Disney Cruise Line Rolls Out Stricter Rules for Alcohol, Decorations, and Prohibited Items

Disney Cruise Line is introducing several new controversial policies aboard its ships, going into effect starting June 3, 2026.

The cruise line quietly updated its prohibited items FAQ page on Thursday, reflecting the new policies.

First on the cruise line’s change list is a major adjustment to its outside alcohol policy. Prior to the update, guests were allowed to bring two bottles of wine onboard at embarkation, plus one additional bottle purchased in each visited port.

Now, guests are only permitted to bring a single bottle of wine aboard at embarkation for the entire duration of the cruise. 

Disney cruisers quickly spread across social media, sharing their woes.

One Reddit user lamented, “Another cash grab at the expense of the customer’s experience. Sigh.”

“We have a 9 night cruise in the Mediterranean in two weeks,” said another. “We always used to pick up a bottle or two in ports. Now we get one bottle of wine for the whole trip??”

Under the new rules, guests technically are still permitted to purchase alcohol in port, but that alcohol cannot be brought to your stateroom, and will be held by the cruise line until the end of the voyage.

Along with this decrease in the amount of alcohol allowed onboard comes a decrease in the corkage fees. While guests previously paid $29 to drink their own alcohol at onboard dining venues, this fee has been dropped to $20.

This is a major decrease in the corkage fee since Disney last raised the price, which Cruise Hive reported on in 2024. 

Disney Diminishes Door Decor

Another debate-worthy update to Disney’s policy regards decorations to stateroom doors. While Disney is not banning the practice altogether, they are limiting it drastically.

“You are welcome to personalize your stateroom door with a tasteful magnetic sign for a celebration – or simply to add a touch of fun!” the updated FAQ reads. “To ensure an enjoyable experience for all our Guests, please take note of the following guidelines for decorating your stateroom door.”

Decorations are now limited exclusively to the door itself. Guests may not add decoration to the corridor walls or ceilings.

Those who enjoy showing off their decorating skills are sure to be let down by the news that their canvas has shrunk considerably, but this change is likely less to do with limiting fun and more to do with safety. Bulky items in corridors can possibly inhibit movement or trip guests in the case of an emergency evacuation.

Guests who choose to decorate their cabin doors should keep in mind the other rules and regulations Disney has in place.

Tape and adhesives are strictly prohibited, as is over-the-door hanging decor. While magnets are okay, they will not work with vessels that have wooden doors, such as Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream.

If you choose to use tape or other adhesives in spite of the prohibition, you do so at your own risk, as damaging the stateroom doors as a result comes with a $100 fee per incident.

Selfie Sticks Added to Prohibited Items List

In addition to the alcohol and door decor policy changes, selfie sticks, tripods, and other extending poles have also been added to the cruise line’s prohibited items list.

While these photo extension devices are not totally banned, they must remain retracted onboard and cannot exceed 18 inches in length. Provided those restrictions are followed, selfie sticks, tripods, and other extending camera accessories may be used onboard.

The new rules go into effect on June 3, 2026 and will hit ships on a staggered schedule as they sail out.The first ship to sail under the new policies will be the 129,690 gross ton Disney Fantasy, as it sails June 3 on a 4 day Bahamas cruise from Port Canaveral stopping at Disney’s Castaway Cay and Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.