carnival cruise radiance drink package

• Port Overview
• Transportation to the Port
• Uber & Lyft to the Port
• Dropping Off at the Port
• Cruise Parking
• Cruise Hotels
• Hotels with Parking Deals
• Uber & Lyft to the Ports
• Things to Do
• Cozumel Taxi Rates
• Free Things to Do
• Restaurants Near the Cruise Port
• Hotels & Resorts With Day Passes
• Closest Beaches to the Cruise Port
• Tips For Visiting
• Shore Excursions
• Cruise Parking Discounts
• Hotels with Shuttles
• Which Airport Should I Use?
• Transportation to the Ports
• Dropping Off at the Ports
• Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami
• Inexpensive Hotels
• Hotels near the Port
• Hotels With Shuttles
• Budget Hotels
• Carnival Tips
• Drink Packages
• Specialty Restaurants
• Faster to the Fun
• More Articles
• CocoCay Tips
• Norwegian Tips
• Great Stirrup Cay
• Harvest Caye
• How to Get the Best Cruise Deal
• Best Time to Book a Cruise
• Best Websites to Book a Cruise
• Cruises Under $300
• Cruises Under $500
• Spring Break Cruise Deals
• Summer Cruise Deals
• Alaskan Cruise Deals
• 107 Cruise Secrets & Tips
• Tips for First-Time Cruisers
• What to Pack for a Cruise
• What to Pack (Alaska)
• Packing Checklist
• Cruising with Kids
• Passports & Birth Certificates
• Bringing Alcohol
• Cruising with a Disability
• Duty-Free Shopping
• Cruise Travel Insurance
• Things to Do on a Cruise Ship
• What Not to Do on a Ship
• News & Articles

Worth It? 15+ Questions & Answers About the Carnival CHEERS! Drink Package

If you’re taking a cruise aboard a Carnival ship, then chances are that you’ve seen mention of the CHEERS! beverage package. And you’re likely wondering if it’s worth the money.

Put simply, this package is an “all-you-can-drink” plan that covers alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages purchased aboard the ship. So instead of having to pay each time you get a beer or a cocktail from the bar, you simply pay one flat rate, and your drinks are included.

While the price may seem high to some (nearly $75 per day in some cases before gratuity), it easy to see that it could also offer a lot of value to those who plan to drink regularly on their cruise.

Still, there is a lot of fine print that comes along with the CHEERS! package and many people have questions about whether it’s a good deal for them. Below, we run through more than a dozen of the most important questions regarding CHEERS! and help you decide whether it is worth it for your next trip.

In This Article...

What is the Carnival CHEERS! package?

As mentioned above, the beverage package is like a buffet for drinks on the ship.

The “regular” way to purchase drinks is to buy them individually — so you pay the menu price for every beer or cocktail or soda that you drink. Given the cost of beverages on a cruise, the price can quickly add up. For some people, worrying about the cost can put a damper on the fun. Instead of enjoying their drink, they are thinking of the bar tab that awaits their account at the end of the cruise.

CHEERS! allows passengers to instead pay a flat daily fee per person to enjoy all the drinks they would like. They pay the same amount each day whether they have two beers or if they have ten cocktails. It makes it much easier to budget for the cruise and enjoy yourself without worrying about how much you’ve spent. And if you drink a lot, it can save you considerable money.

The package covers a wide variety of drinks, including everything from bottles of water to sodas to energy drinks to beer and cocktails. Basically, if you can drink it, it’s likely included in the CHEERS! package.

How much does CHEERS! cost?

The price for Carnival’s CHEERS! package varies based on the length of the cruise and when you buy.

As of this article’s publication date, the CHEERS! package aboard Carnival costs $59.95 per person, per day — if bought ahead of time. If you wait to purchase the beverage package until you board the ship, the price rises to $64.95 per day.

On top of that, the cruise line charges an 18% gratuity fee. Therefore, the actual total cost is $70.74 if bought ahead of the cruise or $76.64 per person, per day for those waiting to purchase until on the ship.

But there is another twist. Carnival recently bumped up the price of the package on shorter cruises of five days or fewer. In this case, the price is $69.95 per day (plus gratuity) if bought ahead of time or $74.95 per day (plus gratuity) if you buy on the ship.

You are charged this amount every day you are on the cruise — no matter if you are in port or at sea. It also doesn’t matter if you drink nothing on a certain day, or have 15 drinks. Each day is charged.

Is gratuity included in the price?

The “headline” price that’s advertised doesn’t include gratuity, but it will be included on your final charge.

Carnival charges an 18% gratuity automatically on the value of the package. Therefore, if you are sailing on a weeklong cruise and buy the package ahead of time, the cost is $59.95. But you’ll actually be charged $70.74 per person, each day.  

Since you pay gratuity on the cost of the package, when you get a drink from the bar you are not charged an additional gratuity.

How old do you have to be to buy the CHEERS! package?

Passengers must be 21 years old to buy the package. Even though the drinking age may be lower in the ports you visit, Carnival goes by the 21 year age limit on the ship if sailing from North America.

Does everyone in the cabin have to purchase the package if one person does?

Yes. All adults over 21 in the cabin must purchase the beverage package if one person does. This requirement is likely to help stem the incentive for people to share drinks by only purchasing one package and then giving them to others in the cabin.

We’ve heard stories of Carnival relaxing this requirement if there is some sort of extenuating circumstance (such as the other person in the cabin is pregnant). However, if the other person doesn’t drink or simply doesn’t want the package, the rules say they still have to buy it if someone else in the cabin does.

Even so, it’s worth a few minutes to call before your cruise if you have a person in the cabin that doesn’t want the package. 

How do I buy the CHEERS! package?

The easiest and cheapest way to purchase the package is to book it online through the Carnival Funshops after you’ve booked your cruise. You can also call Carnival and request the package be added to your account. Remember, booking the CHEERS! package ahead of time gives you a cheaper rate, so you want to book before you board.

If you wait until you board the ship, you can head to a bar and request to purchase the package. There are also tables set up the first day advertising the package.

What’s included in the package?

The good news is that most drinks served on the ship are included in the beverage package.

According to the cruise line, all “spirits, including cocktails, cognacs, whiskies and other spirits, as well as beer (including self-serve beer stations – PYOB) and wine and champagne by the glass, with a $20 USD or lower menu price per serving” are eligible. In our experience on the cruise line, that covers just about anything you could want. 

In addition, you can drink the following with your package:

• Virgin frozen cocktails
• Sodas and juices
• Specialty coffees
• Energy drinks
• Bottled water

There is also a 25% discount off the menu price for wine and champagne by the bottle and drinks over $20 per serving.

What’s NOT included?

While pretty much any drink from a bar is included, there are some exceptions that you will still be charged for, even if you purchase the CHEERS! Package:

• Drinks in souvenir glasses
• Alcohol by the bottle (except beer)
• Drinks offered at the gangway (welcome beverages)
• Room service alcohol or mini-bar drinks
• Shareable drinks like buckets or pitchers
• Fresh-squeezed orange juice served in the Havana Bar or dining room.

In other words, stick with drinks served at the bar if you want to keep from spending extra.

What if I order a drink over $20 per glass?

The Carnival CHEERS! package gives you the run of beverages from the ship’s bars for up to $20 per glass. If you order a drink that’s more than $20, the fine print says that you receive a 25% discount off the menu price. So a $30 drink would be charged at $22.50.

Truth is, you’d be hard-pressed to find a beverage above $20 unless it’s made to serve multiple people. 

What about liquor rules in Texas and New York?

