Carnival Cruise Line Drops Pepsi for Coca-Cola Comeback

Carnival Cruise Line is making a significant switch in its onboard beverage offerings, returning to Coca-Cola after a five-year partnership with Pepsi.

Starting later this summer, Coca-Cola will replace Pepsi as the preferred soda brand across Carnival’s North American fleet, marking a major shift for soda lovers onboard.

For guests who have been loyal to Coca-Cola, this announcement is a reason to celebrate. The move comes as Carnival Cruise Line looks to enhance the overall food and beverage experience, offering a variety of refreshing options, including Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Powerade, and Topo Chico, all of which will be available for individual purchase and in cocktails or mixers.

Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, shared her excitement about the switch, stating, “Carnival Cruise Line and Coca-Cola are two iconic brands that celebrate fun, family, friendship, food, and fabulous memories.” She emphasized that the diverse lineup of Coca-Cola beverages will help elevate the cruising experience for guests.

This change will take place gradually as each ship in the fleet makes the switch from Pepsi to Coca-Cola products, starting later this summer. The timing of the transition will vary depending on the remaining Pepsi stock onboard and the ship’s sailing schedule.

As of now, the switch will only impact Carnival ships sailing from North American homeports. Ships based in Europe and Carnival’s Australian fleet will continue offering Pepsi products until the repositioning of ships to North America, at which point they will also begin serving Coca-Cola beverages.

Though the decision may upset some Pepsi fans, the line offers a simple solution for those who prefer Pepsi products. Guests can still bring an unopened 12-pack of their favorite soda onboard.

While the change will no doubt please Coca-Cola enthusiasts, the move is also part of Carnival’s ongoing reevaluation of its food and beverage partnerships, a process that ensures the cruise line provides guests with the best products at competitive prices.