I totally agree with everything cruizer and Michael have posted.
I will only add that , while you can buy a soda package... there are plenty of places on the ship that you can get other drinks such as juices, tea, coffee, which are included in your fares. You may have to hunt down where they are set up on the ship(usually the lido cafe, somewhere in the pool area, etc.). I might suggest you get one or two soda packages and let the family "share" them. this way the kids can have sodas if they choose, you can get a soda when you want, and the chance of you drinking more than the 4.50 a day break even point on the package. I believe they will either have it on your funpass, or will put a sticker on it, if you buy the package on the ship.
I paid for the soda package on my last cruise and i can say that for a 5 day cruise i fell just short of breaking even . I drink coffee and tea far more than soda.. yet i used the sodas for mix/chasers when i bought shots... so, IDK... i think it really is up to the individual.
BTW... i think they usually have a combination of some of the following available to drink which is already included... OJ, lemmonade, fruit punch, iced tea, hot tea, coffee, also, there is usually a better variety of drinks in the Lido cafe during breakfast, lunch, and dinner(there is usually one being served almost all day, with brief periods where they stop serving).
so finding something to drink shouldn't be a problem if you decide not to get a soda package.
