Policy – Guests are allowed to take spirits, wine, and champagne onboard, though most alcohol is included in the price of the cruise. Policy – Two bottles (750ml each or smaller) of wine or champagne per cabin are allowed. No beer or spirits may be taken onboard for consumption.

In 2026, most major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and NCL strictly prohibit guests from bringing "mini" alcohol bottles or any hard liquor, spirits, and beer on board. These items will be confiscated at the security x-ray if found in your carry-on or checked luggage. The standard "alcohol allowance" for most lines is limited to two 750ml bottles of wine or champagne per stateroom, which must be brought in your carry-on bag on embarkation day. Any "mini" bottles found are generally not returned, unlike larger bottles of liquor which are sometimes held by security until the final morning of the cruise. If you are caught trying to "smuggle" alcohol in mouthwash bottles or specialized flasks, you could face delays or even be denied boarding in extreme cases. For those looking to save on drinks, cruise lines suggest purchasing a "Beverage Package" or looking for the "Drink of the Day" specials. Virgin Voyages is a slight outlier, as they allow a more flexible approach with their "Bar Tab" system, but the general industry standard remains very strict regarding outside spirits to protect the ship's high-revenue bar sales.