Royal Caribbean drink packages aren't cheap, but there is a loophole that people that cruise all the time take advantage of.
The cruise line has strict rules in place regarding its beverage packages because of how prevalent drink package cheating was at one point. In fact, Royal Caribbean held out longer than most other lines before lamenting and adding their own restrictions.
The requirement is if you buy the Deluxe Beverage package, which is the one that includes all the alcoholic drinks, that all other adults in the cabin must do so as well.
That creates problems for adults who don't drink much or at all.
While this seems like a brick wall of red tape, there is a workaround.
The system forces adults to buy the drink package
When you go into the Royal Caribbean app or website to buy a drink package, you'll see quickly the issue.
If you add the Deluxe Beverage Package for one adult, it forces you to buy it for other adults in the same cabin as you.
There is no such rule for the Royal Refreshment Package or the Soda Package. Also, kids aren't required to get a drink package at all if adults in the same cabin do.
For many families, this means mom and dad must buy it if one of them wants it.
But what if one of the adults prefers not to drink? Or is pregnant? Or has a medical condition?
There's a loophole that can get you out of the problem.
Call Royal Caribbean and explain the issue
While the website doesn't bend on the rule, the cruise line representatives do.
You can call Royal Caribbean at 1-866-562-7625 to tell them one of the adults doesn't want the drink package as well.
They won't let that person completely off the hook, but they will allow that other adult to buy the lower cost Royal Refreshment Package.
This is the non-alcoholic drink package and it's a fraction of the price of the more expensive one. On my upcoming sailing, that's over $30 per day savings.
Technically, it's not an official policy of the cruise line. So it's possible this wouldn't work.
However, it's been my experience for years they've honored it as long as you're willing to call in and book it.
And you don't have to lie about the reason either. Royal Caribbean won't ask for proof or documentation, so no need to pretend someone is pregnant or has a terrible medical condition if it's not true.
Simply ask for the Refreshment package instead of the Deluxe package.
Book adults in another cabin
My favorite loophole for the drink package rule is when you have more than one cabin for your family.
Often my family will sail in separate cabins because it's one of my favorite family cruise hacks. Booking connecting/adjacent rooms gives my wife and I separation from the kids, as well as an extra bathroom and far more privacy for all of us.
I always have my travel agent book me with one kid, and my wife with the other kid.
Royal Caribbean doesn't care who actually sleeps in which cabin once on the cruise. This is all just paperwork.
With this scenario, my wife is in another cabin and I only have to pay for the Deluxe Beverage Package for myself instead of her too.
Don't be temped to try to sneak drinks on instead
Some people see the high prices of a drink package or these rules and decide cheating the system is the next option, but this is a terrible idea.
Sneaking alcohol onboard is playing with fire, and if you're caught, there could be all sorts of consequences beyond simply confiscating what you have.
I'd argue sneaking booze on means you're also relegated to going back to your room constantly for refills. The last thing I want to do when I'm having a good time at a bar, show, or casino is have to get up and walk back to my room to get a drink.
Wait for a good sale and then take advantage of the loophole
The best strategy is to combine this loophole with my drink package money saving tip.
Royal Caribbean runs sales and promos all the time for pre-cruise purchases. Keep an eye out for one of the sales that discounts drink packages as much as 40% off the onboard price.
Then call in and ask for the drink package, but also ask for the Refreshment package for the other adults who don't want the Deluxe package.
This strategy will save you money in two ways and not get you in trouble with the cruise line.
