Celebrity Cruise's Alcohol Bring-On Policy
Celebrity Cruises allows you to bring wine and champagne aboard, but only under specific conditions. You may bring up to two bottles of wine or champagne per stateroom, and they must be brought onboard during embarkation day—not at any port stop. Beer, spirits, and other alcoholic beverages are not permitted in your luggage or cabin.
The wine you bring must remain in your cabin; you cannot bring it to dining venues, the pool deck, or other public areas of the ship. If staff discover alcohol outside your stateroom, it will be confiscated. This policy applies to all Celebrity Cruises ships and all sailing lengths.
Key Takeaways
- You can bring two bottles of wine or champagne per stateroom, but only on embarkation day when you board the ship.
- Beer, liquor, and other spirits are not allowed in your luggage under any circumstances.
- Wine brought aboard must stay in your cabin and cannot be taken to restaurants, bars, or deck areas.
- Alcohol purchased at ports cannot be brought back to your cabin—it will be held and returned when you disembark.
- Celebrity charges a corkage fee if you want to drink your wine in the dining room with a meal.
When You Can Bring Wine Onboard
The timing matters. You must pack your wine in your checked luggage and bring it with you when you board on embarkation day. Celebrity staff will see it during the security screening process at the terminal. If you try to bring wine onboard at a port of call—even if you purchased it at that port—it will be confiscated and held until you leave the ship.
This rule exists because Celebrity wants to prevent passengers from bringing unlimited quantities of alcohol throughout the cruise. The two-bottle limit per stateroom is the total you are allowed for the entire sailing, regardless of how many days you are at sea.
What Happens If You Want Wine at Dinner
If you want to drink your own wine in the main dining room or specialty restaurants, you can request a corkage fee. Celebrity typically charges between $15 and $25 per bottle to open and serve your wine with a meal, depending on the ship and dining venue. You must notify your server or the sommelier in advance so they can prepare glassware and handle the bottle properly.
Not all venues allow outside wine. Buffet restaurants and casual dining areas generally do not permit it. Specialty restaurants and the main dining room are your best options if you want to use the corkage service. Call Celebrity's customer service before your cruise if you want to confirm the exact fee for your specific ship and sailing.
Alcohol Purchased at Ports
If you buy wine, beer, or spirits at a port of call, Celebrity will not allow you to bring it back to your cabin. Staff will confiscate it at the gangway when you reboard the ship. The alcohol will be held in a find location and returned to you on your final day, after you have disembarked.
This policy applies even if you purchase alcohol at a port in your home country or at a U.S. territory. The rule is consistent across all Celebrity sailings. If you want to enjoy wine or beer during your cruise, purchase it from the ship's bars and restaurants, where it is included in your beverage package if you have purchased one.
Beverage Packages as an Alternative
Celebrity offers beverage packages that include wine, beer, and spirits at no additional cost per drink. The Classic Beverage Package covers beer, wine, and select spirits. The Premium Beverage Package adds top-shelf liquor and specialty cocktails. Both packages are sold per person and cover drinks ordered at bars, restaurants, and the pool deck.
If you are a wine drinker, a beverage package may save you money compared to ordering individual glasses throughout your cruise. A glass of wine at the bar typically costs $8 to $15, so the package pays for itself quickly if you drink daily. You can purchase a package when you book your cruise or add it onboard before you sail.
What Counts as Wine or Champagne
Celebrity defines wine as still wine in a standard bottle—red, white, or rosé. Champagne and sparkling wine count toward your two-bottle limit. Fortified wines like port or sherry are sometimes treated as wine, but to be safe, contact Celebrity before packing them.
Prosecco, Cava, and other sparkling wines are generally allowed as long as they are in a standard wine bottle format. Boxed wine and wine in plastic containers are not permitted. Bottles must be glass and sealed. Do not bring opened bottles or wine in flasks or water bottles, as these will be confiscated when ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring wine if I am sailing from a non-U.S. port?
Yes, the two-bottle wine policy applies to all Celebrity Cruises sailings worldwide. Pack your wine in checked luggage and bring it during embarkation. The rule is the same whether you are boarding in Miami, Barcelona, or Sydney.
What if I have a medical reason to bring alcohol?
Contact Celebrity Cruises customer service before your sailing to discuss your situation. They may make exceptions for documented medical needs, but you must request this in advance. Do not assume an exception will be granted without prior approval.
Can I bring wine to my cabin if someone else in my stateroom purchased it?
No. The two-bottle limit applies to the stateroom, not to individual passengers. If two people share a cabin, you still have a combined limit of two bottles total for that room, regardless of who paid for them.
Will Celebrity staff check my cabin for hidden alcohol?
Celebrity does not routinely search cabins for alcohol. However, if staff see open bottles or smell alcohol in public areas, they will investigate. If they find undeclared alcohol in your cabin, it will be confiscated and you may face additional charges or restrictions on future sailings.
Can I bring wine in my carry-on bag at the airport?
No. TSA and international aviation rules prohibit alcohol in carry-on luggage. Pack wine only in checked baggage. Once you arrive at the cruise terminal, pack it in your checked cruise luggage so it goes through Celebrity's security screening during embarkation.