Princess Cruises allows you to bring your own non-alcoholic beverages, but soda has specific limits
Princess Cruises permits passengers to bring sealed, non-alcoholic drinks in their carry-on luggage when boarding the ship. For soda specifically, you can bring a limited quantity — typically up to 12 standard cans or bottles per stateroom for the duration of your cruise. The drink must be unopened and non-alcoholic. Once you board, you cannot bring additional soda onboard from ports of call, and any soda you purchase at ports cannot be brought back to your cabin.
The policy exists because Princess makes revenue from beverage sales onboard, and they enforce it consistently across their fleet. If you exceed the limit or attempt to bring soda back from a port, crew members may confiscate the items at security or when they inspect your cabin. The rule applies equally to all passengers regardless of cabin type or loyalty status.
Key Takeaways
- You can bring up to 12 cans or bottles of sealed, non-alcoholic soda per stateroom in your carry-on when you board the ship.
- Soda must be unopened and cannot be purchased at ports and brought back onboard — only what you bring at embarkation counts toward your limit.
- Crew members inspect cabins and may confiscate soda that exceeds the policy limit or was purchased at a port.
- Water, coffee, and tea are available free in your cabin and at various locations throughout the ship, so you have beverage options beyond what you pack.
Where the 12-can limit applies and where it doesn't
The 12-can allowance covers only what you bring in your carry-on luggage at the start of your cruise. This means you can pack a case of soda in your personal bag when you walk up the gangway, and that counts toward your limit. Checked luggage — the bags you hand to the porter — may have different rules depending on the specific ship and sailing, so confirm with Princess before your cruise if you plan to pack soda in checked bags.
Once you are onboard, you cannot bring soda back from any port of call, even if you purchase it at a port shop. This is one of the most commonly misunderstood parts of the policy. Many passengers assume they can buy a few bottles at a Caribbean port and bring them to their cabin, but Princess does not allow this. The only soda that counts is what you brought at embarkation.
What happens if you exceed the limit
If crew members discover soda in your cabin beyond the 12-can allowance, they will confiscate it without refund. This typically happens during routine cabin inspections or when housekeeping cleans your room. You will not receive a warning or a chance to remove the excess — the items are straightforward taken.
If you attempt to bring soda back from a port and it is discovered during re-boarding security, the same rule applies. Security staff will remove it before you return to your cabin. The policy is enforced uniformly, so there is no negotiation or exception process once the limit is exceeded.
Free and paid beverage options onboard
Princess provides free water, coffee, and tea throughout the ship. Your cabin includes a small refrigerator stocked with complimentary water bottles, and you can request additional water from housekeeping at any time. Coffee and tea stations are open in the buffet areas and near the main dining room during meal times.
If you want soda beyond what you brought, you can purchase it onboard. Fountain drinks at the buffet or pool deck typically cost around $8 to $10 per day if you buy a beverage package, or you can purchase individual cans and bottles at the bar or from room service. A soda package — unlimited fountain drinks for the duration of your cruise — is available for a flat fee that varies by cruise length, usually ranging from $15 to $20 per day per person. Many passengers find that bringing their own soda for the first few days and then purchasing a package if needed is the most economical approach.
How to pack soda efficiently for your cruise
Since you are limited to 12 cans or bottles, choose a soda type you know you will drink consistently. Bringing six cans of cola and six of lemon-lime soda gives you variety without wasting your allowance on flavors you might not want after a few days at sea.
Pack soda in your carry-on bag rather than checked luggage to may support it counts toward your limit and arrives in your cabin without delay. Cans are lighter and more compact than bottles, so they pack more efficiently. Place them in a small cooler or insulated bag if possible, since the ship's climate can warm them during boarding. Once in your cabin, store them in your refrigerator when ready.
If you are cruising with family or multiple people in one stateroom, remember that the 12-can limit applies to the entire stateroom, not per person. A family of four shares the same allowance as a couple, so plan accordingly.
Alcohol and other beverage restrictions
Princess has a strict policy against bringing any alcohol onboard, including beer, wine, and spirits. This is enforced at security during boarding and during port inspections. Alcohol purchased at ports cannot be brought back to your cabin — crew members will confiscate it. The only exception is that passengers can bring one bottle of wine or champagne into their cabin on embarkation day if they purchase it from the onboard wine shop, but this is a special allowance and not a general rule.
Energy drinks, sports drinks, and juice are treated the same as soda under the beverage policy — you can bring up to 12 sealed, non-alcoholic containers per stateroom. Milk and dairy-based drinks are not recommended because they require refrigeration and can spoil quickly in a warm cabin.
What to do if you need more soda during your cruise
If you run out of the soda you brought before your cruise ends, you have two options. You can purchase individual cans or bottles from the bar, pool deck, or room service at standard onboard prices. Alternatively, you can purchase a beverage package that includes unlimited fountain sodas for the remainder of your cruise. The package price is prorated based on the days remaining, so it may be worth buying if you have more than two or three days left.
Some passengers also ask whether they can request soda from room service without purchasing a package. Room service will deliver soda, but you will be charged per item, which is typically more expensive than buying a package if you plan to drink multiple sodas per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring diet soda or sugar-free soda?
Yes. Diet soda, sugar-free soda, and any other non-alcoholic soda variety counts toward your 12-can limit. The policy does not distinguish between regular and diet — only that the drink is sealed, non-alcoholic, and within the quantity limit.
What if I have a medical reason to bring specific beverages?
If you require a specific beverage for medical reasons, contact Princess customer service before your cruise to request an exception. Bring documentation of the medical need. While exceptions are rare, Princess may allow additional quantities if the need is documented by a physician.
Can I bring soda in my day bag when I go ashore at a port?
You can bring soda in your day bag when you leave the ship, but you cannot bring it back onboard. Any soda you take off the ship stays off the ship. You can only bring soda back from ports if it was part of your original 12-can allowance that you packed at home.
Do kids' drinks or juice boxes count toward the soda limit?
Juice boxes, sports drinks, and flavored beverages count toward the 12-container limit if they are non-alcoholic. Water and milk-based drinks may have different rules — confirm with Princess before packing if you are bringing specialty beverages for children.
What if I'm traveling with a group in multiple staterooms?
Each stateroom has its own 12-can allowance. If you have two staterooms, you can bring up to 24 cans total — 12 per cabin. You cannot combine allowances or transfer soda between cabins to exceed one cabin's limit.