Carnival Cruise Passengers Clash Over Whether Kids Belong at the Bar

A Family Cruise Tradition Sparks an Unexpected Debate

Carnival Cruise Line has long marketed itself as the perfect blend of family fun and lively nightlife. Parents can relax with tropical cocktails while kids enjoy waterslides, youth clubs, and endless onboard entertainment. But one seemingly harmless scene—a child sitting at the Alchemy Bar with a mocktail—has ignited a surprisingly passionate debate among Carnival loyalists.

The discussion first gained traction after members of the unofficial Alchemy Bar Drinking Society on Facebook began sharing photos of young children receiving the group’s collectible pins while sitting at Carnival’s popular Alchemy Bar. The images quickly made their way to Reddit, where cruise enthusiasts weighed in with sharply divided opinions.

At the heart of the debate isn’t whether children are drinking alcohol—they aren’t. Instead, passengers are questioning whether cocktail bars should remain adult-oriented social spaces, even aboard a family-friendly cruise ship.

The Alchemy Bar Has Become More Than Just Another Cruise Bar

For frequent Carnival cruisers, the Alchemy Bar is something of an institution. Designed with the feel of an old-world apothecary, the venue specializes in handcrafted cocktails mixed by bartenders known as “Alchemists.” Guests often develop relationships with these bartenders over multiple sailings, and many even participate in cocktail-making classes that have become a signature Carnival experience.

An enthusiastic online community has grown around the venue. Members collect pins, exchange drink recommendations, and celebrate memorable interactions with Alchemists across Carnival’s fleet.

That tradition, however, recently expanded to include children receiving society pins while accompanying parents at the bar. That’s where opinions began to split.

Why Some Guests Say Kids Don’t Belong Sitting at the Bar

Many cruisers argue this isn’t about excluding families—it’s about preserving the atmosphere.

Several Reddit commenters pointed out that bars have traditionally served as adult gathering places. Even if children aren’t consuming alcohol, they don’t belong at the bar. According to these guests, there’s a clear distinction between walking up to order a soda or mocktail and occupying limited bar seating during busy hours.

Parents themselves echoed that sentiment. One cruiser explained that their teenage son often joins them for a zero-proof cocktail before dinner, but they intentionally choose nearby lounge seating instead of bar stools. For them, it’s simply an unspoken rule of cruise etiquette. Others raised practical concerns. Busy cocktail bars can become crowded, and some passengers worried that younger children moving around intoxicated adults could create unnecessary safety risks. It’s a fair point, especially on ships carrying several thousand guests where nightlife venues often become packed during evening hours.

Others Believe the Criticism Misses the Point

Not everyone sees a problem.

Many Carnival fans argue that children have every right to be present because Carnival is fundamentally a family cruise line—not an adults-only resort. Carnival actively sells two beverage packages that include unlimited soft drinks, specialty coffees, smoothies, juices, and mocktails for guests of all ages. The Bottomless Bubbles package and the CHEERS! Zero Proof package encourage nonalcoholic drink purchases, but those beverages are frequently ordered directly from onboard bars.

Critics of the “no kids at the bar” argument believe Carnival itself created this situation. If children must visit bars to redeem their beverage packages, they argue, it’s unreasonable to expect families to avoid those spaces altogether. Several cruisers suggested Carnival could reduce the friction by installing more self-service soda stations or expanding dedicated nonalcoholic beverage counters throughout its ships.

---

Carnival’s Current Drink Packages

Today, Carnival offers three primary beverage packages, each designed for a different type of cruiser. Since bars are the main redemption point for many of these drinks, it’s common to see children and teenagers accompanying their parents while ordering sodas, smoothies, specialty coffees, or mocktails.

Drink Package	Current Price*	Who Can Purchase	What’s Included
CHEERS!	$69.95 per person, per day when purchased before sailing ($74.95 onboard), plus a 20% service charge	Guests 21+ on U.S. departures	Cocktails, beer, wine by the glass (up to a $20 menu price), specialty coffee, bottled water, energy drinks, sodas, zero-proof frozen cocktails, and more. Limited to 15 alcoholic drinks per 24-hour period.
CHEERS! Zero Proof	Starting at $29.99 per person, per day before sailing ($34.99 onboard), plus service charge	All ages may purchase, although alcohol-free beer, sparkling wine, and some zero-proof cocktails are restricted to guests 21+	Unlimited premium non-alcoholic beverages including mocktails, smoothies, milkshakes, premium coffee, tea, bottled water, sodas, juices, energy drinks, and alcohol-free beer where permitted.
Bottomless Bubbles	Adults: $11.99/day; Children: $6.95/day, plus service charge	All ages	Unlimited Coca-Cola fountain sodas and juices throughout the cruise.

*Prices are current at the time of writing and are subject to change by Carnival Cruise Line.

Cruise Etiquette Often Matters More Than Written Rules

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this discussion is that no official Carnival policy prohibits children from sitting at onboard bars.

Instead, passengers are debating what many describe as an unwritten rule of cruise etiquette. Cruise etiquette has always been shaped by shared expectations rather than strict regulations. Whether it’s saving pool chairs, wearing appropriate attire in dining rooms, or respecting quiet hours in cabin hallways, experienced cruisers often rely on courtesy rather than formal rules.

The same principle may apply here.

Families understandably want to enjoy every aspect of their vacation together, while adults seeking a quieter cocktail experience hope certain venues retain their intended atmosphere. Both viewpoints have merit, which explains why this conversation continues generating thousands of comments across social media.

Unless Carnival introduces designated adult-only seating at select bars or expands alternative beverage locations, the discussion is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

Keep your drink cold all day long with our insulated water bottle!