When planning your dream vacation at sea, it’s important to think not only about where you’re going and what you’ll be doing, but also how you’ll be relaxing and enjoying yourself on board. For many cruisers, sipping a tropical cocktail on the deck, sharing a bottle of wine with dinner, or enjoying a refreshing soda by the pool is a highlight of the trip. Carnival Cruise Line, one of the most popular cruise brands in the world, offers a wide selection of beverages—from soft drinks to premium cocktails, specialty coffees, and bottled water. Carnival Cruise Drinks
One of the biggest questions travelers ask is: How much are drinks on a Carnival Cruise, and is the drink package worth it? This guide breaks down drink prices, beverage package costs, and what you can expect when cruising with Carnival.
Drinks on Carnival Cruise: What’s Included for Free?
Before looking at paid beverages, let’s start with the basics: not all drinks cost extra on a Carnival Cruise. Some beverages are included with your cruise fare, meaning you can enjoy them anytime at no additional cost.
Complimentary Drinks:
- Water (tap and ice water available at all dining venues)
- Coffee (basic drip coffee)
- Hot tea
- Hot chocolate (self-service machines on some ships)
- Lemonade
- Iced tea
- Non-carbonated fruit punch (varies by ship)
- Milk (white or chocolate)
These complimentary beverages are typically available in the buffet areas and main dining rooms, making it easy to stay hydrated without paying extra. However, if you want sodas, bottled water, specialty coffees, or alcoholic drinks, you’ll need to purchase them individually or opt for a beverage package.
How Much Are Drinks on a Carnival Cruise?
Carnival Cruise drink prices are relatively affordable compared to many resorts or land-based entertainment venues, but costs can add up if you’re not careful. Here’s an overview of average drink prices in 2025:
Soft Drinks and Non-Alcoholic Beverages:
- Sodas (Coca-Cola products): $2.75 – $3.50 per can
- Bottled water (16.9 oz): $1.50 – $2.25
- Large bottled water (1.5 liters): $3.75 – $5.00
- Specialty coffees (lattes, cappuccinos, iced coffees): $3.50 – $6.00
- Energy drinks (Red Bull, Monster): $5.00 – $6.00
- Mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails): $5.00 – $7.00
Alcoholic Beverages:
- Beers (domestic): $6.00 – $7.50
- Beers (imported or craft): $7.50 – $9.00
- Glass of wine: $9.00 – $14.00
- Cocktails: $9.50 – $14.50
- Frozen cocktails (pina coladas, daiquiris, margaritas): $10.00 – $14.00
- Shots of liquor: $7.00 – $10.00
- Premium liquors: $10.00 – $14.00 per shot
Gratuities on Drinks:
Carnival automatically adds 18% gratuity to the cost of every beverage purchase. For example, if you order a $10 cocktail, the final cost will be around $11.80 after gratuity.
How Much Is a Beer on a Carnival Cruise?
Beer drinkers will be happy to know that Carnival offers a wide variety of domestic, imported, and craft beers. Prices vary slightly by brand, but here’s what you can expect in 2025:
- Domestic beers (Bud Light, Coors, Miller Lite, etc.): around $6.50 – $7.50
- Imported beers (Heineken, Corona, Stella Artois, etc.): around $7.50 – $9.00
- Carnival’s exclusive brewed beers (ParchedPig craft beers available on select ships): $6.50 – $7.50
You can also buy beer in buckets (usually 4 beers), which saves you around 10–15% compared to buying them individually.
Wine and Champagne Prices
If you prefer wine or champagne, Carnival offers bottles in the main dining room and by the glass throughout the ship.
- Wine by the glass: $9.00 – $14.00
- Bottles of wine: $30.00 – $65.00 (premium bottles higher)
- Champagne: $45.00 and up
Tip: If you’re a wine enthusiast, Carnival allows guests to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne per adult on embarkation day, free of charge.
Carnival Cruise Drink Packages
Instead of paying per drink, many cruisers choose to purchase a beverage package for unlimited (or limited) drinks during the trip. Carnival offers two main packages:
1. Bottomless Bubbles (Soda Package)
- Price:
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$6.95 per day (children 17 and under)
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$9.50 per day (adults)
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- Gratuity: Additional 18% service charge applied at purchase.
