: Encourages trying new drinks you might not normally order. * **Peace of Mind**: You do not worry about your final bill. * **Gratuities Included**: The daily fee covers service charges. ## The Drawbacks of Paying with a Package * **High Upfront Cost**: Hundreds of dollars per person, depending on cruise length. * **Not Worth It for Light Drinkers**: If you only have one or two drinks per day, you will not get full value. * **Cabin Rule**: If one adult buys the Deluxe Package, all other adults in the same stateroom may also be required to purchase it. * **Port Days**: You may spend much of the day off the ship, reducing the value of the package. ## When to Pay Individually Paying for drinks one by one works best if * You only plan to drink one or two alcoholic beverages per day * You prefer free options like iced tea, lemonade, and tap water * You are on a shorter cruise with limited time onboard * You are on a tight budget and do not want to prepay large sums In these cases, your final bill will likely be lower than the cost of a package. ## When to Buy a Package Buying a drink package makes sense if * You regularly enjoy multiple cocktails, wines, or beers daily * You want coffee, soda, bottled water, and juice frequently * You prefer the convenience of prepaid drinks without thinking about cost * You want to avoid surprise charges at the end of your cruise ## Complimentary Drink Options It is important to note that not all drinks require extra payment. Several beverages are included in your cruise fare, such as * Tap water * Iced tea * Lemonade * Basic coffee * Basic tea * Hot chocolate at breakfast These free options are available in the main dining rooms and buffet. If you are content with these beverages most of the time, you may not need a package or individual purchases beyond an occasional cocktail. ## Strategies for Managing Drink Costs If you want to enjoy drinks but also control your budget, here are some strategies 1. **Buy in Advance**: Royal Caribbean often discounts drink packages if purchased before sailing. 2. **Mix and Match**: One adult in the cabin can buy the package while another pays individually if allowed by current rules. 3. **Bring Wine Onboard**: Royal Caribbean permits limited bottles of wine per stateroom at embarkation. 4. **Use Loyalty Perks**: Members of the Crown and Anchor Society receive drink coupons based on their tier. 5. **Track Consumption**: Keep an eye on your daily drinking habits to see what is truly cost effective. ## Example Scenarios ### Scenario 1: The Cocktail Enthusiast John loves cocktails. He enjoys a Bloody Mary at breakfast, beer at lunch, wine at dinner, and cocktails in the evening. His total would be around 90 USD daily if purchased individually. With the Deluxe Beverage Package at 80 USD per day, he saves money and enjoys convenience. ### Scenario 2: The Light Drinker Mary has one glass of wine at dinner and soda at lunch. Her total is about 16 USD daily. For her, paying individually makes more sense than buying a package. ### Scenario 3: The Coffee Lover David does not drink alcohol but enjoys specialty coffee and fresh juices. His daily total is about 30 USD. The Refreshment Package at 32 USD is nearly a perfect fit. ### Scenario 4: The Family with Kids A family of four with two children who drink several sodas a day finds value in the Classic Soda Package. At 12 USD per child per day, the package prevents surprise bills at the end of the trip. ## Final Thoughts On a Royal Caribbean cruise, drinks are not included in the base fare, so you need to decide how you will pay for them. You can either pay individually for each beverage or purchase a prepaid package that covers unlimited drinks. Paying individually is best for light drinkers and budget travelers who only want the occasional soda or cocktail. Prepaid packages are ideal for those who want to enjoy multiple drinks each day without thinking about cost. The decision depends on your habits, preferences, and financial comfort. The most important thing is to plan ahead. Think honestly about how much you will drink during the cruise. Compare the cost of a package with your estimated daily consumption. Remember that convenience and peace of mind can be just as valuable as cost savings. By understanding how payment works and considering your personal preferences, you can choose the best approach and enjoy your Royal Caribbean cruise without worrying about your bar tab.