A lot of people want to know what you are allowed to bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise, especially food or drinks.
Royal Caribbean includes a wide variety of complimentary dining options on your cruise, which means there is plenty to eat and drink. Yet, some guests want to bring their own food for a variety of reasons.
You'll find plenty of drinks and snacks included with your Royal Caribbean cruise fare, but sometimes you want a specific brand or type of snack/beverage.
Bringing your own snacks and drinks can save money versus purchasing them onboard or on shore.
Moreover, it can be quite helpful to have these items in your cabin, especially if you have kids.
The good news is you are allowed to bring some food and drink on your cruise, but there is a limit on how much and what sort you can bring.
Food you can bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise
Royal Caribbean allows guests to bring non-perishable prepackaged food in limited quantities on their ships. So bringing your kids' favorite snacks and treats are allowed.
This includes foods such as cookies, crackers, chips, energy bars, etc. Pre-packed baby food is also allowed.
You do not need to declare that you have food, and it is generally fine to pack your prepackaged food in either your carry-on or your checked luggage.
There is no exact limit on how much of these foods you can bring, so feel free to bring as much as you deem necessary.
Be sure not to bring any perishable food or meat products, as those are prohibited items.
Beverages you can bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise
Royal Caribbean also allows a limited amount of non-alcoholic beverages with them on embarkation day.
Specifically, you can bring up to 12 standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles, or cartons per stateroom of your favorite non-alcoholic beverage (soda, bottled water, etc).
In addition, baby food and formula are allowed to be brought onboard.
If you are bringing milk and distilled water brought on for infant, medical, or dietary use, there are no restrictions or limitations related to these items. If you need to bring special beverages, please complete a Special Needs form. Royal Caribbean requests you send this form at least 30 days before your sail date and they will inform you via e-mail of their decision.
While alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be brought on a Royal Caribbean cruise, there is an exception for up to one 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per adult in each cabin, per sailing. This policy changed in March 2023.
There is no cost to enjoy wine in your room, but a corkage fee will be charged if you bring the bottle to a restaurant or bar.
You should pack any beverages you bring onboard in your carry-on luggage. Do not put it in your checked luggage for two reasons:
- It may break as your luggage is tossed around in transit.
- Royal Caribbean's X-ray machine will see a bottle/can and not be able to tell if it is alcohol or not. They will then hold the bag and delay its arrival to your stateroom later.
If you buy alcohol in a port your ship visits, you can bring it onboard, although Royal Caribbean will confiscate it until the last night of the cruise, when it will be returned to you.
Can you bring water on a Royal Caribbean cruise?
You are allowed to bring some bottled water on your cruise, but not an unlimited amount.
Royal Caribbean allows its passengers to bring no more than 12 standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles, or cartons per stateroom.
Water brought onboard needs to be put in your carry-on luggage, not your checked luggage.
It doesn't matter how many people are in your room, the limit is per stateroom and per sailing.
Can you bring alcohol on a Royal Caribbean cruise?
Some alcohol is allowed to be brought onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise, but no beer, seltzer, or hard liquor.
Royal Caribbean will let passengers bring up to one sealed bottle of wine or champagne per adult per stateroom. Boxed wine and other contains are prohibited.
The wine needs to be in your carry-on luggage to avoid your luggage being held by security for inspection later.
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