You're standing in the terminal. Your heart is thumping just a little too fast because you’ve got two bottles of Cabernet tucked into your carry-on, and you aren’t entirely sure if the security guard is looking at you or the guy behind you. We've all been there. Trying to figure out how to bring booze on a cruise is basically a rite of passage for modern travelers. It’s not just about saving the $14 plus 18% gratuity for a single mojito, though that’s a huge part of it. It’s about having that specific vintage you love while watching the sunset from your balcony without waiting 20 minutes for a server to find you.
Cruising is expensive. Let’s be real. Between the port fees, the excursions, and the "suggested" daily tips, the bar tab is often the thing that tips a budget over the edge. But the cruise lines know this. They aren't stupid. They make a massive chunk of their profit from liquid gold—alcohol. Because of that, the rules are tight. Very tight. If you try to wing it, you’ll likely end up with a "naughty rug" slip in your suitcase and a very dry first night at sea.
The Wine Loophole Most People Overlook
Most major lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Celebrity actually let you bring wine. But there’s a catch. Or three. Usually, it’s two 750ml bottles per stateroom, not per person. If you’re traveling solo, you still usually only get one or two depending on the line’s specific mood that season.
It has to be in your carry-on. This is the mistake that kills most plans. If you put those bottles in your checked luggage, the scanners will pick up the density of the glass and the liquid. Then, your bag goes to "the naughty room." You’ll have to go down to deck 1 or 2, stand in a sad line of people who tried to sneak in irons and power strips, and watch a security officer open your bag. They’ll take the wine. You might get it back on the last night. You might not. Honestly, it’s a coin toss.
Always check the corkage fee. If you take that bottle to the main dining room, they’re going to charge you anywhere from $15 to $25 just to pull the cork. The pro move? Pour it in your room. Use the glasses the room steward leaves. Walk into the dining room with a full glass already in your hand. Nobody cares. They assume you bought it at one of the five bars you passed on the way to dinner.
Disney and Princess: The Outliers
Disney Cruise Line is surprisingly chill. They let you bring two bottles of wine or a six-pack of beer at every single port of call. You just have to put it in your carry-on. Princess is similar but a bit stricter on the volume. If you’re sailing these lines, you don’t even need to "sneak" anything. Just walk on with it. It’s the one time being a "rule follower" actually pays off in booze.
Why Plastic "Rum Runners" Aren't What They Used To Be
Years ago, everyone used these collapsible plastic flasks called Rum Runners. They were the gold standard for how to bring booze on a cruise. Since they didn't have metal caps and were flexible, they supposedly looked like bags of shampoo or water on the X-ray.
Security has leveled up.
X-ray technicians at ports like Miami, Port Canaveral, and Galveston see thousands of bags a day. They know what a liter of vodka looks like inside a plastic bladder. It has a specific "organic" density on the screen. Even if you hide it inside a giant bottle of Listerine (don't do the blue food coloring trick, it tastes like minty death if you don't clean it perfectly), they might still pull you aside.
If you're going to use flasks, hide them in plain sight. Some people swear by "shampoo" flasks that look exactly like Pantene bottles. They come with heat-induction seals that make them look brand new. It’s clever. Is it foolproof? No. If the security guard is having a bad day and shakes your "shampoo" and it sounds like water instead of thick goo, you're busted.
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The Ethics of the Beverage Package
Let’s talk numbers. A typical drink package on Norwegian or Carnival runs $60 to $100 per person, per day. Plus tip. If you’re a couple, you’re looking at $1,400 for a week of drinking. That is a lot of money.
- The Math: You need to drink about 6 to 9 cocktails every single day to break even.
- The Reality: On port days, you’re off the ship for 8 hours. You’re paying for a package you aren't using.
- The Trap: Most lines require every adult in the cabin to buy the package if one person does.
If you only want a glass of wine at dinner and a beer by the pool, the package is a scam. If you’re planning on a booze-fueled bachelor party, it’s a bargain. Knowing how to bring booze on a cruise is really for the "middle ground" people. Those of us who want a drink but don't want to pay for a second cruise just to cover the bar bill.
