The Carnival Cruise Lines alcohol and beverage policy rules were implemented, as the line officially stated, "to control the liquor consumption of minors and the quantities consumed that lead to the disruptive behavior of others on board" - meaning to avoid riots at sea.
Bringing water/soda on Carnival cruises
According to the old Carnival cruise beverage policy:
- the allowance was max 12 bottles/cans (max 20oz each, sealed) of non-alcoholic beverages (soft drinks, bottled water, juice, milk, iced tea, etc. It was an yes to bringing soda on Carnival ships, but: only in the carry-on luggage, in the original and sealed containers (which means not opened), on each embarkation. Note that "each embarkation" part - it also means you can do so at each port of call (consider it as an unwritten rule and one of the cool Carnival "tricks tips"). Be advised though - purchasing sodas at the various call ports can get rather expensive, so may be purchasing the Carnival soda card/package is not such a bad idea.
NEW Carnival drinks policy changes
Starting July 9, 2015, Carnival Cruise Lines changed radically its beverage policy. The rules on bringing water on Carnival ships was changed as follows:
- Carnival cruise passengers are no longer allowed to bring their own bottled drinks on board the Fun Ships. Main goal (as officially announced) is to lower the number of attempts by customers of the line to sneak alcohol on board using PVC bottles. Checking PVC bottles for liquor smuggling bogs down the ship's embarkation process, as security staff checks each bottle. Carnival passengers will be allowed to bring a quantity of max 12 unopened cans (volume 12-ounce) or cartons per passenger. The list of canned drinks includes soda, juices, milk, sparkling water. Those must be stored in the carry-on luggage. Signs with the beverage policy changes will be posted at all embarkation ports. Large coolers are not allowed. Still, you can take small coolers (max size 12x12x12 inches, or 30x30x30 cm) as carry-on luggage. These are used for non-alcoholic beverages and/or medications.
As of October 2015, in all ports of call, Carnival cruise passengers are allowed to bring nonalcoholic drinks on the ship. The allowance is only if the drinks are canned (or in cartons 12 ounces / 0,35 L or less). The enforced limit per person is 12 cans (cartons). Previously, the allowance for boarding the ship with beverages was for home-ports (departure ports) only. This new rule doesn't affect the ban on bottled beverages (enforced in July).
The Carnival's wine policy remains unchanged. The line continues to allow passengers to bring one bottle of wine or champagne PP (750 ml, unopened, in carry-on luggage). No other alcohol/liquor is allowed on board.
Also unchanged is the line's rule about bringing distilled water onboard. This includes only passengers who need it - for babies or for a CPAP machine ("continuous positive airway pressure").
Carnival Cruise Lines bottled water prices were US$2,99 (plus tax) for a 12-pack. The pricing is if you buy it before the sailing, and the pack will be delivered to your cabin before the cruise. Onboard water price was US$4.99 (plus tax).
However, In March 2016 Carnival raised bottled water prices by more than 30%. The price for a 12-pack of water is already US$3.99, up from US$2.99, which amounts to 33 cents per 17-ounce bottle. Pre-ordered 12-packs were US$2.99 under the old pricing, but the price went up to US$4.99 when bought onboard. Now pricing is the same (US$3.99), no matter when the water is purchased.
As of December 8, 2016 Carnival raised bottled water prices again - the price for a 12-pack jumped this time more than 10% to US$4.50 (plus gratuity if ordered on board).