I hear this all the time: “I’ll brush my teeth with it… But actually drink it?” If you’ve hesitated with hotel taps on land, a ship can feel even more uncertain.
I’m under 40, but I’ve spent years geeking out on how cruise ships make and manage water — and here’s the short version: you can drink it.
The longer version (with all the useful nuance) is below.
Is Cruise Ship Tap Water Safe to Drink? (Yes.)
Cruise ships produce and treat their own potable water using advanced systems (evaporation/desalination and/or reverse osmosis) and then filter, disinfect, and test it continuously.
That’s why:
- You can safely drink the water in your cabin bathroom tap and the water served around the ship.
- The only places I avoid drinking from are public bathrooms and handwashing stations — not because the water is unsafe, but because the fixtures themselves get heavy use (hello, bacteria) and the water tends to be warm.
Bottom line: The actual drinking water onboard is clean and safe. You don’t need to stress about sipping it.
Where You’ll Find Drinkable Water Onboard
1) Bars & Restaurants (Filtered & Free)
When you sit down in the Main Dining Room or order at any bar, the water poured for you is filtered and safe.
Expect:
- Ice-cold glasses of tap water (filtered) in dining rooms.
- Poolside bars often add lemon slices — perfect on hot sea days.
- If you don’t have a drinks package, water in the MDR is your included option, which keeps costs down nicely.
Exception to know: Costa Cruises is the only major line that doesn’t provide free drinking water in bars and restaurants. You can still get it free at the buffet.
Good to know: Cruise ships filter their own water for guest consumption, so there’s plenty available on longer itineraries, and it’s properly treated.
2) Buffet Water & Ice Dispensers (Easiest Access)
Buffets always have self-serve water and ice dispensers. They’re a reliable way to stay hydrated between meals.
- Some dispensers are built for refilling bottles; others aren’t.
- Many lines have hygiene rules: don’t press your bottle directly to the nozzle.
- The polite workaround: fill a cup and pour it into your bottle.
- As a rule of thumb, don’t touch the bottle’s drinking rim to any dispenser surface.
Pack This: A refillable water bottle is a must for cruises — great for the gym, running track, shore excursions, and nightstand refills.
Personal pick: I like double-walled stainless steel bottles (e.g., Iron Flask) because they keep water cold and usually come with multiple lids (straw, flip, metal) so you can switch based on what you’re doing.
3) Your Cabin Bathroom Tap (Safe, but Taste Varies)
Yes, the bathroom tap water is drinkable.
Two honest notes:
- It’s often not as cold as dispenser or restaurant water.
- Taste can vary by ship — sometimes perfectly fine, sometimes a bit warm or “different.”
Nighttime tip: If you wake up thirsty at 3 a.m., you don’t need to trek to the buffet — the bathroom tap water is fine in a pinch.
4) Handwashing Stations & Public Bathrooms (I Don’t Drink Here)
This is the one spot I skip for drinking:
- The water itself is treated, but the taps see constant post-restroom use (more germs on the fixtures).
- The water runs warm, which isn’t exactly appealing to drink.
Rule I follow: I’ll wash here, but I won’t drink here.
5) The Spa & Private Retreat Areas (Often the Best Water)
If you want the nicest water onboard, check the spa and any paid private sun-deck/retreat area:
- You’ll often find ice-cold dispensers with fruit-infused options (think tropical fruits or cucumber).
- These venues serve fewer guests, so dispensers are well-stocked and feel a touch more premium.
Quick-Use Tips (Save/Share These)
- Yes, drink the ship’s water. It’s treated, filtered, and safe.
- Avoid drinking from public bathroom taps and handwashing stations — hygiene, not safety.
- Use cups to refill bottles at dispensers if direct refills aren’t allowed.
- Bring a refillable bottle (cold water all day = fewer bar trips).
- Spa/retreat areas usually have the coldest, nicest infused water.
Buying Bottled Water Onboard
Even though the tap water is safe, many passengers still go for bottled water. Why? Sometimes it’s taste, sometimes convenience, and sometimes just habit.
When Bottled Water Makes Sense
- You want a cold bottle in your cabin at night.
- You’re particular about brands or prefer sparkling water.
- You like the convenience of grabbing sealed bottles for excursions.
Which Cruise Lines Include Bottled Water?
Some premium and luxury lines automatically include bottled water in your fare:
- Azamara – bottled water stocked in your cabin.
