Cruise lines make a lot of money selling alcohol and beverages in general.
Drink packages have been steadily increasing in price, and they're very popular with passengers who don't want to worry about how much they're spending each day while on vacation.
The price of adult beverages varies a lot by cruise line and even by venue on a cruise ship. But roughly beers cost $6 to $10, mixed drinks are $10 to $16, and glasses of wine are $12 to $26 with a few pricier options available.
Even if you buy a drink package, bottles of wine are not included and glasses over a certain price -- which varies by cruise line and sometimes by which package you buy -- cost you more.
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Royal Caribbean does not allow passengers to bring hard liquor on board its ships. The same is true for beer, hard seltzer, and other similar products. It has, however, always allowed passengers to bring two 750-ml bottles of wine on board in their carry-on luggage.
Now, the cruise line has changed that policy and it's going to anger certain passengers.
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Royal Caribbean Changes Its Wine Policy
Under its previous policy, passengers could bring two regular-size bottles of wine onboard. They could then consume those bottles in their rooms or bring them to a dining venue, where the cruise line can charge a corkage fee but in practice rarely does.
Now, Royal Caribbean has tweaked its wine policy, a move that has meaningful implications for one group of customers.
"On embarkation day, each guest of drinking age may bring one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne. Boxed wine and other containers are prohibited," the cruise line recently changed its policy to read.
That's a subtle shift, but it means that solo travelers can now bring only one bottle of wine on board while, in theory, three (or more) adults sharing the same room would be able to bring more than the original two.
Violating the policy by trying to sneak alcohol onboard comes with serious consequences.
"Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Guests who violate any alcohol policies (overconsume, provide alcohol to people under the legal drinking age, 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," the cruise line said on its website.
Royal Caribbean Tweaks Another Alcohol Policy
Royal Caribbean provides its most loyal members a number of onboard benefits.
That includes giving free drinks each day to members of its Crown & Anchor loyalty program who hit certain tiers. Diamond members get four drink vouchers worth as much as $14 each for every night of their cruise. These vouchers can be used at any onboard venue and at CocoCay. Diamond+ members get five each day while Pinnacle members get six
Now, the cruise line has also added a wine discount for Diamond-level members and higher. It recently shared the news in an email to Crown & Anchor members.
"Raise a glass and toast to deliciously crafted complimentary cocktails up to $14 or a tempting discount on your favorite bottle of wine -- 20% off bottles over $100 and 40% off bottles under $100. The discounted wine benefit will take effect starting March 10, 2023," the cruise line said.
