P&O Cruises Alcohol Policy 2026: Can You Bring Wine, Beer or Spirits Onboard?
Updated: August 2026
Can You Take Your Own Alcohol on P&O Cruises? 2026-2027?
P&O Cruises alcohol policy explained: what drinks you can bring onboard, corkage fees, and duty-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.
Can you take alcohol on a P&O Cruise?
Yes, but there are restrictions. Guests aged 18 or over (21 in US ports) can bring up to one litre of wine or Champagne per person when they first embark a P&O Cruises ship.
Beer, cider, spirits and liqueurs are not permitted. If you choose to drink your own wine or Champagne in a bar, restaurant, dining room or lounge area, a £20 corkage fee per bottle, per occasion applies.
Alcohol bought during port visits must be declared and handed over when returning to the ship. It will be stored by P&O Cruises and returned before the end of your cruise.
In short: Pack your favourite bottle of wine or Champagne, but leave other alcohol at home.
📅 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.
P&O Alcohol Policy At a Glance
P&O Cruises alcohol policy applies to guests aged 18+ (or 21+ when departing from US ports). Always check the latest P&O Cruises guidance before sailing.
✅ 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: P&O Cruises strictly enforces its limits. Any wine or Champagne brought onboard that exceeds the 1-litre per-person allowance will be confiscated and discarded by security without compensation, rather than stored for the duration of the cruise.
🚢 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: One of the most restrictive policies for bringing your own alcohol. Guests are completely prohibited from bringing outside alcohol onboard at embarkation, with the only exception being alcohol purchased during your outbound TUI flight (and you must keep the receipt).
However, bringing your own is rarely necessary as Marella includes an impressive standard All-Inclusive package in the cruise fare. For August 2026 sailings, Marella has significantly expanded its standard menus to include fleetwide 0% ABV spirits, alcohol-free wines, gluten-free beer, and an array of 18 non-alcoholic cocktails alongside their standard beers, spirits, and wines. Any alcohol purchased ashore is stored until disembarkation.
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 great value in choosing one of P&O Cruises’ beverage options. For 2026 sailings, P&O offers these choices as standalone packages or bundled directly into new All-Inclusive Holiday Fares:
All-Inclusive Fare Bundles (Classic or Deluxe): Selected at the time of booking, these value bundles package either the Classic or Deluxe drinks package together with P&O’s Essential or Ultimate Wi-Fi plan and a specialty dining credit (£20 to £55 depending on cruise length). Booking this bundle in advance can save you up to 32–34% compared to buying each item separately onboard.
Classic Drinks Package: Includes a wide choice of on-tap soft drinks, Costa coffees, beers, ciders, spirits, classic cocktails up to £8.50, and 175ml glasses of wine.
Deluxe Drinks Package: Covers everything in the Classic package plus premium cocktails up to £9.50, large 250ml glasses of wine, craft beers, double measures of spirits, and a 20% discount on items excluded from the package (such as bottles of Champagne).
Alcohol-Free Package: Ideal for non-drinkers and families, offering unlimited Costa coffee, teapigs tea, mocktails, fruit juices, and alcohol-free beers and wines.
💡 Good to Know: Bundled Fares vs. Individual Packages
Many cruisers wonder if they must buy the new all-inclusive bundled fare to get a beverage package. The short answer is no.
If you prefer to book a standard fare (such as a Saver or Select Price fare), you can still purchase your drinks packages individually exactly as before:
- Pre-Cruise Discount: You can add a standalone Classic, Deluxe, Alcohol-Free, or Refresh package via the My P&O Cruises portal up to 3 days before you sail, which usually saves you 10% off the onboard price.
- Onboard Purchase: Standalone individual packages remain available to buy at full price on the ship during the first two days of your cruise.
- Pay-As-You-Go: You can skip packages entirely and pay for individual drinks as you order them.
Note: Standard package rules still apply—your cruise must be 5 nights or longer, and all adults sharing the same cabin must purchase the exact same package.
🛑 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 pack your permitted 1-litre bottle of wine or Champagne in either your hand luggage or checked baggage. Carrying it in your hand luggage is highly recommended to prevent accidental breakage during bag handling.
