The Fine Print That Matters
Allowances are usually embarkation-day only: bottles bought in port or in the ship's shops are typically held for you until the final night. Drink your own bottle in the dining room and a corkage fee commonly applies.
Don't assume anything outside the allowance comes back to you. Depending on the line and the circumstances, excess or prohibited alcohol may be stored until disembarkation, confiscated, or discarded, and concealing alcohol can be treated as a conduct-policy violation with real consequences.
If your group cares about wine, tell us before you book: allowances, corkage, and bring-on rules differ enough by line that a group planning around them chooses differently.
How the carry-on wine allowance stood as of the date above: embarkation day only, sealed 750 ml bottles, and confirm with your line before you shop:
Royal Caribbean
Two bottles per stateroom, regardless of sailing length; corkage applies if opened in a dining venue.
Celebrity
Two bottles per stateroom, in carry-on luggage; corkage in the dining room.
Carnival
One bottle per guest 21 or older; corkage if opened in a dining venue or bar.
Princess
One bottle per adult free; additional bottles accepted with a corkage fee.
Norwegian
No bottle limit, but a corkage fee on every bottle wherever you drink it.
MSC
No alcohol of any kind may be brought aboard.
Corkage
Roughly $15–25 per bottle on the lines that charge it.
Accurate as of September 2026; cruise-line policies change, and your line's own documents govern. When in doubt, ask your line, or ask us, which is free and comes with opinions.
This Is the Kind of Thing We Untangle Daily
Lines differ, promos shift, and the fine print moves. Tell us the trip you want : we'll tell you which line fits it and handle the rest.
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