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Little-known rule about alcohol on cruise ships which could save you hundreds of dollars

May 23, 2025 - 8.00pm

While many cruisers like to splash out by buying a drinks package to enjoy a tipple on board, a little-known rule will likely leave drinkers celebrating.

And age-old tradition of toasting the voyage on departure means you are actually allowed take your own wine or Champagne on board.

It aims to bring good luck and safe sailings.

Most cruise lines allow adults of drinking age - which is 18 in Australia, but 21 in the US - to pack the special tipple.

Of course cruise ships are also christened by smashing a bottle of Champagne on the hull.

And with bottles of wine and Champagne being pricey on board if they're not part of a drinks package, you could save a lot of cash.

Here are all the rules.

Can you take alcohol on Carnival Cruise Australia?

Carnival allows one bottle of wine or Champagne (750ml) to be brought on board per adult on Australian cruises. It must be sealed.

Stronger drinks like port, vermouth, and sherry are now allowed.

Royal Caribbean also allows a 750ml bottle of wine to be brought on board at the star of the cruise per adult, it says Getty

You can enjoy the bottles in your cabin. But if you want to drink them with dinner you may have to pay a corkage fee.

And if you indulge buy being booze on land, such as a bottle of rum from an exotic destination, it will be taken off you and stores until you disembark.

These rules also apply to the Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter ships, which recently were taken over by the company.

Cunard rules on alcohol

Cunard also allows the traditional bottle of wine to be brought for your cruise.

"You can consume this in your stateroom for no additional charge, or in one of our restaurants (a corkage fee will be applied in this instance)," it says.

Princess Cruises alcohol rules

On Princess Cruises the rules state that one bottle of wine (750ml) can be brought on board per adult, to drink in your stateroom.

Princess ships allow you to bring a bottle of wine. Danny Lehmann/Supplied

Is wine allowed on Royal Caribbean Cruises?

Royal Caribbean also allows a 750ml bottle of wine to be brought on board at the start of the cruise per adult. It warns guests who break the rules could be forced to get off the cruise.

American cruises don't allow under 21's to drink, or bring alcohol on board.

Sister company Celebrity Cruises allows one bottle of wine per guest of drinking age it says.

Royal Caribbean also allows a 750ml bottle of wine to be brought on board. Getty

Can you bring drinks on Disney Cruise Line?

Disney Cruise Line guests aged 21 years and older may bring a maximum of two bottles of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml).

Or, you can bring six beers on board at the beginning of the voyage and at each port of call. They must be packed in carry-on luggage.

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Holland America cruise alcohol rules

Guests may bring wine and Champagne onboard but will be charged $US20 ($30) corkage per bottle, the company says.

It doesn't set a limit but says if the number is "excessive" it will be refused.

It also notes passengers who embark on a wine tour on shore can bring one bottle back without having to pay corkage.

Can I take soft drinks on a cruise?

Coke Zero drinkers rejoice. Carnival allows up to 12 non-alcoholic drinks to be brought on board - but only in cans or cartons.

You are not allowed, for example to bring plastic bottles of water.

Royal Caribbean has the same rules, as does Holland America.

Cans of Coke and other soft drinks are allowed to be brought on cruise ships. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Celebrity Cruises says you can bring "any non-alcoholic beverages". The only rule is they have to be carried on board.

Disney Cruise Line includes soft drinks with meals, so you won't need to worry about bringing your own.