You can bring alcohol on a Carnival cruise, but only in your cabin and only beer and wine — not spirits
Carnival allows passengers to bring their own beer and wine into their stateroom at no extra charge. You can pack these in your checked luggage or carry-on when you board. The limit is one standard bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer per adult in your cabin, and you can bring it on the first day only — not on port days or during embarkation.
You cannot bring liquor, vodka, rum, whiskey, or any other spirits. You also cannot bring your own alcohol into the dining rooms, restaurants, bars, or pool areas. If you want a drink outside your cabin, you must buy it from Carnival's bars and restaurants, or purchase a beverage package before your cruise.
Carnival staff inspect cabins and confiscate any alcohol that violates these rules. You will not get it back, and repeated violations can result in being asked to leave the ship at the next port.
Key Takeaways
- Beer and wine only — no spirits, liquor, or hard alcohol of any kind are permitted in your cabin.
- You can bring one bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer per adult, packed in your luggage and brought aboard on embarkation day only.
- Alcohol is not allowed in public areas like dining rooms, bars, restaurants, or the pool deck, even if you purchased it yourself.
- Carnival confiscates prohibited alcohol without refund, and repeated violations can get you removed from the ship.
- Beverage packages and onboard bar purchases are the only legal way to drink alcohol outside your cabin.
What counts as beer and wine under Carnival's rules
Carnival defines beer as any fermented beverage under 7% alcohol by volume. This includes standard domestic beers, imports, and light beers. Wine includes still wines (red, white, rosé) and sparkling wines like Prosecco and Champagne, as long as they are not fortified wines such as port or sherry.
Fortified wines, flavored malt beverages, and anything marketed as a cocktail or mixed drink are treated as spirits and are prohibited. Hard seltzers and hard ciders are also banned because they fall into the spirits category, even though they are lower in alcohol than traditional liquor.
The rule applies to the alcohol content and the product category, not the brand. A craft beer at 6.5% is allowed; a craft beer at 7.5% is not. If you are unsure whether a specific product is permitted, check the label for alcohol content and ask at the gangway before boarding.
When and where you can bring alcohol aboard
You can only bring alcohol during embarkation — the day you board the ship. If you try to bring it on a port day or after the ship has left port, security will confiscate it. This means if you are joining the cruise on a later port day, you cannot bring your own alcohol at all.
Pack your beer and wine in your checked luggage or carry-on bag. Carnival staff will see it during the security screening process at the terminal. Do not try to hide it or sneak it past security; the screening is thorough, and the consequence is loss of the alcohol with no refund.
Once you are in your cabin, you can keep the alcohol there for the duration of the cruise. You can drink it in your stateroom at any time. The restriction is only on taking it into public spaces.
Beverage packages as an alternative to bringing your own
If you want to drink alcohol throughout the cruise without bringing your own, Carnival sells beverage packages before you board or onboard during the first day. These packages cover unlimited drinks at bars and restaurants for the length of your cruise. The cost varies by cruise length and package type, but a typical week-long unlimited package runs between $60 and $80 per person per day.
Beverage packages include beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks. They are often cheaper than buying drinks individually if you plan to have more than two or three drinks per day. Carnival also offers a wine package that covers wine only, which costs less than the full beverage package.
You can purchase a package for some passengers in your cabin but not others. If only one person in your group wants unlimited drinks, you can buy a package for just that person while others buy drinks as they go.
What happens if Carnival finds prohibited alcohol in your cabin
Carnival crew members conduct random cabin inspections and also inspect cabins when they have reason to suspect a violation. If they find beer or wine beyond the allowed limit, or any spirits, they will confiscate the alcohol when ready. You will not receive a refund, and the alcohol will not be returned to you at the end of the cruise.
A first violation typically results in a warning and confiscation. A second violation can result in being asked to disembark at the next port of call, which means you lose the remainder of your cruise fare and must arrange your own transportation home. In some cases, Carnival may charge you for the cost of the port call or other expenses related to your removal.
Carnival takes this rule seriously because they want to control the alcohol supply onboard and manage passenger behavior. The policy also protects their revenue from beverage sales, which is a significant part of cruise income.
Alcohol purchased at ports and brought back to the ship
You can buy alcohol at ports of call and bring it back to your cabin. However, the same rules explore: only beer and wine are allowed, and you must declare it to security when you reboard the ship. Carnival staff will inspect any bottles you are carrying and confiscate anything that violates the policy.
Many passengers buy wine or beer at Caribbean ports because prices are lower than onboard. If you plan to do this, pack the bottles carefully in your luggage so they do not break during transport. Keep receipts in case you need to prove what you purchased and where.
Do not assume that because you bought alcohol at a port, Carnival will allow it onboard. The rules are the same whether the alcohol came from your home or from a port shop. Spirits purchased at ports are still prohibited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring alcohol in my carry-on bag when I board?
Yes. Beer and wine can go in either your checked luggage or carry-on bag. You can bring it through security at the terminal on embarkation day. Pack it carefully so bottles do not break during screening or transport to your cabin.
What if I share a cabin with someone else — can we each bring a six-pack?
The limit is one standard bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer per adult in the cabin, not per person. If two adults share a cabin, you can bring one bottle of wine and one six-pack, or two bottles of wine, or two six-packs — but not all three. The total is one standard unit per adult.
Can I drink alcohol at the pool or on the deck?
No. Alcohol is not permitted in public areas, including the pool deck, dining rooms, restaurants, or bars. You can only drink it in your cabin. If you want a drink poolside, you must buy it from the onboard bar.
Do I have to declare the alcohol I bring aboard?
You do not need to formally declare it, but Carnival staff will see it during security screening at the terminal. Be honest if they ask about it. Trying to hide alcohol or lying about what you are carrying can result in confiscation and potential removal from the ship.
Can I bring alcohol if I am under 21?
No. Passengers under 21 cannot bring alcohol aboard, and they cannot purchase or consume alcohol onboard either. This applies even if they are traveling with an adult. Carnival enforces this rule strictly.