If you are sailing from Galveston or New York, you might have heard there are strange laws affecting alcohol sold on cruise ships. Due to state laws, Carnival can’t activate the CHEERS! package until the second day of the cruise.

If you purchase the package when sailing from one of these ports, you won’t pay for the package on the first day of the trip, but you also will have to purchase drinks instead of having them included. The package will activate at 6:00 a.m. on the second day of the cruise. For more on alcohol rules on a cruise from Texas, click here .

Can I share the package?

No. Sharing of the package is expressly prohibited. In fact, stopping passengers from sharing of the package is likely why Carnival requires all guests in a stateroom to purchase the package if one person does so. 

If we’re honest, however, unless you’re being blatantly obvious in front of a bartender, it’s unlikely anyone would know that you shared a beverage bought with the package. 

Do I have to buy the package for the entire cruise?

Yes. The package is sold only for the entire trip. You can’t pick and choose dates that you want to purchase nor can you purchase it halfway into the cruise.

That means you will pay for the CHEERS! package even if you are in port or don’t feel like drinking one day. 

How many drinks can I buy at one time?

You can only purchase one beverage at a time. There is a five-minute waiting period between drinks.

If you want to purchase more than one drink, you can charge one to your drink package and simply pay for the others as normal on your onboard account. Or just wait five minutes to get another beverage included with the package.

Is there a daily limit to how many drinks you can have?

Yes. Carnival allows up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day (6:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.). After that, the guest will not be served any additional alcoholic beverages.

There is no limit on non-alcoholic drinks, however, so drink all the bottled water and sodas that you want!

Can I order a “double”?

Want to spice up your drink with an extra shot? You can’t do it on the beverage package. According to Carnival, a double shot is the same as ordering two drinks and is prohibited. 

How will the bartender know I have purchased the CHEERS! package?

When the bartender swipes your card, your account will let them know that you’ve purchased the CHEERS! package. As well, they place a sticker on your card when you activate the package at a bar once onboard that identifies you as having purchased the package.

Does the drink package work on Carnival’s private islands or in ports?

No, the package only works for beverages served on the ship. Even though Carnival has private destinations for its guests like Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays, the drink package doesn’t work there. It also doesn’t work in regular ports of call like Cozumel or Nassau.

But that doesn’t mean you are out of luck on port days. As long as you are on the ship, you can use the CHEERS! package from the ship’s bars. So if you decide to hang out on the ship during port days (or when you return to the ship after visiting), you can still get drinks, even though the ship is docked.

Is the CHEERS! drink package worth it?

If the package is worth it depends on your personal preferences.

Remember that the CHEERS! package from Carnival has to 1) be purchased for every day of the cruise and 2) be purchased by every adult member of the cabin. Including 18% gratuity, the price per day is more $70 per person at the cheapest.

Meanwhile, you can only use the package on the ship, so if you are out exploring ports of call, you’ll need to pay for drinks out of pocket.

For reference, the price of alcoholic drinks on the ship are roughly:

• Beer: $6-8 per drink
• Cocktails: $10-14 per drink
• Wine: $8-14 per glass

So a person would have to drink about 8-10 beers per day or about 4-6 cocktails each and every day. Those figures get even bigger if sailing a cruise of five days or fewer, which sees a higher cost for the package. 

How much you plan to drink will help you decide if the CHEERS! package is right for you. If you’re the sort of person who always enjoys a drink in their hand, then you could do well purchasing the package. Costs for individual drinks can quickly add up if you drink regularly.

But those that drink moderately or like to take breaks on some days may not get their money’s worth — especially on shorter cruises.

One other thing to factor is the convenience of having a set price. Some people may not come out ahead with the package based on how much they drink, but like not having to worry about what the bill will be at the end of the cruise. Drink packages allow you to better plan your costs and budget given that the cost is the same each day. It also lets you try new drinks without worrying about wasting money if you don’t like it.

To help you figure things out, we’ve put together the Drink Package Calculator to make it easier to estimate whether you should purchase the package.

Have more questions about the package? Let us know in the comments below…

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Carnival vifp club: how it works, benefits, and more, should you buy carnival’s ‘faster to the fun’ deal here’s when it’s worth it, cruise line drink package calculator, worth it 15 cruise drink package questions & answers to know, what to do on a cruise 70 fun things to do on the ship, carnival’s celebration key price list (cabanas, daybeds, and more), 146 comments.

I get drinks free anywhere on the ship promotion, but my spouse doesn’t have that offer. Do I just have to pay for his drink package only.

Hello, Are mocktails (virgin daquiri, virgin pina colada, ect.) in the soda package? can those be bought with the soda package?

No, it is no included in the soda package.

Traveling with teenagers, can I purchase this package for them simply for the energy drinks, coffee drinks, milkshakes and smoothies. They don’t drink soda.

Good question. The CHEERS! package says you have to be 21 to purchase, but the Bottomless Bubbles doesn’t have the items you mention. Looks like you’ll have to purchase individually. To be honest, it’s doubtful they would get the money’s worth anyway if they could purchase the alcoholic package and only bought non-alcoholic drinks.

The Cheers plan DEFINITELY would be a no-go for my wife and I. She rarely drinks if at all and I like to drink, but not as much as it would make it worth it. The next cruise we take was discounted due to my casino play and it includes the “Drinks On Us” promotion, so we will get free drinks while we play.

Just wondering if you can use non alcoholic drinks such as specialty coffees and milkshakes the first day on cruise if you have the cheers package..

Yes, you can!

If you are getting the drink package from a casino offer was the gratuity still paid for them. I know when they comp 555 Steakhouse I was told the gratuity was included so I’m just checking. This is just a question in no way does it mean I’m not tipping them. I may just tip a bit more if it’s not included.

If I buy travel insurance and the Cheers pkg,What happens if for some reason I have to cancel my cuise? Do I get my money back on the Cheers pkg?

Yes, gratuities, taxes/fees, and onboard purchases are refunded in the event of a cancelled cruise.

Is it 15 drinks per day per person? I.E. you have two adults in a cabin paying for the cheers program, each adult can have 15 alcoholic drinks?

Since we don’t drink much can we purchase the drink package RU2. What exactly is included in that package.

Do you have to finish the drinks where you’re served or are you able to freely roam with your drinks? Or even take it back to your stateroom?

You can take drinks anywhere with you around the ship. Feels strange at first, but you quickly get used to it!

Do you get charged the day of departure which in my case us 7am?

No. The day you leave is not included.

We’re considering purchasing the Cruise Cash Bar instead of the Cheers! Package since we don’t think we’ll drink that much. Is the Cruise Cash Bar, and the Cruise Cash, reloadable?

Are bottles of liquor included in the 15 drink limit or can I buy a bottle and still enjoy 15 drinks ?

Liquor from the duty free shops shouldn’t count toward the 15.

What are the prices of the non alcoholic drinks (i.e. milk shakes, energy drinks, etc.)? Wife isn’t a big drinker but would enjoy the drinks.

Depends on the drink. Sodas are around $3 per glass. Expect energy drinks, coffees, etc. to be in the $4-7 range.

What does “Alcohol by the bottle” mean? Do they sell bottled alcohol in a store on the ship?

In the duty-free shops there is alcohol for sale. You can’t buy that with the drink package.

But it’s my understanding they don’t let you DRINK those bottles on the ship either, right? Don’t they keep them until you disembark?

So my wife and I booked a cruise and in the deal she got the cheers package included but just for 1 person which will be for her. Now that I will be in the same cabin and I want the cheers package, can I just pay for myself while I’m on the boat?

