Cruise Line Alcohol Policies Compared: 8 Lines (2026)
Every cruise line sets its own rules on bringing alcohol aboard, and the differences are bigger than most first-time cruisers expect. Here are the eight big lines side by side, with links to each line's full rules, plus what Canadians should know about buying, carrying and bringing bottles home.
How much alcohol can you bring on a cruise?
| Line | Wine you can bring | Corkage (recent) | Full rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | 2 bottles per stateroom | ~$15 in bars and restaurants | Royal Caribbean alcohol policy |
| Carnival | 1 bottle per adult (21+) | ~$15 in bars and restaurants | Carnival alcohol policy |
| Norwegian | No fixed limit | ~$15 per bottle, paid at boarding | Norwegian alcohol policy |
| Princess | 1 free per adult; more with corkage | ~$20 for extra bottles | Princess alcohol policy |
| Celebrity | 2 bottles per stateroom | ~$25 in bars and restaurants | Celebrity alcohol policy |
| Holland America | 750 ml bottles; limits apply (confirm any free bottle) | ~$20 per bottle | Holland America alcohol policy |
| MSC | Generally none | Not applicable | MSC alcohol policy |
| Disney | 1 bottle or 6 beers per adult, embarkation only | ~$20 in dining venues | Disney alcohol policy |
Figures are recent policy in US dollars and change from time to time, so confirm them for your sailing before you pack.
The rules every line shares
- Beer and spirits are banned on every line here except Disney, which allows beer within its allowance.
- Allowances assume standard 750 ml bottles; larger formats may carry a higher fee or not be allowed.
- Alcohol must come on in your carry-on at embarkation, not in checked bags.
- Anything over the allowance, and spirits bought in port or in the ship's shops, is held by security and returned on the last night.
- On most lines corkage applies only when your own wine is opened in a restaurant or bar, so drinking it in your cabin is free. Norwegian charges it on every bottle at boarding, Princess on each extra bottle, and Holland America lists a fee per bottle.
- You must be 21 to bring alcohol aboard on North American sailings, even though the drinking age at home in Canada is 18 or 19.
Per stateroom or per adult?
This is the detail that catches people out. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity count the allowance per stateroom, so it's two bottles for the cabin, however many adults share it. Carnival, Princess and Disney count it per adult (21 and over), while Holland America and Norwegian set no fixed number and charge corkage instead. For a couple the difference is small; for friends or a family sharing a cabin, it can halve what you're allowed.
Best lines for wine lovers
Princess is the most flexible of the mainstream lines: one bottle per adult free, extra bottles allowed with corkage, and wine bought in port can come back aboard on the same terms. Holland America also welcomes wine in 750 ml bottles at about US$20 corkage each, though its current terms no longer confirm a free bottle. Both suit Alaska cruisers sailing from Vancouver, where they are major players. Disney cut its allowance in June 2026, so it no longer stands out. Norwegian suits people who want to bring a specific bottle more than people trying to save money, since every bottle carries corkage.
Buying, carrying and bringing wine home as a Canadian
Leaving from Vancouver: buy wine before you reach the terminal and carry it on. Alaska sailings clear US customs at Canada Place, so declare it if asked.
Leaving from Seattle or Florida: US customs generally lets visitors aged 21 and over bring in about a litre of alcohol duty-free, with small amounts beyond that sometimes taxed. Many Canadians simply buy wine after arriving in Florida or Seattle.
Coming home: after at least 48 hours away, the CBSA personal exemption covers one of these: 1.5 litres of wine (two standard bottles), 1.14 litres of spirits, or 8.5 litres of beer, as long as you meet your province's drinking age. Bottles held by the ship and returned on the last night count towards it. More is allowed but is subject to duty and provincial fees. Other allowances are in onboard duty-free shopping.
When a drink package makes more sense
On MSC, where you generally can't bring wine at all, or if you'll drink more than a bottle a day between you, a drink package may work out cheaper. The break-even maths and every line's package price are in Are Drink Packages Worth It on Your First Cruise. What's free without any package is in what drinks are included in your fare.
Other rules that differ by line
Smoking, kids clubs, wifi, CPAP arrangements and gratuities also vary from line to line. They're all in one table in Cruise Line Policies Compared.
Have a question about this? A licensed cruise expert can answer it for free — no booking required, no pressure.
Ask a cruise expert →Choosing a line around the rules
If wine with dinner matters to you, it's worth weighing a line's alcohol policy alongside the fare. A consultant can compare the total cost across lines, including drink packages and bundled fares, for your dates.
Want this priced up for your dates? Speak to a licensed cruise expert — same price as booking direct, plus perks like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities the websites don't show. No fee, no obligation, and you can book online if you'd rather.
Get a quote or book online →Frequently asked questions
Which cruise line lets you bring the most alcohol?
On quantity, Norwegian: it sets no fixed limit on wine and champagne, though every bottle pays about US$15 corkage at boarding. Disney used to be the most generous, but since June 2026 it allows one bottle of wine or six beers per adult, at embarkation only. It is still the only big line that allows beer.
Which cruise lines don't allow you to bring wine?
MSC Cruises generally doesn't allow guests to bring wine or other alcohol on board; bottles found in luggage are held until the end of the cruise. The other big lines allow at least a small wine allowance.
Can you bring wine bought in port back on the ship?
On Princess, yes, with a corkage fee. On the other big lines, including Holland America and, since June 2026, Disney, bottles bought ashore are held by security and returned near the end of the cruise.
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Booking essentials: Is It Cheaper to Book a Cruise Through a Travel Agent · What Are Expedia Extras on a Cruise Booking · Onboard Credit Explained and How to Get More · Cruise Line Policies Compared: 8 Lines Side by Side (2026)