Can—Or Should—You Bring Booze on a Cruise?

Much like the idea of sipping a chilled, tiny umbrella-equipped cocktail on a remote beach, enjoying a refreshing alcoholic bev on a large boat's deck is the synonym of a dreamy and relaxing vacation. What could be so bad?

The good news is that you don't need to own a large yacht or know rich yacht-owning people to drink your buzzy drink in peace on a boat. There are cruises for that, many of which are equipped with gorgeous cocktail bars on their outdoor areas.

But we get it. Sometimes—especially if you're not on an all-inclusive cruise—the idea of spending good money for a cocktail is a little unnerving, and you might start wondering whether it wouldn't just be easier if you made the cocktail yourself. After all, a cruise ship is basically your own floating house for a week, right?

To help you figure out whether or not you can bring alcohol on cruises (and to help you potentially save a few bucks), we asked a travel expert to elaborate on the matter. Here's what they said.

Everybody, rejoice: The short answer is yes, you can bring alcohol on a cruise. However, there are some restrictions and things to keep in mind, as it may not be as easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy as you'd think.

"Generally yes, you are allowed to bring alcoholic beverages, but there are typically strict limits, and it varies by cruise line," Daniel Burnham, flight and travel expert at Going.com, tells Thrillist. "Typically, passengers are allowed to present one to two bottles of still or sparkling wine, and potentially a six-pack of beer on the day you depart for personal consumption. However, in general, spirits are not allowed at all."

But what if you want to bring back some local liquor from an excursion, you ask? As Burnham explains, cruise lines usually have a rule for that, too. "Those bottles will usually be stored for you aboard the ship," he says. "But you may not be allowed access to them until departing the ship for good."

Royal Caribbean follows these exact guidelines. "On embarkation day, each guest of drinking age may bring one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne," reads the cruise line's website. "Guests who purchase alcohol bottles onboard, in a port-of-call, or bring more than the one permitted bottle on boarding day, will have their items safely stored by the ship. These bottles will be returned on the last day onboard for enjoyment once home."

You should also beware of some nasty hidden fees that may apply if you choose to drink your own alcohol on the ship's property.

"Corkage fees for consuming drinks in an on-board restaurant or even in your room on some ships can be applied," says Burnham.

Corkage fees are notoriously pretty high. Carnival Cruise Line, for example, charges $15 if you want to drink your bottle of wine in a few selected areas, including "the main dining room, specialty restaurant, or bar," according to Carnival's rules.

For this reason, it's always worth checking how much those corkage fees would amount to and consider whether by bringing in your own alcohol you aren't, in fact, spending more than you would by buying alcohol directly on the cruise.

It is important to note that alcohol-related rules and regulations vary depending on the cruise line, and they may differ depending on a variety of factors. It is always best to check in directly with the cruise line itself ahead of your trip to ensure a seamless travel experience.

Whether you need help sneaking weed onto a plane, finding an airport where you can sign up for PreCheck without an appointment, or making sure you’re getting everything you’re entitled to when your flight is canceled, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for up-to-date travel hacks and all the travel news you need to help you plan your next big adventure.

Want more Thrillist? Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.