Do NOT exceed the limits – P&O Cruises now strictly enforces a zero-tolerance policy for excess alcohol. If you attempt to bring more than your 1-litre allowance through the terminal, security will confiscate and discard the excess bottles immediately without compensation. They will no longer store extra bottles for you until the end of the cruise.
Avoid the corkage fees – To completely skip the £20 public corkage fee, ensure you only open and enjoy your wine or Champagne within the privacy of your own cabin or balcony.
Declare port purchases – You are still welcome to buy alcohol ashore as souvenirs. Just remember that it must be declared at the gangway upon your return. The crew will safely store it for you free of charge and return it on the final day of your sailing.
Why trust Cruise Lowdown?
Cruise Lowdown provides independent cruise advice based on research, real cruise experience and regularly updated information. Founder Kathy Taylor is a CLIA Cruise Master accredited cruise professional, with recognised industry knowledge across cruise holidays, ships and destinations.
P&O Cruises Alcohol Policy FAQs (2026)
Can you bring wine on P&O Cruises?
Yes. Guests aged 18 or over can bring up to one litre of wine or Champagne per person when they first embark on a P&O Cruises holiday.
This allowance is intended for personal consumption during your cruise. If you choose to enjoy your own wine or Champagne in your cabin, there is no corkage charge. However, if you take your own bottle to a bar, restaurant, dining room or other public area, P&O Cruises applies a £20 corkage fee per bottle.
If you are travelling as a couple, each adult can bring their own allowance, meaning two adults can bring up to two litres of wine or Champagne between them.
Can you bring beer on P&O Cruises?
No. Beer and cider cannot be brought onboard P&O Cruises ships.
Although some older cruise guides state that passengers can bring their own beer, P&O Cruises updated its alcohol policy and now only permits wine or Champagne within the stated allowance when joining the ship.
If you enjoy beer during your cruise, there are plenty of options available onboard, including draught beers, bottled beers and alcohol-free alternatives, which can be purchased individually or included within selected drinks packages.
Can you bring spirits onboard?
No. Spirits, liqueurs and other strong alcoholic drinks cannot be brought onboard a P&O Cruises ship.
This includes bottles of whisky, gin, vodka, rum and similar drinks purchased before your cruise.
If you prefer spirits, cocktails or premium drinks, these can be purchased onboard at P&O Cruises bars and lounges. Depending on your drinking habits, a drinks package may offer better value than paying individually for each drink.
Can you buy alcohol ashore?
Yes, you can buy alcohol during port visits, but it cannot usually be taken back to your cabin for immediate consumption.
Any alcohol purchased ashore must be declared when returning to the ship and handed over to the crew. P&O Cruises will store these items safely and return them to you towards the end of your cruise.
This policy applies whether you purchase alcohol from a local shop, vineyard, distillery or duty-free outlet during your holiday.
Tip: If you are planning to buy wine as a souvenir, check your luggage allowance and your airline restrictions if you are flying home after your cruise.
What happens if you break the alcohol policy?
P&O Cruises has the right to remove alcohol that does not comply with its onboard policy.
P&O Cruises has the right to remove alcohol that does not comply with its onboard policy. If guests attempt to bring prohibited items like spirits or beer, or exceed their 1-litre allowance, the items will be confiscated and discarded at the terminal with no compensation provided. For the exact wording on policy enforcement, you can view the official guidelines on the P&O Cruises Code of Conduct page.
Cruise lines enforce alcohol policies for safety reasons, including responsible drinking onboard and compliance with international maritime regulations.
Can you buy bottles onboard?
Yes. P&O Cruises sells a wide range of alcoholic drinks onboard, including wine, Champagne, spirits and liqueurs.
Bottles can usually be purchased through the ship’s bars, restaurants and onboard shops. However, bottles bought onboard may be subject to restrictions on when they can be consumed, particularly duty-free purchases, which are generally stored and returned before disembarkation.
If you are celebrating a special occasion, pre-order options such as Champagne or wine may also be available before your cruise.
Is the drinks package better value?
Whether a P&O Cruises drinks package offers good value depends on how much you drink and what you prefer to drink.