It’s usual that all passengers in the same cabin need to get it. If you want the package anyway, I’d suggest buying it online before you cruise as it is cheaper this way.

i am curious about the cheers package one thing i have not read or seen explained is if you decide to get cheers WEEL in advance ((I.E. 1 year away)) does it just get the total price added to your total cruise cost and payable over time like the cruise cost or is it a lump price paid in full at one time?

Can I buy a fish bowl first, and then have my fifteen drinks on the Cheers package? I’m not sure I’ll make all those, but if I buy one first, does it count toward the drink maximum?

Not sure. I’d guess that any drink you buy — package or otherwise — would count toward a 15 drink limit per day. I’ve never even been close.

Hi! If I have a gift card, cruise cash or cruise cash bar. What about the gratuities? they discount it from that card? I prepaid the gratuities, but I don´t know if they charge it again.

That, I’m not sure! If you’ve prepaid gratuities, that doesn’t apply to bar drinks.

However, if you’ve bought the drink package, then the gratuities are already included in the cost of the package.

Do they have a package that includes all the non-alcoholic drinks, but not just sodas? We have teenagers and they like to drink virgin frozen drinks (i.e. pina coladas) and specialty coffee.

Oddly enough, they don’t. There is CHEERS!, which has virgin cocktails included and then Bottomless Bubbles, which is soda and juice. There’s nothing in between.

I understand that adults over 21 cannot share one CHEERS! package. However, can I share with my child? For example, can I get my 8 year old a milkshake? Thanks!

Carnival says “sharing is not permitted.” So technically, no. However, I think it would be surprising for them to be too upset about giving a kid a milkshake!

With the Cheers beverage package, I noticed that it includes specialty coffee. Can I use this in the RedFrog Rum Bar and the Coffee Bar? Or would it need to be paid for out of pocket?

Yes, it should work there.

Is it 15 drinks per person in the cabin per day or 15 drinks per the entire stateroom per day?

It’s per-person. Remember that non-alcoholic drinks don’t count toward the total.

Cancelled cruise had drink package for 4 people for 7 days. 1700.00 how long does it take to get reimbured?

That’s a question best left to the cruise line. Give them a call and they should be able to help you out.

Does the price go down the closer to sail day or is it the same price no matter when you buy the package

No, Carnival keeps the prices steady. There’s the discounted rate before you sail and then the higher rate on the ship.

Hi, when having purchased the Cheers package – can we then go directly to the bar after bording? Or do we have to wait until the ship has left the port? Thank you in advance. Otto

Depends on where you sail from. For most ports you can use it on the first day while the ship is in port (but you will be charged state tax if still ported). Texas and New York don’t allow drink packages, so your package will start the second morning.

Do you know il sparkling water is include in cheers package? Like perrier, lacroix or san pallegrino?

Yes, it will be included. The last bar menu we saw had San Pellegrino and Perrier aboard, but that was before the switch to Pepsi. You can also bring a dozen cans of anything non-alcoholic if you have a favorite brand.

Can we use our Cheers Program in all areas such as all restaurants, pool, casino, bars? We went on Oceana and restaurants weren’t included.

Yes, you can on Carnival.

I have a question about the one drink at a time purchase rule.

Does that apply to the non alcoholic drinks as well? Or would I be able to go up to a bar and get a frozen alcoholic drink and a coke at the same time without being charged?

Only one beverage can be served at a time. That includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Is the Cheers package good for drinks at ALL bars on Carnival Liberty?

Yes, for all drinks under $20

BY Chance does anyone have a working promo code for the Cheers package? there is a space to put a code in but not sure if they even have one. would be awesome if someone could hook it up with a discount code.

Just wondered if you are on a cruise that embarks 3/21 and disembarks on 3/29 – are we charged for 8 days of Cheers or only 7 – as you miss a lot of drinking on the first day you board the ship.

So it’s listed as an 8-day cruise? In that case, it’s a charge for eight days. The first day counts. The day you get off the ship does not.

Do you have to purchase cheers prior to boarding? And do you pay for it prior to cruising or once you disembark the ship at the final destination you pay your final provisions?

You can buy it cheaper if you buy online ahead of time. It’s slightly more on the ship to purchase. If you wait to buy it on the ship, you’ll pay for it at the end of the cruise.

I’m very picky about what wines and liquor I will drink. Is there a way to see which liquors and wines will be in the bars? For liquor I’m specifically wanting to know if amaretto is available and for wines I’m wondering which if any moscato’s (undeveloped palate) they have? Thanks!!

What’s available can vary from bar to bar and there are lots of choices. We don’t have a list of every alcohol served, but it’s likely they will have something you’ll like!

How much is soda pckg? And do they limit the amount you can have? Can you not purchase alcohol pckg and pay for drink? What if the people in cabin want 2 different packages?

Will the Cheers pkg be available to use as soon as you board in Florida?

Yes, it should be.

How big are the cocktails, are they typical “bar size”, where they are gone in about 5 drinks? Will they fill your cup you bring with you, like a yeti?

No, the cocktails are full-sized. They come in full-sized glasses. We’ve never seen them fill passenger’s cups, likely due to health rules. There’s nothing stopping you from pouring it from the glass they serve into your Yeti.

Great article, thank you! 2 questions- do you get a “soda cup” if you buy the Cheers program and does anyone know anything about taxes charged per drink on an Alaska sailing from Seattle?

Will alcoholic drinks at dinner be covered by the Cheers! package? We purchased Bottomless Bubbles last year and sodas at dinner were NOT covered by the package and we ended up paying extra for them, even though we’d paid about $10/day for the package.

That’s surprising to hear about the soda not being covered. Your dinner drinks should be covered. If you are worried about it, stop at a bar on your way into dinner just to be sure.

Can my friendAnd I pay for one cheers package together seen that we are not heavy drinkers And won’t be drinking every day. Please let me know thank you

No, that’s not allowed.

Departing Galveston, why does the Cheers program activate until day 2? What is the reason behind that? Just curious.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) has some rules regarding “all you can drink” offers. You can read more here: https://www.cruzely.com/answered-first-day-drink-packages-and-alcohol-on-galveston-cruises/

How serious are they about this whole room has to purchase the cheers package? We are going on a bachelor party soon and I wanted To get it but two other guys in my room don’t? If I wait To purchase it when I board Will they sell me the cheers package to just me?? How will they know how many people are in my room and how many don’t purchase the cheers package? Can or will they look it up before they sell me the package? Thx

It’s always worth a shot. We haven’t tried to purchase in the different scenarios that you’ve mentioned.

They should be able to tell how many people are in your cabin when they scan your card.

They know how many people are in your room and they know who they are so they will charge you that way. If you have a couple of other buddies who DO want to purchase the package, you should room with them, that way you’re all covered/paying for it and the other guys aren’t. Otherwise you won’t be able to cover the price of the whole package unless you either A. Pay for everyone else in your room to have it too, or B. Force them to pay for it, even if you don’t.

Hi I got the bottomless bubbles and someone said this is a better deal – can I change and get the cheers card and pay the difference in price – I thought you could only get alcoholic drinks that’s why I went with the other card

We’d need to know more details for your specific situation. The CHEERS! package includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. If you aren’t going to drink alcohol, then we’re not sure how it would be a better details because the CHEERS! package is much more expensive.

If I don’t buy the cheers program is there a limit to what drinks I buy. ie can I buy 16 or 17th drink if I get to that number or is 15 the maximum package or no package

We’re not 100% sure, but we’d expect you will be cut off after 15.

Can you bring more than wine unboard? Does the Sunrise Cruise offer a soda package? I drink about 2 drinks a month, cheers not for me but it would be for my husband.

