Cruise Ship Alcohol Policies

Cruise ships aren’t trying to get in the way of your good time. Rather, much of their profits come from onboard spending, and liquor is one of their best sellers. Each cruise line has a different alcohol policy, and it pays to know the rules in advance.

For example, Royal Caribbean has one of the strictest policies. Any alcohol you bring aboard or buy in the ship’s own duty free shop is confiscated by the crew until the end of the cruise.

With Norwegian Cruise Lines, you can bring wine aboard, but there is a $15 corkage fee per bottle. Any other alcohol brought aboard is held by their alcohol retention team.

Higher priced luxury lines have more lenient policies about bringing alcohol aboard, and they are more likely to offer wine or even spirits with no extra charge. Regent Seven Seas serves wine with dinner, while Silversea includes all alcoholic beverages and even stocks your stateroom at no extra charge.