Taking your own alcohol on a Cruise: Complete guide
Can you take your own alcohol on a cruise? Before taking my first cruise, I didn’t realise that some cruise lines allow you to take your own alcohol onboard! Since discovering this, it’s become one of my ‘top tips’ for saving a little money onboard - why buy an expensive glass of wine at the bar to take back to your room when you could bring a bottle of your favourite on with you? However, it’s really important that you check the rules for your specific cruise line before you head to the port - you don’t want to get caught out, and have your drinks confiscated!
In this post, I’m going to summarise the general rules of 26 of the major cruise line out there. Note: the information here was correct at the point of posting (May 2024) - always check the individual cruise line alcohol policy to double-check before your embarkation date! The cruise lines that I’m going to run through are presented in alphabetical order, which should hopefully make it easier for you to find your specific line! Here’s the full list of who’s included:
Azamara Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Celestyal Cruises
Costa Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Cunard Line
Disney Cruise Line
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Holland America Line
Hurtigruten
Marella Cruises
Margaritaville at Sea
MSC Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises Australia
Princess Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Seabourn Cruise Line
Silversea Cruises
Viking Cruises
Virgin Voyages
Windstar Cruises
In this post, I’ll give you some general information about the alcohol policy adhered to by each of the cruise lines, including things like the legal drinking ages onboard. This is a really important one - can you imagine being in a situation where, as a 19 year old, you go on holiday to find that you can drink in your ‘home’ country, but you can’t drink on holiday? Be sure to check the rules for your specific cruise line - some even have different age restrictions depending on where the ship’s sailing. Don’t worry - I’ll fill you in on these rule changes in this post too! Okay, we’ve got a LOT of ground to cover - let’s get started!
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1) Azamara Cruises
Drinking age: 21, but 18 when sailing from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand
Ok, we’re starting off with a cruise line that requires a bit of hunting to source the position on guests bringing their own alcohol onboard. The answer is that you can bring your own alcohol, but you should remember that, generally speaking, there’s quite a lot included in your Azamara fare. The rule here is that guests are allowed to bring their own liquor/spirits, wine and beer onto the ship to be consumed in their stateroom for free, but a $10 corkage fee will be applied if you choose to enjoy a bottle at any of the onboard bars or restaurants.
The above rules apply to both embarkation day and also port stops, so yes - you could bring some wine back onboard from those French vineyard ports of call, and take it to your room! However, any alcohol purchased from the shops onboard the ship will be stored and returned to you on the final evening of your cruise.
2) Carnival Cruise Line
Drinking age: 21
Ok, let’s talk Carnival. For starters, no guests are permitted to bring onboard any water, sodas or any other non-alcoholic drinks that are packaged in glass or plastic bottles. On embarkation day, you’re permitted to bring a ‘small quantity'‘ of canned or cartoned drinks with you. Note: Carnival explains further that a ‘small quantity’ is considered to be a max of 12 sealed/unopened cans or cartons, and these should be no more than 12-ounces or 354ml each. Quite exact, isn’t it?!
Moving to alcohol, all passengers 21 years old or older can bring ONE 750-ml bottle of wine or champagne in their carry-on luggage. No other forms of alcohol can be brought onboard - only one bottle of wine or champagne per passenger over 21 years of age. It’s also stated on the Carnival site that ‘wine’ cannot include Port, Sherry or other fortified wines.
If you’re travelling on a ‘back to back’ cruise with Carnival, you’re permitted to take the above allowance per cruise. However, you’ll only be allowed one bottle per cruise - the rest will be stored on the ship and issued to you at the start of the next cruise, and so on.
Finally, Carnival operate a Corkage fee if you do wish to consume your alcohol in the Main Dining Room, a Speciality Restaurant or a bar. This fee is $15 per 750ml bottle.
3) Celebrity Cruises
Drinking age: 21, but if you’re sailing in Europe, South America or Australia (where the legal drinking age is less), a parent who is sailing with the 18-20 year old child can sign a waiver to permit them to drink alcohol during their cruise.
If you’re cruising with Celebrity, you’re not able to take any beer or 'hard liquor’/spirits onto the ship with you. You are, however, permitted to board with two bottles of wine per stateroom. These can be consumed in your stateroom free of charge, but consumption elsewhere on the ship comes with a corkage fee of $25.
4) Celestyal Cruises
Drinking age: 18
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a concrete answer to whether or not you can take alcohol on your Celestyal Cruise. I did find in the FAQs that, if you purchase any alcohol from the onboard shops or during an excursion, it’ll be held until the final day of your cruise. However, no clear detail is provided for embarkation day, so best to check with your agent!
5) Costa Cruises
Drinking age: 18, unless the ship is sailing from somewhere with a legal drinking age of 21.
