How Much Does a Carnival Drink Package Cost?

On a relaxing ocean getaway with Carnival Cruise Line, an all-inclusive drink package enhances the fun by providing unlimited beverage access at an affordable fixed cost. But what’s the full pricing breakdown on Carnival’s alcoholic “Cheers!” and non-alcoholic “Bottomless Bubbles” beverage package options?

This guide covers the tiered costs, inclusions, restrictions, and overall value of purchasing Carnival’s drink packages to help travelers budget and select the best plan for their personal needs. We’ll compare pre-cruise versus onboard purchase pricing, bundled gratuities, total trip savings, and more. Read on to make an informed decision for your upcoming cruise vacation.

How Much Does a Carnival Drink Package Cost?

Carnival’s drink packages cost from about $70 per person for a 7-day non-alcoholic Bottomless Bubbles package up to $450 or more per person for a week-long top-tier alcoholic Cheers! premium package including gratuities. Most cruisers can expect to budget between $100-$300 per person for a mid-range 4–7-day unlimited beverage package from Carnival.

The baseline per person daily price structure for Carnival’s fully unlimited “Cheers!” alcoholic premium beverage package is:

• $59.95 per guest/per day when purchased in advance online prior to embarkation and the cruise departing. This pre-purchase online rate offers around an 8% savings over buying onboard.
• $64.95 per guest/per day when purchased in-person after boarding and the ship has already set sail.
• 18% daily gratuity calculated based on the package’s base cost applies on top as an additional mandatory fee per package, per person, per day. This gratuity covers the included beverage service.

Over a 7-day cruise, the Cheers! package purchased online would total $419.65 per person covering the $59.95 base price for 7 days plus the added 18% daily gratuity per day. For a 10-day Southern Caribbean sailing, the total Cheers! package cost would rise to $599.50 per guest including service gratuities at the pre-cruise rate.

The complete cost structure of Carnival’s unlimited non-alcoholic “Bottomless Bubbles” beverage package is:

• $9.50 per person/per day for adult guests 21+ when purchased in advance online prior to cruise departure.
• $11.50 per person/per day for adults when purchasing once onboard the ship after sailing. This represents about a 17% price jump over the early online rate.
• $6.50 per child/per day for kids under 12, regardless of whether the package is bought pre-cruise or onboard once sailing. The child rate offers around a 30% discount.
• 18% daily gratuity also applies per package bought, calculated based on the applicable base rate outlined above.

Over a 7-day cruise, the total Bottomless Bubbles package cost for a family of four including 2 adults and 2 kids would total $126.30 when pre-purchased online, covering the base package fees plus service gratuities.
According to an article from Cruise Booking, the CHEERS! beverage package costs approximately $64.95 per day when booked onboard for cruises longer than five days. For shorter trips lasting between three to five days, the price increases to about $74.95 per day. This package allows guests to enjoy unlimited drinks, including cocktails, beer, and wine valued at $20 or less.

Another source, Carnival’s Help Center, states that if purchased before the cruise, the CHEERS! package costs around $59.95 per person per day, which includes an 18% service charge. This pricing structure incentivizes early purchase, making it more economical for guests planning ahead.

A report from Cruise Blog confirms that the CHEERS! package allows for up to 15 alcoholic beverages per day, with a daily cost of approximately $76.64 for longer cruises and $88.44 for shorter ones after including gratuity. The Bottomless Bubbles non-alcoholic package is available at about $9.50 per adult per day and $6.95 per child per day.

According to another overview from The Points Guy, the CHEERS! program provides a wide range of drinks, including beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, and specialty cocktails. However, drinks priced over $20 are available at a 25% discount rather than included in the package.

Lastly, an article from Carnival’s official site outlines that individual drink prices vary, with beers starting around $6.50, wine by the glass at about $9.50, and mixed drinks ranging from $7.50 to $20.00. The CHEERS! package is designed for those who wish to enjoy a variety of beverages without worrying about individual drink costs.

Carnival’s Pre-Paid Drink Packages

Carnival Cruise Line offers two primary all-inclusive beverage packages allowing guests to enjoy unlimited drinks for the duration of a cruise at a pre-set daily rate per person:

• The “Cheers!” Premium Beverage Package covering unlimited alcoholic drinks like cocktails, domestic and imported beer, wines, and standard spirits. It’s ideally suited for legal-aged guests 21+ who plan to regularly consume alcoholic beverages daily while sailing.
• The “Bottomless Bubbles” Package catering specifically to unlimited sodas, fresh juices, coffees, teas, and other non-alcoholic beverage choices without liquor. It’s a perfect fit for families traveling with younger children under 21.

Types of Drinks Included

The “Cheers!” alcoholic premium beverage package specifically covers:

• Beer – domestic and imported draught beers, along with cans and bottles.
• Wine – all selections priced up to $20 per glass.
• Spirits – cocktails, liquors, and frozen drinks priced up to $20 each.
• Sodas – unlimited fountain soda and Coca Cola products.
• Coffee & tea – including Starbucks specialty coffees and hot tea.
• Juices – unlimited freshly squeezed orange, grapefruit, pineapple, and other regular juices.
• Water – bottled still and sparkling water.

