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If you are preparing for a Princess Cruises vacation, you may be wondering whether you can pack your favorite snacks from home. The good news is that Princess Cruises’ own packing guidance says guests may bring snacks, making it possible to have familiar foods available between meals.
However, there are important distinctions between snacks, beverages, fresh foods, baby food, special-diet items, and food taken ashore. Princess also has specific rules about beverages and coolers, while customs regulations can affect what you may take off the ship or bring back into a country.
This guide explains the practical rules so you can pack snacks without creating problems at embarkation or during your cruise.
Yes. Princess Cruises allows guests to bring some personal snacks onboard. Princess's current cruise packing guide specifically lists snacks among personal comfort items guests may want to pack. It also notes that the ship already provides numerous snack and dining choices.
For most travelers, the simplest approach is to bring small quantities of shelf-stable, commercially packaged snacks that are easy to store and do not require refrigeration or preparation.
Examples can include:
The exact acceptability of a food item can depend on the sailing, embarkation port, destination and applicable health or customs rules. When in doubt about a particular food, checking Princess's current pre-cruise guidance before departure is sensible.
Not every food makes sense for a cruise. Even when a particular item is permitted, storage, freshness and customs restrictions can make it inconvenient.
Shelf-stable snacks are generally the easiest option because they do not require refrigeration.
Good choices include:
Keeping food in its original commercial packaging also makes it easier to identify during security checks.
Families may find personal snacks particularly useful when traveling with young children.
Familiar foods can be helpful between meals or when a child does not want the available menu options.
Princess also provides children's dining choices onboard. Its onboard FAQ states that children's menus are available in the main dining rooms, with children's food such as pizza, burgers, hot dogs and ice cream available at various dining locations.
Princess also states that complimentary jarred Stage 1 and Stage 2 baby food can be requested in advance through Manage Booking, while pureed fruits or vegetables can be requested in the main dining room.
Therefore, parents do not necessarily need to pack large amounts of baby food simply because they are concerned that appropriate food will not be available.
This is an area where travelers should be cautious.
Princess's published packing guidance confirms that snacks can be brought, but it does not mean that every type of homemade or unpackaged food is automatically acceptable on every sailing.
A homemade sandwich, freshly prepared meal or other perishable item can create additional food-safety and customs concerns.
For the lowest-risk approach, choose:
If you have a specific homemade or perishable food that you need for medical, dietary or religious reasons, contact Princess before sailing rather than assuming it will be accepted.
Passengers with dietary requirements should plan differently from someone who simply wants extra treats.
Princess says its onboard dining can accommodate a variety of dietary preferences and restrictions. Its packing guidance recommends letting the crew know about dietary requirements so appropriate arrangements can be made.
If you have a highly specific dietary requirement, bringing a small supply of familiar packaged snacks can provide extra peace of mind.
For example, you might pack:
However, do not assume that a food is permitted simply because it is intended for a special diet. If you need to bring a larger quantity or a perishable item, check with Princess in advance.
Princess has specific rules concerning coolers.
Its pre-cruise FAQ states that only coolers approximately 12 × 12 × 12 inches are allowed. The company describes this size as capable of holding approximately six to 12 cans of non-alcoholic beverages. Larger coolers can be refused and, if a guest has no vehicle available, may be destroyed rather than stored onboard.
There is an important exception.
Princess says a larger cooler may be permitted when it contains:
These larger coolers must be hand-carried and cannot be accepted as checked baggage.
Therefore, do not pack a large cooler simply because you want to carry more snacks.
Food and beverages have different rules.
Princess's passage contract states that guests generally cannot bring alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages onboard except for specified exceptions. Bottled water, soda and other non-alcoholic beverages packaged in bottles are prohibited.
However, Princess permits a small quantity of certain non-alcoholic drinks in cans or cartons.
Its current beverage guidance states that guests may bring up to 12 sealed, unopened cans or cartons of 12 ounces or less per guest, carried in hand luggage on embarkation day.
Examples include:
Open beverages in plastic containers should not be brought through embarkation.
