Royal Caribbean has reportedly brought back an exemption to its drink package rule while attaching penalties for guests who abuse beverage packages by sharing them. The change was discussed in a podcast published on September 9, 2026, and it matters to anyone pricing up drinks before a sailing.
Drink packages can make cruise budgeting easier, but they are purchased for an individual guest, not for a cabin, family or group. Passing a drink to someone else may look harmless when everyone is sitting at the same table, but cruise lines treat it as misuse of the package.
What Has Changed With Royal Caribbean’s Drink Package Rule?
Royal Caribbean has reportedly reinstated a drink package exemption that had previously been removed, while also introducing repercussions for passengers found abusing drink packages. That is a useful change for eligible non-drinkers, but it is not a green light for one person’s package to quietly serve the whole cabin.
The available details do not explain every circumstance covered by the exemption or specify the exact penalties that may apply. Holidaymakers should therefore check the drink-package terms shown during their own booking process and in Royal Caribbean’s cruise documents, as rules can vary by sailing, departure port and guest circumstances.
Why Drink Package Sharing Is a Problem
Royal Caribbean’s beverage packages are designed around one person’s consumption. A drinks package attached to one guest’s SeaPass account does not give that guest permission to order drinks for a partner, friend or teenager travelling with them.
Cruise staff can see package purchases through the guest account used to place the order. Repeatedly ordering drinks and immediately handing them to another passenger is the sort of behaviour that can draw attention. It is not a clever way around the rules; it can turn a relaxing holiday purchase into an awkward conversation at the bar.
The reported return of penalties suggests Royal Caribbean wants to deter deliberate sharing, particularly where one guest buys a package for a cabin and supplies drinks to others. Anyone considering a package should budget on the basis that each person drinking from it must hold their own eligible package.
What the Exemption Could Mean for Couples and Families
The exemption is likely to be most relevant for cabins where one adult does not drink alcohol, has medical reasons to avoid it, is pregnant, is in recovery or simply does not want an alcohol package. The precise eligibility rules should be confirmed with Royal Caribbean before paying, because a verbal assumption at the time of booking is not much help once the ship has sailed.
Ask what alternative package, if any, the non-drinking adult must buy; whether the exemption applies to your exact sailing; and whether it needs to be arranged before embarkation. Keep a written record of the response, especially if you are booking through a travel agent.
Families comparing a cruise with a land-based Caribbean break may also find our guide to the best Caribbean islands for families useful when weighing up the overall cost and pace of each type of holiday.
How To Avoid Problems On Board
- Read the terms before buying. Check the package inclusions, exclusions, service-charge treatment and sharing policy attached to your particular sailing.
- Arrange any exemption in advance. Contact Royal Caribbean or your booking agent before departure if someone in the cabin should not be included in an alcohol-package requirement.
- Use your account only for your own drinks. Order separately when buying a drink for a partner or friend who does not have a package.
- Keep expectations realistic. A package may not be worthwhile for light drinkers, especially on port-intensive itineraries when much of the day is spent ashore.
- Check the final confirmation. Make sure the booking shows the correct package or exemption before you board.
Should You Still Buy a Royal Caribbean Drink Package?
A drink package suits guests who expect to order enough included beverages each day to justify the upfront cost and who prefer a predictable onboard spend. It is less appealing for light drinkers, passengers who mostly drink water, coffee or soft drinks, and holidaymakers with long port days.
Do the maths using the package price displayed for your sailing, then compare it with the drinks you genuinely expect to buy. Include sea days, specialty dining, time ashore and any beverages that sit outside the package limits. A package bought solely so another person can use it is now an especially poor gamble given the reported enforcement action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Royal Caribbean Guests Share a Drink Package?
No. Royal Caribbean drink packages are for the individual guest who bought them. Ordering drinks for another passenger with your package can be treated as abuse of the package rules.
What Happens If Someone Shares a Royal Caribbean Drink Package?
Royal Caribbean has reportedly attached penalties to drink package abuse. The available details do not specify those penalties, so passengers should review the current terms for their sailing before boarding.
Can One Person in a Cabin Be Exempt From a Drink Package?
Royal Caribbean has reportedly restored an exemption, but eligibility and any alternative-package requirement should be confirmed directly with the cruise line or booking agent. Do this before travel, not at the bar on embarkation day.
Is a Drink Package Worth It for a Short Cruise?
A drink package can work on a short cruise with several sea days and regular onboard drinking. For a port-heavy itinerary or a light drinker, paying per drink may cost less.
