What Alcohol Can You Bring on a Cruise Ship?

By Michael Ferguson

When planning a cruise, travelers often wonder what types of alcohol can be brought onboard. Cruise lines have different policies regarding what kind of alcoholic beverages can be brought on board and the amount that can be taken in. Generally, most cruise lines allow passengers to bring two bottles of wine or champagne per person in their carry-on luggage.

Cruise lines typically prohibit passengers from bringing hard liquor onboard. Some may allow passengers to bring a limited amount of sealed and unopened bottles of hard liquor onboard, but it is usually limited to one liter or less per person. Additionally, some cruise lines may impose restrictions on the type or brand of liquor that can be brought on board, so it’s best to check with the specific cruise line prior to boarding the ship.

Beer and other malt beverages are generally allowed on board in moderation as long as they are in cans or bottles that have been sealed prior to boarding. However, some cruise ships limit the amount of beer and other malt beverages that can be consumed onboard, so it’s best to check with the individual cruise line for their specific policies before bringing any type of alcohol onboard.

Alcohol purchased during port stops is usually allowed on board as long as it is sealed and unopened upon re-boarding the ship. However, many cruise lines will not allow passengers to bring open containers or any type of alcoholic beverage purchased while at a port back onto the ship due to liability concerns. Additionally, some ports may have restrictions regarding alcohol purchases so it’s important to check local laws prior to purchasing any alcoholic beverages while ashore during a port stop.

Conclusion: When bringing alcohol on a cruise ship, passengers should adhere to their chosen cruise line’s policies about what kind and how much alcohol can be taken aboard. Generally speaking, most ships allow two bottles of wine or champagne per person in their carry-on luggage and limited amounts of beers and other malt beverages in sealed containers.

Hard liquor is typically prohibited unless allowed by the individual cruise line in limited amounts. Alcohol purchased while at ports is usually allowed back onboard as long as it is still sealed upon re-boarding the ship but should always be checked with local laws before purchasing any alcohol ashore during a port stop.