Can You Bring Food On A Cruise? A Guide For Snacky Cruisers

WONDERING IF YOU CAN BRING FOOD AND SNACKS ON A CRUISE?

After a couple of cruises, I learned how prepared some people are when boarding a cruise. I find new ideas that make a voyage better and more convenient each time.

Food is one of the most significant topics on a cruise. But usually, it’s about the food offered on board and its abundance! If you are preparing for an upcoming trip, you may wonder if you can bring food on a cruise.

Can You Bring Food On A Cruise?

When preparing for a cruise, it’s important to consider what you can and can’t bring on board. Many travelers wonder about bringing food, whether late-night snacks, special dietary needs, or treats purchased during port stops. Knowing the rules around food can help ensure a smooth embarkation process and avoid surprises when boarding. So, can you bring food on a cruise ship?

You can usually bring particular food on the ship, but be aware of the restrictions in advance. You don’t want to go to the trouble of packing and bringing things only to have to leave them at the port. Let’s take a look at the guidelines.

➡️ Looking to plan a cruise and would love help? Start here.

Can You Bring Food Back on a Cruise Ship From Port?

Bringing food back on a cruise ship from a port may be restricted and depends on the cruise line’s policies and the local regulations of the countries you visit. Here’s a breakdown:

What is Typically Allowed:

• Packaged and Sealed Foods: Snacks like candy, chips, or baked goods in sealed, commercial packaging are usually fine to bring back onboard.

• Souvenirs: Prepackaged and non-perishable items, such as chocolate or spices, purchased as souvenirs, are usually allowed. I brought back a sweet treat from a port in Alaska and had no issues.

What is Typically NOT Allowed:

• Fresh Produce and Meat: Bringing fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, or dairy products are not allowed back on the ship.

• Cooked or Prepared Foods: Foods from local restaurants or open-market items may be confiscated when returning to the ship.

Tips for Returning Food to the Ship:

• Always check with the cruise line or onboard staff about their specific policies before bringing anything back. They are helpful and friendly and want you to have the best experience, so don’t be afraid to ask.
• Be aware of local customs regulations in the port you’re visiting; fines may apply if you violate them.
• Remember, items not allowed onboard will be confiscated during the security check at reboarding.

Foods You Can And Can’t Take Onboard

The guidelines are very similar to bringing food onboard from a port.

• Fresh Produce and Meats: To comply with agricultural regulations, most cruise lines do not allow fresh fruits, vegetables, or meats to be brought onboard.

• Homemade or Opened Foods: Homemade meals or items not in their original packaging, such as prepackaged food, are usually prohibited.

• Alcohol and Beverages: While some cruise lines allow limited quantities of wine or non-alcoholic beverages, most restrict bringing alcohol or large amounts of liquids onboard.

You can see how it can vary, and it’s best to check with the cruise line specifically about what you want to bring so you feel confident.

Drinks You Can And Can’t Take Onboard

This varies from cruise line to cruise line, and rules can also change. It’s important to use this as a guideline, but you can always double-check with your travel agent or the cruise line.

Can Take Onboard

To be safe, because policy’s can change at any time, check with the specific cruise line you are traveling with to feel confident you will be complying with their rules. It does vary from cruise line to cruise line. For example, with alcohol, to see how cruise lines can differ:

🍾 Royal Caribbean—Alcoholic beverages (beer, seltzer, or hard liquor) are not allowed and will be seized until the end of the trip. However, they will allow one bottle of wine or champagne (750 ml max) per person of drinking age. No box wine or other containers are allowed. Anything outside of their allowances will be stored until the end of the trip.

🍾 Virgin Voyages—You can bring two bottles (750 ml max) of wine, sparkling wine, or champagne on embarkation. You must store them in your carry-on, not the bag you check. This allowance is per cabin, not per sailor. You can buy alcohol at ports; however, they will hold it on the ship until the end of the trip.

🍾 Disney Cruises—Guests 21 and up can bring two bottles of unopened wine or champagne (750 ml max) and six beers (12 oz. max) at the beginning of the trip and at each port of call. These items must be packed in a carry-on, not a checked bag.

Some cruise lines do allow you to bring limited soda, water, and other drinks.

Can’t Bring Onboard

🍺 Hard Liquor: Most cruise lines prohibit bringing hard alcohol onboard. It will be seized and may be returned at the end of the trip.

🍺 Open or Unsealed Drinks: Drinks that are not in their original packaging or have been opened are generally not allowed. Again, specific cruise lines allow certain drinks while other do not allow any drinks to come aboard.

