Royal Caribbean's Alcohol Bring-On Policy
Royal Caribbean does not allow you to bring your own alcohol onto the ship. This applies to beer, wine, spirits, and any other beverage with alcohol content. The cruise line enforces this policy at the boarding process — staff will confiscate any alcohol found in your luggage or on your person before you board.
The only exception is wine or champagne purchased at the port during a shore excursion. You may bring one bottle per stateroom per day back to your cabin, but only if you purchase it at a port stop and only wine or champagne — not beer or spirits. Even this exception comes with a catch: the bottle must remain in your cabin and cannot be brought to public areas of the ship.
Royal Caribbean enforces this policy consistently across all its ships and all sailing itineraries. The reasoning is straightforward: the cruise line makes its revenue from onboard beverage sales, and the policy also helps maintain safety and order in shared spaces.
Key Takeaways
- You cannot bring beer, wine, spirits, or any other alcohol in your luggage or on your person when you board a Royal Caribbean ship.
- Wine or champagne purchased at a port stop may be brought back to your cabin only — one bottle per stateroom per day — but not to restaurants, bars, or deck areas.
- Staff inspect luggage at boarding and will confiscate any alcohol they find before you step onto the ship.
- Alcohol purchased onboard at the ship's bars, restaurants, and shops is available throughout your cruise at standard cruise-line pricing.
What Happens If Alcohol Is Found in Your Luggage
Royal Caribbean staff screen luggage during the boarding process. If alcohol is discovered, it will be removed and held. You will not be refunded for the confiscated items, and you will not be able to retrieve them during your cruise.
In some cases, depending on the quantity and circumstances, Royal Caribbean may impose additional penalties or ask you to leave the ship. While a single bottle of beer or wine is unlikely to result in anything beyond confiscation, larger quantities or repeated violations can lead to more serious consequences, including being denied boarding on future cruises.
The Port Exception: Wine and Champagne Only
When your ship docks at a port, you are free to purchase alcohol at local shops or restaurants. If you buy wine or champagne, you may bring one bottle per stateroom per day back to your cabin. This is the only alcohol Royal Caribbean permits you to bring aboard.
The restriction to wine and champagne only is firm — beer and spirits purchased at ports cannot be brought back to the ship. The bottle must also stay in your cabin; you cannot carry it to the dining room, pool deck, or any public area. If staff see you with a bottle outside your cabin, it will be confiscated.
This policy exists partly because wine and champagne are lower-margin items for the cruise line compared to mixed drinks and beer sold at onboard bars. It also reflects practical concerns about glass containers in public areas.
Onboard Beverage Options and Pricing
Royal Caribbean offers several ways to purchase alcohol onboard. You can order drinks at any of the ship's bars and lounges, purchase beer or wine at the poolside bar, or buy bottles at the ship's retail shop to consume in your cabin. Prices are set by Royal Caribbean and are typically higher than what you would pay at a port or on land.
Many cruisers purchase a beverage package before or during their cruise. These packages include unlimited drinks — both alcoholic and non-alcoholic — and can reduce the per-drink cost if you plan to drink regularly. Royal Caribbean offers several tiers of beverage packages, from basic beer and wine to premium spirits and specialty cocktails. You can purchase a package for your entire cruise or add it to your account once onboard.
If you prefer not to buy a package, you can order individual drinks and charge them to your stateroom account. Prices vary by drink type but typically range from $7 to $15 per beverage, depending on what you order.
Why Royal Caribbean Enforces This Policy
The bring-on policy serves multiple purposes. First, it protects the cruise line's onboard revenue — alcohol sales are a significant part of cruise profitability. Second, it allows Royal Caribbean to monitor alcohol consumption in public spaces, which helps maintain safety and reduces incidents related to excessive drinking. Third, it prevents passengers from bringing unknown quantities of alcohol that could lead to overconsumption or disruptive behavior.
The policy also simplifies logistics. A cruise ship is a closed environment where staff must manage waste, recycling, and inventory. Allowing passengers to bring unlimited alcohol would complicate these operations and create safety concerns around glass containers in shared spaces.
Planning Your Cruise Alcohol Budget
If you plan to drink during your cruise, budget accordingly. A single mixed drink at a Royal Caribbean bar typically costs $12 to $15. A beer runs $7 to $9. Wine by the glass is usually $8 to $12. Over a week-long cruise, these costs add up quickly if you drink daily.
A beverage package may save money if you plan to drink regularly. Packages are priced per person per day and usually range from $15 to $25 per day depending on the tier and whether you book before or after your cruise begins. If you drink three or more beverages per day, a package often pays for itself. If you drink fewer than two per day, paying per drink may be cheaper.
You can also reduce costs by purchasing wine or champagne at ports and enjoying it in your cabin, since that alcohol is not subject to the onboard markup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring alcohol back from a port if I'm under 21?
No. Royal Caribbean's age policy for alcohol is the same onboard and at ports: you must be at least 21 years old to purchase or consume alcohol. If you are under 21, you cannot bring alcohol back to your cabin, even if you purchased it legally at a port in a country with a lower drinking age.
What if I hide alcohol in a water bottle or other container?
Royal Caribbean staff are trained to identify concealed alcohol, and attempting to sneak it aboard carries the same risk as packing it openly — confiscation and potential additional penalties. It is not worth the risk.
Can I bring alcohol if I have a medical reason?
Royal Caribbean does not make exceptions to the bring-on policy for medical reasons. If you have a specific concern about alcohol and your health or medications, contact Royal Caribbean's guest services before your cruise to discuss your situation.
Do I have to buy a beverage package, or can I just pay per drink?
Beverage packages are optional. You can purchase individual drinks throughout your cruise and charge them to your stateroom account. A package is only worth buying if you plan to drink enough to make the daily cost worthwhile.
Can I bring alcohol to my cabin if I'm in a suite?
Suite guests have the same restrictions as other passengers. You cannot bring alcohol aboard at boarding, and the only exception is one bottle of wine or champagne per stateroom per day purchased at a port. Suite guests do receive some additional perks — such as access to exclusive lounges and complimentary beverage packages on some sailings — but the bring-on policy applies equally.