Key Aspects:

• Carnival cruise ships from North American homeports will begin offering Coke products in early September.
• Individual ships may have slightly different dates for the Pepsi-to-Coke soft drink changeover.
• Guests can still bring aboard their preferred soft drinks, subject to the cruise line’s standard limitations.

With Coca-Cola fans eagerly awaiting the return of their favorite beverages aboard Carnival cruise ships, when can they expect to see Coke products onboard?

Since Carnival Cruise Line announced the switch to Coca-Cola in late June, cruisers have been wondering when they will no longer need to bring along their own cans of Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Fanta Orange, and other drinks onboard.

At the time, the rollout for the beverage switch was only noted as “later this summer” but without any firm dates. Now, the cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, has provided a quick and welcome update.

“Coca-Cola, the changeover. I’ve had over 200 of you write to me in the last three days asking me for specific dates of when we will change over from Pepsi to Coca-Cola,” Heald explained. “Once I have more news on that I will let you know.”

While Heald does not have any exact dates to share, the plan for the transition to be finished by the end of summer has not changed.

He was able to update his comments a short time later with a slightly more specific timeline on his popular Facebook page, however.

“We hope to complete the transition of the entire North American fleet to Coca-Cola products by the week after Labor Day,” he confirmed.

That would mean that by sailings departing from mid-September, Coke products should certainly be in place. To be clear, however, Heald says “we hope” for that timeline, and it is possible some ships may still be featuring Pepsi products in early September.

Furthermore, ships homeported outside of North America, including those in Australia, may not transition to Coke on the same timeline.

The exact dates when each of the individual ships in the Carnival fleet will begin offering Coke products will vary depending on when adequate supplies can be delivered according to each ship’s itinerary schedule.

Furthermore, when the remaining Pepsi beverages onboard have been substantially consumed may also impact the Coke rollout.

Coke or Pepsi – Why Does the Changeover Date Matter?

The Coke rollout date matters to guests who have such strong soda preferences that they feel inclined to bring their own onboard if their preferred products aren’t available.

Now, guests with sailings in late September and beyond who insist on Coke products don’t need to worry about the hassle of picking up 12-packs on their way to the port and toting them onboard.

Read Also: Carnival Shares Full List of Coke Products Coming to the Fleet

Instead, it is the Pepsi lovers who may want to consider those arrangements, as their favorite products will no longer be available on Carnival cruise ships.

Still, the same options apply and guests may bring a limited amount of their own preferred soft drinks onboard. Carnival’s policy is outlined as follows:

“On embarkation day, a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, energy drinks, juice, and milk), packaged in cans or cartons, may be brought on board and must be in the guest’s carry-on luggage. A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12-ounces/354-ml each or less, per person.”

For dedicated soda drinkers, this may not seem like enough for a longer cruise, but the policy does apply to every guest. For example, a family of four could bring four 12-pack cartons onboard.

Heald has also noted that soft drinks can also be brought onboard in ports of call, subject to the same 12-cans-per-person limitation.

This means that guests can replenish their supply of soft drink cans at each stop during their sailing if necessary, ensuring they don’t run out of their favorite bubbly refreshment.

Carnival Cruise Line Provides Update on Soda Switchover Dates