🍺 Excessive Quantities: Large quantities of any drink, even non-alcoholic ones, are often not permitted to prevent people from stocking up their rooms. This can include water bottles and soda.

🍺 Homemade Alcohol or Beer: Homemade beverages or beer are not allowed due to safety and quality control reasons.

Additional Tips

• Policy Variations: Each cruise line has different rules (e.g., Disney Cruise Line is more lenient with non-alcoholic beverages, while Carnival and Royal Caribbean have stricter policies).
• Duty-Free Purchases: Alcohol purchased in port or onboard duty-free shops is usually held by the ship and returned to you at the end of the cruise.
• Packing Tip: Drinks allowed onboard must be packed in your carry-on luggage, not checked baggage.

Always review your specific cruise line’s policy before packing to avoid surprises at boarding!

FAQs

There are everyday items that cruise travelers have been curious about when planning their trip. For many reasons, from port rules to the added time examining each bag for drinks and food, I can understand why there are limitations. There isn’t one answer for all cruise lines on what they do and don’t allow with food and beverages.

This guide provides the basics, so you know what to expect and what to ask when contacting your cruise line for your next trip. You can also ask your travel agent for further guidance when helping you book.

🥣 Can you take food back to your cabin on a cruise?

Yes, you can take food back to your cabin! Most cruise lines allow passengers to enjoy food from various dining venues and enjoy in the comfort of their staterooms. Here’s what you need to know:

🥨 Buffet and Casual Dining: You can grab a plate from the buffet or casual eateries and take it back to your cabin. Plates, utensils, and napkins are available, making it easy to take your meal to your room.

🥨 Room Service: Many cruise lines offer room service, often for free or a small fee. You can have food delivered directly to your cabin at your convenience. Check the menu and guidelines left in your cabin for the times and details.

🥨 Takeout from Restaurants: Not just the buffets, but some cruise lines may allow you to request a meal or dessert ‘to go’ from main dining rooms or specialty restaurants.

🥣 Considerations When Bringing Food to Your Cabin

1. Keeping clean: Because cruise ship cabins are small, keeping the space tidy can be challenging. Bringing food back may make it a little more challenging. If you have a small table or balcony, it may make eating easier. You want to clean up well to avoid any possible pests. I wouldn’t have ever thought of that being an issue on a boat, but from what I read, it can be.
2. Smelly Foods: Avoid strong-smelling foods, like fish, which can linger in the cabin since it is such a small space.
3. Disposal: It is best to get rid of leftover food quickly using the trash can in your cabin or asking housekeeping for removal help. Some travelers place items in the hall; you can ask your attendant if that is permissible on the cruise line or what they prefer.

Enjoying food in your cabin is a great way to relax, especially if you want a quiet meal or a snack while watching the ocean from your balcony or need time away from the action or crowds.

🥣 Can you bring a 12-pack of soda on a cruise?

Bringing a 12-pack of soda on a cruise depends on the cruise line’s specific beverage policy. Here’s a general overview:

Cruise Lines That Typically Allow a 12-Pack of Soda

• Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: Your carry-on bag may hold up to 12 non-alcoholic beverages (17 oz.) in cans, bottles, or cartons per stateroom.
• Virgin Voyage Cruise Line: You can carry limited quantities of non-alcoholic beverages in your carry-on, such as water, protein drinks, energy drinks, non-alcoholic beer, and canned/boxed soft drinks. The max is 12 containers (12oz.), cans or cartons only; no glass or plastic bottles.
• Disney Cruise Line: Allows guests to bring non-alcoholic beverages, including soda, in carry-on luggage. There’s no specific quantity limit, but the beverage should fit within the carry-on.
• Carnival Cruise Line: Everyone is allowed one 12-pack of non-alcoholic drinks (cans or cartons only; no glass or plastic bottles).

Cruise Lines That Do NOT Allow Soda

• MSC Cruises: Prohibits passengers from bringing beverages, including soda, onboard.
• Norwegian Cruise Line: As of 2016, cruise guests cannot bring any beverages on board, including liquor, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks such as water, pop, and juices.

Key Points to Remember

• Carry-On Only: If allowed, soda must typically be packed in your carry-on luggage, not checked bags.
• Original Packaging: The soda must be sealed and in its original packaging.
• Policy Check: Beverage policies vary by cruise line, so checking your cruise line’s rules before packing is essential.

Can I bring a loaf of bread on a cruise?

