Your ultimate guide to cruise adventures. Discover amazing destinations, find the perfect cruise, and create unforgettable memories on the high seas.
© 2025 cruisebite.com All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
One of the most common questions travelers ask before embarking on a cruise is whether they can bring their own alcohol onboard. For many passengers, enjoying a favorite bottle of wine, sipping champagne to celebrate a special occasion, or having a familiar spirit on hand adds to the overall cruise experience.
When it comes to Holland America Line, the company has specific policies about bringing alcohol onboard. Understanding these rules before your trip is essential because failing to comply may result in confiscation of beverages at embarkation or during the cruise.
In this detailed guide, we will cover everything you need to know about bringing alcohol on Holland America Line, including the official rules, what is permitted, restrictions on hard liquor, corkage fees, duty-free purchases, and insider tips for enjoying drinks responsibly while at sea.
Holland America Line, like most cruise lines, maintains strict rules regarding the types and quantities of alcohol guests can bring aboard. These policies are in place to ensure passenger safety, support onboard beverage sales, and maintain a consistent guest experience.
The short answer is: yes, you can bring some alcohol onboard Holland America Line, but with restrictions. Guests are allowed to bring a limited quantity of wine or champagne but are not permitted to bring beer, spirits, or other hard liquor for personal consumption.
Guests are allowed to bring one bottle of wine or champagne (750 ml) per person at embarkation.
This allowance applies to guests over the legal drinking age, which is 21 years old on cruises departing from the United States.
The bottle can be consumed in your stateroom with no additional cost.
If consumed in public areas or dining venues, a corkage fee applies.
Beer, hard liquor, and other spirits are not allowed to be brought onboard for personal use.
Any such items discovered during embarkation screening will be confiscated and held until the end of the cruise.
Holland America Line allows passengers to bring wine or champagne but charges a corkage fee if the bottle is opened in public spaces like restaurants, bars, or lounges.
The corkage fee is generally around 20 USD per bottle.
The fee applies regardless of where the bottle was purchased, even if it is a high-end or duty-free purchase.
To avoid the corkage fee, you can enjoy your wine or champagne in your stateroom.
This policy ensures that onboard bars and lounges continue to generate revenue while still allowing guests to celebrate with their own bottles.
Many guests enjoy shopping for alcohol at duty-free shops, both on the ship and in port cities. Holland America Line allows these purchases but enforces rules on when they can be consumed.
Onboard Duty-Free Shops: Alcohol purchased onboard is held by the ship until the last night of the cruise. Guests cannot consume it during the voyage.
Port Purchases: If you buy alcohol at a port of call, security will collect it upon your return to the ship. It will be stored safely and delivered to your stateroom on the final evening of your cruise.
This means that while you can take advantage of duty-free pricing, you will not be able to enjoy those bottles until the end of your journey.
Celebrating a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon, or milestone at sea is a common reason passengers want to bring alcohol onboard. Holland America Line accommodates these occasions by allowing wine and champagne within the one-bottle limit.
For larger groups or special events:
Guests may request additional allowances, but approval is at the discretion of the cruise line.
Ordering through Holland America’s onboard beverage service is usually more convenient for parties or gatherings.
Many passengers wonder why they cannot bring unlimited alcohol onboard. The reasons include:
Safety: Excessive personal alcohol consumption can increase risks at sea.
Revenue: Beverage sales are an important part of cruise line profits.
Fairness: Ensures all passengers have a consistent onboard experience.
Security: Helps control the types and sources of alcohol brought onboard.
These rules mirror those of most other major cruise lines.
If you want to enjoy drinks onboard without worrying about restrictions, Holland America Line offers several alternatives.
Signature Beverage Package: Includes a wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks up to a certain price point.
Elite Beverage Package: Offers premium wines, cocktails, and spirits with fewer restrictions.
Non-Alcoholic Packages: Cover soft drinks, bottled water, and specialty coffees.
These packages provide unlimited or discounted drinks throughout the cruise and can be a cost-effective alternative for guests who plan to drink regularly.
Guests can order cocktails, beer, and wine by the glass at bars, lounges, and restaurants.
Onboard menus feature premium wines and top-shelf liquors for those seeking luxury options.
Holland America Line offers curated wine lists, champagne selections, and cocktail menus.
You can order a bottle in advance for special occasions and have it waiting in your stateroom.
Pack Carefully: If bringing wine or champagne, use a padded travel case or secure it in your carry-on to avoid breakage.
Declare at Embarkation: Inform security of your bottle during screening to prevent misunderstandings.
Stay Within Limits: Do not attempt to bring more than the permitted quantity, as excess bottles will be confiscated.
Budget for Corkage Fees: If you plan to enjoy your wine in restaurants, include corkage costs in your budget.
Use Onboard Packages: If you plan to drink frequently, compare the value of beverage packages versus bringing your own.
Myth 1: You can sneak alcohol onboard in water bottles or flasks.
Reality: Security checks luggage carefully, and confiscated items will not be returned until disembarkation.
Myth 2: Duty-free purchases can be consumed immediately.
Reality: They are held until the final night of the cruise.
Myth 3: Premium suite guests get unlimited alcohol privileges.
Reality: Suite guests must follow the same alcohol policies as all passengers.
No, only wine or champagne is allowed in limited quantities.
Additional bottles are held until the end of the cruise.
Yes, but only after the cruise ends, as purchases are stored by the ship until then.
Exceptions are rare and must be arranged in advance with the cruise line.
Yes, depending on the package tier, many specialty drinks are included.
Pros:
Enjoy your favorite wine or champagne.
Save money compared to onboard purchases.
Perfect for celebrating special moments in private.
Cons:
Strict limits (one bottle per person).
Corkage fees in public areas.
No beer or spirits allowed.
Duty-free purchases held until cruise end.
So, can you bring your own alcohol on Holland America Line? The answer is yes, but only in limited amounts of wine or champagne. Guests may bring one 750 ml bottle per person at embarkation, enjoy it freely in their stateroom, or pay a corkage fee to consume it in dining venues. Beer, hard liquor, and additional bottles are not permitted and will be held until the end of the voyage.
For passengers who want more flexibility and variety, Holland America Line offers excellent beverage packages and onboard bar options that eliminate the need to bring your own. By understanding the rules, planning ahead, and balancing personal preferences with cruise policies, you can ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free experience when it comes to drinks at sea.
Your ultimate guide to cruise adventures. Discover amazing destinations, find the perfect cruise, and create unforgettable memories on the high seas.
© 2025 cruisebite.com All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service