Carnival Cruise Drink Package: Is It Worth the Hype?

Cruising brings to mind sun-soaked decks, exotic ports, and memorable moments. There’s an elite feeling to sipping a frosty cocktail on a deck or enjoying a glass of wine under the stars, right? While the experience is priceless, those onboard drink charges can quickly add up, without you even realizing it! So, what’s your option? The answer is the cruise drink package! Any cruiser who drinks alcohol must understand these packages to avoid a blissful escape turning into a budgetary concern. In this post, we’ll explore the Carnival Cruise Drink Package, what you get, how it works, and whether it’s worth it. 

If you’re a cruiser who enjoys more than a few alcoholic drinks throughout your voyage, you’re likely to wonder about the elusive cruise drink package. Does it truly offer the freedom to indulge without a second thought? What exactly is included, and how does it all work? We hope this article will help you decide if a Carnival drink package is the smart choice for you. Get ready to raise a glass to smart cruising! 

Why pay extra for parking when you can find cheap cruise parking spots near the cruise terminals through the US ports?     

What Drinks Are Free on Carnival?

First, let’s talk about the drinks included in your cruise package. Carnival includes several complimentary beverages even without a package: tap water (don’t think I should even mention this?), fruit punch, iced tea, lemonade, milk, hot chocolate, and regular and decaf coffee and tea in dining halls 24/7.   

Speciality coffees, premium cocktails, sodas, and even bottled water cost extra (unless you have a package). 

What Are the Carnival Drink Package Options?

Before we go in-depth about the cruise package, let’s look at Carnival Cruise Lines’ drink package options. 

The most popular cruise drink package on Carnival is “CHEERS!,” followed by the “Bottomless Bubbles.” Other packages are the Cruise the Vineyard Wine Package and the Cruise the Vineyard Premium Wine Package. 

What Is Included in a Carnival Cruise Drinks Package, “CHEERS!”? 

The Carnival Drink Package “CHEERS!” includes: 

• Spirits, beer, cocktails, and wine by the glass, which cost up to $20 per glass. 
• Discount of 25% on drinks above $20 (per glass). 
• Specialty coffees, hot teas, juices, smoothies, energy drinks, bottled water, and sodas (No limit).
• 25% off wine and champagne bottles. 
• 25% discounts on premium drinks, beverage seminars, and cocktail classes. 
• 500 ml bottles of water in lounges and 1.5 ml bottles in the dining venues. 

What is not included in the package 

• Drinks bought at the ports, including the line’s private islands (Half Moon Cay, Celebration Key, and Princess Cays).
• Drinks in souvenir glasses. 
• By-the-bottle drinks. 
• Room service or minibar. 
• Drinks in buckets, pitchers, and floaters. 
• Sharing or transferring drinks is a no-go! 

Note 

• You must buy a Carnival cruise drink package for the entire duration of the cruise. It cannot be purchased for just one day or for individual passengers within a cabin. 
• On cruises from Texas, New York, and Norfolk, package benefits start from the second day only.   

How Much Is the Carnival Drink Package, “CHEERS!”? 

As of now: 

• Onboard price: $88.44/day/person 
• Pre-purchase: $82.54/day/person (10% discount on onboard price). 

Note: 18% gratuity is included in this price, meaning you don’t have to tip for the service (unless you want to!). 

How much is a 7-day drink package on Carnival?  

For a 7‑day cruise, CHEERS! will cost  

• Onboard price: $619.08/person (7 × 88.44). 
• Pre-purchase: $577.78/person. (7 × 82.54).

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Bottomless Bubbles 

Children, teetotalers, and those who don’t drink much can opt for Bottomless Bubbles. 

What is included? 

You can have unlimited fountain sodas, juice, and other frozen and cold refreshments any time of the day. 

What is not included? 

Bottled water, canned sodas, milkshakes, fresh-squeezed juice, or drinks ordered through room service and the minibar are not included in the package. 

Note

• The package cannot be shared. Each member of the family must buy their own package. 
• Only one beverage will be served at a time. 
• Only applicable for onboard purchases. No room service. 
• Not valid for port purchases. 
• Online purchases are only refundable until one day prior (10 p.m.). No refund for onboard purchases. 
• Ideal for: Adults who prefer sodas to alcohol, and kids and young adults. 

How Much Do the Bottomless Bubbles Cost? 

