Cruise ships offer complimentary meals, snacks, and drinks around the clock — but there are plenty of good reasons you might want to bring your own. Whether you’re managing a dietary restriction, keeping kids stocked with familiar snacks, or just want a specific beverage on hand, it helps to know the rules before you pack. Here’s what’s allowed, what isn’t, and how policies vary by cruise line.
Quick Summary
- You can bring snacks on a cruise, as long as they’re shelf-stable and prepackaged
- You can usually bring up to 12 cans or cartons of nonalcoholic beverages with you on a cruise
- Distilled water can generally be brought on a cruise for medical devices or baby formula
- In port, you can generally bring enclosed non-alcoholic beverages and prepackaged snacks on and off the ship
- If you buy any bottles of alcohol in port, crew members will store them for you and return them to you at the end of the sailing
- You cannot bring home-cooked or raw food or fresh produce on or off the ship
- Vitamins are allowed, but it’s recommended that you bring them in their original container
Table of Contents
Can you bring snacks on a cruise?
The short answer as to whether you can bring snacks on a cruise is yes… and no. You generally can bring food on board as long as it is prepackaged, sealed, and doesn’t require refrigeration. This includes things like protein and granola bars, crackers, trail mix, candy, jerky, and chips. You can also bring baby food and formula.
Keep in mind that “prepackaged” does not mean you opened a box of goldfish at home and divided it into ziploc bags for each of your kids. Snacks should be prepackaged from the factory; homemade or home-packaged food is not allowed.
For specific policies from each major cruise line, scroll down to the last section of this post.
Can you bring drinks on a cruise?
Though each cruise line’s rules will vary, generally you can bring up to 12 cans or cartons of sealed non-alcoholic beverages. You should carry these beverages with you when boarding; don’t put them in a suitcase that you’ll hand off to the porters prior to embarking.
For the most part, you’re not allowed to bring any alcohol on a cruise unless it’s wine or champagne. Each cruise line has its own policy though, which you can dive into here.
Also keep in mind that some cruise lines don’t allow drinks that are in plastic bottles, and glass is almost always prohibited (not counting wine and champagne).
Are vitamins allowed on a cruise?
Yes, you are allowed to bring nutritional supplements on a cruise. However, it is recommended that you bring them in their original packaging.
If I have a medical device that requires distilled water, can I bring it?
Yes, if you have a medical use for distilled water, such as a CPAP machine, you are allowed to bring distilled water on board. Just make sure it’s sealed in its original container. Many lines also require that you pack it with the device it will be used for.
Can I bring food off the ship in port?
While different countries have different regulations, here’s the rule that you’ll encounter in most places. Prepackaged food, such as the snacks you brought on board, are fine to bring into port. In fact, we’d say that port days are some of the only days you’ll even care about having your snacks (because the ship will have plenty of treats!). But don’t head off the ship for the day with a piece of fresh fruit from the buffet, it’ll get confiscated if noticed. Some places even use trained dogs to sniff out produce you might be trying to take ashore with you.
As for drinks, you’re generally allowed to bring what you’d like into port as long as it’s in a secure container. For example, you can bring your water bottle or a Gatorade, but it’s probably best to leave your disposable coffee cup behind.
What about onto the ship from port?
Rules are similar for getting back on board. You cannot bring cooked or baked goods, produce, or raw meat (who would want to?) onto the ship from port. That means that if you’d like to enjoy the juicy mango you bought at a local market, you’ll have to eat it before re-boarding. It’s worth noting that the same rule applies to non-edible living things too, like plants. Sadly, this means that you can’t buy a bouquet of flowers in port for your stateroom.
You can bring non-alcoholic drinks you bought in port on board and keep them with you. However, if you buy bottles of alcohol in port, they must be sealed and — on most cruise lines — crew members will take them for safekeeping and return them to you at the end of the sailing. You aren’t allowed to drink alcohol you purchased in port while on the ship.
