Welcome aboard, Tricia! So much is
included in the cost of your Disney Cruise Line vacation, you'll be so surprised! You're correct that sodas are complimentary at the restaurants and the 24-hour beverage station, however there is an additional charge should you order one from a bar or lounge.
I, too, prefer that my kids don't drink sodas, but we still visit the 24-hour beverage station on the pool deck often to fill up because they offer way more than sodas. Lemonade, fruit punch, water, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and juice are available, so you'll have plenty of options! You'll find disposable cups, lids, and straws available right there at the beverage station too. However, many guests will bring their own reusable travel mugs so they can continue to fill up throughout the sailing. While there isn't a beverage package with Disney mugs like they offer at Walt Disney World, you can bring your own travel mug or purchase a fun Disney-themed travel cup in the
gift shops onboard. If you have your Disney World Resort travel mugs, bring those along!
My kids have discovered a fun treat to bring to the
Walt Disney Theatre when we go to see a show each night. There are beverages and snacks for sale in the theatre, but instead it's so easy to take our reusable travel mugs to the pool deck, fill them halfway with vanilla soft serve ice cream and then fill the rest of the way up with lemonade or fruit punch, or even Coke as a special treat, for a float! I've not seen Root Beer onboard, but a lemonade, fruit punch, or Coke float seems super special to my kids, and I love that it's free!
Have fun planning your cruise, and enjoy a very magical adventure at sea, Tricia!
Marcy