- What’s Included: Unlimited fountain sodas and juices.
- What’s Not Included: Bottled water, energy drinks, specialty coffee, or alcohol.
This package is great for families with kids or adults who primarily drink soda.
2. Cheers! Beverage Program (Alcohol Package)
- Price (2025 rates):
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$59.95 per person, per day when purchased before the cruise.
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$64.95 per person, per day when purchased on board.
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- Gratuity: 18% gratuity added, bringing the total closer to $70–$77 per day.
- What’s Included:
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All spirits, cocktails, and mixed drinks up to $20 per serving
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All beer up to $20 per serving
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All wine and champagne by the glass up to $20 per serving
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Unlimited sodas, mocktails, and non-alcoholic cocktails
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Energy drinks, specialty coffees, hot teas, and bottled water (500ml)
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25% discount on drinks priced above $20
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25% discount on wine and champagne bottles
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- What’s Not Included:
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Drinks in souvenir glasses
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Drinks offered at gangway ports
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Room service beverages
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Sharing drinks with others
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Daily Limit: Up to 15 alcoholic drinks per 24 hours (plenty for most travelers). Non-alcoholic drinks are unlimited.
Is the Carnival Drink Package Worth It?
Whether or not the Cheers! package is worth it depends on your drinking habits.
Example Cost Without Package:
- 4 cocktails ($12 each) = $48
- 2 beers ($8 each) = $16
- 1 specialty coffee ($5) = $5
- 1 bottle of water ($2.25) = $2.25
Total = $71.25 + gratuity (~$84)
With the Cheers! package, your daily cost is around $70–$77, making it worthwhile if you drink at least 5–6 alcoholic beverages plus some extras per day.
For light drinkers who only have 1–2 cocktails per day, it’s cheaper to pay as you go.
Tips to Save Money on Drinks on Carnival Cruises
- Bring Your Own Wine: One 750ml bottle per adult is allowed.
- Pre-purchase Packages: Buying Cheers! or Bottomless Bubbles before boarding saves money.
- Look for Daily Specials: Carnival often runs “drink of the day” promotions at discounted rates.
- Happy Hour Events: Some bars and lounges host happy hours with cheaper drinks.
- Buy Buckets of Beer: Save 10–15% by purchasing multiple beers at once.
- Drink Included Beverages: Stick with iced tea, lemonade, coffee, and water if you’re on a budget.
- Use Your VIFP Status: Frequent cruisers sometimes get free drink vouchers depending on loyalty level.
Specialty Bars and Unique Carnival Drinks
Carnival Cruise Line is known for its fun atmosphere, and part of that experience includes themed bars and unique cocktails.
- Alchemy Bar: Mixologists craft custom cocktails with fresh ingredients. Drinks typically $12–$15.
- RedFrog Pub & Brewery: Features Carnival’s exclusive ParchedPig beers brewed at sea. Beers around $7.
- BlueIguana Tequila Bar: Famous for margaritas and tequila-based cocktails ($9–$12).
- Havana Bar: Latin-inspired cocktails, mojitos, and Cuban classics.
- Piano Bar & Atrium Bar: Classic cocktails with live entertainment.
- These venues make drinking onboard not just about the beverage, but about the experience.
Final Thoughts
So, how much is a bucket of beer on carnival cruise? The answer depends on what you’re drinking: beers cost around $6.50–$9.00, cocktails are typically $10–$14, and sodas are around $3.00 each. Carnival’s drink package, the Cheers! program, costs about $70–$77 per day including gratuity, and is worth it if you regularly enjoy cocktails, wine, or beer throughout your cruise.
For lighter drinkers or families, the Bottomless Bubbles soda package might be a better fit. Regardless of your choice, Carnival makes sure there’s something for everyone—whether you’re sipping lemonade by the pool or enjoying a mojito at the Alchemy Bar.
With the right planning, you can manage your beverage budget without sacrificing the fun. After all, cruising with Carnival is about relaxing, making memories, and enjoying every sip of the journey.
