Paying off cruise bartenders?

Question

I'm going on a Carnival Cruise in a few days and the drinking age is 21. I'm 18. Is there any chance of being able to pay off the bartender to give me alcoholic drinks?

I have heard that when they swipe my cruise card, the word MINOR pops up on screen in big red letters, but could they just ignore that if I throw them a couple of $20s?

Answer 1

Grow a brain

No one working on a Carnival ship is going to jeopardize their job and future just so you can buy a drink.  When you get to Mexico you can buy booze.

Answer 2

This whole deal really depends upon your parents view of 18 year old adults drinking. Virtually all ports in the Caribbean and Mexico have a legal drinking age of 18 or less. So if your parents are OK with your drinking and you are responsible enough to drink in moderation you wont have a problem. On the ship you are out of luck unless your parents buy.

Answer 3

they aren't about o risk their jobs for a measly $20.  you will not be permitted to drink on the ship.  deal with it.

Answer 4

I guarantee you can't slide them enough $$ to make up for the pay and the room and board plus benefits that these bartenders receive.  And it's not worth it anyways.... There is so much to do on a cruise and so much fun to be had that no alcohol is required. And when you are old enough to drink... fine - enjoy it... but if you are like most people after a few years you'll be wondering what the fascination was with be able to drink anyways.....

Answer 5

If you have enough money to pay off a bartender, save it, you're going to need it for bail soon.

Answer 6

No.  The card is linked to your account and if bar charges appear the bartender will be fired.

Answer 7

Young man I have been on 3 different cruise liners and you can't payoff the bartender.   First of all the word minor is going to pop up when you scan your sign and sail card. Second they are going to contact your parents for trying to buy it. Third the bartenders are on camera and don't want to loss their job.Fourth you don't use money and they cannot accept cash!  I am sure that there are ways around being a minor but is it worth the embarrassment for you and your family if you get busted? If your parents arent going how about the girls that are going to see and or hear you get called down for trying to buy alcohol. I have a 16 yrs. old son and he's been on 4 cruises and doesn't drink but had the time of his life without alcohol. Check out the teenage clubs that Carnival have they are pretty cool and my son still keeps in touch with some of the girls we meet at Teen carnival.  I hope this doesn't disappoint you too bad. Have a fun time anyway.

Answer 8

Just in addition to what others are saying.....how do you plan to pay for the drinks?  They are charged to your state room and you parents get a print out of EVERYTHING that is charged.  It is not a total, so your drinks would be listed as bar drinks.

You are spending way to much time trying to beat the system.  It's in place for a reason. You'll have a great time with out it.

Answer 9

If they were caught, and they would be, they would be fired immediately, and maybe even arrested.  Most of them are happy to have the job and aren't going to risk it for some kid.

It would be in the computer that they did an override on the minor warning message and sold you a drink, because they would have to bill the drink to your folio.  So, you'd be a minor but there'd be drinks on your account.

And, the bar manager is going to see this, the F&B manager, accounting, etc...and you don't think one of them is going to notice something isn't right.  They are very perceptive.

Clearly, Sherlock, you didn't think this through.