Carnival's canned beverage policy: what the rules actually say
Carnival Cruise Line does not allow you to bring canned sodas, energy drinks, or any canned beverages into your cabin or onto the ship. This applies whether you board at the port or try to bring them onboard during the voyage. The policy covers all canned drinks — soda, sparkling water, iced tea, juice, and beer or other alcohol in cans.
The stated reason is safety: cans can be opened and spilled in your cabin, creating damage and mess. Carnival also profits from beverage sales onboard, so the restriction protects that revenue. The policy is enforced at the gangway during boarding, where crew members inspect carry-on bags and coolers.
Passengers who attempt to sneak canned beverages onboard risk having them confiscated at security. There is no fine listed in Carnival's terms, but the drinks will be taken and not returned.
Key Takeaways
- Canned beverages of any kind are prohibited in your cabin and cannot be brought through the gangway during boarding.
- Plastic bottles of soda and other drinks are allowed in your cabin, so you can bring those instead of cans.
- You can purchase beverages onboard, including canned sodas at the bar or from room service, but you will pay cruise prices.
- Some passengers bring empty water bottles and fill them at the ship's water fountains to reduce drink costs.
- The policy applies to all passengers equally and is checked at boarding, not selectively enforced later.
What drinks you can bring instead of canned beverages
You can bring beverages in plastic bottles — this includes 2-liter bottles of soda, bottled water, juice, and sports drinks. Plastic bottles do not have the same safety risk as cans, so Carnival permits them. You can pack as many as fit in your luggage or a cooler.
Wine and beer in bottles are also allowed, though Carnival charges a corkage fee (usually $15 per bottle) if you want to drink them in the dining room or at a restaurant. You can drink them in your cabin without the fee. Hard liquor in any container is prohibited, and glass bottles of any kind cannot be brought onboard.
Many passengers bring a cooler filled with plastic bottles and ice to their cabin on the first day. The ice melts, but the cooler itself is reusable and can be stored under the bed or on the balcony for the rest of the cruise.
Beverage costs and drink packages onboard
Carnival charges for most drinks beyond water, coffee, and tea. A single canned soda from the bar or pool deck costs between $3 and $4, depending on the ship and current pricing. A bottle of water costs $2 to $3. Over a week-long cruise, these costs add up quickly if you buy drinks daily.
Carnival offers a beverage package that covers unlimited sodas, juices, coffee, and other non-alcoholic drinks for a flat daily rate. The package typically costs $15 to $18 per person per day, depending on the length of your cruise and when you purchase it. If you buy it before boarding, the price is usually lower than buying it onboard.
The beverage package does not cover alcohol, specialty coffee drinks, or bottled water — those are extra. However, if you bring plastic bottles of soda from home, you avoid the package cost entirely and can drink what you want in your cabin without restriction.
How the policy is enforced at boarding
When you walk up the gangway to board, Carnival crew members conduct a security check of your carry-on bags and any coolers or backpacks you are holding. They look for prohibited items including canned beverages, glass bottles, and weapons. If they find canned drinks, they will confiscate them on the spot.
Checked luggage that you hand to the porter at the terminal is not typically opened and inspected for canned beverages the way carry-on bags are. However, if a can leaks or breaks during handling, Carnival is not responsible for damage or loss. Some passengers have reported successfully bringing canned drinks in checked luggage, but this is not officially permitted and carries the risk of confiscation if discovered.
The enforcement is consistent across all Carnival ships and all ports. There is no exception for medical reasons or dietary needs — the policy applies uniformly.
Why Carnival enforces this rule and what other cruise lines do
Carnival's canned beverage ban is stricter than some other cruise lines. Royal Caribbean allows passengers to bring one 12-pack of canned or bottled non-alcoholic beverages per person in their cabin. Disney Cruise Line permits bottled beverages but not canned ones. Norwegian Cruise Line has similar restrictions to Carnival.
The reason cruise lines restrict canned drinks is twofold: safety and revenue. A can that opens in your cabin can damage furniture, carpet, and electronics. It also creates a mess that housekeeping has to clean. From a business standpoint, beverage sales are a major profit center for cruise lines, and allowing passengers to bring unlimited drinks cuts into that revenue.
Carnival's policy is more restrictive than it was years ago — the company tightened enforcement in the mid-2010s as part of a broader effort to increase onboard spending. If you cruise frequently, you may have noticed the change.
Strategies to reduce drink costs on your cruise
The most straightforward approach is to bring plastic bottles of soda or juice in your luggage. A 2-liter bottle of soda costs $2 to $3 at a grocery store and provides eight to ten servings. Over a week, this saves you $20 to $30 compared to buying individual drinks onboard.
Another option is to fill a reusable water bottle at the ship's water fountains. Tap water on Carnival ships is safe to drink, and unlimited refills are free. If you prefer flavored drinks, you can bring powdered drink mix (like Gatorade powder or Crystal Light) and mix it with tap water in your cabin.
If you purchase a beverage package, calculate whether it makes sense for your trip. If you drink three or more sodas per day, the package usually pays for itself. If you drink fewer than two per day, bringing plastic bottles is cheaper.
What happens if you try to sneak canned drinks onboard
If crew members find canned beverages during the boarding security check, they will take them and throw them away. You will not be refunded, and the cans will not be returned to you. There is no appeal process — the decision is final at that moment.
If you somehow get canned drinks into your cabin and crew members discover them during a room inspection or housekeeping visit, they may confiscate them then as well. Some passengers have reported that crew members are less strict about this than about the initial boarding check, but you should not count on it.
Attempting to bring prohibited items onboard does not result in being denied boarding or facing a fine, but it does mean losing the money you spent on the drinks. The risk is not worth the savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring canned energy drinks or sports drinks instead of soda?
No. Carnival's policy covers all canned beverages regardless of type — soda, energy drinks, sports drinks, iced tea, juice, and sparkling water are all prohibited. The restriction is based on the container (the can), not the contents. Plastic bottles of these drinks are allowed.
What if I buy canned drinks at the port and try to bring them onboard?
They will be confiscated at the gangway security check, just like cans you brought from home. Port shops and vendors know this, which is why they often sell drinks in plastic bottles instead. Do not count on being able to purchase canned drinks at the port and bring them onto the ship.
Are there any exceptions to the canned beverage rule?
Carnival does not list any exceptions for medical conditions, dietary restrictions, or other circumstances. The policy is applied uniformly to all passengers. If you have a specific need, you can contact Carnival's guest services before your cruise to ask, but the official answer is that canned beverages are not permitted.
Can I bring canned alcohol onboard?
No. Canned beer, canned cocktails, and any other canned alcohol are prohibited, just like canned soda. Bottled beer and wine are allowed in your cabin (with a corkage fee if consumed in restaurants), but hard liquor and canned alcohol are not permitted under any circumstances.
Do I have to buy a beverage package, or can I just bring my own drinks?
You do not have to buy a beverage package. Bringing plastic bottles of soda or juice in your luggage is a legal alternative that costs less. The beverage package is optional and only makes financial sense if you plan to drink multiple beverages per day onboard.