Bringing Alcohol Aboard: What You Need to Know for Your Next Cruise Excursion

Cruising offers the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and a little indulgence. Whether it’s sipping cocktails poolside or enjoying a glass of wine with dinner, alcohol is often part of the cruise experience. But what happens if you buy a bottle during a shore excursion? Can you bring it back onboard? Each cruise line has its own rules, and knowing them in advance can save you frustration—and a confiscated bottle. Here’s everything travelers need to know.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line allows passengers to bring alcohol purchased ashore, including on excursions, back onboard—but with some caveats. While you cannot consume it during the cruise, Disney staff will collect your bottles at the gangway or security checkpoint and store them safely. At the end of the cruise, these bottles are returned so you can take them home.

Disney also permits guests aged 21 and older to bring limited quantities of alcohol in carry-ons during embarkation or at port stops: up to two bottles of unopened wine or champagne, or up to six beers per person. Any additional bottles purchased ashore are securely held until the end of the voyage.

Tip: Always declare your bottles when re‑boarding to ensure they are stored properly and returned to you.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has a stricter policy for spirits and beer, but allows a single sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per person at embarkation. Alcohol purchased during shore excursions must be surrendered to security when returning to the ship. Crew members will securely store your bottles and return them to you at the end of your cruise.

Tip: Even though you can’t drink alcohol purchased onshore while onboard, having it returned at the end means you can enjoy it later—or save it as a souvenir from your port adventure.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises maintains a strict no-alcohol policy for onboard consumption outside of what is purchased through the ship’s bars and restaurants. Any alcoholic beverages bought during excursions are collected at re‑boarding and stored securely by ship staff. Guests can retrieve these bottles toward the end of the cruise.

Tip: Plan your onboard drinking accordingly. Shore-purchased alcohol is only for post-cruise enjoyment.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival allows guests to bring one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per person at embarkation but prohibits other alcohol. Alcohol purchased during shore excursions must be presented to security when re‑boarding. These bottles are stored by the ship and returned either the night before disembarkation or on the morning of the last day, depending on the itinerary.

Tip: Declare all bottles to avoid confiscation. Carnival has strict policies for unregistered alcohol.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages also prohibits alcohol onboard outside of limited allowances, such as up to two bottles of wine per cabin in carry-on at embarkation. Alcohol purchased during excursions must be surrendered to security and will be returned to your cabin on the last night of your cruise. Enforcement may vary slightly between ships, but the official policy is consistent.

Tip: Virgin Voyages’ “alcohol-free-at-sea” policy is part of their elevated onboard experience, so plan to enjoy your excursion purchases after the voyage.

Key Takeaways

1. You cannot drink alcohol purchased on excursions while onboard. All five cruise lines—Disney, Royal Caribbean, MSC, Carnival, and Virgin Voyages—require you to surrender such bottles when re‑boarding.

   
   

2. Bottles are returned at the end of the cruise. Staff store your purchases safely so you can retrieve them either on the last night or at disembarkation.

   
   

3. Know your limits. Some cruise lines allow limited bottles at embarkation or port carry-ons; others are stricter.

   
   

4. Always declare your purchases. Failure to do so could result in permanent confiscation.

Whether it’s a special bottle of wine from France or a local craft spirit from the Caribbean, knowing each cruise line’s policy ensures you can enjoy your vacation without surprises. By planning ahead, you can make the most of your shore excursions and bring a little liquid souvenir home with you—safely and stress-free.