What beverages are free on Carnival cruise?

In our buffet restaurant, special drinks dispensers provide you with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, lemonade and ice tea around the clock and free of charge. In addition, you can book beverage packages for the entire duration of the cruise on the day of embarkation.



On a Carnival cruise in 2026, the "standard" complimentary beverages include water (not bottled), lemonade, unsweetened iced tea, hot chocolate, and basic non-specialty coffee and tea. These are available 24/7 at the Lido Deck buffet stations. During breakfast in the main dining room or buffet, you will also find free orange, apple, and passion-orange-guava (POG) juices, as well as milk (regular, chocolate, and sometimes soy). It is important to note that sodas, bottled water, specialty coffees (like lattes), and alcoholic drinks are not free and require an additional charge or a beverage package like "Bottomless Bubbles" or "Cheers!". In 2026, Carnival has also introduced the "Zero Proof" package for premium non-alcoholic options, but the basic hydration staples listed above remain included in your base cruise fare.

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In our buffet restaurant, special drinks dispensers provide you with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, lemonade and ice tea around the clock and free of charge. In addition, you can book beverage packages for the entire duration of the cruise on the day of embarkation.

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Drinks That Cost Extra on Cruises: Beverages that cost you extra onboard usually include the following: bottled or sparkling water; specialty coffees and teas at bars, cafes and dining venues; smoothies and specialty blended fruit drinks, fresh-squeezed orange juice and juice ordered at onboard bars.

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Water will be delivered to your stateroom on embarkation day. Bottled water may also be purchased on board by contacting Room Service. Once on board, your purchase is non-refundable; you may take home any unopened bottles.

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Sodas are generally only included in the cruise fare on upper-end and luxury cruise lines. On most mainstream cruises, sodas are available for purchase (using your onboard account) in the ship's dining rooms and bars, and in stateroom mini-bars.

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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.

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Free Dining on Carnival Freedom. In the midst of a specialty dining trend, Carnival Freedom has maintained complimentary dining for most of its venues. The addition of Guy's Burgers and the BlueIguana Cantina to the Lido deck boosts this model and offers variety from the standard buffet options.

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If you want a broader selection, you will either have to purchase each drink individually or pay for a drink package. To start off, there are some drinks that are included with the standard cruise fare. Water, lemonade, fruit juices, coffee, tea, regular and chocolate milk are all complimentary.

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Food and drinking are usually complimentary on the cruises. You are also allowed to bring your own snack on the cruise so that you can have what you love. A certain time is fixed for every meal - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can either have it with everybody in the dining room or bring it to your room.

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If you want a broader selection, you will either have to purchase each drink individually or pay for a drink package. To start off, there are some drinks that are included with the standard cruise fare. Water, lemonade, fruit juices, coffee, tea, regular and chocolate milk are all complimentary.

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A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12-ounces/354-ml each or less, per person.

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Carnival only serves lobster on one formal night on cruises of six nights or more. It used to be unlimited on those nights, but now each lobster tail after the first two will cost $5, per the new policy. Planning a cruise?

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About Drink Packages. Sail refreshed with Carnival's Bottomless Bubbles unlimited soda program! Enjoy the ease and convenience of paying one flat price for thirst-quenching fountain soda and juice all cruise long!

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Enjoy the ease of paying one flat price for your spirited beverages over the entire length of your cruise. Now, that's something to cheer about! Save 10% by purchasing before you sail. Cut-off for pre-purchase is 11:59 PM the day before embarkation and 9:00pm EST through call center.

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If you are on a longer cruise and will drink more than that, you'll save by ordering a Bottomless Bubbles soda package. Same goes for drinking water on a cruise. While bottled water is not allowed, you can save by bringing your own refillable water bottle and get water from the fountains on the Lido Deck.

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No sharing is permitted. Program allows for up to 15 alcoholic drinks per 24 hour period (9AM - 3AM).

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The Burgers and Fries Are Included in Your Cruise Fare Even if you go on the ship and don't spend a dime, you're still going to have gratuity charges. So you might expect that given the popularity of Guy's Burger Joint it would cost you to eat there. We're happy to say that there is no charge to eat at Guy's.

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The simple answer is yes, you can bring snacks on a Carnival cruise.

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