Carnival confirms extension of Cheers! Zero Proof – no plans to change Aussie’s inclusions

• Carnival Cruise Line has made their Cheers! Zero Proof booked for all 2026 cruises.
• The package has been controversial for Aussies, as Aussies don’t get the same inclusions as USA customers.
• The most notable exclusion is specialty coffee and tea.

Carnival Cruise Line has finally made the new Cheers! Zero Proof Drink Package available for purchase for all 2026 sailings. This new and controversial package had already been announced to be extended into 2026, but until now wasn’t actually available to book.

Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald has confirmed that the package can now be booked for 2026 sailings, Aussies can book the package from this link. The package provides an option for those who aren’t necessarily big alcohol drinkers, but would want to enjoy a range of different drinks onboard, such as alcohol free cocktails or beer, milkshakes, fresh juices and more.

The reason the package has been controversial is that Australians don’t get the same inclusions as cruisers in the rest of the world. The most notable item missing from Aussie inclusions is specialty coffee and tea would be one of the main attractions of the package.

Australian’s technically pay slightly less for their package, but especially with the US dollar dropping, the difference is now minimal, with Aussies only paying around AUD$2.30 less for their package than USA cruisers, despite it not including specialty tea and coffee, smoothies, bottled protein shakes and coconut water, when compared to the USA package.

There are currently no plans to change the package.

Most Carnival cruisers dedicated enough to follow John Heald on Facebook are already well aware of this, but cruisers still continue to be upset by the exclusion and lack of explanation.

Julie Aubrey commented: “Specialty coffee? Bubble tea? What’s going on here? Even McDonald’s know Australian’s love coffee and therefore opened their very first McCafe in the world, here in Australia.

“We had a great zero proof drinks package on Adventure and Encounter that Carnival took away from us and now sell on all sailings except for Aussie and NZ sailings.”

Aubrey makes the point that P&O Australia used to have a package that closely resembled the offerings of Cheers! Zero Proof, but did include coffee and tea. Now, cruisers are sailing on the very same ships but their package doesn’t include these extras.

The package also doesn’t extend to specialty New Zealand Natural milkshakes on Adventure and Encounter.

While Aussies cruisers will undoubtedly still be happy that they have a drinks package option that isn’t based around alcohol, Aussies cruisers do have the right to feel a bit hard done by some of the exclusions for the Aussie version of the package.

Full inclusions

The full list of inclusions for Aussies, for a total of AUD$39.99 per day are:

• Sodas (Coca-Cola line of products)
• Juices (standard)
• Bottled water (600ml)
• Zero proof cocktails (non-alcoholic) (18+)
• Alcohol-free beer (18+)
• Alcohol-free sparkling wine (18+)
• Frozen drinks (non-alcoholic)
• Milkshakes (standard)
• Energy drinks

For the USA, for USD$29.99 ($46AUD) a day are: 

• Sodas (Coca-Cola line of products)
• Juices (standard)
• Bottled water (500ml); still, sparkling and coconut water
• Premium coffees & teas
• Zero proof cocktails (non-alcoholic) (21+)
• Alcohol-free beer (21+)
• Alcohol-free sparkling wine (21+)
• Frozen drinks (non-alcoholic)
• Smoothies and bottled protein shakes
• Milkshakes
• Energy drink