Carnival’s Alcohol-Free Drink Package: What You Get

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Not everyone on a cruise wants unlimited cocktails.

In fact, more cruisers are choosing alcohol-free options than ever before. And cruise lines are starting to notice.

That’s why Carnival introduced a new CHEERS! Zero Proof drink package, designed for guests who want more than just soda but don’t want the full CHEERS! alcohol package either.

Carnival drinks menu

It sits right in the middle. More choice than the Bottomless Bubbles soda plan, but cheaper than the all-inclusive alcohol package.

So what exactly do you get with Carnival’s alcohol-free drink package… and is it actually worth it?

What the Package Includes

The Zero Proof package is priced at $29.99 (USD) per person, per day if booked before sailing, or $34.99 onboard, with an automatic 18% gratuity added.

So the actual price you should expect to pay is $35.39 per day if bought pre-cruise, and $41.29 if bought onboard.

Prices for Australian cruises are $39.99 (AUD) pre-cruise or $44.99 onboard.

Included in the package are:

  • Soft drinks (now Coca-Cola products)
  • Juices
  • Still and sparkling bottled water
  • Coconut water
  • Premium coffees and teas
  • Mocktails (zero-proof cocktails)
  • Alcohol-free beer
  • Alcohol-free sparkling wine
  • Frozen non-alcoholic drinks
  • Smoothies and milkshakes
  • Bottled protein shakes
  • Energy drinks

Exclusions include drinks sold in souvenir glasses, beverages at the gangway, room service items, mini-bars, and drinks served at private events.

Carnival cruises and Coca Cola

One unusual restriction is that guests must still be 21 or older to order zero-proof cocktails, alcohol-free beer, and alcohol-free sparkling wine, despite these drinks containing no alcohol.

Rules and Restrictions

Unlike the full CHEERS! alcoholic package, not every guest in a stateroom has to purchase Zero Proof.

It is available as an individual choice, making it more flexible for families or groups with different preferences.

As with all Carnival packages, drinks cannot be shared between passengers. The package also does not extend to ports of call, including private destinations such as Celebration Key.

It’s important to note that the flexibility doesn’t extend to any cruisers also buying an alcohol-inclusive package for someone in their cabin.

If someone wants the full CHEERS! package that includes alcohol, then everyone in the cabin must purchase the same one. You can’t have someone on CHEERS! and someone on Zero-Proof CHEERS!

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Is the Carnival Zero Proof Package Worth It?

At around $35 to $41 per day including gratuities, the Zero Proof package can be good value if you regularly order premium drinks.

For example:

  • Mocktails often cost $9 to $11
  • Premium coffees typically cost $3.50 to $5
  • Bottled water is usually around $2 to $5
  • Smoothies and milkshakes can cost $6 to $8

That means the package can pay for itself fairly quickly. Just a few drinks like a morning latte, a smoothie by the pool, a mocktail in the evening and a couple of bottled waters could easily add up to the daily cost.

However, if you mainly drink free beverages such as tap water, basic coffee, or iced tea, the package probably won’t save you money.

A Long-Requested Option

Carnival’s brand ambassador, John Heald, has said he’s frequently asked about a more comprehensive non-alcoholic drinks package, and the Zero Proof option was introduced directly in response to those guest requests.

The package is unlimited, with no cap on the number of drinks you can order each day. It also complements rather than replaces the long-standing Bottomless Bubbles soda plan, giving cruisers more choice depending on their drinking habits.

Its arrival also reflects a wider trend across the travel industry. More travellers are choosing to drink less alcohol, and cruise lines are expanding their non-alcoholic menus with premium mocktails, alcohol-free beers and speciality drinks.

Many cruise lines already offer drink packages that include alcohol-free cocktails and specialty beverages, but Carnival’s new option fills a gap in its own lineup by sitting between the basic soda plan and the full CHEERS! alcohol package.

Guests are also being encouraged to book early, as Carnival has suggested that prices could increase in the future if the package proves popular.

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

See the latest Carnival cruise offers…

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