Carnival Hikes CHEERS! Drink Package Price in 2023

Bad news for guests who purchase the Carnival drink package. Carnival Cruise Line is increasing the price of its CHEERS! drink package on short sailings.

The new price, which will impact five nights or fewer sailings, will go into effect beginning on December 1, 2023.

How Much You’ll Now Pay For A Drink Package

An update to the CHEERS! beverage page on the Carnival website now reads, “For short voyages (5 days or less) departing 12/01/23 and after, the pre-cruise price will be $69.95 USD per day plus 18% service charge. The onboard price will be $74.95 USD per day plus 18% service charge.”

It’s important to note that this only impacts shorter sailings. The price remains unchanged on sailings of 6 nights or more.

Currently, guests pay $59.95 per person daily if they buy the package before their cruise. That price increases by five dollars if purchased once onboard the ship.

The rules and fine print of the package remain the same. If one guest in the stateroom purchases the package, everyone over the age of 21 must purchase it as well.

News of the increase has gotten a mixed response. Upon hearing about the price jump, a guest on board Carnival Venezia — on which we’re currently sailing — told Cruise Radio they weren’t particularly surprised by the news. “Coming off record profits,” they said, “I figured something else was in the works to make the next quarter look even better.”

Another pointed out that while vacationing in Vegas, he’d paid $80 for two beers and cocktails. (By contrast, the Cheers package covers up to 15 alcoholic beverages daily, plus various non-alcoholic choices.)

The last time Carnival increased the drink package price was May 2022.

What does the Carnival Drink Package CHEERS! include?

• All spirits, including cocktails, cognacs, whiskies, and other spirits, as well as beer (including self-serve beer stations – PYOB) and wine and champagne by the glass, with a $20.00 USD or lower menu price per serving 
• Sodas (including specialty sodas), zero-proof frozen cocktails (including smoothies), and juices 
• Specialty coffees and hot tea are served in the main dining rooms, specialty restaurants, and coffee bars
• Milkshakes, where available
• Energy drinks
• 500 ml bottled water and other non-alcoholic bottled beverages served in bars and lounges
• Packaged water in the dining rooms and specialty restaurants
• 25% discount off the menu price for any spirit, cocktail or wine by the glass, costing above $20.00 USD, per serving
• 25% discount off the menu price for wine and champagne by the bottle 
• 25% discount off beverage seminars and classes

Why You Should Order Now

According to Brand Ambassador John Heald’s Facebook page, guests can order the Cheers! Package at its current price until October 8.

He also revealed that beginning on October 9, guests will only be able to purchase the Cheers! Package online via their Cruise Manager.

He explained that this would be true until December 1 “so that the work my colleagues are doing on the website can continue.”

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Carnival’s Drink Package