Royal Caribbean's Bottled Water Policy

You can bring bottled water on a Royal Caribbean cruise, but only in your carry-on luggage when you board the ship — not in your checked bags. The cruise line permits one 12-ounce bottle of wine or champagne and one standard bottle of any other beverage per person in your cabin, but bottled water is treated differently and is not subject to the same one-bottle limit. You can pack multiple bottles of water in your carry-on as long as they are sealed and unopened at the time of boarding.

Once you are onboard, you cannot bring additional bottled water into your cabin from outside the ship. If you want water beyond what you brought, you will need to purchase it from Royal Caribbean's beverage package or buy bottles at the onboard shops. The ship provides free tap water at all dining venues and from your cabin faucet, though many passengers prefer bottled water for taste or convenience.

Key Takeaways

  • Bottled water in sealed, unopened containers can be packed in your carry-on bag when you board, with no limit on the number of bottles.
  • Bottled water cannot go in checked luggage — security will remove it before your bags are loaded onto the ship.
  • You cannot bring bottled water onboard after you have already boarded, even if you purchase it at the port.
  • Free tap water is available throughout the ship at dining venues and in your cabin, so purchasing a beverage package is optional.
  • Bottled water purchased at the onboard shop costs significantly more than bringing your own, typically $2 to $4 per bottle.

Where Bottled Water Can and Cannot Go

The distinction between carry-on and checked luggage is critical. Bottled water in your carry-on bag passes through security with you and arrives in your cabin. Bottled water packed in checked luggage will be removed during the security screening process at the cruise terminal and will not make it onto the ship. This happens because cruise terminals follow the same liquid restrictions as airports.

If you are flying to your cruise departure port, remember that the three-ounce liquid rule for airplane carry-ons applies to your flight — but once you land and go through cruise terminal security, you can purchase bottled water at the airport or port and pack it in your carry-on for boarding. Many passengers do exactly this: they buy a case of bottled water at an airport convenience store and bring it through cruise security into their cabin.

What Happens at the Security Checkpoint

When you arrive at the cruise terminal, your carry-on bags go through an X-ray machine and may be hand-searched. Security staff will see bottled water and will allow it through as long as the bottles are sealed and unopened. If a bottle has been opened, it will be confiscated. This is the moment to have your water bottles easily accessible in your bag so the process moves quickly.

Checked luggage is screened separately and more thoroughly. Any liquids — including bottled water — will be removed. You will not see these bottles again. This is why bringing water in checked bags is pointless; plan to pack water only in the bag you carry onto the ship yourself.

Alternatives to Bringing Your Own Water

Royal Caribbean offers a beverage package that includes bottled water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages. The package costs vary by cruise length and sailing date, but typically runs $15 to $20 per person per day. If you drink multiple bottles of water daily, this package may be worth the cost. You can also purchase individual bottles at the onboard shop, though the per-bottle price is higher than what you would pay on land.

The ship's tap water is safe to drink and comes from the same source as the water used in the galley and for ice. If you are concerned about taste, you can request bottled water at any dining venue, and the server will bring it to you — this is included in your cruise fare and costs nothing extra. Many passengers use a refillable water bottle and fill it from the tap or from the beverage station near the buffet.

Timing and Packing Tips

Pack your bottled water in your carry-on bag the night before you depart for the cruise terminal. Place bottles in a spot where they will not shift during travel and where you can easily remove them if security asks. A clear plastic bag or the front pocket of your carry-on makes them visible and speeds up screening.

If you are purchasing water at the airport or port before boarding, do this in the final hour before you enter the cruise terminal. Water takes up space and weight in your carry-on, and you do not want to carry it longer than necessary. A case of 24 eight-ounce bottles is bulky; consider buying a smaller quantity or splitting a case with a travel companion if you are sharing a cabin.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common error is packing bottled water in checked luggage. Passengers often assume that because water is not flammable or hazardous, it will be allowed in checked bags. It will not. Security removes all liquids from checked luggage at cruise terminals, just as they do at airports. If you want water in your cabin, it must be in your carry-on.

Another mistake is opening a bottle before you board. Once a bottle is opened, security will take it. If you are thirsty while waiting in line at the terminal, drink from a water fountain or ask a staff member for a cup of tap water rather than opening a bottle you plan to bring onboard.

A third mistake is trying to bring water back to your cabin after you have already boarded. If you leave the ship at a port and purchase bottled water to bring back, security will confiscate it when you re-board. The rule applies every time you enter the ship, not just at the start of the cruise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring bottled water in my checked luggage?

No. Security will remove all bottled water from checked bags at the cruise terminal. Bring water only in your carry-on bag if you want it in your cabin.

How many bottles of water can I bring in my carry-on?

There is no stated limit on bottled water in your carry-on. You can bring as many sealed, unopened bottles as fit in your bag and as you are willing to carry. However, water is heavy — a case of 24 bottles weighs about 20 pounds.

What if I open a bottle of water before I board?

Security will confiscate any opened bottle of water. Keep all bottles sealed until you are in your cabin. If you are thirsty at the terminal, use a water fountain or ask staff for a cup of tap water.

Is tap water on the cruise ship safe to drink?

Yes. The ship's tap water meets the same safety standards as the water used in the galley and for ice. If you prefer bottled water for taste, you can request it at any dining venue at no extra charge.

Can I bring water back to my cabin after leaving the ship at a port?

No. Security screens you when you re-board at each port, and bottled water will be removed. This applies even if you purchased the water at the port itself.