Ah, the open sea. The gentle sway of the ship beneath your feet. The endless horizon before you. The crashing waves. And of course, the promise of an endless, all-you-can-drink supply of cocktails, beers, specialty coffee and smoothies. Welcome to my experience with the Deluxe Beverage Package on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas - where you’re encouraged to drink as if you’ve been parched for a decade. Was it the best decision I ever made? Well, if you define “best decision” as “I can’t feel my feet and I’m pretty sure I danced like a giraffe on a trampoline,” then absolutely.
The Tempting Offer: A Flood of Notifications and Deals
It all began innocently enough. The first time I opened my Royal Caribbean app, I thought I was just going to check out the layout, get an idea of what the app could do to enhance my sailing. But no. What I found instead was a barrage of notifications about the drink package. I wasn’t looking for it—I wasn’t even sure what it was—but apparently, the app knew I was a fan of cocktails, and it was determined to make me a believer.
The first alert: “BOGO 50% off your Beverage Package!” At first, I thought, “Who needs two drink packages?” Then I realized the app was slyly making me purchase a drink package for my better half, because I’m guessing others have abused the beverage package offerings with adults sharing the same cabin. There’s no cheating the system at sea! So I thought, maybe – just maybe there will be a better deal if I hold out! The next week, the app dropped another bombshell: “20% off your Beverage Package—Limited Time Offer!” And like a moth to a very strong margarita, I couldn’t resist. But…was there going to be a better offer? I’ve already gotten two different deals within a 2 week period!?
The real kicker was when I received the ultimate deal: “30% off your Beverage Package! Purchase now before it's gone!” At this point, I was practically handing my credit card over before I even knew what I was buying. I mean, I paid for the cruise; why not pay for unlimited cocktails too? Honestly, the app was relentless. The deals were so frequent, I half-expected to be woken up by a notification in the middle of the night: “BUY NOW, DRINK LATER!”
Ultimately, I couldn’t resist. I pulled the trigger on the 30% off deal, convinced I was getting away with a major steal. I’m still not sure if it was a deal or if Royal Caribbean just understood the depths of my love for cocktails, but either way, I was in.
The Reality of the Drink Package: More Than I Expected (And More Than I Needed)
And then it hit me. I now had a Deluxe Beverage Package— now, was the time to see if I could actually consume all the beverages that were available to me. Spoiler alert: I could. Oh, I could.
As I boarded the Wonder of the Seas, I was ready. A quick scan of the ship revealed that there were approximately 7,000 places to get a drink. But first, let’s talk about the actual bars, because this ship doesn’t just serve you drinks—it presents you with options. And when you have choices, you make mistakes.
- The Lime & Coconut – A beachy, laid-back vibe that screams "vacation mode." Located near the pool decks, this is the perfect spot for a frozen margarita, piña colada, or their signature drink Lime & Coconut, a cocktail that is served in a mini beach bucket! I may or may not have ordered one just to see how delicious it was... Spoiler alert: one turned into two, which turned into three, and suddenly I was questioning my life choices at the bar.
- The Mason Jar – I came here looking for something elevated. Maybe a bourbon or something fancy like a Mint Julep. What I got was more fried chicken than I’m comfortable admitting (I was on vacation, don’t judge). I washed it down with their signature No Joke Smoke & Coke and pretended I was in the South, singing along to the wickedly good 3-piece country rock band. The bourbon was good though—don’t get me wrong.
- The Bionic Bar – Robots that make your drinks. Need I say more? It’s like watching a tiny R2-D2 put together a perfect martini. I ordered a Dirty Shirley just to see how it went down. The robots did not disappoint, though I can’t say the same for my dancing skills later that night.
- Boleros – If you're into Latin-inspired cocktails and a dance floor that occasionally erupts into spontaneous salsa, Boleros is your place. I enjoyed a few very strong mojitos and debated whether I could ever be a salsa dancer—news flash: I can't. But it’s all part of the experience!
- The Schooner Bar – I wandered into the Schooner Bar hoping for a classic drink and a little peace and quiet. What I got was a Rum Old Fashioned that was so good, I briefly considered marrying it. It was smooth, smoky, and the perfect balance of sweet and strong. The nautical decor made me feel like I should be wearing a captain’s hat (see picture at the end…I’m qualified, right?), and the live pianist tickling the ivories to all those Elton John and Billy Joel toe tapping classics! I may or may not have ordered a second Rum Old Fashioned... purely for the live entertainment, of course.
