you’ve been cruising Royal Caribbean for a while, you probably know the drink package rule—if one adult in the stateroom buys the Deluxe Beverage Package, the other adult has to buy it too.

But until now, there was one exception: you could call in to request an exemption if the other adult didn’t drink.

That option? Gone.

@charityky

If you’re cruising Royal Caribbean soon and planning to get the deluxe beverage package save this so you won’t be surprised later. Royal Caribbean made a major change to the exception policy for this drink package #royalcaribbean #deluxebeveragepackage

♬ original sound – Charity🌺Family.Travel.Points.

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What Changed

Starting August 1, Royal Caribbean no longer allows guests to call for special approval. Now, if one person in a cabin wants the alcohol package, both adults must purchase it—no exceptions.

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Why the Loophole Existed

The exemption was originally for situations like:

• Guests in recovery
• Expectant mothers
• Religious restrictions
• Medical conditions

The idea was to be fair for those who truly wouldn’t benefit from a beverage package.

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Why Royal Caribbean Closed It

From a business perspective, this is about revenue protection. Beverage packages are one of the biggest onboard money-makers.

Over time, more people learned about the loophole. Some called in to avoid buying the second package, then shared drinks with their travel companion—something Royal’s policy prohibits.

At that point, the cruise line had two options:

1. Keep the loophole and risk lost revenue
2. Tighten the rule and frustrate some guests

They chose option #2.

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What This Means for You

If you’re a light drinker or traveling with someone who doesn’t drink, this could change your onboard strategy.

Without the exemption, you’ll need to:

• Buy two packages
• Skip the package and pay à la carte for drinks
• Look for built-in perks (like Diamond member drinks or suite benefits)

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Is It Fair?

It depends on your perspective. For some, this feels like punishing everyone for the actions of a few. For others, it’s a reasonable step to stop policy abuse.

Either way, it’s a strategic move for Royal Caribbean’s bottom line.

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💬 Your Turn:

• Should exceptions still exist for medical or religious reasons?
• Would you rather pay per drink than buy two packages?
• Have you ever used the exemption before? How did it work for you?

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📌 Pro Tip: If you’re cruising soon, save this article so you’re not caught off guard by the rule change.