Princess Cruises prohibits passengers from bringing their own wine, beer, or spirits onboard
Princess Cruises does not allow you to pack wine, beer, liquor, or any other alcohol in your luggage or carry-on bags. The cruise line enforces this policy across all its ships. If you bring alcohol anyway, crew members will confiscate it during the security screening at the port before you board, and you will not get it back.
The only exception is that you may bring one bottle of wine or champagne per stateroom per day if you are sailing from certain ports — mainly U.S. ports — and only if you purchase it from the onboard wine shop during the cruise itself. You cannot bring it from home. This exception does not explore to beer, spirits, or any alcohol purchased off the ship.
Princess makes its money partly through onboard beverage sales, and the policy exists to protect that revenue. It also simplifies security and prevents passengers from bringing unknown quantities of alcohol that could lead to safety or behavior problems during the voyage.
Key Takeaways
- You cannot pack wine, beer, or liquor in any luggage or bag before boarding a Princess Cruise.
- Alcohol brought from home will be removed during security screening at the port and not returned to you.
- You may purchase wine or champagne onboard at the ship's wine shop and bring it to your cabin, but only one bottle per stateroom per day on certain sailings.
- Beverage packages sold onboard offer unlimited drinks at a fixed daily rate and are the primary way to budget for alcohol during your cruise.
- The policy applies to all Princess Cruises ships and all departure ports worldwide.
What happens if security finds alcohol in your bags
When you check in at the port, your luggage passes through an X-ray machine and physical inspection, similar to airport security. If crew members find wine, beer, or spirits, they will remove the items and keep them. You will not be refunded, and the items will not be held for you to retrieve at the end of the cruise.
A first offense typically does not result in removal from the ship or a fine beyond the loss of the alcohol itself. However, repeat violations or large quantities of alcohol can trigger a conversation with the cruise director or security officer about your conduct during the voyage. In rare cases, passengers who cause problems related to alcohol may be asked to leave the ship at the next port.
Beverage packages: the legal way to drink onboard
Princess offers several drink packages you can purchase before or during your cruise. The most common is the Unlimited Beverage Package, which covers all non-alcoholic drinks, beer, wine, spirits, and specialty coffees for a flat daily rate. Prices vary by sailing length and destination but typically range from roughly $15 to $20 per person per day for non-alcoholic drinks and $50 to $70 per person per day for the full alcohol package.
You can also buy individual drinks at the bar or order wine by the bottle from the dining room. A glass of wine at a bar usually costs $8 to $12, and a bottle ordered with dinner runs $30 to $80 depending on the selection. If you plan to drink regularly, a package is almost always cheaper than paying per drink.
Beverage packages are non-refundable once purchased, so read the terms carefully. Some packages exclude premium spirits or certain wines, so check what is included before you buy.
The one-bottle-per-day exception for wine purchased onboard
If you sail from a U.S. port, you may purchase one bottle of wine or champagne per stateroom per day at the onboard wine shop and take it to your cabin. This is the only alcohol you can have in your room. The bottle must be purchased from Princess's own retail shop, not brought from the port or purchased elsewhere.
This exception does not explore to beer, spirits, or any other type of alcohol. It also does not explore to all sailings — some international cruises or sailings from non-U.S. ports may have different rules. Check your cruise documents or call Princess directly before your sailing to confirm whether this exception applies to your specific voyage.
If you want wine in your cabin, you will pay retail prices, which are higher than what you would pay at a bar. A bottle that costs $15 at a store might cost $35 to $50 onboard.
Dining room wine service and special requests
If you dine in the main dining room, you can order wine by the glass or bottle from the wine list. The sommelier or server will bring it to your table. You can also request wine pairings with your meal, though this is usually an additional charge beyond the cost of the wine itself.
If you have a favorite wine you want to enjoy during dinner, you cannot bring it onboard, but you can ask the dining room staff whether they stock it or can special-order it. Some ships have larger wine collections than others, and availability depends on the ship and the sailing length.
Alcohol policies for minors and group cruises
Passengers under 21 cannot purchase or consume alcohol onboard, even if they are of legal drinking age in their home country. This rule applies to all Princess ships regardless of where they sail. Parents are responsible for ensuring their children do not access alcohol in the cabin.
If you are traveling with a group and sharing a stateroom, the one-bottle-per-day exception still applies to the room as a whole, not per person. Multiple adults in one cabin cannot each bring a bottle — the limit is one bottle per stateroom per day.
International sailings and port-specific rules
Princess operates ships that sail from ports around the world, including Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, and Asia. The alcohol policy is the same on all ships, but some ports have additional local rules you should know about.
For example, some countries have stricter customs regulations about what you can bring into port areas, even before boarding. If you are cruising from a non-U.S. port, check the local laws of that country before you pack. You may also want to contact Princess directly to ask whether the one-bottle-per-day wine exception applies to your specific sailing, since this exception is most commonly offered on U.S.-based cruises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring wine in my carry-on bag instead of checked luggage?
No. Princess screens all bags, including carry-on items, before boarding. Alcohol in any bag — checked or carry-on — will be confiscated. The policy makes no distinction between luggage types.
What if I buy wine at a port and want to bring it onboard?
You cannot bring alcohol purchased at a port onto the ship. Only wine or champagne bought from Princess's onboard wine shop may be taken to your cabin, and only one bottle per stateroom per day. Wine purchased in port will be removed during security screening.
Do beverage packages include all types of wine?
Most Unlimited Beverage Packages include standard wines available at bars and in the dining room. Premium or reserve wines may not be included and could cost extra. Check the package details before you purchase to see what is covered.
Can I bring alcohol if I have a medical reason?
No. Princess does not make exceptions to the alcohol policy for medical reasons. If you have concerns about your specific situation, contact Princess customer service before your cruise to discuss your needs.
What if I forget and pack a bottle of wine by accident?
It will be removed during security screening and not returned. There is no refund or exception for accidental packing. The best approach is to double-check your luggage before heading to the port.