Can I Bring My Own Alcohol on Royal Caribbean International?

One of the most common questions travelers ask before setting sail with Royal Caribbean International is: “Can I bring my own alcohol onboard?” For many passengers, enjoying a favorite wine or liquor during vacation is an important part of the experience. While Royal Caribbean offers an extensive beverage program, including specialty cocktails, wines, and drink packages, the cruise line also has a strict alcohol policy designed to ensure safety and compliance with maritime regulations.

This article explores in detail whether you can bring your own alcohol on Royal Caribbean International cruises, what types are allowed, the rules and restrictions you need to follow, corkage fees, and alternative ways to enjoy drinks while onboard. By the end, you will have a clear understanding of what to expect and how to make the most of your cruising experience.

Overview of Royal Caribbean’s Alcohol Policy

Royal Caribbean International’s alcohol policy is consistent across its fleet, with only slight variations depending on itineraries and destinations. The policy is designed to balance guest enjoyment with responsible service of alcohol, while also adhering to laws regarding consumption and distribution at sea.

The policy can be summarized as follows:

Guests may bring limited wine or champagne onboard at embarkation.
Hard liquor, beer, and other alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
Any prohibited items found during security screening will be confiscated.
Guests must be of legal drinking age (21 years for most sailings, 18 years for select international sailings).

What You Can Bring Onboard

1. Wine and Champagne

Royal Caribbean allows each stateroom to bring up to two 750ml bottles of wine or champagne on embarkation day. This is permitted per stateroom, not per person.

Key rules:

The bottles must be carried in your carry-on luggage, not in checked bags.
Larger bottles or boxed wines are not permitted.
Sparkling wine is included in this allowance.

2. Special Occasions

If you are celebrating an event like a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday, you may still only bring the permitted two bottles of wine or champagne per stateroom. For larger celebrations, purchasing wine packages or premium bottles onboard is recommended.

3. Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Royal Caribbean generally prohibits bringing non-alcoholic beverages such as soda or bottled water. However, exceptions are sometimes made for medical or infant-related needs. Guests requiring this should notify the cruise line in advance.

What You Cannot Bring Onboard

Beer – Not permitted in any quantity.
Hard liquor – Whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and other spirits are not allowed.
Additional wine/champagne bottles – Beyond the two-bottle limit, any extra bottles will be held until disembarkation.
Boxed wine or large containers – Not allowed, even if within the 750ml equivalent.

If guests attempt to bring prohibited alcohol, it will be confiscated during security screening. In most cases, the items are returned at the end of the cruise.

Corkage Fees Onboard

If you bring wine or champagne and wish to enjoy it in public dining venues (such as the Main Dining Room or specialty restaurants), Royal Caribbean charges a corkage fee.

Corkage Fee: Approximately $15 per bottle
This applies regardless of whether staff open the bottle for you or you bring it already uncorked.
To avoid the fee, you can enjoy your wine privately in your stateroom or balcony.

Why Royal Caribbean Restricts Alcohol

Many travelers wonder why cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, restrict alcohol brought onboard. There are several reasons:

Safety and Security – Overconsumption of alcohol at sea can create safety risks. Limiting outside alcohol helps crew monitor consumption more effectively.
Revenue – Alcohol sales are a significant source of onboard revenue. Drink packages, bars, and specialty beverages contribute to the cruise line’s operating costs.
Legal Compliance – Maritime laws and port regulations require strict control over alcohol service and distribution.
Passenger Experience – Controlled service ensures a safe and enjoyable environment for all guests.

Purchasing Alcohol Onboard

Although bringing your own alcohol is restricted, Royal Caribbean offers a wide range of options to suit different preferences and budgets:

1. Drink Packages

Royal Caribbean offers all-inclusive drink packages, including:

Deluxe Beverage Package – Unlimited cocktails, wine, beer, soda, premium coffees, and bottled water.
Refreshment Package – Includes non-alcoholic beverages like mocktails, soda, and specialty coffees.
Classic Soda Package – Unlimited fountain soda and a souvenir cup.