What if I have food allergies/restrictions? Can I bring any specialty food items on a cruise to accommodate that?
Cruise lines are very good about accommodating allergies and other dietary restrictions, so rest assured that you’re in good hands during your vacation. To ensure that the proper people are informed, notify the cruise line ahead of time about any allergies or restrictions you may have. Then, on the first day of the cruise, also inform the maitre d or your head server in the dining room.
If you do have specialty food items that you need to bring on board, you can bring them without restrictions if they are prepackaged and don’t require refrigeration. If they don’t meet those guidelines, contact your cruise line to see if they can provide an exception to accommodate you.
Guidelines By Cruise Line: Bringing Food and Drinks on a Cruise
Here are the guidelines from each major cruise line on exactly what food and drinks are and aren’t allowed on board.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line says that “Small quantities of non-alcoholic beverages and/or medications are permitted as carry-on luggage. Due to concerns for food safety and contamination prevention, any food items brought on board must be pre-packaged and unopened. Homemade items or pre-cooked foods are not allowed.” The line also says that it is unable to provide food preparation, refrigeration, or storage for personal food or beverage items.
As for alcohol, guests cannot bring “wine or champagne beyond the allowable limit of one 750 ml bottle per adult (21 years of age or older).” “Port, Vermouth, Sherry and other fortified wines, over 15% alcohol by volume (ABV), cannot be brought on board even in the allowable limit.”
Also not allowed are “non-alcoholic beverages in containers other than a can or carton; excessive quantities per person (over 12 cans/cartons per person); excessive size per can/carton (over 12 ounces each).”
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line’s policy on bringing food on board states that “unsealed food items will not be allowed onboard.”
As for beverages, “Guests are prohibited from bringing any beverages — including liquor, beer and non-alcoholic drinks such as water, pop and juices — on board either as carry-on or checked luggage, with the exception of purified or distilled water in factory-sealed containers for use in conjunction with medical devices or for the reconstitution of infant formula; and fully sealed and/or corked wine bottles for personal consumption onboard that is subject to screening and a corkage fee (for guests 21 years of age or older).”
Accommodations can be made for “guests who have special needs, medical requirements, or families with infants who require water for formula or milk” as long as they contact the access desk to see if “an exception can be made for their beverage and to obtain pre-approval to provide to security at embarkation.”
Royal Caribbean International
Concerning food and non-alcoholic beverages, Royal Caribbean‘s policy states guests are “free to bring non-perishable prepackaged food in limited quantities.” They are also “welcomed to bring select beverages onboard… as carry-on items on boarding day. Non-alcoholic beverages may not exceed 12 standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles or cartons per stateroom. Milk and distilled water brought on for infant, medical, or dietary use are permitted.”
As for alcohol, “On embarkation day, each guest of drinking age may bring one (1) sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne. Boxed wine and other containers are prohibited. Guests who purchase alcohol bottles onboard, in a port-of-call, or bring more than the one permitted bottle on boarding day, will have their items safely stored by the ship. These bottles will be returned on the last day onboard for enjoyment once home.”
“For consecutive sailings, guests of drinking age are allowed to bring one (1) 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne for each individual sailing. Additional bottles will be stored by the ship and delivered, one bottle at a time, to the stateroom on the first day of each new voyage. Guests bringing more than one bottle at the start of the first sailing should have documentation for any consecutive sailings available to share with security. Alcoholic beverages (beer, seltzer or hard liquor) seized on embarkation day will not be returned.”
Princess Cruises
Along with most other cruise lines, Princess Cruises allows guests to bring pre-packaged items onboard. Concerning vitamins, Princess says that guests “may bring a limited amount of nutritional supplements in their original packaging.”
Passengers are “prohibited from bringing water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages on board that are packaged in bottles,” however “A small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, juice, milk) packaged in cans or cartons may be brought on board on embarkation day, only if carried on in guests’ hand luggage (not in checked luggage). A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12 ounces each or less per person.”
