Carnival Cruise Line's New Beverage Package Is A Refreshing Win For Alcohol Abstainers

If you've ever booked a cruise, you have probably considered buying one of the all-inclusive drink packages. The concept is genius: Fork over a flat fee and receive access to endless drinks every day, without having to pay the bill onboard. Carnival Cruise Line, one of the best family-friendly vacation cruises available, has always offered a variety of drink packages on their ships. Their most popular package, Cheers! comes in at $69.95 a day for (almost) endless drinks, including wines, beers, and cocktails. While these make great deals for alcoholic beverages, it ends up costing more than its worth for those who aren't interested in frequenting the bar. The only other option Carnival guests had was the Bottomless Bubbles package. While it is a more affordable package, Bottomless Bubbles only includes soda and juice, not adult mocktails or nonalcoholic beers, wines, or other beverages. This left sober cruisers feeling a bit left out without a designated drink package.

However, all of this has changed with Carnival Cruise's new, designated nonalcoholic drink package, Cheers! Zero Proof. As Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, explains, "It's a perfect fit for guests interested in an alternative to our traditional Cheers! package with additional variety compared to our Bottomless Bubbles soda package." This brand-new drink package is the ideal supplement for those who want the cruise without the booze.

For $29.99 per day when booked before your ship sets sail, cruise guests can indulge in a plethora of nonalcoholic drinks. Sip on curated mocktails, frozen tropical drinks, premium coffee creations, and your favorite sodas, all included under one drink package. This is perfect for sober cruisers who still want to be included in the fun. Instead of paying for individual mocktails, folks who purchase the alcohol-free package can have their drinks covered upfront, like everyone else. This package is also applicable to folks under 21, as it includes frozen drinks, milkshakes, and smoothies.

Every veteran cruiser knows why you should dig into the details before buying a cruise beverage package, as limitations usually apply. While you do not have to be 21+ to qualify for this drink package, some drinks, including alcohol-free beer, mocktails, and alcohol-free wines, still require the over-21 age limit. It's also important to note that drink packages only apply to drinks acquired on the boat, and do not cover drinks bought at any destinations you may dock at. As for pricing, you'll want to book the package ahead of the ship's departure, because once you're on board, the price increases to $34.99 a day. Note that it also includes an 18% gratuity fee added to all drinks ordered through the package. Make sure you review all of the benefits and limitations of a drink package before deciding if purchasing a cruise drink package is right for you.