Royal Caribbean recently introduced new all-you-can-drink soda machines on their ships, and they’ve turned out to be a huge hit! So much so, that the line ran out on their first voyage- why are they so popular?
Well, these aren’t just any soda machines. They’re a modified version of the Coca-Cola Freestyle dispensers that Coca-Cola started offering in 2009 and can offer 125 flavors of various Coke products using an on-the-spot mixing technology; the machines produce everything from raspberry-flavored Coca-Cola to peach-flavored Fanta Zero.
Royal Caribbean is the first cruise line to debut the machines, which have become increasingly popular due to the speed of service and the custom mixing options.
Royal Caribbean charges only $6.50 per adult per day for a soda package (which includes access to the machines). Even better, there has been no package cost increase; this is the same amount as soda packages cost in the past (children pay $4.50 per day for a package).
Royal Caribbean worked in partnership with Coca-Cola for three years, modifying the machines so they comply with marine environment health codes and interact with the special souvenir soda cups that passengers get when buying all-you-can-drink soda packages on Royal Caribbean’s ships. The new cups contain a passenger identification device that lets guests serve themselves at the machines.
The new soda machines already are on the line’s Majesty of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas and will spread throughout the fleet at a rate of about one or two per month.