Carnival Cruise Drink Packages Guide (2026 Update)

April 28, 2026

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The Definitive Guide to Carnival Cruise Drink Packages 2024 Exclusive

You know that moment when you’re booking a cruise, and everything feels exciting… until you hit the drink packages?

Suddenly, you’re doing rough calculations in your head—
“How many cocktails would I actually drink?”
“Do I really need unlimited soda?”
“Is this even worth it?”

It happens to almost everyone.

Carnival’s drink packages can save you money—but only if you pick the right one based on how you actually drink onboard.

Otherwise, it’s very easy to overpay for something you barely use.

So instead of guessing, let’s break everything down properly—what each package really offers, what’s included (and what isn’t), and who each one is actually best for.

The 3 Types of Carnival Drink Packages (And Who They’re Really For)

Carnival doesn’t just have one drink package—they’ve split things into three very different options, each targeting a different kind of cruiser.

Here’s the simple breakdown before we go deeper:

Just soda & juice → Bottomless Bubbles.
No alcohol but premium drinks → Zero Proof Cheers.
Full alcohol + everything included → Cheers Package.

Now let’s go into what you actually get with each one—because this is where the real differences start to matter.

Bottomless Bubbles: Simple, Cheap, and Very Limited

This is the most straightforward package Carnival offers—and honestly, it’s mainly for soda drinkers or families.

There’s no complexity here. It’s exactly what it sounds like.

What You Get

Unlimited fountain soda
Basic juices (served by the glass)

Since Carnival switched back to Coca-Cola products, you’ll usually find:

Upcoming Price Change (Important)

Adult pricing is increasing in April 2026
Kids’ pricing stays the same

If you’re cruising later, booking early can lock in the lower rate—which is one of those small wins many people miss.

What This Package Does NOT Include

This is where expectations need to be clear:

No drinks outside soda and juice.
No room service drinks.
No smoothies or specialty beverages.
No bottled water.
No coffee or hot drinks.

This package is very narrow—great if it fits your habits, useless if it doesn’t.

Zero Proof Cheers: The Underrated Middle Option

Not everyone drinks alcohol on a cruise—but that doesn’t mean you’ll stick to free water and basic coffee either.

That’s exactly where this package comes in.

It’s designed for people who still want variety and premium drinks, just without alcohol.

What Makes This Package Worth Considering

Instead of focusing on “what’s missing,” think about what it adds compared to going without a package:

Unlimited soft drinks and juices.
Bottled still & sparkling water.
Specialty coffees and teas.
Mocktails and frozen drinks.
Alcohol-free beer and sparkling wine.
Smoothies, milkshakes, and protein drinks.
Energy drinks and coconut water.

If you’re someone who grabs a coffee in the morning, a smoothie midday, and bottled water throughout the day… this can quietly add up.

One Big Advantage

No daily limit at all

You don’t need to track anything or pace yourself—it’s all included.

What’s Still Not Covered

Even here, a few things are excluded:

Drinks served at events or on the gangway.
Room service beverages.
Souvenir glass drinks.
Anything purchased in ports or off the ship.

So while it’s flexible onboard, it’s still limited to ship use.

Cheers Package: The “All-In” Option (But With Limits)

If your idea of a cruise includes poolside cocktails, trying different bars, or grabbing specialty coffee throughout the day, this is the package most people consider first.

But here’s the thing—it’s not truly unlimited in the way many people assume.

What You Actually Get

Instead of thinking of it as just “alcohol,” it’s better to see it as a full beverage bundle. It covers way more than just drinks with alcohol:

The Rule Most People Forget

Here’s the part that catches people off guard:

You can only have 15 alcoholic drinks per day.
The counter resets at 6 AM daily.
Non-alcoholic drinks are unlimited.

Now, realistically, 15 drinks is more than enough for most cruisers. But if you were expecting “endless” alcohol with no cap, it’s not quite that.

What You Won’t Get With This Package

This is where expectations vs reality can clash a bit.

Even with the top package, certain things are excluded:

Shared drink options like pitchers or buckets.
Specialty machines like self-serve wine.
Fresh juices in specific bars (like Havana).
Drinks served in souvenir cups.
Drinks at the ship’s exit (gangway).
Full bottles of liquor.
Room service or minibar drinks.
Anything purchased off the ship (including private islands).

That last one matters more than people think—your package doesn’t follow you everywhere.

Side-by-Side Comparison (Quick View)

Package	Best For	Alcohol	Flexibility	Daily Limits
Bottomless Bubbles	Soda drinkers	No	Low	Unlimited (limited options)
Zero Proof Cheers	Non-drinkers who want variety	No	Very High	Unlimited
Cheers	Frequent drinkers	Yes	High	15 alcoholic drinks

So Which One Actually Makes Sense?

Instead of focusing on price alone, think about your daily habits on board.

Here’s a simple way to decide:

You mostly drink soda or juice → Bottomless Bubbles
You want coffees, smoothies, and premium drinks without alcohol → Zero Proof
You’ll be ordering cocktails, wine, or beer daily → Cheers

What You’ll Actually Pay (Per Day + Total Cruise Cost)

One of the biggest mistakes cruisers make is only looking at the daily price. But on a 7-day cruise, that “per day” number adds up quickly.

