Loading Page...

How much alcohol can I take on a cruise?

Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board with the following exception - at the beginning of the cruise during embarkation day only, guests (21 years of age and older) may bring one 750-ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne, per person, in their carry-on luggage.* Outside this exception, ...



Most major cruise lines in 2026 have a strict policy allowing two 750ml bottles of wine or champagne per stateroom, provided they are carried on during embarkation day. Hard liquor, spirits, and beer are almost universally prohibited from being brought on board; if found in your checked luggage, they will be confiscated and returned only at the end of the voyage. For lines like Virgin Voyages and Royal Caribbean, the two-bottle wine limit is standard. If you buy alcohol at a port of call, the ship’s security will typically hold it for you until the final night of the cruise. It is important to note that a "corkage fee" (usually between $15 and $25) often applies if you choose to drink your own wine in the ship's dining rooms rather than in your cabin. For non-alcoholic drinks, policies are more varied; MSC Cruises, for instance, prohibits bringing any outside beverages, including water and soda, whereas others allow a limited amount of canned soft drinks if carried by hand.

People Also Ask

Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board with the following exception - at the beginning of the cruise during embarkation day only, guests (21 years of age and older) may bring one 750-ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne, per person, in their carry-on luggage.* Outside this exception, ...

MORE DETAILS

For consecutive sailings, guests of drinking age are allowed to bring one (1) 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne for each individual sailing. Additional bottles will be stored by the ship and delivered, one bottle at a time, to the stateroom on the first day of each new voyage.

MORE DETAILS

Fine or surcharge: On many cruise lines, you may be subject to a fine or a surcharge if they catch you sneaking alcohol onto the ship. Confiscation of alcohol: No matter what other disciplinary action the cruise line takes, you can expect them to confiscate your alcohol as soon as they find it.

MORE DETAILS

Can I pack wine in my suitcase for a cruise? You cannot pack wine in checked luggage for a cruise.

MORE DETAILS

All passengers must be 18 years old to drink beer and wine, and 21 to drink the hard stuff; however when the ship is docked or anchored in an American port, or within the 3-mile limit, the drinking age is 21 for all alcoholic beverages.

MORE DETAILS

While purchasing a beverage package prior to your cruise is the most cost effective, you can opt to purchase one on board for a slightly higher price.

MORE DETAILS

When you arrive at the Port Authority Security in the cruise terminal, you will pass a security checkpoint where all carry-on luggage goes through X-rays and other baggage is checked in. All checked bags on cruise ships are scanned.

MORE DETAILS

Red Tape for Reds and Whites A standard wine bottle holds 750 milliliters (mL)—just under the allowance. “Beyond the duty-free limit,” says Bulmash, “you can bring in wine—you just have to pay taxes on it.” That means declaring the bottles on your entry form at the airport and standing in an extra line.

MORE DETAILS

Guests on consecutive cruises may bring two (2) 750 ml bottles of personal wine or champagne per voyage, per stateroom. Additional bottles will be stored by the ship and two bottles at a time will be delivered to the stateroom on the first day of each new voyage.

MORE DETAILS

Checked Bags: Yes Alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in unopened retail packaging. Alcoholic beverages with 24% alcohol or less are not subject to limitations in checked bags.

MORE DETAILS

For carry-on you are limited to containers of 3.4oz or less that can fit comfortably in one quart-sized, clear, zip-top bag. If it's overflowing from the bag, that isn't comfortable. Please remember, one bag per passenger. For checked bags, there is no limit!

MORE DETAILS

Whether fighting with other cruisers, deliberately entering restricted areas on cruise ships, or damaging cruise ship property and violating serious safety rules, you can get kicked off the ship. Royal Caribbean's policy covers pretty much anything that a guest does that is perceived to be dangerous.

MORE DETAILS

Policy – No alcohol may be taken aboard at embarkation, and alcohol purchased in port or at the ship's duty-free shop will be held and returned at the end of the cruise. Policy – Wine and champagne are allowed onboard. No beer or spirits may be taken onboard for consumption.

MORE DETAILS

The Deluxe Beverage Package policy requires all guests wishing to purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package to do so for ALL guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom. Was this content helpful?

MORE DETAILS

Shelf-stable snacks like chips, pretzels, protein bars or any other items packaged in sealed wrappers are permitted on every major cruise line. Just stick with store-bought goodies including candy, savory snacks, cookies or granola bars instead of whipping up a batch of homemade muffins or sandwiches to bring with you.

MORE DETAILS