This one’s easy from an ‘are you allowed to bring alcohol onboard’ point of view. The easy answer? No.
No alcohol is allowed to be brought onboard by any passenger, regardless of the size.
6) Crystal Cruises
Drinking age: 18, but when the ship is docked or anchored in US Ports, or within a three-mile limit, the minimum drinking age will be 21
So far on this list, Crystal are the most welcoming to passengers wishing to bring their own alcohol onboard the ship for their cruise. Their website clearly states: “You may bring your own nonalcoholic or alcoholic drinks aboard. Please note that certain restrictions apply by country or destination. Unfortunately. these ‘restrictions by country’ aren’t listed on the Crystal website, so best to give them a call before you board the ship!
7) Cunard Line
Drinking age: 18, but in some part of the world (for example, the US) the legal drinking age will change to 21
If you’re planning to take alcohol on your Cunard cruise, you’ll be able to take one bottle or wine or champagne by person on board (no larger than 750ml each). Consumption in your stateroom is free of charge, but consumption elsewhere around the ship will have a corkage fee of $25 applied.
Any alcohol purchased onboard will be held and returned to you on the final night of your cruise.
8) Disney Cruise Line
Drinking age: 21
Disney Cruise Line allows all guests, 21 years and older, to bring a maximum of two bottles of (unopened) wine or champagne (no larger than 750ml) or 6 beers (no larger than 12 ounces) onboard at the beginning of the cruise and at each port of call. You’ll need to pack these into your carry-on luggage in order to pass through security without any issues.
In terms of corkage fees, this is currently set at $27 per bottle (yes, really!). Of course, if you drink your alcohol in your cabin/stateroom, there’s no corkage fee. I know where I’d be drinking mine with this corkage fee…!
9) Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Drinking age: 18
On their website, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines states that guests are prohibited from bringing any alcoholic beverages onboard. They also explain that they reserve the right to inspect bottles coming onboard (and offer the examples of water bottles, mouthwash etc) to confirm there is no hidden alcohol in luggage. However, you are apparently allowed to bring alcohol ‘where agreed and a wine & a corkage fee charged’, so it would be worth asking the question to your Travel Agent if you have something special you’d like to take with you!
10) Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Drinking age: 18
This one’s really easy - no guest is permitted to bring any alcohol on board.
11) Holland America Line
Drinking age: 21, but this will be dropped to 18 on cruises that depart from (and return to) Europe, China, Hong Kong, Singapore or Taiwan. The legal drinking age will be 20 on all round-trip cruises from Japan.
In terms of taking alcohol onto your Holland America Line cruise, you are able to take wine or champagne onboard (max 750ml bottles). Each bottle will be subject to a corkage fee of $20, and wine brought in ‘excessive quantities’ (deemed by security) will be refused.
In terms of non-alcoholic, no plastic bottles are permitted, but guests can take 6 litres, 12 cans or cartons (500ml or less each) or 6 1-litre cartons of water may be taken onboard per stateroom.
12) Hurtigruten
Drinking age: 18 for wine and beer, but 20 for spirits
This is another easy one. On their website, Hurtigruten explains that ‘Guests are reminded that only beverages sold and/or provided in restaurant, bars, cabins, and suites can be consumed onboard. Any alcoholic beverages purchased in ports of call will be confiscated at the gangway and need to be stored separately onboard the ship”
13) Marella Cruises
Drinking age: 18
Before I get to the policy from Marella, I took a cruise on Marella Discovery 2 back in 2019, and couldn’t believe the ‘all inclusive’ offer onboard. There was such a huge variety available on there - you can check out this post from Emma Cruises to explore the drinks range further!
The Marella policy on taking alcohol onboard for your cruise is that the easy answer is ‘no’. They state online that they “will confiscate all alcohol brought onboard by Passengers, with the exception of alcohol purchased on the outbound flight to the ship - proof of purchase required”. Any confiscated alcohol will be returned to you at the end of your cruise.
14) Margaritaville at Sea
Drinking age: 21, but guests aged 18-20 can purchase alcohol when the ship is in international waters (3 miles out of US territorial waters)
In terms of taking your own alcohol onto your Margaritaville at Sea cruise, don’t - it’s not permitted. You’re also not allowed to board with non-alcoholic drinks, so check your bags!
The advice I would offer - I sailed on Paradise (the original Margaritaville at Sea ship) in December 2023, and found the drinks prices to be really reasonable, so don’t worry about sneaking your own onboard the ship - you’ll be fine on there!
15) MSC Cruises
Drinking age: 18, but when the ships are sailing out of the US, the minimum age will move to 21
This one’s another easy one - let me show you the direct quote from MSC’s website to avoid any shadow of a doubt: “Passengers are not permitted to bring onboard any such drinks for use during the voyage, whether for consumption in their own cabins or otherwise”.
