New Royal Caribbean "drink" packages and everyone in the room no longer must buy

Now Royal Caribbean has decided that everyone in the room no longer has to buy the drink package.  And now offering more packages.


My view only.  Many folks take vacation as their opportunity to have some fun and lots of drinking.  It is fun, I totally understand. 

However, I was on a cruise last week, where folks had purchased the drink package.  I notice, these folks did nothing but drink.  No shows.  Often didn't go to dinner.  Maybe it's worth to many, to drink 24/7 and opt to miss all that has already been paid for ? 

I have a friend cruising with me in December, who wants to buy the top package.  I told this person, it doesn't interest me, because I personally don't look at cruising as a focus to drink !  I like to have fun and I don't want to feel bad the next day.  I don't want the opportunity to drink all I can, just to try and get my money worth !  I had finally convince this person not to buy the package, but now this change.  This person will learn once we are there, but I do not plan to mention the change.  Of course, I do like the coffee/water package, but I drink very little water, and I don't need more calories than I plan to already take in, with special coffee !

I can see a disadvantage to everyone not having to buy the package ... One staying sober while the other choosing a more drunk state.  I can see this causing relationship problems; not particular fun.  Yet, thank goodness cruising is all about each person's choice ... Even folks who want to drink their vacation away ! 

Of course, drinking can be a plus for the cruise lines ... I've noticed, folks often tend to spend more when under the influence.  Jewelry ... gambling ... pictures ... more shots !  I've always said, let folks drink ... Helps lower the cruise price for us who don't see cruising as a drinking opportunity !

The Royal Replenish Package

$20 per guest each day, includes:

• Premium coffee 
• Premium tea 
• Bottled water 
• Sparkling water (375ml) 
• Still water (500ml) 
• Fresh squeezed orange juice 
• Non-alcoholic cocktails
• Fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup

The Select Package

$40 per guest each day, includes:

• Beer 
• Wine by the glass (up to $8 value) 
• Non-alcoholic cocktails 
• Fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup
• 20% discount on purchases of bottles of wine

The Premium Package

$55 per guest each day, includes:

• Call and premium cocktails (up to $10 value) 
• Frozen cocktails 
• Beers 
• Premium wine by the glass (up to $12 value) 
• Non-alcoholic cocktails 
• Still bottled water (500ml) 
• Fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup 
• 20% discount on purchases of bottles of wine

The Ultimate Package

$65 per guest each day, includes:

• Premium coffee 
• Premium tea 
• Bottled water 
• Sparkling water (375ml) 
• Still water (500ml) 
• Fresh squeezed orange juice 
• Call and premium cocktails (up to $10 value) 
• Frozen cocktails 
• Beers 
• Premium wine by the glass (up to $12 value) 
• Non-alcoholic cocktails 
• Fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup 
• 20% discount on purchases of bottles of wine

The other major change to the unlimited alcohol packages is now any eligible guest in a stateroom may purchase a package. This is a change from the previous policy where all eligible guests in a stateroom had to purchase a package. 

The new unlimited beverage packages will be available for guests purchase starting today, November 15th on all ships, and pre-purchase online the first week of December at http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/cruiseEnhancements.do or by calling our pre-cruise planning specialists at 1-800-398-9819. Once available online, you can purchase them approximately 2 months before sail date.

All package prices include the 15% gratuity.  Also the the basic soda package and water package stay intact.

Guests who have already bought a ‘Classic’ package prior to the changes in November/December 2013, will receive the new Select package once on board and a refund to their onboard account for the $5 per day difference in pricing.

Guests who have already bought a ‘Premium’ package prior to the changes in November/December 2013, will receive the new Premium package once on board.  If they wish to upgrade to the new Ultimate package, this can be done at a cost added to their onboard account of the $10 per day difference in pricing.