Carnival’s drink packages might seem like a great deal at first glance—unlimited cocktails, beer, wine, and specialty drinks for a fixed daily price. But for many cruisers, the numbers just don’t work in their favor.
With a high per-day cost, strict rules on how drinks are served, and the requirement that all adults in the same cabin purchase the package, some guests are realizing it’s not as convenient as it sounds. Instead of saving money, they often find themselves trying to drink enough just to break even.
If you’re wondering whether the drink package is truly worth it, you’re not alone. Many Carnival cruisers are deciding to skip it and explore other ways to enjoy drinks without the hefty price tag. Read on to find out why so many are saying no—and what they’re doing instead.
Why Cruisers Are Skipping the Drink Package
Before committing to Carnival’s drink package, it’s worth looking at why so many cruisers choose to skip it:
You might not drink enough to justify it
Carnival offers several drink packages, but the most popular by far is the CHEERS! package, which covers a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for a flat daily rate. While it sounds like a convenient way to enjoy unlimited drinks without worrying about the bill, many cruisers are surprised by how much it actually costs.
The CHEERS! package costs $70 per day when purchased before sailing. Adding Carnival’s mandatory 18% gratuity, the total comes to $82 per day (source). That means for a 7-night cruise, you’re looking at $577 per person. Also keep in mind that if one adult in a stateroom buys the package, Carnival requires all adults to do the same. That means for a couple, the minimum cost for a week is $1,155.
To break even on the drink package, you’d need to drink at least:
- 6 cocktails per day ($12.50 each)
- Or 9 beers per day ($8 each)
With the package costing $70.80 per day after gratuities, many cruisers find themselves drinking more than they normally would just to justify the cost. As one past guest put it:
“We thought the package would save us money, but in reality, we were forcing ourselves to drink just to break even. Next time, we’ll just pay as we go.”
Carnival also offers the Bottomless Bubbles package, which provides unlimited soda and juice for $11.21 per day for adults and $8.20 per day for kids, as well as the Cruise the Vineyards wine package, which lets guests pre-purchase bottles of wine at a discounted rate.
However, like the CHEERS! package, these can end up costing more than what most people actually drink, making it hard to get your money’s worth unless you’re consuming a lot every single day.
The 15-drink limit might not be enough – or might be too much
Unlike some cruise lines that offer unlimited alcoholic drinks, Carnival’s drink packages cap you at 15 alcoholic beverages per 24-hour period (9 AM – 3 AM, though times may vary) (source). This can feel restrictive for heavy drinkers but excessive for casual ones trying to justify the cost.
Once you hit 15 alcoholic drinks, you cannot purchase more, even if you’re willing to pay out of pocket. Many cruisers find this cap frustrating, especially when compared to other lines that offer truly unlimited drink packages, while others feel pressured to drink more than usual just to get their money’s worth.
You pay for port days you won’t use
One major downside of Carnival’s drink packages is that you have to pay for them every day of your cruise, even on port days when you might be spending most of your time off the ship. This means you’re paying full price for a package you can’t fully use while exploring ports or on excursions.
Also, unlike some other cruise lines that allow their drink packages to be used on their private islands, Carnival does not extend any of its drink packages to its private destinations, such as Half Moon Cay. If you want a soda, cocktail, or even bottled water while relaxing on the island, you’ll have to pay out of pocket.
It doesn’t cover everything
One of the biggest misconceptions about Carnival’s drink packages is that they cover everything, but that’s not the case.
For example, CHEERS! only covers alcoholic drinks up to $20 per glass, so if you want a premium cocktail, high-end whiskey, or a nicer bottle of wine, you’ll have to pay extra. It also doesn’t include bottled liquor, souvenir cup drinks, or minibar purchases.
The Bottomless Bubbles package is limited to soda and juice, so if you want specialty coffee, energy drinks, sparkling water, or milkshakes, you’re out of luck. Even the Cruise the Vineyards wine package only applies to a pre-selected list of wines and doesn’t let you mix and match freely.
What Cruisers Are Doing Instead
Here are some ways Carnival cruisers are enjoying drinks without committing to a pricey package:
Paying per drink
Many cruisers are skipping the drink package and opting to pay per drink instead. Unless you plan to drink several alcoholic beverages per day, paying for drinks individually often makes more financial sense.
This approach is particularly appealing for those who only enjoy the occasional cocktail, beer, or glass of wine rather than constantly having a drink in hand.
For example, let’s say a cruiser only orders:
- One cocktail – $14
- One glass of wine with dinner – $12
- One bottle of water – $3
That brings their total to $29 for the day. Compare that to Carnival’s Cheers! drink package, which can cost $60–$70 per day, and it’s easy to see why many cruisers prefer a pay-as-you-go approach.
Another advantage of paying per drink is flexibility—you’re not locked into a package that requires you to drink a set amount each day to break even. If you decide to skip alcohol for a day, enjoy drinks in port where they may be cheaper, or simply prefer a mix of specialty coffees, bottled water, and the occasional cocktail, you only pay for what you actually consume.