In other words, don’t bother - leave your alcohol at home - it can be bought on the ship!
16) Norwegian Cruise Line
Drinking age: 21, but guests aged 18-20 can purchase and consume beer and wine when the ship is in international waters (3 miles out of US territorial waters)
Norwegian Cruise Line have a really clear wine and champagne policy, but you’re not allowed to take any other form of alcohol onto your cruise. The policy confirms that a corkage fee will be applied to each bottle of wine or champagne, regardless of where it’s consumed (note: this includes in your cabin!). The current corkage fee is $15 for a 750ml bottle, or £30 for a 1.5l Magnum.
17) Oceania Cruises:
Drinking age: 21. Guests ages 18-20 can purchase and consume beer or wine while the ship is in international waters (3 miles out of US territorial waters). Guests between 18 and 20 years old won’t be able to consume any alcohol on Alaska or New England sailings.
Okay, let’s talk limits for Oceania - this one’s exciting! The limit for standard cruises with Oceania is 6 bottles of wine per stateroom. However, if you’re lucky enough to have booked a world cruise, or any variation of the world cruise, then your limit is 60 bottles per stateroom! The examples of ‘variations of the world cruise’ on the Oceania website show a number of cruises ranging from 164 to 196 days.
There’s a corkage fee, should you wish to enjoy your wine in one of the onboard Dining Rooms. This fee is $25 per bottle.
You can read more about this policy here.
18) P&O Cruises
Drinking age: 18, but 21 when the ship is in US waters
The policy here has changed as of May 2024, so look out! On embarkation day, you’re now allowed to bring up to 1 litre of wine or champagne on board, but no spirits! P&O previously did allow spirits onboard the ship, so this is a key change that you may get caught out with!
Another point to note is that, while your alcohol won’t have additional fees attached if you drink in your cabin, public space consumption will incur a corkage fee of ‘£20 per bottle, per occasion’ - interesting…!
19) P&O Cruises Australia
Drinking age: 18
This is important to note - the policy from P&O Cruises Australia and P&O Cruises (UK) are very different - don’t assume they’re the same just because they both have ‘P&O’ in the name. The rules for the Australian brand are that all duty-free and personal alcohol will be collected at the gangway and returned to you on the last day of your cruise - don’t get caught out - leave it at home!
20) Princess Cruises
Drinking age: 21, but reduced to 18 when the ship is sailing in Australia/New Zealand, China, Europe, Singapore and South American ports
If you’d like to take alcohol onto your Princess cruise, you can! Each guest is permitted to bring one bottle (750ml or less) or wine or champagne per cruise, which is free to consume in your stateroom. If you’d like to enjoy your drink elsewhere onboard, a corkage fee of $20/AU$30 will be applied to your account. Remember - this only allows you to bring wine or champagne - leave the spirits and beer at home!
If you buy bottles onboard, at duty free or on an excursion, your bottles will be stored onboard the ship and given to you on the final day of your cruise.
21) Royal Caribbean International
Drinking age: 21 on all sailings originating in North America or the Caribbean, and 18 on sailings originating in South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
For Royal Caribbean, it’s an answer that’s familiar to us this far into this article! You can take only wine or champagne - no beer or hard liquor etc. Each guest is permitted to board the ship (on day 1 only) with one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne. Boxed wine isn’t allowed!
If you buy more bottles onboard, at duty free, or ashore during your cruise, you’ll have them stored on the ship by security, and returned to you on the final evening of your cruise.
22) Seabourn Cruise Line
Drinking age: 21
From what I found in my research, this is one of the most ‘open’ alcohol policies - guests are able to take any spirits, wine or champagne onboard! I couldn’t find any details (or mention of) corkage fees, which might mean you’re ‘good to go’. This said, remember that Seabourn is a higher-end cruise line, and so you’ll usually find that their selection onboard (included in your cruise fare) will be all you’ll need. Best to check those menus before you board - unfortunately, I’ve never cruised with this line, so can’t offer any personal advice here!
23) Silversea Cruises
Drinking age: 21
Ok, I’m enjoying researching the ‘luxury end’ of the cruise market today! Similar to Seabourn, there are no limits with Silversea that I’ve managed to find - you’re able to take whatever spirits, wine or champagne you’d like onto the ship with you - enjoy!
24) Viking Cruises
Drinking age: 21
Viking are another with a very open policy - good news for you if you’re looking to take your own alcohol onto your cruise!
With Viking, you’re welcome to take your own alcohol and beverages on there with you, and this can be consumed either in your cabin or in one of the public spaces (including restaurants). The best part? There’s no corkage fee!