Wine, champagne, and a small amount of non-alcoholic drinks are allowed. No beer or hard liquor. Carnival does have a soda package as well.

Daughter is 20 she plans on drinking after we leave port , do I have to get her cheers package, she is in same room as wife and I whom do have cheers. 2nd if I dont have to get it for her can I?

Passengers have to be 21 years old to drink.

Do drinks (beer, wine, etc.) ordered during dining form part of the package? Or only those ordered at the bar?

Yes, the drinks at dinner are part of the package. Not room service, however.

If I reach my 15 drunk limit can I pay out of pocket for another drink? Or pay out of pocket before I hit 15?

No, they have a 15 day limit, with or without the card.

what i’ve been told recently is if you think you’re going to hit the 15 limit, buy OFF the package. ask to be charged for it, order from room service and pay for it, or order a bucket of beer (NOT ON THE PACKAGE).

Does the drink package include the last day? Day of departure?

We don’t believe it does. In fact, we’ve never noticed a bar be open on debarkation morning. You also don’t pay for the debarkation day in the package price.

We’ve always gone into the Main Dining Room for breakfast on departure and have been able to order mimosas and bloody marys for breakfast without paying anything other than the tax (just like the first day of the cruise).

Does my 87 year old parent who’s going on the trip have to purchase a package also?

According to the rules we’ve seen, yes — if another adult in the cabin buys the package. Even so, we suggest giving them a call and seeing if they might give you a break given the age.

I did not feel drinks were watered down and I also found I could request wine by the glass of better wines (not layer cake, etc). Also, there is value in being able to get bottled water at every meal and coffee, iced coffee, spiked coffee :). I feel it work for us. Thank you,

Are the drinks watered down for this program? We just went To an all inclusive in Mexico and the drinks had little to no alcohol in them. Is it the same on this cheers program?

We’ve never experienced watered-down drinks… but we are also lightweights!

NEVER . . and we’re NOT lightweights. they take care of you. we usually find our favorite bartender, tip them well, and we’re taken care of the whole time.

This article is incorrect. You cannot even purchase a double even if you want to buy it. You cannot purchase a bucket of beer even if you elected. This is not allowed with the Cheers package. It was extremely frustrating and felt like we dis something wrong by buying this package.

Right, there is a five-minute wait between ordering drinks.

Can I get myself and my wife a drink if we both have the package and I bring her card with me? Or would each of us have to go to the bar?

Not 100% sure, but we’d guess yes. At worst you’d have to wait 5 minutes for a second drink or both go to the bar. We’re sure it happens all the time, however.

they never would let us bring two cards up. we switched to another cruise line and they would let you bring up 4 if you could carry them. we’re in havana this year so i’m hoping we can do it cuz they should be able to see us!

If I share a room with another person who is an alcoholic they must purchase a Cheers package also?

(recovering alcoholic)

Give the cruise line a call. While you’re supposed to, they can sometimes work with you in certain situations.

Where can I take my personal bottle of wine I bring on board with me? Do I have to stay in my room with it or may I take it on to the deck?

If you take it in a restaurant, the rules state that you will be charged a “corking” fee. We suggest enjoying it in your room or simply carrying a glass with you around the ship.

The Cheers package the $51.95 a day is that Canadian or American money?

That’s USD.

Is there a soda and bottled water package? We are not drinkers

There is a soda package. Bottled water is available for about $4 for a dozen bottles. You can have it delivered to your stateroom before you embark.

Do they give you cups when you buy the drink package for soda and other drinks

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

New Orleans Cruise Parking (Where to Park) Options, Prices, and Map

11 smart tips for sailing a celebrity cruise, 14 savvy tips for visiting cozumel on a cruise, hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 107 best cruise tips, tricks, secrets, and freebies, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

• Today's Deals
• Sign Up & Save!

• Top Cruise Destinations
• Alaska Cruises
• Bahamas Cruises
• Bermuda Cruises
• Caribbean Cruises
• Europe Cruises
• Mexico Cruises
• 1.800.764.7419

Never Miss a Cruise Deal

• Thank you for signing up! 
• Click here to learn more about our specials.

Have Fun. Be Safe

• Health Protocols and Requirements for Sailing

Travel Documentation and Online Check-in

• Travel Documents
• Online Check-In

Getting There

• Cruise Terminal Information and Parking
• Airport and Pier Transportation
• Air Information

Before You Board

• Embarkation Day Check-In

Youth and Family

• Youth Programs (Under 2 and 2-11 years old)
• Teen Programs (12-17 years old)
• Carnival's Seuss at Sea
• Age Policies

Things to Know

Onboard experiences.

• Shore - Excursions
• Spa and Fitness
• Outdoor Fun
• Entertainment and Activities
• For Your Convenience
• Onboard Guidelines and Policies
• Past Guest Recognition Programs

Onboard Celebrations

• The Fun Shops
• Special Occasions
• Wedding Cruises and Vow Renewals

Dining and Beverages

• Dining and Snacking Options
• Dining Rooms
• CHEERS! Beverage Program
• Liquor and Beverage Policy

Onboard Communication

• WI FI Service and Carnivals HUB App
• Staying Connected

Money and Gratuities

• Gratuities (Tips)
• Sail & Sign Onboard Account
• Forms of Payment
• Cruise Cash/Bar/Photo
• Financial Access

Shipboard Health and Safety

• Passenger Bill of Rights
• Guest Screening Policy
• Safety and Security
• Safety Briefing - Muster Station Drill
• General Health Information
• Privacy Notice
• What to Pack
• Cruise Ticket Contract
• Carnival Vacation Protection
• Guests with Disabilities
• Choosing Your Cruise
• Tech Support
• Early Saver Promotion
• Minors / Infants / Pregnancy
• Making changes to your booking
• Carnival EasyPay
• Financing Powered by Uplift
• US Department of State Travel Tips
• And more things to know....

Debarkation - After Your Cruise

• Preparing to Go Home
• Post Cruise Inquiries
• Pepsi Zero Sugar
• Caffeine Free Pepsi
• Diet Pepsi Caffeine Free
• Starry Zero Sugar
• Mug Root Beer
• Mountain Dew
• Diet Mountain Dew
• Bubly Lime Sparkling Water
• Bubly Blackberry Sparkling Water
• Starry Zero Sugar
• Mountain Dew
• Bubly Grapefruit Sparkling Water
• Gatorade Lemon Lime
• Gatorade Fruit Punch
• Naked Green Machine
• Naked Mighty Mango
• Naked Strawberry Banana
• Muscle Milk Protein Shake Intense Vanilla
• Muscle Milk Protein Shake Knockout Chocolate

Was this answer helpful?

Answers others found helpful.

• What Does the Price of my Cruise Include?
• Onboard Water
• Bottled Water

PLAN A CRUISE

• Search Cruises
• Travel Agent Finder
• Weddings & Occasions

• Carnival Mastercard
• Away We Go Blog

Group Travel

• Group Shore Excursions

Already Booked

• Manage My Cruises
• Shore Excursions
• In-Room Gifts & Shopping
• Spa & Salon Services
• Internet Plans
• Beverage Packages

• Airport Transportation

Customer Service

• Have Fun. Be Safe.
• Early Saver Price Protection Form
• Lowest Price Guarantee
• Post-Cruise Inquiries
• Legal Notices for EU & UK Guests
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

About Carnival

• Passenger Bill Of Rights

• Legal Notices  
• Privacy & Cookies  
• Site Map  

• © Carnival Corporation. All rights reserved.

