What's the drinking age on cruise ships?

Question

Is there a specific age? Or is it one of those "If you have your parents permission it's ok" situations?

Answer 1

OK - you've heard what everyone is guessing the drinking laws are on board a cruise line. How about an answer from a Travel Agent.  If you are sailing on a ship out of the US, with or without parents, you must be 21 to drink.  

You will need to provide a passport, which contains all your ID nfo. You'll get a card, that is your room key, credit card on board ship (no cash on board except in the casinos), and your ID card.  

When you board, you'll have your picture taken and then your picture and all your ID info will be on the mag strip on the card.  Everytime you make a purchase, the card will be swiped and the PC screen pulls up all your info, including your picture, to verify that you are not using someone else's card.

Cruise lines use the same security screening as the airports and you will have your card swiped when you leave the ship - to provide a record that you're not on board - and swiped again when you reboard.  Each time you reboard you will have to go through the security screening and anything you bring on board will be X-rayed.  Alcohol being brought on board by anyone, will be marked with your name and room number and delivered to you before you leave the ship.  They will not give it to you if you are not 21.

If you are caught trying to sneak alcohol on board in some kind of container, the cruise lines can put you off the ship at that port and you are on your own to find your way back home.

If you think this won't happen, consider that none of the ships that sail in or out of US ports are registered in the US, so they do not follow US laws and you do not have the same rights aboard the ship as you would in the US. Cruise lines cannot afford to sidestep their countries' maritime laws, so don't count on any leniancy.

Hope this covers everything for you.

Answer 2

21

but you can drink in your cabin

also if you want buy the drinks before you on the cruise because if you want to buy it on the cruise they'll give it to you like the day before the trip is over. thats how it was on carnival atleast

Answer 3

Depends where you're sailing out from and to? Usually, it is 21 when beginning from the US. And having permission from your parents won't be sufficient. However, your parents could buy you drinks in your room but you would not be able to drink anywhere else (but then you might be able to get away with it)...

Answer 4

21

Answer 5

Just got back from a cruise, and im 18, and i got to drink with no problem as long as i was with my parents. you will be fine.

Answer 6

On cruise ships out of the US it is 21period. They have special on board credit cards for adults and one for under 21 and you cannot buy booze with them if you are under 21.

Answer 7

21 even though most ships are regestered in bermuda whose drinking age is 18

Answer 8

The answer is 21.  Your keycard will be a different color from those over 21.  Your card is what you give the waiter or bartender to pay for your drink.  If you have the wrong color card, you do not get served.