Cruise lines make money from onboard spending, which is why they encourage boarding with affordable fares. One major revenue stream: selling drinks. Most cruise lines prohibit passengers from bringing beer or liquor aboard, but wine and champagne policies vary by line. Knowing the rules before embarkation can save money and prevent confiscation at the gangway.
Carnival allows one 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per adult (age 21+) on embarkation day, sealed and unopened. Drinking it in your cabin is free, but a $15 corkage fee applies in dining rooms, bars, or restaurants. Celebrity Cruises permits one bottle of wine per passenger with a $25 corkage fee for public areas (waived if passengers hold a drink package). Cunard follows similar rules: one bottle of wine or champagne per adult, $25 corkage in public spaces, no charge in cabins. Disney Cruise Line is slightly more permissive with what passengers can bring, though the article text cuts off before detailing their specific limits.
The pattern across lines is consistent: one bottle of wine or champagne per adult, no beer or spirits. Most lines charge corkage fees ranging from $15 to $25 if passengers want to enjoy their bottle outside the cabin. Bringing your own bottle won't stretch across an entire cruise, but it allows passengers to enjoy a preferred brand and offset some drink costs.
For cruise passengers looking to manage expenses, bringing one bottle of wine or champagne is the safest bet. Check your specific cruise line's policy during booking to confirm whether corkage fees apply, and whether a drink package eliminates those charges. The small investment of reviewing rules beforehand prevents disappointment and keeps bottles from being seized at boarding.
Originally reported by Cruzely, Tanner Callais (August 13, 2026).
Source: Cruzely, https://www.cruzely.com/cruise-line-alcohol-policies/
Are you the publisher and want this article removed? Email hello@cruiseshiptracking.com and we will remove it within 24 hours.