Cruise Ship Beverage Bring-Aboard Rules: Policies, Costs, and How to Save

"Can I bring drinks on board?" "How much do drinks cost on the ship?" — common questions when budgeting a cruise. On-board drinks are typically priced individually, and the bills add up over multiple days.

Bring-aboard policies vary significantly by cruise line. Some let you bring wine or soft drinks; others restrict alcohol entirely.

This guide covers what you can and can't bring, drink prices on the ship, and how to keep your beverage spend under control.

Bring-Aboard Basics

Varies by line — here's the general picture.

Usually allowed

Soft drinks (non-alcoholic):

• Bottled water, juice, soda, etc.
• Often a few bottles allowed (e.g., up to 12)
• Cans can be restricted

Wine:

• 1–2 bottles per person on many lines
• Corkage fee may apply if you drink it in a restaurant ($10–25 per bottle)
• Cabin consumption often skips the corkage

Usually banned or tightly restricted

Beer and spirits (whiskey, vodka, etc.):

• Banned on most lines

Bulk alcohol:

• Commercial-quantity alcohol is banned

Other:

• Glass bottles may be restricted (safety)

Inspection at boarding

Bags are X-rayed at embarkation. Banned items are usually:

• Held: returned to you at disembarkation
• Confiscated: not returned

Don't risk it — check the rules in advance.

Bring-Aboard Rules by Cruise Line

Confirm the line's official site before sailing; rules change.

Princess Cruises (Diamond Princess, etc.)

Allowed:

• Wine: 1 bottle (750ml) per person
• Soft drinks: reasonable amount (e.g., 12 bottles)

Banned:

• Beer, spirits

Corkage:

• Restaurant: $15 per bottle
• In-cabin: free

MSC Cruises (MSC Bellissima, etc.)

Allowed:

• Soft drinks: reasonable amount

Banned:

• All alcohol including wine

Note: MSC is strict on bring-aboard alcohol.

Royal Caribbean

Allowed:

• Wine: 2 bottles (750ml × 2) per person
• Soft drinks: reasonable amount (e.g., 12 bottles)

Banned:

• Beer, spirits

Corkage:

• Restaurant: $15 per bottle
• In-cabin: free

Japanese ships (Asuka II, Nippon Maru, etc.)

Allowed:

• More lenient on average
• Wine and soft drinks often allowed

Note: Varies by ship — confirm.

Drinks On Board: Free vs Paid

If you can't bring it, you'll buy it on board. What's free and what's not.

Free drinks

Water (tap):

• Tap water at restaurants and the buffet — free
• Bottled mineral water — paid

Coffee and tea:

• Standard buffet and main-dining coffee and tea — free
• Specialty coffee (cappuccino, espresso, etc.) — often paid

Juice at breakfast:

• Often free

Paid drinks

Soft drinks:

• Cola, juice, sports drinks: $2–4 per glass
• Bottled mineral water: $2–3

Alcohol:

• Beer: $5–8
• Wine (glass): $7–15
• Cocktails: $10–15
• Spirits: $8–12

Specialty coffee:

• Cappuccino, espresso: $3–5

Drink packages

Most ships sell drink packages.

Alcohol package:

• Price: $50–80 per day
• Coverage: beer, wine, cocktails, spirits (excluding premium)
• Common condition: all adults in the cabin must buy

Soft drink package:

• Price: $10–20 per day
• Coverage: soft drinks

Decision rule: If you're drinking 3–4+ glasses per day, the package usually wins.

Saving on Drinks

Practical tactics.

1. Bring soft drinks

Allowed on most lines. Pack a few bottles to cut on-board spending significantly.

2. Bring wine

If wine is allowed, pack favorites. Drink in the cabin to skip corkage.

3. Use the free drinks

Free water, coffee, tea at restaurants and the buffet. Carry-out into the cabin is fine (water bottle or thermos).

4. Consider a drink package

If you drink 3–4+ alcoholic drinks per day, run the math — package often wins.

5. Watch for happy hour

Some ships discount specific time windows. Check the daily program.

6. Buy drinks in port

You can buy at ports and bring back to the ship. Some ships hold these until disembarkation though, so confirm.

7. Bring a water bottle or tumbler

Fill from the buffet's free drinks and bring back to the cabin.

FAQ

Q1: Can I bring drinks on board?

Varies by line. Soft drinks and wine (1–2 bottles) are commonly allowed; beer and spirits are commonly banned. Check before sailing.

Q2: Is shipboard water drinkable?

Yes — ship tap water is potable. Restaurant and buffet water is free. If you prefer the taste of bottled, bring or buy.

Q3: Is the drink package worth it?

If you have 3–4+ drinks per day, generally yes. Package pricing ($50–80 per day) is significant though — match to actual consumption.

Q4: Can I bring back port-bought drinks?

Often yes, but some ships hold them until disembarkation. Confirm with your line.

Q5: Are kids' soft drinks free?

Restaurant and buffet water, breakfast juice, coffee, and tea are free. Soft drinks bought at pool bars or other bars are paid.

Q6: Can I take alcohol back to my cabin?

Bar or restaurant drinks usually can't be taken back to the cabin. Wine you brought aboard yourself, however, can be consumed in the cabin.

Wrapping Up

Bring-aboard rules vary by cruise line. Soft drinks and wine (1–2 bottles) are commonly allowed; beer and spirits are commonly banned.

On board, water and basic coffee and tea are free; soft drinks and alcohol are paid. Save by bringing soft drinks and wine, using free drinks, and considering a drink package if you actually drink that much.

Read the official policy before sailing, follow the rules, and the on-board life stays simple.