Can I Bring Alcohol on a Disney Cruise?
Can I Bring Alcohol on a Disney Cruise?
Disney Cruise Line’s alcohol policy is something we regularly see questions about in our Community. Can I bring alcohol on a Disney Cruise? If I can, is there a limit? What if I don’t drink alcohol, do I still have options?
We put all our frequently asked alcohol related questions below with answers, but if we missed a question that you have then definitely join our community for free and ask away by clicking here!
Can I bring alcohol on a Disney Cruise?
The official policy from Disney Cruise Line is that guests 21+ are allowed to bring alcohol onboard. While we are so grateful that Disney Cruise Line does allow guests to bring alcohol onboard (because not all cruise lines do), there is a limit to how much and what type of alcohol you can bring onto a Disney Cruise.
What alcohol am I allowed to bring on a Disney Cruise?
Disney policy allows each guest 21+ to bring either:
A maximum of 2 bottles of champagne or wine (750 ml or less)
OR
A maximum of 6 beers (12 oz or smaller)
What if I don’t like beer, wine, or champagne? Can I bring hard lemonade or a seltzer onboard a Disney Cruise?
While members of the DCL Community have reported being able to bring items like hard lemonades or hard seltzers onboard a Disney Cruise, this is technically against Disney policy which only allows for beer, wine, and champagne.
If you decide to bring something other than these items, do know that you take the risk of them being confiscated, not returned, and you will not be compensated for them.
Best practice is to stick to the policy and supplement by purchasing anything additional onboard or consuming other alcoholic options while visiting ports of call.
How do I get my alcohol onto a Disney Cruise? Can I pack my alcohol in my suitcase?
As nice as it sounds to have someone else do the heavy lifting for you, Disney Cruise Line does require that cruisers carry their alcohol onboard with them.
You can pack it into your carry-on luggage or bag, but you cannot check a bag with alcohol. The luggage does get inspected, and you will risk confiscation of your alcohol.
Additionally, you want to be considerate of your fellow passengers. If you put a bottle of wine in your luggage and it breaks, it could ruin your items and any neighboring pieces of luggage.
It’s best to follow Disney’s policy to carry alcohol onboard as you don’t want to start your trip with ruined suitcases and no alcohol. We had something similar happen with a bottle of perfume once…trust us when we say it’s not worth the risk.
Does Disney charge a corking fee?
If you would like to drink your bottle of wine during dinner in the main dining rooms, Disney will charge a $26 corking fee per bottle.
To save the money, we would recommend bringing your own corkscrew (check out our full packing list here) and ask your stateroom host to bring you wine glasses to enjoy in your room.
What if I drink all the alcohol I brought onboard with me on the first day?
Hakuna matata! Not only can you bring additional alcohol onboard with you at each port of call, but Disney has plenty of bars onboard.
If you bring alcohol onboard at a port, the same quantities apply as listed above.
If you buy liquors, spirits, or any additional items than the policy doesn’t allow while off the ship, Disney will hold these for you until the end of your cruise. Keep in mind that you are responsible for picking your alcohol up at the end of your sailing, so don’t forget!
Remember that Disney has bars and lounges located throughout the ship as well, so even if you consume all your alcohol on day 1 you won’t be without options. Disney bartenders make all the classic mixed drinks and some fun ones too!
How can I save money on alcohol onboard a Disney Cruise?
Obviously you know by now that you can save some money by bringing alcohol of your own (per Disney’s policy) onboard a Disney Cruise.
In addition, Disney does provide other drink specials throughout the cruise. There are drinks of the day offers at reduced prices, deals in the mornings on beverages like mimosas for just $5, and, if you’re a beer drinker, then definitely look into the beer mug package. With the beer mug package, you get a souvenir glass and a 21 oz pour of beer for the price of a 16 oz pour!
If you’re more interested in wine, Disney also has wine packages you can buy at dinner for your entire sailing. Overall, we find Disney’s drink prices to be very affordable compared to typical bars and restaurants, but Disney certainly provides several ways to save on alcohol related purchases while onboard.
Will Disney Cruise Line ever have an unlimited drinks package?
While things could always change, we find it highly unlikely that Disney would ever consider an unlimited drinks package given the nature of Disney as a company.
However, if you are interested in more access to more beverages, then we would highly recommend sailing Concierge. One of the reasons that Concierge is so worth the cost is that during happy hours in the Concierge Lounge (5-10 PM) all beer, wine, and liquor are included at no additional charge!
If you’re wondering if sailing Concierge is worth it for you family, reach out to one of our Recommended Travel Agents who can make a recommendation specific to your family’s interests, priorities, and budget.
Are there alcohol related events onboard Disney Cruises?
Yes! Disney Cruise Line does run certain alcohol centered events while onboard like tastings and pairings. From tequila and margaritas to bourbons and beers, there’s a tasting that everyone can enjoy.
The most popular tastings are the Mixology Class which allows you to make your drinks alongside your bartender and the Kick-Start Your Day Beverage Tasting which includes a mimosa, Bloody Mary, and 3 non-alcohol beverages.
These tastings will almost always sell out, so work with your Travel Agent to determine what your top priorities are. They can help you book your onboard activities to ensure you have a great time or help give you tips on getting waitlisted should your event sell out.
What if I don’t drink alcohol? Do I have any options of things besides water to drink?
Yes! We have several family members who do not drink at all, and Disney Cruise Line provides countless options for them as well.
Disney has self-service beverage stations on the pool decks where guests can have soda, coffee, tea, and water. Disney restaurants also provide items like juices and milk at no additional cost. We love getting the smoothies and milkshakes onboard which are delicious and refreshing at an additional cost.
The Quiet Cove Café serves specialty coffees, lattes, and other adult-only beverages. Remember that you can always order alcoholic drinks without the liquor in them. For example, we ordered the Bon Voyage (half pina colada, half strawberry daquiri) for years without any liquor. Still tasted amazing!
For the tastings, we do get asked if you can attend with family members even if you don’t drink. Typically, Disney does require all those attending have tickets due to limited seating; however, some guests have reported being able to accompany a spouse. We would recommend asking those in charge of the event to be most respectful.
In general, remember that this is your vacation, so do what makes you happy and allows you to have the best time (within reason, of course!).
How does Disney know if I’m 21 or older on a Disney Cruise?
On your Key to the World Card, which acts as your ID, room key, charge card, and more while onboard, there is a letter “A” which marks you as an adult. M is for minors, and B is for between (18-20). Disney also takes a picture of all cruisers before they sail, so your picture must match your Key to the World Card. No fooling Disney here!
If drinking onboard is something you’re interested in, we always encourage everyone to drink responsibly. While drinking alcohol is certainly not for everyone, Disney provides ways for all guests to enjoy themselves onboard whether traveling alone, as a couple, a family, or a large multi-generational party.
Some cruisers might prefer to spend their money on trips to the spa or excursions on Castaway Cay. Others may not prefer to spend money on anything extra as so much is already included in your cruise fare.
Just remember that this is your vacation, so choose activities and beverages that best suit you and your family.
To get customized recommendations for your family on activities, excursions, itineraries, room categories, and more, get in touch with one of our Recommended Travel Agents who can help you navigate the entire planning process at no charge to you!
