Disappointed cruise passengers erupt as alcohol ban affects major voyages

A temporary alcohol ban will roll out at a Caribbean destination next week - leaving cruise passengers high and dry on shore.

A government notice obtained by Fox News Digital says the ban will take place that day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"Any person selling or exposing or offering for sale any intoxicating liquor during such hours shall be deemed to be so doing while not holding a license under the provisions of the Business License Act," the notice warns.

Two Royal Caribbean ships, Oasis of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas, will be visiting CocoCay during that time.

Alcohol will continue to be sold aboard ships while the ban is in place on shore, a Royal Caribbean official said. But guests on cruise ships visiting Bahamian ports May 12 cannot purchase alcohol ashore.

"Royal Caribbean is respecting and complying with all local laws and regulations, as we do with every destination we visit," a company spokesperson said.

"We scheduled a trip with stops in the Bahamas for our 40th anniversary," the woman wrote. "We are going with 26 of our friends. Planned activities at CocoCay and Nassau."

The X user continued, "The general election has banned all alcohol for the two days we are there. And we find out only two days before we leave? Not a way to treat customers who cruise four times a year."

The woman added that she "would have picked a different itinerary to celebrate with our friends" if she had known about the ban earlier.

A traveler in the Facebook group Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips & Updates 2026 recounted, "This just happened to us on April 30th, and it really sucked the life out of our day visit to Royal Beach Club Paradise Island."

Fox News Digital reached out to Royal Caribbean for further comment.