- Virgin Voyages – included and replenished daily.
- Silversea & Regent Seven Seas – all-inclusive, bottled water in cabins at no extra cost.
For most other cruise lines, you’ll either need a drinks package or you’ll purchase bottles individually.
Bottled Water in Drinks Packages
Many mainstream lines fold bottled water into their drink packages — but the details vary.
Here’s a breakdown:
| Cruise Line | Bottled Water in Packages? |
|---|---|
| Carnival | ✅ Yes (500ml bottles with Cheers! package) |
| Celebrity | ✅ Yes (Zero Proof package) |
| Costa | ✅ Yes (1/day with My Drinks; unlimited with My Drinks Plus) |
| Cunard | ✅ Yes (Premium Soft Drinks package) |
| Fred. Olsen | ❌ No (but 50% discount on bottled water) |
| Holland America | ✅ Yes (Quench, Signature & Elite packages) |
| MSC | ✅ Yes (Alcohol-Free package) |
| NCL | ❌ No (only with More at Sea Premium package – Pride of America) |
| P&O Cruises | ✅ Yes (Ultimate Drinks Package – 500ml bottles; 20% off larger bottles) |
| Princess | ✅ Yes (Alcoholic or Zero-Alcohol package; not included with Classic Soda) |
| Royal Caribbean | ✅ Yes (Refreshment or Deluxe packages) |
💡 Tip: Even without a drinks package, you can always ask for tap water with or without ice at bars and restaurants for free.
Bulk-Buying Bottled Water (Cheaper Than You Think)
Some cruise lines make bottled water surprisingly affordable if you pre-order a case for your stateroom:
- Disney Cruise Line – $60 for a 24-pack of bottled water (~$2.50/bottle). Smaller 6- and 12-packs are also available.
- Carnival Cruise Line – 12 bottles for $11.95 (less than $1/bottle, cheaper than some ports ashore).
👉 If you prefer bottled water and don’t have a package that includes it, pre-ordering a case is usually the best value.
Bringing Your Own Bottled Water Onboard
Rules vary widely by cruise line. Some are very relaxed, others are strict.
Here’s the full guide:
| Cruise Line | How Much Bottled Water You Can Bring |
|---|---|
| Carnival | 12 x 330ml cans or cartons (no bottles) per passenger |
| Celebrity | Unlimited |
| Costa | ❌ None (unless for medical purposes – e.g., distilled water) |
| Cunard | Unlimited |
| Disney | Unlimited |
| Fred. Olsen | Unlimited |
| Holland America | 12 x 500ml or 6 x 1-litre cans/cartons (no bottles) per stateroom |
| MSC Cruises | ❌ None (unless for medical purposes – e.g., distilled water) |
| NCL | ❌ None (unless for medical purposes – e.g., distilled water) |
| P&O Cruises | Unlimited |
| Princess Cruises | Unlimited |
| Royal Caribbean | 12 x 500ml bottles, cans, or cartons per stateroom |
| Virgin Voyages | 12 x 350ml cans or cartons (no bottles) per passenger |
💡 Insider Note: Many lines banning “bottled” water still allow cans or cartons — a small but important loophole if you like bringing your own supply.
Alternatives to Bottled Water
1) Soda Packages
Some cruise lines sell soda-focused packages (fountain soft drinks only). They don’t include bottled water, but if your main goal is avoiding plain tap water, they’re worth considering.
2) Flavor Drops & Cordials
Not a fan of plain water taste? Pack a tiny squeeze bottle of cordial concentrate.
- One palm-sized container can make 20+ drinks.
- Easy to slip into your luggage.
- Instantly turns tap water into something more enjoyable without lugging big bottles around.
Final Word
Cruise ship water is absolutely safe to drink — whether it’s from your cabin tap, the buffet dispensers, or the dining room.
You only need bottled water if you:
- Prefer sparkling,
- Want brand-name bottles, or
- Just like the convenience.
And if that’s you, you’ve got options:
- Buy a drinks package that includes bottled water.
- Pre-order cases for your cabin (often cheaper than ashore).
- Check the bring-your-own rules if you like stocking up before sailing.
👉 At the end of the day, you’ll never go thirsty onboard. Whether you stick with free filtered water or splurge on bottled, cruise ships make it easy to stay hydrated — your choice.