• Per child per day: $8.20  
• Per Adult Per day: $11.21 

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Cruise the Vineyard Wine Package 

Not much of a drinker, but appreciate the finer things? Add a touch of class to your cruise with the Carnival Cruise “Cruise the Vineyard” Wine Package. This package is ideal for you if you prefer to savor a glass and enjoy the moment on the dock, or want elegant photos with a glass of wine for your socials, or for those who simply love sipping wines from around the world. 

This package offers wines from across the globe. There are two types of packages: 

Cruise the Vineyard Premium Wine Package 

• 5 Bottle Wine Package: $148.68 
• 3 Bottle Wine Package: $95.58 

Cruise the Vineyard Premium Wine Package 

• 5 Bottle Package: $227.74 
• 3 Bottle Package: $146.32 

Note 

•  An 18% service charge is included in the package.  
• A refund is not available for unconsumed bottles. However, you can take any unopened bottles home. 

Bottled Water Packages 

• 12 Pack (500 ml): $17.64 
• 8 pack (1.5 liters): $29.44 

The prices include delivery charges. The bottles will be delivered to your staterooms. 

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Can One Person Get the Drink Package on a Carnival Cruise?

No, if you are purchasing the Carnival Cruise Drink Package, all the adults sharing the cabin must purchase it. If you are accompanied by a minor under 21 years, then the Bottomless Bubbles package must be taken for the minor. 

This rule is to make sure that you are not sharing a package. The packages are automatically added to all adults over 21 years at the time of booking or during checkout. 

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How Strict Is the Carnival Drink Package?

Carnival has a strict drink package policy. They offer only one drink at a time, and there is a five-minute gap between each drink. The maximum you will get is 15 drinks per 24 hours. The reset starts at 6 a.m. 

The drinks are not to be shared, and double orders will not be honored. Children under 21 years cannot purchase the drink package. 

Bartenders monitor consumption and can refuse service if someone appears intoxicated. Violating the package terms will lead to package cancellation, with no refunds. 

Where can you use the cruise ship drink package? 

CHEERS! is valid onboard in the bars, lounges, restaurants, and pool decks. Room service is not available. Neither does it cover ashore. Drinks bought at the port are not included in the package; you have to pay for them yourself. 

Should You Buy the Carnival Drink Package at the Time of Booking the Ticket?

Purchasing a cruise Drink Package at the time of booking is the best option. You can book your drink package until a day before the cruise date (before 11:59 PM). If you purchase in advance, you get 10% off the onboard price. If you are buying the package onboard, you have to pay an additional 10% extra.  

By booking in advance, you not only get it for a lower rate but also simplify your budgeting. This means no more mental math before each drink; you can enjoy yourself freely without worrying about overspending. 

Does the Carnival Cruise Casino Offer Free Drinks?

Yes, gaming areas on Carnival ships often provide free alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. But tips are expected. If you are in the casino frequently, this might be enough to forego a full drink package. 

Can You Bring Your Own Drinks on a Carnival Cruise?

No. Barring a few exceptions, Carnival doesn’t allow personal alcohol aboard. Any bottle brought onboard is collected without refund or compensation. However, you can purchase sealed bottles during your port excursion, provided you hand them over to the staff for safekeeping until your disembarkation. You cannot consume them onboard.

Exceptions to the rule: 

• Guests over 21 can bring a 750 ml bottle of champagne or wine in their carry-on.  
• If you want to consume it in the dining venues or bar, your account will be charged $15. 
• Canned non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in small quantities in the carry-on. You can bring 12 unopened cans of 350 ml each (12 ounces).
• You can pre-order alcohol via The Fun Shops. However, it must be consumed within the confines of your staterooms. If bought from The Fun Shops onboard, you will get it only at the end of your cruise. 
• Any bottled non-alcoholic beverages, including bottled water and sodas, are prohibited.

Note: Please confirm the details with Carnival before sailing. 

Is Bottled Water included in a Carnival Drink Package?

Yes! 500 ml bottled water in lounges and bars, plus larger bottles (up to 1.5 L) in dining rooms and specialty venues, are included in the drink package. Bottled water bought during embarkation or from the minibar isn’t included in the package. 

What Are the Pitfalls of Carnival Drink Packages? 

The most common complaint? Overestimating your drinking habits. Many cruisers buy the package and find they don’t drink nearly enough to make it worthwhile.  

The cruise line’s strict no-sharing and 15-drink limit can feel restrictive, especially for groups with uneven drinking habits or those who plan to split costs. As everyone in the cabin must purchase CHEERS!, it becomes unnecessarily expensive for them. And what if one among them is a teetotaler? Then it is a total waste of money! 