- The Cask & Clipper – If you’re into beers or just like the idea of pretending you’re at an English pub, this is your spot. The Guinness? Smooth. The lager? Crisp. My experience here was largely spent consuming beers and engaging in deep philosophical conversations with myself about the meaning of life. I spent a few afternoons here, drinking in the atmosphere, people watching on the main promenade, listening to the live pub music and, um, a lot of pints.
- The Rising Tide Bar – Here's where things really get cool. The Rising Tide Bar is literally a bar that moves between three decks. I felt like I was living in a James Bond movie, only with fewer explosions and more gin and tonics. I swirled my drink, admired the view, and thought, “If I was ever going to order an overpriced martini while feeling like a secret agent, this is the moment.”
Other Places to Get a Beverage: The Coffee, The Smoothies, The "I’m Just Hydrating" Drinks
Of course, it wasn’t all about the booze. (OK, it was mostly about the booze, but there were moments of clarity.) The package also covers your specialty coffee, tea, soda, bottled water and smoothies, so you’re basically in a state of constant hydration, with just a touch of caffeine-induced anxiety. Let’s explore:
- Café Promenade – The ship’s answer to Starbucks. It’s a cozy little spot where you can grab a specialty coffee (I needed my morning americano and iced mochas) and people-watch. I didn’t just drink coffee here—I worked my way through the pastries like they were going out of style. Pro tip: You haven’t truly lived until you’ve ordered a caramel macchiato at 10 a.m. and then immediately followed it up with a dirty martini at 11 a.m. It’s the perfect life balance.
- Vitality Café – Here, they give you the illusion of being healthy. I loved this place because I could grab a smoothie or a protein shake and pretend that all the vodka in my system was being neutralized by the kale and spinach. Is that how it works? Probably not. But it felt good to tell myself that I was “balancing out” my piña colada with a strawberry-banana smoothie.
- The Pool Bars – These are where I went to get my daily (ok, hourly) dose of frozen cocktails. I was living my best life, drink in hand, toes in the water, all while pretending that this was the life I was meant to live. If you’re a fan of tropical drinks with little umbrellas, these are your people.
- The Solarium Bar – This is for those moments when you’re in need of a peaceful, adult-only escape. Here, you can enjoy your favorite cocktail in a more tranquil environment, where you can pretend that you’re the most sophisticated person on the ship (and you might be). I ordered a morning mimosa and took a moment to reflect on my life choices, mostly whether or not I could pull off wearing socks and sandals.
- The Beach Bar (Private Island) – If you take a trip to Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, you’ll find plenty of bars there too. And let me tell you, a beachside piña colada while you’re dipping your toes in the sand? Heaven.
The 18% Gratuity: The Unspoken Add-On
So, let’s talk about that mandatory 18% gratuity that gets added to your drink package purchase. At first, I thought it was a bonus discount. Nope. It’s the tip. A tip for every drink. Now, I'm a fan of tipping—don't get me wrong—but when I saw that 18% already added to the total of my daily package, I had one thought: Is this a hidden fee or just part of the “ultimate” experience? In the end, I realized it was actually a very reasonable way to make sure the bartenders get their well-earned thanks and to enjoy an ultimate care free, swipe my card and drink vacation! If you're buying a drink without the package, they’ll tack on an automatic 18% tip to your bill—so really, it's like the drink package was included all along!
Was It Worth It?
By the time I had my tenth Lime & Coconut (just an estimate, obviously and I really liked those mini buckets), I was feeling… well, let’s say very relaxed. The drink package was undoubtedly worth it for me. The key to making it worth your while is to go in with a game plan: Do you like trying every drink under the sun? Are you OK with the possibility of spending a little too much time on the dance floor at Boleros? Then yes, it’s absolutely worth it.
If you’re a more casual drinker, though, the math might not quite add up. You’ve got to drink a fair amount to hit the break-even point (about 4-5 adult drinks a day), but if you’re someone who likes a cocktail with every meal (guilty) and enjoys the occasional poolside rum punch (also guilty), then this package is your ticket to vacation bliss. But don’t forget, the Deluxe Beverage Package also includes your morning cup of “Starbucks” java at Café Promenade, you’re post work out smoothies or protein drinks (HA who’s actually working out), unlimited soda and bottled water!
Will I do it again? Heck yes. But next time, I’m leaving my "I’m the captain now" moment at the door—and maybe taking a break before that fifth mojito. Until then, I'll just enjoy the memories of a ship that knew me a little too well. But I'm keepin' my hat!
Cheers to the next adventure! And after you're first drink get a second, because we all know…a bird can’t fly on one wing!