Here’s what you’re looking at in 2026:

Drink Package Pricing Overview

Package Type	Pre-Cruise Price (Daily)	Onboard Price (Daily)	7-Day Total (Approx)
Bottomless Bubbles (Child)	~$8.20	~$8.20	~$57.40
Bottomless Bubbles (Adult)	~$11.21	~$11.21	~$78.47
Zero Proof Cheers	~$35.40	~$41.30	~$247.80
CHEERS! (Alcoholic)	~$82.54	~$88.44	~$577.78

These totals already include the service charges, so what you see here is close to what you’ll actually pay.

Quick Reality Check

When you see $83.94/day, it doesn’t feel too bad.
But multiply that across a full cruise, and suddenly you’re looking at:

Nearly $600 per person
Or $1,200+ for a couple

That’s why choosing the right package matters so much.

The Discount That Quietly Disappeared

If you’ve cruised before, you might remember Carnival offering cheaper drink packages on longer sailings.

Important Rule: If You’re Sailing From Certain Ports

Here’s something many people don’t realize until they’re onboard.

If your cruise departs from certain U.S. states, such as:

Texas
New York

You cannot use your drink package on the first day due to local laws.

Instead:

You’ll pay for drinks individually on Day 1.
Your package activates at 6:00 AM on Day 2.
You’re not charged for the first day of the package.

It’s not a huge issue—but it can catch you off guard if you’re planning a sail-away drink.

When Should You Buy Your Drink Package?

If there’s one simple strategy that almost always works—it’s this:

Buy your package before your cruise.

Here’s why:

You’ll save about $5 per day on the Cheers package.
That’s $35+ savings per person on a 7-day cruise.
Prices don’t drop later (more on that below).

Waiting for a Sale? Don’t.

Many cruisers make this mistake.

They think:
“I’ll wait for a deal or discount closer to sailing.”

The problem? Carnival drink packages don’t go on sale.

The only “discount” available is:

Buying before your cruise instead of onboard.

That’s it.

Using Onboard Credit (Sounds Good, But There’s a Catch)

Yes, you can use onboard credit to buy drink packages—but it’s not always the smartest move.

Here’s why:

You can only use onboard credit after boarding.
That means you’ll pay the higher onboard price.

So for the Cheers package:

You’ll pay $89.94/day instead of $83.94/day.

That extra $5/day adds up quickly.

Smart Way to Use Onboard Credit

Instead of using it for your drink package:

Use it for:
- Excursions
- Specialty dining
- Spa treatments
- Shopping onboard

And buy your drink package in advance to save money.

What If You Skip the Package Completely?

This is where things get interesting.

Carnival drinks are actually reasonably priced compared to other cruise lines, which means not everyone needs a package.

Let’s look at average drink prices onboard:

Average Drink Prices on Carnival Cruises (Including Service Charge)

Beverage Type	Base Price (Approx)	Final Price (With 20% Service Charge)
Beer (16 oz)	$8.00 – $8.50	$9.60 – $10.20
Specialty Cocktails	$12.25 – $14.25	$14.70 – $17.10
Wine (by the glass)	$11.00 – $15.50	$13.20 – $18.60
Mixed Drinks (Spirits + Mixer)	$8.00 – $20.00	$9.60 – $24.00
Soft Drinks (Soda)	$3.00 – $4.13	$3.60 – $4.96
Specialty Coffees	$3.25 – $5.50	$3.90 – $6.60
Energy Drinks	$5.25	$6.30
Bottled Water	$2.50 – $5.00	$3.00 – $6.00

So, Is It Cheaper to Pay As You Go?

Sometimes, yes.

If you’re someone who:

Has a few drinks per day.
Spends a lot of time off the ship.
Prefers free drinks (coffee, lemonade, etc.)

You might spend less without a package.

But if you’re regularly ordering:

Cocktails
Specialty coffee
Bottled water

The total can climb quickly without you noticing.

Quick Example

Let’s say your typical day looks like this:

2 cocktails → ~$24
2 coffees → ~$8
2 bottles of water → ~$6

Total = ~$38/day

Free Drinks & Hidden Perks

That’s still less than the Cheers package, which means you wouldn’t break even.

By now, you’ve seen the package options and the real costs—and if you’re like most people, you’re probably thinking:

“Do I even need a drink package at all?”

And honestly… this is where things get interesting.

Because Carnival actually gives you more free drink options than most people expect, and if you use them smartly, you might not need a package at all.

Let’s break it all down so you can make the right decision—not just the popular one.

Free Drinks You Can Get Without Any Package

Here’s something many first-time cruisers don’t realize—you’re not starting from zero.

Even without a package, Carnival includes a decent range of drinks in your cruise fare. And if you’re okay sticking to these most of the time, your daily spending can stay surprisingly low.

Free Drinks in Dining Areas

When you’re eating in the main dining room or buffet, you’ll have access to:

Iced tea
Hot tea
Regular coffee (including decaf)
Non-bottled water
Hot chocolate
Milk (regular and skim)
Lemonade

These are available throughout the day, and you can refill as often as you like.

