Disney Cruise Line has updated its alcohol policy, and if you were relying on bringing a couple of bottles of wine on board to enjoy, you might want to adjust your plans. This is especially worth knowing as the Disney Dream will soon be starting the popular UK cruise season from Southampton. The allowance has been cut from two bottles per guest to one.
The updated FAQ on the Disney Cruise Line website now reads that guests aged 21 and over may bring a maximum of one bottle of unopened wine or sparkling wine - no larger than 750ml - or six beers, no larger than 12 ounces (~330ml) each. It was previously two bottles of wine per person.
There's also a second change that's arguably more impactful. Previously, guests could use their full allowance again at each port the ship stopped at - meaning a cruise with multiple stops could mean multiple top-ups. That's gone. Any alcohol purchased at ports of call will now be collected and stored, only available to collect at the end of the cruise. So that bottle picked up in port is going straight into storage, not the cabin fridge.
Disney Cruise Line has been sending emails to guests letting them know about the change, so it's worth checking your inbox if you have a sailing booked.
We are excited to welcome you aboard and want to share important information with you for your upcoming Disney cruise. As you pack for your vacation, please take note of the alcohol policy.
Subject to the minimum drinking age applicable to your sailing, Disney Cruise Line Guests may bring a maximum of one (1) bottle of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or 6 beers (no larger than 12 ounces) on board at the beginning of the voyage. For roundtrip cruises from Singapore, Guests must be 18 years of age and older to consume or bring these beverages. For all other cruises, Guests must be 21 years of age and older to consume or bring these beverages. These beverages must be packed in carry-on (not checked) bags or luggage. Liquors, spirits or wine and beer purchased in ports of call will be stored until the end of the cruise. Guests must retrieve stored alcohol at the end of the cruise. Items not retrieved will be discarded and no compensation will be offered.
For Guests wishing to consume wine or champagne that they have brought on board in one of the dining rooms, the corking fee is $20.00 per bottle.
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What the Full Policy Now Says
For clarity, here's what Disney Cruise Line's updated alcohol policy covers:
- One bottle of wine or sparkling wine (max 750ml) OR six beers (max 12oz each, ~330ml) per guest aged 21+
- Alcohol must be in carry-on luggage - anything packed in checked bags will be removed with no compensation offered
- All bottles must be original, unopened containers - anything with a broken seal is prohibited
- Anything over the limit (i.e. that second bottle of Sauvignon you were planning) must be discarded before boarding - again, no compensation
- Alcohol bought at ports of call will be collected and stored until the end of the cruise - you cannot bring it back on board to drink during the sailing
- Anything not collected at the end of the cruise will be discarded
- You can drink your own wine or beer in your cabin, but if you want to have it in a restaurant, there's a $20 USD corkage fee per bottle
- Spirits and liqueurs brought on board aren't permitted - you can't bring those at all
That last point hasn't changed - Disney Cruise Line has never allowed guests to bring their own spirits on board, so if you were hoping for a duty-free bottle of something stronger, that's still a no.
Why Does This Matter for UK Guests?
For UK guests in particular, the BYO allowance has often been a small but meaningful benefit. Cruises can be expensive, and being able to bring a couple of bottles of your favourite bubbly or wine on board was one of those little wins that softened the blow of on-board drinks prices.
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What Hasn't Changed
The beer allowance stays the same - six 12oz beers per person. The corkage fee has actually been reduced from $29 to $20 per bottle, though you'll only be uncorking half the amount if you use that service.
