Alcohol Policies for Port Canaveral Cruise Ships

Cruise Booze Costs Can Dampen Spirits

One of the questions most frequently asked by cruise travelers concerns the stipulated alcohol policies for cruise ships on which they will be sailing. This most likely is due to the fact that vacations, especially cruises, revolve around eating, eating, and more eating, and, of course, drinking with all that eating. Cruisers are relaxing and letting loose, after all, so why not live it up a little?

The problem for many first-time cruisers is that they are unfamiliar with cruise lines’ alcohol policies because they don’t bother to research them, which often results in a wallet-draining freak-out once they’re among a captive onboard audience, and their vacation gets under way.

Cocktails, beer and wine (and even non-alcoholic drinks) are not cheap. Purchase several a day and a featured souvenir cup or beer glass, and, well, lack of prior planning or proper funding could unfortunately force one into becoming a teetotaler for the duration of the cruise.

Here at Go Port, we thought it might be a good idea to give cruise travelers a heads up on the alcohol policies and options for purchasing booze for the ships sailing out of Port Canaveral, including Carnival’s Dream, Sensation, Liberty, Sunshine and Ecstasy; Disney’s Fantasy, Dream, Magic and Wonder; Royal Caribbean’s Freedom, Enchantment, Explorer and Monarch; Norwegian’s Breakaway and Sun.

Before listing the polices, note that most offer alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage packages (details for these can be found on the cruise lines’ websites) that can be purchased in advance to help defray costs if, in fact, the cruiser believes he or she will consume the cost of the package as compared to buying drinks a la carte.

This may take a bit of consideration, and maybe a math wizard, to determine your alcohol consumption habits and how many drinks or bottles of wine you think you’ll be consuming while on board. Remember that while the ship is docked in other ports, you may be away from the ship all day on excursions and won’t be using the drink package, unless you try to make up for lost time when you get back. No cruise lines allow you to purchase single-day packages. They have to be for the entire length of the voyage.

Also note that some cruise lines such as Disney, allow cruise travelers to bring alcohol, wine, or 12-packs of soda or water in their carry-on luggage. It may save on some of the costs for alcohol, but that would depend on how much you can jam into a 22”W x 14”H x 9”D deep carry-on. Be aware that any alcohol stowed away or disguised in water, juice or mouthwash bottles inside luggage that is checked in will be confiscated. Also, it could be very embarrassing for grandma if you’re underage and you try to sneak any alcohol in with her luggage.

That being said, here are the latest alcohol policies as of 8/1/2014.

Disney Cruise Line:

While adult guests ages 21 and older may bring alcohol on board, the following guidelines apply:
• Alcohol brought on board may not be consumed in any lounge or public area.
• Guests who arrive in the dining room with a bottle of Champagne or wine that has been brought on board will be charged a corking fee of $20.00 per bottle.
• Beverages must be packed in your carry-on bag, which must not exceed 22”W x 14”H x 9”D in dimension.
• Coolers filled with personal items (e.g., soda, alcohol, chips, candy, etc.) may not be brought on board.

Disney Cruise Line reserves the right to remove fragile items (including beverages) from checked luggage. In such cases, items will be stored and returned at the end of the voyage.

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Carnival Cruise Line:

Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board. However, at the beginning of the cruise during embarkation day, guests (21 years of age and older) may bring on board one bottle (750ml) of wine or Champagne, per person, only in their carry-on luggage.
• A $10 corkage fee per bottle will be charged should you wish to consume this wine in the main dining room; $14 corkage fee per bottle in the steakhouse.
• Guests may bring a small quantity (package of 12 per person) of non-alcoholic beverages. All prohibited alcohol, excessive quantities of wine/Champagne or non-alcoholic beverages will be removed and stored for safekeeping until the end of the voyage. The retained item(s) will be delivered to your stateroom on the last night of the cruise.
• Unsealed containers with prohibited liquids will be discarded, as well as any unclaimed items left after the voyage, and no compensation will be given in either case.

Carnival Cruise Lines does not allow guests to bring large coolers on board its ships. However small, personal-sized coolers, no larger than 12”H x 12”L x 12”W for the purpose of housing small quantities of non-alcoholic beverages and/or medications are permitted as carry-on luggage. Screening and movement of large coolers through embarkation is an impediment to the boarding and security screening process. Therefore, large coolers are not permitted as carry-on or checked luggage.

Alcoholic beverages of any kind purchased in any Port-of-Call will be retained at the gangway, stored on board and held by Carnival until the end of the voyage.

Alcoholic beverages of any kind purchased in the ship’s gift shop will be stored on board and be retained by Carnival until the end of the voyage.

The minimum age for the purchase and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages in the bars, lounges and gift shops is 21 years of age. Carnival reserves the right to refuse the sale of alcoholic beverages to anyone. In the event that bar/restaurant/gift shop staff are in question that a guest is less than 21 years old, they shall request picture identification, prior to serving the drink or selling the bottle of liquor.

Royal Caribbean International:

The minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on all Royal Caribbean International is as follows:
• The minimum age to consume alcohol on Royal Caribbean International ships on sailings originating in North America is 21.
• The minimum age to consume alcohol on Royal Caribbean International ships on sailings from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand is 18.
• The minimum age to consume alcohol at all private destinations remains 21 without regard to where the sailing originated. The Company retains the right, on rare occasions, to raise the minimum age of alcohol consumption on any sailing when local laws require or permit such a modification.
• Guests may bring personal wine and champagne onboard only on boarding day, limited to two (2) 750ml bottles per stateroom. When consumed in any public area, each bottle shall be subject to a corkage fee of $25.00.
• Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports of call or from onboard shops will be stored by the ship and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of the sailing.
• Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol.

Royal Caribbean’s Guest Conduct Policy may be enforced, up to and including disembarkation, if a guest violates any alcohol policy. Guests under the age of 21 will not have alcohol returned to them.

Guests who violate any alcohol policies, (over consume, provide alcohol to people under age 21, demonstrate irresponsible behavior, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense, in accordance with Guest Conduct Policy.

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Norwegian Cruise Line:

The drinking age on all of NCL’s ships is 21. However, passengers who are 18 to 20 years of age can purchase and consume beer or wine when the ship is in international waters (does not apply to Alaska or Hawaii sailings). A parent or legal guardian must be on board the sailing with the minor and sign a consent form at the front desk.
• Bringing liquor on board at embarkation is not allowed. Items will be confiscated and secured until debarkation day.
• Bringing wine or Champagne on board is allowed, but a corkage fee applies for all wine that is brought on board. Fees are $15 for 750ml bottles, $20 for 1,000ml and $30 for 1,500ml.
• Boxed wine is not allowed.
• Liquor purchased in port will be retained until the end of the cruise.
• Purchasing liquor in ships’ duty-free shop will be retained until the end of the cruise.

Complimentary drinks typically are available at the captain’s cocktail party, the Latitudes (past passengers) cocktail party and art auctions.