Royal Caribbean has made a quiet but important change to its beverage packages.
Beginning March 15, 2026, Coca-Cola souvenir cups and access to Coca-Cola Freestyle machines are no longer automatically included with:
- The Deluxe Beverage Package
- The Refreshment Package
Guests who wish to use Coca-Cola Freestyle machines will now need to purchase a souvenir cup onboard for $4.99.
Who Is Grandfathered In?
If you purchased your Deluxe or Refreshment package on or before March 15, 2026, Royal Caribbean has confirmed that you are grandfathered in.
That means:
- You will still receive the Coca-Cola souvenir cup.
- You will still have Freestyle machine access during your sailing.
This applies even if your cruise sails after March 15, 2026.
What Is NOT Changing
This is important because people are misunderstanding it.
You can still get soda with:
- The Classic Soda Package
- The Refreshment Package
- The Deluxe Beverage Package
You can order fountain soda or canned soda at:
- Bars
- Windjammer
- Main Dining Room
- Cafés
- Other onboard venues that serve soda
What changed is specifically Freestyle machine access without buying the chip-enabled cup.
Why This Matters
For some cruisers, this won’t matter at all.
Many guests:
- Never used the Freestyle machines
- Preferred ordering from the bar
- Ended up bringing unused souvenir cups home
But for families or heavy soda drinkers who relied on quick self-serve access, this is a small reduction in package value.
If you are calculating whether the Refreshment or Deluxe package is worth it, this change should be factored into your math.
FAQs
Does the Deluxe Beverage Package still include soda?
Yes. The Deluxe Beverage Package still includes fountain soda and canned soda ordered from bars and dining venues.
What it no longer includes (after March 15, 2026) is automatic Coca-Cola Freestyle machine access.
Does the Refreshment Package still include soda?
Yes. The Refreshment Package still includes soda from bars and restaurants.
Freestyle access now requires purchasing a $4.99 souvenir cup onboard (unless you are grandfathered in).
Does the Classic Soda Package still include the Freestyle cup?
Yes. As of now, the Classic Soda Package still includes the Coca-Cola souvenir cup and Freestyle machine access.
How much is the Coca-Cola souvenir cup now?
$4.99 onboard. The cup contains a microchip that activates the Freestyle machine for the duration of your cruise only. If you activate it on the ship by using it in the machine, it cannot be reused on future sailings.
Can I use my old Coca-Cola Freestyle cup from a previous cruise?
No. Each cup is programmed for that specific sailing and cannot be reused on future cruises.
Do all Royal Caribbean ships have Freestyle machines?
No. Freestyle machines are not available on:
- Brilliance of the Seas
- Serenade of the Seas
- Spectrum of the Seas
- Vision of the Seas
Availability may vary by ship.
Is Royal Caribbean reducing drink package value?
Technically, yes — slightly.
The removal of the included Freestyle cup reduces the perceived value of the Refreshment and Deluxe packages.
However, for many cruisers who rarely used the machines, this change may not significantly impact their experience.
My Take
If you’re someone who:
- Rarely drinks soda
- Prefers ordering from the bar
- Primarily buys the Deluxe package for alcohol
This change likely won’t affect you much.
If you relied heavily on Freestyle machines for quick refills, this is something to factor in when deciding which beverage package to purchase.
Want help deciding if a Royal Caribbean drink package is worth it?
Watch my full breakdown here:
Charity Bradley 🌺 
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