Have you ever dreamed of sipping a tropical cocktail on the deck of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, but worried about the budget? I know I have! Many people find themselves wondering, how much do drinks cost on Royal Caribbean cruises in 2018, especially when planning their vacation finances. In this guide, we’ll explore the typical drink prices on Royal Caribbean ships back in 2018, covering everything from cocktails to soda, and even the potential savings offered by drink packages. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of what to expect and how to manage your onboard beverage expenses.
Understanding Royal Caribbean’s Drink Prices in 2018
Understanding the drink prices on Royal Caribbean in 2018 is crucial for budgeting your cruise effectively. Back then, knowing the standard costs for various beverages allowed passengers to make informed decisions about whether to purchase individual drinks or invest in a drink package. This section provides a detailed overview of typical prices and factors influencing those costs.
Typical Drink Prices
Here’s a general idea of what you could expect to pay for various drinks on Royal Caribbean in 2018:
- Cocktails: $10 – $14. Premium cocktails with top-shelf liquor often cost more, while classic cocktails were usually on the lower end of the range.
The price varied based on the complexity of the drink and the ingredients used. For instance, a simple rum and coke would be cheaper than a handcrafted martini.
- Beer: $6 – $8. Domestic beers like Budweiser and Coors Light were generally cheaper than imported or craft beers.
The selection of beers varied from ship to ship, but a standard selection was almost always available. Speciality bars often had a wider selection of craft beers.
- Wine (by the glass): $8 – $12. The price of wine by the glass depended on the type and quality of the wine. Premium wines were, of course, more expensive.
House wines were usually the most affordable option. If you planned to drink a lot of wine, purchasing a bottle might have been more cost-effective.
- Soda: $3 – $4. Sodas were typically priced individually, but refillable soda packages were also available.
If you or your family consumed a lot of soda, the soda package was almost certainly worth the investment. It provided unlimited refills throughout the cruise.
- Bottled Water: $3 – $4. Staying hydrated is important, and bottled water was readily available throughout the ship.
Bringing your own reusable water bottle and filling it at water fountains could save money. However, many people prefer the convenience of bottled water.
Factors Influencing Drink Costs
Several factors could influence the cost of drinks on a Royal Caribbean cruise:
- Ship and Itinerary: Prices could slightly vary depending on the specific ship and the itinerary. Some higher-end ships or longer cruises may have had slightly higher prices.
The location of the ship and the ports it visited could also impact prices due to import costs and local taxes. It’s best to check the specific ship and itinerary details for the most accurate information.
- Specialty Bars: Specialty bars, such as the Schooner Bar or Boleros, often offered unique drinks with premium ingredients, leading to higher prices.
These bars often featured live music and a more upscale atmosphere, justifying the higher prices for some passengers. The experience was part of the overall cost.
- Promotions and Happy Hours: Royal Caribbean often offered promotions and happy hour specials, providing opportunities to save money on drinks.
These promotions could include discounted drinks during certain hours or special deals on specific beverages. Keep an eye on the daily cruise planner for these opportunities.
- Currency Exchange Rates: For international cruises, currency exchange rates could influence the final cost of drinks, especially if purchased in a foreign currency.
Be sure to factor in any currency conversion fees or fluctuations when calculating the total cost of drinks. Credit cards often offer the best exchange rates.
Drink Packages on Royal Caribbean in 2018: A Cost-Benefit Analysis
In 2018, Royal Caribbean offered various drink packages that could potentially save money for passengers who consumed a certain amount of beverages. Understanding these packages and their associated costs is vital to determine whether they were a worthwhile investment. This section examines the different drink package options and provides a cost-benefit analysis.
Types of Drink Packages
Royal Caribbean typically offered several drink package options in 2018, each with varying levels of inclusions and prices:
- Ultimate Beverage Package: This was the most comprehensive package, including virtually all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, such as cocktails, beer, wine, soda, specialty coffees, and bottled water.
This package was ideal for passengers who planned to drink a wide variety of beverages throughout the cruise. It provided the most flexibility and potentially the greatest savings for heavy drinkers.
- Deluxe Beverage Package: Another popular alcoholic beverage package, the Deluxe Beverage Package typically included cocktails, beer, wine, soda, and specialty coffees, but may have had some exclusions compared to the Ultimate Beverage Package.
This package offered a good balance between cost and inclusions. It was suitable for passengers who enjoyed cocktails and wine but didn’t necessarily need access to every single beverage option.
- Refreshment Package: This non-alcoholic package included soda, specialty coffees, fresh-squeezed juices, bottled water, and premium teas.
