Soda costs $2.50 per can or bottle on Carnival ships, or you can buy a beverage package that covers unlimited drinks for the length of your voyage

Carnival charges for most drinks beyond the complimentary coffee, tea, and water at meals. A single soda — Coke, Sprite, Fanta, or similar — runs $2.50 per can or bottle if you buy it by the drink. That price holds whether you order at a poolside bar, the dining room, or a casual café. Alcoholic drinks cost more, typically $6 to $12 depending on what you order.

The real savings come from a beverage package purchased before you board or during your cruise. Carnival offers several tiers: the Classic Beverage Package covers unlimited sodas, juices, coffee, and non-alcoholic drinks for roughly $15 to $18 per person per day (the exact price varies by sailing date and how far in advance you buy). The Premium Package adds alcohol and costs roughly $25 to $30 per person per day. If you drink multiple sodas daily, the Classic package pays for itself in about a week on a seven-day cruise.

Key Takeaways

  • Single sodas cost $2.50 each when purchased by the drink, with no limit on how many you can buy.
  • A Classic Beverage Package covers unlimited sodas and non-alcoholic drinks for roughly $15 to $18 per person per day, depending on your sailing date.
  • Beverage packages are cheaper when purchased before you board, though you can buy them onboard at a higher price.
  • Water, coffee, and tea at meals are always free and do not require a package.
  • Prices vary slightly by ship and sailing, so check your Carnival account or call the cruise line to confirm current rates for your specific voyage.

When a beverage package makes financial sense

The math is straightforward. If you drink two sodas per day on a seven-day cruise, that is 14 sodas at $2.50 each, or $35 total. A Classic Beverage Package for seven days at $16 per day costs $112 — more expensive upfront, but it covers unlimited drinks, not just soda. The package also includes juice, iced tea, lemonade, and specialty coffee drinks, which cost extra if you buy them individually.

The package makes the most sense if you drink multiple beverages daily or plan to order specialty drinks like smoothies or frozen cocktails (if you have the Premium Package). If you drink one soda every other day and mostly stick to water and the complimentary coffee at breakfast, buying by the drink is cheaper.

How to purchase a beverage package before your cruise

Log into your Carnival account online and navigate to your booking. You will see an "Add Onboard Purchases" or "Beverage Package" section where you can select the Classic or Premium package for each person in your cabin. Buying before you sail locks in the lower pre-purchase price — typically $2 to $4 less per person per day than buying onboard.

You can also call Carnival directly at 1-888-227-6482 to add a package to your reservation. Have your booking number ready. The package will be charged to the payment method on file and will be active from the moment you board.

Buying a beverage package onboard

If you did not purchase a package before sailing, you can buy one at the Guest Services desk on your first day. The onboard price is higher than the pre-purchase price — expect to pay roughly $18 to $20 per person per day for the Classic package. You can purchase it for any remaining days of your cruise, not just the full voyage.

Some guests wait until day two or three to decide whether a package is worth it based on their actual drinking habits. This is a valid approach, though you will pay the premium onboard rate. If you decide to buy partway through, the package covers only the days you select going forward, not retroactively.

What is and is not included in the Classic Beverage Package

The Classic package covers unlimited sodas, juices (orange, cranberry, tomato, pineapple), iced tea, lemonade, coffee, hot tea, and hot chocolate. It also includes specialty coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos made at the coffee bar. Bottled water is free anyway, so the package does not add value there.

The package does not cover alcohol, energy drinks, or premium bottled juices. Alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, cocktails, spirits — require the Premium Beverage Package or are purchased separately at the per-drink price. Some specialty smoothies or açai bowls may also fall outside the package depending on how they are classified.

Comparing Carnival's package to other cruise lines

Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line charge similar per-drink prices ($2.50 to $3.00 for soda) and offer comparable beverage packages in the $15 to $20 per day range. Norwegian Cruise Line includes unlimited drinks in the base fare on some sailings, which can be a better deal if you drink heavily. Princess and Celebrity charge slightly less per drink but offer fewer package options.

The real difference is not the price but what you plan to drink. If you are a heavy coffee drinker, Carnival's specialty coffee inclusion is valuable. If you mostly want soda and water, the savings are modest. Compare the daily rate across lines for your specific sailing dates to see which offers the best value for your habits.

Tips for managing drink costs on your cruise

Drink water and complimentary coffee at meals to reduce your overall beverage spending. Many guests do not realize that water, coffee, and tea are always free in the dining room and at buffet areas — you do not need a package for these. Bring a refillable water bottle onboard and fill it at the water fountains throughout the ship.

If you are undecided about a package, track how many paid drinks you buy on day one. Multiply that by the number of remaining days to estimate your total cost. If it exceeds the package price, buy the package on day two. If you are a light drinker, skip the package and pay as you go — the $2.50 per soda is not a hidden fee, and you control exactly how much you spend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share a beverage package with someone else in my cabin?

No. Beverage packages are tied to individual passengers and cannot be transferred or shared. Each person in your cabin must have their own package if you want unlimited drinks for that person. Children under 18 can have the Classic package but typically cannot purchase the Premium (alcohol) package.

Do tips or gratuities get added to my drink bill?

If you buy drinks by the drink, an automatic gratuity of 15% is added to your bar tab at the end of the cruise. If you have a beverage package, no additional tip is charged — the package price is all-inclusive. You can always add an extra tip if you wish, but it is not required.

What happens if I buy a package and do not use it much?

Carnival does not offer refunds for unused portions of a beverage package. If you purchase a seven-day package and leave the ship after five days, you lose the value for the remaining two days. This is why some guests prefer to buy packages day-by-day or wait until partway through the cruise to decide.

Are specialty drinks like frozen cocktails or smoothies covered by the Classic package?

Most specialty non-alcoholic drinks like frozen smoothies and virgin daiquiris are covered by the Classic package. However, some premium smoothies or açai bowls may be charged separately depending on the ship and how they are classified. Ask the bartender or server before ordering if you are unsure.

Can I upgrade from Classic to Premium partway through my cruise?

Yes. Visit Guest Services and ask to upgrade your package. You will pay the difference between what you already paid and the higher Premium rate for the remaining days. The upgrade takes effect when ready, and you will have access to alcoholic drinks from that point forward.