Royal Caribbean has introduced a new exemption process for some passengers who cannot consume alcohol because of a disability, medical condition, or pregnancy.
The change comes after the cruise line tightened its drinks package rules in August 2025. However, approved guests still won’t be able to skip a beverage package entirely and will need to purchase a non-alcoholic package instead.
Royal Caribbean Now Allows Some Guests to Request an Exemption
Royal Caribbean has introduced a formal way for some passengers to request an exemption from its alcoholic drinks package rule.
Royal Caribbean says the new Beverage Package Accommodation Request form is intended for passengers whose disability, medical condition, or pregnancy prevents them from drinking alcohol.
Normally, if one adult in a stateroom buys an alcoholic beverage package, every other guest of legal drinking age sharing the same cabin and booking number must purchase the same package.
The new process creates an exception for certain passengers, although approval isn’t automatic. Royal Caribbean says each request will be reviewed individually.
Why Royal Caribbean Tightened Its Drinks Package Rules
Royal Caribbean’s standard policy says that when one guest of legal drinking age buys an alcoholic beverage package, every other adult in the same stateroom and under the same booking number must buy the same package.
Until August 1, 2025, Royal Caribbean handled these situations differently. Passengers could contact the cruise line and ask for another adult in their cabin to be placed on a non-alcoholic package instead.
Royal Caribbean said it had seen more requests for exceptions over time, while passengers were also continuing to share drinks packages, which isn’t allowed under the cruise line’s rules.
A Royal Caribbean spokesperson said:
“This change allows us to ensure guests are consuming their beverage package responsibly. Over time, requests for exceptions have increased, and sharing of packages has continued, which led us to implement this policy change.”
The new process is much narrower than the old exception system.
Who Can Apply Under the New Process
Eligibility is limited to three circumstances: disability, a medical condition, or pregnancy.
Passengers making a request are asked to provide their reservation details and personal information so Royal Caribbean can review the case.
Passengers don’t have to submit supporting documentation with the form. They can, however, include a short written statement from a source Royal Caribbean considers “reasonable” and “credible.”
The cruise line says:
“The statement should confirm only that you (or the impacted guest) cannot consume alcohol due to a disability, medical condition, or pregnancy. No specific details about the nature of the disability or condition are required.”
Royal Caribbean says passengers should expect the review process to take as long as 10 business days.
Approval is decided on a case-by-case basis, so submitting the form doesn’t guarantee the exemption will be granted.
An Exemption Doesn’t Mean No Drinks Package
Even with an approved exemption, the affected guest must still purchase a non-alcoholic beverage package.
That makes this new process more limited than the broader exceptions passengers could request before August 2025. It gives qualifying guests a way around buying the alcoholic package, but it doesn’t remove the requirement to buy a drinks package entirely.
Suggested read: How to Decide If a Royal Caribbean Drink Package is Right for You
Royal Caribbean Warns Against False Requests
Royal Caribbean has also spelled out what could happen if a passenger provides false, misleading, or fraudulent information when applying for an exemption.
If the cruise line later finds that information in the request was inaccurate or fraudulent, it says the exemption can be revoked. The passenger could then be charged the full price of the alcoholic beverage package for the entire cruise.
Royal Caribbean also says suspected abuse may be referred to government agencies, regulators, or law enforcement for further investigation and possible prosecution under applicable laws.
The consequences could extend onboard, too. Royal Caribbean says a passenger may be removed from the ship, with the guest responsible for their own expenses and receiving no refund or compensation. Other people staying in the same stateroom could also be removed.
The cruise line also reserves the right to ban passengers from future sailings across Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea if the exemption process is abused.
The Main Drinks Package Rule Hasn’t Changed
Despite the new accommodation process, Royal Caribbean’s main alcoholic beverage package policy remains in place.
The cruise line states:
“All guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom and under the same stateroom booking number are required to purchase the same alcoholic beverage package. Packages cannot be shared and are non-transferable.”
The accommodation process does not replace Royal Caribbean’s standard policy and remains subject to approval.
For everyone else, the existing rule still applies.
Related post: Cruisers Say These 5 Tips Can Save You Money on Royal Caribbean Drinks
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