This package was a great option for passengers who didn’t drink alcohol but still wanted unlimited access to a variety of non-alcoholic beverages. It was particularly popular with families and younger travelers.
- Soda Package: The most basic package, the Soda Package provided unlimited soda refills at bars, restaurants, and the Windjammer Marketplace.
This was the most affordable option for passengers who primarily drank soda. It was a good value for families with children who consumed a lot of soda.
Cost-Benefit Scenarios
To determine whether a drink package was worth the investment, consider these cost-benefit scenarios:
- Heavy Drinker: If you planned to drink 5-6 cocktails or alcoholic beverages per day, the Ultimate Beverage Package or Deluxe Beverage Package likely paid for itself.
For example, if each cocktail cost $12 and you drank 5 per day, that’s $60 per day. If the drink package cost less than that, it was a good deal. Also remember that in most cases all adults in the same stateroom had to purchase the same alcoholic drink package.
- Moderate Drinker: If you only had 2-3 alcoholic beverages per day, it might have been more cost-effective to pay individually, especially if you took advantage of happy hour specials.
Consider whether you were likely to drink enough to justify the cost of the package. If you weren’t a big drinker, paying as you go might have been the better option.
- Non-Drinker: The Refreshment Package or Soda Package was a good choice for non-drinkers, providing access to a variety of non-alcoholic beverages without paying individual prices.
These packages were particularly beneficial for families with children who consumed a lot of soda or specialty drinks.
Calculating the Break-Even Point
Here’s how to calculate the break-even point for a drink package:
- Determine the package price: Find the daily cost of the drink package you’re considering.
- Estimate the cost of individual drinks: Calculate the average cost of the drinks you typically consume.
- Divide the package price by the average drink cost: This will give you the number of drinks you need to consume each day to break even.
For example, if the Ultimate Beverage Package cost $70 per day and the average cocktail cost $12, you would need to drink approximately 5.8 cocktails per day to break even. Use this calculation to determine if the package made sense for your consumption habits.
Tips for Saving Money on Drinks in 2018
Even without purchasing a drink package, there were several strategies to save money on drinks during a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2018. By leveraging these tips, passengers could enjoy their favorite beverages without breaking the bank. This section provides practical advice on how to reduce drink expenses onboard.
Take Advantage of Happy Hours and Promotions
Royal Caribbean frequently offered happy hour specials and promotions on drinks. Look out for these opportunities to save money:
- Check the Daily Cruise Planner: The daily cruise planner, available in print or through the Royal Caribbean app, listed daily specials and promotions.
These promotions could include discounted drinks during certain hours or special deals on specific beverages. It’s crucial to check the planner regularly to take advantage of these offers.
- Attend Cocktail Parties: Royal Caribbean often hosted cocktail parties with complimentary drinks.
These parties were a great way to enjoy free drinks and socialize with other passengers. They were usually held in the early evening and provided a festive atmosphere.
- Utilize Loyalty Program Benefits: Crown & Anchor Society members often received drink vouchers or discounts.
The higher your loyalty level, the more benefits you received. Be sure to check your loyalty benefits before the cruise and take advantage of any drink-related perks.
Bring Your Own Beverages (If Allowed)
Royal Caribbean had specific policies regarding bringing your own beverages onboard. While policies change, in 2018, guests were often allowed to bring a limited amount of non-alcoholic beverages:
- Check Royal Caribbean’s Policy: Always check the most up-to-date policy on Royal Caribbean’s website before your cruise.
Policies regarding bringing your own beverages could change, so it’s essential to stay informed. This will prevent any issues when boarding the ship.
- Focus on Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Usually, guests were permitted to bring a limited quantity of sealed, non-alcoholic beverages like soda or water.
This could save money on purchasing these beverages onboard. Just make sure to comply with the size and quantity restrictions outlined in the cruise line’s policy.
Utilize Water Fountains and Complimentary Drinks
There were several ways to access complimentary drinks on Royal Caribbean ships:
- Water Fountains: Utilize the water fountains located throughout the ship to stay hydrated without purchasing bottled water.
Bringing your own reusable water bottle and filling it at these fountains could save a significant amount of money. Staying hydrated is important, especially in warm climates.
- Complimentary Beverages at Meals: Coffee, tea, milk, and juice were typically complimentary during breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the main dining room and Windjammer Marketplace.
Take advantage of these complimentary options to quench your thirst without incurring extra charges. They provided a variety of choices to suit different preferences.
