Royal Caribbean's Alcohol Policy: What the Rules Actually Are
Royal Caribbean does not allow you to bring your own alcohol aboard their ships. This applies to wine, beer, spirits, and any other beverage with alcohol content. The rule covers both embarkation day and any port stops along your route. If security finds alcohol in your luggage or cabin, they will confiscate it with no refund.
The policy exists across all Royal Caribbean ships and all sailing lengths. It does not matter whether you are on a three-day cruise or a two-week voyage. The restriction is uniform and enforced at the security checkpoint before you board.
Key Takeaways
- Royal Caribbean prohibits all outside alcohol, including wine, beer, and spirits, and will confiscate any found during security screening.
- The ban applies to luggage, carry-on bags, and anything brought aboard at ports of call during your cruise.
- You can purchase alcohol onboard at bars, restaurants, and retail shops, or buy a beverage package that includes drinks at set prices.
- Some specialty dining venues and cabin mini-bars charge per item, while others are included in certain suite packages.
- If you have medical reasons to bring specific beverages, contact Royal Caribbean in advance to request an exception.
Where You Can Buy Alcohol Onboard
Royal Caribbean operates bars, lounges, and restaurants throughout the ship where you can order wine, beer, cocktails, and spirits. Prices vary by venue and drink type. A glass of wine typically costs between $8 and $16, depending on the selection and location. Specialty cocktails run higher, while beer is usually in the $6 to $10 range.
You can also purchase alcohol at the ship's retail shops, which sell bottles of wine and spirits at prices higher than you would pay on land. These are meant for consumption in your cabin or to take home after the cruise ends.
Beverage Packages: How They Work
Royal Caribbean offers several beverage packages that bundle drinks at a fixed daily rate. The most common is the Deluxe Beverage Package, which includes beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks at bars and restaurants throughout the ship. You pay a per-day rate, and the package covers unlimited drinks during your sailing.
Prices for beverage packages vary by cruise length and season. A typical Deluxe package costs between $15 and $25 per person per day, though Royal Caribbean frequently offers discounts if you purchase before your cruise date. The package does not cover bottles purchased at retail shops or premium wines at specialty restaurants.
If you do not want a full beverage package, you can purchase individual drinks as you go, or buy a limited package that covers only beer and wine. Some suite categories include beverage packages automatically as part of your room rate.
What Happens at Port Stops
You cannot bring alcohol back to the ship from ports of call. If you purchase wine or other drinks at a port, you must either consume them there or leave them behind. Security screens passengers returning to the ship the same way they screen you at embarkation.
The only exception is if you purchase alcohol at the ship's retail shop while docked at a port. Those purchases are logged to your account and held until the end of your cruise, when you can take them home.
Medical or Dietary Exceptions
If you have a medical condition that requires a specific beverage—such as a particular wine for religious observance or a medically necessary drink—contact Royal Caribbean's guest services before your cruise. You can reach them through your booking confirmation or by calling the customer service number on your cruise documents.
Exceptions are rare and require documentation, but the cruise line does consider requests on a case-by-case basis. Do not assume an exception will be granted; get written confirmation from Royal Caribbean before you pack anything that violates the standard policy.
How Security Screening Works
When you arrive at the cruise terminal, your luggage and carry-on bags pass through X-ray screening. Security personnel are trained to identify alcohol containers. If alcohol is found, it will be removed and held at the terminal. You will not be able to retrieve it before boarding, and Royal Caribbean does not refund the cost.
The same screening happens if you rejoin the ship after a port stop. Alcohol purchased at ports will be confiscated at the gangway. Plan your purchases accordingly and do not attempt to conceal bottles in other containers—security equipment detects them regardless of packaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring wine in my checked luggage instead of carry-on?
No. Royal Caribbean screens all luggage—checked and carry-on—before boarding. Alcohol in any form of luggage will be confiscated. The location of the bottle does not matter; the policy applies to everything you bring onto the ship.
What if I buy wine at a port and drink it there, then return to the ship empty-handed?
That is permitted. You can purchase and consume alcohol at ports without restriction. The rule only prevents you from bringing alcohol back to the ship. Once you finish the drink at the port, you can return to the ship without issue.
Do suite guests get different alcohol rules?
No. The prohibition on outside alcohol applies to all guests regardless of cabin type. However, some suite categories include beverage packages or cabin mini-bars as part of the room rate, which gives you more drink options without purchasing a separate package.
Can I bring alcohol if I have a medical prescription?
Possibly, but only with advance written permission from Royal Caribbean. Contact guest services before your cruise with documentation of your medical need. Do not assume any exception will be granted without explicit approval in writing.
What if security finds alcohol and I did not know about the policy?
The alcohol will still be confiscated with no refund. Royal Caribbean publishes the policy in all booking confirmations and on their website. Lack of awareness does not override the rule, so review your cruise documents before packing.