Packing your own drinks (Within limits)
Instead of splurging out for a pricey drink package, some cruisers opt to bring their own beverages to cut costs. But before you start packing, keep in mind that Carnival has strict rules on what and how much you can bring.
Each adult can bring one 750 ml (25 oz) bottle of wine or champagne in their carry-on luggage on embarkation day—just don’t try sneaking in hard liquor or beer, as those are completely off-limits. If you plan to enjoy your wine outside your cabin, be ready for a $15 corkage fee per bottle in restaurants and bars (source).
For non-alcoholic drinks, you’re allowed up to 12 sealed cans or cartons (350 ml, 12 oz each or smaller) per person, also in your carry-on. This covers sparkling water, sodas, energy drinks, juice, and milk. Keep in mind that bottled beverages—whether glass or plastic—aren’t allowed.
Additionally, small personal coolers are allowed for carrying your drinks, but large coolers won’t make it past security. These limits might not replace unlimited drinks, but they can help save money without committing to a full drink package.
Enjoying free drinks
One of the best parts of cruising with Carnival is that you don’t need to buy a drink package to stay hydrated and refreshed. A variety of drinks are available for free throughout your cruise, including water, lemonade, iced tea, hot tea, coffee, and hot chocolate.
At breakfast, you can also enjoy complimentary apple juice, orange juice, grapefruit juice, and milk. These beverages are readily available in the buffet, main dining rooms, and various drink stations around the ship, so you’ll always have something to sip on without worrying about extra costs.
Taking advantage of drink specials
Cruisers looking to save on drinks without committing to a package can take advantage of daily drink specials. Certain bars onboard offer a “Drink of the Day,” which is a featured cocktail at a lower price. These drinks vary daily and are a fun way to try something new while keeping costs down.
If you’re dining at the Steakhouse on embarkation night, you may also get a deal on wine—Carnival typically offers a free bottle of house wine (Chardonnay or Cabernet from Santa Helena) or 50% off a different bottle, making it a great way to kick off your cruise with some savings.
While Happy Hour promotions aren’t as widespread as they once were, some ships still run them. The Red Frog Pub has been known to offer half-price drinks, including fishbowls, on embarkation day and sometimes mid-cruise.
Another popular way to save is through bucket of beer deals—Carnival often offers six beers for the price of five, which is a good option if you plan to enjoy a few over the course of your cruise. These buckets can be kept on ice, and you can even take them back to your cabin to enjoy later.
Keep in mind that all drink specials and promotions can vary by ship and sailing, and there are no guarantees that a specific deal will be available on your cruise. While some ships may offer a Drink of the Day or Happy Hour discounts, others might not, so it’s always best to check with the onboard bars or your daily schedule to see what’s available.
Drinking in port instead
To save money, many cruisers choose to enjoy their drinks while in port rather than onboard. Local bars and restaurants in popular cruise destinations often have much lower prices, allowing you to sip on your favorite cocktails and beers without worrying about the cost adding up.
Ports in Mexico, the Caribbean, and The Bahamas, for example, have well-known beach bars where you can sip a cold beer or a strong margarita for a fraction of what you’d pay on the ship. Plus, some places even offer all-you-can-drink specials or happy hour deals that make it even more affordable.
This strategy works best for Caribbean-focused itineraries, where drinks in port are often cheaper than on the ship. However, if your cruise is less itinerary-focused—such as those with more sea days or shorter port stops—or if you prefer staying onboard, this may not be the best way to save.
Using casino perks
For those who enjoy a little gambling, Carnival’s ‘Drinks On Us!’ program offers a way to score free drinks while playing in the casino.
Once you earn enough points (typically around 1,000 to 1,500) you can enjoy complimentary cocktails, beer, wine, soda, and other non-alcoholic drinks as long as you’re actively playing. Points are earned through gameplay, with slot machines and table games contributing to your total (source).
Beyond free drinks, Carnival’s Players Club provides additional benefits for frequent casino-goers. Membership is free, and guests 18 and older automatically start earning points when they play. Higher-tier members can unlock perks like exclusive casino event invitations, priority services, onboard credit, and even free or discounted cruises (source).
While these perks can add up, some guests note that drink service in the casino can be slow at times, especially during busy periods. If you’re looking to get your complimentary drinks faster, a well-placed tip to the casino server may help. Also, play responsibly!
Earning VIFP loyalty perks
For frequent Carnival cruisers, the Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club offers a way to enjoy complimentary drinks just for sailing. Membership starts as soon as you take your first cruise, and as you earn more points, you unlock free drinks and exclusive beverage perks.
Drink-related perks include:
- Gold (25+ points) – One complimentary drink on cruises of five days or longer
- Platinum & Diamond (75+ points) – Complimentary drinks at exclusive members-only events
- Platinum & Diamond – Invitations to the VIFP Party on 5+ day cruises with free drinks
VIFP members can redeem their complimentary drink at any time on any day of their cruise.
While these benefits are a great way to score a few free drinks, they are more of a bonus rather than a replacement for a drink package. For those who drink regularly throughout their cruise, the other methods listed above will likely save more money in the long run.
