You can buy liquor on a Carnival cruise, but only from the ship's bars and retail shops, not from outside sources
Carnival allows passengers to purchase alcohol once the ship leaves port. You cannot bring your own bottles aboard — Carnival's Bring Your Own Beverage (BYOB) policy prohibits outside alcohol entirely, and crew members confiscate any bottles found during boarding or cabin inspections. The only exception is wine or champagne in your cabin on embarkation day, limited to one bottle per stateroom, which must be purchased from Carnival's onboard shops.
Once you are at sea, you can buy drinks at any of the ship's bars, lounges, and pool deck venues. You can also purchase bottles from the retail shop to keep in your cabin and drink privately. Prices are higher than what you would pay on land — a beer typically costs $7 to $8, and a bottle of wine runs $20 to $50 depending on the label. If you want to avoid these markups, the most cost-effective approach is to purchase your one allowed bottle before boarding and drink it in your stateroom.
Key Takeaways
- Carnival prohibits bringing alcohol aboard from outside the ship, and crew members will confiscate any bottles found during security screening or cabin checks.
- You may bring one bottle of wine or champagne into your cabin on embarkation day only; this bottle must come from Carnival's onboard shops.
- Alcohol purchased at onboard bars and shops is available once the ship departs port and costs significantly more than land prices.
- Drinking alcohol in public areas of the ship requires you to purchase it from Carnival venues; private consumption in your cabin is permitted if you bought the bottle onboard.
What happens if you try to bring alcohol aboard
Carnival's security team screens all luggage and carry-on bags during embarkation. If officers find any bottles of beer, wine, liquor, or other alcohol, they will remove and discard them. You will not be reimbursed, and the confiscation does not result in a fine or removal from the ship — it is straightforward a policy enforcement point at check-in.
Crew members also conduct random cabin inspections during the cruise. If they discover outside alcohol in your stateroom, the bottle is confiscated. Repeated violations or attempts to sneak alcohol into public areas can result in cabin confinement or removal from the ship at the next port, though this is rare for a single bottle.
The one bottle exception on embarkation day
Carnival makes a narrow exception for wine and champagne only. On the day you board, you may bring one bottle of wine or champagne into your cabin — but the bottle must be purchased from Carnival's onboard retail shop, not brought from outside. This means you cannot buy a bottle at a store before you arrive at the port and bring it with you.
The practical way to use this exception is to board the ship, go directly to the retail shop, purchase your bottle, and take it to your cabin. You can then drink it privately throughout the cruise. This bottle does not count against any drink package you may have purchased. Once this bottle is finished, you cannot purchase another one to keep in your cabin — any additional alcohol must be consumed at the bars.
Onboard bar and shop prices
Carnival's bars charge by the drink rather than by the bottle in most cases. A standard beer costs $7 to $8, a cocktail runs $8 to $12, and a glass of wine is typically $8 to $10. If you purchase a full bottle from the retail shop to take to your cabin, prices are somewhat better per drink but still marked up from land prices. A bottle of wine in the shop usually costs $20 to $50, depending on the vintage and label.
If you book a beverage package before your cruise, it covers most drinks at the bars and some drinks at specialty venues, but it does not cover bottles purchased from the retail shop. Beverage packages typically cost $15 to $18 per person per day and include beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks at most venues. For a week-long cruise, a package can save money if you plan to drink regularly.
Drinking in your cabin versus public areas
You are permitted to drink alcohol in your stateroom at any time, provided the bottle was purchased from Carnival's onboard shop. You cannot drink alcohol in public areas of the ship — the pool deck, dining rooms, hallways, or outdoor promenade — unless you purchased the drink from a Carnival bar or venue. This rule is enforced by crew members, and violations can result in the drink being confiscated and a warning.
If you want to enjoy a drink while relaxing on your balcony, you can bring a drink purchased from a bar to your cabin, or you can drink from a bottle you bought at the shop. The restriction applies only to public spaces where other passengers and crew are present.
Specialty bars and premium drinks
Carnival operates specialty bars and lounges that charge higher prices than the main bars. These venues include wine bars, craft cocktail lounges, and premium nightclubs. Drinks at these locations typically cost $2 to $5 more than standard bar prices and are not covered by most beverage packages. If you have a beverage package, check the terms to see which specialty venues are included.
Some specialty bars offer wine tastings or premium spirit flights, which are priced separately and can range from $15 to $40 per person. These are optional experiences and not included in standard packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring beer or liquor if I just bring one bottle?
No. Carnival's policy prohibits all outside alcohol except wine and champagne, and even those are only allowed if purchased from Carnival's onboard shop on embarkation day. A single bottle of beer or liquor will be confiscated at security.
What if I buy alcohol at a port and try to bring it back to the ship?
Crew members will confiscate it when you reboard. Alcohol purchased at ports cannot be brought back aboard, even if you are returning to the same ship. The only alcohol allowed in cabins is what you purchase from Carnival's onboard shops.
Does a beverage package let me buy bottles from the shop?
No. Beverage packages cover drinks ordered at bars and some specialty venues, but they do not cover bottles purchased from the retail shop to take to your cabin. You would pay full price for any bottle you want to keep in your stateroom.
Can I drink alcohol on the balcony of my cabin?
Yes, if the alcohol came from Carnival's onboard bar or shop. You cannot drink outside alcohol on your balcony, as it is considered part of the ship's exterior. Alcohol purchased at the bar or retail shop can be consumed in your cabin or on your private balcony.
What if crew finds alcohol in my cabin during an inspection?
The bottle will be removed and discarded. You will not be charged or fined for a single bottle. Repeated violations or large quantities of outside alcohol can result in more serious consequences, but a single confiscation is typically handled as a policy enforcement point with no further action.