Carnival Cheers drink package: Will it save you money on your next cruise?

A Carnival cruise vacation just doesn't feel complete without a few fruity frozen cocktails and a nightly glass of wine or two at dinner. Whether you're a casual drinker or a spirits enthusiast, you might be wondering if the Carnival Cheers drink package is right for you.

The beauty of cruising is that almost everything is included — transportation, accommodations, dining and entertainment. But when you're navigating onboard expenses, there's one place where the spending can add up quickly: drinks.

The Carnival Cheers package takes care of drinks by covering almost all of your beverage consumption (alcoholic or otherwise) under one fixed price per day. It can save you money on your next cruise if you're planning to, well, drink like you're on a cruise.

Other cruise lines offer tiered drink packages , breaking out their standard alcoholic selection from the top-shelf liquors. With Carnival Cruise Line's Cheers drink package, however, you get almost all alcoholic drinks up to $20 each.

To help you decide whether to book the Carnival Cheers package, we'll cover how much it costs, which drinks are included (and perhaps more importantly, which aren't) and whether it's the best option to help you stick to your beverage budget. Plus, we'll show you how to break down whether you're getting a good value based on how much you expect to drink on an average day.

What's included in the Carnival Cheers drink package?

First, let's clarify which beverages are already included in your standard Carnival cruise fare. Non-bottled water, lemonade, unsweetened iced tea, hot chocolate, non-specialty coffee and tea, juices (orange, tomato, apple or grapefruit) and regular, skim and chocolate milk are all available to cruise guests at no additional charge.

Carnival's Cheers package includes all spirits, cocktails, beer and wine by the glass, up to $20 each, plus these additional nonalcoholic options:

• Smoothies, juices and milkshakes
• Specialty coffee and tea
• Virgin drinks, including zero-proof frozen cocktails
• Energy drinks
• Standard 500-milliliter water bottles and other nonalcoholic bottled beverages
• Large water bottles in the dining room and specialty restaurants

The drink package also includes a 25% discount on any spirit or wine by the glass over the $20 limit, bottles of wine and Champagne, and beverage seminars and classes.

Related: 8 best drinks to order with a cruise ship beverage package (and 3 to avoid)

The package covers or discounts nearly everything you might want to drink on board, but there are some exceptions. Here's what's not included:

• Bottles of alcohol (aside from beer)
• Large shareable drinks like pitchers, tubes and buckets
• Drinks in souvenir glasses
• Double shots and floaters (because it's like ordering two drinks at once)
• Drinks offered at the gangway or at any port of call, including the cruise line's private islands
• Room service or minibar drinks
• Drinks from automated wine dispensers

Gratuities are also included with the Cheers drink package because you'll be paying an 18% service charge on top of the package price. If you're ordering drinks while within U.S. waters at a port or before embarking from your home port, you will still be charged tax. For example, if you order a $10 drink and the local tax is 10%, you'll be charged $1 for tax but not for the drink itself.

How much does Carnival's drink package cost?

The Carnival Cheers package price starts at $59.95 per person, per day when you purchase it online before the cruise, plus an 18% service charge. It's $64.95 per person, per day (plus the 18% service charge) if you wait until you're on board to purchase Carnival's drink package. Early planners save a little less than 10% by preordering.

If one person in your cabin purchases the Cheers package, every adult age 21 or over in the same room must also do so. The rule aims to keep you from sharing free drinks while paying for only one package. Carnival's terms state there are no exceptions to this rule, and when we contacted the Carnival team, they confirmed that includes pregnant adults.

Related: Are cruise line drinks packages worth the price? What to know before you buy

You have to purchase the package for the duration of the cruise. If you wait until you're on board to buy the package, you must purchase it on the first day of your sailing. You cannot try out the package for a single day or start it midway through the cruise — unless you're sailing from New York or Texas, where drink packages get activated at 6 a.m. on the second day of the cruise due to local laws. The Carnival Cheers package isn't offered on two-day cruises.

If you're looking for a Carnival Cheers promo code for a drink package discount or a free drink package deal, these offers aren't widely available. Carnival might send out targeted offers to certain members of its VIFP Club loyalty program and casino guests based on their travel and spending history with the cruise line.

To activate a pre-purchased Cheers drink package, go to the Casino Bar when you get on board. Otherwise, you can purchase the package at various bar locations on the ship. The bartender will give you a sticker to place on your Sail & Sign card so servers and bartenders know you have the package.

What's the Carnival drink package limit?

If you plan on making the most of the Carnival Cheers package, you'll find a generous drink limit of 15 alcoholic beverages per day (and a value limit of $20 per alcoholic drink, as we mentioned earlier).

That's 15 alcoholic drinks per 24-hour period running from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. the next day, so late-night partiers can't take advantage of bonus drinks after the clock strikes midnight. If anyone looks like they're drinking beyond their personal limits — even if they haven't reached 15 — staff members are trained not to serve guests who look intoxicated.

The package does not place a daily limit on sodas and other nonalcoholic beverages.

Drinks must be ordered one at a time (whether alcoholic or not), with a wait time of five minutes between drink orders. Carnival sets these rules to prevent you from ordering drinks for cruisers who haven't purchased a drink package. So what happens when you want to order a round of drinks for friends? The first drink will count toward your Cheers package limit, and the rest will be charged to your account.

Is the Carnival Cheers package worth it?

Whether the drink package is worth it on Carnival depends on how much alcohol you plan to drink — and which kind. Are you more of a beer drinker, or are you into wine, spirits and cocktails? Beer is generally cheaper, so it would take more drinks per day to add up to the daily value of the Cheers package.

If you have multiple sea days during your sailing, you'll likely get more value from your package since there's more time on board to drink. Otherwise, on port days, you'll need to get your drinks in at breakfast, dinner and late-night bar-hopping.

Related: The best cruise booking perks — and which ones are actually free

Based on the starting price of drinks on board, you can get your money's worth by drinking roughly six cocktails, eight glasses of wine or 10 beers each day — and that doesn't include the water bottles, specialty coffees or sodas you'd surely order, too.

Most people mix it up, but you can do the math to see how your likely drink orders will stack up. Here are the starting prices for drinks on board, according to Carnival:

• Beer: starting at $6.50 (mostly 16 ounces)
• Wine by the glass: starting at $9.50
• Mixed drinks: $7.50 to $20
• Specialty cocktails: starting at $10.50 (excluding souvenir glassware and premium selections)
• Soft drinks: $2.75
• Specialty coffee: $2.50 to $4.25
• Energy drinks: $4.95
• Water (San Benedetto bottled water and coconut water): $1.50 to $5

In other words, you'll save money if you and the other adults in your cabin plan to drink your fair share of alcoholic beverages every day. If you're a moderate drinker — who'd order three or four alcoholic drinks and a handful of nonalcoholic beverages in a day — or if you drink but your cabinmate doesn't, it's probably not worth getting the beverage package.

Even if you're a caffeine fiend who drinks coffee and soda all day, it's hard to recoup the costs of the Carnival Cheers package on nonalcoholic beverages alone.

If you're under 21 or don't drink alcohol, you might want to consider the Bottomless Bubbles package for soft drinks. Carnival's all-inclusive soda program covers all soft drinks and juices and costs $6.95 per day for children and $9.50 per day for adults (plus the 18% service charge). It doesn't include other nonalcoholic beverages, such as bottled water and specialty coffee; drinks ordered through room service and the minibar also are not included.

There's another way to think about the value of the Cheers package. Some people are looking for the unquantifiable peace of mind that comes with not worrying about drink costs adding up at every turn. If that's you, creating a more all-inclusive experience on board might justify the cost of the package, even if you don't break even with drink prices.

