Carnival Cruise Line is introducing major changes to how passengers purchase drinks and Wi-Fi packages, while also launching four new bundles designed to make popular cruise extras more affordable.
From 1 December 2026, Carnival will introduce dynamic pricing for beverage packages and internet plans, meaning the price passengers pay will depend on their particular cruise rather than a standard daily rate.
At the same time, the cruise line has launched a limited-time range of FunPacks, combining drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, shore excursions and other onboard benefits.
The new packages are available to eligible passengers in Australia and overseas, although pricing and some inclusions differ between markets.
Carnival Introduces Dynamic Pricing for Drinks and Wi-Fi
Carnival has confirmed that its beverage packages and Wi-Fi plans will move to dynamic pricing from 1 December 2026.
Under the new system, prices will vary according to factors including:
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Cruise duration
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Itinerary
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Time of year
This means two passengers booking similar packages on different Carnival cruises may pay different daily rates.
The change follows a pricing model already used by Royal Caribbean, where drinks package prices can vary considerably between sailings.
Carnival hasn't yet released a detailed pricing structure, so it's unclear whether the changes will result in higher or lower prices for particular cruises.
For passengers who like to budget their onboard spending before departure, it will become even more important to check package prices for their individual sailing.
The announcement applies to Carnival's drinks and Wi-Fi package pricing, rather than the base cruise fare itself.
Four New Carnival FunPacks Announced
Alongside the pricing changes, Carnival has introduced four new FunPacks, replacing its previous Value package offerings with a broader range of bundled extras.
The packages combine various onboard benefits into a single daily price, with Carnival advertising savings compared with purchasing the included items separately.
The four options are:
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Kidstarter: Designed for children and teenagers.
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Zero Proof: Non-alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi and selected discounts.
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Social: A new option combining three alcoholic drinks per day with Wi-Fi and additional experiences.
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Epic: The most comprehensive package, including the full CHEERS! drinks package and multiple cruise extras.
Carnival says the bundles are designed to give passengers greater flexibility in choosing the experiences they want to enjoy during their holiday.
Photo: ID Carnival FunPacks: Australian and US Prices Compared
Carnival has published pricing for both Australian and US passengers.
| FunPack | Australia (AUD) | United States (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Kidstarter | $35 | $25 |
| Zero Proof | $60 | $50 |
| Social | $85 | $60 |
| Epic | $145 | $99 |
Prices are per person, per day, for the full cruise. These are Carnival's published prices in each market, not currency conversions. Actual availability and pricing should be checked against the individual booking.
Australian passengers can view the packages on Carnival Australia's official FunPacks page.
International passengers can check the options available through Carnival Cruise Line's website.
What's Included in Each FunPack?
Kidstarter FunPack
Designed for children aged 3–17, Kidstarter combines drinks, connectivity and entertainment.
It includes Carnival's Bottomless Bubbles package for unlimited eligible soft drinks and juices, Social Wi-Fi, a souvenir cup, a complimentary lanyard and a 50% discount on bulk candy at Cherry on Top.
Australian passengers receive 1,500 arcade tokens under the published package, while the US announcement lists 1,000 tokens.
This could appeal to families who would otherwise purchase soft drinks and internet access separately for their children.
Zero Proof FunPack
The Zero Proof package is designed for passengers who prefer non-alcoholic beverages.
It includes:
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CHEERS! Zero Proof, covering eligible non-alcoholic beverages, including soft drinks, bottled water and mocktails. Specialty coffee and tea inclusions may vary by market.
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Value Wi-Fi.
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A shore excursion discount.
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A specialty dining discount.
Australian packages include a $75 AUD shore excursion discount and a $35 AUD dining discount.
The US version includes discounts of $50 USD and $25 USD, respectively.
Zero Proof is available to guests aged three and over, although some non-alcoholic products have age restrictions.
A note for Australian cruisers: Carnival's Australian FunPacks page currently lists premium coffees and teas as included in CHEERS! Zero Proof, despite the standalone Australian drinks package explicitly excluding them. Carnival has previously corrected a similar discrepancy, so passengers should confirm the inclusions directly with Carnival before purchasing.
Social FunPack
One of the most interesting additions is Carnival's new CHEERS! Social beverage package.
Unlike the full CHEERS! package, which allows up to 15 alcoholic beverages per day, CHEERS! Social includes three eligible alcoholic drinks per day, alongside unlimited eligible non-alcoholic beverages.
