Cruising is an incredible way to explore the world, but with onboard beverage prices soaring—think $15 cocktails or $5 bottled water—savvy cruisers are eager to cut costs by bringing their own drinks. Forums like Cruise Critic and Reddit’s r/Cruise are buzzing with questions like:
- “Can I bring bottled water on a Carnival cruise?”
- “How much wine is allowed on Royal Caribbean?”
- “Can I pack soda in my checked luggage?”
- “What’s the deal with corkage fees?”
Ultimate Guide to Bringing Beverages on a Cruise: Policies, Tips, and Insider Hacks for Major Cruise Lines
With beverage packages often costing $50-$100 per person per day, it’s no wonder travelers want to know what they can bring aboard. This comprehensive guide breaks down the beverage policies for 10 major cruise lines, focusing on wine, beer, soda, water, and specialty drinks. We’ve updated and expanded the information with insider tips, health-focused advice (e.g., for CPAP users or families), and strategies to maximize savings. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sailor, this easy-to-read, 1,500+ word guide has you covered.
For restricted items beyond beverages, check out our post: What NOT to Pack on Your Next Cruise.
Why Beverage Policies Matter
Cruise lines tightly regulate what beverages you can bring to control onboard revenue and ensure safety (e.g., preventing smuggled alcohol). Policies vary widely, from generous allowances (e.g., Royal Caribbean’s wine and water rules) to strict bans (e.g., MSC’s no-beverage policy). Knowing the rules helps you:
- Save Money: Avoid pricey onboard drinks or packages.
- Plan Ahead: Pack permitted items to suit your preferences or medical needs.
- Avoid Hassles: Prevent confiscation or delays at embarkation.
Always carry permitted beverages in your carry-on luggage, as checked bags are scanned, and unauthorized items may be held until disembarkation. Let’s dive into the policies for each cruise line, with tips to make the most of them.
1. Carnival Cruise Line
Policy
- Wine/Champagne: One 750ml bottle per person (21+) on embarkation day. $15 corkage fee applies in dining rooms or bars.
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Up to 12 unopened 355ml (12 oz) cans or cartons of soda, juice, or milk. No plastic or glass bottles allowed (since 2016, to prevent alcohol smuggling).
- Bottled Water: Not permitted to bring aboard. Purchase onboard for $4.50 per 12-pack of 500ml (16.9 oz) bottles, with pre-cruise discounts available via the Cruise Planner.
- Medical Exceptions: Distilled water for CPAP machines or infant formula allowed with prior approval (contact specialservices@carnival.com).
- Port Purchases: Alcohol bought in ports is stored until disembarkation.
Tips & Insider Hacks
- Pre-Purchase Water: Buy water packs through Carnival’s Cruise Planner to avoid gratuities and take unopened bottles home.
- Maximize Soda: Pack a mix of 12 cans (e.g., diet soda, sparkling water) to cover your cruise. Use a collapsible cooler bag for easy carrying.
- Health Focus: For families, bring milk cartons for kids or electrolyte drinks for hydration, as these count toward the 12-can limit.
- Insider Secret: Carnival’s strict no-bottle rule applies to embarkation, but some cruisers report successfully bringing canned water (e.g., Liquid Death) in ports of call, as long as it’s unopened.
Resources
2. Royal Caribbean International
Policy
- Wine/Champagne: Two 750ml bottles per stateroom (21+) on embarkation day. $15 corkage fee applies in public areas (e.g., Main Dining Room). Back-to-back cruisers can bring two bottles per sailing.
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Up to 12 standard-size (17 oz/500ml) cans, bottles, or cartons of water, soda, juice, or milk per stateroom. Must be in carry-on luggage.
- Medical Exceptions: Distilled water or dietary beverages (e.g., for CPAP machines or babies) are exempt from the 12-item limit with prior approval (special_needs@rccl.com).
- Port Purchases: Alcohol is stored until disembarkation.
Tips & Insider Hacks
- Wine Strategy: Bring high-quality wine to enjoy in your stateroom fee-free. For dining, pre-pay the corkage fee via the Cruise Planner for convenience.
- Health Focus: Pack electrolyte-enhanced water (e.g., Smartwater) or almond milk for dietary needs, as these count toward the 12-item limit but are versatile.
- Insider Secret: Royal Caribbean’s “per stateroom” wine rule means two adults in one cabin can bring four bottles total if coordinated properly—check with guest services on embarkation.
- Maximize Space: Use a soft-sided carry-on with a dedicated beverage compartment to organize your 12 items.