What are other ways to get free or cheap drinks on Carnival?

If you've decided the Carnival Cheers package isn't worth the cost, you might still want some tips on scoring free or cheaper drinks during your cruise. Here are our top tips for drinking for less on a Carnival cruise ship.

• Hit the casino. You can get free drinks if you spend enough time playing in the casino. Once you earn enough casino points in Carnival's players club, you can order cocktails, beer, wine and even sodas for free while you're gaming.
• Dine in a specialty restaurant on night one. You can get a free or half-price bottle of wine at some of Carnival's signature restaurants if you make a reservation for the first night. The cruise line offers ​​one bottle of complimentary house wine per two guests at any onboard steakhouse, Rudi's Seagrill, Il Viaggio, JiJi Asian Kitchen and Cucina del Capitano (except Cucina on Excel-class ships). On both the first and second nights, guests can also receive a 50% discount on wines listed under $100 at all steakhouses, Rudi's Seagrill and Il Viaggio.
• Head to an art auction. Even if you don't consider yourself an art collector, you can walk away from Carnival's art auctions with something else: free Champagne. Check the schedule of onboard activities to find out when the auctions are taking place during your sailing and sip on complimentary bubbly while you watch art aficionados bid on the gallery's artworks. (Drink responsibly, though, so you don't end up bidding on art you never meant to purchase and bring home.)
• Use a coffee punch card. Another place where Carnival rewards passengers with free drinks is the JavaBlue coffee shop. Grab a punch card on your first day, and once you've ordered six specialty coffees or milkshakes, you get one free. As someone who's sailed Carnival often with family members who have coffee running through their veins 24/7, we've found these coffee punch cards to be a nice bonus. Just remember to present the card for a punch with every order, and you can get through six punches pretty quickly if you're ordering multiple coffees or shakes as a group.

Related: How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise

There are also a few ways to bring your own drinks on board Carnival for free. Every guest age 21 or over is allowed to bring one 750-milliliter bottle of wine or Champagne in their carry-on on embarkation day. There's a corkage fee of $15 per bottle if you drink it in the main dining room, specialty restaurants or bars, which is why we like to bring Champagne and pop open the bottle in our room for sail away. (Just don't forget to pack a corkscrew!)

Don't think you can get away with buying duty-free alcohol on the ship or at a port and drinking it on board, though. The ship will hold any duty-free purchases for you until disembarkation day.

Related: Can I bring alcohol on a cruise ship? A line-by-line guide

You can also bring up to a 12-pack of nonalcoholic beverages in 12-ounce cans or cartons. Acceptable beverages include soda, sparkling water, energy drinks, juice and milk.

Bottled waters and soft drinks cannot be brought on board, but you can preorder water bottles to your room through the Carnival website and have them delivered to your stateroom on embarkation day. A 12-pack of standard water bottles (16.9 ounces) costs $9.95 plus an 18% delivery fee, an eight-pack of large 1.5-liter bottled water costs $20 plus the delivery fee and single 1.5-liter water bottles cost $3.95 each plus delivery.

Bottom line

If you and your cabinmates (this is key) are ready to drink it up on your Carnival cruise — and our bet is you are if you're reading this story — the Carnival Cheers drink package could save you money by capping your daily beverage spend at $64.95 per person, per day (plus gratuity). Use Carnival's average drink prices listed above to calculate your expected cost of drinks each day and see if it would come out to more than the price of the package.

But if you're more of a moderate drinker who can't see yourself partaking in more than five alcoholic drinks per day (or if your cabinmate won't be drinking), skip the drink package on your next sailing and consider other ways to save instead, like bringing your own wine bottles or soft drinks on board and taking advantage of free drinks wherever Carnival offers them.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

• Food & Drink
• How to Plan
• Shore Excursions
• Onboard Activities
• What to Expect

Ultimate Guide to Carnival Radiance®

By Carnival Cruise Line

For 2020 sailings and beyond, our beloved Carnival Victory™ has a new name, remarkable new features and a whole new level of excitement around its transformation into Carnival Radiance® .

If you’re considering a cruise on Carnival Radiance® or have already booked one (lucky you!), we know you’re excited about exploring exotic destinations like Bermuda , the Caribbean or The Bahamas .

But get ready for the fun to start the moment you step on board. While cruising to and from unforgettable ports of call, your family will experience Carnival Radiance’s amazing, upgraded amenities.

Expect a whole world of indoor and outdoor fun, incredible food and drinks and ample opportunities for relaxation on board. Here are just some of the highlights of Carnival Radiance®…

On Carnival Radiance®, there are so many fun things to do indoors as well as out in the sun.

Ready to see the pros perform? Take a seat at The Punchliner Comedy Club and you’ll soon be laughing your socks off. Some shows are suitable for the whole family, while others offer an adults-only kind of humor, so check the schedule first.

Guests of all ages will also enjoy the memorable Broadway-worthy singing, dancing and musical performances by Playlist Productions . These musical productions bring the unique experience of live theater to the open seas!

Taking the time to relax and unwind is an essential element of any cruise vacation, and there’s no better place to do just that than Cloud 9 Spa .

Treat yourself (or your friends) to a massage, body wrap, facial or other wellness treatment. You’ll spend the rest of your vacation in a state of true serenity.

Feeling lucky? Why not have some fun at  Carnival Radiance’s onboard casino , where slots , blackjack , poker and table games present the chance to pocket some pennies or even win some seriously big bucks.

By bringing little ones on a cruise vacation, you’re showing them the world, and while on board they get to experience the magical, whimsical world of Seuss At Sea .

Carnival’s delightful kids’ program , inspired by the books of Dr. Seuss, presents so many fun things to see and do. There’s a character parade, Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast, arts and crafts activities, story times and more.

Outdoor Fun

Whether you cruise from New York, Norfolk, VA or Fort Lauderdale, it won’t be long before you’re soaking up the sun as it shines down on the decks of Carnival Radiance®. From sunrise to sunset, embrace opportunities for outdoor fun such as splashing, swimming and soaring at WaterWorks ™ .

A major highlight of this onboard water park is the Twister Waterslide ™ , which sends you smiling and swimming through the water for hundreds of feet, all the way to a major splash landing.

Burn some energy and enjoy a little friendly competition over basketball, mini-golf, ping-pong and other games at SportSquare ™ . The sports-themed spot on the ship also features gym equipment for those who want to work out under the sun.

Or, get your heart racing in a different way, high above the decks of Carnival Radiance®. Challenge yourself to traverse the elevated obstacles at our thrilling, two-level ropes course . We promise it’s 100-percent safe, and 100-percent fun!

Spending time outdoors doesn’t always mean lots of action, it can also mean lots of relaxation. This sometimes involves leaving the kids behind, at least for a little while.

Send the youngsters to our child care programs and spend some time amid the peace and quiet of the Serenity Adult Only Retreat . This 21-plus-only zone offers plush seating, a full bar and the chance to enjoy the sunshine and sea breezes without interruption.

For the 21-and-older cruise crowd, Carnival Radiance® presents a range of awesome bars, each with a distinct atmosphere.

Perhaps you’re tempted by a tropical cocktail at RedFrog™ Rum Bar , a Caribbean-themed hot spot by the pool. Or maybe its frozen margaritas, cool cervezas and other favorites from Mexico that make you say si . If so, then grab a seat at BlueIguana™ Tequila Bar .

Yet perhaps craft cocktails prepared by master mixologists are more your style and are also a specialty of Alchemy Bar . Choose a vintage classic or customize your own concoction at this speakeasy-inspired spot.