How to Maximize Drink Package Value 

To get your money’s worth from the Carnival CHEERS! Package: 

• Aim for at least 6–8 alcoholic beverages per day, or a mix of drinks that would otherwise cost $12 to $15 each.  
• Don’t overlook the specialty coffees, energy drinks, bottled water, and smoothies. These add up fast and can help you get value for your money if you’re a light drinker. 
• Spread your drinks throughout the day, try top-shelf cocktails (up to $20), 
• Avoid over-consuming early so you don’t hit the 15-drink limit by sunset. 

Note: Don’t worry too much about getting your money’s worth from the cruise drink package. The real concern is if you overindulge to the point of being so hungover or drunk that you can’t enjoy your cruise at all. A cruise hangover can truly be the worst. 

Finally, we come to the most important question:

Is It Worth Buying a Carnival Drink Package?

It depends! Avid drinkers who consume 8 to 15 alcoholic drinks daily or want unlimited sodas and coffees save money with the package.  

Those who drink less than 5 drinks a day or drink occasionally may save money by paying per drink.  

A cruise drink package may be worth the cost on itineraries with more sea days, but less so on cruises with more port days than sea days. 

Consumption habits and itineraries determine its value. 

Tips to save on drinks

• To get the best deal, purchase CHEERS! before embarkation. Booking online at least one day before the sail date saves about 10% versus onboard pricing. 
• Keep an eye on Carnival pre-cruise promotions on their websites or check with your booking agents. 
• Make sure each adult in your cabin buys together. Carnival requires a uniform purchase to avoid package sharing. 
• Plan your drink consumption around the 15-alcohol limit, and get maximum value. Take advantage of non-alcoholic beverages like sodas, specialty coffees, energy drinks, and bottled water. 
• If you are an occasional drinker and prefer not to buy a package, don’t miss out on captain’s cocktail parties and other events that offer free alcohol.
• If you are an occasional drinker but are a regular at casinos, you can take advantage of the free drinks at the casinos.

Price per Drink Without a Package

Prices start from: 

• Beer (16oz): From $6.50 
• Bottled Water: $1.50 to  $5.00 
• Cocktails: $10.50 
• Coconut Water: $1.50 to $5.00 
• Energy Drinks: $4.95 
• Wine: $9.50 per glass 
• Mixed Drinks: Between $7.50 and $20.00 
• Soft Drinks: $2.75 
• Specialty Coffees: Between $2.50 and $4.25 

Note: The Carnival drink package rates change almost every year. So please check with the Cruise at the time of booking. All the prices mentioned are in USD.

Commonly Asked Questions about Carnival Cruise Drink Packages 

Does the Carnival drink package have a 15-drink limit? 

Yes. You get up to 15 alcoholic beverages per person in any 24‑hour window. But you can have unlimited, non-alcoholic drinks. 

Can you share a drink package on a Carnival cruise? 

Sharing a Carnival drink package is strictly prohibited. If you are found sharing, your package will be cancelled, with no refund.  

Do both people have to buy the drink package on a Carnival Cruise? 

Yes, all adults in a stateroom must purchase CHEERS! Carnival’s booking system enforces this policy automatically and will charge to your account. 

I drink very little. Is it worth buying a drink package? 

If you drink only occasionally (1–2 drinks/day), the package wouldn’t be cost-effective. It would be better for you to pay per drink. However, you can still enjoy complimentary beverages like tea, coffee, and water. 

Can reserving CHEERS! ahead of time, save me money?

Yes, pre-purchasing a carnival drink package gets you a 10% discount ($82.54/day) compared to onboard rates ( $88.44/day). 

What if only one partner wants CHEERS!?

Carnival is very strict about the “no split package” policy! If one buys a package, all adults in a cabin must do the same! There is no other way! 

How do I make sure I hit the value break-even point?

If you can consume 15 drinks per 24 hours, well and good! All others must try to order a mix of premium cocktails (up to $20) and specialty coffees to reach around 6–8 drinks per day, plus free non-alcoholic options. This is the only way to justify the cost. 

Can I still buy drinks à la carte if I skip the package?

Sure! You can order individual drinks without CHEERS!, and gain occasional freebies like complimentary casino beverages. 

Final Thoughts 

Carnival’s CHEERS! Drink package offers value and convenience for moderate to heavy drinkers. Non-drinkers and light drinkers may find pay-per-drink cheaper. The key is to know your habits, pre‑purchase early, and weigh convenience against cost to make the right choice. 

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