☕ CARNIVAL CRUISE COFFEE GUIDE: SPECIALTY COFFEE, FREE COFFEE & COFFEE HACKS
Updated: Aug 24
If you’re a coffee lover cruising with Carnival, you have a lot more options than just grabbing a cup of regular coffee from the buffet. From lattes and cappuccinos to Cuban coffee, spiked coffee drinks and even a few DIY coffee hacks, there are plenty of ways to get your caffeine fix onboard.
And one thing a lot of cruisers don’t realize is that Java Blue isn’t necessarily the only place to find specialty coffee.Depending on the ship, you may find espresso machines and coffee drinks at several different venues.
Here are some things every Carnival coffee lover should know.
💙 JAVA BLUE CAFÉ
Java Blue Café is Carnival’s dedicated specialty coffee shop on many ships and is where you’ll find one of the biggest coffee menus onboard. Other Carnival ships have a Coffee Bar instead.
Java Blue serves hot and cold specialty coffee drinks, and selections can include lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos, espresso, iced coffee, frozen coffee drinks, flavored coffee drinks and even spiked coffee creations. You’ll also usually find baked treats and desserts.
Exact menus and offerings vary by ship.
🧍🧍🧍 THE LINE AT JAVA BLUE IS OFTEN LONG
Java Blue is popular, especially in the morning. Lines can get pretty long on sea days, so if you’re trying to grab coffee before an excursion or breakfast, plan a little extra time, or go to one of the other coffee spots.
One of the first things I like to figure out once onboard is where else on that particular ship I can get specialty coffee. That can come in handy when everyone else heads to Java Blue at the same time.
🤎 JAVA BLUE COFFEE LOVERS REWARD CARD
Next time you visit Java Blue Café, ask whether they are offering a coffee rewards or punch card on your sailing.These cards have been offered onboard and can be an easy way to work toward a free drink during your trip.
You may need to specifically ask for one if it isn’t offered upfront.
🏛️ OTHER PLACES TO GRAB SPECIALTY COFFEE
Java Blue isn’t the only spot on the ship where you may find espresso drinks. Depending on the ship, other bars and locations may also be equipped to make specialty coffee.
If you see an espresso machine behind a bar, ask what coffee drinks they can make. The options vary considerably from ship to ship.
📍 QUICK LIST OF PLACES YOU MIGHT FIND ESPRESSO MACHINES DEPENDING ON THE SHIP:
➤ Java Blue Café
➤ Coffee Bar
➤ Havana Bar
➤ Atrium / Lobby Bar
➤ Ocean Plaza area or nearby bar
➤ Bar Della Rosa on select ships
➤ Casino Bar
➤ Shake Spot on select ships
The important words here are depending on the ship. Not every one of these locations serves specialty coffee on every Carnival ship.
🛏 ROOM SERVICE COFFEE DELIVERY
Wake up with coffee delivered right to your cabin!
Carnival offers a complimentary continental room service breakfast from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM, and freshly brewed regular and decaf coffee are among the available beverages.
It's an easy option when you want to enjoy your first cup in your cabin or out on the balcony before getting ready for the day.
Keep in mind that other room service selections may have an additional charge, and complimentary breakfast room service is not available on the final morning of the cruise.
🌴 HAVANA BAR: A UNIQUE SPECIALTY COFFEE SPOT
If your ship has a Havana Bar serving coffee, definitely check it out.
Carnival specifically features Cuban coffee at Havana Bar, and depending on the ship and menu, you may find drinks such as café Cubano, cafecito and familiar espresso drinks such as cappuccino and café latte.
It's a fun option when you want something a little different from your usual morning coffee.
🍸 ESPRESSO MARTINI FANS
If you like coffee cocktails, check the bars that make espresso drinks. Depending on the ship and bar, you may find espresso martinis or other spiked coffee drinks.
Not every bar has its own espresso machine, so if your favorite bar can't make the drink directly, ask where onboard you can get one.