Concerning special circumstances, “Purified or distilled water in factory-sealed containers (including plastic containers) for use in conjunction with medical device(s) are allowed in checked luggage and must be packed with the device(s). Distilled/purified water in a factory-sealed container(s) (including plastic containers) for the reconstitution of infant formula are allowed in checked luggage for staterooms with infant bookings.”
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises says that “potentially hazardous food and/or food that requires refrigeration” is not allowed on board.
Celebrity’s website does not have an official policy listed concerning beverages, While other cruisers have reported that guests are allowed to bring a small amount of non-alcoholic beverages onboard on embarkation day only, it’s best to contact Celebrity Cruises directly to confirm.
Holland America Line
Holland America says that “sodas, energy drinks, and other non-alcoholic items are not allowed on board in any form,” and that “plastic water bottles are not allowed in any quantity, including in ports of call.”
Water is permitted per stateroom within one of these allowances: “6 liters total, 12 cans or cartons at 500 ml or less each, or 6 cans or cartons at one liter or less each. Amounts above the allowance are not permitted. Factory-sealed purified or distilled water, including plastic containers, is allowed in checked luggage when used with medical devices, and should be packed with the device.”
There is no official policy on Holland America’s website regarding food.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises says that “in the interest of health and safety, beverages and food (including partially eaten or home cooked items) may not be brought on board.” The line does allow “dry, packaged and commercially produced foods.”
Concerning beverages, “Non-alcoholic drinks, such as water, soda and juices, are prohibited to be brought on board either as carryon or checked luggage on both embarkation and port days. The only exception is purified or distilled water in factory-sealed containers for use in conjunction with medical devices or for the reconstitution of infant formula.”
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line’s policy concerning bringing food on board says that “Homemade, precooked, perishable foods, or open food containers are prohibited. You can, however, bring nonperishable snack foods in their original factory-sealed packaging. All items must be consumed before returning to your home port or remain unopened. You can have these items in your checked luggage or carry-on, whichever best suits your needs.”
Concerning drinks, the line says that “you are more than welcome to bring factory-sealed, nonperishable non-alcoholic beverages of your own if there’s something in particular you worried won’t be available on board. Regardless of what type of beverage you’re packing, you’ll need to be sure to have it in a carry-on bag in your possession when you board rather than in your checked luggage as any beverages left in your checked bags will be removed.”
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages’ food policy states that guests may bring “pre-packaged, sealed, non-perishable snacks in reasonable quantities for personal consumption.” The line clarifies that “bulk items are not permitted.”
As for non-alcoholic beverages, “Sailors are permitted to bring a small quantity (12 sealed, unopened cans or cartons of 12 ounces or less) of non-alcoholic beverages, such as water, dietary supplements, non-alcoholic beer, or soft drinks, provided they are in boxes or cans. Please note that glass or plastic bottles are not allowed, as we aim to maintain a safe and sustainable environment at sea.” They must be packed in hand luggage upon embarkation.
Concerning special accommodations, Virgin says “if you have a necessary item or dietary supplement you must bring on board, feel free to contact our Sailor Services Crew for special clearance.”
Margaritaville at Sea
Margaritaville at Sea’s food and beverage policy states that it “does not permit outside food, alcoholic beverages or non-alcoholic beverages (including but not limited to water, soda, and juices) to be brought on board either as a carry-on or checked luggage on both embarkation and port days.”
However, “There may be exceptions for Guests with special needs, as approved by Margaritaville at Sea prior to the cruise.”
One Final Note
Cruise line policies can and do change, so it’s always worth double-checking with your specific cruise line before you pack. When in doubt, stick to factory-sealed, shelf-stable snacks and canned or carton beverages in limited quantities — and carry them on rather than checking them. Do that, and you shouldn’t have any issues at the gangway. With the exception: Norwegian, MSC, Holland America, and Margaritaville have more restrictive policies when it comes to non-alcoholic beverages.
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