3 Cruise Lines That Will Let You Bring Wine Onboard

[MULTIZ321]

3 Cruise Lines That Will Let You Bring Wine Onboard
By Perri Ormont Blumberg/ SouthernLiving.com/ T&L/ Cruises/ Travel & Leisure/ travelandleisure.com

"Is your next vacation a cruise? If you love the water, around-the-clock activity options at your fingertips, and plenty of shore excursion opportunities, you're in for a treat.

But even though cruises can be a great way to see many destinations in one trip, and are often times wallet-friendly, things like alcohol, wifi, and on-board entertainment can really add up. Well, here's a savvy way to save that you may not have considered: Pack a bottle of wine in your carry-on luggage. While policies vary amongst cruise lines, many allow guests to bring one or two unopened bottles of wine when they embark on the ship for the first time (unfortunately, the same rule doesn't apply for beer and hard liquor).

We checked the policies of Norwegian, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean, and here's what we found. Norwegian Cruise Line states that "...guests may bring sealed bottles of wine on board for personal consumption. They will be checked prior to embarkation and a corkage fee applied at that time of $15.00 USD for a 750 ml Bottle or $30.00 USD for a 1,500 ml Magnum bottle."....."

Getty Images



Richard

 

[pedro47]

Yes! You can bring two (2) bottles of wine on aboard at the time departure of your cruise.

 

[Passepartout]

Celebrity allows 2 bottles of wine(per cabin) at embarkation- and they don't know if you and the spouse are not side-by-side when they scan your carry-ons. We've been known to put boxed wine in checked bags on the way to board the ship. I don't trust the boxes when flying. The best deal is if the perks from your TA includes a drink package- then you don't need to smuggle any aboard.

 

[isisdave]

Just cruised Princess, where the allowance is one bottle per person at embarkation free, and $15 if you bring any more on board later. Our party of seven was regularly able to bring one bottle each in a backpack without being questioned. The one time we were asked to "take it to the collection table" we were not escorted and the collection table was conveniently next to the elevators, out of sight of the x-ray, and staffed by a completely uninterested crew member.

It may have helped that the reboarding process is always very busy and they were really hustling people through.

The cheapest wine on board is $29 plus 15% (which they charge even if you drink it in your cabin from paper cups). And that wine is $8 retail. So we figured to come out ahead even if we had to pony up the $15. Study of this is apparently a science ... see https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=411966&d=1510646755 (you'll have to log in or register; it's free)

And by the way, NCL since 2017 permits NO BEVERAGES to be brought onboard ... not even water.

 

[mdurette]

Disney also allows....

Q.
Are Guests allowed to bring alcoholic beverages on board the ship?

A.
Disney Cruise Line Guests 21 years and older may bring a maximum of 2 bottles of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or 6 beers (no larger than 12 ounces) on board at the beginning of the voyage and at each port of call. These beverages must be packed in carry-on (not checked) bags or luggage.

Guests wishing to consume wine or champagne that they have brought on board in one of the dining rooms will be charged a corking fee of $25.00 per bottle.

Please note:

• Any alcohol packed in checked luggage will be removed and stored until the end of the cruise.
• All alcohol brought onboard must be in an original unopened container. Partially used bottles and those in which the seal has been broken will be destroyed and no compensation will be offered.
• Any wine or champagne in excess of 2 bottles or beer in excess of 6 beers will be stored until the end of the cruise.
• Bringing liquors and spirits (including powdered alcohol) on board is prohibited. These items will be stored until the end of the cruise.
• Guest MUST retrieve any stored alcohol at the end of the cruise. Items not retrieved will be destroyed and no compensation will be offered.
• Alcohol brought on board may not be consumed in any lounge or public area.

Please note that the Disney Cruise Line alcohol policy is subject to change without notice.