Beverage policies vary among cruise lines and may change without notice.
Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival has one of the loosest beverage policies of all cruise lines, allowing each guest to carry on a maximum of 12 sealed 12 oz cans or cartons of a non-alcoholic beverage (e.g., sodas, juices, milk, or sparkling water) – a policy that most cruise lines have eliminated. Also, each adult (21+) guest may carry on one 750 mL bottle of wine or champagne. A $15 corkage fee will apply at bars, dining rooms, and specialty restaurants.
Royal Caribbean: For Royal Caribbean, no beer, liquor, or non-alcoholic beverages are allowed to be brought onboard. However, a limit of two 750 mL bottles of wine or champagne per stateroom can be carried on. A $15 corkage fee may apply.
Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian also prohibits its guests from bringing any beverages onboard, with the exception of carrying on bottles of wine or champagne as well as factory-sealed purified or distilled water for medical devices or infant formula. Norwegian charges a $15 corkage fee for 750 mL bottles and $30 for a 1,500 mL Magnum bottle.
Disney Cruise Line: Disney is unique in that it allows each adult guest to bring two 750 mL bottles of wine or champagne or a six-pack of 12 oz beers onboard. A $25 corkage fee applies. While Disney’s website does not clarify its policy about bringing onboard items like soda, soda is available free of charge at select locations onboard as well as in the dining rooms.
MSC Cruises: While MSC’s website is unclear regarding its policies, from what we can gather MSC seems to have the strictest policy of all. No beverage of any kind – not even a bottle of wine or champagne – can be brought onboard. Exceptions are only made for medically necessary reasons, such as distilled water needed for medical devices or infant formula.
Holland America Line: Like many lines, Holland America allows the carry-on of 750 mL bottles of wine or champagne by adult guests. However, uniquely, the first bottle will not be subject to a corkage fee. Any additional bottles after the first, though, will incur an $18 corkage fee. This is per guest, not per stateroom. Other alcohol is not permitted to be brought onboard.
Princess Cruises: Princess allows one 750 mL bottle of wine or champagne per adult guest. If consumed in your stateroom, there’s no fee. However, if you want to enjoy it at dinner or in a restaurant, there’s a $15 corkage fee.