What You Can Bring Aboard and What the Ship Sells
Most cruise lines allow you to bring a limited amount of alcohol in your carry-on luggage when you board, but they confiscate bottles found in checked bags. The standard limit is one bottle of wine or champagne per adult passenger — typically a 750 ml bottle. Beer and spirits are almost never permitted in your luggage at embarkation, even in small quantities.
Once aboard, the ship's bars and restaurants sell beer, wine, and spirits at prices higher than you would pay on land. A beer typically costs $6 to $8, a glass of wine $8 to $12, and cocktails $12 to $16, depending on the cruise line and ship. Many lines offer drink packages that let you prepay for unlimited beverages during your sailing — these packages range from $60 to $200 per person per day and may or may not include premium spirits and specialty cocktails.
Some cruise lines allow you to bring your own beverages into your cabin but prohibit outside alcohol in public areas like the pool deck or dining rooms. Other lines ban outside alcohol entirely. Check your cruise line's specific policy before you pack.
Key Takeaways
- You may bring one bottle of wine or champagne per adult in your carry-on at boarding, but beer and spirits are prohibited in luggage.
- Alcohol purchased aboard ship costs significantly more than retail prices, and drink packages range from $60 to $200 per person per day.
- Each cruise line has different rules about where you can consume outside alcohol — some allow it in cabins only, others ban it entirely.
- Duty-free shops at ports sell alcohol at lower prices than the ship, but you cannot open bottles until you return to your cabin.
- Attempting to sneak alcohol past security or into prohibited areas can result in cabin confinement, removal from the ship, or a ban from future sailings.
Bringing Wine or Champagne Through Boarding
Pack your bottle in your carry-on bag, not your checked luggage. Place it in the middle of soft clothing to cushion it during handling. When you reach the security checkpoint at the cruise terminal, the bottle will go through the X-ray machine with your other carry-on items — crew members will see it and may ask you to confirm it is wine or champagne.
Once you pass through security and reach your cabin, you can open and consume the bottle there. Do not attempt to bring it into dining rooms, the buffet, the pool deck, or any public space on the ship. Crew members will confiscate it, and repeat violations can result in being confined to your cabin or removed from the ship at the next port.
If you are traveling with multiple adults in the same cabin, each person can bring one bottle. A cabin with four adults can bring four bottles total. Children and teenagers cannot bring alcohol, and the crew will not accept bottles on their behalf.
Buying Alcohol at Ports of Call
Duty-free shops at most ports sell beer, wine, and spirits at prices lower than you would pay on land or aboard the ship. You can purchase bottles while the ship is docked, but you cannot open or consume them until you return to your cabin. Crew members will confiscate any open bottles you attempt to bring back aboard.
Keep your receipt. Some ports require proof of purchase, and crew members may ask to see it when you board. If you buy more than one bottle, you may be asked to leave the extras with the purser's office (the ship's administrative desk) and retrieve them when you disembark — policies vary by cruise line.
Alcohol purchased at ports does not count toward your one-bottle carry-on limit at embarkation. However, if you purchase alcohol at a port and the ship is in international waters when you return, some cruise lines will confiscate it anyway. Ask the purser's office or guest services what the policy is for your specific sailing before you shop.
Understanding Drink Packages and Their Limits
A beverage package is a prepaid plan that covers unlimited drinks at bars, restaurants, and room service during your cruise. Most packages include beer, wine, well spirits, and soft drinks. Premium packages add top-shelf liquor and specialty cocktails. Packages are sold per person per day and must be purchased for your entire sailing — you cannot buy them for one day only.
Prices depend on the cruise line, ship, and sailing length. A basic package on a three-day cruise might cost $60 per person, while a seven-day premium package could exceed $200 per person. Some cruise lines offer discounts if you purchase the package before your sailing date rather than aboard the ship.
Drink packages typically do not include alcohol you purchase at ports, minibar items in your cabin, or bottles you bring aboard yourself. Read the fine print before purchasing — some packages exclude premium brands, wine tastings, or specialty coffee drinks. If you plan to drink moderately, paying per drink as you go may cost less than a package.
What Happens if You Violate the Alcohol Policy
Crew members monitor public areas for outside alcohol. If they find an open bottle or catch you drinking from a container that did not come from the ship's bars, they will confiscate it when ready. A first violation usually results in a warning and a conversation with guest services.
A second violation can result in confinement to your cabin for the remainder of the sailing, with meals delivered to your door. You will not be refunded for activities, dining, or entertainment you miss. A third violation or any attempt to sneak alcohol past security at boarding can result in removal from the ship at the next port, with no refund and potential bans from future sailings with that cruise line.
Attempting to bring alcohol through security in checked luggage is treated more seriously than carrying it in your carry-on. Security staff may report it to local authorities at the port, and you could face legal consequences in addition to cruise line penalties.
Strategies to Reduce Alcohol Costs
If you drink moderately, the one-bottle carry-on allowance may be enough. A 750 ml bottle of wine contains about five glasses, so one bottle per adult covers several evenings in your cabin. This costs you nothing beyond the retail price you paid before boarding.
If you plan to drink in public areas or at meals, compare the cost of a drink package against your expected consumption. If you typically have two drinks per day, a $60 three-day package ($20 per day) is cheaper than paying $14 to $16 per drink. If you have one drink every other day, paying per drink saves money.
Duty-free shopping at ports offers the best prices on spirits and wine. If your cruise stops at multiple ports, you can purchase bottles at the first port and store them in your cabin, then repeat at later ports if your cruise line allows it. Some passengers buy a bottle or two at each port and consume them in their cabin over the course of the sailing.
Special Situations: Formal Dinners and Celebrations
If you want wine with dinner in the main dining room, you can order by the glass or bottle from the wine list. These prices are higher than retail but lower than ordering cocktails at the bar. A glass of house wine typically costs $8 to $10, and a bottle ranges from $30 to $80 depending on the selection.
Some cruise lines offer wine-pairing dinners or wine tastings as paid add-ons. These events are hosted by sommeliers or wine experts and include multiple wines paired with courses. Costs range from $50 to $150 per person and are separate from your drink package if you have one.
If you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary, inform guest services when you board. Some cruise lines offer complimentary champagne or a drink voucher as a courtesy. This is not may provide, but it is worth mentioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring hard liquor or beer in my carry-on?
No. Cruise lines prohibit beer, vodka, rum, whiskey, and other spirits in both carry-on and checked luggage at boarding. Only wine and champagne are permitted in carry-on bags. The restriction exists for safety reasons — spirits are flammable and considered a fire hazard in the ship's cargo hold.
What if I buy alcohol at a port and the ship leaves before I return?
If you miss the ship's departure, you are responsible for your own transportation to the next port. The cruise line will not refund your fare or wait for you. Avoid this by returning to the ship at least one hour before the posted departure time, even if you have not finished shopping.
Do I have to pay for alcohol if I bring my own bottle to my cabin?
No. Alcohol you bring aboard or purchase at ports is yours to consume in your cabin at no additional charge. You are not required to purchase anything from the ship's bars or drink packages. However, you cannot bring outside alcohol into restaurants, bars, or public areas.
Can I get a refund on my drink package if I do not use it?
Refund policies vary by cruise line. Most do not offer refunds for unused packages, but some allow you to transfer an unused package to a future sailing. Check your cruise line's policy or contact guest services before your sailing to understand the terms.
What if someone in my cabin is underage — can they drink alcohol I brought?
No. Minors cannot consume alcohol aboard the ship, regardless of who purchased it or where it came from. If crew members discover a minor drinking, the adults in the cabin will be held responsible and face the same penalties as any other policy violation.