Royal Caribbean fails to get exception for Bahamas alcohol sales ban
For many cruise vacationers, cocktails are an essential ingredient for a perfect Bahamas beach day. But unfortunately for anyone visiting The Bahamas on May 12, ordering an alcoholic beverage won't be an option ashore in any Bahamas port of call.
A temporary ban on alcohol sales across The Bahamas is set for May 12 from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., during polling hours for the country's General Elections. That ban has cruise lines facing a dilemma at their private destinations where passengers expect to be able to purchase alcoholic drinks, and even use onboard drink packages at some private islands.
Some cruise lines are opting to reroute ships to other destinations rather than operate without alcohol at their private islands, but Royal Caribbean is taking a different approach to mitigate the inconvenience the alcohol sales ban will create for its passengers.
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Royal Caribbean confirms Bahamas destinations will not serve alcohol on May 12
After exploring whether The Bahamas government would make an exception for its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and its new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island destination in Nassau, Royal Caribbean notified passengers that neither destination would be able to serve alcohol on May 12.
"There is a public notice issued by the Ministry of National Security in The Bahamas that prohibits the distribution of alcohol during national elections. We've explored whether any exceptions could be made; however, this restriction applies nationwide throughout The Bahamas," Royal Caribbean wrote in emails to passengers scheduled to visit CocoCay and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island on May 12.
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Royal Caribbean informed passengers that both Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will be fully open on May 12, but that alcoholic beverages will not be served. Passengers will still be able to enjoy non-alcoholic beverages as well as the beach, amenities, food, entertainment, and other offerings.
The good news is that the alcohol sales ban does not apply aboard ships docked in The Bahamas.
"While these services will be impacted ashore, guests may continue to enjoy alcoholic beverages onboard," Royal Caribbean confirmed in its emails to passengers.
Onboard credit offered to Royal Beach Club guests
While Royal Caribbean isn't providing compensation to CocoCay visitors for the inconvenience the alcohol sales ban creates, the cruise line is offering an onboard credit to those who purchased a day pass with unlimited open bar for a visit to Royal Beach Club Paradise Island on May 12. Available as a Nassau shore excursion, Royal Beach Club offers two day pass options - one with unlimited open bar and one that includes unlimited non-alcoholic beverages.
Utopia of the Seas passengers who booked a day pass with unlimited open bar for May 12, which included TravelHost's Come Cruise With Me Editor in Chief Dan Kline, received an email from Royal Caribbean on May 6 similar to the one that passengers sailing to CocoCay received. But for Royal Beach Club guests who won't get the open bar they paid for, Royal Caribbean is providing some compensation.
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"Taking this into account, and to better support your experience, guests who pre-purchase Royal Beach Club will receive a 50% refund in the form of Onboard Credit once onboard. These credits can be used anywhere onboard, and any remaining, refundable amounts at the end of your sailing will be refunded to your card on file within 14 business days from final disembarkation," Royal Caribbean said in its email.
Utopia of the Seas passengers also have the option to cancel their Royal Beach Club shore excursion, if desired. Royal Caribbean allows passengers to modify or cancel excursions up to 48 hours prior to port arrival without penalty.
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This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 8:51 AM.