Cruise lines offer a wide variety of complementary dining options. Even with the endless dining choices, you might want to bring your own food and snacks onboard.
Most cruise lines allow passengers to bring food on a cruise.
Whether you’re a picky eater or prefer to have your favorite snack with you on your cruise vacation, here’s what you need to know about bringing food on a cruise.
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Can You Bring Food on a Cruise?
Yes. You can bring food on a cruise ship, provided the snacks are pre-packaged and non-perishable.
Unfortunately, the cruise lines food policy means you’ll have to leave your homemade cookies at home. But you can bring items like chocolate bars, beef jerky, candy, and bags of chips onto the ship.
Each cruise line has different rules and restrictions, which will explore further below.
Cruise Line Food Policies
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s food and beverage policy states, “you are free to bring non-perishable pre-packaged food in limited quantities.”
The policy is a little vague, but you shouldn’t have an issue as long as the items are pre-packaged and non-perishable.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival’s food/snack policy states, “Food Items must be pre-packaged and unopened; homemade items or pre-cooked foods will not be permitted onboard. Limitations on permitted food items are directly related to concerns for food safety and contamination prevention. We are unable to provide food preparation, refrigeration, or storage for personal food or beverage items.”
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line’s policy says, “Unsealed food items will not be allowed onboard.”
In other words, only bring sealed, pre-packaged items.
Princess Cruises
In our experience, Princess Cruises has similar food policies as other major cruise lines. You can pack pre-packaged, sealed, non-perishable food items.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises allows passengers to bring small amounts of pre-packaged, non-perishable snacks onto their vessels.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line’s policy states, “non-perishable snack foods in sealed, original packaging. All items must either be consumed before returning to your home port or remain unopened.”
Additionally, breast milk is allowed in the carry-on only.
Virgin Voyages
If you wish to carry food onboard a Virgin Voyages crew, you must first contact their Sailor Services Crew for special clearance.
Cruise Line Snack Policies FAQs
Can I Take Candy on a Cruise?
Yes. You can take candy on a cruise, provided it is in a sealed package and not homemade.
How Much Food Can I Bring on a Cruise?
Cruise lines don’t have specific limits on the amount of food that you can pack and bring on a ship. If you pack a handful of snacks, you should be fine. But if your suitcase is full of food, it may be a problem for the cruise line.
Can You Bring Baby Food on a Cruise?
You can bring baby food on a cruise, provided it is in sealed, pre-packaged containers or jars. Homemade food is prohibited on cruise ships. Additionally, some cruise lines offer purees or baby food.
Can You Bring Drinks on a Cruise Ship?
Yes, most cruise lines allow guests to bring alcohol on the ship.
