When you’re cruising for days—or even weeks—the last thing you want to worry about is whether the water in your cabin is clean and reliable. With all the talk around onboard sanitation and health protocols, it’s natural for cruisers to wonder: can you really trust the tap water, or is bottled water the safer bet?
Whether you’re a first-timer or a frequent sailor, this question comes up more often than you’d think—and the answer might surprise you.
The Short Answer: Yes, You Can
Yes, the tap water on cruise ships is safe to drink—it’s treated using advanced filtration and disinfection systems to ensure it’s clean and reliable. Cruise lines invest heavily in onboard water treatment technology to meet the needs of thousands of passengers and crew every day.
They’re also required to follow strict international health standards, including those set by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Public Health Service. The water is tested regularly throughout the cruise, so you can confidently drink it, brush your teeth, or fill your water bottle straight from the tap.
How Cruise Ship Water is Made Safe
Most of the water you’ll use on a cruise ship actually starts as seawater. Cruise ships use two main methods to make it safe: reverse osmosis and steam evaporation.
In reverse osmosis, seawater is forced through a series of very fine filters that remove salt, bacteria, and other impurities. Steam evaporation involves boiling seawater, collecting the steam, and then condensing it back into pure water, leaving all the contaminants behind.
These systems can produce hundreds of thousands of liters of freshwater each day, enough to support thousands of passengers and crew.
In some cases, cruise ships also bring potable water onboard from port, but this is typically used for non-drinking purposes like laundry, engine cooling, or general cleaning. Drinking water, whether made onboard or loaded from shore, is subject to strict treatment and handling procedures.
Regardless of the source, all water on board is disinfected using chlorine or bromine and tested regularly—including for harmful bacteria like E. coli. These checks ensure cruise lines meet strict health standards, so you can trust the water is safe during your cruise.
Is the Tap Water in My Cabin Safe?
Yes, the tap water in your cabin is the same clean, treated water served in the ship’s restaurants and bars. It might taste a little different than what you’re used to at home, mainly because it comes from desalinated seawater and may have minerals added to adjust the flavor, but it’s absolutely safe to drink.
And just to clear up a common myth: it’s not recycled wastewater. Wastewater on cruise ships goes through a separate treatment process and is safely released at sea according to strict environmental regulations.
Places to Avoid: Where Not to Get Your Drinking Water
While most cruise ship water is safe, it’s best to avoid drinking water from public bathroom taps or handwashing stations. This is because these areas are more likely to have cross-contamination from soaps, lotions, and cleaning agents—not to mention residual bacteria from people’s hands.
The taps themselves can also carry surface bacteria, and the water that comes out is often warm, making it far from refreshing. If you’re unsure, it’s always safer to get your drinking water from designated dispensers, onboard cafés, or the tap in your stateroom, where the water is much more clean.
What If I Don’t Like the Taste?
If you’re not a fan of the taste of cruise ship tap water, you’re not alone—and it’s not necessarily a sign something’s wrong. The taste can vary depending on the ship and your own preferences. Some guests notice a faint chlorine flavor, a slightly “flat” taste, or just a difference in pH compared to what they’re used to at home.
If you’re picky about your water, there are a few easy tricks to help. Pack a few hydration packets or flavor drops to mix things up. A small portable water filter pitcher can also improve the taste dramatically. And don’t forget—chilling the water in your cabin fridge or adding ice can make it much more refreshing.
Where Can I Get Drinking Water Onboard?
Cruise ships offer plenty of free drinking water, you just need to know where to look. Here’s a breakdown of the most common water sources on board:
Stateroom (Cabin) Tap
The water from your cabin sink is completely safe to drink and comes from the same treated supply used throughout the ship. It’s usually cool and clean—perfect for brushing your teeth or filling a reusable bottle before heading out for the day.
Main Dining Room
In your cruise line’s main dining room, you’ll usually be served a chilled glass of filtered water, often with ice and a slice of lemon if you ask. It’s one of the freshest and most pleasant-tasting water options available onboard. For example, on Royal Caribbean, this service is standard during lunch and dinner and is complimentary regardless of whether you have a drink package.
