Is there a drink limit on cruises?

Sodas and other applicable non-alcoholic beverages remain unlimited and will not be counted toward the 15 alcoholic beverages limit, and all other policies and procedures remain the same. Guests are expected to enjoy alcohol responsibly and staff members are trained not to serve guests who appear to be intoxicated.



In 2026, whether there is a "hard" drink limit depends entirely on the cruise line and your beverage package. Carnival Cruise Line is famous for its strict "Cheers!" package policy, which limits passengers to 15 alcoholic drinks per 24-hour period (6:00 AM to 6:00 AM). Once you hit 15, you cannot purchase more alcohol, even at full price, until the next morning. In contrast, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian (NCL), and Celebrity Cruises generally do not have a set "number" for their unlimited packages, but they operate under "Responsible Service of Alcohol" (RSA) guidelines. This means bartenders can (and will) cut you off if you appear visibly intoxicated. In 2026, cruise lines also use "cooling off" periods, typically requiring 15 minutes between drink orders on a single card to prevent "sharing" with others. While you might not have a hard cap of 15 on these lines, the crew has the final authority to stop serving you to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers on board.

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Cruise line drinks packages let you order as many drinks as you want while on a cruise for one flat fee. This takes the place of paying for drinks one at a time. At some lines, there are several tiers of drinks packages. Basic tiers often just include sodas and bottled water.

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Thank you “T” and yes, it is indeed 15 drinks in a 24 hour period. That is alcoholic drinks and indeed sodas, coffee etc is unlimited. So, it's important to know that Carnival won't serve any passenger more than 15 alcoholic drinks in a single day.

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Yes, you can buy a beverage package. These all-you-can-drink packages allow passengers to pay a set fee up front for unlimited drinks (of a certain type, as outlined by the package's fine print), rather than pay per drink once onboard the cruise ship.

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Please Note: All guests must comply with TSA guidelines for transporting liquids. On boarding day, guests may bring onboard two (2) 750 ml bottles of personal wine or champagne per stateroom in their carry-on luggage.

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Most cruise lines don't allow guests to bring spirits on board. If you want to bring whiskey on board then you'll need to disguise it. Many people use a rum runner, a rinsed-out tinted bottle of mouthwash, or just decant whiskey into a wine bottle, where wine is permitted.

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Generally speaking, 21 is the minimum drinking age on any cruise that begins in a U.S. homeport. Underage passengers who try to sneak alcohol on a cruise face the same repercussions as anyone else: The booze will get confiscated. The only difference is that if you're under 21 won't get it back at the end of the cruise.

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In many cases, no. Several of the biggest cruise lines, including Carnival, Holland America and MSC Cruises, have a rule that if one adult in a cabin orders a drinks package, all adults in the cabin must order the package. This is to prevent two or more people in a cabin from sharing a single drinks package.

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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.

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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.

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The standard point level that must be reached to qualify from slot play is 1,000 points on sailings less than 5 days and 1,500 points on sailings 5 days or longer. Table Players: Table players will be awarded a 'Drinks On Us!' card when they reach comparable table play.

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That is alcoholic drinks and indeed sodas, coffee etc is unlimited. So, it's important to know that Carnival won't serve any passenger more than 15 alcoholic drinks in a single day. And that's not just for beverage-package buyers. The cruise line has a hard limit on 15 alcoholic drinks per person.

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How to Hack (and Share) the Royal Caribbean Drink Package
  1. 1 Buy your drink package before the cruise.
  2. 2 Share the drink package with someone else.
  3. 3 Order top-shelf liquor at the bar.
  4. 4 Take advantage of the non-alcoholic drinks.
  5. 5 Take bottled water with you on excursions.


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Guests who violate any alcohol policies, (over consume, provide alcohol to people under the legal drinking age, demonstrate irresponsible behavior, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense, in ...

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The absolute best way to determine if a drink package is best for you is to get out that calculator and tally up how much you would spend without the package. In general, if you think you're going to order five or so alcoholic drinks a day during your trip, a package is worth considering.

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According to the FAA, it's all about the alcohol content! Alcohol less than 24% alcohol by volume (ABV) or 48 proof, like most beers and wine: 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.

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Final word. On most cruises, you're welcome to wander the ship with a drink in your hand, at least in most areas. It's just like one large resort, so grab your favourite tipple and then find your perfect spot to enjoy it. Just make sure you ask for plastic glasses if you want to head over to a pool or hot tub.

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Bar staff are wise to this and are on the look out. If caught you will lose the drinks package you have paid for. Can't your 21 and over children buy their own drinks package or pay for their own drinks? They aren't children if they are over 21.

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Royal Caribbean Rules for Deluxe Drinks Package All guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom and under the same stateroom booking number are required to purchase the same alcoholic beverage package. Royal Caribbean state: “cannot be shared by guests.”

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In some cases, it may lead to fatigue or dehydration that changes the concentration of alcohol in the blood. Even without a higher concentration, the boat can certainly make you feel more intoxicated and cause greater impairment than consuming alcohol on land. Drink plenty of water.

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Tap water on cruise ships is safe to drink. Guests can drink tap water either from the tap in their cabin bathroom or at dinner when it is offered. The water has been through a purification system and though it may not taste the best on all cruise ships, it's safe to drink.

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

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