Resources
3. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
Policy
- Wine/Champagne: Unlimited 750ml bottles (21+), but each incurs a corkage fee ($15 for 750ml, $30 for 1500ml magnums), even in staterooms, unless you have a beverage package. No boxed wine.
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Not permitted in carry-on or checked luggage. Items found are disposed of, not stored.
- Medical Exceptions: Sealed distilled water for CPAP machines or infant formula allowed with prior approval from the Access Desk.
- Port Purchases: Alcohol is stored until disembarkation.
Tips & Insider Hacks
- Beverage Package Hack: If you have NCL’s Free at Sea drink package, corkage fees are waived, making it cost-effective to bring multiple wine bottles.
- Health Focus: For medical needs, request approval for specialty beverages (e.g., almond milk, electrolyte drinks) well in advance to ensure availability onboard.
- Insider Secret: Some cruisers report bringing small amounts of canned soda or water in ports of call, as enforcement is less strict than at embarkation—proceed at your own risk.
- Workaround: Purchase NCL’s bottled water package pre-cruise for $19.95 (6 liters), a cheaper alternative to onboard prices.
Resources
4. Disney Cruise Line
Policy
- Wine/Champagne/Beer: Two 750ml bottles of wine/champagne or six 12 oz beers per person (21+) on embarkation day or at ports of call. $26 corkage fee per bottle in dining rooms; no drinking in public areas except dining rooms.
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Not explicitly restricted, but must be unopened, government-approved, and in carry-on luggage. Assumed to include water, soda, or juice.
- Medical Exceptions: Distilled water or dietary beverages allowed with prior approval (specialservices@disneycruise.com).
- Port Purchases: Excess alcohol is disposed of, not stored.
Tips & Insider Hacks
- Family Focus: Pack canned soda or juice for kids, as Disney’s lenient policy allows flexibility. Use a rolling carry-on for heavy items.
- Health Focus: Bring electrolyte drinks or flavored water for hydration, especially on warm Caribbean itineraries.
- Insider Secret: Disney’s policy is vague on non-alcoholic limits, so some cruisers bring a 12-pack of cans per person without issue—confirm with guest services on embarkation.
- Save on Corkage: Enjoy wine in your stateroom to avoid the $26 fee, or pair with a dining package for cost-effective meals.
Resources
5. Holland America Line
Policy
- Wine/Champagne: Unlimited 750ml bottles, but “excessive” quantities may be refused at security’s discretion. $20 corkage fee per bottle in public areas. Wine from HAL-sponsored winery excursions is corkage-free.
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Up to 6 liters of water per stateroom (cans or cartons only, no plastic bottles). No other beverages allowed.
- Medical Exceptions: Distilled or purified water for CPAP machines or infant formula allowed with prior approval (guestservices@hollandamerica.com).
- Port Purchases: Alcohol is stored until disembarkation.
Tips & Insider Hacks
- Wine Lovers: Bring a few bottles and enjoy them in your stateroom to avoid corkage fees. Pre-pay fees online for dining room use.
- Health Focus: Pack canned sparkling water (e.g., LaCroix) for hydration, as it fits the 6-liter limit and supports wellness goals.
- Insider Secret: Book a HAL winery excursion to bring back corkage-free bottles, a unique perk for oenophiles.
- Maximize Allowance: Use 1-liter cartons (e.g., boxed water) to hit the 6-liter limit with fewer items.
Resources
6. Princess Cruises
Policy
- Wine/Champagne: One 750ml bottle per person (21+) on embarkation day, corkage-free in staterooms. Additional bottles incur a $15 fee everywhere.
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Up to 12 cans (12 oz) per person, based on passenger reports, in carry-on luggage.
- Medical Exceptions: Distilled water or dietary beverages allowed with prior approval (accessdesk@princesscruises.com).
- Port Purchases: Alcohol is stored until disembarkation.
Tips & Insider Hacks
- Health Focus: Pack low-sugar canned drinks (e.g., Zevia soda) for a wellness-friendly cruise.
- Insider Secret: Princess’s policy is lenient on non-alcoholic cans—some cruisers bring a 12-pack per person without issue, but carry them on to avoid scrutiny.
- Wine Strategy: Bring one premium bottle per person for stateroom enjoyment to skip the corkage fee.
- Pre-Purchase: Order water packages via the Cruise Planner for $8-$12 per 12-pack.
Resources
7. Celebrity Cruises
Policy
- Wine/Champagne: Two 750ml bottles per stateroom (21+) on embarkation day. $25 corkage fee in dining rooms or bars, waived with Classic or Premium Beverage Packages.
