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Bringing wine on a Cruise is favorable to some people because they would instead bring wine they have purchased from home that they know they like!
A few things to consider when comparing different cruise lines regarding their policies on bringing wine on board: quantity allowed, fees, type of wine allowed, storage, and onboard consumption. Let’s take a look at each of these below!
The quantity allowed: Some cruise lines may have stricter limits on the number of bottles you can bring on board, while others may allow a larger quantity.
Fees: Some cruise lines may charge a corkage fee for each bottle of wine you bring on board, while others may not charge any fees.
Type of wine allowed: Some cruise lines may only allow certain types of wine on board, such as wine that is sealed and has a printed label.
Storage: Some cruise lines may have designated areas for storing wine, while others may not.
Onboard consumption: Some cruise lines may allow you to consume the wine you bring on board in your stateroom or some regions of the ship. In contrast, others may have stricter policies and only allow consumption in designated areas for a fee.
It’s always a good idea to check with each cruise line directly to find out their specific policies on bringing wine on board.
Please continue reading for a great breakdown of some of the most popular Cruise lines and their requirements. (You can also check online reviews and compare other travelers’ experiences to understand better what to expect.)
TIP: If you want to check out the best refrigerator for wine storage, I recommend trying out the Avation (18 bottles) compressor refrigerator with Wi-fi smart app control cooling system. You can find this refrigerator by clicking here (Amazon link).
Can You Take Wine on Cruise Ships
You can bring wine on a cruise ship. However, each cruise line has its own policies regarding the amount of wine you can bring on board and any applicable fees. Some cruise lines allow passengers to bring a certain amount of wine or other alcoholic beverages as part of their luggage.
Others have stricter policies and may charge corkage fees for bringing alcohol on board. It is a good idea to check with your specific cruise line to find out their policies and any fees that may apply before packing your luggage.
In this article, we have done some research for you! Read below for more specifics!
Recommendation box: Everything you need to enjoy your wine as much as possible. All recommended products are personally tested and regularly used by experts from this website (Amazon links):
> Ivation Wine Cooler – Energy-efficient wine cooler for 18 bottles with Wi-fi smart app control cooling system.
> Wine Rack – Beautiful, elegant wood rack for up to 7 bottles and the choice of vertical or horizontal storage.
> Durand Wine Opener – Classic vintage wine opener (we like all these classic staff).
> YouYah Iceberg Wine Decanter – The most beautiful and handy wine decanter we personally use.
> Bormioli Rocco Wine Glasses – A set of eight elegant and traditional wine glasses made in Italy.
> Vintorio Wine Aerator – Simple but really useful wine aerator for a reasonable price.
> The Original Vacu Vin Wine Saver – The best wine saver on the market in a package with two vacuum stoppers and two wine servers.
And if you want to become a true connoisseur of wine, we recommend reading the book Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine (Amazon link), where you will find all the information you need about winemaking, wine varieties, flavors, and much more.
Carnival Cruise Wine Policy
According to Carnival Cruise Line’s website, passengers can bring a limited amount of non-alcoholic beverages and a reasonable amount of wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml per bottle) on board as part of their luggage. These items must be for personal consumption and cannot be resold.
Carnival Cruise Line does not permit passengers to bring any other types of alcohol on board, and all bottles must be sealed and have a printed label.
Carnival Cruise Line does not charge a corkage fee for consuming wine or champagne in your stateroom, but there may be a fee for consuming these beverages in a dining venue or other public area.
Royal Caribbean Wine Policy
According to Royal Caribbean International’s website, passengers can bring a limited amount of wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml per bottle) on board as part of their luggage. These items must be for personal consumption and cannot be resold.
Royal Caribbean does not permit passengers to bring any other types of alcohol on board, and all bottles must be sealed and have a printed label.
There is a corkage fee for consuming wine or champagne in a dining venue or other public area on Royal Caribbean International cruises. The fee varies depending on the specific dining venue and the type of wine or champagne being consumed.
TIP: Can you vacuum seal wine? Find out in this guide. Is buying your favorite wine from a vineyard cheaper? Read this article to find out.
Disney Cruise Wine Policy
According to the Disney Cruise Line website, passengers cannot bring any alcoholic beverages on board, including wine. All alcoholic beverages consumed on the ship must be purchased on board. This includes wine and champagne, which are available for purchase in dining venues and at select bars and lounges.