The Mouthwash and Soda Scams
Don't do the mouthwash thing. Just don't. No matter how many times you rinse that bottle, your bourbon will taste like Scope. It’s gross.
The soda trick is also dying. Most lines now only allow canned sodas, and even then, they limit it to a 12-pack per person. They check the seals. If you’ve spent three hours carefully prying off a plastic ring from a Coke bottle, filling it with rum, and supergluing it back on... well, you’ve earned that drink, but you've also lost a part of your soul to the process. Plus, if a bottle leaks in your suitcase, you’re going to smell like a distillery for the rest of the trip.
Buying Booze in Port
This is the most common way people try to replenish their stash. You go to Cozumel, buy a bottle of cheap vanilla tequila, and try to walk back on.
Every ship has a security scanner at the gangway. They will see the bottle. On 99% of ships, they will take the bottle, give you a little paper receipt, and store it in a warehouse until the final morning.
However, some smaller ports or older ships have less diligent security. If you put a small 375ml bottle in your pocket (not your bag), you might get through. But honestly? It’s risky. If they catch you, it’s awkward. They don't kick you off the ship for it, but they definitely treat you like a teenager trying to buy beer with a fake ID.
Real Stories from the "Naughty Room"
I once talked to a guy who tried to hide a bottle of gin inside a hollowed-out loaf of sourdough bread. He thought he was a genius. He wasn't. The X-ray showed a perfectly bottle-shaped void inside a mass of dough. The security guards laughed for ten minutes before confiscating it.
Then there's the "water bottle" trick. People buy a flat of water, carefully remove the middle bottles, fill them with clear liquor, and heat-seal the plastic wrap back together. This worked for a long time. Now, many lines (like Carnival) have banned bottled water entirely for this exact reason. You have to buy their canned water or drink the (perfectly fine) ship tap water.
Specific Ship Policies (As of 2026)
- Royal Caribbean: Allows two 750ml bottles of wine or champagne per stateroom at embarkation. No beer. No hard liquor. If you bring more, they keep it or dump it.
- Carnival: One 750ml bottle of wine per person. They are very strict about the "carry-on only" rule. They will check your bags.
- Virgin Voyages: They are a bit more relaxed but still officially limit you to two bottles of wine. Since there are no buffets and it’s a more "premium" vibe, they expect you to spend at the bars.
- Holland America: They actually allow you to bring as much wine as you want, but only the first two are "free" of a surcharge. After that, they charge a $20 corkage fee for every single bottle, even if you drink it in your room. It’s basically a tax on drinkers.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Sail Date
If you're dead set on bringing your own supply, do it the right way. Don't be the person crying over a confiscated bottle of Grey Goose.
- Read the Contract: Seriously. Go to the cruise line's website and search "Alcohol Policy." These rules change every few months based on how much money the ships are losing at the bar.
- Stick to Wine: It’s the legal way. If you and your partner each bring two bottles (on lines that allow it per person), that’s four bottles. That’s a glass of wine every night for a week.
- Use Discrete Flasks: If you must bring hard liquor, use high-quality silicone or plastic pouches designed for travel. Avoid anything with metal. Distribute them among your checked luggage inside shoes or folded jeans. Don't clump them together.
- Buy at the Duty-Free: If you want booze for home, buy it on the ship or in port. They’ll hold it for you, and it’s usually tax-free. It won't help you drink on the ship, but it saves you money in the long run.
- Be Nice to Your Bartender: Even if you bring your own, you’ll end up at the bar eventually. A heavy tip on day one usually results in "generous" pours for the rest of the week. This is often cheaper than any "smuggling" operation.
The bottom line on how to bring booze on a cruise is that the house always wins. They’ve seen every trick in the book. If you manage to get a bottle of vodka into your cabin, consider it a victory, but don't bank your entire vacation's happiness on it. Pack your legal wine, pay for a few drinks, and enjoy the ocean. The view is the same whether you're drinking a $15 cocktail or a $2 glass of smuggled rum.