- Australians are now able to purchase Carnival’s ‘Ultimate Value Package’ and ‘Essential Value Package”.
- These packages bundle drinks, internet, shore excursion, and specialty dining discounts.
- The Ultimate Value Package also includes discounts on spa treatments and photo packages.
Australian cruisers will be able to purchase Carnival’s new Essential Value Package and Ultimate Value Package for the first time.
Similar to the Princess Plus and Princess Premier, the new Carnival packages bundle together cruise essentials at a better price. For guests who were already opting for both drinks packages and WiFi plans, plus partaking in shore excursions and specialty dining, the new deal offers better value.
Previously, Australians were not offered the same inclusions that other Carnival cruisers around the world got.
The packages have an option for drinks and non-drinkers, making it more flexible for cruisers’ preferences.
Some considerations before you book
While the new package and its availability to Australians is good news, there are definitely some considerations to make first.
The first thing to mention is that if you are already getting a drinks package, purchasing WiFi, enjoying specialty dining and booking shore excursions through the line, then the package is a no-brainer and you should definitely snap it up.
However, if you don’t generally do this already, here are some key considerations that can help you decide if the package is for you.
What you need to know about alcohol packages
- All adult members of a cabin MUST purchase the same package. This means that if one travellers isn’t a big drinker and one is, they’ll have to decide on the same package, they can’t get different ones.
- For those who do get drinks packages, once you have this, even if you pay, you are not allowed to buy sharing cocktails like fishbowls, floaters, pitchers, tubes and buckets.
- The drinks package has a limit of 15 drinks per day and only one drink at a time can be ordered.
Shore excursions, Wi-Fi and soft drinks
- If you generally book independent shore excursions, the $75 discount may make it worthwhile to go with Carnival instead, but this isn’t a guarantee. You should check independent prices as well. Furthermore, the discount is for one person per package, so if you’re also sailing with kids, or others who don’t have the package, consider this when calculating if you’ll save on shore excursions.
- In Australia, Cheers! Zero Proof does NOT include specialty coffees and teas.
- The Value Wi-Fi plan does not support video streaming.
The new packages will offer great value to a range of cruisers, but instead of getting swept up in the hype, consider your unique needs and whether the packages are right for you!
Related Posts
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Carnival has added the options for a new no-alcohol drinks package
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Carnival has instituted a new rule that guests with a drinks package now have to wait 10 minutes between drink orders, doubling the limit from the previous five minutes.
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On Carnival's Australian website, it states that "specialty coffees and teas" are excluded from the zero-proof package.
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Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises are two of the only major lines that don't offer a package price to combine drinks and Wi-Fi.
Carnivals bundle includes $500 on board credit. The drink package is still additional.
The heightened cruise fares reflect this $500 almost to the penny. The $500 credit is basically your own money and a guarantee that you’re going to spend it all on that cruise ship. The 25% off excursions
is offset by the fact that excursions have gone up more than 25%.
Very disappointed, we tried for 3 days to get hold of Carnival as we had a question about this package but were wanting to book for our cruise in July. Left 2 x call back messages, checked the number was correct and no calls we’re returned. Finally got through 5 days later and the package had finished. Extremely poor service, tried to explain we had requested two call backs which hadn’t been returned. Not interested, not really looking forward to the cruise now if this is the service we can expect. I think we’ll skip the speciality dining and drinks package now as I’d say it’s highly likely we’ll be disappointed since you can’t even return a phone call. Don’t offer a call back service if you’re not going to do it
Really enjoyed my Carnival Cruise a few weeks ago. Only downside was the specialty coffees were not included in the zero package. Why not include it for Australians and New Zealanders?
I am more interested in inclusives packages so have gone over to flying to a resort which offers cocktails, massages and choice of dinner or lunch in addition to breakfast each day. The cost of cruise travel can double by the time you pay for all the extras.