Royal Caribbean Changes Loyalty Drink Policy, Sparks Guest Backlash

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Elite members of Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor loyalty program have expressed frustration after a new policy was introduced regarding the way free daily drinks are served on board.

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As of 6th December 2024, guests on Freedom of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas found that crew members were required to open alcoholic beverages — including beer and wine — before they could be taken from the bar.

This change applies to free drinks given to members of the Crown & Anchor program’s top tiers: Pinnacle members, who receive six daily drink vouchers, Diamond Plus members, who receive five, and Diamond members, who receive four.

Previously, loyalty members were able to request unopened cans or bottles to be taken to their cabins for later consumption, a perk that many valued for its flexibility.

The new rule was met with strong criticism from long-time Royal Caribbean cruisers, with many calling it a “money grab” and accusing the cruise line of undermining the benefits they had earned through years of loyalty.

Loyalty members were quick to voice their dissatisfaction on social media, arguing that the new policy unfairly targets those who are using their complimentary drink vouchers.

Some believe it’s an attempt to push passengers into purchasing Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package, which offers unlimited drinks for a daily fee.

One of the most frustrating aspects for guests was that the rule didn’t apply to purchases made using cash or charged to the guest’s on-board account.

In these instances, alcoholic drinks could still be taken away unopened. This distinction led to confusion and accusations of unfair treatment.

Clarification of the new drink policy

Initially, crew members appeared to be confused about the policy change, with some guests being denied unopened bottles of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, such as soda and water.

However, after complaints were raised, this part of the policy was rolled back. As of 8th December 2024, only alcoholic beverages are required to be opened before being handed to guests.

One guest contacted Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley’s office and later shared the response they received from the cruise line’s Executive Office Escalations team. The email clarified the details of the new policy:

“Please know that our beverage policies are in place to ensure that all guests are able to enjoy their drinks safely and responsibly. Recently, we have updated this policy to include the following: Any canned or bottled alcoholic beverages ordered at our bars must be opened before leaving the venue,” the statement read.

The clarification went on to note that the policy does not apply to non-alcoholic drinks, like canned soda or bottled water, unless those drinks are ordered through the Deluxe Beverage Package.

This statement was meant to ease the concerns of guests who had previously been told that even soft drinks would have to be opened before leaving the bar.

Royal Caribbean has not provided an official, detailed explanation for the change, but the response from the Executive Office points to “safety and responsibility” as the primary reason.

The cruise line said the updated policy is designed to ensure that crew members can better monitor the consumption of alcohol on board.

By requiring that alcoholic drinks be opened at the point of service, crew members can more effectively track how much alcohol each passenger has consumed.

This is important in identifying guests who may be at risk of overconsumption, as crew members can see how many drinks have been served and consumed in real-time.

Cruise lines face increased pressure to manage alcohol consumption among passengers. Royal Caribbean’s updated drink policy may be a similar measure to ensure the well-being of its passengers.

Another possible reason is that unopened alcoholic drinks could be taken to cabins and shared with other passengers, essentially allowing guests to bypass drink limits.

Under the new rule, if guests want to take a drink back to their room, they can still do so, but only if it is open, making it less practical to share later.

This approach also reduces the chances of guests stockpiling drinks in their staterooms, which would make it difficult for crew members to monitor total alcohol consumption.

It also aligns with cruise industry standards that limit how much alcohol guests can bring on board at embarkation.

Passengers on other ships have not yet reported the same restrictions, though some suspect it’s only a matter of time before the policy is enforced on other ships, especially if it aligns with the cruise line’s larger safety and responsibility objectives.

For now, Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle members sailing on these two ships should be prepared for their free alcoholic drinks to be opened at the bar before they can take them away. Guests can still receive unopened sodas and water to bring back to their staterooms, provided they are not part of the Deluxe Beverage Package.

The new drink policy has left many loyal Royal Caribbean cruisers feeling disappointed. While some understand the safety rationale, others see it as another way for the cruise line to increase profits by pushing guests toward purchasing the Deluxe Beverage Package.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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