Royal Caribbean's Alcohol Policy: What You Can and Cannot Bring Aboard
Royal Caribbean does not allow passengers to bring their own alcohol onto the ship. This applies to beer, wine, spirits, and any other beverage with alcohol content. The cruise line enforces this rule at the gangway during boarding, and staff will confiscate any alcohol they find in your luggage or carry-on bags.
The only exception is wine or champagne purchased at the port of call on the day you board. You may bring one bottle per stateroom of wine or champagne purchased that same day, but it must be a sealed, unopened bottle. This bottle will be held by the ship and returned to your cabin on the last night of your cruise, so you cannot drink it during the voyage itself.
If you attempt to sneak alcohol aboard and it is discovered, Royal Caribbean may charge you a fee, confiscate the alcohol, or in serious cases, deny you boarding or remove you from the ship at the next port. The policy is consistent across all Royal Caribbean ships and itineraries.
Key Takeaways
- You cannot bring beer, wine, spirits, or any alcohol in your suitcase or carry-on when you board a Royal Caribbean ship.
- The one exception is one bottle of wine or champagne per stateroom purchased at a port on your boarding day, which will be held until your final night.
- Royal Caribbean staff inspect luggage at the gangway and will confiscate any alcohol they find.
- Alcohol purchased onboard the ship costs more than retail prices but is the only way to drink during your cruise.
- Attempting to bring alcohol aboard can result in fees, confiscation, or being denied boarding.
Why Royal Caribbean Enforces This Rule
Cruise lines restrict outside alcohol for several reasons. The primary reason is revenue: alcohol sales are a major profit center for cruise operators. By preventing passengers from bringing their own drinks, Royal Caribbean ensures that most alcohol consumed aboard is purchased from the ship at marked-up prices.
A secondary reason is safety and liability. Allowing passengers to bring unlimited alcohol could lead to overconsumption, disruptive behavior, and increased incidents that the crew would need to manage. By controlling the supply, the cruise line can better monitor consumption and maintain order.
The policy also simplifies inventory and prevents passengers from bringing prohibited items disguised as beverages. Cruise ships operate in international waters and at foreign ports, so strict policies about what enters the vessel help the ship comply with various legal jurisdictions.
How Much Alcohol Costs Onboard
Alcohol prices on Royal Caribbean ships are significantly higher than what you would pay at a store or bar on land. A beer typically costs between $7 and $10, a glass of wine ranges from $8 to $15, and cocktails usually run $12 to $18, depending on the drink and the ship.
Royal Caribbean offers several ways to purchase alcohol during your cruise. You can buy drinks at any of the ship's bars, restaurants, or pool deck venues as you go. You can also purchase a beverage package before your cruise or during boarding, which gives you a set number of drinks per day at a fixed price.
The beverage packages vary by cruise length and ship, but they typically cost between $15 and $20 per person per day for a standard package that includes beer, wine, and most cocktails. Premium packages that include top-shelf spirits cost more. If you drink moderately, paying per drink may be cheaper; if you plan to drink multiple drinks daily, a package may save money.
What Happens If You Try to Bring Alcohol Aboard
Royal Caribbean staff conduct bag checks at the gangway before passengers board. If they find alcohol in your luggage or carry-on, they will confiscate it when ready. You will not be reimbursed for the confiscated alcohol, and you will not be able to retrieve it later.
Depending on the circumstances, you may also face additional consequences. Royal Caribbean reserves the right to charge you a fee for the violation, deny you boarding, or remove you from the ship at a subsequent port. The exact penalty depends on how much alcohol was found and whether you have violated the policy on previous cruises.
Some passengers have reported being charged between $50 and $500 for attempting to bring alcohol aboard, though the amount varies. In extreme cases, passengers have been denied boarding entirely or removed from the ship mid-cruise, which means losing the cost of the entire vacation.
The Wine and Champagne Exception Explained
Royal Caribbean allows one bottle of wine or champagne per stateroom to be brought aboard, but only if it was purchased at a port on your boarding day. This means you cannot buy wine at your home port before you leave; it must be purchased at a foreign port after you have already boarded the ship.
The bottle must be sealed and unopened when you bring it to your cabin. You cannot open it and drink it during the cruise. Instead, Royal Caribbean holds the bottle and delivers it to your stateroom on the final night of your voyage, after the ship has left international waters and is returning to the home port.
This exception exists because some cruise itineraries include ports known for wine production, such as ports in the Caribbean or Mediterranean. The policy allows passengers to purchase a souvenir bottle without violating the no-alcohol rule, though the timing restriction means you cannot enjoy it until after the cruise ends.
Alternatives to Bringing Your Own Alcohol
If you want to drink during your cruise without paying per drink, a beverage package is the most straightforward option. You purchase it before boarding or during the first day of your cruise, and it covers unlimited beer, wine, and most cocktails for the duration of your voyage. The daily cost is fixed, so you know exactly what you are spending.
Another option is to drink moderately and pay as you go. If you plan to have one or two drinks per day, buying individual drinks may cost less than a package. Keep track of what you spend to avoid surprises on your final bill.
Some passengers choose not to drink alcohol during their cruise at all. Royal Caribbean offers non-alcoholic beverages, coffee, tea, and soft drinks at various venues. Specialty coffee drinks and fresh juices are available for an additional charge, but water and basic soft drinks are often included with your cruise fare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring alcohol if I buy it at the cruise port before I board?
Only if you purchase wine or champagne at a port on your boarding day, and only one bottle per stateroom. Any other alcohol, or alcohol purchased before your boarding day, will be confiscated. Beer, spirits, and other beverages are never allowed, regardless of when or where you buy them.
What if I hide alcohol in a water bottle or other container?
Royal Caribbean staff are trained to detect alcohol disguised in other containers. If discovered, you face confiscation and potential fees or denial of boarding. The risk is not worth the cost of a few drinks.
Do the rules differ between Royal Caribbean ships or itineraries?
No. The no-outside-alcohol policy is enforced consistently across all Royal Caribbean ships and all cruise itineraries, whether you are sailing the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, or anywhere else.
Can I bring alcohol if I have a medical reason?
Royal Caribbean does not make exceptions to the alcohol policy for medical reasons. If you have concerns about your specific situation, contact Royal Caribbean customer service before your cruise to discuss your circumstances.
What if I forget about the policy and pack alcohol by accident?
If you discover alcohol in your bag before boarding, remove it and dispose of it or leave it with someone not traveling. If staff find it during the bag check, it will be confiscated and you may face additional consequences. There is no "accidental" exception to the policy.