Sailing on a Royal Caribbean cruise brings endless opportunities for relaxation, dining, and fun. One of the most popular choices guests make before their cruise is whether to purchase a drink package. These packages allow passengers to enjoy a variety of beverages without paying for each drink individually. But many travelers often wonder how many drinks they can actually get each day with a Royal Caribbean drink package.
This question is more complex than it appears because Royal Caribbean does not set a specific limit on the number of drinks you can order. Instead, the cruise line has a few simple policies designed to ensure responsible drinking and to provide a fair experience for everyone on board. To fully understand how it works, it is important to look at the types of drink packages, how they function, and what you can realistically expect each day of your cruise.
Before determining how many drinks you can enjoy daily, it helps to understand how Royal Caribbean structures its drink packages. The cruise line offers three main options that cover different levels of beverage service. Each package gives guests access to specific types of drinks, and the number you consume depends entirely on your preferences and drinking habits.
This is the most basic plan and is primarily for guests who enjoy soft drinks. With the Classic Soda Package, you can have unlimited fountain soda refills throughout the day. There is no numerical limit to how many soft drinks you can order, but practical limits apply simply because there are only so many beverages one person can comfortably drink in a day.
You also receive a souvenir cup that works with the self-service Coca-Cola Freestyle machines on the ship. These machines allow you to create your own soda combinations at any time. Realistically, most people will have between six and twelve sodas a day depending on how often they are out by the pool or eating at different venues. Since there is no enforced maximum, you can refill your cup as often as you like during operating hours.
The next tier is the Refreshment Package. This plan includes everything from the Classic Soda Package plus specialty coffees, bottled water, fresh juices, mocktails, and other nonalcoholic drinks. Like the soda plan, there is no official limit to how many drinks you can order each day. The only restriction is one drink per order, which means you cannot order multiple drinks at once for other people.
If you enjoy having several coffees, a few bottled waters, and a couple of mocktails daily, you might easily reach ten to fifteen beverages per day. Some guests even surpass that when they are on the pool deck or exploring different lounges. Because everything except alcohol is included, you can enjoy as much as you want without worrying about your tab.
The most comprehensive plan is the Deluxe Beverage Package, which covers nearly all alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages on board. This includes cocktails, beer, wine by the glass, spirits, liqueurs, frozen drinks, soda, coffee, juice, and bottled water. It is the all-in-one option that provides total beverage freedom during your cruise.
The important detail about this package is that there is no fixed drink limit per day. However, Royal Caribbean enforces responsible service guidelines, meaning that bartenders can refuse service to anyone who appears intoxicated. Aside from that, you can enjoy as many drinks as you like throughout the day, as long as you order one at a time and consume it yourself.
In practice, most guests who buy the Deluxe Beverage Package will have between six and ten alcoholic drinks a day, along with several nonalcoholic ones like water or coffee. That is enough to get great value from the package while still maintaining a comfortable pace.
While Royal Caribbean does not post a specific numerical limit on daily drinks, they have operational policies that ensure responsible service and maintain the onboard experience for all guests. Understanding these rules helps clarify what “unlimited drinks” really means in practice.
Every Royal Caribbean drink package is tied to your individual SeaPass card, which serves as your onboard ID and payment system. When you order a drink, the bartender scans your card to verify your package. You can only order one drink at a time per card. This policy prevents sharing packages between passengers. For example, you cannot order two beers at once if you are the only one with a package, even if the second drink is for your partner.
Once you finish your drink, you can immediately order another. There is no waiting period or limit to how often you can return for more. This system ensures that the packages are used fairly while allowing guests to enjoy as many drinks as they desire within reason.
Royal Caribbean follows standard responsible alcohol service guidelines. Bartenders and servers are trained to monitor guest behavior, and they can refuse service to anyone who appears intoxicated. This rule is not intended to limit your fun but to ensure everyone stays safe.
Although the Deluxe Beverage Package allows unlimited alcoholic beverages, excessive drinking is discouraged. There is no official daily maximum like ten or twelve drinks, but if a guest becomes visibly impaired, bar staff may stop serving alcohol temporarily. This is consistent with practices on most major cruise lines.
Unlike land-based all-inclusive resorts that sometimes cap daily drinks, Royal Caribbean does not track or limit how many beverages you consume day by day. There is no cumulative limit over the length of your cruise either. You can have as many as you want today and just as many tomorrow. Each day begins fresh, giving you complete freedom to enjoy your vacation at your own pace.
Another factor to consider is that Royal Caribbean ships feature multiple bars and lounges. Your drink package is valid at all of them. You can order a morning coffee at the café, a soda by the pool, a beer at the sports bar, a cocktail at the casino, and a glass of wine at dinner, all within the same day. There is no distinction between venues, so the total number of drinks you can have depends entirely on how many you order throughout the day and evening.
