Royal Caribbean Just Changed Its Drink Package Rules — What Cruisers Need to Know
Royal Caribbean has brought back a process that allows some guests to request an exception to its alcoholic beverage package requirements. But who qualifies, how does the process work, and what does this change mean for cruisers traveling with someone who doesn’t drink alcohol?
There’s also a bigger question worth asking: Are cruise passengers drinking less, or are they simply becoming more selective about spending money on alcohol onboard?
In this week’s The Wake Report, I take a closer look at Royal Caribbean’s drink package policy change, what I learned directly from Royal Caribbean, and why I think the cruise industry’s traditional drink-package model may be changing.
Watch the full Wake Report here:
[EMBED YOUTUBE VIDEO HERE]
Royal Caribbean Changes Its Drink Package Exception Policy
Royal Caribbean has brought back a process allowing certain guests to request an accommodation to its alcoholic beverage package requirements.
Royal Caribbean generally requires all adults of legal drinking age staying in the same stateroom to purchase the alcoholic beverage package if one adult purchases it.
For couples and travel companions who have very different drinking habits, that can make a significant difference to the cost of a cruise.
For example, imagine a couple where one person enjoys several alcoholic beverages throughout the day while the other person doesn’t drink alcohol at all.
Under the standard drink-package rules, the non-drinking guest may still be required to purchase the alcoholic beverage package.
That’s where Royal Caribbean’s accommodation process comes in.
But this isn’t a general exemption for people who don’t drink.
Royal Caribbean’s current process is intended for specific circumstances, including pregnancy, certain medical conditions, or disabilities that prevent a guest from consuming alcohol.
Requests are reviewed individually, and approval is not guaranteed.
If an accommodation is approved, the guest who cannot consume alcohol may be required to purchase a non-alcoholic beverage package instead. The Refreshment Package
I contacted Royal Caribbean to confirm the policy
Because this is a policy that can directly affect what cruisers pay, I didn’t want to rely solely on information circulating online.
I contacted Royal Caribbean and confirmed that the accommodation process is currently in place.
If a guest wants to request an accommodation, Royal Caribbean sends the form directly to the guest. The guest then completes the form and submits it for review.
The form is called a Beverage Package Accommodation Request.
What If You Simply Don’t Drink?
This is where the distinction becomes important.
Not drinking alcohol doesn’t automatically mean that you qualify for Royal Caribbean’s accommodation process.
For example, I personally don’t drink anymore. That’s my choice because I don’t like the way alcohol makes me feel, and I prefer to avoid the dehydration that can contribute to feeling unwell or seasick while cruising.
But that’s different from having a doctor tell me that I medically cannot consume alcohol.
So if my husband wanted the alcoholic beverage package on a Royal Caribbean cruise, I wouldn’t automatically assume that I could receive an accommodation simply because I don’t drink.
The decision is made by Royal Caribbean based on the circumstances of the request.
That’s why I would encourage cruisers to contact Royal Caribbean directly if they believe they have a qualifying situation rather than assuming they will be approved.
And don’t try to use the accommodation process simply because you don’t want to pay for a drink package. It’s designed for legitimate circumstances, not as a workaround for the standard beverage package rules.
Why Does This Matter to Your Cruise Budget?
The reason this policy is worth paying attention to is simple:
Drink packages can add a significant amount to the cost of a cruise.
And when two adults in a stateroom are required to purchase an alcoholic beverage package, you’re not just deciding whether you will drink enough to make the package worthwhile.
You’re deciding whether both people will get enough value from the packages to justify the combined cost.
That’s a very different calculation.
And it leads to a bigger question that I’ve been thinking about after attending a recent Royal Caribbean webinar for travel advisors.
Are Cruise Passengers Drinking Less?
During the Royal Caribbean webinar, the company’s Vice President of Food and Beverage discussed changes the cruise line is seeing in passenger beverage consumption.
Royal Caribbean is seeing more passengers choose non-alcoholic beverages, including mocktails and non-alcoholic beer.
The cruise line has been expanding its non-alcoholic beverage options to meet that demand.
And honestly, this doesn’t surprise me.
There’s clearly a broader trend toward moderation, wellness and healthier lifestyles.
But I have another question:
Are people actually drinking less — or are they buying fewer drinks because of the price?
I don’t have access to Royal Caribbean’s internal data, so I can’t tell you how much of the change is driven by health-conscious choices and how much might be related to the cost of alcoholic beverages and drink packages.
But I think price has to be part of the conversation.
The Problem With Traditional Cruise Drink Packages
Here’s the situation many cruisers face.
One person in the cabin drinks alcohol.
The other doesn’t.
The person who drinks might easily consume enough beverages to make a drink package worthwhile.
But if the cruise line requires both adults to purchase the alcoholic package, the math changes dramatically.
