Carnival Tightens Drink Package Rules With Longer Wait Between Orders

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Carnival Cruise Line has quietly introduced a new restriction to its popular CHEERS! drinks package, extending the waiting time between drinks from five minutes to 10 minutes.

The change has not been formally announced, but it is now confirmed in the cruise line’s published terms and conditions, with guests only noticing the update in recent days.

This image shows three bottles of liquor displayed on a bar counter aboard a Carnival Cruise ship. The bottles include Campari, Amaro Nonino, and Amaro Montenegro, each accompanied by a small glass of the corresponding drink in front of them. The background features a well-lit bar area with a variety of other bottles on shelves, and a sign that reads "AMARI." The setup highlights the selection of Italian liqueurs available on the cruise.

While the overall structure of the CHEERS! package remains the same, including the 15-drink-per-day cap, the key difference is the increased delay between orders.

Carnival’s updated policy now states:

“Only one drink at a time may be ordered, there is a 10-minute wait time between orders and sharing is not permitted. No double shots as that will be considered ordering two drinks at once.”

Archived versions of the cruise line’s FAQ confirm the wait time was previously five minutes as recently as early October 2025.

How the New Rule Affects the Onboard Experience

For some guests, the change is minor, and unlikely to even be noticed.

For others, it affects how they typically enjoy drinks onboard, especially those who prefer to order combinations such as a beer and a shot, or a cocktail and a soft drink.

Carnival drinks menu

The restriction also applies to non-alcoholic beverages, meaning guests cannot order a soft drink and an alcoholic drink at the same time.

Inconsistent Onboard Enforcement

Some passengers have reported that the rule appears to be applied inconsistently across ships and bars, with a few still able to order a cocktail and a soft drink together.

However, the written policy is now clear, and staff are expected to enforce the stricter timing as standard.

Carnival has not issued an official explanation for the updated policy, but industry observers and frequent cruisers have speculated on several possible reasons:

  • Reducing excessive consumption
  • Limiting drink-sharing between passengers
  • Controlling overall onboard beverage costs

Sharing drinks has always been forbidden under the CHEERS! package rules, but enforcing that can be difficult.

A longer gap between orders may make informal sharing less practical, encouraging more people to buy their own drinks package.

What Has Not Changed

Despite the new restriction, several key parts of the package remain the same:

  • The 15-drink daily limit (for alcoholic drinks) still applies
  • Coverage still includes most beers, wines, spirits and cocktails
  • Package pricing itself has not changed as part of this update

The update has sparked mixed reactions, with some guests saying it will barely affect their holiday, while others feel it reduces the value and convenience of the package.

So far, Carnival has made no public statement, and it remains unclear whether further beverage policy adjustments could follow.

One thing is certain: passengers who rely on rapid-fire drink orders may need to slightly adjust their onboard routine.

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