2. By-the-Glass Purchases

Guests can buy wine, beer, cocktails, and spirits individually at bars, lounges, and restaurants.

3. Wine Packages

Royal Caribbean offers multi-bottle wine packages that can be enjoyed in restaurants or delivered to your stateroom.

4. Duty-Free Shops

Alcohol purchased from duty-free shops onboard or in ports is held until the last night of the cruise, when it is delivered to your stateroom.

Alcohol Policy at Ports of Call

Guests often purchase alcohol while exploring ports of call. Royal Caribbean’s policy is clear:

Alcohol purchased in port will be collected at the gangway and stored until the final night of the cruise.
This includes bottles of wine, spirits, or beer.
The alcohol is safely returned before disembarkation.

This ensures compliance with the onboard alcohol restrictions and prevents unmonitored consumption.

Age Restrictions

North America and Caribbean sailings – Legal drinking age is 21.
International sailings (Europe, Asia, Australia) – Legal drinking age may be 18, depending on the region.
Identification is required to verify age.

Royal Caribbean enforces these rules strictly and reserves the right to confiscate alcohol from underage guests.

Tips for Enjoying Alcohol on Royal Caribbean Cruises

If you’re planning to drink during your cruise, here are some practical tips:

1. Bring Your Allowed Bottles Wisely

Select wines or champagnes you truly enjoy, as you are limited to two bottles per stateroom.

2. Use Your Stateroom for Private Drinks

Enjoy your wine on your balcony or in your cabin to avoid corkage fees.

3. Consider a Drink Package

If you plan to consume more than a few drinks per day, the Deluxe Beverage Package often provides excellent value.

4. Watch for Discounts

Royal Caribbean frequently discounts drink packages if purchased before boarding through the Cruise Planner website.

5. Stay Hydrated and Responsible

Cruising often involves sunny decks and busy excursions, so drink plenty of water and pace yourself with alcohol.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I bring spirits like whiskey or vodka onboard?No, Royal Caribbean prohibits all hard liquor from being brought onboard.

2. Can each passenger bring two bottles of wine?No, the allowance is two bottles per stateroom, not per passenger.

3. Will my alcohol be confiscated if I try to sneak it onboard?Yes, prohibited alcohol will be confiscated and returned at the end of the cruise.

4. Is there a way to avoid corkage fees?Yes, drink your wine in your stateroom instead of public venues.

5. Do suite guests have different alcohol allowances?No, all guests are subject to the same alcohol policy, regardless of cabin category.

6. Can I buy alcohol onboard and drink it immediately?No, any duty-free alcohol purchased onboard is held until the last night of the cruise.

Pros and Cons of Bringing Your Own Alcohol

Pros

Enjoy personal favorites not available onboard
Save money compared to onboard wine purchases
Option to celebrate privately in your stateroom

Cons

Limited to only two bottles of wine or champagne per stateroom
Corkage fees apply in restaurants
Hard liquor and beer not permitted

Conclusion

So, can you bring your own alcohol on Royal Caribbean International? The answer is yes—but only wine or champagne, and only two 750ml bottles per stateroom on embarkation day. Hard liquor, beer, and other alcoholic beverages are not permitted.

Royal Caribbean enforces this policy consistently, with any unauthorized alcohol held until the end of the cruise. For those who want more variety, onboard drink packages, by-the-glass purchases, and duty-free shops provide plenty of options.

The policy ensures a balance between guest enjoyment, safety, and compliance with maritime law. Whether you choose to savor your own wine on your balcony or take advantage of unlimited drink packages, Royal Caribbean offers plenty of ways to relax and enjoy your vacation responsibly.

By planning ahead, you can maximize your enjoyment, avoid unnecessary fees, and ensure that your cruise is as smooth and stress-free as possible.