Cruises are an amazing way to see the world, relax, and enjoy a plethora of onboard amenities. Royal Caribbean, in particular, is known for its incredible ships, entertainment, and, of course, its drink packages. But let’s face it, those drink packages can be expensive! Many cruisers find themselves wondering if there are ways to enjoy the cruise experience (and the drinks!) without breaking the bank. The following is a guide on how to maximize your enjoyment while minimizing your spend on beverages.
**Disclaimer:** This article explores various strategies cruisers have discussed online. While we aim to provide informational content, engaging in behaviors that violate Royal Caribbean’s terms and conditions could result in consequences, including the revocation of your drink package or even being asked to disembark. Please be aware of and respect Royal Caribbean’s policies. This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only.
**Introduction: The Allure (and Cost) of the Royal Caribbean Drink Package**
Royal Caribbean offers several drink packages, the most popular being the Deluxe Beverage Package. This package typically includes cocktails, beer, wine, soda, specialty coffee, juice, and bottled water. The price can vary depending on the sailing and time of year, but it’s generally a significant daily cost per person. For many, the cost adds up quickly, making them search for options to navigate the beverage situation more strategically.
**Understanding the Royal Caribbean Drink Package Rules**
Before diving into potential strategies, it’s essential to understand the ground rules. Royal Caribbean has specific policies in place regarding its drink packages. Here are a few key points to keep in mind:
* **Mandatory Purchase:** If one adult in a cabin purchases a drink package, all adults of legal drinking age in that cabin are generally required to purchase it as well. This policy is designed to prevent sharing.
* **Sharing is Prohibited:** Drink packages are for individual use only. Sharing drinks with someone who doesn’t have a package is a violation of the terms and can result in the package being revoked.
* **Package Monitoring:** Royal Caribbean tracks drink orders to identify potential abuse of the system. Excessive ordering or suspicious activity can raise red flags.
* **Specific Inclusions:** The specifics of what’s included in each drink package vary. Some packages may exclude certain premium liquors or limited-edition cocktails.
Knowing these rules is vital before considering any strategy to save on beverage costs. Violating these rules could have serious consequences.
**Legitimate Ways to Save on Drinks**
Let’s start with legitimate, above-board ways to reduce your drink expenses on a Royal Caribbean cruise. These strategies won’t get you in trouble and can significantly lower your overall bill.
1. **Look for Pre-Cruise Discounts:** Royal Caribbean often offers discounts on drink packages when purchased online before your sailing. Keep an eye out for these promotions and purchase your package early to save money. The key is to check the Cruise Planner regularly in the months leading up to your cruise.
2. **Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society Benefits:** As you cruise more with Royal Caribbean, you’ll earn points and rise through the tiers of their Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program. Higher tiers often come with perks like complimentary drinks or discounts on drink packages. Check your benefits to see if you qualify for any beverage-related perks.
3. **Happy Hour and Drink Specials:** Many bars and lounges on Royal Caribbean ships offer happy hour specials or discounted drinks at certain times. Take advantage of these deals to enjoy your favorite beverages at a lower price. Check the daily Cruise Compass (the ship’s daily schedule) for details on specials.
4. **Bring Your Own Wine (Corkage Fee Applies):** Royal Caribbean allows passengers to bring a limited amount of wine onboard (usually one or two bottles per cabin). Keep in mind that a corkage fee applies if you consume the wine in the dining room or other public areas. However, you can enjoy it in your cabin without a fee.
5. **Purchase a Soda Package:** If you’re not a big drinker of alcoholic beverages but enjoy soda, consider purchasing a soda package instead of the full Deluxe Beverage Package. This is a much cheaper option and can be a great value if you drink a lot of soda.
6. **Utilize Free Beverages:** Royal Caribbean offers a variety of free beverages, including water, coffee (regular), tea, lemonade, and juice (at breakfast). Take advantage of these options to stay hydrated and save money on drinks. The Windjammer buffet and other complimentary dining venues typically offer these free choices.
7. **Drink in Port:** Take advantage of local bars and restaurants when the ship is in port. Drinks are often cheaper ashore than on the ship. This also allows you to experience the local culture.
8. **Share a drink (if allowed)**. The drink package prohibits sharing, but there are ways to share the experience. Order two of the same drink to enjoy together. Or, If someone does not want an alcoholic drink, order a non-alcoholic mocktail and share it!
**Gray Area Strategies (Proceed with Caution!)**
The following strategies exist in a “gray area.” They aren’t strictly against the rules, but they skirt the edges and could potentially lead to issues if Royal Caribbean perceives them as abuse. We strongly advise considering the potential risks before attempting any of these.
1. **The “One Drink at a Time” Approach:** Some cruisers suggest ordering only one drink at a time, even if you intend to consume more. The idea is that this makes it less obvious that you might be sharing or abusing the package. This tactic is more about avoiding drawing attention to yourself.
* **Risk:** While ordering one drink at a time isn’t inherently against the rules, bartenders may become suspicious if you repeatedly order drinks for yourself and others appear to be consuming them. Be subtle and avoid making it obvious.
