Norwegian Cruise Line's Wine Policy
Norwegian Cruise Line allows you to bring wine onboard, but with strict limits. You may bring up to two bottles of wine per stateroom, and they must be brought onboard during embarkation — the day you board the ship. Wine cannot be delivered to your cabin later, purchased onboard and brought in, or smuggled through other means. The wine must be still wine (not sparkling), and it stays in your cabin; you cannot bring it to dining areas, restaurants, or public spaces.
If you try to bring wine past the two-bottle limit, security will confiscate the excess bottles at the gangway. You will not receive a refund, and the bottles are straightforward discarded. This policy applies to all Norwegian Cruise Line ships, including the newer Prima Class and the older Freestyle Cruising vessels.
The reasoning behind the limit is straightforward: Norwegian makes its revenue partly from onboard beverage sales, and the two-bottle allowance is a compromise that lets you bring some wine without cutting into that revenue stream. Other cruise lines have similar policies, though some are stricter (Disney and Royal Caribbean allow none) and some are slightly more generous.
Key Takeaways
- You may bring exactly two bottles of still wine per stateroom, and only during embarkation day when you board.
- Sparkling wine, champagne, and any bottles beyond two will be confiscated at the gangway with no refund.
- Wine must remain in your cabin and cannot be taken to restaurants, dining rooms, or public deck areas.
- You can purchase wine onboard at any time, but bringing it into your cabin after embarkation day is not permitted.
What Counts as "Still Wine" and What Does Not
Still wine means any non-sparkling wine — red, white, or rosé. Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio all count. The alcohol content does not matter; a 15 percent wine and a 12 percent wine are both allowed.
Sparkling wine, champagne, prosecco, cava, and any wine with carbonation are banned. Norwegian's policy specifically excludes these because they are considered a higher-value item onboard and because the carbonation can cause pressure issues in cabin storage. Fortified wines like port and sherry are technically still wines, but some guests report that security occasionally questions them — to be safe, stick with standard table wine.
Beer, liquor, and other spirits are not permitted at all. You cannot bring vodka, rum, whiskey, gin, or any other hard alcohol. Beer is also banned. Only still wine gets the two-bottle exception; everything else will be removed.
How to Pack and Bring Wine Onboard
Pack your wine bottles in your checked luggage, not your carry-on. Place them in the center of your suitcase, surrounded by soft clothing or towels to cushion them. Wrap each bottle individually in a plastic bag in case of breakage. Do not announce the wine to the porter or baggage handler; straightforward check your luggage as normal.
When you arrive at the gangway on embarkation day, your luggage will go through security screening. The screeners will see the wine on X-ray and may ask you to open the bag. Show them the two bottles, and they will allow them through. If you have more than two, they will remove the extras at that point. Once your luggage is loaded into your cabin, the wine is yours to keep and drink in private.
Some guests choose to pack wine in their carry-on bag instead, which also works — security will spot it, you will confirm you have two bottles, and you will proceed. The advantage of checked luggage is that you do not have to carry heavy bottles through the terminal yourself.
Drinking Wine in Your Cabin vs. Purchasing Onboard
Wine you bring stays in your cabin. You can drink it there, in your balcony (if you have a balcony stateroom), or in your bathroom. You cannot take it to the dining room, buffet, specialty restaurants, bars, or pool deck. If you want wine at dinner, you must order it from the wine list or purchase it by the glass from the bar.
Onboard wine prices are higher than retail — expect to pay $8 to $15 per glass for house wine and $12 to $25 for premium selections. A bottle typically costs $25 to $60 depending on the label. If you drink wine regularly during your cruise, bringing two bottles saves money, but if you only drink occasionally, the onboard markup may not matter much to your overall budget.
Norwegian also offers a beverage package that includes wine, beer, and spirits. These packages range from about $15 to $25 per person per day depending on the length of your cruise and which package you choose. If you plan to drink multiple glasses per day, a package may be cheaper than ordering à la carte, and it would make your two home-brought bottles less necessary.
What Happens If You Violate the Policy
If security finds more than two bottles, they confiscate the excess with no refund and no exception. If you try to sneak wine into a public area, staff will ask you to return to your cabin when ready. A second violation could result in being confined to your cabin for the remainder of the cruise or being asked to disembark at the next port, depending on the severity and the ship's captain's discretion.
Norwegian takes this policy seriously because it is a revenue issue and because they want to prevent guests from getting intoxicated in public spaces. The policy is printed in your cruise documents and is also displayed at the gangway, so claiming you did not know is not a defense.
If you accidentally pack three bottles and realize it at the gangway, the best approach is to be honest and ask if you can remove one before screening. Some security staff will allow this; others will not. Either way, do not try to hide bottles or argue — it will not change the outcome and may create a worse situation.
Comparing Norwegian's Policy to Other Cruise Lines
Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line do not allow any outside wine or alcohol. Carnival allows one bottle of wine or champagne per person, up to two bottles per stateroom. Princess allows one bottle of wine per person. Celebrity allows wine but limits it to one bottle per stateroom. Norwegian's two-bottle limit is one of the most generous policies in the industry.
If you are a frequent cruiser and wine matters to you, Norwegian is a good choice. If you are comparing cruise lines and wine access is important, Norwegian and Carnival are your best options. Royal Caribbean and Disney are stricter, so if you cruise with them, plan to purchase wine onboard or use a beverage package.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring wine if I board the ship at a different port, not the home port?
No. The two-bottle allowance applies only to embarkation day at your departure port. If you join a cruise at a port of call (a repositioning cruise or a cruise where you fly to meet the ship), you cannot bring wine onboard at that port. You can only bring wine when you first board the ship at the beginning of your cruise.
What if my wine bottle breaks in my luggage?
If a bottle breaks before security screening, you will have a mess in your luggage but no penalty. If it breaks after you are in your cabin, that is your responsibility to clean up. Norwegian does not charge you for broken bottles, but they also will not replace them. Wrap bottles well to avoid this.
Can I bring wine back to my cabin after I buy it at a port?
No. Wine purchased at a port of call cannot be brought into your cabin. You can drink it at the port, but once you return to the ship, it will be confiscated. The two-bottle rule applies only to wine brought during embarkation.
Do I need to declare the wine to Norwegian when I book my cruise?
No declaration is required. You straightforward pack it and bring it through security on embarkation day. Norwegian does not ask about it in advance, and you do not need to mention it when you check in.
Can I bring wine in a wine bottle holder or special cruise wine glass?
Yes. Some guests bring collapsible wine glasses or wine bottle holders to make drinking in the cabin easier. These are allowed and do not count against your luggage limits. They are a practical addition if you plan to drink wine regularly in your cabin.