Delicious Dining

With so much onboard action, a cruise vacation usually leads to a big appetite. From breakfast all the way through to late-night snacks, Carnival Radiance® has you covered.

Standing out among a whole host of top-notch restaurants are Seafood Shack , inspired by the waterfront eateries of New England, and Big Chicken , the first ever chicken joint from Shaq, Carnival’s Chief Fun Officer. With chicken biscuits for breakfast, chicken strips and sandwiches for lunch and fried chicken baskets with plenty of sides for dinner, this all-day restaurant has the Shaq seal of approval.

Another celebrity, chef and television host Guy Fieri, has a restaurant on Carnival Radiance® and is the name behind Guy’s Burger Joint , a casual burger and fries shack by the poolside. Check out the toppings bar and load up a fresh-off-the-grill burger however you like it.

Ready to Sail on Carnival Radiance®?

Remarkable! Revolutionary! Radiant! We can’t say enough about Carnival Radiance® and its wonderful new features. All that’s left is to recommend you book a family cruise on Carnival Radiance® ASAP! What are you waiting for?

Related articles

What to expect.

https://www.carnival.com/cruise-ships.aspx

• Beverage Packages / Cruise Line Restaurant, Room Service, and Bar Menus / Food and Drink

Carnival Bar Menus and Drink Prices 2024

by Prof. Cruise · Published January 23, 2023 · Updated June 12, 2024

As of 2024, Carnival raised beverage prices. I have included most of the updated menus below as noted. I will continue to add them as I receive them.

Browse through the menus or use the index to jump to a particular bar. I try to keep these as current as possible, but prices change frequently, so double check once onboard. Have a fabulous cruise!

INDEX (jump to):

Alchemy Bar Amari Bar Atrium Bar Bar 820 Bar Della Rosa Big Texas Welcome Blue Iguana Tequila Bar Brass Magnolia Carnevale Bar Casino Bar Chibang Coffee Bar Dr. Inks Fortune Teller Frizzante Bar Golden Jubilee Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse and Brewhouse

Havana Bar Heroes Tribute Lounge Latitudes Bar Main Dining Room (MDR) Cocktail Menu Main Dining Room (MDR) Wine Menu Night Club Piano Bar  Punchliner Comedy Club Red Frog Pub Red Frog Rum Bar Red Frog Tiki Bar Rudi’s Seagrill Soda Menu Sports Bar Steakhouse The Golden Mermaid Watering Hole

Atrium Bar Menu on Carnival

These menus are up-to-date as of 2024 and reflect the latest price increase. Available on all Carnival ships.

Alchemy Bar Menu on Carnival

This menu is up-to-date as of 2024 and reflects the latest price increase. Prices on alcoholic beverages have been raised to $14 and non-alcoholic beverages have been raised to $10. Available on most Carnival ships.

Amari Bar Menu on Carnival

This menu is up-to-date as of 2024 and reflects the latest price increase. Available on the Venezia (the Amari bar replaces the Alchemy bar on the Venezia).

The Golden Mermaid Menu on Carnival

This menu is up-to-date as of 2024 and reflects the latest price increase. Available on the Jubilee.

Carnevale Bar Menu on Carnival

This menu is up-to-date as of 2024 and reflects the latest price increase. Available on the Venezia.

Frizzante Bar Menu on Carnival

Check onboard for current pricing. Available on the Venezia.

Red Frog Pub Menu on Carnival

This menu is up-to-date as of 2024 and reflects the latest price increase . Available on the Breeze, Freedom, Legend, Magic, Miracle, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor, and Spendor.

Red Frog Rum Bar Menu on Carnival

Check onboard for current pricing. Available on most Carnival ships.

Red Frog Tiki Bar Menu on Carnival

This menu is up-to-date as of 2024 and reflects the latest price increase. Available on the Celebration, Mardi Gras, and Jubilee.

Sports Bar Menu on Carnival

Check onboard for current pricing. The Skybox Sports Bar is available on the Conquest, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Liberty, Miracle, Pride, Spirit, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor, Vista.

Havana Bar Menu on Carnival

This menu is up-to-date as of 2024 and reflects the latest price increase. Available on the Celebration, Horizon, Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Sunshine, Vista.

Piano Bar Menu on Carnival

This menu is up-to-date as of 2024 and reflects the latest price increase. Available on all ships.

Night Club Menu on Carnival

Punchliner Comedy Club Bar Menu on Carnival

Dr Ink’s Bar Menu on Carnival

Blue Iguana Tequila Bar Menu on Carnival

Check onboard for current pricing. Available on the Breeze, Conquest, Dream, Ecstasy, Elation, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Legend, Liberty, Magic, Miracle, Panorama, Paradise, Pride, Radiance, Sensation, Splendor, Spirit, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor, and Vista.

Casino Bar Menu on Carnival

Check current pricing onboard. Available on the Breeze, Celebration, Conquest, Dream, Ecstasy, Elation, Freedom, Glory, Jubilee, Legend, Luminosa, Magic, Miracle, Panorama, Paradise, Pride, Radiance, Sensation, Spirit, Splendor, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor.

Coffee Bar Menu on Carnival

This menu is up-to-date as of 2024 and reflects the latest price increase. Available on all ships (although the menu may vary slightly depending on the ship).

Main Dining Room (MDR) Cocktail Menu on Carnival

Main Dining Room (MDR) Wine Menu on Carnival

Steakhouse Drink Menu on Carnival

This menu is up-to-date as of 2024 and reflects the latest price increase. Available on most ships, although the name will vary.

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse and Brewhouse Drink Menu on Carnival

This menu is up-to-date as of 2024 and reflect the latest price increase. Available on the Celebration, Horizon, Mardi Gras, and Panorama.

Heroes Tribute Lounge Bar Menu on Carnival

This menu is up-to-date as of 2024 and reflect the latest price increase. Available on the Celebration, Firenze, Jubilee, Panorama, Pride, Radiance, Venezia, Mardi Gras.

Chibang Bar Menu on Carnival

This menu is up-to-date as of 2024 and reflect the latest price increase. Available on the Celebration, Jubilee, and Mardi Gras.

Big Texas Welcome Menu on Carnival

This menu is up-to-date as of 2024 and reflect the latest price increase. Available on embarkation day on all ships departing from Texas.

Bar Della Rosa Menu on Carnival

Check current pricing onboard. Available on the Mardi Gras.

Brass Magnolia Bar Menu on Carnival

Fortune Teller Bar Menu on Carnival

Check onboard for current pricing. Available on the Mardi Gras.

The Watering Hole Bar Menu on Carnival

Bar 820 Menu on Carnival

Check onboard for current pricing. Available on the Celebration.

Golden Jubilee Bar Menu on Carnival

Check current pricing onboard. Available on the Celebration.

Latitudes Bar Menu on Carnival

Check current pricing onboard . Available on the Celebration.

Rudi’s Seagrill Bar Menu on Carnival

What Sodas Are Available On Carnival?

Check onboard for current pricing. Here are the sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages generally available on Carnival ships:

And with that…

Class Dismissed.

Looking for Carnival dining menus? Find them all here:

Carnival Menus 2024

Today’s Bonus Cruising Tip

I ALWAYS buy  travel insurance  (especially during these uncertain times) to cover my cruises, but I  NEVER purchase it through Carnival . It costs more and usually covers less than policies you purchase on your own. I go through sites like  travelinsurance.com  to compare plans and prices and get the best deal for the coverage I want.  Spend less on insurance  and spend more on excursions, special onboard cruise experiences and…future cruises!

