Can You Bring Soda on a Carnival Cruise? Everything You Need to Know

Carnival Cruise Line, renowned worldwide, has specific policies regarding on-board beverages. A common question is whether guests can bring their own soda aboard. The answer is, yes – but only a small amount of non-alcoholic drinks on the day of embarkation.

Wouldn’t it be terrible to be out in the middle of the ocean only to realize you’ve forgotten something? Get prepared by checking out our 7-day cruise packing list.

Over the limit? Expect confiscation and disposal.

Carnival Cruise Line also offers a broad spectrum of beverage packages for purchase. These allow you to enjoy unlimited soda, juice, and more during your cruise, all without the hassle of bringing it yourself.

Key Points:

• You can bring a limited amount of canned or cartoned non-alcoholic beverages on embarkation day.
• Bottled water or other non-alcoholic drinks are not allowed.
• Beverage packages for unlimited drinks throughout the cruise are available for purchase.

Check out our related article, what food is included on your Carnival Cruise?

Understanding Carnival’s Beverage Policy

Carnival Cruise Line has stringent policies regarding on-board beverages. You can’t bring hard liquor, beer, or plastic/glass bottled drinks, including water and sodas. You can, however, bring a limited quantity of non-alcoholic drinks in cans or cartons in your carry-on luggage on embarkation day.

On-board, you can purchase both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. Opt for a Bottomless Bubbles soda package at $8.50 per person, per day (+18% gratuity) for unlimited soda and juice. If you prefer alcohol, the Cheers! beverage package offers a variety of spirits, cocktails, beer, and wine by the glass at $59.95 per person, per day (+18% gratuity). All over-21s in the same stateroom must purchase the package.

Additional beverage packages including bottled water, energy drinks, and coffee are available for purchase before or during your cruise. To ensure compliance, Carnival Cruise Line can search guests’ luggage and confiscate prohibited items, with policy violators facing potential disembarkation without a refund.

Beverage Allowances:

• Hard Liquor: No
• Beer: No
• Plastic/Glass Bottled Beverages: No
• Water (packaged in bottles): No
• Non-Alcoholic Beverages (in cans or cartons): Yes, in limited quantity
• Non-Alcoholic and Alcoholic Beverages: Available for purchase
• Carnival’s Bottomless Bubbles Soda Package: Available for purchase
• Carnival’s Cheers! Beverage Package: Available for purchase

It’s essential to review Carnival’s beverage policy before your cruise to avoid any on-board issues.

Soda and Other Non-Alcoholic Drinks on Carnival Cruise

Carnival Cruise Line clearly states that guests cannot bring hard liquor, beer, or plastic/glass bottled beverages, including water and sodas, on board. However, on embarkation day, you can bring a small quantity of non-alcoholic drinks, including soda, as carry-on items.

Under Carnival’s policy, non-alcoholic beverages include drinks like sparkling water, sodas, energy drinks, juice, and milk. The limit is 12 sealed cans or cartons per stateroom, with each can/carton being 12 ounces or less.

For those wondering what’s included on board, Carnival offers a variety of non-alcoholic beverages as part of their Cheers! Package. This includes a range of sodas, sparkling waters, and more. Also, they provide free beverages such as tea, lemonade, and fruit punch throughout the day.

while you cannot bring bottled non-alcoholic beverages on board, you can bring a small amount of canned or cartoned drinks on embarkation day. Carnival Cruise Line also offers an assortment of non-alcoholic beverages for purchase.

Allowances per stateroom:

• Non-alcoholic beverages (soda, energy drinks, juice, milk): 12 sealed cans/cartons
• Cheers! Package drinks: Unlimited
• Other non-alcoholic beverages (tea, lemonade, fruit punch): Unlimited

Carrying Beverages During Embarkation

According to the Carnival Cruise Line, the only alcoholic beverages allowed are one 750 ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne per person in their carry-on luggage during embarkation day only. 

Non-alcoholic beverages such as sparkling water, sodas, energy drinks, juice, and milk are allowed in cans or cartons (up to 12 ounces) on embarkation day, also in carry-on luggage. No other beverages, including water, are allowed in bottles or jugs, and will be confiscated and discarded.

Beverage Type	Allowed Quantity	Packaging	Luggage
Wine/Champagne	1 bottle per person	Sealed/Unopened	Carry-on only
Non-alcoholic beverages	Small quantity	Cans or cartons	Carry-on only
Other beverages	Not allowed	Bottles or jugs	Any luggage

Alcoholic Beverages Policy

Carnival Cruise Line maintains strict control over alcoholic beverages on board. They only sell to guests who are at least 21 years old and reserve the right to refuse sales to anyone who appears intoxicated. Guests can buy a wide range of alcoholic drinks onboard, including beer, wine, champagne, and cocktails at various bars and lounges. 

