Carnival Cruise Line introduced significant changes to its Cheers! Beverage package, quietly hiking daily prices by over 16% while removing the lower rates for lengthier sailings and advanced purchases.
Passengers were surprised that the daily cost of the cruise line’s drink package increased from having the lowest daily rate of $70.74 to a singular price of $82.54, a difference of almost $12 or 16.7%.
Previously, guests were rewarded with the lowest daily rate if they booked sailings at least six days long and bought the package well before their embarkation dates.
New CHEERS! Drink Package Rates (December 2024)
| Purchase Time | How to Purchase | Price (per person, per day, incl. 18% service charge) |
|---|---|---|
| Before Your Cruise | Online | $82.54 |
| On Board Your Cruise | At bar locations | $88.44 |
If these two conditions were met, they could purchase a package for the entire duration of their cruise at a more competitive $70.74 per day, service charge included.
In contrast, the revised offer has a single price point regardless of the length of one’s sailing. Based on the cruise line’s current pricing strategy, the package has an overall price of $82.54.
Same Package, Higher Price
Despite the price increase, the perks and rules of the Cheers! The beverage program remains the same. Guests can only order drinks worth a maximum of $20 and up to 15 beverages daily. If two guests over 21 years old share a stateroom, they must both avail of the bundle, making the price hike even more costly.
Guests Notice the Change
Though the price adjustment was subtly made without official announcements, cruisers quickly noticed and posted about it online.
A Reddit user shared the news, writing, “Just heard from a friend that Cheers went up $12/day per person. I had Cheers in my checkout screen from last night for a cruise departing on 12/14 and sure enough, it went from $1131.86 for two people to $1320.66. It’s now $82.54 per day per person including service fees.”
The same user reportedly contacted a Carnival rep who confirmed the new prices and was unaware of the price hike.
Meanwhile, another message board user complained, “I’m taking a 14-day Hawaii the increase is $168 per person, it’s terrible they didn’t send us a notice… They can keep their cheers package now, I’ll pay as I drink and save money,” he posted.
Carnival last raised the prices of the Cheers! Beverage package in October 2023, with increases that only affected sailings five days and less.
