Alcohol Policy on Carnival Cruises
Carnival allows passengers to bring alcohol onboard, but only beer and wine in sealed, unopened containers. You can pack up to two bottles per stateroom per day during your cruise. Hard liquor, spirits, and opened bottles are prohibited — Carnival will confiscate them at the security checkpoint when you board, and you will not get them back.
The two-bottle limit resets each day, so on a seven-day cruise you could theoretically bring 14 bottles total if you pack them across different days. However, most passengers bring what they need for their entire stay in one trip through security, so the daily limit matters less in practice than the total amount you can reasonably carry.
If you purchase alcohol onboard at bars, restaurants, or the duty-free shop, those purchases are separate from the bring-your-own policy. You can buy as much as you want once you are on the ship — you will just pay Carnival's prices, which are higher than what you would pay at a store.
Key Takeaways
- Carnival permits two sealed bottles of beer or wine per stateroom per day, but confiscates hard liquor and opened bottles at boarding.
- You can purchase unlimited alcohol onboard at bars and restaurants, though prices are significantly higher than retail stores.
- Beverage packages sold by Carnival include alcoholic drinks and may save money if you plan to drink daily.
- Passengers caught sneaking alcohol onboard or bringing prohibited types face stateroom charges and possible removal from the ship.
- The policy applies to all passengers in your stateroom, so a family cabin cannot bring eight bottles just because eight people are staying there.
What Types of Alcohol Are Allowed
Beer and wine are the only types of alcohol Carnival permits you to bring from home. This includes domestic beer, imported beer, hard seltzers that are beer-based, and any wine — red, white, rosé, or sparkling. The container must be sealed and unopened when you pass through security.
Hard liquor is never permitted in your luggage or carry-on bags. This includes vodka, rum, whiskey, gin, tequila, brandy, and any spirit over 20 percent alcohol by volume. Even a small bottle or a single shot will be removed. Liqueurs and fortified wines like port or sherry are also prohibited because they exceed the alcohol threshold Carnival enforces.
Opened bottles of any kind — even if you only drank one glass — cannot come onboard. If you have a half-empty wine bottle from home, leave it behind. The rule exists partly for safety (open containers can spill in luggage) and partly because Carnival wants to control what alcohol is consumed in public areas of the ship.
How to Pack Alcohol for Your Cruise
Pack beer and wine in your checked luggage, not your carry-on bag. Checked bags go through the same security screening as carry-ons, but packing alcohol in checked luggage is the standard practice and less likely to draw questions. Wrap bottles in clothing or towels to prevent breakage during handling.
Keep your bottles in their original packaging if possible — a bottle in a cardboard six-pack or wine box is less likely to be questioned than a loose bottle. Arrive at the security checkpoint with your luggage unpacked and ready for inspection. Security staff will open your bags and visually confirm the bottles are sealed.
If you are flying to the port, remember that TSA rules for checked luggage allow alcohol between 24 and 70 percent alcohol by volume in quantities up to five liters per passenger. Beer and wine fit within this rule, so you can legally check them on your flight. However, some airlines charge fees for checked bags, so factor that into your decision about whether bringing alcohol is worth the cost.
Beverage Packages and Onboard Purchases
Carnival sells several beverage packages that include alcoholic drinks. The most common is the Cheers! package, which covers beer, wine, spirits, and mixed drinks at bars and restaurants throughout the ship. The cost varies by cruise length — a seven-day cruise typically costs between $60 and $80 per person per day, though prices change seasonally.
If you drink multiple alcoholic beverages per day, a package may save money compared to paying per drink. A single cocktail onboard costs $8 to $15, and wine by the glass runs $7 to $12. However, if you plan to drink only occasionally, paying as you go is cheaper than buying a package for your entire cruise.
Carnival also offers a wine package for passengers who want wine specifically, and a premium spirits package for those who prefer top-shelf liquor. These are narrower than the Cheers! package and cost less, but cover fewer options. You can purchase any package when you book your cruise online or at the onboard bar on your first day.
What Happens If You Violate the Policy
If security finds prohibited alcohol in your luggage, they will confiscate it without refund. You will not be charged a fee for the first violation, but the alcohol is gone. If you attempt to bring hard liquor or multiple violations occur, Carnival may charge your stateroom account or, in serious cases, remove you from the ship at the next port.
Sneaking alcohol onboard in water bottles, soda bottles, or other containers is considered a violation of the same policy. Staff monitor for this behavior, and passengers caught face the same consequences. The ship's security team has the authority to search staterooms if they suspect alcohol is being hidden, and they do conduct random checks.
Disruptive behavior caused by alcohol consumption can result in additional charges or removal from the ship. Carnival's crew is trained to monitor passenger behavior, and intoxication that endangers others or violates ship rules will be addressed. This is separate from the bring-your-own policy — it applies to any alcohol, whether you brought it or purchased it onboard.
Comparing Carnival to Other Cruise Lines
Carnival's two-bottle limit is standard across most major cruise lines. Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line all permit similar amounts of beer and wine. However, some smaller cruise lines or luxury lines have different policies, so check your specific cruise line's rules before packing.
Disney Cruise Line has a stricter policy for families with children — they limit alcohol to one bottle per stateroom per day. Royal Caribbean allows two bottles but specifies they must be wine or beer, just like Carnival. Norwegian permits two bottles of wine or beer per person, which is more generous if you are traveling with multiple adults.
If you are comparing cruise lines partly based on alcohol policy, the differences are small enough that other factors — price, itinerary, onboard activities — usually matter more. The beverage packages offered by each line vary in price and coverage, so compare those if you plan to drink regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring alcohol in my carry-on bag instead of checked luggage?
No. TSA rules prohibit alcohol in carry-on bags for flights, and Carnival's security checkpoint also does not permit alcohol in carry-on luggage. Pack all beer and wine in your checked bags only. If you are driving to the port, you can bring alcohol in your car, but it must still go through Carnival's security screening when you board.
What if I buy alcohol at the port and try to bring it onboard?
Carnival's security will confiscate it just as they would alcohol from home. The two-bottle limit applies to all alcohol, regardless of where you purchased it. If you want to buy alcohol at a port, drink it there or purchase it onboard from Carnival's shops instead.
Do children count toward the two-bottle limit per stateroom?
No. The limit is two bottles per stateroom per day, not per person. A family of four in one stateroom can bring two bottles total, not eight. The policy is based on the room, not the number of guests.
Can I bring alcohol if I am under 21?
You can pack beer and wine in your luggage, but you cannot consume alcohol onboard if you are under 21. Carnival enforces the same drinking age as U.S. law. If you are caught drinking while underage, you will face stateroom charges and possible removal from the ship.
Will Carnival refund me if they confiscate my alcohol?
No. Confiscated alcohol is not refunded. If you are unsure whether something is permitted, ask at the security checkpoint before your bags are screened, but once alcohol is removed, Carnival does not return it or compensate you for the loss.