The Social FunPack also includes Premium Wi-Fi, one eligible specialty dining experience, one shore excursion and discounts on selected spa treatments and Dreams Studio photography packages.
For Australian passengers, the included dining experience is valued at up to $80 AUD, while the shore excursion is valued at up to $140 AUD.
For US passengers, the corresponding values are $55 USD and $100 USD.
CHEERS! Social cannot currently be purchased separately. It is exclusive to the Social FunPack.
For passengers who enjoy a few drinks during their cruise but don't need the full CHEERS! package, this could be an appealing alternative.
Epic FunPack
The Epic package is Carnival's most comprehensive option.
It includes the full CHEERS! beverage package, Premium Wi-Fi, two eligible specialty dining experiences, two shore excursions, selected spa and photography discounts, a bottle of sparkling wine and one bag of wash-and-fold laundry.
Australian passengers receive two dining experiences valued at up to $80 AUD each and two shore excursions valued at up to $140 AUD each.
The US package includes corresponding benefits valued at up to $55 USD and $100 USD each.
The package is designed for passengers planning to make extensive use of onboard extras and organised excursions.
The Important Catch: Adults Sharing a Cabin Must Purchase the Same Package
One condition passengers should pay particular attention to is Carnival's stateroom purchasing requirement.
Under the Australian FunPacks terms, if an adult aged 18 or older purchases a FunPack, every other adult aged 18 or older sharing the same cabin must purchase the same package.
This means one adult generally cannot purchase the Epic FunPack while another chooses Zero Proof or decides to go without a package.
The US announcement specifically highlights matching-package requirements for adults purchasing the Social or Epic FunPacks, with age eligibility and alcohol rules varying by market.
Passengers should check the terms attached to their booking, particularly when travelling as a couple or sharing a cabin with friends.
This requirement could make a considerable difference to the overall value of a package.
For example, two Australian adults purchasing the Social FunPack on a seven-day cruise would pay:
$85 × 2 passengers × 7 days = $1,190 AUD
The Epic FunPack would cost the same couple $2,030 AUD for seven days.
That's a substantial additional expense, even when the package includes dining, excursions and other benefits.
When Can Passengers Purchase the New Packages?
The FunPacks are being offered for a limited period.
According to Carnival's Australian website, purchases can be made between 13 and 30 October 2026, for eligible cruises departing between 31 October 2026 and 31 December 2027.
US reporting lists the sales period as beginning on 14 October.
Packages must be purchased online through My Cruise Manager and are not available for purchase onboard.
Passengers also need to reserve eligible shore excursions, specialty dining and other experiences before sailing, generally no later than three days before departure.
Unused benefits cannot simply be redeemed once onboard, and they generally have no cash value.
Carnival also warns that experiences are subject to availability, so passengers should check which inclusions they can actually use before purchasing.
Are Carnival's New FunPacks Good Value?
Carnival is advertising significant savings compared with purchasing the included extras individually.
However, the actual value will depend heavily on how passengers prefer to cruise.
For someone who regularly purchases a drinks package, Premium Wi-Fi, specialty dining and shore excursions, one of the larger bundles could offer worthwhile savings.
On the other hand, passengers who rarely drink alcohol, prefer exploring ports independently or don't need internet access throughout their cruise may find the bundles less attractive.
The Social FunPack is particularly interesting because it introduces a middle ground between purchasing individual drinks and committing to the full CHEERS! package.
However, the requirement for adults sharing a cabin to purchase matching packages may limit its appeal for couples with different drinking habits.
It's also worth remembering that the advertised savings assume passengers would otherwise purchase the included extras separately.
A discount on something you wouldn't normally buy isn't necessarily a saving.
What Does This Mean for Australian and International Cruisers?
For Australian cruisers, the new packages introduce more options for prepaying onboard expenses, including drinks, internet, dining and excursions.
The published Australian-dollar pricing also makes it easier to calculate the total cost before departure.
For international cruisers, the biggest longer-term development may be the move to dynamic pricing.
From December, the cost of drinks and Wi-Fi packages could vary considerably depending on when and where passengers sail.
Carnival hasn't yet confirmed the full range of prices that will apply under the new system.
For now, passengers with eligible cruises booked through 2027 have until 30 October to consider the limited-time FunPacks.
Before purchasing, it's worth comparing the total package cost against the extras you would genuinely use, checking the stateroom purchasing rules and confirming that your preferred dining experiences and excursions are available.
With cruise extras becoming an increasingly significant part of holiday budgets, Carnival's latest changes could have a noticeable impact on how passengers plan and pay for their next cruise.
