What is the average cost of a Carnival Cruise drink package?

Carnival cruises combine the joy of sunshine, relaxation, a unique blend of dining, and their numerous activities into one. But how do they stand when it comes to drinks? Carnival's cruise drink packages are of great help, whether you cherish a glass of fine wine, adore a brilliantly mixed cocktail, or simply enjoy a fizzy poolside drink . Numerous beginners ask "what is the value of the drink package?" "What is the price?" To help you plan well for your cruise, this article explains useful tips, expected prices, and the necessary details of each Carnival drink package.

What Are Carnival Cruise Drink Packages?

Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line

Each Carnival cruise drink package offers several conveniences and one of them is the consolidation of pay-per-drink purchases into a single payment. This allows for easier management of a cruise bar tab. Simply present your Sail & Sign card, just like with other purchases, and enjoy hassle-free payment with no additional receipts to sign. Depending on the package you choose, you may gain access to:

• Beers, wines, spirits, and even cocktails (all within the package’s set limit)
• Juices and sodas
• Energy drinks and bottled water
• Glasses of wine
• Specialty coffee such as cappuccinos and lattes
• Zero-proof drinks and mocktails

Lets dive into the details of each package as each drinks package comes with a set of 'includes' and 'excludes'.

What to Drink, What It Costs, and How to Choose the Best Package for You

Wine, soft drinks, and all-inclusive beverage packages cater to different drink preferences and budgets; and Carnival Cruise has a deal for each of them. To familiarize you with the offers, descriptive information along with the estimated charges and their coverage is explained below.

Cheers! Drink Package

It’s time for a toast! The Cheers! drink package offered on Carnival ships is a cut above the rest. It is the only package that allows specialty coffee and energy drinks, as well as wine and coffee after meals and cocktails at the swimming pool.

This is what Cheers! Covers:

Daily limit of 15 or more alcoholic drinks (including beer, wine by the glass and spirits, as well as cocktails up to $20)  

A wide range of non-alcoholic drinks, such as:

• Soft and carbonated drinks
• Bottled water (500 ml)
• Specialty teas and coffee
• Energy drinks
• Juice bars
• Smoothies and milkshakes (at select venues)
• Premium mocktails and zero-proof cocktails

Estimated Cost:

• $82.54 per day per person (including 18% tip) if purchased in advance
• Daily Cost on Board: $88.44 per day per person (includes tip)

Also Read: Carnival Cruise Ships By Age: Newest to Oldest

Bottomless Bubbles

If you and your children prefer non-alcoholic beverages, Carnival’s “Endless Fizz” offers a soft drink package. It will allow both your children and you to enjoy unlimited fountain beverages and juices throughout the cruise.

Estimated Cost:

• Adults: $11.21 per person, per day (with gratuity)
• Children under 18: $8.20 per day (with gratuity)

Beverage Enhancements and Wine Packages

Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line

Not every guest wants to buy a full drink package. Carnival also offers small enhancements for those who want a bottle of wine with dinner or a few extras on their cruise.

• ‘Cruise the Vineyard’ and Premium wine packages: With these, you can pre-purchase 3, 5, or 7 bottles of wine at a discounted price.
• Bottled water packages: These come to your cabin in twelves or twenty-fours.
• Alcohol Gift Sets: Pre-purchased mixers and spirits for special occasions.
• À la carte specialty drinks such as smoothies, lattes, and cappuccinos.

Average Cost and Rules of a Drink Package on Carnival Cruises

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Properly understanding policies beforehand always saves time. Consider the following details:

• If an adult purchases the CHEERS! drink package for their cabin, all other passengers in that cabin must purchase a package as well. Thus, ‘sharing’ of drink packages within a cabin is not permitted.
• Drinks packages also have age restrictions. For instance, on US sailings, guests must be 21 years or older to purchase CHEERS! (This limit is 18 years or older for some international sailings).
• There’s also a limit on the number of drinks per day. For CHEERS!, guests are capped at 15 drinks per day. There are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks as well.
• No doubles. Do not order more than one drink at a time, or doubles.

Related: Are Carnival Cruises All Inclusive?

