Royal Caribbean to Charge $4.99 for Coca-Cola Freestyle Access in 2026

Royal Caribbean International will stop including Coca-Cola Freestyle machine access and a souvenir cup by default with two of its drink packages starting March 15, 2026, according to updated package details posted on the cruise line’s website.

Under the change, guests who purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package or the Royal Refreshment Package will need to pay an additional one-time $4.99 fee if they want Freestyle access and the cup required to use the self-serve machines. The Classic Soda Package is not changing and will continue to include the souvenir cup and unlimited Freestyle machine refills as part of the package.

What changes on March 15, 2026

For sailings beginning March 15, 2026, Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package and Royal Refreshment Package will no longer automatically come with the Coca-Cola Freestyle souvenir cup. Without the cup, Freestyle machine access is no longer included for those two packages.

Guests on either of those packages who want to use the Freestyle machines will have the option to buy a Freestyle add-on for $4.99, which includes the souvenir cup and unlimited refills at the machines for that sailing.

How the $4.99 Freestyle add-on works

Royal Caribbean lists the Freestyle option as a one-time charge rather than a per-day fee. The cup is tied to a single sailing and cannot be transferred or used for refills on future cruises.

If a guest needs a replacement cup during the cruise, Royal Caribbean says one can be obtained for $4.99.

What remains included in the Deluxe and Royal Refreshment packages

While Freestyle machine access is being separated from the Deluxe Beverage Package and Royal Refreshment Package, both packages will still include other soda options, including canned sodas and fountain sodas served at onboard venues such as lounges, restaurants, and bars.

The Deluxe Beverage Package continues to cover a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks priced up to $14 per beverage, including cocktails, wines, spirits, and items like milkshakes. The Royal Refreshment Package continues to focus on non-alcoholic options, including items such as canned sodas, fresh juices, bottled water, and frozen mocktails.

Where beverage packages apply

Royal Caribbean says its beverage packages can be used onboard and at its private Caribbean destinations, including Labadee and Perfect Day at CocoCay. The Freestyle machines themselves are an onboard feature, and guests who skip the Freestyle add-on can still get sodas through bars and restaurants if their package includes them.

Freestyle machines: drink variety, locations, and ship availability

Coca-Cola Freestyle machines are installed on most Royal Caribbean ships and are known for touchscreen customization that allows guests to create more than 100 combinations. In addition to soda mixes, the machines can offer other beverage choices such as iced tea, fruit punch, lemonade, and flavored water.

Royal Caribbean’s Freestyle machines are typically placed in high-traffic areas such as the Windjammer Marketplace buffet, near Sorrento’s Pizza, and in public spaces that can include the Royal Promenade.

The machines are available fleetwide except on four ships: Brilliance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Vision of the Seas. Royal Caribbean expanded Freestyle availability in August 2025, adding machines to Liberty of the Seas.

Why Royal Caribbean is making the change, and what guests are watching

Royal Caribbean has not publicly explained why it is removing the Freestyle cup and machine access from the default inclusions for the Deluxe Beverage Package and Royal Refreshment Package.

Commentary among cruise enthusiasts has pointed to a few possibilities. Cruise Hive reported that drink package restrictions were tightened in mid-2025 to counter some forms of package abuse, and guests on discussion forums have noted that souvenir cups were sometimes used by people without packages to access the machines. Others have suggested waste-reduction could be a factor, since the cups are generally single-use and may be left behind at the end of a sailing.

With the March 2026 start date approaching, some guests reviewing package details for future cruises have raised questions about how the change will affect day-to-day convenience. Guests who prefer the self-serve machines can add the $4.99 option, while others may rely on bar service for fountain sodas or opt for canned drinks, depending on what is included with their package at purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When does Royal Caribbean remove Freestyle cups from the Deluxe and Royal Refreshment packages?

The change takes effect March 15, 2026, for sailings from that date forward.

How much does it cost to add Coca-Cola Freestyle access to a Deluxe or Royal Refreshment package?

The add-on costs $4.99 and includes the souvenir cup plus unlimited Freestyle machine refills for the sailing.

Which Royal Caribbean drink package still includes the Freestyle cup automatically?

The Classic Soda Package will still include the souvenir cup and unlimited Freestyle machine access as part of the package.

Are the changes retroactive for already-purchased packages?

Royal Caribbean has not said how the updated inclusions will be handled for guests who purchased packages before March 15, 2026, but are sailing after that date.

Which Royal Caribbean ships do not have Coca-Cola Freestyle machines?

The machines are not currently available on Brilliance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Vision of the Seas.