It is important to note that Disney Cruise Line’s policy on alcohol may be stricter than other cruise lines, and they do not allow passengers to bring any alcoholic beverages on board, even for personal consumption, in their stateroom.
Holland America Wine Policy
According to the Holland America Line website, passengers can bring a limited amount of wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml per bottle) on board as part of their luggage. These items must be for personal consumption and cannot be resold.
Holland America Line does not permit passengers to bring any other types of alcohol on board, and all bottles must be sealed and have a printed label.
There is a corkage fee for consuming wine or champagne in a dining venue or other public area on Holland America Line cruises. The fee varies depending on the specific dining venue and the type of wine or champagne being consumed.
Norwegian Cruise Wine Policy
According to the Norwegian Cruise Line website, passengers can bring a limited amount of wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml per bottle) on board as part of their luggage. These items must be for personal consumption and cannot be resold.
Norwegian Cruise Line does not permit passengers to bring any other types of alcohol on board, and all bottles must be sealed and have a printed label.
There is a corkage fee for consuming wine or champagne in a dining venue or other public area on Norwegian Cruise Line cruises. The fee varies depending on the specific dining venue and the type of wine or champagne being consumed.
TIP: Is there a difference between Champagne and sparkling wine? Read this article to find out. What happens to Champagne if it freezes? Find out the truth here.
Celebrity Cruise Wine Policy
According to the Celebrity Cruises website, passengers can bring a limited amount of wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml per bottle) on board as part of their luggage. These items must be for personal consumption and cannot be resold.
Celebrity Cruises does not permit passengers to bring any other types of alcohol on board, and all bottles must be sealed and have a printed label.
There is a corkage fee for consuming wine or champagne in a dining venue or other public area on Celebrity Cruises. The fee varies depending on the specific dining venue and the type of wine or champagne being consumed.
How Many Bottles of Wine Can You Take on a Cruise
Most Cruise lines allow you to bring a limited amount of wine or Champagne on board, as long as the bottles are not larger than 750ml, except for the Disney Cruise line, which does not allow you to bring any wine or Champagne of your own.
TIP: Most wines go bad once you pop the cork within a day or so. But a Coravin Wine Preservation system (available for a great price on Amazon) can extend the life of your opened wine for weeks or even months. It is awesome. You should check it out to see if it fits your lifestyle.
How Do You Pack Wine on a Cruise
A few things to consider when packing wine for a cruise: Packing your wine, labeling your wine, and considering the climate are essential points to note. As mentioned earlier, each cruise line has its own policies regarding the amount of wine you can bring on board and any applicable fees, so be sure to check those out.
TIP: Having quality storage racks for your wine is not only practical but can also serve as a nice design accessory for your home. We loved these (Amazon links):
- Ferfil Wine Rack (10 Bottles): Concertina/scissor fold wooden wine rack made of solid, eco-friendly wood.
- Gusto Nostro Wood Wine Rack: Beautiful, elegant design, the possibility of storing up to 7 bottles, and the choice of vertical or horizontal storage.
Pack your wine in your checked luggage: You should pack it in your checked luggage rather than carry it on board. This will prevent any problems with airport security or other issues that may arise when attempting to bring alcohol on board.
Use protective packaging: To ensure that your wine bottles don’t break during transport, it is a good idea to use protective packaging, such as bubble wrap or packing peanuts, to secure the bottles in your luggage.
Label your luggage: It is also a good idea to label your luggage with your name and contact information in case your bags get lost or misplaced during the cruise.
Consider the climate: If you are traveling to a warm destination, it is a good idea to pack your wine in a cooler or insulated bag to help keep it at the proper temperature.
Overall, it is crucial to be mindful of the policies and regulations of the cruise line and to take steps to protect your wine bottles while in transit.
TIP: Many people wonder about the best way to store wine long-term. This article identifies if the wine should be stored in the dark. You can find out how sunlight affects wine while stored in this article.
Conclusion
As we learned in the article above, most Cruise lines have almost identical policies on bringing wine, except for the Disney Cruise!
However, it’s always a good idea to check with a specific Cruise line directly or with your travel agent for the most up-to-date information on their policies and corkage fees.
TIP: Check out this page for a complete list of wine products and accessories I love. You’ll find my recommendations for wine refrigerators, decanters, and aerators and the best place to buy wine online. Click here to see the complete listing.