You’re standing at the Schooner Bar. The smell of gunpower and oiled wood—okay, it’s mostly just toasted oak and lime—is everywhere. You look at the royal caribbean drink menu and feel that familiar panic. Do I get the Deluxe Beverage Package? Is that $14 cocktail actually worth it? Or am I just paying for the tiny umbrella?
Honestly, navigating the liquid side of a Royal Caribbean cruise is basically a sport. It’s not just about picking a beer. It’s about knowing that a Labadoozie tastes different when you're on the sand in Haiti than it does when you're staring at a spreadsheet in a cubicle. Most people assume the menu is the same across the entire fleet. It isn't. The menu on Wonder of the Seas has tech-heavy bionic blends that you won't find on the smaller, saltier Grandeur of the Seas.
What the Royal Caribbean Drink Menu Actually Looks Like
If you’ve seen one menu, you’ve seen... well, maybe 60% of them. The "Core Menu" is the backbone. This is where you’ll find the classics like the Lime & Coconut, which has become the unofficial mascot of the pool deck. It’s creamy. It’s cold. It’s basically a vacation in a plastic cup.
But here is the thing: the prices have been creepier than a ghost ship lately. A few years ago, you could snag most cocktails for $12. Now? You’re looking at $14 as the standard baseline. If you’re on a newer ship like Icon of the Seas, don't be shocked to see specialty spirits pushing that even higher.
The Heavy Hitters: Poolside and Main Bars
The pool bar is where the "vacation mode" happens. You'll see the Piña Colada, the Strawberry Daiquiri, and the Miami Vice (which is just the first two swirled together because humans are geniuses).
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Then there’s the Gozumel Sunrise. It’s bright. It’s sugary. It’ll give you a headache if you have three, but man, that first one is perfect.
But let’s talk about the Schooner Bar for a second. This is the "adults are talking" bar. The menu here is focused on dark spirits and classics. Their Old Fashioned is legit. They use Buffalo Trace usually, though you can upgrade if you have the package or a heavy wallet. The Lavender Martini is the sleeper hit here. It sounds like soap. It tastes like a garden party.
The Weird Stuff: Bionic Bars and Mason Jars
Royal Caribbean loves a gimmick. I say that with love. The Bionic Bar features two robotic arms that mix your drinks. You order on an iPad. You watch the robots dance. The menu here is infinite because you can custom-make a drink, but the "signature" robot drinks are often a bit too sweet. It’s more about the TikTok video than the mixology.
If you are on an Oasis-class ship, find The Mason Jar. This is southern-themed and the drink menu is wild. They have a PB&J Old Fashioned. Yes. Peanut butter whiskey, blackberry jam, and bitters. It sounds like a mistake. It tastes like childhood and bad decisions in the best way possible.
- The Velvet Lemonade: Spiked with vodka and topped with a sprig of rosemary.
- Far From Home: A smoky, mezcal-based drink that feels very "Pacific Northwest" for a Caribbean cruise.
- Mississippi Mary: It has a piece of fried chicken in it. Enough said.
Dealing With the "Value" Question
Is the drink package worth it? That’s the $80-a-day question.
If you aren't a heavy hitter, you're paying for peace of mind. The royal caribbean drink menu prices are designed to make the package look like a steal. If a cocktail is $14 and a beer is $8, you have to drink about five or six cocktails a day just to break even. That sounds easy on day one. By day five, your liver is asking for a truce.
Don't forget the "hidden" drinks. The Cafe Promenade has spiked coffees. The Vitality Cafe has smoothies that are included in some packages but cost $8+ otherwise.
The Beer Situation
It’s not all colorful syrups. The beer menu is... fine. You’ve got your basics: Bud Light, Miller Lite, Stella, and Corona. If you want something better, look for the Royal Swill. It’s their private-label beer often found at the English Pubs (like the Wig & Gavel or Copper & Pig). It’s an Amber Ale. It’s reliable. It’s better than a lukewarm Heineken.
