Royal Caribbean's Alcohol Policy: What You Can Pack
Royal Caribbean allows you to bring alcohol aboard, but only beer and wine in sealed, unopened bottles—no spirits or hard liquor of any kind. You can pack up to two bottles of wine or beer per adult passenger in your checked luggage, and the ship will hold them in your cabin until embarkation day. Any alcohol you bring must remain sealed until you board; if a bottle is opened or the seal is broken before you step onto the ship, crew members will confiscate it at the gangway.
The two-bottle limit applies per person, so a family of four can bring eight bottles total. However, Royal Caribbean reserves the right to refuse any alcohol that appears damaged, leaking, or improperly sealed. Once you're aboard, you cannot bring additional bottles from ports of call back to your cabin—anything purchased at a port must be consumed there or left behind.
Key Takeaways
- You may pack two bottles of beer or wine per adult in checked luggage, but no spirits, vodka, rum, whiskey, or any hard liquor.
- Bottles must be sealed and unopened when you board; crew will confiscate any opened or damaged bottles at the gangway.
- Alcohol purchased at ports of call cannot be brought back to your cabin and must be consumed at the port or discarded.
- Royal Caribbean charges a corkage fee (usually $15 per bottle) if you want to drink your own wine in the dining room during dinner service.
- Crew members can refuse service to anyone who appears intoxicated, and excessive drinking may result in cabin confinement or removal at the next port.
Where Your Bottles Go When You Board
When you arrive at the cruise terminal, you'll place your two bottles of wine or beer in your checked luggage along with your other belongings. During the boarding process, security will scan your bags, and if they find sealed alcohol, they'll tag it and deliver it to your cabin later that day. You won't have access to it until after you've checked in and received your room key.
Some passengers worry their bottles will be lost or damaged in transit. Royal Caribbean is generally careful with tagged alcohol, but the cruise line is not responsible for breakage or loss—that's a risk you take by packing it. If a bottle arrives broken, the cruise line will not replace it or refund the cost. For this reason, many passengers wrap bottles in clothing or use padded wine bottle protectors before packing.
What Alcohol Is Banned and Why
Royal Caribbean prohibits all spirits, including vodka, rum, whiskey, gin, tequila, brandy, and liqueurs. The policy also bans grain alcohol and any high-proof beverages. The reason is safety and liability: spirits are easier to hide, easier to overconsume quickly, and create more serious intoxication problems in a confined shipboard environment. Wine and beer have lower alcohol content and are consumed more slowly, which reduces the risk of dangerous behavior.
The ban also extends to homemade alcohol or anything in unmarked containers. If you bring a bottle with a handwritten label or no label at all, crew will refuse it at the gangway. Powdered alcohol and any synthetic or designer alcohol products are also prohibited. Royal Caribbean updates its banned substances list periodically, so if you're unsure about a specific product, contact the cruise line before you pack.
The Corkage Fee and Dining Room Rules
If you want to drink your own wine during dinner service in the main dining room, Royal Caribbean charges a corkage fee of approximately $15 per bottle. This fee covers the cost of the server opening your bottle and pouring it for you. You cannot bring your own wine to specialty restaurants or to the buffet—the corkage fee applies only to the main dining room at dinner.
You're welcome to drink your own beer or wine in your cabin, on your balcony, or at the pool deck at any time. However, you cannot bring your own alcohol to bars, lounges, or restaurants other than the main dining room. If you're caught with your own bottle in a bar or specialty venue, crew members will confiscate it without refund.
Alcohol Purchased at Ports and Duty-Free Shops
Many cruise passengers buy alcohol at ports of call or in the ship's duty-free shop, hoping to bring it back to their cabin. Royal Caribbean's policy is clear: anything purchased at a port must be consumed at that port or left behind. You cannot bring port purchases back to your cabin, even if they're sealed and unopened. The only exception is alcohol bought in the ship's own duty-free shop, which can be delivered to your cabin on the last night of the cruise—but you cannot open or drink it until after you've disembarked.
This rule frustrates many passengers, especially those who find good deals on wine or spirits in Caribbean ports. The policy exists partly for safety (preventing passengers from stockpiling alcohol) and partly because Royal Caribbean wants to protect its onboard beverage sales. If you buy a bottle at a port and try to sneak it aboard, security may confiscate it, and you'll lose the money you spent.
What Happens If You Violate the Policy
If crew members find alcohol in your cabin that you didn't declare or that violates the policy, they will confiscate it without compensation. If you're caught bringing spirits or hard liquor aboard, you may face additional consequences depending on the severity. A first offense usually results in a warning and confiscation; repeated violations or aggressive behavior can lead to cabin confinement or removal at the next port of call.
If you become visibly intoxicated, crew members can refuse to serve you alcohol at bars and restaurants. In extreme cases, intoxicated passengers have been confined to their cabins or removed from the ship at the next port, with no refund for the remainder of the cruise. Royal Caribbean takes onboard safety seriously, and the crew has authority to enforce these rules at their discretion.
How to Pack Alcohol Safely for Your Cruise
Place your two bottles in the center of your checked luggage, surrounded by soft items like clothing or towels. Wrap each bottle individually in a plastic bag first, then wrap it again in clothes to absorb any potential leaks. Some passengers use wine bottle protectors—inflatable or foam sleeves designed to cushion bottles during travel. Avoid packing alcohol in carry-on luggage; it will be confiscated at airport security before you even reach the cruise terminal.
Label your luggage clearly with your name and cabin number (if you have it) so that crew can deliver your bottles to the right place. Keep your receipt or packing list in case you need to prove what you packed. Remember that the two-bottle limit is per adult, so if you're traveling with a spouse or partner, you can pack four bottles total—but each person's bottles should be in their own checked bag to avoid confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring champagne or prosecco on a Royal Caribbean cruise?
Yes, champagne and prosecco count as wine and fall within the two-bottle limit per adult. They must be sealed and unopened when you board. If you want to drink champagne in the dining room, the corkage fee applies.
What if I'm traveling with a group—can we combine our bottle allowances?
No. Each adult passenger has their own two-bottle limit, and you cannot pool allowances or give your unused bottles to another passenger. If you pack four bottles for two people, crew will confiscate the extras at the gangway.
Can I bring alcohol if I'm under 21?
No. Only passengers 21 and older can bring alcohol aboard Royal Caribbean ships sailing from U.S. ports. The age requirement may differ on ships sailing from other countries, so check with the cruise line if you're departing from a non-U.S. port.
Will my bottles be cold when they arrive in my cabin?
No. Your bottles will be room temperature. If you want chilled wine or beer, you can request ice from room service, use the cabin refrigerator if you have one, or ask the bar to chill your bottle for a small fee.
What if I forget to pack alcohol and want to buy some at a port?
You can purchase and drink alcohol at any port, but you cannot bring it back to your cabin. If you want wine or beer in your cabin for the rest of the cruise, your only option is to buy it from the ship's bars or restaurants at full retail price.