Royal Caribbean's Alcohol Policy: What You Can and Cannot Bring Aboard

Royal Caribbean does not allow you to bring your own alcohol onto the ship, with one narrow exception: passengers 21 and older may bring a maximum of one bottle of wine or champagne per stateroom, sealed and unopened, in their carry-on luggage during embarkation. That bottle must be placed in your cabin when ready—you cannot open it in public areas of the ship. Any other alcohol, including beer, liquor, and additional wine bottles, will be confiscated at the gangway with no refund.

This policy applies to all passengers boarding at the port, whether you are a first-time cruiser or a repeat guest. Royal Caribbean enforces the rule consistently across its entire fleet. If you attempt to bring prohibited alcohol aboard, security staff will remove it before you step onto the ship.

Key Takeaways

  • You may bring one bottle of wine or champagne per stateroom in your carry-on bag during boarding, but no beer, liquor, or additional bottles.
  • The bottle must be sealed and unopened when you board, and you must place it in your cabin when ready—not in public areas.
  • Any alcohol found during security screening or in your luggage will be confiscated without refund.
  • Royal Caribbean sells alcohol onboard at bars, restaurants, and through beverage packages, which are the only legal ways to drink during your cruise.
  • Passengers who sneak alcohol aboard or attempt to bring it through checked luggage face cabin confinement or removal from the ship at the next port.

Why Royal Caribbean Has This Rule

Cruise ships operate as floating cities in international waters, and alcohol policies are part of how the company manages safety, revenue, and passenger behavior. Allowing unlimited personal alcohol creates problems: intoxicated passengers are more likely to cause disturbances, damage cabins, or create safety hazards in crowded public spaces. The one-bottle exception exists because it is a reasonable compromise—it lets you enjoy a special bottle without undermining the ship's ability to maintain order.

The policy also protects Royal Caribbean's business model. The company generates significant revenue from onboard alcohol sales, beverage packages, and bar service. If passengers could bring unlimited alcohol, the bars would lose customers and the company would lose income that helps keep cruise fares competitive.

What Happens If You Try to Sneak Alcohol Aboard

Security staff screen all carry-on and checked luggage at the gangway before you board. If they find alcohol beyond the one-bottle exception, they will confiscate it when ready. You will not receive a refund, and the bottle will not be returned to you at the end of the cruise.

If alcohol is discovered in your cabin during the voyage—whether you brought it aboard or purchased it off-ship at a port—you face more serious consequences. Royal Caribbean may confine you to your stateroom, charge you a cabin confinement fee, or remove you from the ship at the next port of call at your own expense. You will also be banned from future Royal Caribbean cruises. The company takes this rule seriously because hidden alcohol often signals an intent to circumvent safety protocols.

Alcohol Available Onboard and How to Purchase It

Royal Caribbean operates bars, lounges, and restaurants throughout the ship where you can purchase beer, wine, cocktails, and liquor by the drink. Prices are higher than what you would pay at a store on land—a beer typically costs $7 to $9, and cocktails range from $10 to $16, depending on the drink and the ship's size.

The company also sells beverage packages, which let you prepay for a set number of drinks per day. A standard package covers beer, wine, and well liquor but not premium spirits or specialty cocktails. Packages cost roughly $15 to $18 per person per day if you purchase them before the cruise, or $17 to $20 per person per day if you buy them onboard. Some passengers find packages worthwhile if they plan to drink multiple times daily; others prefer to pay per drink.

You can also purchase alcohol at ports of call and bring it back to your cabin, but only if it remains sealed and unopened. Once you are back on the ship, you cannot open it in your cabin or anywhere else—the one-bottle exception applies only to wine and champagne brought during initial boarding.

The One-Bottle Exception: Exact Rules

If you choose to bring one bottle of wine or champagne, follow these steps to avoid confiscation. First, the bottle must be wine or champagne—no beer, no liquor, no fortified wines like port or sherry. Second, it must be completely sealed and unopened when you hand it to security at the gangway. Third, it must be in your carry-on bag, not checked luggage (checked bags are screened separately and any alcohol found will be removed). Fourth, you must place it in your cabin when ready after boarding—do not attempt to carry it to a public area, a restaurant, or a bar.

Once the bottle is in your cabin, you may open and drink it there privately. You cannot bring it to the dining room, take it to the pool deck, or share it in a public space. If a crew member sees you with an open bottle outside your cabin, it will be confiscated and you may face additional penalties.

Alcohol Policies at Ports of Call

When your ship docks at a port, you are subject to the laws of that country or territory. Some ports have strict alcohol laws—for example, certain Caribbean islands prohibit the purchase of alcohol on Sundays, or limit the hours when alcohol can be sold. If you purchase alcohol at a port, check local regulations before buying.

You can bring sealed, unopened alcohol back to the ship from a port, but it will be held by the crew and stored in your cabin. You cannot open it onboard except under the same rules as the one-bottle exception: wine and champagne only, in your cabin only. Any other alcohol purchased at a port will be confiscated when you reboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring beer or liquor if I only bring one bottle total?

No. The one-bottle exception applies only to wine or champagne. Beer, liquor, and all other alcohol will be confiscated, regardless of quantity. The rule is specific about the type of drink, not just the number of bottles.

What if I pack alcohol in my checked luggage instead of carry-on?

Checked luggage is screened separately, and any alcohol found will be removed without refund. The one-bottle exception applies only to carry-on bags brought during boarding. Checked bags are not exempt from the policy.

Can I drink alcohol in my cabin if I buy it at a port?

Only if it is wine or champagne and it remains sealed until you are in your cabin. Any other alcohol purchased at a port will be confiscated when you reboard the ship. Crew members will hold sealed bottles and place them in your cabin, but you cannot open them in public areas.

Do minors have any alcohol on the ship?

No. Passengers under 21 cannot purchase, possess, or consume alcohol anywhere on the ship, including in cabins. Parents are responsible for enforcing this rule with their children. Violations can result in cabin confinement or removal from the ship.

Will I get my confiscated alcohol back at the end of the cruise?

No. Any alcohol confiscated at the gangway or discovered during the voyage is not returned. You will not receive a refund or credit toward future cruises. The confiscation is final.