To get a realistic picture, it helps to think about how guests typically use their drink packages. Although technically unlimited, your body, schedule, and daily activities naturally create practical limits.
Guests who purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package usually average six to ten alcoholic drinks per day. Some people might have fewer, around three to five, especially if they spend much of their day on excursions or prefer nonalcoholic options. Others who enjoy cocktails at the pool, wine with meals, and an after-dinner drink might easily reach ten or more.
For example, a typical day might include:
A mimosa or Bloody Mary with breakfast
A couple of beers or frozen drinks by the pool in the afternoon
A glass of wine with lunch
Another cocktail before dinner
Wine or champagne with dinner
A mixed drink or two during the evening show or at the lounge
That pattern alone could total eight or nine drinks, not including water, coffee, or soda, all of which are included.
Those with the Refreshment Package tend to consume even more beverages simply because nonalcoholic drinks can be enjoyed at any time without concern for intoxication. You might have multiple bottles of water throughout the day, a few specialty coffees, juice at breakfast, and several mocktails or sodas. It is common for guests to have ten to fifteen drinks daily when using this plan.
With unlimited soda refills, the only limit is your thirst. Some guests refill their souvenir cups six or seven times a day, while others may use the machines a dozen times. Because soda machines are located throughout the ship, getting a refill is convenient and quick.
The key point across all these packages is that Royal Caribbean does not impose a strict cap on the number of drinks you can have in one day. The practical limit is set only by your own comfort and consumption habits.
Understanding how to make the best use of your drink package ensures you get full value from your purchase. While you are free to order as many drinks as you wish, a few smart habits can enhance your experience and keep you comfortable.
If you have the Deluxe Beverage Package, start your day with lighter options such as coffee, juice, or a breakfast cocktail. Spread your drinks throughout the day rather than having several in a short period. This not only keeps you refreshed but also allows you to enjoy different venues across the ship.
Alternating between alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages helps you stay hydrated and enjoy your cruise without overdoing it. You can always order bottled water or soda between cocktails, and since these are included in your plan, there is no extra cost.
One of the best parts of having a drink package is the freedom to experiment. You can try different cocktails, wines, or beers without worrying about the price. Since there is no limit to how many drinks you can order, you can explore the menu at your leisure. Many guests discover new favorites this way.
It is easy to forget about water intake when enjoying alcoholic beverages, especially under the sun. Make use of the unlimited bottled water included in the Deluxe and Refreshment Packages. Hydrating regularly will make your cruise experience far more enjoyable.
Bars and lounges typically close during the early morning hours, so your ability to order drinks resets naturally when venues reopen. Since you cannot stockpile drinks or order multiples in advance, spacing out your orders throughout the day is the best approach.
Royal Caribbean’s philosophy behind unlimited drink packages is rooted in flexibility and guest satisfaction. The company recognizes that each traveler has different habits, so rather than set a firm daily limit, they rely on common sense and responsible service.
This approach benefits both guests and the cruise line. For guests, it provides a feeling of all-inclusive luxury and freedom. For the company, it reduces administrative burden since there is no need to monitor individual drink counts. Bartenders simply follow standard service rules, which are easier to enforce and maintain a pleasant onboard atmosphere.
By offering unlimited drinks within reasonable boundaries, Royal Caribbean encourages guests to relax, enjoy their vacation, and make the most of their time onboard without worrying about costs or restrictions.
When it comes to the question of how many drinks you can get a day with a Royal Caribbean drink package, the answer is simple: there is no official limit. You can enjoy as many beverages as you wish, whether they are alcoholic or nonalcoholic, as long as you order one drink at a time and consume them responsibly.
In reality, most guests naturally stay within comfortable ranges. Those with the Deluxe Beverage Package typically have between six and ten alcoholic drinks daily, while those with Refreshment or Soda Packages may have ten or more nonalcoholic drinks. These numbers vary widely depending on individual habits, cruise activities, and personal preferences.
What truly makes the Royal Caribbean drink package worthwhile is the freedom it provides. You never have to think about the price of each beverage, sign receipts, or budget your bar spending. Every drink, from your morning cappuccino to your sunset cocktail, is already covered. This peace of mind allows you to focus entirely on enjoying the voyage, exploring new flavors, and relaxing in the warm ocean breeze.
Whether you choose the Classic Soda Package, the Refreshment Package, or the Deluxe Beverage Package, you can drink to your heart’s content each day without worrying about limits. The only real boundaries are your comfort and good sense, which ensures your cruise remains fun, carefree, and truly unforgettable.
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