Booze and soft drinks on the Cruise

[Moondoggy51]

When I booked our cruise I asked about the booze package and was told that the cost was $$59.95 per person per day with a 15 drink limit per day.  For a 6 day cruise that comes to $359.70 per person.  They also have an unlimited soft drink package for $9.50 per person per day and for 6 days that package would cost $57.00.  Is it cheaper in the long run just to charge drinks to your room and pay the charge at the end of the cruise or are either one of these packages worth the expense?  In addition, can anyone tell me what the policy is on bringing your own soft drinks, beer and bottles of booze on the ship as part of your luggage and personal items?  We're going on the Carnival Spirt from Mobile, AL to the Bahamas in November and we're trying to determine what best to do.  If the per drink charge for soft drinks, beer and mixed drinks isn't too high my wife and I can probably skip the drink packages and just pay at the end but our companions on the cruise are heavy consumers of Miller Lite and Captain Morgan and Coke and if the per drink charge is high they might be better off either buying the package or bringing their own booze, soft drinks and a soft cooler.  Any advice will be appreciated.

[mz-s]

https://www.cruzely.com/cruise-line-drink-package-calculator/

 

https://www.carnival.com/help?topicid=2633

[Mic101680]

I was about to post the drink calculator, but mz-s beat me to it. 

 

For me personally, the packages aren't worth it because I rarely drink soda, and don't drink enough alcohol or 'fancy' drinks to make it worthwhile, especially on port heavy itineraries. But do take a look at the calculator and see if it works in your favor. 

 

Soft drinks will run about $3.50 a can, beer is generally $7-10ish a can/pint (might be higher - it's been awhile since I ordered one so someone may have to correct me on this), and most mixed drinks/shots/cocktails run $12-15. Specialty coffee runs about the same as you'd find at Starbucks. Plus automatic gratuities of 18%.

[asalligo]

If you drink 6 cocktails or 3.5 sodas a day, you break even. What many people do not factor in are the days when that may not be as convenient like port days. You will have to fit all those drinks in just a evening after dinner if you have an all day excursion and your ancestors cry if you do not break even at the end of the cruise. 36 drinks by the end of the six day cruise or shame on your family. 

 

Frankly most people do not break even or Carnival would have discontinued the program long ago. I find I am often too full on food to drink my break even. 

[EngIceDave]

I get cheers with my casino offer, since I do not drink alcohol, I would never pay for it.

 

But it does come with specialty coffees, energy drinks and milkshakes. If the Bubbles soda package moved the coffees and milkshakes (I can live w/o Red Bull), that is something I would pay for.

 

Keep that in mind, Cheers is more than booze and soda. It also includes your triple half-caf pumpkin spiced mocha gummy bear coffee in the morning and your spiked vanilla shake before bed.

[Schoifmom]

@mz-s posted the calculator.  That is a really good resource to help determine if you would break even on the package.  @asalligois right that it is around 6 mixed drinks to break even on the Cheers package and 3-4 soft drinks for Bottomless Bubbles.  

 

Don't forget that BB only includes soda and juice.

 

You can carry on up to 12 cans/cartons of non-alcoholic drinks per person (12oz or less each) at embarkation and at each port stop.  You cannot carry on or check any alcoholic beverages except your allotment of 1 750ml bottle of wine per adult 21+, which must be carried on.

[Leen729]

Carnival does not serve Captain Morgan anymore.  I am a big fan of Captain and they now carry another spiced rum which I do not like at all. 

[ninjacat123]

When in doubt, ask if the drink is covered by your package.  Like fresh pressed juice at Sea Day Brunch or buckets of beer.