Our travel expert answers your questions

We are booked on a Celebrity cruise out of Civitavecchia, Italy, in July. On a previous cruise, no drinks were allowed to be taken on board and were confiscated for the duration of the cruise and could be collected upon disembarkation at the end. I hear that some of the cruise lines have become less rigid and now allow each passenger two bottles at the initial embarkation. Is this true? If so, can they be taken to the main dining room for dinner with a corkage fee? - Colin Townsend

Guests may bring wine onto the vessel at the beginning of the cruise but this is limited to two bottles per stateroom (not per person) and there is no corkage charge if this is consumed in your cabin. Bottles consumed in a restaurant, bar or dining venue are subject to a $25 charge. Wine bought from the liner's Bon Voyage gift selection is not subjected to corkage charges, even when consumed in the dining room or public area. Other alcoholic drinks purchased in ports of call or other on-board shops will be stored and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of sailing. For a listing of the alcohol policies on all major cruise lines, see www.cruisemates.com.