Carnival Cruise Line this week quietly and without notice increased the cost of its beverage package for guests on longer sailings.
As the winter Caribbean season gets underway, the line is now charging $82.54 per day for the Cheers! drink package regardless of the length of the cruise. The rate includes an 18% gratuity.
Previously, the line charged $70.74 per day to guests on cruises of at least six nights. Guests on sailings of five days or fewer were charged $82.54 per day and that rate is unchanged.
Carnival did not give notice the change was coming, which would have enabled guests on upcoming cruises to lock in the lower price before it went into effect.
Carnival said the increase will help the line cover expenses but declined to comment about the lack of notice.
"We're proud of the quality and value a Carnival cruise vacation provides our guests. Recent nominal price adjustments to help cover higher costs and our investments in onboard offerings allow us to continue providing the high-quality experiences our guests know and love," a cruise line spokesman said.
Beverages included in the Cheers! package remain unchanged. The package includes beer, wine by the glass priced at less than $20, cocktails, zero-proof frozen cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffee, hot tea, bottled water and other nonalcoholic bottled beverages. Guests are limited to 15 alcoholic drinks per day.
The package does not extend to Carnival Cruise Line's destinations, including Celebration Key, which is slated to open in July 2025.