Looking for a great deal on a beer during your cruise? You’re not alone.
There’s something about sipping a brew poolside that just seems perfect. The only thing that’s not perfect? The cost.
Just about anyone would expect to pay more for a beer when at a restaurant or on vacation. But that doesn’t keep the cost from adding up. For example, Carnival charges about $8.00 for an average beer, plus an additional 18% gratuity/service charge. That means your beers costs about $9.50 each… or the equivalent of $57 for a six-pack.
This cost is one reason that drink packages are so popular. With these packages you pay one set price and get all the drinks you want. But if you aren’t ready for a drink package, then it makes sense to look for deals to keep the costs low. So how about where to find the cheapest beer on a Carnival cruise?
We’ve found exactly that. It’s a beer for about $7 — making it the cheapest we’ve ever seen on the cruise ship. Here are the details and how to get your cheap beer.
Where to Find the Cheapest Beer (But Still Not Cheap!) on Carnival
For most people, buying a drink means saddling up to a bar. If that’s the case, the least you’ll pay for a beer is $8, which is Carnival’s price on Bud Light, Coors Light, Michelob Ultra, Miller High Life, and Miller Lite for a 16-ounce beer. Other beers on the ship cost $8.50 for a 16-ounce beer.
But in the ship’s buffet, you’ll find a spot where you can get beer for a little cheaper — though still pricey — the Beer Station, also known as PYOB or Pour Your Own Beer.
This station is an automated beer tap. The premise is simple. You slide your card to charge your account and then you have about 15 seconds to pour your beer. Instead of being charged by the beer, you are charged by the ounce. We’ve seen some stations with a couple of options (usually something like Bud Light or Dos Equis and one of Carnival’s signature brews like ThirstyFrog.
The drink stations offer 14-ounce glasses and the cost is $0.50 per ounce at last check (Prices have jumped considerably. Just a few years ago the price of as low as $0.29 per ounce!). At the current rate, your beer runs $7 a glass.
Now, at last check gratuity is added on top of that, so the real cost is about $8.25 for a 14-ounce beer. Still, that’s cheaper than getting one from a bar (albeit two ounces less). Plus, since you control the pour, you can get a smaller beer if you want for less money.
Check out the pictures and video below of the Beer Station in action.
Where to Find the Pour Your Own Beer Stations
These stations aren’t everywhere, so you’ll need to keep an eye out for them. They are usually in the buffet and seem to be tucked back along a back wall or in a corner. But you should find them on any Carnival ship you sail.
Newer ships often have a built in station. Older ships have a movable station. If you can’t find it, just ask a staff member in the buffet to point you in the right direction.
And be aware of the operating hours. The stations are open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. If you crave a beer after that time, you’ll need to hit the bar.
One note: We’ve often found there are issues with the machines. Our last check of one said it couldn’t connect to the network to run our payment. Don’t be surprised if it’s out of order.
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I don’t believe it is in the CHEERS pkg.
Why a gratuity if I do the work pouring my own beer.
We are with you. Seems ridiculous.
For the same reason you don’t get the employee discount at Walmart for checking out and bagging your own groceries!
Um no. Not the same.
It’s asinine to tip the handle for the pleasure of using it… Just be honest and price it honestly with the whole price.