Carnival Cruise Drink Package Cost & Details

One of the most common questions travelers ask before setting sail is, “How much is the Carnival Cruise Line drink package?” Whether you’re planning to sip tropical cocktails by the pool or enjoy fine wines at dinner, Carnival Cruise Line’s Cheers! beverage plan offers an easy and cost-effective way to indulge without worrying about separate bar tabs.

1. Overview of the Carnival Drink Package

Carnival Cruise Line offers two main beverage plans: the CHEERS! package for alcoholic drinks and the Bottomless Bubbles package for unlimited sodas and juices.

The Carnival beverage plan provides convenience and value for guests who want to enjoy beverages without having to track costs individually.

Cheers! package – Includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks such as cocktails, beer, wine, specialty coffee, energy drinks, and more.
Bottomless Bubbles – Includes unlimited fountain sodas and certain juices, ideal for kids or non-drinkers.

Since most travelers are interested in the Carnival drink package that includes alcohol, we’ll focus primarily on the Cheers! package cost and inclusions.

2. How Much Is the Carnival Cheers Package Per Day?

The Carnival Cheers package price per day depends on when and how you purchase it. If you pre-purchase it before your cruise, you’ll pay a slightly lower rate than if you buy it once onboard.

Here’s the current Carnival drink package cost (as of 2025):

Pre-cruise purchase: $59.95 per person, per day (plus 18% gratuity)
Onboard purchase: $64.95 per person, per day (plus 18% gratuity)

This means a 7-day cruise with the Carnival Cheers package would cost approximately:

$59.95 × 7 = $419.65 (plus 18% gratuity ≈ $495 total per person).

Every adult 21 or older sharing the same stateroom must purchase the package if one person does — a rule meant to prevent sharing drinks.

3. What’s Included in Carnival’s Drink Package?

Carnival’s Cheers! beverage plan is one of the most inclusive drink packages at sea. It covers a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks served at nearly all bars, lounges, and dining areas.

Alcoholic Beverages Included

Cocktails, mixed drinks, and spirits priced up to $20 per serving
Wine and champagne by the glass (up to $20 per glass)
Beer (bottled, draft, and canned, up to $20 each)
Frozen drinks and specialty cocktails

Non-Alcoholic Beverages Included

Soft drinks and sodas (Coke products)
Specialty coffees and teas (including those from the coffee bar)
Energy drinks
Bottled water (500ml and 1L sizes)
Milkshakes from select venues (like the JavaBlue Café)
Juices (excluding fresh-squeezed)

With the Carnival drinks menu covered under the Cheers package, guests can enjoy beverages throughout the ship, including the main dining room, buffet, bars, and private island destinations like Half Moon Cay.

**4. What’s Not Included in the Carnival Beverage Package**

While the Carnival beverage package covers a lot, it doesn’t include everything. Guests should note these exclusions before purchasing:

Drinks priced over $20 per glass (you can pay the difference).
Bottles of wine or champagne.
Drinks served in souvenir glasses.
Specialty coffee or alcoholic beverages from room service.
Mini-bar or in-stateroom bottled beverages.
Sharing drinks with others.
Fresh-squeezed juices or smoothies (in some venues).

Also, note that the Cheers package doesn’t apply to beverages purchased at Carnival’s private destinations bars on Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays (though this may vary).

5. Carnival Drink Package Rules and Restrictions

To ensure fair usage and responsible drinking, Carnival Cruise Line enforces certain rules with its beverage plan:

Daily Limit: Up to 15 alcoholic drinks per 24 hours (non-alcoholic drinks are unlimited).
Minimum Age: Guests must be 21 years or older to purchase or use the alcohol package.
Full Voyage Requirement: The package must be purchased for the entire length of the cruise, not individual days.
All Guests Rule: If one adult in a cabin buys the package, all other adults in the same stateroom must buy it.
ID Requirement: Guests must present their Sail & Sign card when ordering drinks.
One Drink at a Time: You can order one beverage at a time per person.

6. Is the Carnival Drink Package Worth It?

The value of the Carnival drink package depends on how much you typically drink during your cruise.

To break even on the Cheers package cost, you’d need to consume around 5–7 alcoholic drinks per day, depending on the average drink price.

For example, with cocktails averaging $10–$13 each, drinking five cocktails plus a few sodas or coffees easily covers the daily package price.

It’s worth it if you:

Enjoy alcoholic drinks daily.
Like specialty coffees, bottled water, or energy drinks.
Want convenience and no surprise bills at the end of your cruise.

It may not be worth it if you:

Drink only occasionally.
Prefer non-alcoholic beverages only.
Have several port days where you won’t drink much onboard.

7. Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Carnival Beverage Plan

If you decide to purchase the Carnival drink package, here are some tips to maximize value:

Pre-purchase online: You’ll save about $5 per day compared to buying onboard.
Use at multiple venues: Don’t limit yourself to one bar—explore lounges, dining areas, and poolside service.
Stay hydrated: Take advantage of unlimited bottled water.
Avoid waste: Since you can only order one drink at a time, pace yourself and finish one before ordering another.
Check daily specials: Some cocktails or wines of the day might offer additional value under $20.

8. The Bottomless Bubbles Alternative

For guests who don’t drink alcohol, Bottomless Bubbles is Carnival’s non-alcoholic drink package option.

Adults (18+): $9.50 per person, per day (plus 18% gratuity)
Children (17 and under): $6.95 per person, per day (plus 18% gratuity)

This package includes unlimited fountain sodas and select juices, making it ideal for families or soda drinkers.

9. Comparing Carnival’s Drink Package to Other Cruise Lines

Carnival’s Cheers! beverage plan is generally more affordable than those offered by competitors like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line.

For example:

Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package costs around $75–$90 per day.
Norwegian’s Premium Beverage Package costs about $109 per day.

This makes Carnival’s Cheers package cost one of the best-value cruise alcohol packages in the industry.

10. Conclusion

So, how much is the Carnival Cruise Line drink package? In short:

$59.95/day (pre-cruise) or $64.95/day (onboard) plus 18% gratuity.
Includes most alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages up to $20 per drink.

The Carnival Cheers package is perfect for guests who enjoy frequent drinks, cocktails, coffee, and convenience. It provides a worry-free way to enjoy your vacation without the stress of accumulating bar bills.

However, if you drink lightly or spend much of your cruise exploring ports, you might prefer buying drinks à la carte or opting for the Bottomless Bubbles plan instead.

Either way, Carnival offers flexible beverage options to suit every traveler’s preferences and budget, ensuring your cruise experience stays refreshing and enjoyable from start to finish.

FAQs

1. How much is the Carnival Cruise Line drink package per day?

The Cheers package costs $59.95 per day (pre-purchase) or $64.95 per day (onboard), plus 18% gratuity.

2. What’s included in Carnival’s drink package?

It includes cocktails, beer, wine, soft drinks, specialty coffee, bottled water, and energy drinks priced up to $20 per serving.

3. Can one person buy the Cheers package in a cabin?

No. All adults (21+) in the same stateroom must purchase the package.

4. How many drinks can I have with the Carnival Cheers package?

You can enjoy up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day, but non-alcoholic drinks are unlimited.

5. Is the Carnival drink package worth it?

Yes — if you typically drink 5–7 alcoholic beverages daily, the Carnival beverage package offers great value and convenience.

Recent Guide