Alcohol Policy on Celebrity Cruises
You can bring alcohol onto a Celebrity Cruise ship, but only beer and wine in your carry-on luggage when you board. You cannot bring spirits, liquor, or any alcohol in checked baggage. The ship will confiscate any bottles that violate the policy, and you will not get them back. Celebrity allows you to purchase alcohol onboard at bars, restaurants, and the duty-free shop, or you can buy a beverage package that includes drinks at a set daily rate.
The specific rules depend on your cabin type and your sailing itinerary. Suites and some premium cabin categories have different allowances than standard cabins. Some itineraries that visit certain ports may have additional restrictions based on local laws. It is worth checking your booking confirmation or calling Celebrity directly before you pack, because the policy can vary by ship and sailing date.
Key Takeaways
- You may bring one bottle of wine or beer per person in your carry-on bag when boarding, but spirits and hard liquor are prohibited in all luggage.
- Any alcohol found in checked baggage will be removed and not returned to you, so pack only in your carry-on if you want to keep it.
- Suite guests and some premium cabin categories may have higher allowances or different rules, so verify your specific cabin type before packing.
- Beverage packages sold onboard cover most drinks at bars and restaurants and may cost less than buying drinks individually throughout your cruise.
What You Can Bring in Your Carry-On
Celebrity Cruise Line allows one bottle of wine or beer per person in your carry-on luggage at embarkation. This means if you are traveling with two adults, you can bring two bottles total. The bottle must be sealed and unopened when you board the ship. Once you are in your cabin, you can open and drink it there, but you cannot bring open containers into public areas of the ship.
The bottle size does not matter as long as it fits in your carry-on bag. A standard 750-milliliter wine bottle or a 12-ounce beer can both work. Some guests bring champagne or prosecco instead of wine, which is also permitted. Keep the receipt if you purchased the bottle at the airport, because crew members may ask to verify it was bought duty-free or at a retail location, not smuggled from home.
What You Cannot Bring Onboard
Spirits, hard liquor, and any alcohol with more than 20 percent alcohol by volume are banned entirely. This includes vodka, rum, whiskey, gin, tequila, and liqueurs. You cannot pack these in checked baggage or carry-on luggage. Celebrity security screens all luggage at embarkation, and any prohibited bottles will be confiscated without refund or compensation.
You also cannot bring alcohol purchased at ports of call back onto the ship, even if you bought it in a port shop. The only exception is duty-free alcohol purchased at the airport before your cruise begins. If you want to drink spirits during your cruise, you must purchase them from the onboard bars or the duty-free shop operated by the ship.
Beverage Packages and Onboard Purchases
Celebrity offers several beverage packages that cover drinks at bars, restaurants, and the pool deck. The most common option is the Classic Beverage Package, which includes beer, wine, spirits, coffee, and soft drinks at participating venues. A premium package called the Premium Beverage Package adds higher-end wines and spirits. Prices vary by cruise length and sailing date, but a week-long cruise typically costs between $60 and $80 per person per day for the Classic package.
If you do not purchase a package, you can buy drinks individually. A beer or glass of wine at a bar usually costs $7 to $12. Cocktails range from $10 to $16 depending on the drink. Soft drinks and coffee are charged separately unless you buy a beverage package. Some restaurants include wine with dinner at no extra charge, while others charge by the glass or bottle. The duty-free shop onboard sells bottles of wine and spirits at prices lower than bars but higher than retail stores on land.
Rules for Suite and Premium Cabin Guests
If you booked a suite or certain premium cabin categories, your allowance may be higher than standard cabins. Some suite categories allow two bottles of wine or beer per person instead of one. A few of the highest-tier suites include a beverage package as part of the booking, which means all drinks at bars and restaurants are covered at no extra charge. Check your booking confirmation or the Celebrity website under your cabin type to see what is included.
Suite guests also receive access to exclusive lounges and restaurants where some beverages may be complimentary. The exact perks depend on which suite level you booked. If you are unsure whether your cabin qualifies for higher alcohol allowances or included packages, contact Celebrity customer service before you board. It is easier to clarify the rules ahead of time than to have bottles confiscated at embarkation.
Port and Itinerary Restrictions
Some cruise itineraries have additional alcohol restrictions based on the ports you visit or the countries where the ship is registered. For example, cruises to certain Middle Eastern ports may have stricter rules than Caribbean cruises. Alcohol policies can also change based on local laws in ports of call. If your itinerary includes ports known for strict alcohol regulations, Celebrity will note any special restrictions in your pre-cruise documents or on the website.
If you are unsure whether your specific sailing has any port-related restrictions, check the itinerary details on your booking or call Celebrity before you pack. It is not common for port restrictions to affect what you can bring at embarkation, but it is worth confirming if your cruise visits unfamiliar destinations.
What Happens If You Violate the Policy
If security finds prohibited alcohol in your luggage at embarkation, the bottles will be removed and held by the ship. You will not be refunded, and you will not get the bottles back at the end of your cruise. The crew will not charge you a fine or penalty for a first violation, but they may ask you to sign a form acknowledging the confiscation. Repeated violations or attempting to sneak alcohol into public areas could result in cabin confinement or removal from the ship at the next port.
The best approach is to pack only what the policy allows and purchase any additional alcohol onboard. The prices are higher than retail, but you avoid the risk of losing money to confiscation and the awkwardness of having your luggage searched.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring alcohol I bought at the airport duty-free shop?
Yes, you can bring one bottle of wine or beer per person from a duty-free shop in your carry-on. Keep your receipt in case crew members ask to verify it. Spirits and hard liquor are still prohibited, even if purchased duty-free.
What if I want to drink alcohol in my cabin?
You can open and drink the bottle you brought in your cabin without restriction. You cannot bring open containers into hallways, restaurants, or public decks. If you want additional drinks in your cabin, you can order from room service or purchase from the onboard shop.
Do I have to buy a beverage package, or can I just buy drinks as I go?
Beverage packages are optional. You can purchase individual drinks at bars and restaurants throughout your cruise. A package may save money if you plan to drink multiple beverages daily, but it is not required.
Can my travel group share one bottle between multiple people?
Yes. The policy allows one bottle per person, so if you are traveling with three adults, you can bring three bottles total. You can share them however you like once you are in your cabin.
What if I buy alcohol at a port and want to bring it back to the ship?
You cannot bring alcohol purchased at ports back onto the ship. Any bottles found will be confiscated. The only alcohol allowed onboard is what you brought at embarkation or what you purchase from the ship's bars and shops.