How Many Drinks Are Included In Carnival Cruise Line: What Carnival Cruise Line Guests Should Know for 2026
This is one of the questions our advisors hear most often about included drinks and beverage packages on Carnival Cruise Line - here's what's actually true.
What's actually bundled comes down to the beverage package structure: $16-17 per person, per day for standard staterooms, rising to around $18-19 for suites. It posts automatically to your Sail & Sign account and can be adjusted at Guest Services if needed.
Since included drinks and beverage packages can vary by cabin category and sail date, an advisor at +1-800-406-8495 can confirm exactly what applies to your booking. It's worth asking whether a package needs to be purchased before boarding to lock in a lower rate versus buying it once onboard. Small thing, but it matters if you're planning around it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many drinks are included in Carnival?
It depends entirely on your fare type and any beverage package you've purchased - base fares typically include only water, coffee, tea, and juice, while paid packages unlock unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails. This can also depend on whether you're sailing during a promotional period, when packages are sometimes discounted or bundled with other perks. That detail alone can save some back-and-forth later.
Is water and coffee always free onboard?
Yes, basic non-alcoholic beverages like water, coffee, tea, and often lemonade or iced tea are included in virtually every cruise fare. It's worth asking whether a package needs to be purchased before boarding to lock in a lower rate versus buying it once onboard. Worth keeping in mind either way.
Do I need to buy a drink package for everyone in my cabin?
Most lines require all adults in the same cabin to purchase the same beverage package, rather than letting one person buy it and share. Menus and package details can vary slightly by ship, so it's worth checking what's currently offered on your specific vessel. Not a bad idea to keep that in your back pocket.
Can I buy individual drinks instead of a package?
Yes, à la carte drink purchases are always available and charged to your onboard account, which can make sense if you don't drink often enough to justify a package. Comparing the package cost against your expected daily consumption is the most reliable way to know if it's worth it for your trip. That's the short version, at least.
Is the beverage package worth it for a week-long cruise?
It depends on your habits - if you'd normally have 4+ drinks a day, a package often pays for itself, but light drinkers usually come out ahead paying per drink. It helps to check whether gratuities are already included in a package price or added separately at checkout. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
What beverage package options does Carnival offer?
Our advisors can walk through current package pricing and what's included - call +1-800-406-8495. Pricing for packages tends to be updated periodically, so confirming the current rate before your cruise avoids surprises at checkout. Worth keeping in mind either way.
Are mocktails included if I don't buy the alcohol package?
Non-alcoholic specialty drinks like mocktails are sometimes included in a non-alcoholic beverage package, though a basic fare without any package usually only includes water, coffee, tea, and similar basics. If dietary restrictions are a factor, flagging them with the cruise line ahead of time usually gets a better result than asking once onboard. That's the short version, at least.
Does Carnival count a bottle of wine as 'one drink' toward package limits?
Package terms vary - some treat a bottle of wine as several drink equivalents against a daily cap, while unlimited packages don't cap it at all; check your specific package's fine print. It's worth asking whether a package needs to be purchased before boarding to lock in a lower rate versus buying it once onboard. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Can I gift my unused drink package days to someone else in my cabin?
Generally no, drink packages are tied to the individual guest who purchased them and aren't transferable to other travelers in the same cabin. Comparing the package cost against your expected daily consumption is the most reliable way to know if it's worth it for your trip. Worth keeping in mind either way.
Is the drink package cheaper if purchased for the whole cruise versus day by day?
Yes, buying the full-cruise package almost always works out cheaper per day than purchasing single-day packages, especially if bought in advance rather than once onboard. It's worth asking whether a package needs to be purchased before boarding to lock in a lower rate versus buying it once onboard. Good to know before you finalize anything.