Homework: Don’t forget to order a super classy “Ship-Faced” mug and “Warning: I Bought The Drink Package” t-shirt before your next Carnival cruise.

Also, be sure to subscribe to the blog to receive new Cruising 101 content direct to your e-mail (scroll up to the top right if on a computer or keep scrolling down if on a mobile device) and follow Prof. Cruise on your favorite social media sites:

Twitter  (@cruiseprof)

Instagram  (@profcruise)

TikTok  (profcruise)

*I earn a small commission on products purchased through links on my site at no extra cost to you. All commissions go toward supporting the work of the site. Thank you!

Share this:

Tags: Carnival bar menus

You may also like...

Tips For Eating Vegetarian Or Vegan On A Celebrity Cruise

June 9, 2020

 by Prof. Cruise · Published June 9, 2020 · Last modified September 19, 2021

Virgin Voyages Bar Menus and Drink Prices 2022

March 18, 2022

 by Prof. Cruise · Published March 18, 2022

Princess 5 Day Dinner Menus

February 27, 2023

 by Prof. Cruise · Published February 27, 2023

4 Responses

• Pingbacks 3

What is the cost for a liquor on ice

[…] HERE FOR CARNIVAL BAR MENUS UPDATED FOR 2023, INCLUDING MENUS FOR THE FLEETS NEWEST SHIP, THE […]

[…] (10 points): Check out the rest of the Carnival bar menus HERE. Then post to the comments what you think of these new non-alcoholic cocktails. Do you plan on […]

• Next story Passengers Thrilled at the Return of NCL’s Most Popular Pre-Covid Entertainment Offering (satire)
• Previous story What’s a Side to Side Cruise and Why Should I Book One?

About Prof. Cruise

Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. With a concentration in cruising.  Home port: Seattle.  Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human.  Lover of books and dessert.  Fancies herself a bit of a comedian – you’ve been warned.

Email Address

Subscribe To Blog

Search and you shall (hopefully) find!

Save on shore excursions.

Start your own travel blog with hosting from Bluehost!

Cruise Spotlight

Helping you find cruise ships you'll love

Carnival Radiance vs Norwegian Pride of America

The Carnival Radiance was built in 2020. The Radiance was previously known as the Victory from 2000-2020, but was renamed after it went through huge renovations. It's 15 years newer than the Pride of America , which was built in 2005 and renovated in 2016.

Comparison Overview

Number of passengers, food and restaurants, bars and drinks, pools and hot tubs, ship features and activities, cruise costs, onboard costs.

The Radiance is considered a medium size ship. Coming in at 893 feet long and 125 feet wide, it's roughly the length of 2.5 football fields, as wide as 2.4 tractor-trailers and the same height as a 13-story building. Compared to the Norwegian Pride of America, the Radiance is 26% larger in terms of overall tons.

Carnival Radiance holds 37% more passengers than the Pride of America based on double occupancy (two people per room). When you look at the "Space Ratio," or the total tonnage of a ship compared to the number of passengers, the Radiance has less space per person compared to the Pride of America.

Food is a big part of any cruise, and the ship you choose can make a huge difference in your food experience.

The Radiance has 20 different dining options like The Chef's Table , Big Chicken , and Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse . Of those options, 14 are complementary, or included with your cruise fare. The other 6 options have an additional fee.

The Pride of America has the same number of dining venues. Some of its popular venues are Cagney's Steakhouse , Sushi Bar , and Teppanyaki . 9 of these restaurants are complementary and the other 10 have an additional fee.

The Carnival Radiance has about the same number of dining options as the Norwegian Pride of America.

If you're looking to avoid extra money while on board, the Radiance might be a better choice then the Pride of America. More of the dining options are included in the base cruise fare, potentially saving you money.

The Carnival Radiance has 2 more bars than the Norwegian Pride of America. The Radiance has 11 bars like BlueIguana Tequila Bar, Casino Bar and Siren Bar. On Radiance, you can grab a drink at 9 different bars such as Aloha Lanai Bar, John Adams Coffee Bar and Pink's Champagne Bar.

In terms of drinks and cocktails, you have a variety of choices. The Radiance serves the Pepsi family of products. That means Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Starry, Mug Root Beer, and Mountain Dew, although the selection can vary by ship. The Pride of America serves Coca Cola branded products. That includes drinks like Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Barqs Root Beer, although the selection can vary by ship.

You can check out recent the bar menus for the Radiance and the Pride of America below.

Nothing beats relaxing by a pool with a nice drink in hand as you feel the fresh sea breeze pass by you. The problem is that with thousands of people on a ship, there's not always room. If you want to spend all day for 7 days in a pool, a cruise isn't for you. You would have a much better bet choosing a resort with a huge pool complex. That being said, a quick dip in the pool can be nice on a hot day.

The Carnival Radiance has a total of 2 pools and 3 hot tubs. Tired of loud kids and splashing? 1 of the pools and 1 of the hot tubs are adults only.

The Norwegian Pride of America has the same number of pools as the Radiance and more hot tubs.

Both ships have lots of activities to keep you busy throughout your cruise. Below you'll see a list of some of the major features on these ships. On the Radiance, 71% of the activities below are included in the cruise fare. On the Pride of America, only 57% of the activities are included, meaning you might spend more money while on board.

Carnival and Norwegian are both considered "Mainstream" cruise lines. Mainstream cruise lines cater to a variety of guests, hoping to provide something for everyone. These typically cost about $100 - $350 per person per day.

Cruise pricing is dynamic and varies for each specific sailing based on factors such as departure point, ports of call, and time of year. Typically newer ships cost more, so a cruise on Carnival Radiance will likely be more expensive than on Norwegian Pride of America.

Another way to gauge the cost of a cruise is to consider how much you'll spend on board. Even though a lot is included in the base cruise fare, you may still spend money on things like spa treatments, specialty dining, drinks, and excursions. In addition, guests can also have to pay for things like gratuities and tips.

Typically guests can expect to spend about 25 - 40% of the cost of the cruise on onboard expenses. In other words, if the cruise fare is $1,000 per person, you might spend between $250 and $400 on extra expenses.

The table below will help you compare onboard prices to see if you might spend more on a specific ship.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers a Free at Sea fare. Through this program, guests receive free open bar, a discount on excursions, some free internet, and some meals at their specialty restaurants. If you book using this promotion, you'll be responsible for the gratuities on the dining and drink package. If you won't be using these options, booking a "sail away" rate that doesn't include the Free at Sea benefits is considerably cheaper. Also, most of these benefits are the base packages; you can spend more to upgrade to better alcoholic drinks or faster/more wifi.

Want to Stay Up-To-Date on All Things Cruising?

Follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Threads , or subscribe to our monthly newsletter .

Articles Related the These Ships

What Theme Parties Will Be On Your Carnival Cruise?

How To Enjoy Dive-in Movies on Carnival Cruise Ships

What is Carnival’s “Behind the Fun” Like?

All You Need To Know About Carnival’s Cheers Package

Carnival’s New Dining Room Menus Officially Rolling Out

Carnival to Close Cucina Del Capitano Restaurants Through July

About Cruise Spotlight Founded in 2020, Cruise Spotlight's goal is to help people understand every aspect of cruising. Plenty of sites focus on the perfect Instagram pictures and marketing fluff. We focus on what really matters: onboard expenses, tips for cruise ships, detailed cruise reviews, and more. Our goal is to provide helpful, unbiased information to new and established cruisers. Over the years, we've helped millions of people get the most from their cruise vacation. Learn more about Cruise Spotlight.