Carnival Cheers Drink Package: Is It Worth It? (2025 Cost Breakdown)

Carnival Cruise Line is synonymous with fun, and for many cruisers, enjoying a refreshing drink (or several!) is a big part of the vacation experience. To help manage onboard spending, Carnival offers its popular **Cheers! Drink Package**, an all-inclusive beverage program designed to cover most of your sips throughout the cruise.

But with an upfront cost, the big question on many cruisers’ minds is: “Is the Carnival Cheers Drink Package worth it for me in 2025?” The answer isn’t always straightforward, as it depends heavily on your individual drinking habits. This comprehensive guide will break down the estimated 2025 costs, detail what’s included (and excluded), and provide a simple calculation method to help you decide if this package is a smart investment for your next Carnival adventure.

What is the Carnival Cheers! Drink Package?

The Cheers! Drink Package is Carnival’s all-inclusive beverage program, allowing guests to enjoy a wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for a fixed daily price. It’s designed for convenience, eliminating the need to track individual drink purchases throughout your cruise. A key rule to remember is that if one adult in a stateroom purchases the Cheers! package, all other adults (21 years or older) in the same stateroom must also purchase it.

Carnival Cheers Drink Package 2025 Cost Breakdown (Estimated)

While Carnival’s pricing can fluctuate based on cruise length, itinerary, and booking promotions, here’s an estimated cost breakdown for the Cheers! Package in 2025. Prices are per person, per day:

Pre-Cruise Purchase

Purchasing the Cheers! Package before your cruise is almost always cheaper than buying it onboard. For 2025, you can expect prices to be in the range of **$59.95 – $64.95 USD per person, per day**, excluding gratuities. This typically needs to be purchased at least 24-48 hours before embarkation.

Onboard Purchase

If you decide to wait and purchase the package once you’re on the ship, the price will be slightly higher. Expect to pay around **$64.95 – $69.95 USD per person, per day**, excluding gratuities.

Gratuities

An automatic 18% gratuity is added to the price of the Cheers! Drink Package. This applies whether you purchase it pre-cruise or onboard. You’ll pay this gratuity upfront for the entire cruise duration when you buy the package.

Estimated Total Cost Calculation (Example for a 7-Day Cruise in 2025)

• Pre-Cruise Purchase: $62.95 (average) * 7 days = $440.65
• Gratuity: $440.65 * 0.18 = $79.32
• Total Estimated Cost (Pre-Cruise): $519.97 per person for a 7-day cruise.
• Onboard Purchase: $67.45 (average) * 7 days = $472.15
• Gratuity: $472.15 * 0.18 = $85.00
• Total Estimated Cost (Onboard): $557.15 per person for a 7-day cruise.

What’s Included (and What’s Not)?

Understanding the inclusions and exclusions is vital for determining the package’s value.

Included Beverages

• Alcoholic Beverages: Most spirits, liqueurs, beers, and wines by the glass (up to a menu price of $20.00 per serving).
• Sodas: All fountain sodas (Coke products).
• Specialty Coffees & Hot Teas: From the espresso bar.
• Bottled Water: 500ml bottles (one per person per bar visit).
• Energy Drinks: Red Bull, Monster, etc.
• Fresh Juices: Orange, grapefruit, pineapple, cranberry, tomato.
• Non-alcoholic Cocktails: Mocktails.
• Zero-Proof Brews: Non-alcoholic beers.
• Milks & Hot Chocolate:

Important Limit: You are limited to 15 alcoholic beverages per 24-hour period (starting from 6:00 AM each day). There is no limit on non-alcoholic drinks.

Not Included Beverages & Items

• Beverages exceeding $20.00 per serving.
• Full bottles of liquor or wine.
• Beverages offered in souvenir glasses (though you can pay extra for the glass).
• Room service beverages.
• Mini-bar items.
• Drinks from vending machines.
• Shared beverages (one drink per person per order).
• Specialty beer/wine tastings.
• Freshly squeezed orange juice (usually only available at breakfast).
• In-stateroom water beyond the limit (though you can bring your own sealed water bottles onboard).

Is the Cheers! Package Worth It for You? A Calculation Guide

To determine if the Cheers! Package is a good value, you need to estimate your typical daily drink consumption and compare it to the package cost. Let’s use average individual drink prices:

• Beer: $7 – $9
• Wine by the glass: $9 – $14
• Cocktails/Mixed Drinks: $12 – $17
• Soda: $3 – $4
• Specialty Coffee: $4 – $6
• Bottled Water: $3 – $5

Calculate Your Daily Drink Consumption

Think about a typical day on vacation. How many of each type of drink would you consume?

Example Daily Consumption:

• 2 beers (avg. $8 each) = $16
• 2 cocktails (avg. $14 each) = $28
• 2 sodas (avg. $3.50 each) = $7
• 1 specialty coffee (avg. $5) = $5
• 2 bottles of water (avg. $4 each) = $8
• Total Estimated Daily Spend: $64

Break-Even Point

Using the example above, if your estimated daily spend is around $64, and the package costs roughly $63 (pre-cruise, before gratuity), then the package is likely worth it for you. If your daily spend is consistently less than the package’s daily cost, you might be better off paying for drinks individually.

Rule of thumb: You generally need to consume about 5-6 alcoholic drinks (plus a few non-alcoholic ones) per day to break even with the Cheers! package. Consider what drinks you enjoy most; a cocktail drinker will reach the break-even point faster than a beer drinker.

Pros and Cons of the Cheers! Package

Pros

• Budgeting Simplicity: No surprise bills at the end of your cruise. You pay upfront and can relax.
• Convenience: Just order your drink, no need for cash or swiping your card for every purchase.
• Experimentation: Feel free to try new cocktails or wines without worrying about the individual cost.
• Inclusion of Non-Alcoholic Drinks: Sodas, specialty coffees, and bottled water add significant value.

Cons

• High Upfront Cost: It’s a significant lump sum payment, especially for longer cruises and multiple adults.
• “All Adults in Cabin” Rule: This is a major hurdle if one person drinks minimally or is a non-drinker.
• 15-Drink Limit (Alcoholic): While generous for most, heavy drinkers might hit this limit.
• Exclusions: Premium drinks over $20, room service, mini-bar, and full bottles are not included.
• Pressure to Drink: Some guests feel compelled to drink more to “get their money’s worth,” which can detract from the overall vacation experience.

Tips for Maximizing Your Cheers! Package

• Pre-Purchase: Always buy it online before your cruise to save money.
• Hydrate Smart: Utilize the bottled water inclusion, especially for shore excursions.
• Know the Limits: Be aware of the $20 drink limit and the 15 alcoholic drink cap.
• Enjoy Specialty Coffees: Don’t forget to grab those lattes and cappuccinos from the coffee bar throughout the day; they add up quickly if bought individually.
• Utilize Sea Days: These are prime opportunities to get your money’s worth, as you’ll be onboard all day.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Carnival Cheers Drink Package ❓

Conclusion: Decide Smart, Cruise Happy

The Carnival Cheers! Drink Package can be a fantastic way to enhance your cruise vacation, offering convenience and potentially significant savings if you’re a regular beverage consumer. However, its value is highly personal.

By carefully calculating your estimated daily drink consumption, understanding the inclusions and exclusions, and considering the “all adults in cabin” rule, you can make an informed decision. Don’t feel pressured to buy it if your drinking habits don’t align with the break-even point. Whether you choose Cheers! or pay as you go, the most important thing is to enjoy your Carnival cruise to the fullest!