Due to food safety regulations and customs restrictions, most cruise lines do NOT allow fresh food items like a loaf of bread to be brought onboard. Again, these rules prevent issues with pests or contaminants and comply with regulations at ports of call.

Why a Loaf of Bread Is Not Allowed:

• Fresh Produce Restrictions: Cruise lines generally do not allow fresh, homemade, or unpackaged food, including bread, as it can spoil or attract pests.

• Agricultural Regulations: Fresh bread, especially from a local bakery, might contain ingredients, like dairy, that somebody can’t bring into certain countries or other regions.

Possible Exceptions:

• Packaged and Sealed Bread: If the bread is commercially packaged and sealed (like pre-sliced or vacuum-sealed bread), you can bring it onboard. However, you should check with the specific cruise line before your trip to confirm if they will allow this.

To avoid issues, it’s best to enjoy the bread provided by the cruise line’s dining options. This will also make packing more manageable. If you have dietary restrictions, talk with the cruise line ahead of your trip and tell them about your dietary needs and how they can meet them. Doing this allows you to avoid feeling like you need to bring bread and other food aboard.

Can I bring Ziploc snacks on a cruise?

Some travelers bring empty ziplock bags on a cruise. Why? They fill them with snacks to bring back to their room if they have leftover snacks or snacks they want to take while on an excursion at the port. However, you need to be aware of the rules for each port. Some ports will NOT allow you to bring food off the ship. Ask first; you don’t want to get fined.

What’s Allowed:

• Packaged Snacks: Snacks like granola bars, chips, crackers, candy, or dried fruits are usually allowed in Ziploc bags. These snacks should be in their original, sealed packaging or safely stored in the Ziploc bag. It’s so important to ask the cruise line you are traveling on. This is NOT a one-size-fits-all answer.

• Non-Perishable Foods: Items that don’t require refrigeration and are securely sealed are generally acceptable. For example, nuts, trail mix, or pre-packaged cookies could be options to pack in a Ziploc bag. Ask cruise line ahead of time.

What’s Not Allowed:

• Fresh or Homemade Foods: Fresh fruits, vegetables, or homemade snacks (like sandwiches or salads) are typically not allowed because they can spoil or violate agricultural restrictions.

• Opened or Unsealed Snacks: If snacks are opened or unsealed, they may seized by security.

Tips for Packing Snacks:

• Ensure the snacks are sealed properly in the Ziploc bags to avoid mess.
• Stick to non-perishable, easy-to-carry snacks for convenience and avoid the disappointment of foods being seized when you embark.
• If unsure, check your cruise line’s policy on bringing snacks before packing.

By packing Ziploc bags with snacks that follow the guidelines, you can easily bring some of your favorite treats onboard!

Other ways Ziplock bags can be useful on a cruise:

• Store wet suits or water shoes if they are still wet when packing at the end of the trip
• Use to make an ice pack if soreness or injury
• Keep essential items in that you don’t want to get wet, like at the pool or while on an excursion

Can I bring a 12 pack of water on Royal Caribbean?

No, Royal Caribbean does not allow passengers to bring a 12-pack of water or any other beverages, like soda, onboard the ship. There are some particular exceptions.

What Royal Caribbean Allows:

• Water for Medical or Infant Needs: If you require water for medical reasons or have an infant that needs bottled water or formula, you can bring a small quantity onboard with documentation or pre-approval.

• Purchasing Water Onboard: You can buy bottled water onboard or through a beverage package (many cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, offer packages for bottled water).

Why a 12-Pack of Water is Not Allowed:

Cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean, restrict the amount of liquids guests can bring on board to maintain safety, avoid storage issues, and comply with customs regulations at ports of call. (Maybe they want us to purchase a drink package as well?)

Instead, you can bring an empty water bottle and fill up. Onboard, you can ask for the location of water refill stations on the ship.

Final Thoughts On If You Can Bring Food On A Cruise

Cruises revolve around food, with all the buffets, snacks, and special dinners, so some may think bringing drinks and snacks isn’t necessary. However, there are a number of reasons why travelers would ask if they can bring food on a cruise, whether it’s because they have young kids, have diet restrictions, or prefer their own foods.

Some restrictions may seem unnecessary, but the reason I have learned from my research makes sense. We don’t want to attract pests from fresh, unsealed food or cause issues at calls of ports.

Asking the cruise line and your travel agent what the guidelines are will help you feel confident about your upcoming trip and that you will have everything you need.