🥤 DRINK PACKAGE INFO
The CHEERS! Beverage Program includes specialty coffees and hot teas served in the main dining rooms, specialty restaurants and coffee bars on applicable U.S. sailings.
That means you don't have to save CHEERS! exclusively for cocktails. Your morning latte, afternoon cappuccino or other eligible specialty coffee can be part of the package too.
One important exception: room service beverages are not covered by CHEERS!
🥛 NO DRINK PACKAGE? MAKE YOUR OWN SPECIALTY COFFEE
Didn't get the drink package and don't want to pay for specialty coffee every morning? You can make your own.
Carnival provides complimentary regular coffee at Lido Marketplace. Bring a few simple coffee essentials from home and you can turn it into something much closer to your usual morning drink.
A few things that can be handy:
➤ Flavored creamer
➤ A small milk frother
➤ Your favorite sweetener or coffee flavoring
➤ A reusable travel coffee mug
Want better coffee on your cruise without paying for the drink package? Find my favorite cruise coffee picks 👉 HERE!
🎰 THE CASINO COFFEE HACK
If you have a casino offer that includes free drinks, ask the casino bar what non-alcoholic and specialty coffee drinks are available with your particular offer.
Casino beverage offers and what can be prepared at individual casino bars vary by ship and offer. Some casino bars have access to espresso drinks while others may not.
So when the Java Blue line is long on a sea day, it's worth checking the casino bar if your casino drink offer is active. You may be able to get your specialty coffee there without paying separately.
🧊☕ DIY ICED COFFEE
You don't have to pay for specialty coffee just because you prefer yours cold.
Grab a cup of the complimentary coffee from Lido Marketplace, let it cool slightly and then add ice. Add your favorite creamer or sweetener and you've got a simple DIY iced coffee.
If you brought flavored creamer from home, this is an easy way to make your own flavored iced coffee without buying one every morning.
🍫☕ DIY MOCHA
This may be one of the easiest Carnival coffee hacks because you don't have to bring anything from home.
Carnival provides complimentary regular coffee and hot chocolate at Lido Marketplace. Mix some hot chocolate into your coffee and you've got an easy DIY mocha.
Want to experiment? Add a little vanilla soft serve for a sweeter, creamier coffee treat.
🍦☕ DIY COFFEE MILKSHAKE
Another fun cruise hack is making a simple coffee milkshake.
Grab a cup of the free coffee from Lido Marketplace and add ice first to cool the coffee. Once it's cooled down, stir in a swirl of soft-serve ice cream.
Carnival's regular Lido coffee and self-serve soft ice cream are included in your cruise fare, so it's an easy DIY iced coffee treat using things that are already onboard.
Try vanilla soft serve for a classic coffee shake or chocolate if you want something closer to a mocha milkshake.
☕ DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE FREE COFFEE
If you don't need a latte every morning, regular coffee is already included in your Carnival cruise fare.
Carnival currently provides complimentary non-specialty coffee 24/7 at Lido Marketplace, along with hot tea, lemonade and unsweetened iced tea. Hot chocolate is also listed among Carnival's included beverages.
That makes it easy to save specialty coffee for when you really want it and use the included coffee the rest of the time.
☕ A LITTLE PLANNING GOES A LONG WAY
Coffee options can be surprisingly different from one Carnival ship to another. Your ship may have Java Blue Café, Coffee Bar, Havana Bar or another venue where espresso drinks are available.
Once you board, take a quick look at the HUB App and walk past the nearby bars and cafés. Knowing where your backup coffee spot is before the first busy sea-day morning can save you a lot of standing around waiting for caffeine.
Between specialty coffee shops, complimentary Lido coffee, room service, casino offers and a few DIY tricks, there are plenty of ways to get your morning coffee exactly how you like it.
Where do you grab your morning coffee when cruising? ☕🚢
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