Can You Take Your Own Alcohol on P&O Cruises? 2025-2026?
Can You Take Your Own Alcohol on P&O Cruises? (2025 Policy Explained)
P&O Cruises alcohol policy explained: what drinks you can bring onboard, corkage fees, andvduty-free rules
What alcohol can you bring onboard a P&O Cruise?
If you’re planning a cruise with P&O Cruises and wondering whether you can take your own drinks onboard, it’s important to know their latest alcohol rules. P&O’s alcohol policy (updated May 2024) sets clear guidelines on what you can bring, what’s restricted, and where corkage fees apply.
Whether you’re packing a bottle of wine for sailaway, wondering about soft drinks for the kids, or curious about how strict security is at embarkation, here’s the full breakdown.
✅ What Alcohol Can You Bring on P&O Cruises
Wine or Champagne: Each adult guest (18+ in European ports, 21+ in U.S. ports) may bring one litre of wine or Champagne onboard at embarkation. This allowance is only for the initial embarkation day.
Corkage Fee: Enjoy your wine or Champagne in your cabin with no extra charge. If consumed in public areas such as dining rooms, bars, or lounges, a corkage fee of £20 per bottle applies.
Duty-Free Purchases: On selected cruises, guests may buy duty-free alcohol from onboard shops, which is stored until disembarkation.
❌ What You Cannot Bring
Spirits, beer, and liqueurs: These are strictly prohibited at embarkation.
Alcohol from ports of call: Any alcohol purchased ashore must be handed in at the gangway. It will be safely stored and returned at the end of your cruise.
Excess wine/Champagne: Anything over the 1-litre allowance will be stored until the final day.
🥤 Can You Bring Soft Drinks on P&O Cruises?
Yes. Guests may bring small quantities of soft drinks onboard, provided they are sealed and intended for personal use. This is useful for families who want specific brands or sugar-free options not always stocked onboard. If you bring large amounts, staff may ask to store and return them at the end of your trip.
💧 What About Water Bottles?
Passengers are allowed to bring sealed bottled water at embarkation. However, P&O Cruises encourages using refillable bottles onboard, as drinking water is freely available at restaurants, buffets, and bars. Large cases of bottled water may not be permitted due to storage and health regulations.
🔍 How Strict Is Security on Embarkation?
Security staff at the cruise terminal scan all hand luggage and checked bags. Any alcohol or restricted items beyond the allowance will be confiscated and stored until the end of your cruise. P&O applies this policy consistently, so don’t rely on “sneaking drinks through.” It’s best to follow the guidelines to avoid delays or confiscation.
🚢 How P&O’s Alcohol Policy Compares with Other Cruise Lines
If you’re deciding between cruise lines, it’s worth noting how P&O Cruises’ alcohol policy stacks up against others:
Marella Cruises: Each adult can bring a reasonable amount of alcohol onboard at embarkation, usually limited to spirits and wine in small quantities. Unlike P&O, Marella often runs all-inclusive as standard, meaning most drinks are already covered in the fare. Any alcohol purchased ashore is stored until the end of the cruise.
Virgin Voyages: One of the strictest policies. Guests can only bring two bottles of wine or Champagne (750ml each) per cabin at embarkation. Spirits and beer are not permitted, and there is no duty-free collection service - all alcohol bought ashore is stored until disembarkation. Virgin doesn’t offer drinks packages, but their onboard bar pricing is transparent and gratuities are included.
Cunard Line: Similar to P&O, Cunard allows each adult guest to bring one bottle of wine or Champagne (750ml) at embarkation. A corkage fee applies if consumed in public spaces. Spirits, beer, and fortified wines are prohibited.
👉 In short: P&O’s policy is more generous than Virgin’s, but more restrictive than Marella’s, especially if you’re used to all-inclusive cruises.
🍷 Onboard Beverage Options
Instead of carrying your own, you might find value in a drinks package:
Classic Drinks Package – includes a wide choice of wines, beers, spirits, and soft drinks.
Deluxe Drinks Package – covers premium spirits, cocktails, and branded wines.
Alcohol-Free Package – a good option for families or non-drinkers.
🛑 Important Reminders
Age Restrictions: Guests under 18 (or under 21 in U.S. waters) cannot possess or consume alcohol.
Responsible Drinking: Staff may refuse service if a guest appears intoxicated. Unruly behaviour could result in being asked to leave a venue.
🧳 Tips for Bringing Alcohol on P&O Cruises
Wine allowed onboard P&O Cruises cabin
How to pack it – You can carry your wine/Champagne in hand luggage or checked baggage, though hand luggage is safer.
Exceeding limits – If you bring more than the allowance, excess alcohol will be stored until the end of your cruise.
Avoiding corkage fees – Enjoy your wine or Champagne in your cabin to skip the £20 fee.
📅 P&O Cruises Alcohol Policy Update
Now established, but as a reminder, if you haven’t sailed with P&O for a while, as of 7 May 2024, P&O Cruises updated its alcohol policy. The biggest change is stricter enforcement on types and quantities of alcohol brought onboard, bringing them in line with other major cruise lines.
For more detailed information, you can visit P&O Cruises’ official Code of Conduct page.