Generally, no.
Princess specifically states that water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages packaged in bottles are not permitted onboard.
This means you should not assume that a case of bottled water can simply be packed with your snacks.
Alcohol follows separate rules and should not be treated like an ordinary beverage.
Princess currently permits guests of legal drinking age to bring one 750 mL bottle of wine or champagne per guest per voyage at embarkation. Princess states that the bottle is not subject to a corkage fee when consumed in the guest's stateroom.
Liquor, spirits and beer are not permitted under the standard allowance. Additional permitted wine or champagne bottles can be subject to a corkage fee, currently listed by Princess as US$20 in its U.S. guidance.
So, if you are packing snacks for your cruise, do not treat wine, beer or other alcoholic drinks as ordinary snack-bag items.
For many passengers, probably not.
Princess offers a wide selection of included food and snack options onboard. Its dining information describes main dining rooms, World Fresh Marketplace, The Eatery or Horizon Court on applicable ships, pastries, pizza, burgers, hot dogs, soft-serve ice cream and other options.
Princess's packing guide also specifically points passengers toward several onboard places for snacks, including:
Because of this, you generally do not need to bring a suitcase full of food.
A small supply of personal snacks is more practical.
Even with extensive onboard dining, personal snacks can be useful.
Cruise dining operates according to venue hours. A packaged snack can be convenient when you want something small rather than a full meal.
Children sometimes want a familiar snack rather than a complete meal. A favorite packaged item can be useful during travel days.
Passengers with specific dietary requirements may feel more comfortable carrying a few suitable snacks.
If you are flying or driving to the embarkation port, your snacks may also be useful during the journey.
Remember, however, that airline, airport, border and customs rules are separate from Princess's onboard rules.
For ordinary packaged snacks, keeping them accessible in your carry-on can be convenient.
This is particularly useful on embarkation day because your checked luggage may reach your stateroom later.
Princess recommends keeping important items such as medications, travel documents and other essentials in your carry-on rather than checked luggage.
A practical approach is to place a small quantity of snacks in a sealed bag inside your hand luggage.
Avoid packing messy foods that could leak or crush other belongings.
Bringing a snack onboard does not necessarily mean that every public venue is appropriate for eating it.
Common sense is useful:
You should also remember that food policies can differ when you leave the ship.
This is one of the most important distinctions.
Being permitted to bring a snack onboard does not automatically mean you can take it into every port or destination.
Food imports are controlled by local authorities, and some destinations restrict passengers from bringing food ashore.
For example, Princess specifically states that outside food and beverages are not permitted at Celebration Key, including meals, snacks and drinks from the ship.
Princess gives a similar warning for RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, stating that outside food and beverages are not permitted there.
Therefore, before taking a snack off the ship, check the rules for that particular destination.
Returning to the United States creates another set of rules.
Princess's post-cruise FAQ states that food items should not be brought into U.S. ports.
This is important if you purchase food during a shore excursion or are thinking about carrying leftover food from the ship through customs.
The fact that a food product was allowed onboard does not mean U.S. customs or agricultural authorities will allow it to enter the country.
International itineraries require additional care because food regulations can vary significantly between countries.
For example, a packaged snack that is acceptable at one port may be restricted at another.
Before leaving the ship, consider:
When a destination prohibits outside food, follow that rule even if Princess permitted you to carry the snack onboard.
Even though Princess allows guests to bring snacks, some foods are impractical or potentially problematic.
Consider avoiding:
Examples include:
Foods that melt, leak or crumble throughout your luggage can create unnecessary problems.
A strongly scented food can be unpleasant in a confined cabin or shared public space.
You are going on a cruise, not moving into a supermarket. The ship already has extensive food service.
A small supply is usually much more practical.
If snacks are connected to a medical condition, allergy or specific dietary requirement, plan ahead.
A small quantity of commercially packaged food can be useful as a backup. However, if you need specialized food in larger quantities, refrigeration or special handling, contact Princess before departure.