Wine Lovers, Beware
Wine is where the menu gets tricky. Most wines by the glass fit under the $14 package limit. But the "good" stuff? The Napa cabs or the fancy French rosés? You’ll pay the difference. If a glass is $17 and your package covers $14, they’ll charge your SeaPass card $3 plus gratuity.
Zero Proof: The Mocktail Revolution
Honestly, the non-alcoholic side of the royal caribbean drink menu has improved massively. It used to just be "virgin" versions of sugary drinks. Now, they use Seedlip and other non-alcoholic spirits.
The Blueberry No-jito is a standout. It’s fresh mint, lime, blueberries, and soda. It looks exactly like a real cocktail, so nobody asks you why you aren't drinking at 11 AM.
What You Need to Know About Gratuities
Royal Caribbean adds an automatic 18% gratuity to every single drink. If the menu says $14, you are actually paying $16.52. This catches a lot of people off guard. If you buy the drink package ahead of time, you pay the 18% up front, which saves you from doing math while tipsy.
The Secret Menu (Sorta)
There isn't a secret "black book" of drinks, but the bartenders are usually bored. If the bar isn't slammed, ask for something off-menu.
The Labadoozie is the famous drink of Labadee, but you can usually get a version of it on the ship if you ask. It’s a frozen blend of fruit juices that hits different when the humidity is 90%.
Also, look for the "Drink of the Day." It’s usually a dollar or two cheaper and is featured prominently on a little cardboard sign on the bar. It’s a great way to try something you wouldn't normally order, like a Yellow Bird or a Dark ‘n Stormy.
Real Talk: The Quality Gap
There is a massive difference between a drink made at the Pool Bar and one made at Wonderland or 150 Central Park.
At the pool, they are churning out hundreds of drinks an hour. They use "gun" mixers. The lime juice comes from a bottle. It’s fine, but it’s "fast food" cocktails.
If you want a "real" drink, go to the specialty restaurants or the high-end bars like The Bamboo Room. The Bamboo Room (found on Navigator and Mariner) is a tiki-lover's dream. The Royal Zombie there comes in a cool mug and uses actual fresh juices and complex syrups. It’s the same price as a pool daiquiri but the quality is night and day.
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How to Handle the Menu Like a Pro
- Check the App: The Royal Caribbean app usually has the menus for every bar on your specific ship. Look at them before you board to see if the spirits you like are stocked.
- The "Float" Trick: If you want a stronger drink, you can ask for a rum or tequila "floater" on top of your frozen drink. If you have the package, this is usually included. If not, it’s an extra charge.
- Water is Gold: Bottled water is expensive on the menu ($3.25+). If you have the Refreshment or Deluxe package, grab a bottle every time you pass a bar and stash it in your room.
- The Souvenir Glass Trap: Don't buy the "drink in a pineapple" or the flashing souvenir cup unless you really want the plastic. You're paying $5-10 extra for the vessel, not the liquid.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Sailing
Stop looking at the menu as a fixed list and start looking at it as a suggestion.
First, download the Royal Caribbean app two weeks before your cruise. The menus populate early. Check the "Boleros" menu if you like tequila and "Schooner Bar" if you like gin or whiskey.
Second, wait for the sale. Never buy a drink package at the "onboard" price. It’s a scam. Watch the Cruise Planner for 30% off deals. If you see it for $65-75 per day, that’s usually as good as it gets in 2026.
Third, explore the ship on day one. Every bar has a slightly different "Specialty" section on its menu. The Solarium Bar often has lighter, more refreshing options than the Boleros latin bar. Spend thirty minutes walking around and snapping photos of the physical menus. It’ll save you from drinking the same mediocre mojito for seven days straight.
Lastly, if you find a bartender who actually knows how to balance a drink, stick with them. Tip them a few extra bucks in cash on the first day. They will remember your name, your drink, and they will make sure your royal caribbean drink menu experience is actually worth the premium you're paying.