Yes, you can upgrade from a Carnival soda package to the Cheers! beverage package, but you cannot simply pay the difference — you'll need to cancel the soda package and purchase Cheers! separately, typically at $59–$109/person/day pre-cruise depending on your sailing.
Photo: Travel Mutiny
You already paid for a soda package and now you're eyeing the full Cheers! package — smart move, but the upgrade process isn't as clean as Carnival would have you believe. Here's exactly how it works and whether it's worth the switch.
How the Soda-to-Cheers Upgrade Actually Works
Carnival does not offer a direct "pay the difference" upgrade path from a soda package to Cheers!. What you actually have to do:
- Cancel your soda package via the Cruise Manager before sailing (refund goes back to your original payment method)
- Purchase Cheers! as a fresh transaction at the current pre-cruise rate
- Or wait until Day 1 onboard — you can buy Cheers! at the ship rate, which is typically higher
The soda package runs $10–$14/person/day pre-cruise. Cheers! runs $59–$109/person/day pre-cruise depending on your sail date, ship, and how far out you book. The onboard rate is usually $5–$15/day more than the pre-cruise price.
Important: Cheers! must be purchased for all guests 21+ in the same stateroom. If you're traveling with someone who won't drink alcohol, you're both paying for it — that's a deal-breaker for some.
| Package | Typical Pre-Cruise Rate | What's Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soda Package | $10–$14/person/day | Fountain soda, mocktails (varies) | Non-drinkers, light drinkers |
| Cheers! Package | $59–$109/person/day | Drinks up to $20, beer, wine, spirits, specialty coffee | Drinkers having 5+ drinks/day |
| No Package | $0 upfront | Pay per drink ($7.50–$16 + 20% gratuity) | Very light drinkers, short sailings |
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Key Factors That Drive Whether This Upgrade Is Worth It
Your daily drink count is everything. Cheers! breaks even at roughly 5–6 drinks per day when you factor in specialty coffee ($4–$9/drink), cocktails ($11–$13 before gratuity), and the 20% service charge that's already baked into the package price.
Sea days matter. On a 7-night Caribbean itinerary with 3–4 sea days, you'll drink more. On a port-heavy itinerary where you're off the ship from 8am–6pm, you may not hit the break-even threshold.
The $20 drink cap on Cheers! is generous. Unlike Royal Caribbean (capped at $14/drink) or Celebrity Classic (capped at $12), Carnival's Cheers! covers pretty much everything at the bar — top-shelf cocktails, premium beers, wine by the glass up to $20. Premium cocktails that trigger upcharges on other lines are fully covered here.
Specialty coffee is included in Cheers! but NOT in the soda package. If you're a daily latte drinker, that's an extra $5–$7/drink you're currently paying out of pocket with just the soda package — and it moves the break-even math in Cheers!'s favor fast.
Timing the cancellation. Soda package cancellations are typically allowed up until the cruise departs with a full refund, but confirm this in your Cruise Manager — policies can vary. Don't wait until you're at the terminal.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Practical Tips to Save Money on the Upgrade
Book Cheers! at the lowest pre-cruise price you can find. Carnival's Cruise Planner fluctuates — the same sailing can show $59/day one week and $89/day the next. Check back repeatedly after canceling the soda package. It's worth refreshing the page across different days.
Use the CruiseHub booking link to check current Cheers! promotions before you even buy the soda package: https://book.cruisehub.com/swift/cruise?referrer=dave&siid=191861 — sometimes Cheers! is bundled into a fare promotion and you can skip the package math entirely.
Do the honest math before upgrading:
| Daily Drink Count | Cheers! Value at $75/day | Your Actual Spend Without Package |
|---|---|---|
| 3 drinks | ~$39 value | $39–$48 + 20% gratuity = ~$47–$58 |
| 5 drinks | ~$65 value | $65–$80 + 20% gratuity = ~$78–$96 |
| 7 drinks | ~$91 value | $91–$112 + 20% gratuity = ~$109–$134 |
| 9 drinks | ~$117 value | $117–$144 + 20% gratuity = ~$140–$173 |
At 5+ drinks/day, Cheers! starts winning — especially since gratuity is already included in the package price.
Don't forget to cancel cleanly. Log into your Carnival Cruise Manager, find the beverage package, and process the cancellation yourself. Don't assume calling customer service will be faster — the self-service portal is usually quicker, and you'll have a confirmation email as proof.
If you're upgrading onboard on Day 1, head to the bar or guest services before noon. Some ships sell out of Cheers! packages or enforce a cutoff (typically by the end of Day 1, though some ships allow Day 2 purchases — ask at embarkation).
Bottom Line
Upgrading from a soda package to Cheers! is absolutely worth it if you drink 5+ beverages per day and your sailing has several sea days. The process is a two-step cancel-and-repurchase, not a simple upgrade — so plan ahead, cancel your soda package before the cruise, and buy Cheers! at the best pre-cruise rate you can find. Check your exact sailing price in Carnival's Cruise Manager, since rates shift constantly and the verified range is $59–$109/person/day.
Use CruiseMutiny to calculate your personal break-even point and see whether Cheers! actually saves you money on your specific itinerary before you commit.