Why This Rule Exists
The all-adults rule exists to stop package sharing, one person buying the unlimited package and ordering for the whole cabin. Depending on the line, the booking system or a representative may require packages for the other eligible adults when one is added.
The main softener: non-alcoholic packages. Several lines let a non-drinking adult substitute a soda, coffee, or zero-proof package instead of the full alcohol package, sometimes automatically, sometimes only for qualifying reasons such as pregnancy or recovery. Whether that substitution applies to your booking is a line-by-line question.
For groups across multiple cabins, ask the cruise line, or ask us, how its package and occupancy rules apply to your intended arrangements before you book. Don't assume moving names between cabins changes the requirement; lines have rules about who must be booked where, and getting it wrong at the pier is expensive.
How it stood as of the date above, always confirm with your line before buying:
Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Holland America, MSC
Adults of drinking age in the stateroom (Norwegian: on the same reservation) are currently required to purchase together.
Princess
Currently, if one guest in a cabin buys a Plus or Premier fare package, the second guest must take the same package.
Celebrity
Currently requires guests of legal drinking age on the same stateroom booking to purchase the same alcohol package; qualifying guests may substitute a Zero Proof package instead.
Virgin Voyages
No drink package at all. Drinks are priced individually and you prepay a refundable Bar Tab; two cabin mates may share one tab, so the cabin rule does not exist here.
Disney
Does not sell an unlimited alcohol package, so there is no cabin rule.
Package sharing
The major-line package policies reviewed here prohibit sharing; enforcement and consequences vary by line.
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.
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