Buffet Restaurant
Most mainstream cruise lines—like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian—offer filtered water dispensers in their buffet areas. These stations typically include cold water in cups or from a tap, though direct bottle refills are often discouraged for hygiene reasons.
Some more niche or upscale lines, like Virgin Voyages and Holland America, may improve the experience with options like infused water or hot and cold dispensers for added convenience.
Cafés, Quick-Serve Counters & Poolside Bars
You can ask for a free glass of water at almost any bar, café, or quick-serve spot on the ship. Pool bars in particular often serve chilled water with a slice of lemon—great for staying refreshed under the sun.
On Carnival, you’ll find water at the pizza counter and poolside bars, while Royal Caribbean offers it at staffed cafés and self-serve drink stations in the Windjammer buffet.
Water Stations at the Gym and Spa
After a workout or sauna session, gyms and spas offer chilled water to help you cool down and rehydrate. Some stations even have fruit-infused options like cucumber or citrus.
On Princess Cruises, the Lotus Spa frequently features fruit-infused water, and Virgin Voyages’ Redemption Spa provides citrus-infused dispensers for guests to enjoy.
Room Service or Stateroom Delivery
If you prefer, you can always request water through room service—either by the glass or by ordering bottled water in advance. Just keep in mind that bottled water often comes with a fee unless it’s covered by your drink package.
Can I Refill My Own Bottle?
Yes, you can refill your own water bottle on a cruise. But, for hygiene reasons, cruise lines generally ask that you don’t place your bottle directly under water dispensers in the buffet or gym areas. Instead, just fill a cup first, then pour it into your bottle. It’s quick, easy, and keeps things sanitary for everyone.
A wide-mouth reusable bottle works best for this and makes the transfer less messy. It’s also worth noting that some ships offer water refill stations specifically designed for bottles, often found near gyms or walking tracks—so keep an eye out for those if you want a faster, bottle-friendly option.
Is Bottled Water Worth It?
Tap water on cruise ships is free and safe to drink, but many cruisers still prefer the convenience of bottled water. It’s often included in drink packages, making it easy to grab throughout the day. Lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian also let you pre-purchase water packages for delivery to your cabin.
For example, Royal Caribbean offers an Evian Bottled Water Package, featuring 12 or 24 one-liter (34 oz) bottles of natural spring water sourced from the French Alps. You can reserve it in advance and have it waiting in your stateroom when you arrive.
On the other hand, premium and luxury cruise lines often go a step further by including bottled water or even glass carafes of still and sparkling water as part of the experience. Lines like Celebrity Cruises, Oceania, Viking, and Regent Seven Seas typically offer complimentary bottled water in your stateroom, making it less of an extra and more of a standard amenity.
Can I Bring My Own Water Onboard?
Whether you can bring your own water onboard really depends on the cruise line. Royal Caribbean allows guests to bring up to 12 sealed bottles, cans, or cartons of non-alcoholic beverages (like water) per stateroom, as long as it’s carried on—not checked with luggage.
On the other hand, cruise lines like Carnival, MSC, and Norwegian generally do not allow bottled water, unless it’s for infants or medical reasons—in those cases, you’ll need to notify the cruise line in advance.
If you’re sailing with Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, or Cunard, policies are more relaxed. These lines don’t usually enforce strict restrictions on bringing bottled water aboard as carry-on luggage.
That said, cruise policies can change at any time, so it’s always smart to check the latest rules directly with your cruise line before packing your water bottles for the trip.
Special Cases: Babies & Medical Needs
Cruise lines typically make exceptions for guests traveling with babies or medical devices. If you need distilled water for infant formula, CPAP machines, or other medical equipment, most cruise lines will either allow you to bring it or provide it onboard. Just be sure to request it in advance through the cruise line’s special needs department to ensure it’s available when you board.
Related articles:
