Planning a Carnival cruise is tremendously exciting! You are dreaming of sunny decks, fun activities, and relaxing with a cold drink in hand. But one big question pops up: how much are drinks on Carnival cruise vacations in 2025? No matter if you are curious about the cost of a beer, a cocktail, or a full drink package, this post breaks it all down in simple terms. If you have ever asked yourself, how much are drinks on Carnival Cruise?, you are in the right place. We will explore individual drink prices, compare package options, and help you decide what’s best for your cruise style.
Why Drinks Matter on a Carnival Cruise
Carnival cruises are all about fun, and drinks play a big role in that vibe. From sipping a cocktail by the pool to enjoying a beer at the onboard brewery, drinks help set the mood. But drinks aren’t free, and costs can add up fast if you’re not prepared. Knowing the prices and package options helps you decide whether to pay for drinks individually or go for a package like Cheers! or Bottomless Bubbles.
Individual Drink Prices on Carnival Cruises
If you plan to buy drinks one at a time, here’s what you can expect to pay on Carnival Cruise Lines in 2025. Prices vary depending on the type of drink, and an 18% gratuity is added to every drink purchase. These prices come from Carnival’s official website and recent sources to give you the most accurate picture.
How Much Is a Beer on a Carnival Cruise?
Beer is a popular choice on cruises, and Carnival offers a wide range of options, from domestic favorites to craft brews. If you are wondering how much for drinks on Carnival cruise ships, especially when it comes to beer, here’s what you will pay:
- Domestic and International Beers: Most beers, like Budweiser, Corona, or Heineken, cost between $6.50 and $7.50 for a 16-ounce serving. With the 18% gratuity, expect to pay around $7.67 to $8.85 per beer.
- Craft Beers: Craft beers, including Carnival’s own ThirstyFrog Red Ale, run about $8.25 per serving. After gratuity, that’s around $9.74.
- Canned Seltzers and Ciders: Options like Angry Orchard cider or Carnival’s ThirstyFrog seltzers cost around $7.50 to $8.25 per can, or about $8.85 to $9.74 with gratuity.
- Beer Buckets: At some bars, you can buy a bucket of four beers for a slight discount, saving about $0.50 per beer compared to buying individually.
So, to answer how much is a beer on a Carnival cruise, expect to pay $7.67 to $9.74 per beer after gratuity. If you drink three beers a day on a seven-day cruise, that’s about $161.49 to $204.54 without a package.
Wine Prices
Wine lovers have plenty of choices on Carnival, from reds to whites to sparkling options. Here’s the breakdown:
- Wine by the Glass: Prices start at $9.50 and can go up to $30, depending on the brand and quality. Most glasses fall in the $10 to $13 range. With gratuity, that’s $11.80 to $15.34 per glass.
- Bottles of Wine: Full bottles are available at bars and restaurants, with prices varying widely. You get a 25% discount on bottles if you have the Cheers! package, but bottles aren’t included in the package itself.
For instance, a $12 glass of wine with gratuity costs about $14.16. If you have two glasses daily on a five-day cruise, that’s $141.60.
Cocktail and Mixed Drink Prices
Carnival’s bars serve up a huge variety of cocktails, from classic margaritas to specialty drinks like the “Cruise On” menu favorites. Here’s what they cost:
- Mixed Drinks: Prices range from $7.50 to $20, with most standard cocktails costing $10.50 to $14. After gratuity, that’s $12.39 to $16.52 per drink.
- Specialty Cocktails: Unique drinks, like those at the Alchemy Bar or Dr. Inks, Ph.D., start at $10.50 but can go higher for premium options. For example, a cocktail at the Golden Mermaid on Carnival Jubilee costs $14, or $16.52 with gratuity.
If you enjoy two $12 cocktails a day on a seven-day cruise, you’re looking at $198.24 with gratuity.
Non-Alcoholic Drink Prices
Not all drinks are alcoholic, and Carnival has plenty of non-alcoholic options:
- Soft Drinks: A can of soda, like Pepsi or Mountain Dew, costs $2.75, or $3.25 with gratuity.
- Specialty Coffees: Lattes, cappuccinos, and other coffee drinks at places like JavaBlue Cafe cost $2.50 to $4.25, or $2.95 to $5.02 with gratuity.
- Energy Drinks: Brands like Red Bull cost $4.95, or $5.84 with gratuity.
- Bottled Water: San Benedetto bottled water or coconut water ranges from $1.50 to $5, or $1.77 to $5.90 with gratuity.
- Juices: Outside of breakfast, juices like orange or apple cost around $2.75, or $3.25 with gratuity.
If you buy two sodas ($2.75 each) and one specialty coffee ($4) daily on a five-day cruise, that’s $47.50 with gratuity.
Free Drinks on Carnival Cruises
Some drinks are included in your cruise fare, especially at the Lido Marketplace buffet and casual dining spots like Guy’s Burger Joint or BlueIguana Cantina. These include:
- Lemonade
- Iced tea
- Regular and decaf coffee
- Hot tea
- Hot chocolate
- Ice water
- Juices (orange, apple, cranberry, and pineapple/orange/guava) at breakfast
These free options are great if you want to keep costs down, but they’re limited to specific areas and times.
Carnival’s Drink Packages: Cheers! and Bottomless Bubbles
If you plan to drink a lot, Carnival’s drink packages can save you money and make budgeting easier. Carnival offers two main packages: Cheers! for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and Bottomless Bubbles for non-alcoholic drinks. Here’s everything you need to know.
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Cheers! Beverage Program
The Cheers! package is Carnival’s all-inclusive drink package, covering most alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. It’s popular because it lets you enjoy a variety of drinks without worrying about the bill. Here’s the scoop:
- Cost: $82.54 per person, per day (including 18% gratuity) if bought before your cruise. If you buy it onboard, it’s $88.44 per day. For a seven-day cruise, that’s $577.78 per person pre-purchased.
- What’s Included:
- All alcoholic drinks (beer, wine by the glass, cocktails, spirits) up to $20 each.
- Unlimited sodas, juices, mocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, teas, and 500ml bottled water.
- Self-serve beer stations on select ships.
- 25% discount on drinks over $20, bottles of wine/champagne, and beverage seminars.
- Limits: You are capped at 15 alcoholic drinks per 24-hour period (6 a.m. to 6 a.m.). Non-alcoholic drinks are unlimited.
- Rules:
- Everyone 21 or older in the same stateroom must buy the package if one person does.
- You can only order one drink at a time, with a five-minute wait between drinks.
- The package is for the entire cruise, not per day.
- It’s not available on two-day cruises, charter cruises, or at Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay, or Princess Cays.
- How to Buy: Purchase online before your cruise for the lower price, or onboard at the lobby, casino, or pool bars. Pre-purchased packages activate on embarkation day (except for Texas and New York sailings, where they start at 6 a.m. on day two).
Is Worth It? To break even, you need to drink enough to match the daily cost. For example, at $82.54 per day, you’d need about 11 beers ($7.50 each), six cocktails ($14 each), or a mix of drinks like four cocktails, two beers, and three sodas. If you only drink three to four alcoholic drinks a day, you will likely spend less paying individually. But the package offers peace of mind and lets you try new drinks without worrying about the cost.
Bottomless Bubbles Package
The Bottomless Bubbles package is for non-alcoholic drinks, perfect for kids or anyone who doesn’t drink alcohol. Here’s the details:
- Cost: $6.95 per child (17 and under) or $9.50 per adult, per day, plus 18% gratuity. That’s $8.20 for kids and $11.21 for adults daily. For a seven-day cruise, it’s $57.40 for kids or $78.47 for adults.
- What’s Included: Unlimited fountain sodas (Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Sugar, etc.) and juices (orange, apple, etc.) in 16-ounce glasses for soda or 10-ounce glasses for juice.
- What’s Not Included: Specialty coffees, teas, energy drinks, and bottled water are not covered.
- Rules:
- You can only order one drink at a time.
- Available for purchase pre-cruise or onboard at select bars.
- A sticker is added to your Sail & Sign card for access.
Is Bottomless Bubbles Worth It? If you drink three sodas a day ($3.25 with gratuity), that’s $9.75 daily, so the adult package ($11.21) barely saves money. For kids, it’s a better deal since the package is cheaper. If you stick to free drinks like lemonade or iced tea, you might not need this package. how much is a drink on a royal caribbean cruise
The Bottom Line
Drinks on a Carnival cruise can fit any budget if you plan ahead. Individual drink prices are reasonable, with beers starting at $6.50, wines at $9.50, and cocktails at $7.50, but the 18% gratuity adds up. The Cheers! package ($82.54/day pre-purchased) is great for heavy drinkers who want variety and convenience, while the Bottomless Bubbles package ($8.20-$11.21/day) suits soda and juice lovers. Bringing your own wine or soda can also save you money.
Before you book, think about how much you will drink. If you enjoy three to four drinks a day, paying as you go is likely cheaper. If you love trying new cocktails or want to sip all day without worrying about the bill, the Cheers! package is a solid choice.
