Carnival debuts non-alcoholic drink package
Carnival Cruise Line has introduced CHEERS! Zero Proof, a premium non-alcoholic drink package that bundles zero-proof cocktails, alcohol-free sparkling wine, coffees, smoothies, and sodas. The offering answers guest demand for more flexible alcohol-free options, while mirroring the simplicity of Carnival's existing beverage plans. The package is available now for pre-cruise purchase and will roll out to onboard sales in the coming weeks. As with other drink packages, it applies for the full length of the cruise and is intended for individual use. Some specific beverages may carry an age-21 restriction.
Key Points
- Why it matters: Expands choices for travelers seeking a Carnival non-alcoholic drink package.
- Travel impact: One price covers most alcohol-free beverages, reducing à la carte costs.
- What's next: Onboard purchasing to follow the online pre-sale in the coming weeks.
- Price point: From $29.99 per person, per day, plus gratuity.
- Scope: Includes zero-proof cocktails, alcohol-free beer and sparkling wine, coffees, smoothies, and sodas.
- Policy: Package runs the entire cruise and is for individual use only.
Snapshot
CHEERS! Zero Proof adds a mid-tier alternative between Carnival's Bottomless Bubbles and the full alcoholic CHEERS! package. The plan covers Coca-Cola sodas, juices, bottled still and sparkling water, coconut water, premium coffees and teas, zero-proof cocktails, alcohol-free beer, alcohol-free sparkling wine, non-alcoholic frozen drinks, smoothies and bottled protein shakes, milkshakes, and energy drinks. Carnival says the package is a direct response to guest feedback. Travelers can purchase it pre-cruise online now, with onboard availability slated for the coming weeks. As with other packages, the purchase applies to the entire voyage and is intended for one guest's use. Some items, such as alcohol-free beer, wine, and mocktails, may require guests to be 21.
Background
Carnival's beverage portfolio has long centered on two anchors, CHEERS!, which includes alcoholic drinks by the glass up to a set menu price, and Bottomless Bubbles, which covers sodas and juices. CHEERS! Zero Proof bridges the gap for travelers who want comprehensive, alcohol-free variety without paying for spirits and wine. The move follows a broader cruise-industry trend toward expanding zero-proof options, meeting demand from wellness-focused guests, families, and mixed-preference cabins. Carnival positions Zero Proof as a convenience product, emphasizing predictable costs and broad venue acceptance across bars, lounges, dining rooms, and casual spaces. For families, the inclusion of smoothies, milkshakes, and energy drinks adds value beyond basic soft drinks. For adults who skip alcohol, access to handcrafted zero-proof cocktails and alcohol-free sparkling wine offers a social substitute at sail-away, specialty dinners, and celebrations. Policies mirror other packages for length-of-cruise coverage and individual use.
Latest Developments
Price and how to buy the new package
Carnival has priced CHEERS! Zero Proof from $29.99 per person, per day, plus the customary service charge. That places the plan well above Bottomless Bubbles, which focuses on sodas and juices, and well below the full CHEERS! alcoholic package, reflecting the broader range of premium, alcohol-free options now included. Travelers can add the package in their booking portal before sailing, which is often the fastest way to ensure it is active on embarkation day. Carnival says onboard sales will begin in the coming weeks, a window that allows ships to finalize provisioning and training around the new recipes and service steps. As with other plans, sharing is not permitted, the purchase covers the entire cruise, and refunds are typically limited once the voyage begins, so guests should confirm preferences before checkout.
What's included, and how Zero Proof compares
Coverage extends well beyond soda. The lineup includes Coca-Cola products, juices, bottled still and sparkling water, coconut water, premium coffees and teas, handcrafted zero-proof cocktails, alcohol-free beer, alcohol-free sparkling wine, non-alcoholic frozen drinks, smoothies and bottled protein shakes, milkshakes, and energy drinks. Compared with Bottomless Bubbles, travelers gain specialty coffee beverages, smoothies, and curated zero-proof cocktails that mirror the ship's bar menus. Compared with the full CHEERS! plan, Zero Proof omits alcoholic beverages, which keeps the daily rate lower while preserving the simplicity of one price for most non-alcoholic choices. Venue coverage should be similar to Carnival's other packages, which are accepted at most bars and restaurants across the fleet, although some specialty venues may have exclusions for select, limited-availability items or souvenir containers. Guests should verify any venue-specific exceptions once onboard.
Analysis
For Carnival, CHEERS! Zero Proof fills a clear commercial and operational gap. The line already runs a high-utility soda program for value seekers and a comprehensive alcoholic package for those who want open-bar simplicity. Many travelers fall between these poles, preferring alcohol-free drinks with variety, bar-quality presentation, and specialty coffee without managing per-drink charges. Packaging those needs at a mid-tier price should deepen upsell potential beyond Bottomless Bubbles while avoiding the inventory intensity of spirits and wine. It also aligns with growing interest in wellness and moderation, two themes that have shaped restaurant and bar menus on land.
The inclusion of alcohol-free sparkling wine and crafted zero-proof cocktails is especially meaningful for social settings, where ritual matters as much as flavor. Sail-away parties, formal nights, and specialty dinners all gain an inclusive option that looks and feels celebratory. Operationally, the plan encourages consistent checks at bars and coffee bars, smoothing throughput and forecasting. The 21-and-over note for certain items protects compliance where alcohol-adjacent products are involved, while the individual-use and full-voyage rules maintain the same guardrails as other plans.
For travelers, the calculus is straightforward. If you typically buy several coffees, smoothies, and premium non-alcoholic drinks daily, the package can pay for itself while eliminating bill shock. If your consumption is light, Bottomless Bubbles or à la carte purchases may remain better fits. Either way, clear pricing and broad coverage make the Carnival non-alcoholic drink package easy to evaluate against personal habits.
Final Thoughts
CHEERS! Zero Proof arrives as a timely expansion that modernizes Carnival's beverage strategy without complicating the guest experience. It gives non-drinkers and moderating travelers a polished, bar-quality menu, supports families with smoothies and milkshakes, and keeps budgeting simple across a full voyage. With online pre-purchase live and onboard sales coming soon, the only decision is consumption. Travelers who regularly order specialty coffees, smoothies, and mocktails are the best candidates, while occasional users may prefer pay-as-you-go. The bottom line, Carnival now offers a premium, alcohol-free option that feels celebratory and practical, squarely meeting demand for a Carnival non-alcoholic drink package.