Free Drinks Through Room Service

Even if you’re relaxing in your cabin, you’re not completely cut off from free options:

Basic juices (orange, apple, tomato, grapefruit)
Hot tea
Iced tea
Coffee (regular or decaf)
Milk and chocolate milk
Hot chocolate

It’s not fancy, but it gets the job done—especially in the mornings.

Real-Life Tip

A lot of experienced cruisers do this:

Water, lemonade, or iced tea during the day
Free coffee in the morning
Paid for drinks only in the evening

This simple habit alone can cut your drink spending in half.

Casino Drinks: “Free” But Not Really

You might hear people say you can get free drinks in the casino—and technically, that’s true.

But there’s a catch.

How It Actually Works

On Carnival ships, you earn points while gambling:

1 point for every $2.50 played on slots
Around 1,500 points needed for a “Drinks On Us” card

That means you’re spending roughly $3,750 before you qualify.

The Reality

Even after you qualify:

Drinks are only free while actively playing.
You’ll likely spend more money gambling than you save on drinks.

So, unless you already enjoy gambling, this isn’t a real “money-saving” strategy.

Buying Water: What’s the Best Value?

Staying hydrated on a cruise is easy—but bottled water isn’t free unless you have a package.

Here’s what Carnival offers:

Water Package Pricing

Option	Price
8-pack (1L bottles)	$23.95 + delivery fee
1.5L bottle	$4.50 + delivery fee
12-pack (500ml bottles)	$15.95 + delivery fee

The 12-pack of smaller bottles is usually the best value.

Smart Move

Order your water before your cruise so it’s waiting in your cabin.

Saves time
Avoids carrying bottles on board
Often cheaper than buying individually

Bringing Your Own Drinks (Don’t Miss This)

Here’s one of the easiest ways to save money—and surprisingly, many people don’t take full advantage of it.

What You’re Allowed to Bring

Each adult can bring:

One 750ml bottle of wine or champagne.
Up to 12 cans/cartons of non-alcoholic drinks.

This includes:

Soda
Juice
Energy drinks
Bottled water

One Important Rule

You must pack these in your carry-on luggage.
Not in your checked bags.

Corkage Fee Tip

Drinking your wine in your cabin → Free
Drinking it in a restaurant/bar → $15 corkage fee

A lot of people just enjoy it on their balcony and skip the fee altogether.

How Many Drinks Do You Need to Break Even?

This is the part that really helps you decide.

Instead of guessing, let’s look at what it actually takes to justify the Cheers package.

Break-Even Guide (Cheers Package)

Drink Type	Avg Price (Incl. 20% Tip)	Break-Even (Drinks Per Day)
Craft / Import Beer	~$10.00	~8–9 Drinks
Specialty Cocktails	~$15.50	~5–6 Drinks
Wine by the Glass	~$14.00	~6 Drinks
Mixed Drinks (Well)	~$11.00	~7–8 Drinks
Energy Drinks	~$6.30	~13–14 Drinks
Specialty Coffee	~$5.00	~17 Drinks
Soda / Juice	~$4.00	~21 Drinks

“The stronger (and more expensive) your drink choices are, the fewer you need each day to make a drink package worth it.”

What This Really Means

5–6 cocktails per day → you’re roughly breaking even
7–9 beers or mixed drinks per day → needed to justify the package
Lower-cost drinks (coffee, soda) → require much higher volume
Only having 2–3 drinks per day?
You’ll almost always spend less without a package
Mixing different drinks (cocktails + coffee + water)
→ makes it much easier to reach break-even without overdrinking

Soda Package Break-Even

Adults → ~4 sodas per day
Kids → ~3 sodas per day

This package is much easier to justify, especially if you drink soda regularly throughout the day.

Important Things Most People Miss

Before you decide, here are a few key details that can change everything:

Drink Packages Don’t Work Everywhere

Not valid at private islands like Princess Cays or Half Moon Cay.
Not valid in ports.

If your itinerary has lots of port days, your usage drops.

Refund Policy (Helpful!)

If you change your mind:

You can cancel your drink package.
Up until 9 PM (ET) the night before sailing.

After that, it’s non-refundable.

Final Tip (Don’t Skip This)

If you’re still unsure, use a drink package calculator.

It takes your actual drinking habits and shows:

Total cost of a package
Total cost without one

No guessing. Just clear numbers.

Are Carnival Drink Packages Worth It?

Let’s keep it simple.

It’s Worth It If:

You drink 5+ alcoholic drinks per day.
You enjoy variety (cocktails, coffee, bottled water).
You’ll spend a lot of time on the ship.

It’s NOT Worth It If:

You drink occasionally.
You prefer free drinks most of the day.
You’ll be off the ship a lot.
You’re trying to “force value” out of it.

My Honest Take

Most people overestimate how much they’ll drink.

And that’s exactly how they end up overspending.

If you want the easiest way to decide:

Estimate your daily drinks honestly.
Multiply by prices.
Compared to the package cost.

That simple check can save you hundreds of dollars.

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