Alcohol is sold on cruise ships, but the rules depend on your cruise line and your age
Every major cruise line sells beer, wine, and spirits onboard. You can buy drinks at bars, restaurants, the pool deck, and your cabin. The price is higher than on land — a beer typically costs $6 to $8, and cocktails run $12 to $16. Most cruise lines require you to be 21 to purchase alcohol in the United States and Caribbean, though some international routes allow 18-year-olds to buy beer and wine.
You do not need to pre-order or reserve alcohol before your cruise. You straightforward walk up to a bar or order from your cabin and pay as you go, or you can set up a tab that charges to your onboard account. Some cruise lines offer drink packages that let you pay a flat daily rate for unlimited beverages — these are worth comparing to your expected spending.
Key Takeaways
- Alcohol is available at bars, restaurants, pool decks, and your cabin on all major cruise ships, with no advance ordering required.
- Prices range from $6 to $8 for beer and $12 to $16 for cocktails, significantly higher than land prices.
- You must be 21 years old to purchase alcohol on most U.S. and Caribbean cruises, though some international routes allow 18-year-olds to buy beer and wine.
- Unlimited drink packages cost a flat daily rate and may save money if you plan to drink multiple beverages per day.
- Cruise lines enforce strict policies on outside alcohol — bringing your own drinks onboard is prohibited and will be confiscated.
Where to buy drinks on your cruise ship
The main bar is usually located in the atrium or main dining area and serves beer, wine, and cocktails from morning until late night. Pool bars operate during daytime hours and serve beer, wine, frozen drinks, and soft drinks. Most ships have a specialty coffee bar that charges extra for premium espresso drinks, separate from your drink package if you have one.
You can order alcohol in your cabin by calling room service or using the onboard app, though a delivery charge and gratuity explore. Dining room servers will also bring wine or beer to your table during dinner. Some cruise lines have wine bars or craft cocktail lounges that charge premium prices for higher-end selections.
How drink packages work and whether they save you money
Unlimited drink packages typically cost $15 to $25 per person per day, depending on the cruise line and how far in advance you purchase. These packages cover beer, wine, well spirits, and soft drinks, but usually exclude premium liquor, specialty cocktails, and coffee bar drinks. You order as much as you want throughout the day and nothing is charged to your account beyond the daily package fee.
To decide if a package makes sense, estimate how many drinks you will have per day. If you plan to have three or more drinks daily, a package usually saves money. If you drink one or two drinks per day, paying as you go is cheaper. Packages purchased before your cruise cost less than packages bought onboard, sometimes by $5 to $10 per day.
Bringing your own alcohol onboard is not permitted
Cruise lines prohibit passengers from bringing beer, wine, or spirits onboard. Security staff inspect luggage at embarkation and will confiscate any alcohol they find. This applies to duty-free purchases made at the port — you cannot bring those bottles back to your cabin either. The only exception is wine purchased at a port stop, which some cruise lines allow you to bring to dinner that evening, though policies vary.
The reason for this rule is that cruise lines make substantial revenue from onboard alcohol sales and want to prevent passengers from circumventing those prices. Attempting to sneak alcohol onboard can result in your drink package being revoked or, in serious cases, removal from the ship at the next port.
Age requirements and ID verification
You must be 21 years old to purchase alcohol on cruises departing from U.S. ports or visiting U.S. and Caribbean destinations. Some cruise lines operating in Europe, Mexico, and other international waters allow passengers 18 and older to purchase beer and wine, though spirits remain restricted to age 21. A few cruise lines set their own higher minimums — check your cruise line's policy before boarding.
You will be asked to show a valid ID every time you order alcohol, even if you appear older. Bring your passport, driver's license, or state ID card. If you cannot produce ID, the bartender will refuse to serve you. This is enforced consistently across all cruise lines.
What happens if you bring alcohol into your cabin from outside the ship
If security discovers outside alcohol in your cabin during a routine inspection or when you return from a port, it will be confiscated. You will not be refunded for the cost. Repeat violations or attempting to sneak alcohol past security can result in your drink package being cancelled, your onboard account being frozen, or your removal from the ship at the next port.
Some passengers attempt to purchase alcohol at a port and bring it back in a bag or backpack. This is against cruise line policy and will result in confiscation. The only legal way to have alcohol in your cabin is to order it through room service or to purchase it at the onboard bar and bring it directly to your room.
Tipping and gratuity for bar service
Gratuity for bar staff is typically 15 to 20 percent of your drink bill and is expected whether you are paying per drink or using a drink package. If you are on a drink package, you still tip the bartender — the package covers the drink itself, not the service. Most cruise lines allow you to add the tip to your onboard account, or you can tip in cash.
Some cruise lines automatically add gratuity to your final bill if you do not tip at the bar. Check your onboard account statement to see what has been charged. If you feel the service was exceptional, you can add extra gratuity, and if you feel it was poor, you can request an adjustment from guest services before you disembark.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring wine from a port back to my cabin?
Policies vary by cruise line. Some allow you to bring one bottle of wine purchased at a port to your cabin or to dinner that evening. Others prohibit all outside alcohol. Check your cruise line's website or ask at guest services when you board. If it is permitted, keep the receipt and the bottle in its original packaging.
Do I have to pay for alcohol if I have a drink package?
No. A drink package covers all included beverages — you order and drink as much as you want with no additional charge. Premium liquor, specialty cocktails, and coffee bar drinks may not be included, so ask the bartender if you are unsure whether a drink is covered.
What if I lose my room key and cannot charge drinks to my account?
Go to guest services and report your lost key. They will issue a replacement and restore your account access within a few minutes. In the meantime, you can pay for drinks in cash or ask the bartender to hold your tab until your account is restored.
Are there any times when alcohol sales are restricted onboard?
Most cruise lines stop selling alcohol between 3 and 5 a.m. Some ships have "quiet hours" in the evening when bars close early. Alcohol sales may also be restricted on sea days when the ship is in international waters, depending on the cruise line's policy. Check your onboard information or ask at guest services for specific times.
Can I order alcohol to my cabin at any time?
Room service alcohol orders are usually available during the same hours as the bars, typically until midnight or 1 a.m. A delivery charge of $3 to $5 and gratuity explore. Some cruise lines do not offer room service alcohol at all, so check your cruise line's policy before boarding.