What Is a Corkage Fee on a Cruise Ship?

By Anna Duncan

A corkage fee on a cruise ship is a fee that is charged for the service of serving and selling alcoholic beverages. It is typically added to the cost of each bottle of alcohol purchased from the ship’s bar or restaurant. The corkage fee is set by the cruise line and can vary from port to port, as well as from ship to ship.

The corkage fee applied to alcoholic beverages purchased onboard a cruise ship usually ranges from $5 to $20 per bottle depending on the type of beverage being served. The more expensive bottles will have higher corkage fees than cheaper bottles due to the additional costs associated with their service. For instance, premium wines and spirits will have higher corkage fees than those of lower quality.

In addition to the corkage fee, cruise lines may also charge additional fees such as gratuities or taxes on top of their regular prices for any alcoholic beverage purchased onboard. These fees are intended to cover costs associated with providing such services, such as staff wages or storage costs.

Cruise passengers should be aware that some ships may not allow passengers to bring their own alcohol onboard due to safety concerns. In these cases, passengers will be required to purchase all alcoholic beverages from the ship’s bar or restaurant and must pay the applicable corkage fee.

Conclusion:

A corkage fee on a cruise ship is a fee charged for serving and selling alcoholic beverages. The amount varies depending on the type of beverage being served and other additional fees may apply. Passengers should also be aware that some ships may not allow passengers to bring their own alcohol onboard and must purchase all alcoholic beverages from the ship’s bar or restaurant instead.