What drinks are complimentary on Carnival?

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.



In 2026, Carnival Cruise Line continues to offer a specific selection of "free" beverages that are included in your base cruise fare. These are primarily available 24/7 at self-service stations in the Lido Marketplace (buffet) and include filtered water, unsweetened iced tea, lemonade, hot cocoa, and basic drip coffee or hot tea. During breakfast hours, you will also find complimentary orange juice, apple juice, and milk. In the Main Dining Room, these same items are available at no extra cost. However, any "premium" drinks—including fountain sodas, bottled water, specialty espressos, and handcrafted mocktails—are not free and must be purchased individually or via a beverage package. For 2026 travelers, the "Cheers! Zero Proof" package is a popular way to bridge this gap, covering those premium non-alcoholic options for a daily flat fee without paying for the full alcohol-inclusive package.

People Also Ask

What drinks are free on Carnival cruises? Carnival Cruise Line is pretty generous with the free drinks on offer in the main dining room, buffet and room service. The free drinks include water, lemonade, fruit juice, coffee, hot tea, iced tea, hot chocolate, milk and chocolate milk.

MORE DETAILS

What drinks are free of charge?
  1. Water. Water is always free of charge on most cruise ships. ...
  2. Flavored water. Some cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean drink package provides their passengers with several options of flavored waters to choose from. ...
  3. Lemonade. ...
  4. Tea and coffee. ...
  5. Hot chocolate. ...
  6. Milk. ...
  7. Fruit juices.


MORE DETAILS

The standard point level that must be reached to qualify from slot play is 1,000 points on sailings less than 5 days and 1,500 points on sailings 5 days or longer. Table Players: Table players will be awarded a 'Drinks On Us!' card when they reach comparable table play.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board with the following exception - at the beginning of the cruise during embarkation day only, guests (21 years of age and older) may bring one 750-ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne, per person, in their carry-on luggage.* Outside this exception, ...

MORE DETAILS

While purchasing a beverage package prior to your cruise is the most cost effective, you can opt to purchase one on board for a slightly higher price.

MORE DETAILS

While water, juice, and tea are usually free on a cruise, you often have to go to the ship's restaurants to get them. Meanwhile, non-alcoholic drinks like sodas cost extra (usually around $2-3 per serving), so bringing those on with you when allowed can save you a decent amount.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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

MORE DETAILS

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

MORE DETAILS

Thank you “T” and yes, it is indeed 15 drinks in a 24 hour period. That is alcoholic drinks and indeed sodas, coffee etc is unlimited. So, it's important to know that Carnival won't serve any passenger more than 15 alcoholic drinks in a single day. And that's not just for beverage-package buyers.

MORE DETAILS

Your SeaPass® will have either a sticker or a printed verification of your package. The bar staff will request to see your SeaPass for verification prior to service, so keep it handy.

MORE DETAILS

Guests must deposit cash (USD currency only) or Traveler's Checks (USD currency only) at Guest Services on the first day of the cruise. The following minimum cash deposits are recommended: 2 - 4 day cruise: $100 USD per person. 5 - 8 day cruise: $200 USD per person.

MORE DETAILS