Carnival Cruise Line has introduced a new non-alcoholic beverage package, Cheers! Zero Proof. The package bundles a wide variety of premium, alcohol-free refreshment options. 

From handcrafted zero-proof cocktails and alcohol-free sparkling wine to energizing coffee creations, smoothies and sodas, Cheers! Zero Proof is “designed to deliver the best variety, value and convenience of any premium non-alcoholic drink package at sea,” according to the company.

Previously, customers could choose between Cheers!, which included 15 alcoholic drinks each day along with pretty much every other beverage served on board, and a Soda package.

Rival cruise like including Royal Caribbean have always offered mid-tier, everything-but-the-alcohol plans.

Carnival, like Royal Caribbean, requires all adults in a cabin to buy an alcoholic beverage package if one person does. Neither cruise line is offering any sort of exceptions to that policy including a doctor’s note.

All Carnival bars have a mocktail lineup as well a alcoholic drinks.

Image source: Carnival Corp.

Carnival finally creates a new beverage package 

“Cheers! Zero Proof is a direct response to what we’ve heard from our guests who want a comprehensive non-alcoholic drink package when they cruise. This new package brings together the abundance of our alcohol-free refreshments with the flexibility and ease that our guests already enjoy with our other beverage packages,” said Carnival President Christine Duffy.

Here’s what Cheers! Zero Proof includes:

• Sodas (Coca-Cola products)
• Juices
• Bottled water (still and sparkling) and coconut water
• Premium coffees and teas
• Zero proof cocktails (non-alcoholic)
• Alcohol-free beer
• Alcohol-free sparkling wine
• Frozen drinks (non-alcoholic)
• Smoothies and bottled protein shakes
• Milkshakes
• Energy drinks

Cheers! Zero Proof is now available for pre-cruise purchase online. 

The package will be available for onboard purchase in the coming weeks. 

As is the case with existing drink packages, a Cheers! Zero Proof purchase applies to the full length of the cruise. Some items, such as alcoholic-free beer, wine and mocktails, may carry an age restriction of 21 and older. 

Carnival passengers seem to all ask the same question

Until very recently, Royal Caribbean allowed adult passengers who don’t drink alcohol (or those with a medical excuse) to buy its Refreshment package instead of its Deluxe Beverage Package (DBP). That loophole was recently closed and all passengers over 21 sailing in the same cabin must buy the DPB or none can buy it.

The feed under Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald’s Facebook post on the new Cheers! package was filled with people asking some variation of this question.

“Can one adult in the room purchase Cheers! Zero Proof while the other adult purchases regular Cheers? One of us does not drink alcohol,” wrote Mallory Gilson Peterson. 

Heald made it clear in his video that doing that won’t be allowed.

Currently, however, there does not seem to be a requirement that all adults (or people) in a cabin buy the Zero Proof package. The Carnival website currently allows that package to be purchased by the person. 

Carnival passengers are happy about the new drink package

Most people on Heald’s page seem excited about the new drink package. Some, however, wish the timing had been better.

“If only this was rolled out a month ago! Our daughter had bubbles but was never allowed to get a bottled water so we would order on our package for her. Also she wanted non alcoholic smoothies/daquiries, specialty coffees, so we would also order for her. She’s not really a huge soda drinker but we had it for if she wanted a Shirley temple or wanted to make a root beer float,” Angel Hall wrote. 

Kara Rose was happy about the new Cheers! Zero Proof option.

“Oh my gosh I’m so excited!!!! Thank you for catering to the sober community,” she wrote. 

Carnival’s drink packages at a glance

CHEERS! (Alcohol)

• $69.95/day pre-cruise, $74.95/day onboard.
• Max 15 alcoholic drinks per day (6 a.m.–6 a.m.).
• Includes sodas, juices, coffee, energy drinks, mocktails.
• All adults (21+) in same cabin must buy if one does.
• One drink at a time, no sharing allowed.
• 25% off wine/champagne bottles.

Bottomless Bubbles (Soda/Juice)

• Adults $9.50/day, kids $6.95/day.
• Unlimited fountain soda and juices by the glass.

CHEERS! Zero Proof (Premium Non-Alcoholic)

• Includes sodas, juices, bottled water, coffee, teas, mocktails, smoothies, energy drinks.
• No alcohol; some items (e.g., alcohol-free beer) require 21+.