25) Virgin Voyages
Drinking age: 18 in international waters, 21 in the United States - Virgin say that they’ll comply with whatever the local country’s law specifies
You’re able to take some alcohol onto your Virgin cruise. The limit here is two 750ml bottles or wine per cabin, and these must be taken onto the ship in your carry-on luggage. Any alcohol that you leave in your checked luggage will be confiscated, so be sure to take it on with you!
Virgin also explain on their website that, should you pick up alcohol on your excursions or port calls, then you simply need to hand these over to ship security for safe keeping, and they’ll return them on your final evening onboard!
26. Windstar Cruises
Drinking age: 21
For your Windstar cruise, you’re able to take some alcohol on with you. Each passenger is allowed to take 2 bottles of wine or champagne (750ml) onboard for a 7-day cruise, or 3 bottles for an 8-day (or longer) cruise. In terms of consumption, you can drink these free of charge in your cabin, but a corkage fee applies in the public areas and dining rooms: $15 + 18% gratuity - quite expensive, if you ask me!
So, that’s a summary of the policies held by 26 major cruise lines out there today, all around the world. Isn’t it interesting to see how some are so different, despite the fact they’re all operating with ships in similar parts of the world? Anyway, before finishing off today, let’s talk about some of the ‘FAQs of alcohol’ on cruises…
Are drinks packages on cruise ships worth the money?
Whoa, this is a HUGE question! I’ll get a few posts done in the future to share my experiences with drinks packages. Be sure to SIGN UP to my newsletters to stay ‘in the loop’ with the developments here at ‘Fraser at Sea’ - you’ll receive an e-mail every so often showing you some of my newest articles!
What happens if you smuggle alcohol onto your cruise, and don’t comply with the above policies?
Ok, the cruise line aren’t going to take you up on deck and instruct you to ‘walk the plank’ like you see on the pirate ships in the movies, but it’s really important to know that there can be some real serious consequences for not complying with the above policies. Every cruise line in the world has what they call a ‘passenger charter’ or ‘passage contract’ (or something similar to that), which details the agreements (many to do with your behaviour and conduct as a passenger onboard) that you sign up to by simply booking and travelling on your cruise. If you proceed to breach the charter, and therefore your agreement with the cruise line, you may find yourself subject to additional fees, or worse yet - you could be removed from the ship! This might mean that you will be denied boarding at your embarkation port, or you can be removed from the ship at the next port of call if you’re already sailing.
My advice? Have a read through your passenger charter - you should receive information on this from your Booking Agent but, if not, a quick Google search will find it pretty quickly for you!
Is it easy for minors/those under the legal drinking age onboard to be served alcohol?
The answer here is easy - no! On a cruise ship, you charge all onboard purchases (including drinks) to your stateroom or cabin. In order to do this, you’ll usually need to hand over your room key at the bar, which is then swiped on the till system. Some cruise lines will give minors a different colour of card as a clear sign to the crew that they shouldn’t be served alcohol, and others will actually do things like put holes through the card as a symbol (there’s a whole host of ways for the line to signal to the crew - these are just a few examples…). From a passenger point of view, think back to the point above on passenger charters - if you drink underage on your cruise, you’re breaching your contract. My advice? Please don’t risk it, or your cruise vacation could be over sooner than you’d planned for it to be!
Can I hide alcohol in my checked luggage?
I’ll be really honest - I’ve thought about this one before. In my mind, surely they wouldn’t search every bag, therefore you’d be absolutely fine to hide wine in your carry on luggage? However, after taking my first cruise and witnessing the journey that my luggage goes on to get to my room, I now realise that this idea was pretty silly - the bags are taken onboard the ship using huge luggage trolleys (with lots of other bags), and they travel (often) a great distance before reaching your room. Can you imagine arriving at your room to find that a bottle of red wine has smashed all over your clothes, all because you fancied saving a bit of cash at the bar? No thanks - I’ll stick to the ‘carry on’ option!
If I come from a country with a legal drinking age of 18, will I be able to drink alcohol on an American cruise ship?
Good question, and the answer is often ‘no’. However, that isn’t always the case - I’ve detailed most cruise lines in the post above, so just scroll up and check your the cruise line that you’re planning to sail on. Unfortunately, this is just one of those things - I remember going on holiday to the USA as a 20 year old and not being able to drink alcohol. This felt so strange, as I’d been legal to drink for 2 years in the UK (my home country) by that point. However, it’s important to respect the local laws of where you’re travelling, and this applies to the cruise industry too!
I really hope you’ve enjoyed this article! If you have, please think about SIGNING UP to my newsletters, and also heading over to support my YouTube channel by clicking Subscribe! Happy cruising, and remember to drink responsibly…!!