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One of the most popular benefits of being a Platinum or Diamond member with Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Rewards program is the two complimentary beverages guests may claim onboard. This perk was also available as part of the “Very Important Fun Person” (VIFP) loyalty program that ended on August 31, 2026.

Whether in the VIFP program or now in the Carnival Rewards program, however, the complimentary beverages have caused confusion for guests as to when and how they may be claimed.

John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, addressed the confusion and explained how guests can make the most of their beverage choices in a video posted to his Facebook account on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

“I’ve had, again, people a little confused about it,” Heald noted. “When you get on board, and unless you tell the bartender or the bar server that you do not want your first two drinks to be those complimentary ones, they will automatically make it.”

It is standard policy that a Diamond or Platinum guest’s first two drinks are those complimentary beverages, but Heald confirms how easy it is for guests to request otherwise and save the complimentary drinks for later in their sailing.

“If you go up to the bartender and say, could I have a bottle of water, I’m really thirsty, the bartender gives you a bottle of water. Unless you say, please do not make this one of my complimentary Platinum or Diamond drinks, they will automatically do it,” he explained.

If a guest requests that a drink not be one of their complimentary beverages, that purchase will be charged to their stateroom account instead and their two free drinks will remain available for later use.

Heald also recommends that guests let the bartender or bar server know if they are using one of their complimentary beverages by stating it as they place their drink order.

FunPacks and Free Drinks

Another bit of confusion with the complimentary beverages for Diamond and Platinum guests is whether those count against the drink totals if guests purchase one of the limited-time FunPack bundle promotions.

Those four bundles, which Carnival Cruise Line announced on October 14, 2026, include different drink options depending on which FunPack guests select.

The “Kidstarter FunPack” bundle includes the full Bottomless Bubbles soda and juice package, while the “Zero Proof FunPack” includes the CHEERS! Zero Proof package that the cruise line first introduced in September 2025. The “Social FunPack” offers guests three alcoholic beverages per day plus unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, while the “Epic FunPack” includes the complete CHEERS! beverage package.

Heald confirmed that if Diamond or Platinum guests do purchase a FunPack, they will still receive their complimentary beverages in addition to the drinks included in their FunPack.

“One of the questions I had was over and over was, if I buy these, do I still get my 2 complimentary Platinum or Diamond drinks? Yes, you do,” he said. “That does not interfere with that at all.”

The FunPacks are only available for purchase through October 30, 2026 and may be applied to sailings departing from October 31, 2026 through December 31, 2027. FunPacks must be purchased at least three days before the sailing date.

Heald did not disclose whether or not the FunPack options would be extended for either purchase date or sailing date, but he did comment on how many people have purchased them.

“They are all very popular in their own right,” he said. “And remember, you only have 2 more days, 2 more days, 2 more days to get that. After that, I don’t know if they’ll be back.”

In addition to the included beverage options, the FunPacks also include other popular add-ons, such as arcade tokens, bulk candy discounts, WiFi packages, shore excursion discounts, specialty dining discounts, and other perks, depending on which FunPack guests choose.

Carnival Clears Up Confusion Over Free Drinks for Diamond and Platinum Guests

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