Booze aside, what are the rules for bringing other drinks along? Can you chuck a 24-pack of Evian bottles into your luggage when cruising with RC?

The RC website says no but I have seen passengers board with boxes of water without being challenged. Better e-mail them so you can have a written ok to show when you board.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/custom...es&faqType=faq

Yes, you can bring non-alcoholic beverages with you. If the bottled water is just because that's what you want to drink, and not an effort to save money, you can order water to be delivered directly to your cabin.

Yeah, I saw the option to order Evian bottles to the room but it didn't show a price.

As for the drinks packages, do I need to get them for kids (4 & 7 yo) as well? Or can they just share drinks with mom?

Does RC only offer a limited range of beers as part of its packages? I see they offer regular wines in one and premium wines in another package, but in terms of beer there seems to be no distinction at all between the packages.

The drink packages are per person.

Sorry can't tell you about the alcohol packages as I don't use them.

Upscale cruise ships usually have inclusive fares including bottled water, soft drinks, tea, coffee and ordinary-brand liquor and wine. E.g., Azamara.

Ahhh, an expert already.

Indeed!