Royal Caribbean's Wine and Alcohol Policy
Royal Caribbean allows you to bring wine and champagne aboard, but only under specific conditions. You can pack one bottle of wine or champagne per adult in your carry-on luggage when you board the ship. The bottle must be unopened and in its original container. Any other alcohol — beer, liquor, spirits — is prohibited, and Royal Caribbean will confiscate it at the security checkpoint.
The one-bottle rule applies per person, so a cabin with two adults can bring two bottles. If you bring more than one bottle per adult, security will remove the extras before you board. There is no refund for confiscated alcohol.
Once aboard, you cannot bring alcohol into your cabin from outside sources. If you want to drink wine or other beverages during your cruise, you must purchase them from Royal Caribbean's bars, restaurants, or beverage packages. The ship's shops sell wine and spirits, but prices are significantly higher than what you would pay on land.
Key Takeaways
- You may bring one bottle of wine or champagne per adult in your carry-on bag at boarding, but no other types of alcohol are permitted.
- The bottle must be unopened and in its original sealed container when you board; opened bottles are not allowed.
- Royal Caribbean will confiscate any alcohol beyond the one-bottle-per-adult limit, and you will not receive a refund.
- Once on the ship, you cannot bring alcohol into your cabin from outside; all beverages must be purchased from Royal Caribbean venues.
- Beverage packages and drink plans are available for purchase before or during your cruise if you want to reduce per-drink costs.
What Happens at the Security Checkpoint
When you arrive at the cruise terminal, your luggage goes through security screening. Staff will open your bags and check for prohibited items, including alcohol. If you have packed wine or champagne that meets the rules — one bottle per adult, unopened, in original packaging — it will be allowed through. Any additional bottles or other types of alcohol will be removed.
You do not get the chance to leave confiscated bottles with someone outside the terminal or return them to your car. Once security removes an item, it is gone. Some guests have tried to retrieve confiscated alcohol after boarding, but Royal Caribbean does not return it. The best approach is to pack only what the policy allows and leave everything else at home or in your vehicle.
If you are unsure whether an item will be allowed, ask a security officer before your bag is screened. They can tell you when ready whether it meets the rules.
Beverage Packages as an Alternative
Royal Caribbean offers several beverage packages that may cost less than buying drinks individually during your cruise. The Deluxe Beverage Package includes beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks at most venues. The Classic Package covers beer, wine, and soft drinks but excludes premium spirits and specialty cocktails. Prices vary by cruise length and sailing date.
You can purchase a beverage package when you book your cruise or add one up to a certain number of days before departure. Some guests find that a package saves money if they plan to drink regularly; others prefer to pay per drink. Calculate your expected consumption against the package price to decide which option makes sense for your trip.
Beverage packages do not cover wine purchased from the ship's wine shop or bottles ordered from room service. Those are separate charges. If you bring your one allowed bottle of wine aboard, you can drink it in your cabin without purchasing a package.
Where You Can Drink Your Brought Wine
You can drink the wine you brought in your cabin, but not in public areas of the ship. You cannot bring an open bottle or glass of wine to the pool deck, dining room, theater, or any other common area. Royal Caribbean staff will ask you to return to your cabin if they see you with outside alcohol in public spaces.
Some guests open their bottle in the cabin and pour it into cups or glasses to carry around the ship, but this violates the policy. Staff are trained to identify outside beverages, and you risk having the drink confiscated and potentially facing other consequences.
If you want to enjoy wine in a social setting, the ship's bars and restaurants are the intended venues. The main dining room includes wine selections with dinner, and casual venues serve wine by the glass throughout the day.
Bringing Wine Back Home After Your Cruise
If you purchase wine from the ship's wine shop or order bottles during your cruise, you can take unopened bottles home with you. Royal Caribbean will pack them in a sealed bag and deliver them to your cabin on the last night of the cruise. You then bring them through U.S. Customs (if returning to the United States) and pack them in your checked luggage for your flight home.
Federal law allows you to bring one liter of alcohol per person into the United States duty-free, as long as you are of legal drinking age. If you exceed that amount, you will pay duty on the overage. Check your home country's customs rules if you are traveling internationally, as limits vary by nation.
Do not pack wine in your carry-on luggage when flying home. Alcohol is prohibited in carry-on bags on commercial flights. Pack all bottles in checked luggage only, and wrap them well to prevent breakage.
Special Situations and Exceptions
Royal Caribbean's alcohol policy applies to all guests, including those in suite cabins. Suites do not receive special permission to bring additional alcohol or different types of beverages. The one-bottle-per-adult rule is the same across all cabin categories.
If you have a medical condition that requires you to bring specific beverages, contact Royal Caribbean before your cruise 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 made; get written confirmation from the cruise line before you board.
Guests under the legal drinking age cannot bring alcohol aboard, even if an adult in their cabin has permission. Royal Caribbean enforces age restrictions strictly, and underage drinking can result in serious consequences including removal from the ship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring beer or liquor on a Royal Caribbean cruise?
No. Royal Caribbean only allows wine and champagne. Beer, liquor, spirits, and all other types of alcohol are prohibited and will be confiscated at security. The one-bottle-per-adult allowance applies only to wine and champagne in unopened, original containers.
What if I forget and pack a second bottle of wine?
Security will remove the extra bottle at the terminal checkpoint. You will not receive a refund, and you cannot retrieve it. The best approach is to count your bottles before packing and leave any extras at home.
Can I drink wine on the balcony of my cabin?
Yes, you can drink wine on your private balcony. You cannot, however, bring an open glass or bottle into hallways or public areas of the ship. Keep your wine consumption within your cabin or on your private balcony only.
Do I have to buy a beverage package if I bring wine?
No. You can bring one bottle of wine per adult and drink it in your cabin without purchasing a package. A beverage package is optional and covers drinks purchased at ship venues, not the wine you bring aboard.
Will Royal Caribbean let me bring wine if I pay a fee?
No. The policy does not offer an option to pay extra for additional alcohol. One bottle per adult is the limit, and no fee can override it. Any alcohol beyond that will be removed.