Can You Bring Food, Alcohol, Water, & Snacks on a Cruise Ship in 2024?

Cruise ships offer a variety of food and alcohol options. Regardless, picky eaters and those with dietary restrictions may prefer to bring their own snacks and booze. Here is everything you need to know about food and alcohol policies for the most popular cruise lines.

Can I Bring Food & Snacks on a Cruise Ship?

Most cruise lines permit guests to bring pre-packaged snacks onboard. Think processed, non-perishable food. Here are a few examples.

• Protein Bars or Granola Bars
• Candy Bars
• Bag of Pretzels or Chips
• Beef Jerky (packaged and sealed)
• Trail Mix

Anything that is still manufacturer-sealed should be acceptable. Check with your cruise line, but baby formula is usually allowed.

Here are a few examples of foods you cannot bring.

• Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
• Homemade Food
• Opened Pre-packaged Food

Anything that spoils or needs to be refrigerated is not allowed.

In most cases, you must consume any opened pre-packaged food you eat before returning to your initial port.

How Much Food Can You Bring on a Cruise?

A reasonable amount. Most cruise lines do not specify exactly how many pre-packaged snacks you can bring, so use your judgment. As long as your entire suitcase is not filled with protein bars, you should be fine.

Can I Bring Alcohol on a Cruise Ship?

Alcohol policies vary by the cruise line. Most cruise lines allow a bottle or two of unopened wine or champagne at embarkation; Alcohol purchased at ports usually needs to be stored by the ship until the end of the cruise.

Disney Cruise Line allows up to six unopened beers, but most cruise lines do not allow you to bring your own beer. Some cruise lines charge corkage fees when opening the bottle outside of your room; That includes restaurants and bars.

Food & Alcohol Policies by Major Cruise Lines

Here are the official policies for major cruise lines for bringing food, water, and alcohol onboard. Please note, these policies are subject to change.

Further Reading: Best All-Inclusive Cruise Lines and Best Websites for Booking Cheap Cruises

Carnival Cruise Line

• Food – Guests may bring pre-packaged and unopened snacks.
• Alcohol – Guests 21 and older may bring one 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne on embarkation day; There is a $15 corkage fee for bottles opened and consumed in the dining room. The bottle must be stored in your carry-on bag. You cannot bring beer or liquor.
• Bottled Water – Guests may bring up to 12 unopened cans or cartons of water and other non-alcoholic beverages on board; 12 oz is the maximum weight for each can or carton; The beverages must be stored in your carry-on bag.

See Carnival Cruise Line’s full policy here.

Celebrity Cruises

• Food – Guests may bring pre-packaged and unopened snacks.
• Alcohol – On Embarkation Day: Guests of legal drinking age may bring two 750 ml (max) bottles of wine (certain guests are subject to a corkage fee); You cannot bring beer or liquor. The ship will store the alcohol you purchase at ports until the final day.

See Celebrity Cruises’ full policy here.

Disney Cruise Line

• Food – Guests may bring pre-packaged and unopened snacks. Must be consumed or still unopened before returning to your departure port. Breast milk is permitted in carry-on bags.
• Alcohol – On Embarkation Day and at Each Port: Guests of legal drinking age may bring two 750 ml (max) bottles of wine or champagne Those who prefer beer may bring a maximum of six 12 oz beers. A $26 corkage fee per bottle applies when drinking in the dining rooms; It must be packed in carry-on luggage.
• Bottled Water – Guests may bring sealed bottled water; It must be packed in carry-on luggage.

See Disney Cruise Line’s food policy here and alcohol policy here.

Holland America

• Food – Guests may bring pre-packaged and unopened snacks.
• Alcohol – Guests may bring 750 ml bottles of wine or champagne. Holland charges a $20 corkage fee as well. There is no posted bottle limit, but Holland does say too many bottles will be denied. The ship will store the alcohol you purchase at ports until the final day. You cannot bring beer or liquor.
• Bottled Water – Guests may not bring bottled water; Holland does allow guests to bring up to six liters of water via various-sized cans and cartons, however.

