Unlimited drink packages on cruises aren't always a great deal. After 50+ voyages, I know better than to buy them.

Amanda AdlerJun 27, 2023, 18:12 IST

I went on a seven-night cruise aboard the Symphony of the Seas, a ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet, and tracked what I spent on drinks.Amanda Adler

I've been on over 50 cruises and almost never spring for the onboard unlimited drink packages.
On a recent sail, I compared the cost of my à la carte drinks to the prices of the drink bundles.

When I'm on vacation, I enjoy imbibing cocktails by the pool, sipping wine with dinner, and savoring evening nightcaps. But after sailing on more than 50 cruises, you'll never see me spend money on an unlimited drink package.

Many of them don't end up being economical, even for someone like me, who likes to have at least a couple of drinks each day.

So on a recent trip aboard Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, I logged all of the à la carte beverages my three-person family ordered on the ship to see how the overall cost compared to the drink-package prices.

Royal Caribbean has several drink-package options that include both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

The top-tier drink package includes unlimited alcoholic beverages at the ship’s many bars.Amanda Adler

Usually, if one person buys a drink package, everyone else in their stateroom has to as well. Plus, the package's listed price typically doesn't include gratuity.

Royal Caribbean has robot bartenders, and they charged an automatic gratuity fee during our trip.Amanda Adler

If you don't buy a package ahead of time, you can buy one on the ship. Just know that it'll probably cost you more money.

The packages were cheaper ahead of embarkation.Amanda Adler

I brought my own wine on the ship and found several ways to cut down on drinking costs.

Free beverages included coffee, tea, flavored waters, and more.Amanda Adler

I would've had to drink about eight beers a day to break even on this ship's deluxe package.

The best value on the ship was this pitcher of beer, which cost $18.Amanda Adler

The Starbucks kiosk on the Symphony of the Seas wasn't covered by the deluxe package, which surprised me.

Specialty coffees from the Starbucks kiosk cost extra and were not covered by any drink package.Amanda Adler

The drink package does have some pros, as it allows for a more carefree ordering experience.

I ordered a mudslide on the Symphony of the Seas and quickly realized I didn't like it.Amanda Adler

However, I saved a lot of money by not purchasing the drink package, and I wasn't tempted to drink an excessive amount.

I tallied up my drinks during a recent cruise and spent less than I would've on a deluxe drink package.Amanda Adler

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