Be careful because just because items are bundled together does not mean the cruise line is offering a deal.
It has the Classic Soda package, which is literally just soda, and the Refreshment Package, which includes soda, juice, water, premium coffee, milkshakes, mocktails, and really anything that’s not alcohol. On the alcoholic side, it has sold the Deluxe Beverage Package (DBP), which is every drink on the menu up to $14.
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At various points in the past, Royal Caribbean has sold a package that bundles the DBP and a single-device internet connection. And, on rare occasions, the cruise line has offered a ten-drink card for sale onboard that usually costs $10. It also sometimes sells a ten-drink coffee card, which is unique because it can be used across multiple trips.
Prices for all of the cruise line’s drink packages are dynamic. There’s no set base price, and Royal Caribbean advertises it at percentage discounts. That’s very confusing for passengers looking to book the best price.
In a broad sense, only the bottom line, per day price matters. Anything under $75 per day is a good deal on a short sailing, while $70 and under would be high value on a 7-day or longer sailing. Royal Caribbean does allow passengers to cancel the package and buy it again if the price drops, but refunds can take up to 10 days to process.
Now, in advance of Black Friday, Royal Caribean has rolled out a new sale, which includes three new bundled drink packages.
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Royal Caribbean drink packages work on its private island.
Image source: Daniel Kline/ComeCruiseWithMe
Royal Caribbean adds new drink package for CocoCay trips
Without any fanfare, Royal Caribean has created three new packages that bundle the DBP, Zoom, and an added-fee Perfect Day at CocoCay experience. The packages include:
Thrill Big Package: This package includes three of our favorite vacation essentials: Deluxe Beverage Package, Voom Surf + Stream Internet – 1 Device, and Thrill Waterpark Full Day Pass. That package is listed at $114.99 per person per day plus an 18% gratuity. Chill Big Package: This package includes three of our favorite vacation essentials: Deluxe Beverage Package, Voom Surf + Stream Internet – 1 Device, and Coco Beach Club Day Pass. Relax at our exclusive private retreat, Coco Beach Club at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Royal Caribbean lists that package at $123.99 per person per day plus an 18% gratuity.Party Big Package: This package includes three of our favorite vacation essentials: Deluxe Beverage Package, Voom Surf + Stream Internet – 1 Device, and Hideaway Beach Day Pass. That package is listed at $108.99 per person per day plus an 18% gratuity.
All of these prices are based on a 4-day Allure of the Seas sailing in January. The same sailing shows the following prices for each package item on its own:
Deluxe Beverage Package: $62.99Zoom Surf + Stream Internet: $20.99 per dayHideaway Beach: $48.99 per personCocoCay Beach Club: $103.99 per personThrills Waterpark: $78,99
All services will also have an 18% gratuity added per day. Prices will vary by ship, passenger, and day.
On the surface, all of these individual prices are lower than what Royal Caribbean usually charges.
Are Royal Caribbeans’s news packages a good deal?
In a broad sense, these packages seem like good deals. The problem is, at least on this ship, for this passenger, at this time, the cost of buying each item separately is cheaper than the package.
That makes the cost of buying each item solo with Zoom and the DBP:
Hideaway Beach: $96.22 per day (cheaper than the $108.99 Party Big Package).Thrill Waterpark: $103.72 per day (cheaper than the $114.99 Thrill Big Package)CocoCay Beach Club: $109.97 (cheaper than the $123.99 Chill Big Package.
Overall, the price for each item is lower than what you usually see, but the package deals are not worth it. (You add the per-day price of the DBP and Zoom, then 1/4 of the CocoCay experience price, to determine what you’re paying per day when buying each item on its own.
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But just because these packages are not a good deal on this sailing at this moment does not mean these bundles will never be good deals. You will have to do the math on your sailing to see what the best way to purchase these items is.
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