Cruise Ship Alcohol Policies

If you’ve ever tried to bring a bottle of wine onto a cruise ship, you may have been in for a rude surprise. Each cruise line has a different policy, so here’s what you need to know…

Royal Caribbean has one of the strictest policies.

The crew can confiscate alcohol brought on board.

Alcohol purchased at port or in duty-free shops is held and returned at the end of the cruise.

It’s the same for Cunard’s duty-free shop.

The bottles have to be surrendered until the last day of the cruise.

You can, however, bring wine or champagne on board, but expect to pay a $15 corkage fee.

In fact, that corkage fee is becoming increasingly common on cruise ships.

Princess, Cunard and NCL all charge $15 to $30 per bottle. 


So do the math on whether it’s worth bringing a cheaper wine from home and paying the fee, or paying restaurant prices on board.

And no, boys and girls, those classy boxes of wine usually aren’t allowed. 


Some luxury lines are a different story.

Regent Seven Seas serves wine with dinner, and one of its ships, the Song of Flower, includes all alcoholic beverages.

SilverSea includes all alcohol and even stocks your cabin. 


The important thing is to know the rules before you go, or you may be left high and dry when the ship sets sail.

For more on this topic, try our Cruise Travel section.

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