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Not explicitly restricted, but must be unopened and in carry-on luggage. Likely aligns with Royal Caribbean’s 12-can rule, as Celebrity is a sister brand.
- Medical Exceptions: Distilled water or dietary beverages allowed with prior approval (specialservices@celebritycruises.com).
- Port Purchases: Alcohol is stored until disembarkation.
Tips & Insider Hacks
- Beverage Package Synergy: Pair the two-bottle allowance with a beverage package to avoid corkage fees and enjoy premium drinks.
- Health Focus: Bring canned coconut water or kombucha for a nutrient-rich option within the assumed 12-can limit.
- Insider Secret: Celebrity’s vague non-alcoholic policy allows flexibility—bring a 12-pack of cans and confirm with security on embarkation day.
- Maximize Wine: Share the two-bottle allowance across your stateroom for variety.
Resources
8. MSC Cruises
Policy
- Wine/Champagne/Beer: No beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) allowed on embarkation day, a strict policy unique to MSC.
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Only dry, packaged, commercially produced foods allowed. Beverages are confiscated and may lead to denied boarding.
- Medical Exceptions: Doctor-prescribed dietary beverages allowed with prior approval (specialneeds@msccruisesusa.com).
- Port Purchases: Alcohol or beverages are stored until disembarkation.
Tips & Insider Hacks
- Workaround: Purchase MSC’s water package pre-cruise ($15 for 6 liters) or beverage package for cost-effective onboard drinks.
- Health Focus: Request medical approval for electrolyte drinks or distilled water to support wellness needs.
- Insider Secret: Some cruisers sneak small canned drinks in ports of call, but enforcement is strict—stick to onboard purchases for safety.
- Plan Ahead: Budget for MSC’s drink packages, as no bring-your-own options exist.
Resources
9. Costa Cruises
Policy
- Wine/Champagne/Beer: No beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) allowed on embarkation day. Items are confiscated and held until disembarkation.
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages: No food or drink allowed unless medically prescribed.
- Medical Exceptions: Doctor-prescribed beverages allowed with prior approval (specialneeds@costacruises.com).
- Port Purchases: Items are stored until disembarkation.
Tips & Insider Hacks
- Health Focus: Request approval for medical beverages (e.g., for CPAP or dietary needs) to ensure hydration and wellness.
- Insider Secret: Costa’s strict policy leaves no room for workarounds—pre-purchase drink packages for savings.
- Budget Tip: Costa’s all-inclusive packages often include select drinks, reducing the need to bring your own.
Resources
10. Marella Cruises
Policy
- Wine/Champagne/Beer: No beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) allowed on embarkation day.
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Not permitted, as Marella’s “All Inclusive is Standard” package covers soft drinks, juices, cocktails, draft beers, cider, and wines.
- Medical Exceptions: Distilled water or dietary beverages allowed with prior approval (specialrequests@marellacruises.com).
- Port Purchases: Items are stored until disembarkation.
Tips & Insider Hacks
- All-Inclusive Perk: Marella’s inclusive drinks mean you don’t need to bring anything—enjoy free coffee/tea facilities in cabins.
- Health Focus: Request gluten-free or low-sugar drinks via the all-inclusive package for wellness alignment.
- Insider Secret: Marella’s generous drink offerings make it one of the easiest lines for beverage planning—focus on enjoying the included options.
Resources
General Tips for Bringing Beverages
- Always Carry On: Pack beverages in your carry-on to avoid confiscation in checked luggage.
- Check Policies Pre-Cruise: Cruise line rules change frequently—verify via official websites or contact guest services.
- Medical Needs: Email access desks well in advance for CPAP water, infant formula, or dietary beverages.
- Corkage Fees: Budget for fees or enjoy drinks in your stateroom to save money.
- Join Forums: Cruise Critic or Reddit’s r/Cruise offer real-time tips from cruisers on sneaking past strict policies (at your own risk).
Final Thoughts
Bringing beverages on a cruise can save you hundreds of dollars, but navigating each cruise line’s policies is key. From Royal Caribbean’s generous wine and water allowances to MSC’s strict no-beverage rule, understanding the rules ensures a smooth embarkation. Use insider hacks like pre-purchasing water, leveraging beverage packages, or requesting medical exceptions to tailor your experience. Whether you’re sipping wine in your stateroom or hydrating with canned water, these strategies let you focus on enjoying your cruise.
For the latest updates, check cruise line websites or join communities like Cruise Port Advisor. Happy cruising!
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