Cheers! Program on Carnival Cruise Line: What You Need to Know
Drink packages are arguably one of the most popular and important add-ons in cruising, including onboard Carnival cruises. The Carnival cruise drink package that's the most iconic in particular is the Cheers! drink program.
But which beverages are included in this Carnival cruise package, what's not and what else do you need to know about it? Read on for more on Carnival's Cheers! drink program.
What Is the Cheers! Carnival Cruise Drink Package?
The Carnival Cheers! beverage package is essentially a way of creating an (almost) all-inclusive beverage experience on a Carnival cruise ship. The package includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks below certain price points and includes the standard drinks available to all guests.
Note that if one adult in a cabin purchases the Cheers beverage program, all adults 21 years of age or older staying in that same cabin must also purchase it.
Alcoholic options include mixed drinks, beer, wine and spirits valued at $20 or less -- as stated on the menu. Cheers! does not apply to drinks served in souvenir glasses.
Beverages located in the main dining room and Lido Restaurant (which are available 24/7) include lemonade, non-bottled water, hot chocolate, unsweetened iced tea, and non-specialty coffee and tea are free to all cruisers.
What’s included in the Cheers! Carnival cruise drink package:
Any alcoholic drink with a menu price of $20.00 or less, including beer, wine and cocktails
Specialty virgin drinks and mocktails
Zero-Proof frozen cocktails
Soda and energy drinks
Tea and specialty coffees
500ml bottled water and other bottled beverages (available in bars or lounges)
Juices, smoothies and milkshakes (where available)
What Is the Cheers! Beverage Package Alcohol Limit?
The Cheers! package allows cruisers to get up to 15 alcoholic drinks a day (every 24 hours) -- as well as unlimited sodas, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, bottled water, specialty coffees and teas -- for a set price.
The program's 24-hour period runs from 6:00 am to 6:00 am, and when 15 drinks have been served, staff may not serve them additional alcoholic drinks. Staff are aware that 15 drinks is the cut-off number and are not allowed to serve more alcoholic drinks even if guests are willing to pay for them.
On top of the 15-alcoholic drink cap, Cheers! program participants must wait five minutes between drink purchases, and all bottles and cans are served opened. The five-minute wait time also includes ordering double shots.
Discounts Included in the Cheers Carnival Cruise Package
The Cheers! package also includes a 25 percent discount on bottles of wine and Champagne or on any wine or spirit by the glass that costs more than $20. A 25 percent discount is also offered on beverage classes and seminars.
Cheers! applies to beverages bought onboard your Carnival ship only; the Carnival cruise package cannot be used on the private island, Half Moon Cay.
What Is Not Included in the Cheers! Carnival Cruise Drink Package?
Carnival’s Cheers! drink package excludes guests from sharing pitchers, cocktails, tubes, floaters and buckets. The package also does not include freshly squeezed juice in the main dining room and freshly squeezed orange juice in the Havana Bar.
The Cheers Carnival cruise package also excludes drinks offered at the gangway, through room service, minibars and in-stateroom programs, and at any port of call.
Carnival's Cheers! Beverage Program Price
The cost for the Cheers! beverage program varies by the length of the cruise.
On cruises of six days or more and sailings of five days or less, there is a flat per-person fee per day and guests may receive a discount if purchased before a cruise. The program must be purchased for all days of the cruise. When purchasing the Cheers! program onboard, there is no additional discount.
An 18 percent gratuity is added to the cost of the package at the time of purchase, and due to state laws, the Cheers! package is unavailable until the second day of all sailings leaving from ports in New York and Texas.
State taxes still apply in all U.S. ports, so while your drink is paid for by the package, your Sail & Sign card will be charged the applicable percentage in tax.
Carnival's Cheers! drink package is not available on two-night sailings, charter cruises or Europe cruises, and it must be booked for the entire length of your sailing.
Which Carnival Ships Have the Cheers! Carnival Cruise Drink Package?
You can purchase the Cheers beverage package on all Carnival ships fleetwide, except on those sailing European and two-day cruise itineraries.
Find Carnival’s Cheers program onboard these ships: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Dream, Carnival Elation, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Magic, Carnival Mardi Gras, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Pride, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Valor, Carnival Venezia and Carnival Vista.