Can You Buy Alcohol on a Cruise Ship?

By Alice Nichols

You can buy alcohol on a cruise ship, but the rules and regulations vary from cruise line to cruise line. Some cruise lines will allow you to purchase alcohol in the onboard duty-free shops and others will only allow you to bring personal liquor onboard. It’s important to familiarize yourself with your cruise line’s policy before booking your trip.

Most cruise lines will permit you to carry a certain amount of alcohol onto the ship when boarding at the beginning of your voyage.

The exact amount varies depending on the ship, so it is important to check with the individual cruise line prior to boarding. Generally speaking, each passenger is allowed one or two 750 mL bottles of wine or champagne, or six 12-ounce cans or bottles of beer. Any additional alcohol must be purchased onboard.

When it comes to purchasing alcoholic beverages while on a cruise, different policies apply depending on the age of the passenger. The legal drinking age in most places is 21 years old, so most ships will require passengers who appear younger than this age show proof of their identity before being served any alcohol. In addition, some ships may also impose restrictions on how much alcohol a passenger can purchase at one time.

Onboard Duty-Free Shops
Onboard duty-free shops typically carry a wide variety of spirits and wines at discounted prices compared to what you would find shoreside. Most ships also offer special deals like “all-you-can-drink packages” that allow passengers to enjoy unlimited beverages throughout their voyage for one flat rate.

Bar Service
Many ships also offer bar service throughout their vessels with an array of cocktails, beers, wines and other beverages available for purchase. Prices vary by drink but are typically comparable to what you would pay ashore for similar drinks.

Drinking Responsibly
No matter what your drinking preferences may be while on a cruise, it is important that all passengers drink responsibly and abide by any rules set forth by their cruise line. Alcohol consumption can quickly lead to dangerous situations such as falls overboard or fights between passengers which can ruin everyone’s vacation experience.

In conclusion, yes you can buy alcohol on a cruise ship with most major lines providing access through onboard duty-free shops and bars throughout their vessels. However, it is important that all passengers abide by their individual line’s policies when consuming alcoholic beverages while cruising.