Beer prices on Carnival cruises range from about $6 to $14 per drink, depending on the type and where you buy it

A standard domestic beer like Bud Light or Coors costs around $6 to $8 on most Carnival ships. Premium beers and imported options run $8 to $10. Specialty craft beers or larger pours can reach $12 to $14. These prices explore whether you order at the main dining room, pool deck bars, or casual venues around the ship. Prices are the same whether you're in a port or at sea.

Carnival does not include alcohol in the base cruise fare, so every drink is an additional charge unless you purchase a beverage package. The ship operates on a cashless system — you'll sign a tab with your cabin key card and settle it at the end of your cruise, or you can prepay for a package before boarding.

Key Takeaways

  • Domestic beers cost $6 to $8 per drink; imported and craft beers run $8 to $14.
  • Beverage packages that include beer start around $60 to $80 per person for a 3-day cruise and scale up with cruise length.
  • Specialty bars, nightclubs, and premium venues charge more than casual pool bars for the same beer.
  • You can bring a limited amount of your own alcohol in your cabin (usually one bottle of wine or champagne per person), but outside alcohol cannot be consumed in public areas of the ship.

Beverage packages that include beer

Carnival offers several drink packages that bundle beer with other beverages. The most common is the Cheers! Beverage Package, which covers beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, and specialty coffees. Pricing depends on cruise length and when you purchase. A 3-day cruise package typically costs $60 to $80 per person if bought before boarding; a 7-day cruise runs $150 to $200 per person. Prices are higher if you buy onboard.

There is also a Beer Package that covers only beer, wine, and soft drinks — no spirits. This is cheaper than Cheers! but still costs roughly 70 to 80 percent of the full beverage package price. A third option, the Soda Package, covers only non-alcoholic drinks and costs significantly less.

Packages are per-person and per-day. If you cruise for 7 days, you pay the daily rate times 7. Gratuity (tip) is usually added automatically to beverage packages, though the amount varies by package type.

Where to buy drinks on the ship

The main pool bar and casual deck bars charge the standard price listed above. The dining room and buffet area typically do not serve alcohol during meals unless you order it separately. Specialty venues — such as the nightclub, wine bar, or premium steakhouse — often charge more. A beer at the nightclub might cost $9 to $12, while the same beer at the pool bar costs $6 to $8.

Some Carnival ships have a Alchemy Bar or other craft cocktail venue where beer selections and prices are higher. If you order room service, alcohol is available but carries an automatic gratuity charge on top of the drink price.

What you can bring aboard

Carnival allows passengers to bring a limited amount of outside alcohol into their cabin: typically one bottle of wine or champagne per person, per stateroom. You cannot bring beer, spirits, or additional wine bottles. This alcohol must stay in your cabin — it cannot be consumed in public areas of the ship, and crew members will confiscate any outside alcohol found outside your room.

The policy exists partly because Carnival makes revenue from onboard drink sales and partly for safety and liability reasons. If you want to drink beer during your cruise without a package, bringing your own is not an option.

How to decide whether a package makes sense

If you plan to have one or two beers per day, the package usually does not pay for itself. A 7-day cruise with a Cheers! package costs roughly $150 to $200 per person. That covers about 21 to 28 drinks over the week. If you drink only 7 to 10 beers, you would spend $42 to $80 buying drinks individually — less than the package.

If you drink three or more beers daily, or if you plan to have mixed drinks and wine as well, the package typically saves money. Packages also remove the mental math of tracking charges and the surprise of a large bill at the end of the cruise. Some people find the convenience worth the cost even if the math is close.

Carnival sometimes offers package discounts if you book before a certain date or if you have booked a cruise before. Check your booking confirmation email or call Carnival directly to see what promotions explore to your sailing.

Tipping and gratuity on drinks

When you order a drink without a package, you will see a gratuity line on the receipt. Carnival's automatic gratuity on bar drinks is typically 15 to 18 percent, though you can adjust it if you choose. This is added to every drink order, not just at the end of the cruise. If you purchase a beverage package, gratuity is usually included in the package price, so you will not see an additional charge per drink.

Some passengers add extra cash tips to bartenders for exceptional service, but it is not required — the automatic gratuity covers the standard expectation.

Prices at ports and specialty experiences

When the ship docks at a port, you can leave the ship and buy beer at local bars or shops, where prices are typically lower than onboard. A beer in a Caribbean port bar might cost $3 to $5. However, you will need to return to the ship by the all-aboard time, and you cannot bring outside alcohol back onto the ship (with the exception of the one wine bottle per person allowed in your cabin).

Some Carnival ships offer paid experiences like brewery tours or wine tastings at ports. These are separate from your cruise fare and are booked through Carnival's shore excursion program. Drinks consumed during these excursions are usually included in the excursion price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring beer in my carry-on luggage when I board?

No. Carnival prohibits beer, spirits, and most outside alcohol from being brought onto the ship in any form — luggage, carry-on, or otherwise. The only exception is one bottle of wine or champagne per person, which must go in your cabin. Crew members inspect luggage and confiscate prohibited alcohol.

Do kids' drinks and non-alcoholic beverages cost extra?

Soft drinks, juice, and water from the tap are free. Bottled water, specialty coffees, and smoothies cost extra. If you purchase a Soda Package or Cheers! Package, these are included. Without a package, a bottled water costs about $2 to $3, and a specialty coffee runs $4 to $6.

What happens if I buy a beverage package and don't use all the drinks?

Beverage packages do not roll over or refund unused drinks. You pay for the package for the duration of your cruise, and any drinks you don't consume are forfeited. There is no per-drink refund or credit.

Are there free drinks anywhere on the Carnival ship?

Coffee and tea in the dining room during meals, and tap water throughout the ship, are free. Specialty coffees, smoothies, and all alcoholic beverages require payment or a beverage package. Some Carnival promotions offer a free drink voucher, but these are rare and usually tied to onboard spending or cabin upgrades.

Can I purchase a beverage package for only part of my cruise?

Beverage packages are sold per cruise or per day, not by the hour or for partial days. You can buy a package for the full cruise length or not at all. Some cruise lines allow day-of-cruise purchases, but Carnival typically requires package purchases before boarding or at the customer service desk on embarkation day.