Looking for the Carnival Fun Ship drink recipe? You are in the right place.
If you have ever boarded a Carnival Cruise Line ship, chances are you have seen bartenders cruising the pool deck on Day One serving tall, colorful cocktails. That drink is the legendary Carnival Fun Ship cocktail, and yes, it is just as strong as it is refreshing. Watch the video below.
From our real-world cruise experience, this is one drink many cruisers underestimate. It looks sweet and tropical, but it delivers a serious kick. With three ounces of alcohol, it is one of Carnival’s most potent fruity cocktails, yet it goes down dangerously easy.
In this guide, you will discover:
- The exact Carnival Fun Ship drink recipe
- Why it is so popular on embarkation day
- How strong it really is
- How to make it taste just like the ship version at home
BTW – If you like this article, you should check out our old series on YouTube called “Cruise Cocktail Class.” We are thinking about reviving that series. Drop me a DM if you think that’s a good idea.
We’ve mixed up some fun drinks before, and have LOTS of cruise cocktail recipes for you on our website. You can shop our ingredient and bar supplies in our Amazon Store as well (contains affiliate links). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See disclaimer for more information.
Quick Answer: Carnival Fun Ship Drink
The Carnival Fun Ship drink is a fruity cocktail made with vodka, rum, amaretto, apricot brandy, and fruit punch. It is served on embarkation day and contains approximately 3 ounces of alcohol.
What Is the Carnival Fun Ship Drink?
The Carnival Fun Ship drink is a signature fruity cocktail served fleet-wide on Carnival Cruise Line, most notably on embarkation day. It is often featured as the Drink of the Day and is one of the first cocktails many cruisers enjoy onboard.
This drink is:
- Fruity
- Smooth
- Tropical
- Stronger than it looks
Bartenders typically serve it in a tall glass over ice, making it perfect for poolside sipping while your vacation officially begins.
So what’s in the Carnival Fun Ship? A base of homemade “fruit punch” mixed with vodka, rum, amaretto liqueur and apricot brandy, all shaken together to create the ultimate Day-ONE-of-your-glorious-cruise goodness. You can skip the homemade fruit punch and go for store bought, but the pineapple-lime-orange juice combo really seals the deal and elevates this recipe.
Plus, you can use the amount of grenadine you like to adjust the color and sweetness.
A little more grenadine = more fruit punch flavor.
Less = more tart, pineapple & tropical flavors shine through!
For YEARS, we overlooked this drink.
Why? Well, to me, it looked like your typical fruity cruise drink. Pretty, tropical, super sugary, but no “kick” – if you know what I mean. Not my jam. Then, I tried one, and WOW, was I wrong. This drink – when made according to the recipe – really delivers. It’s tropical and refreshing, but offers a bit more bang for your buck with 3 full ounces of booze.
The genius of this drink is balance. The fruit punch masks the alcohol beautifully, making it easy to drink and surprisingly powerful.
Pro tip: One is fun. Two is risky. Three means you are learning the Wobble on the pool deck.
Ready to try this one at home? Let’s do this! Here’s the full recipe:
Carnival “FUN SHIP” drink recipe:
Ingredients (Alcohol)
- 1oz Vodka
- 1oz Rum
- ½ oz Amaretto Almond Liqueur
- ½ oz Apricot Brandy
Ingredients (Homemade “fruit punch”)
- 1 oz Pineapple Juice
- 1 oz Orange Juice
- ½ oz Lime Juice
- 1 splash grenadine syrup
- Dash of bitters
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker (affiliate link) like the copper one used in our “how to” video or mason jar (affiliate link) with a tight lid and serve over ice!
Can You Use Store-Bought Fruit Punch?
Yes, but we do not recommend it.
You can substitute 3 to 6 ounces of store-bought fruit punch, but the flavor will not be as bright or balanced. The pineapple-lime-orange combination elevates this cocktail and gives it that authentic cruise-ship taste.
Optional: instead of the above juices, you can substitute 3-6 ounces of store bought fruit punch, but it tastes SO much better made this way!
Pro Tips for Making It Taste Like the Ship Version
Adjust the grenadine
- More grenadine = sweeter, fruit-forward
- Less grenadine = brighter, more tropical
Use fresh citrus when possible
Fresh lime juice makes a noticeable difference.
Do not skimp on ice
Carnival cocktails are well-chilled and diluted properly for smoothness.
Watch the How-To Video in the CruiseTipsTV Cantina!
Want more cruise cocktails?
Check out our library of recipes and videos!
Irresistible 3 Ingredient Skinny Piña Colada – this one is SO good, and so summery!
7 indulgent cruise cocktail recipes – featuring recipes from the Carnival Alchemy Bar, Royal Caribbean, and Princess Cruises!
Our favorite fall cocktail and mocktail recipes– featured during our Vlogtoberfest event!
4 Irresistible Classic Cocktails with a Twist.
Making a “Painkiller” LIVE on YouTube – cocktail recipe starts at about the 4 minute mark.
FAQ: Carnival Fun Ship Drink
What is in the Carnival Fun Ship drink?
Vodka, rum, amaretto, apricot brandy, fruit juices, grenadine, and bitters.
How strong is the Carnival Fun Ship drink?
It contains approximately 3 ounces of alcohol, making it stronger than most fruity cocktails.
Is the Fun Ship drink sweet?
It is fruity and smooth but not overly sweet when made correctly.
Is the Fun Ship drink served every day?
It is most common on embarkation day and often featured as the Drink of the Day.
Can you make Carnival cruise drinks at home?
Yes. With the right ingredients, you can recreate many Carnival cocktails at home.
See more CruiseTipsTV videos here.
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