Royal Caribbean bartenders reveal their favorite drinks to order
If you've ever stood at a Royal Caribbean bar scanning the drink menu with zero idea where to start, a recent Instagram Reel making the rounds among cruise fans might be the shortcut you need. It's also a great starting point for anyone preparing for their first Royal Caribbean cruise.
The video features multiple Royal Caribbean bartenders naming the drinks they actually order — the ones they'd point you toward if you asked them straight up, "What's good here?"
As someone who's been cruising for 20 years, I can say crew member picks are almost always the most reliable menu hack on board.
Here's where to find each of the seven drinks featured in the Reel, and what's in them.
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The best drinks at Royal Caribbean bars, according to bartenders
The drinks featured in the Instagram Reel include cruise cocktails available on the ship and signature sips at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas. Signature cocktails are priced around $14 and are included with the Deluxe Beverage Package .
Boleros: The Joropo
Boleros is Royal Caribbean's Latin-themed lounge, known for salsa nights and a live band that gets the whole room moving.
The bartender's pick here is the Joropo, made with coconut rum, coconut water, aquafaba, simple syrup, and lime juice, topped with coconut shavings, lime zest, and shaken bitters. The aquafaba — liquid from cooked chickpeas (a common egg-white substitute in modern mixology) — gives it a silky, almost frothy texture that makes it feel more like a dessert than a rum drink.
Schooner Bar: The Desert Pear Margarita
The Schooner Bar is one of Royal Caribbean's most consistent hangouts — a piano bar with nautical décor. It's found on every ship in the fleet, but older ships are known for having the best versions of the classic venue .
Its bartender-favorite is the Desert Pear Margarita, made with Patrón Silver Tequila, desert pear syrup, and lime juice. Despite its rich color, it's not a sweet drink — black rimming salt adds a striking visual contrast, and the flavor is lighter than it looks. That means it's easy to drink more than you planned.
If you think you don't like margaritas, bartenders say this twist might change your mind.
Related: 3 Mistakes people make ordering alcoholic drinks on cruise ships
The Mason Jar: Smokey Old Fashioned
The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant and Bar is popular for its Southern comfort food, live country music, and serious collection of American whiskeys. It's currently found on a few Royal Caribbean Oasis-class ships: Wonder of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, and Allure of the Seas.
The bartenders' choice, the Smokey Old Fashioned, leans into Mason Jar's whiskey-forward identity with a smoked finish that pairs naturally with the bourbon-heavy back bar.
Related: 3 things you may miss on Royal Caribbean ships
TravelHost's Come Cruise With Me Editor in Chief Dan Kline is a big fan of The Mason Jar. His personal drink recommendation there is the Far From Manhattan.
"It is a sweetened bourbon, a caramelly bourbon, a butterscotchy bourbon, with a little bit of bitters, a little bit of vermouth, and a slice of candied bacon. Really a lovely drink. The sweetness, the saltiness from the bacon kind of offsets it," he explained in a video about popular spots you may miss on Royal Caribbean ships .
The Pesky Parrot is a popular tiki bar on Utopia of the Seas. Royal Caribbean
The Pesky Parrot: The Pretty Bird
The Pesky Parrot debuted on Utopia of the Seas in 2024 with a menu of tropical twists on tiki bar classics, including Pesky's Peanut Butter Piña, Pretty Bird, Mai Tai of My Life, and Monkey Business.
The Pretty Bird is the bartender's pick here. It's a fruit-forward pour made with Captain Morgan spiced rum, Campari, pineapple and lime juices, and strawberry puree that fits the bar's playful, parrot-themed personality.
Best drinks to order at Perfect Day at CocoCay, according to bartenders
The Breezy Bay Bar is located near day beds available for rent at Perfect Day at CocoCay.Royal Caribbean, photo by Tim Aylen
Captain Jack's at Perfect Day at CocoCay: Bahama Mama
Captain Jack's sits just off the Arrivals Plaza at Perfect Day at CocoCay, and features live music and tropical cocktails with an ocean view. Bartenders there favor the Bahama Mama, a classic rum punch that fits right in with the bar's "welcome to The Bahamas" energy.
Breezy Bay at Perfect Day at CocoCay: Sexy Ocean and Coco Loco
The Breezy Bay Bar is a laid-back beach bar in a quieter spot on Perfect Day at CocoCay. It's north of the busy Chill Island beach area, giving it a more relaxed feel while still being conveniently located.
Bartenders highlighted two signature drinks from this bar: the Sexy Ocean, a bright, tropical pour made with vodka that's a long-time fleet favorite; and the Coco Loco, the island's official drink. Both are available at almost any bar on CocoCay, and beverage packages work on the island, too.
The Coco Loco is a frozen concoction made with dark rum, coconut cream, pineapple and orange juice, grenadine, and tropical fruit garnishes. It's practically guaranteed to put you in the vacation mood and there's even a non-alcoholic version, too.
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This story was originally published by TravelHost on Jul 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Come Cruise With Me section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