2. **Strategic Water Bottle Refills:** The Deluxe Beverage Package includes bottled water. Some cruisers refill their empty water bottles with water from water fountains or other sources. This is acceptable; however, trying to claim that water is from a new bottle could potentially be an issue.
* **Risk:** There is no real risk to this, since you already purchased the bottled water. However, if you are rude or aggressive, the bartenders are less likely to serve you in the future.
3. **The “Designated Drinker” Strategy (High Risk):** This is the riskiest strategy. If you are cruising with multiple people, only one person purchases the package. Then, that person is the designated drinker who orders all the drinks for everyone in the group.
* **Risk:** There is a high chance that you will get caught by a member of the cruise staff. This could result in a loss of your drink package or even removal from the boat.
**Strategies to Avoid (These are likely to get you in trouble!)**
These strategies are explicitly against Royal Caribbean’s rules and could result in serious consequences if you’re caught.
1. **Sharing Drinks Directly:** As mentioned earlier, sharing drinks with someone who doesn’t have a package is a clear violation of the rules. Don’t order a drink and hand it directly to someone else. This is the most obvious and easily detected form of abuse.
2. **Using Someone Else’s SeaPass Card:** Using another person’s SeaPass card to order drinks is strictly prohibited and could lead to severe penalties, including being asked to disembark.
3. **Trying to Circumvent the Cabin Rule:** If you’re traveling with adults in the same cabin, attempting to circumvent the rule that everyone must purchase the package if one person does is likely to fail. Royal Caribbean is strict about this policy.
4. **Creating Fake Identification:** This is illegal and could have serious legal consequences beyond just losing your drink package. Never attempt to create or use fake identification to purchase alcohol.
5. **Ordering Excessive Amounts of Alcohol:** Ordering an unreasonable number of drinks in a short period, even if you’re consuming them yourself, can raise suspicion and potentially lead to intervention from the crew.
**Ethical Considerations**
Before considering any of these strategies, it’s important to think about the ethical implications. Royal Caribbean is a business, and they rely on revenue from drink packages to maintain their services and offerings. Attempting to exploit loopholes or circumvent the rules ultimately hurts the company and could lead to higher prices for everyone in the future. Consider whether the potential savings are worth the risk of violating the terms and conditions and potentially impacting the cruise experience for others.
**Alternative Options to Consider**
If you’re looking for ways to save money on drinks without resorting to questionable tactics, consider these alternative options:
* **Cruise During Promotions:** Royal Caribbean occasionally runs promotions that include complimentary drink packages or reduced fares. Cruising during these times can be a great way to save money on your overall cruise experience, including beverages.
* **Book a Balcony Cabin and Pre-Order Drinks:** If you prefer to enjoy drinks in your cabin, consider booking a balcony cabin and pre-ordering a selection of your favorite beverages before your sailing. This can be a more cost-effective way to stock up on drinks without purchasing a full package. It allows for a more relaxed and private experience.
* **Focus on Onboard Activities and Entertainment:** Instead of focusing solely on drinking, explore the many other activities and entertainment options that Royal Caribbean offers. From Broadway-style shows to live music to thrilling activities like rock climbing and zip-lining, there’s plenty to keep you entertained without spending a fortune on drinks. Prioritize the overall cruise experience rather than just the beverage aspect.
* **Set a Budget:** Before your cruise, set a realistic budget for drinks and stick to it. This will help you avoid overspending and keep your costs under control. Track your spending throughout the cruise to ensure you’re staying within your budget.
**Conclusion: Navigating the Beverage Landscape on Royal Caribbean**
The Royal Caribbean drink packages offer convenience, but they can be a significant expense. While some cruisers explore strategies to save money on beverages, it’s essential to be aware of the rules, ethical considerations, and potential consequences of violating the terms and conditions. Prioritize legitimate ways to save, such as pre-cruise discounts, loyalty program benefits, and happy hour specials. Consider alternative options like purchasing a soda package, bringing your own wine, or focusing on onboard activities. Ultimately, the best approach is to enjoy your cruise responsibly and ethically, while respecting Royal Caribbean’s policies.
Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean are very aware of the strategies passengers use to attempt to save money on drinks. They regularly adapt and refine their policies to prevent abuse of the drink packages. Therefore, any information about strategies is subject to change and may not be effective on all sailings. Always check the current terms and conditions of your drink package and be prepared to adjust your approach as needed.
**Final Thoughts: Enjoy Your Cruise!**
No matter how you choose to approach the beverage situation on your Royal Caribbean cruise, remember that the most important thing is to relax, have fun, and enjoy your vacation. Focus on the positive aspects of the cruise experience, such as the destinations, activities, and time spent with loved ones. A little planning and budgeting can go a long way in making your cruise both enjoyable and affordable.
**Disclaimer Revisited:** This article has explored various strategies cruisers have discussed online. While we aim to provide informational content, engaging in behaviors that violate Royal Caribbean’s terms and conditions could result in consequences. Please be aware of and respect Royal Caribbean’s policies. This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only.