The “Bottomless Bubbles” non-alcoholic package encompasses:

• Sodas – unlimited fountain Coca Cola soft drink products.
• Juices – unlimited freshly squeezed and concentrated juices.
• Water – unlimited bottled still and sparkling water.
• Coffee & tea – specialty lattes, cappuccinos, espressos, and hot tea.
• Milkshakes and smoothies – non-alcoholic specialty frozen drinks.

Benefits and Advantages

The major perks and conveniences of pre-purchasing an all-inclusive beverage package include:

• Cost savings – Packages offer considerable deals for frequent drinkers who would otherwise spend much more paying per drink. Pre-set package rates lock in values for budgeting.
• Convenience – Hassle-free open bar shipwide charging privileges with no checkout lines. Just grab drinks freely and go.
• Simplicity – No need to budget cash tips for every individual drink or sign bar checks. Gratuities are included in the package price.
• Exclusive perks – 25% off bottles of wine and 20% savings on premium top-shelf liquors beyond the standard $20 limit.

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Rules and Restrictions

Carnival enforces certain limits and program restrictions travelers should understand upfront:

• Guests are strictly restricted to no more than 15 alcoholic drinks total per person per day as part of the terms of the Cheers! package for responsible consumption. The 15-drink maximum can’t be exceeded or restarted.
• Packages cannot be shared across cabins – each individual guest must purchase their own package based on personal eligibility and age.
• The first embarkation day of sailing restricts package activation for guests boarding at certain East Coast restricted boarding ports.
• Takeaway canned beer buckets and souvenir glasses are ineligible. Packages only cover drinks ordered at onboard bars and restaurants. Room service is excluded.

How and Where to Purchase

Guests have options when it comes to securing Carnival drink packages:

• Packages can be purchased online pre-cruise via Carnival’s website or convenient mobile app. This offers the lowest pricing and guarantees availability.
• Packages can also be purchased after boarding through guest services desks or directly at most shipboard bars. But at elevated onboard day rates around 15% higher.
• Packages must be purchased for the entire cruise length in advance. Partial mid-cruise packages are not available.

Locking in pre-purchase online typically 5-7 days before cruise departure generally secures the best guaranteed pricing and package confirmation.

Carnival’s Drink Packages vs Other Cruise Lines

• Norwegian Cruise Line offers very comparable premium unlimited beverage packages to Carnival covering the same types of drinks, but at slightly higher average costs.
• Royal Caribbean offers simplified packages with more restrictions on included brands and qualifying alcoholic drinks at similar base rates to Carnival.
• Princess Cruises also provides unlimited beverage packages but limits overall quantities permitted and offers far fewer non-alcoholic options than Carnival packages.

Overall, Carnival’s value-focused CHEERS! premium alcoholic package remains very competitively priced and inclusive versus packages available from other major cruise lines.

Expert Tips and Advice

Follow these handy pro tips to help get the most value for your money:

• “Only purchase packages if you realistically expect to average 3 or more eligible drinks daily.” – Nathan S., Cruise Blogger
• “Take advantage of Carnival’s exclusive package discounts on bottles of wine and premium liquors.” – Sabrina C., Travel Agent
• “Stick with mainly top-shelf brands and favorites to get the full value of included options.” – Michael R., Cruise Insider
• “Factor the mandatory gratuity into the total package cost – don’t overlook it in budgeting.” – Laura T., Finance Professional

Carnival’s Pre-Cruise vs Onboard Pricing

Cruise Insider Tips

• “Buy the entire cruise package online before boarding when pricing is lowest.” – Nathan S., Cruise Blogger
• “Split costs by buying onboard after first full day’s drinks.” – Michael R., Cruise Insider
• “Book longer 7+ day cruises to maximize value from flat-rate packages.” – Sabrina C., Travel Agent

Final Words

Carnival’s affordably priced, easy-to-use drink packages add convenience, variety, and trip savings that enhance any cruise experience. Based on your personal drinking preferences, select the perfect CHEERS! or Bottomless Bubbles package and tier for your upcoming cruise. Lock in savings by pre-purchasing packages online in advance before you set sail. Then simply relax with the peace of mind that your favorite drinks are already paid for!

Answers to Common Questions

Do you have to pay gratuities on Carnival drink package?

Yes, there is a mandatory additional 18% service gratuity per person per day added to both the CHEERS! and Bottomless Bubbles drink package costs from Carnival.

Does Carnival cut you off after 15 drinks?

Yes, Carnival enforces a strict limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per person per day as part of the CHEERS! package terms. The 15-drink limit cannot be exceeded.

Do both people have to get the drink package on Carnival?

Yes, Carnival requires that each individual guest purchases their own drink package. Packages cannot be shared or split between cabinmates.