How Much Wine Can You Bring On A Carnival Cruise?

Wondering if you can bring wine on a Carnival cruise? Let us help you out. When planning a cruise, many guests look forward to enjoying a glass of wine while sailing to their dream destinations. Many people want to know if they can bring their wine bottles on their cruise ship. 

Travelers often inquire about the guidelines for bringing their own wine onboard. It’s essential for passengers to understand the cruise line’s policies to ensure they comply with regulations and can savor their preferred wines hassle-free.

As experienced cruisers, we are well aware that Carnival’s policies are established to enhance the onboard experience while maintaining safety and legal compliance. Carnival allows a limited quantity of wine to be brought on board on embarkation day. It’s crucial for guests to familiarize themselves with these allowances, as well as the potential fees for corkage if they wish to enjoy their wine in the dining room or a lounge. 

Key Takeaways

• Carnival permits a limited amount of wine to be brought onboard during embarkation.
• Guests must adhere to Carnival’s beverage policy to avoid any inconveniences.
• Understanding corkage fees and additional costs is important for budgeting.

Carnival Cruise Line Overview

In this section, we’ll explore the essential aspects of cruising with Carnival Cruise Line, focusing on the onboard experience and the specific alcohol policies that inform what you can bring aboard.

Carnival Cruise Experience

Carnival Cruise Line offers a broad range of activities and amenities that cater to passengers of all ages. From thrilling water slides to serene spa facilities, the ships feature a vibrant atmosphere ideal for families, couples, and solo travelers looking to enjoy a fun-filled vacation. Each ship in the fleet is designed with a unique theme, providing us with an immersive and entertaining environment.

• Dining: Varied dining options including casual buffets, specialty restaurants, and 24-hour room service.
• Entertainment: Live shows, comedy clubs, and outdoor movie nights.
• Accommodation: A diverse range of stateroom categories to suit various budgets and preferences.

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Alcohol Policy Highlights

When it comes to alcohol, Carnival Cruise Line has specific guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all our guests. Our policy permits passengers to bring a limited quantity of wine or champagne on board.

• Wine & Champagne: Each guest 21 years and older may bring one bottle of wine or champagne (750ml) per person in their carry-on luggage.
• Restrictions: No beer, spirits, or other non-alcoholic beverages are allowed; these will be confiscated and discarded.
• Corkage Fee: A corkage fee applies if you wish to enjoy your wine or champagne in the ship’s dining areas.

We were not allowed to bring hard liquor, or any additional bottles to the room, even when we were in the port of call. 

By adhering to these policies, we help maintain a comfortable and secure environment for everyone.

Understanding Wine and Beverage Policy

When planning a cruise with Carnival, it’s important to be aware of the specific policies concerning alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. 

Wine and Champagne Allowance

Carnivals wine policy allows guests 21 years and older to bring one 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per person. This can be brought on board only during embarkation at the beginning of the cruise. Note the following specifics:

• Quantity: 1 bottle (750 ml) of unopened wine per guest
• Allowed Time: At embarkation only
• Type: Wine or Champagne

Since there were 2 adults in our party when we went on the Carnival Mardi Gras, were allowed to bring 2 bottles of unopened wine at the beginning of the voyage. 

Liquor and Beverage Restrictions

Carnival’s alcohol policy strictly prohibits guests from bringing other alcoholic beverages on board, including:

• Liquor and spirits
• Beer
• Wine or champagne over the initial 750 ml allowance

All alcoholic beverages exceeding the allowance will be confiscated and discarded. Guests should be prepared for their luggage to be checked for compliance.

Carrying Non-Alcoholic Beverages

For non-alcoholic beverages, our beverage policy allows a few more options with specific limitations:

• Sodas and juices: Must be in cans or cartons, no bottles.
• Milk and other non-alcoholic liquids: Must be in cartons or unopened, sealed containers.

Please be aware that the following limits apply to non-alcoholic beverages:

• Quantity: Up to 12 sealed cans or cartons per person
• Size: Each can or carton must not exceed 12 ounces

We ordered bottles of water for a reasonable fee before we boarded the ship. The water was delivered to our stateroom along with our checked bags. You are also able to order a liquor bottle through the Carnival website before boarding the cruise. We also opted for twist top wine bottles to avoid additional fees. 

Non-alcoholic beverages outside these parameters or in bottles will be confiscated. Bottled water is not permitted unless it is for medical or dietary purposes.

Embarkation Day Procedures

Upon embarkation, our carry-on luggage with the bottle of wine or champagne will be inspected. Security may require us to open our bags for a visual check. If there are any disputes about our items, Carnival’s staff will have the final decision on what may be brought aboard.

Embarkation Steps:

1. Present our carry-on luggage with the wine/champagne.
2. Undergo a security check with our belongings.
3. Proceed to our stateroom or enjoy onboard amenities once cleared.

Corkage Fee Information

Should you decide to bring your own bottle of wine or champagne onboard, a corkage fee will apply if consumed in any public area. The fee is:

Location	Corkage Fee
Main Dining Room	$15 per bottle
Specialty Restaurant	$15 per bottle
Steakhouse	$15 per bottle

Paying this fee allows you to enjoy your personal wine in our dining facilities.

​Whether you’re on your first cruise, or an experienced cruiser, knowing whether if you can bring your own alcohol onboard is helpful information. While you can always get the drink package, having a couple of bottles of wine can help you save money.