Carnival Cruise Lines is known for making cruising fun and affordable. Part of what keeps costs down for passengers is that most food and drinks are included in your cruise fare. So how does the free food and drinks situation work on a Carnival cruise?
Do you get free food on Carnival cruises?
Yes, most food is included free of charge on Carnival cruises. The main dining rooms, casual buffet restaurants, and pizza parlors do not cost extra. You can order anything off the menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner without paying anything additional.
The same goes for the 24-hour room service – the standard menu items from the main dining room are complimentary via room service. The only exceptions are a small room service fee applied between midnight and 5 a.m., and any items ordered from the alternative room service comfort food menu do have a surcharge.
Free dining venues
Here are the free dining options found on Carnival ships:
- Main dining rooms – Serving breakfast, lunch, and multi-course dinners.
- Lido restaurants – Large casual buffet-style eateries open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night snacks.
- Pizzerias – Complimentary pizza and Caesar salads 24/7.
- Swirls ice cream machines – Located poolside for free soft serve.
- Room service – Free daytime delivery from dining room menu.
You’ll never go hungry on a Carnival cruise! The variety is truly impressive with multiple dining rooms, expansive Lido buffets, pizzerias, dessert stations, and sandwiches and snacks available pretty much all day.
What food costs extra on Carnival?
While plenty of food is free, there are some exclusions when it comes to meals and snacks:
- Specialty restaurants – Carnival ships have up to three extra-fee restaurants serving higher-end cuisine such as steaks, seafood, and French dishes. Dining here costs $15 to $35 per person.
- Dining room upgrades – You can opt to dine in the main dining room’s premium seafood option for $35 per person.
- Room service comfort menu – Items like hot sandwiches, pasta, and desserts cost $2 to $5 each.
- Candy Shoppe – Bulk candy sold by the pound costs extra.
- Cinnabon – A la carte pastries for purchase.
Other than soda packages, these options for specialty dining, treats, and room service upgrades are the only food on Carnival Cruise you’ll pay for. Almost everything else is inclusive.
Are drinks free on a Carnival cruise?
Unlike food, beverages on Carnival are not free. All non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks cost extra with a couple minor exceptions.
Free drinks
Here are the select complimentary drink options:
- Tap water
- Hot tea
- Self-serve iced tea
- Milk at breakfast
- Lemonade during breakfast in the main dining room
Fresh water, iced tea, hot tea, milk, and lemonade are available at no charge. Everything else from soda and fresh juice to beer, wine, and cocktails cost extra.
Drink packages
To make paying for drinks easier, Carnival offers all-inclusive beverage packages:
| Package | Includes | Cost per person per day |
| Bottomless Bubbles | Soda & ice cream drinks | $6.99 |
| Cheers! | Beer, wine, cocktails | $58.95 |
| Little Juniors | Soft drinks for kids | $7.99 |
Getting a package can save you money compared to paying individually for every drink order. Keep in mind packages must be purchased for every person in your cabin who is over 2 years old.
Do any Carnival cruises offer free drinks?
Most Carnival itineraries do not include free drinks beyond the limited options mentioned above. However, there are a few situations where you can score complimentary beverages:
- Free at Sign-Up – Occasional promotions that offer free drink packages when booking select cruises.
- Free at sea promotions – Special deals that bundle free drink packages with cruise fares on certain sailings.
- Loyalty perks – Past guests who reach VIFP status get free drinks when booking balcony rooms or higher on cruises 6 days or longer.
- Birthdays and anniversaries – Celebrating a special day may get you a free cocktail, glass of wine, or Mimosa.
Unless you luck out booking during an active free drinks promotion, the best way to get complimentary beverages is through loyalty perks after taking several Carnival cruises.
Bottom line on free food and drinks
When weighing if Carnival’s free offerings are worthwhile, the amount of included food is quite generous. You have access to multiple dining rooms and expansive buffets at no extra cost, outside of a few upcharge restaurants.
Free drinks are extremely limited. Tap water, tea, and milk are essentially all that’s complimentary. Soda packages help make pop, juice, and cocktails more affordable. But you’ll have to pay something for all alcohol and specialty beverages outside of an occasional promotion.
The abundance of food is a great perk on Carnival that makes cruising very affordable. Drinks you do have to plan and budget for unless you hit VIFP status to earn free beverage perks.
Tips for maximizing free food and drinks
To get the most value from Carnival’s included dining options, here are some smart tips:
- Take advantage of unlimited, free room service during the day to have breakfast or snacks delivered.
- Get to Guy’s Burger Joint early before the pool crowds descend to avoid a long line.
- Be open minded and try new foods in the Lido buffet – there are lots of options.
- Ask for multiples of an appetizer or dessert you love in the main dining room – they will usually oblige.
- Pack a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated with tap water during the day.
- Buy a discounted soda package online before you board to save $1 to $2 per person/day.
Getting your money’s worth on a Carnival cruise is all about maximizing the included perks. Spend time checking menus and scoping out choices in advance so you come prepared to take full advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carnival better than Royal Caribbean?
Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer similar on board experiences and value. Carnival has a fun, lively atmosphere while Royal Caribbean focuses more on entertainment and activities. For food, Royal Caribbean’s main dining rooms may have slightly better quality but Carnival’s buffets win. Staterooms are comparable. Overall, the lines are quite even – choosing comes down to subtle style differences.
Do Carnival cruises have free WiFi?
Free WiFi is not offered on Carnival. You must purchase an internet package to get online. Options range from a Social plan for apps and messaging to Premium for full web browsing. Prices are $8 to $17 per person/day. Note WiFi is very slow and unreliable compared to land-based connections.
Can you bring alcohol on Carnival cruises?
Guests are allowed to carry on two standard-sized bottles of wine or champagne per cabin at embarkation. No other outside alcohol is permitted. Wine brought on board will be stored until your cabin is ready. Drinking your own alcohol in public areas is not allowed.
Is gratuity included on Carnival Cruise?
Tips are not included in Carnival cruise fares. You will need to pay around $14 per person/day in prepaid gratuities that are automatically added to your bill. This covers dining, cabin, and entertainment crew members. You can adjust the amount pre-paid or tip with cash at your discretion.
What is the drink limit on Carnival Cruise?
There is no set drink limit for paying individually per drink. However, Carnival bartenders monitor intoxication levels and will stop serving guests who appear overly inebriated. For those with a Cheers! beverage package, the limit is 15 alcoholic drinks per 24 hour period to prevent over consumption.
Conclusion
Carnival Cruise Lines makes cruising extremely accessible thanks to how much is included with your fare. You can enjoy plenty of complimentary dining, including multiple restaurants, buffets, pizza, and cafes. Free drinks are very minimal – basically just tap water, tea, and juice during breakfast. For soda, alcohol, and specialty beverages, you’ll need to add a drink package or pay per individual order.
Understanding what’s free and what costs extra allows you get the best experience at a reasonable price. Focus your free food and drink perks for maximum value. Then budget for and purchase drink packages that suit your needs. This way you can have fun with no surprise charges at the end!