Royal Caribbean makes an unpopular change to its bar menus
The cruise line has very quietly done something that passengers will not like.
Cruisers, especially those sailing with Royal Caribbean, spend a lot of time thinking about whether or not to buy the drink package. It's a bigger challenge for Royal Caribbean cruisers because the cruise line uses variable prices for its Deluxe Beverage Package (DBP).
That means that the price of the package, which includes all-you-can-drink soda, bottled water, specialty coffee, beer, wine, and liquor can vary quite a bit. It may be easy to justify purchasing the DBP when it sells for $60 a day, but much harder to make the math work when it's closer to $100 per day.
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In addition, you have to buy the DBP for the entire length of your cruise and every adult over 21 in your cabin must purchase it if one wants to buy it. You can substitute a Refreshment Package (all-you-can-drink minus alcohol) for non-drinkers 21-and-over, but that requires calling the cruise line.
Most people do some basic math before they make the decision to buy (or not buy) the DBP. They look at how many drinks they are likely to consumer each day with the numbers rising the fastest for anyone who drinks cocktails.
Royal Caribbean, however, recently made a decision that changes the math for people consider whether or not to buy the DBP.
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Royal Caribbean raises cocktail prices
One of the nice things about the DBP is that it covers every drink on the menus at Royal Caribbean's bars with very limited exceptions. Aside from certain higher-priced liquors generally not consumed in cocktails, and drinks served in pineapples or novelty glasses, there are no upcharges.
That's not the case on sister line Celebrity Cruises where most of the bars have a couple of drinks that cost more than what the drink package covers. To be fair, these tend to be smoked drinks, or other beverages which take a lot of effort, but it's frustrating to have a drink package and still have to pay up.
Most cruisers buy the DBP on Royal Caribbean if they think it's going to be either a clear savings or close to breakeven. Even if you don't "beat' the drink package, there's still value in the peace of mind that comes from not having to track what you're drinking.
That does not just apply to alcohol, those $6 fancy coffees and even pricier smoothies or fresh-squeezed juices adds up fast.
Now, however, Royal Caribbean has changed the math for the DBP by raising the price of many of its cocktails.
Royal Caribbean changes the DBP calculation
Royal Caribbean has quietly raised the price of many onboard cocktails to $15. The Deluxe Beverage Package still covers those drinks, meaning its top beverage price has also gone up $1 from $14 to $15, according to a report from Royal Caribbean Blog.
It's a small change that also changes the math for people buying the DBP. That extra dollar over 5 cocktails per day is only $35 on a 7-day cruise, but it's still a meaningful change. A passenger who was on the fence about buying the DBP might be tipped into doing it, or against doing it by the price change.
On one hand, buying drinks a la carte costs more which makes having unlimited drinks more valuable.
Royal Caribbean drink vouchers which are given daily to Diamond-and-higher Crown and Anchor loyalty program members can now be used on drinks that cost up to $15. That's an increase from $14 previously.
When buying a Royal Caribbean drink package it's always cheapest to buy before your cruise, The price varies, but on the ship it could cost as much as $110 per person, per day. All drink packages are taxed and have an 18% gratuity added.
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