See Holland America’s alcohol and water policy here.

MSC Cruises

• Food – We cannot find confirmation whether or not MSC allows pre-packaged snacks.
• Alcohol – No alcohol (wine, champagne, beer, and liquor) are allowed on embarkation day. The ship will store the alcohol you purchase at ports until the final day.
• Bottled Water – It does not appear MSC allows bottled water, but we cannot confirm it.

See MSC Cruises’ alcohol policy here.

Norwegian Cruise Line

• Food – Guests may bring pre-packaged and unopened snacks.
• Alcohol – Guests may bring 750 ml ($15 corkage fee) or 1,500 ml ($30 corkage fee) bottles of wine or champagne. The corkage fee only applies when you drink the wine in a public area. Guests with a beverage package are exempt from the corkage fee. You cannot bring beer or liquor.
• Bottled Water – Only guests needing purified or distilled water for baby formula or medical devices may bring sealed containers.

See Norwegian Cruise Line’s alcohol and water policy here and food policy here.

Princess Cruises

• Food – Guests may bring pre-packaged and unopened snacks.
• Alcohol – Guests may bring one 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne. No corkage fee if consumed in the stateroom; Additional bottles are subject to a $15 corkage fee, regardless of where it is consumed. You cannot bring beer or liquor. The ship will store the alcohol you purchase at ports until the final day.
• Bottled Water – Unlimited sealed water on embarkation day.

See Princess Cruises’ alcohol policy here. Cruise Critic provided guidance on food and bottled water here.

Royal Caribbean

• Food – Guests may bring pre-packaged and unopened snacks.
• Alcohol – On Embarkation Day: Guests of legal drinking age may bring one 750 ml (max) bottle of wine or champagne; You cannot bring beer or liquor. The ship will store the alcohol you purchase at ports until the final day.
• Bottled Water – Guests may bring up to 12 cans or bottles of water (or other non-alcoholic beverages); Each can or bottle must be 17 oz or under.

See Royal Caribbean’s alcohol and water policy here and food policy here.

Why Do Cruise Lines Have Food Restrictions?

Customs laws are different in every country. To simplify things, cruise ships only allow guests to bring the bare minimum when it comes to food. That ensures people are not bringing in banned foods.

Additionally, cruise ships only allow pre-packaged food because it will not spoil. Anything fresh or that requires refrigeration runs the risk of going bad; That could create foul odors as well as get you and others sick.

Consume Your Wine or Champagne in Your Room to Potentially Avoid Corkage Fees

The rules vary by cruise line, but most charge a corkage fee (up to around $30) when consuming your own wine or champagne in public spaces. Drink it in your room to avoid such fees.

Do Not Sneak Non-Allowed Alcohol & Food on a Cruise Ship

Follow your cruise line’s alcohol and food policies; They exist for a reason. The cruise line may confiscate any non-allowed alcohol and food. In rare cases, you may be forced to disembark.

Do not lie about the food and alcohol you are bringing. Follow the rules, and you will be fine. That means do not fill another bottle, like body wash, with alcohol to sneak it on.

Consider Airline Rules When Transporting Alcohol & Food

Flying to your cruise’s departure port? Consider that when packing any 750 ml bottles of wine or champagne. Remember, TSA only allows one quart-sized bag of liquids in 3.4 oz bottles or containers. Make sure you are checking a bag if bringing your wine or champagne from home since you cannot bring it in your carry-on.

I recommend buying any allowed wine, champagne, or beer after landing to make it easier.

The Vacationer’s Final Thoughts

Review your cruise line’s alcohol, water, and food policy before embarking. The odds are you will be permitted to bring at least one 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne. Bring only pre-packaged food in reasonable quantities, and you should be fine.