- Diamond Lounge: Diamond and above members of the Crown & Anchor Society had access to the Diamond Lounge, which offered complimentary drinks during certain hours.
If you were a Diamond member or higher, this was a great perk to enjoy free drinks and socialize with other loyal cruisers.
Royal Caribbean Drink Policies in 2018
Understanding Royal Caribbean’s drink policies in 2018 was essential for navigating onboard beverage consumption. These policies covered various aspects, including age restrictions, bringing your own beverages, and responsible drinking guidelines. This section outlines the key drink policies that passengers should be aware of.
Age Restrictions
Royal Caribbean enforced strict age restrictions regarding alcohol consumption:
- Minimum Age: The minimum drinking age was 21 years old in most regions. However, in certain regions, such as Europe and South America, the minimum drinking age might have been 18.
Be prepared to show identification to prove your age when purchasing alcoholic beverages. Royal Caribbean took these regulations very seriously.
- Enforcement: Royal Caribbean crew members were trained to check identification and prevent underage drinking.
Attempting to purchase alcohol for someone underage could result in serious consequences, including confiscation of the alcohol and potential disciplinary action.
Bringing Your Own Alcohol
Royal Caribbean had specific policies regarding bringing your own alcohol onboard:
- Wine Policy: Guests were generally allowed to bring one or two bottles of wine per stateroom upon embarkation, but a corkage fee may have applied if consumed in the main dining room or specialty restaurants.
The corkage fee typically ranged from $15 to $25 per bottle. Consider this fee when deciding whether to bring your own wine or purchase it onboard.
- Hard Liquor: Hard liquor was usually prohibited from being brought onboard. Any hard liquor found in your luggage would be confiscated and returned at the end of the cruise.
This policy was strictly enforced to control alcohol consumption and ensure passenger safety.
Responsible Drinking Guidelines
Royal Caribbean promoted responsible drinking and had guidelines in place to ensure passenger safety:
- Intoxication: Royal Caribbean reserved the right to refuse service to passengers who appeared intoxicated.
This policy was in place to prevent disruptive behavior and ensure a safe environment for all passengers. Be mindful of your alcohol consumption and avoid excessive drinking.
- Providing Alcohol to Minors: It was strictly prohibited to provide alcohol to minors.
This offense could result in severe consequences, including being disembarked from the ship and facing legal charges.
FAQ
Question: How much did a can of soda cost on Royal Caribbean in 2018?
Answer: In 2018, a can of soda on Royal Caribbean typically cost between $3 and $4, excluding any gratuities. If you planned on drinking several sodas a day, a soda package might have been a more economical choice, offering unlimited refills throughout your cruise.
Question: Were there free drinks on Royal Caribbean cruises in 2018?
Answer: Yes, there were some free drinks available. Coffee, tea, milk, and some juices were typically offered free during meals in the main dining room and Windjammer buffet. Also, some loyalty programs offered complimentary drinks during specific events or in designated lounges.
Question: Was the drink package on Royal Caribbean worth it in 2018?
Answer: Whether the drink package was worth it depended on your drinking habits. If you consumed several alcoholic beverages per day (around 5-6), the drink package likely saved you money. However, if you only had a couple of drinks or preferred non-alcoholic options, paying individually might have been more cost-effective.
Question: What happened if I tried to sneak alcohol on board a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2018?
Answer: If you were caught trying to sneak alcohol on board, it would likely be confiscated and returned to you at the end of the cruise. Repeated attempts or large quantities could result in more severe consequences, such as being disembarked from the ship. It’s always best to adhere to the cruise line’s alcohol policies.
Question: How did gratuities work on drink purchases on Royal Caribbean in 2018?
Answer: Typically, an automatic gratuity was added to each drink purchase, usually around 18%. This covered the service provided by the bartenders and waitstaff. Drink packages usually included gratuities, so you wouldn’t be charged extra for each drink.
Question: Did Royal Caribbean offer any non-alcoholic drink packages in 2018?
Answer: Yes, Royal Caribbean offered non-alcoholic drink packages, such as the Refreshment Package and the Soda Package. The Refreshment Package included soda, specialty coffees, fresh-squeezed juices, bottled water, and premium teas. The Soda Package provided unlimited soda refills.
Final Thoughts
Navigating the drink costs on Royal Caribbean cruises in 2018 involved understanding individual prices, evaluating drink package options, and utilizing money-saving strategies. By being informed about the typical costs, potential savings, and relevant policies, you could enjoy your favorite beverages responsibly and within your budget. Remember to check for the latest deals and promotions to make the most of your cruising experience. Cheers to smooth sailing and smart spending!