The company's pre-cruise information specifically recognizes exceptions for larger coolers containing baby food, formula, kosher food, special dietary food or medication.
This is different from simply bringing extra snacks for convenience.
A simple packing method works well.
Select snacks that can safely remain at room temperature.
Original commercial packaging makes identification easier.
Bring enough for your personal needs rather than large quantities.
Put a small amount in your carry-on if you expect to want something soon after boarding.
Use a resealable bag so crumbs or packaging do not interfere with documents, electronics or clothing.
Princess policies can change, and destination rules can differ. Check the current Princess information for your specific cruise before departure.
Yes, bringing a reasonable amount of personal snacks can be useful on a longer voyage.
However, you should still consider how much food you actually need.
For a long cruise, think about:
Princess provides extensive dining throughout the voyage, so personal snacks should generally supplement—not replace—the onboard food options.
| Option | Practical for a cruise? | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Sealed crackers | Yes | Easy to store |
| Granola bars | Yes | Convenient between meals |
| Packaged cookies | Yes | Shelf-stable |
| Pretzels | Yes | Easy to carry |
| Dry cereal | Generally practical | Keep sealed |
| Homemade meals | Use caution | Food-safety and destination rules |
| Perishable food | Use caution | Storage and safety concerns |
| Large cooler | Generally no | Size restrictions apply |
| Bottled water | No under standard policy | Bottled non-alcoholic drinks are restricted |
| Canned/carton drinks | Limited | Maximum quantity and size rules apply |
| Beer or spirits | No | Not permitted under standard policy |
| Permitted wine/champagne | Yes, with restrictions | One 750 mL bottle per legal-age guest |
The table reflects Princess's published policies and guidance available at the time of writing; individual itineraries and destination regulations can impose additional restrictions.
Yes. Princess's cruise packing guidance specifically says guests may bring snacks as personal comfort items. Shelf-stable, commercially packaged snacks are a practical choice.
Generally, packaged shelf-stable snacks such as chips and crackers are practical choices. Keep them sealed and bring a reasonable quantity.
Yes, personal snacks can be useful for children. Princess also offers children's menus and several child-friendly foods onboard.
Princess provides complimentary jarred Stage 1 and Stage 2 baby food when requested in advance through Manage Booking. Pureed fruits and vegetables can also be requested in the main dining room.
Only small coolers are generally allowed. Princess specifies approximately 12 × 12 × 12 inches. Larger coolers have specific exceptions for baby food, formula, kosher food, special dietary food and medication.
Princess's current policy does not allow bottled non-alcoholic beverages. A limited quantity of qualifying non-alcoholic drinks in cans or cartons can be brought onboard in hand luggage.
Princess confirms that guests can bring snacks, but homemade or perishable foods should be treated cautiously because food-safety and destination restrictions may apply. For special dietary needs, check with Princess before sailing.
Not necessarily. Port and destination rules can prohibit outside food. Princess, for example, says outside food and beverages are not permitted at Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.
Do not assume that you can. Princess's post-cruise guidance states that food items should not be brought into U.S. ports.
Yes. Princess offers a variety of included food and snack choices, including options at the International Café, buffet-style venues, pizza, burgers, desserts and other dining locations.
Many onboard food options are included in the cruise fare, although certain specialty foods, beverages and dining experiences can cost extra. Princess identifies main dining and various casual food options as included dining.
Princess accommodates a range of dietary requirements, and its cooler policy specifically recognizes special dietary food as an exception to the standard cooler-size rule. If your needs are significant, contact Princess before sailing.
Yes, you can bring your own snacks on Princess Cruises, and Princess's own packing guidance specifically lists snacks as an item guests may want to bring.
The easiest approach is to choose a modest amount of sealed, shelf-stable snacks that are easy to store and do not require refrigeration. Avoid assuming that the rules for snacks also apply to beverages, large coolers, homemade food or food taken ashore.
Most importantly, check the rules for your specific sailing and each destination. Princess provides extensive onboard dining, so you usually only need enough personal snacks to supplement the food available onboard or meet your individual dietary and family needs.
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