Drinks & Snacks Permitted On Cruise Lines

What You Can And Can't Bring Onboard Your Next Cruise

Today’s food and drink choices on most cruise ships are exceptional, offering everything from fine dining and delectable cocktails to street food snacks, treats and refreshing ice-cold drinks.

However, sometimes you just need a taste of home comforts while exploring the world in style! Or perhaps you have a specific dietary requirement that could mean your options are more limited or less extensive.

Many cruise guests question whether they can bring their own drinks (soft or alcoholic) or snacks onboard, and the short answer is that it depends on your cruise line, and sometimes even the port of departure.

Below, we’ve put together an easy cheat sheet sharing the guidelines on bringing drinks and snacks onboard some of the leading cruise lines.

Be aware that these food and drink allowances are only for your boarding day.; it doesn't mean you can bring a fresh bottle of wine onto the ship each time you visit a different port! In fact, any alcohol bought ashore or from the onboard cruise shops will be held by the cruise line until the end of your voyage.

Royal Caribbean

• Food & snack allowances: Pre-packaged, non-perishable food allowed in limited quantities.

• Alcoholic drinks allowances: Two 750ml bottles of wine or Champagne per stateroom (as long as one guest is of legal drinking age).

• Non-alcoholic drinks allowances: Up to 12 standard (17 oz.)  bottles, cans or cartons of non-alcoholic drinks for each stateroom. Water is included in this allowance.

Princess Cruises

• Food & snack allowances: Pre-packaged items only. Fresh food is highly discouraged and will be restricted by customs.

• Alcoholic drinks allowances: One bottle of wine or Champagne per adult of drinking age (no larger than 750 ml). Additional bottles will be charged a corkage fee of $15.

• Non-alcoholic drinks allowances: No limit.

Celebrity Cruises

• Food & snack allowances: Perishable food and meat products are prohibited.

• Alcoholic drinks allowances: Up to two bottles of wine which are subject to a corkage fee per passenger.

• Non-alcoholic drinks allowances: Unlimited water or soft drinks (soda).

P&O Cruises

• Food & snack allowances: Only allowed under certain circumstances, which are sealed or wrapped and only for personal consumption. Perishable food is prohibited.

• Alcoholic drinks allowances: Up to 1 litre of beer, wine, spirits, Champagne or liqueur for adults of legal drinking age.

• Non-alcoholic drinks allowances: Up to 12 canned drinks only. Most other non-alcoholic drinks are prohibited.

Norwegian Cruise Line

• Food & snack allowances: Pre-packaged items only. Items which are unsealed are not permitted onboard.

• Alcoholic drinks allowances: Wine is not limited but is subject to a corkage fee. Box wine is not permitted onboard.

• Non-alcoholic drinks allowances: Only distilled or purified water required for medical needs and in a factory-sealed container is permitted onboard.

Cunard

• Food & snack allowances: Bringing your own food is discouraged, especially perishable items.

• Alcoholic drinks allowances: Beer, spirits and wine can be taken onboard (subject to the departure port’s legal drinking age laws) and consumed in your cabin. However, there is a corkage fee if consumed in restaurants and bars onboard.

• Non-alcoholic drinks allowances: No limit.

MSC Cruises

• Food & snack allowances: Only for medical purposes, as confirmed in advance by MSC Cruises.

• Alcoholic drinks allowances: Not permitted.

• Non-alcoholic drinks allowances: Only water for medical purposes, as confirmed in advance by MSC Cruises.

When bringing alcoholic drinks onboard, pack them in your carry-on or hand luggage; this avoids breakages and allows for inspection if required. Some cruise lines also ask you to do the same with non-alcoholic drinks.

Consuming Your Drinks

Some cruise lines apply a corkage fee wherever you drink your own alcohol. However, on other ships, your wine or Champagne can be enjoyed in your cabin or stateroom corkage fee-free- and corkscrews are provided!

But if you wish to drink your own beverages in a cruise line’s main dining, speciality restaurants or bars, be aware that a corkage fee will be applied. It is always best to check with the cruise line you’re sailing with before you travel to be doubly sure of their specific regulations.

Prohibited Items

Most cruise lines do not allow spirits or beer to be brought onboard. Perishable items and meat are also generally prohibited and often restricted at customs, so think carefully about if you really need (or want) to bring perishable items on your cruise when packing.

Baby Food & Special Dietary Requirements

Many cruise lines provide baby food for some of the youngest guests onboard. However, often you are allowed to bring your own if it is pre-packaged. You can also bring formula, milk or distilled water for infant, medical, or dietary requirements onto most ships.

If you have specific medical or dietary needs, you can contact the cruise line directly before your trip. They can often give authorisation for specified items as and when needed.