Almost all major cruise lines allow you to bring a limited amount of wine or champagne on board, but the rules vary wildly from ship to ship. If you want to enjoy a glass of your favorite vintage on your balcony, you are usually in luck—as long as you follow the fine print. Here is the 2026 breakdown of which cruise lines allow wine, their exact limits, and the fees you need to know about.
The “Big Three” Mainstream Lines
Royal Caribbean: Each guest of drinking age is allowed to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne on embarkation day. Boxed wine is strictly prohibited. If you want to drink it in the main dining room or a specialty restaurant, you will be charged a $15 corkage fee.
Carnival Cruise Line: Each adult (21+) can bring one 750ml bottle of unopened wine or champagne on embarkation day. Like Royal Caribbean, a $15 corkage fee applies if you drink it in a public lounge, steakhouse, or main dining room.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL): NCL has a unique policy: there is technically no limit to the number of bottles you can bring on board. However, they will charge you a corkage fee ($15 for a 750ml bottle, $30 for a 1500ml magnum) the moment you board, regardless of where you drink it. The only exception? If you have the “Free at Sea” unlimited beverage package, your corkage fees are waived.
Family & Premium Lines
Disney Cruise Line: Disney has one of the most generous policies. Each adult (21+) can bring two 750ml bottles of wine or champagne (or a 6-pack of beer). Even better? You can do this at embarkation and restock at every single port of call. If you bring your bottle to a dining room, there is a $29 corkage fee.
Celebrity Cruises: Guests can bring two 750ml bottles per stateroom (not per person) on embarkation day. A $25 corkage fee applies if consumed in bars or restaurants.
Princess Cruises: Each adult is allowed one 750ml bottle with no corkage fee if you drink it in your cabin. You can actually bring additional bottles on board, but every bottle after the first will be hit with an automatic $20 corkage fee.
Holland America: You can bring wine on board, but a $20 corkage fee applies per bottle (even if you only drink it in your stateroom). Virgin Voyages: Sailors can bring two 750ml bottles of wine or champagne per cabin in their carry-on luggage on embarkation day.
MSC Cruises: MSC has a strict zero-tolerance policy for bringing alcohol on board. No wine or champagne is allowed. If you try to bring it, security will confiscate it at the terminal and return it to you on the last day of the cruise. The Luxury Lines (The “Bring What You Want” Tier) If you are sailing on luxury lines like Viking Ocean Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea, or Azamara, the rules are incredibly relaxed. These lines generally allow you to bring unlimited amounts of wine, champagne, and even liquor on board with absolutely no corkage fees for personal consumption.
The Golden Rule of Bringing Wine on a Cruise
No matter which cruise line you are sailing with, your wine MUST be packed in your carry-on luggage. If you put it in your checked suitcases that you hand to the porters at the curb, the X-ray scanners will flag it. Security will hold your bag, confiscate the bottle, and you might not get it back.
If you’re the type who likes to sneak liquor in a wine bottle, just a note that cruise security scanners have become aware of this trick. Depending on the cruise line and the port, and the mood of the person scanning your carry ons, it might be confiscated. Before you pour that $400 bottle of Macallan 18 into a wine bottle, be aware that you could lose it. If you’re willing to take the risk, here’s a great set of wine sealers. https://amzn.to/411clJ3 #affiliate