Free Drinks Included Without a Package

You can be confident in the assortment of free beverages available even without buying a package. Carnival provides the following at no extra cost:

• Iced tea
• Lemonade
• Regular coffee
• Hot chocolate
• Tap water
• Fruit punch (offered at certain buffets and during breakfast)

These fundamental drinks are always offered at the drink stations in the main dining rooms and at the buffet.

Tips to Remember When Choosing a Carnival Cruise Drink Package

• Calculate the Expenses: Wine normally costs $9 to $12 per bottle, and a beer stands at $7. Cocktails lie between $10 and $14. If you are planning on having 5 or 6 drinks a day, consider CHEERS!.
• Think About the Days in Port: Going on excursions means you will be away from the ship for a significant part of the day. This reduces the value of the package.
• Think About Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Soft drinks, coffee, and even bottled water can all be quite expensive. The CHEERS! package covers all of these.
• Buy Early: Getting the package prior to your cruise is much less expensive.

Also Read: How Much Does a Vacation with Carnival Cruise Cost?

When and Where to Buy

• Prior to departure: The optimum and least expensive choice is to purchase a package ahead of the cruise via Carnival's "Manage My Booking" page.
• Onboard: It is possible to purchase packages in the first few days of sailing at lounges, bars, and kiosks.

Rules and Restrictions of Carnival Drink Package

Carnival cruise drink packages are a prime example. A clear understanding of the package’s benefits and restrictions aids Carnival cruise passengers in fully benefiting from their cruise drink package.

• Package Terms: If the group of people sharing the same stateroom has a person 21 years or older, all people sharing the stateroom are obligated to buy the CHEERS! cruise package. This policy is put in place to deter package sharing.
• Daily Drink Limit: There is a 15 alcoholic drinks per day limit if you hold the CHEERS! Package. You will need to wait for the drinks to reset at 6:00 a.m the next day to buy more. Drinks such as coffee, soda, and mocktails do not have any restrictions and can be purchased freely.
• Limitations on Drink Prices: The Cheers! package covers the cost of your alcohol for up to $20 per drink. If you decide to order a drink that is above this price, you will need to pay the difference.
• Limitations on Age: The minimum age for Cheers! Package purchase is 21 years on ships sailing to and from the US. For some international voyages, the age limit is 18 years.
• No Sharing Allowed: Package sharing is not allowed. Servers and bartenders on Carnival ships have strict guidelines not to allow sharing.
• One Drink at a Time: No individual is allowed to be served more than one drink at a time. It is also not allowed to be served multiple drinks or doubles at once.
• Terms and Conditions: Drinks from oversized wine or spirit bottles, minibar drinks, room service drinks, and drinks served in keepsake glasses are not covered. Drinks served in the casino are also excluded from CHEERS!
• Service Fee: For the bundle purchase, an 18% service charge is automatically added to the gratuity.
• When You Can Buy: Packages can only be bought for the full duration of the cruise, not a single day. You can take advantage of the CHEERS! offer either before the cruise starts or in the initial days of the cruise to avail better discounts.

Conclusion

When it comes to Carnival's drink offer, the CHEERS! package can be worth it for quite a few. After a few drinks each day, cruise goers who enjoy wine, soda, specialty coffee, and even cocktails tend to make back the cost of the package. On the other hand, those who drink sparingly or stick to the complimentary coffee and iced tea might be better off without the package.

No matter which you decide on, the Carnival drink package norms, options, and average price are all things you need to know to cruise smoothly. The focus of a cruise is to chill, and the perfect drink complements the sea air like nothing else.

FAQs About Average Cost of a Carnival Cruise Drink Package

Can I Transfer My Beverage Package to a Different Guest?

Carnival Cruises has a very clear and somewhat strict beverage policy, specifically, refusal to share.

Does The Cheers! Package Have Any Drink Restrictions?

There is a fifteen-alcohol limit per day, per person, indeed. The non-alcohol drinks are on no-limit, as well.

Do I Have a Limit in Bringing My Own Drinks?

Carnival cruise passengers may bring one bottle of wine per adult on the day of embarkation, in addition to a limited quantity of non-alcoholic beverages, both of which are subject to certain restrictions.