Instead of asking:
“Will I drink enough to justify this package?”
You’re asking:
“Will both of us drink enough to justify paying for two packages?”
That’s a much harder calculation.
And it’s one reason I think cruisers should stop automatically assuming that a drink package is a good deal.
Unlimited doesn’t necessarily mean inexpensive.
Why I Like Virgin Voyages’ Bar Tab Approach
One alternative I find particularly interesting is the way Virgin Voyages handles beverage spending.
Rather than purchasing an unlimited alcoholic beverage package, guests can use a Bar Tab to purchase drinks.
For example, you might decide that you’re comfortable budgeting $300 for beverages during your cruise.
You can then use that amount toward drinks instead of committing to an unlimited package.
What I particularly like about this concept is the flexibility.
You’re not purchasing an alcoholic package simply because another adult happens to be staying in your cabin.
You can use your Bar Tab for yourself, purchase a drink for your cabinmate, or even buy a drink for someone you’ve met onboard.
That’s appealing to me because it gives the cruiser more control.
Of course, this doesn’t automatically mean a Bar Tab is financially better for everyone. Someone who drinks heavily throughout a cruise could potentially get more value from an unlimited package.
The point is that different travelers have different drinking habits, and I think beverage programs should give people more flexibility to match those habits.
How Do You Know If a Cruise Drink Package Is Worth It?
This is where things get interesting.
I don’t think there is one universal answer to the question:
“Should I buy the cruise drink package?”
It depends on how you actually cruise.
Ask yourself:
- How many alcoholic drinks would I realistically have each day?
- Do I drink every day of my cruise?
- Will I be spending long days by the pool?
- Will I be off the ship on excursions?
- Do I drink specialty coffee?
- Would I purchase bottled water or other beverages?
- Am I traveling with someone who doesn’t drink?
- Does the cruise line require both adults in my stateroom to purchase the package?
- What is the actual package price for my sailing?
And most importantly:
Don’t calculate based on your fantasy vacation.
Calculate based on how you actually drink.
It’s very easy to think:
“I’m on vacation. I’ll probably drink more.”
But if you normally have two drinks a day, you shouldn’t convince yourself that you’ll suddenly become a seven-drinks-a-day person simply because you’re on a cruise.
Use My Cruise Drink Package Calculator
That’s why I created my Cruise Drink Package Calculator.
The calculator is designed to help you compare the cost of purchasing individual beverages with the cost of a cruise line’s drink package.
You can look at your actual drinking habits and determine whether the numbers make sense for you.
CLICK HERE FOR THE CRUISE DRINK PACKAGE CALCULATOR
The goal isn’t to tell you that drink packages are good or bad.
It’s to help you make a decision based on your own cruise habits and your own budget.
Because the best drink package decision isn’t necessarily the one that gives you the most drinks.
It’s the one that gives you the most value for the way you actually cruise.
What This Could Mean for the Future of Cruise Beverage Packages
I think we’re going to see cruise lines continue responding to changing passenger behavior.
If more cruisers are choosing non-alcoholic beverages, it makes sense for cruise lines to expand their mocktail, zero-proof and non-alcoholic beer selections.
But I also wonder if we’re eventually going to see more flexibility in the way cruise lines sell alcoholic beverages.
Maybe the future isn’t necessarily about drinking less.
Maybe it’s about having more control over what you spend.
Some cruisers may want unlimited drinks.
Others may want to purchase drinks individually.
And others might prefer something closer to a prepaid beverage budget.
The cruise industry is already experimenting with different approaches, and I think passenger demand will continue to influence what comes next.
The Bottom Line
Royal Caribbean’s return of its drink-package accommodation process is an important change for cruisers who have a legitimate qualifying circumstance that prevents them from consuming alcohol.
But I think the bigger story is what this tells us about the cruise beverage business.
Royal Caribbean says it is seeing more guests choose non-alcoholic beverages.
I believe health and wellness are part of that trend.
But I also think cruisers are becoming increasingly aware of how much they’re spending on extras.
And when a drink package can add hundreds of dollars to a cruise vacation — particularly when you’re required to purchase it for another adult in your stateroom — it’s worth doing the math before you click purchase.
Don’t assume the drink package is a good deal. Run the numbers.
Watch This Week’s Wake Report
Want to hear my full take on Royal Caribbean’s drink package change, the company’s observations about changing alcohol consumption, and why I think cruise lines may need to rethink the traditional beverage package?
Watch this week’s episode of The Wake Report:
And then tell me:
Do you buy a drink package when you cruise?
Have you stopped buying one because of the price?
Are you drinking less alcohol than you used to?
Or have you started choosing more mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages instead?
I’d love to hear what you’re seeing on your own cruises.
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Until next time, Happy Cruising!
— Angela
Grab Your Bags Travel