A drinks package may be worthwhile if you regularly enjoy several alcoholic drinks each day, speciality coffees, soft drinks, bottled water or premium options included within the package.
However, if you mainly drink tea, coffee, water and only enjoy an occasional glass of wine with dinner, paying as you go may work out cheaper.
Before choosing a package, consider:
How many drinks you are likely to have each day
Whether sea days will increase your consumption
Whether your favourite drinks are included
Whether both adults sharing a cabin must purchase the package
The 15-drink daily cap: If you opt for an alcoholic package, keep in mind that P&O implements a strict limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per 24-hour period (which runs from 6:00 AM to 6:00 AM). Additionally, there is a mandatory 15-minute waiting period between ordering drinks to ensure responsible service.
Use our P&O Cruises Drinks Package Calculator to estimate whether a package could save you money based on your own cruising habits.
🥤 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.
💬 What Cruisers Are Saying: Terminal Screening Updates
Following P&O's recent policy updates, passengers on major cruise forums have noted a visible shift in how bags are handled at the port terminals.
Many report that security teams are screening hand luggage much more thoroughly for hidden spirits, miniatures, and excess bottles. The consensus is clear: don't risk bringing a second bottle of wine or a 12-pack of beer, as security will discard them immediately on the spot rather than putting them in storage. Stick strictly to your 1-litre wine allowance!
People also ask:
Can you take Prosecco on a P&O cruise?
Yes. Prosecco is treated as wine under P&O Cruises’ alcohol policy, meaning guests aged 18 or over can bring up to one litre of wine or Champagne per person when first embarking their cruise. A £20 corkage fee applies if you drink your own bottle in public areas such as bars or restaurants.
Can you bring miniatures onboard P&O Cruises?
No. Miniature bottles of spirits and other prohibited alcoholic drinks are not permitted onboard. The allowance only applies to wine or Champagne within the permitted limit.
Can you take alcohol off the ship on a P&O cruise?
Yes. Guests can take alcohol purchased during their cruise home with them at the end of the holiday. However, alcohol bought onboard or in ports may be held by P&O Cruises until disembarkation.
What is the corkage fee on P&O Cruises?
P&O Cruises charges a £20 corkage fee per bottle when guests choose to drink their own wine or Champagne in public areas, including bars, restaurants and lounges. There is no corkage charge for enjoying your permitted allowance in your cabin.
Can I take alcohol in checked luggage on P&O Cruises?
No. Prohibited alcohol, including beer, spirits and liqueurs, should not be packed in checked luggage. Only the permitted allowance of wine or Champagne can be brought onboard when you first embark.
Can two adults bring two bottles of wine on a P&O cruise?
Yes. Each adult guest can bring up to one litre of wine or Champagne, so two adults travelling together can bring their own individual allowance.
Can children bring alcohol on a P&O cruise?
No. Guests must meet the minimum drinking age requirements to bring alcohol onboard. Children and underage guests cannot bring alcohol onto a P&O Cruises ship.
Can I take alcohol bought in port back to my cabin?
No. Alcohol purchased during port visits must be declared when returning to the ship. P&O Cruises will store these items and return them before the end of your cruise.
Can I buy duty-free spirits onboard P&O Cruises?
Yes. Duty-free spirits and other alcoholic purchases may be available onboard, but they are stored by P&O Cruises and returned before disembarkation rather than being available for immediate consumption.
The Lowdown
P&O Cruises keeps its alcohol policy relatively simple: guests aged 18 or over can bring one litre of wine or Champagne per person when they first embark, but beer, cider, spirits and liqueurs are not permitted.
If you want to enjoy your own bottle in a public area, remember that a £20 corkage fee per bottle applies. Alcohol purchased ashore or through duty-free is stored by P&O Cruises and returned before the end of your cruise.
As with all cruise policies, rules can change, so always check the latest guidance before sailing.
Cruise Lowdown’s guides are based on independent research, cruise experience and regularly updated information. Founder Kathy Taylor is a CLIA Cruise Master accredited cruise professional, helping cruisers make informed choices before they sail.
Further Reading:
P&O Cruises Lounge & Bar Drinks Menus