Their Cheers! Beverage Program offers unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for a flat daily rate. Any alcohol found during the security screening process will be confiscated and returned to guests at the end of the cruise. However, Carnival allows guests to bring a limited amount of non-alcoholic beverages on board, such as sodas, juice, and milk, on embarkation day, in cans or cartons.

Water and Carnival Cruise

Carnival Cruise Line forbids guests from bringing water, sodas, and other non-alcoholic beverages onboard that are packaged in bottles.

However, you can bring a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages like sparkling water, sodas, juice, and milk, packaged in cans or cartons, on embarkation day in your carry-on luggage. 

While you can’t bring bottled water on board, you can purchase bottled water, distilled water, and tap water onboard. The tap water on board is safe to drink, meeting or exceeding World Health Organization standards.

Bringing Water on Board	Water Options on Board
Prohibited	Bottled water
Allowed	Small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages packaged in cans or cartons on embarkation day. Tap water, distilled water, and bottled water (at a higher cost)

Always check the most up-to-date policies on Carnival Cruise Line’s website to avoid any confusion or issues during your cruise vacation.

Travel Documents and Regulations

Preparing for a Carnival cruise requires proper travel documentation. A valid passport or another form of accepted identification is necessary. As of October 2023, the United States Department of Homeland Security requires all air travelers to have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification. It’s crucial to ensure that your passport won’t expire before or during your cruise.

Required Documents:

• Valid Passport
• REAL ID-compliant ID

Carnival Cruise regulations prohibit guests from bringing hard liquor, beer, or plastic/glass bottled beverages on board. 

Non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, energy drinks, juice, and milk), packaged in cans or cartons, are allowed on embarkation day in the guest’s carry-on luggage. Also, large speakers or radios are not allowed.

Dining and Entertainment on Carnival Cruise

Carnival Cruise Line offers a diverse range of dining and entertainment options. From the exclusive Chef’s Table experience to the casual Lido Restaurant, there is something for everyone. 

Carnival Cruise Line’s specialty dining options like the Steakhouse and the Italian restaurant offer a more upscale dining experience. 

For entertainment, there’s a vast range of options, including live music, comedy shows, Broadway-style productions, water park, SportsSquare, and excursions at each port of call.

Dining Options	Entertainment Options
Chef’s Table	Live music
Steakhouse	Comedy shows
Italian restaurant	Broadway-style productions
Lido Restaurant	WaterWorks water park
Pizzeria	SportsSquare
Deli	Excursions at port of call

Understanding Carnival Cruise Beverage Packages

Carnival Cruise Line offers two main beverage packages: Bottomless Bubbles and Cheers! The Bottomless Bubbles package offers unlimited fountain soda and juice for $8.50 per person, per day, plus gratuities. 

The Cheers! package offers a broad variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the cruise for $59.95 per person, per day, plus gratuities. This package excludes beverages on Carnival’s private islands, Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays. Gratuities are not included in the price of either package. 

Carnival’s beverage packages offer a convenient and cost-effective way to enjoy your favorite beverages during your cruise.

Prohibited Items and Regulations

Carnival Cruise Line has specific regulations to maintain the safety and comfort of all guests on board. Knowing these regulations before your cruise can help avoid potential issues during your vacation.

Prohibited Items

Carnival Cruise Line prohibits items that could jeopardize the safety and secure environment of its guests and crew. These items include:

• Weapons, including firearms, ammunition, and explosives
• Illegal drugs and substances
• Hoverboards and similar devices
• Drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
• Hookahs and water hookah pipes
• Candles, incense, and other open flames
• Electrical extension cords and surge protectors
• Personal grooming devices such as hair dryers, curling irons, and straighteners with heating elements
• Large speakers and radios

Unopened Cans/Cartons

Guests are permitted to bring a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages such as sparkling water, sodas, energy drinks, juice, and milk, packaged in cans or cartons, on board. 

However, water, sodas, and other non-alcoholic beverages packaged in bottles are prohibited. These beverages must be in the guest’s carry-on luggage and can only be brought on board on embarkation day.

Please note, guests are not allowed to bring hard liquor, beer, or plastic/glass bottled beverages on board. Carnival Cruise Line’s Beverage Policy should be reviewed for further information.

Being aware of the prohibited items and regulations set by Carnival Cruise Line is crucial before embarking on your cruise. By adhering to these regulations, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable vacation for yourself and fellow guests.

Frequently Asked Questions