Are you planning a cruise vacation and wondering how many bottles of wine you can bring on board? Well, the answer is not straightforward as it varies from cruise line to cruise line. In this article, we will take a closer look at the wine policies of some of the popular cruise lines and help you understand the rules.
Why Do Cruise Lines Limit Wine Allowance?
Before we dive into the specifics of each cruise line’s policy, let’s first understand why they limit the amount of wine that passengers can bring onboard. The primary reason is to control the sale of alcoholic beverages on board. Cruise lines generate substantial revenue from selling alcohol, so they try to limit passengers from bringing their drinks as much as possible.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean allows each stateroom to bring two bottles of wine or champagne onboard during embarkation day. If you want to bring more than two bottles or consume them in public spaces on the ship, you will have to pay a corkage fee. The fee varies depending on the size and type of bottle but generally ranges from $15 to $25 per bottle.
Carnival
Carnival has a similar policy as Royal Caribbean, allowing passengers to carry two 750ml bottles of wine or champagne per stateroom during embarkation. If you exceed the limit or want to consume them in public spaces onboard, you will have to pay a corkage fee ranging from $15-$20 per bottle.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line’s policy is relatively lenient compared to other cruise lines. Passengers are allowed to bring an unlimited amount of wine or champagne onboard during embarkation day only. However, if consumed in public areas or restaurants, Norwegian charges a corkage fee ranging from $15-$30 per bottle.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises’ wine policy is similar to that of Royal Caribbean and Carnival. Passengers are allowed to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne per adult during embarkation day. If you want to bring more, you will have to pay a corkage fee ranging from $15-$20 per bottle.
Holland America
Holland America’s wine policy is also similar to other cruise lines. Passengers are allowed to bring one bottle of wine or champagne per person during embarkation day. If you want to bring more, you will have to pay a corkage fee ranging from $18-$25 per bottle.
Conclusion
In summary, most cruise lines limit the amount of wine that passengers can bring onboard for various reasons. While some allow unlimited bottles, they charge high corkage fees if consumed in public spaces or restaurants. It’s always best to check with your cruise line’s specific policies before packing your bags and boarding the ship with your favorite bottles of wine or champagne.