Drinking Age On A Cruise Ship: Can You Drink Under 21?

Table Of Content

• What is the Legal Drinking Age on Carnival Cruise Line?
• Can you drink at 18 on a cruise in international waters?
• Private Island Exceptions to the Drinking Age
• Royal Caribbean for 18 to 20-year-olds
• Drinking Age on Cruises – Cruise Line Policies
• Consequences of Breaking the Alcohol Policy
• Drinking Age for Selected Countries

Gambling is not permitted for any passenger younger than 21 years of age on MSC sailings that contain U.S. ports, including those embarking from the United States. Before making a reservation, be sure you understand the specific policies of your cruise line. However, it’s crucial to remember that, regardless of the sailing origin, the drinking age at private locations is still 21.

What is the Legal Drinking Age on Carnival Cruise Line?

Therefore you may need to visit Guest Services with evidence of ID to prove your new age so they can update your details so you can get served. However, it is important to note that the drinking age onboard the ship may be different. Most cruise ships enforce a minimum drinking age of 21, especially if the cruise originates from a US port. With Norwegian Cruise Lines, guests aged years old can purchase and consume beer or wine when the ship is in international waters (3 miles out of U.S. territorial waters). Some cruise line private islands have different drinking ages than the cruise line ships. This cruise line follows the wave of the North American legal drinking age, requiring passengers to be 21 to both purchase alcohol, and consume alcohol.

Can you drink at 18 on a cruise in international waters?

For more information on each individual cruise line policy, we have provided a summary and a quote of the main terms below. While it can vary slightly depending on the cruise line, a cruise is usually classed as a US cruise if it departs from a US port or if it visits at least one US port as part of its itinerary. Guests are not allowed to bring beer or hard liquor onboard for consumption. Alcohol seized on embarkation day will be returned at the end of the voyage if in the original sealed package.

Private Island Exceptions to the Drinking Age

Cruise lines are strict about the kinds of alcoholic beverages passengers can bring onboard, either at embarkation or from a port of call. The age drops to 18 years for voyages from select international ports. The drinking age at all private islands remains 21, regardless of country of embarkation. To ensure you properly plan your next holiday, you will learn the minimum age to drink on cruise ships in this article.

Royal Caribbean for 18 to 20-year-olds

Passengers onboard all Princess ships must be at least 18 years old to possess, purchase, and consume tobacco products while cruising. Similarly, Princess Cruises' grownups-only enclave, the Sanctuary, is for those 18 and up, too. Teens in Entourage can come and go as they please, while Dolphins can sign themselves into and out of the kids club with parental permission. Holland America requires passengers to be at least 21 years of age to possess, purchase, or use tobacco on its cruises from North America. If you want your children to be able to get off the ship on their own, you will have to visit Guest Services to fill out the appropriate forms. Additionally, unless they're participating in a special teen excursion, cruisers must also be at least 18 years old to go alone on excursions offered by the cruise line.

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In this article, you’ll learn the minimum age for drinking on cruise ships so you can properly plan your next vacation. So now you know the drinking age on cruises for all major cruise lines and regions. Remember to drink responsibly and follow the rules set by your cruise line. However, if the ship is outside US waters, the drinking ages on cruises may be lower. For example, if you are on a European cruise, the age for drinking will most likely be 18.

Drinking Age on Cruises – Cruise Line Policies

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Like some older adults, even younger adults 18 to 20 want the option to get away from younger kids running around screaming (in fun). If you are or have a child in this age range, it’s worth making an extra effort to get them to go to the first meet-up, even if a little apprehensive, as the Disney crew will soon make them feel at ease. As a parent of an 18-year-old myself, it’s been worthwhile having a fresh look at the best options to keep all family members happy and entertained. Cruises are a great way to meet people -- at dinner, in the hot tub, on shore excursions or at the bars. This can be a plus if your kid doesn't want to spend all his or her time with you, or simply enjoys meeting new people.

Consequences of Breaking the Alcohol Policy

In summary, understanding the drinking age policies on different cruise lines and in various regions is key to ensuring a smooth sailing experience. International Waters are defined as 3 miles out of US territorial waters. This means that if the cruise ship is within 3 miles of territorial waters, all passengers must adhere to the drinking age of 21. Formerly known as Thomson Cruises, Marella offers sailings from the UK where passengers 18 and over can consume alcohol in international waters.

Drinking Age for Selected Countries

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Welcome to High Seas Cruising, your resource for exploring the exciting world of cruise ship travel. We provide expert advice, insightful reviews, and comprehensive guides to help seasoned and novice cruisers create their ideal sea journeys. Whether you desire adventure, luxury, or exploration, High Seas Cruising is your compass to unforgettable cruise vacations. When changing the ship’s records, you will be asked to present a valid government-issued I.D. It’s important to note that Carnival Cruise Line reserves the right to request identification from any passenger before purchasing alcohol.

If your cruise ship embarks from a port outside the US, the drinking age depends on the cruise line and, in some cases, whether parental consent is given to drink at 18. In US waters, the legal drinking age on a Disney cruise ship is 21. Make sure you take a form of valid photo I.D as this will be required as proof of age. Royal Caribbean requires passengers to be at least 21 years old to drink on their cruises departing and returning to the US.

However, if your cruise is departing from a port outside the US, such as Europe or Australia, the minimum drinking age is lowered to 18 years old. Therefore, it’s crucial to thoroughly research the specific policies of your chosen cruise line and all ports of call before sailing. If you’re unsure, always err on the side of caution and avoid underage drinking, which can lead to unpleasant consequences. Most cruise lines sailing in North America have a minimum drinking age of 21.

As well as applying to all ships originating from North America, it also applies to those originating from Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. However, keep in mind that each cruise line has its own set of rules, which could still require passengers to be 21 or older to drink, even on their private islands. Princess Cruise Lines takes a strict approach, maintaining a 21 years or older drinking age policy for all beverages across their ships despite the originating location. It’s crucial to respect the rules set by each cruise line, as those who break them may face consequences, including parents who supply alcohol to their underage children. Disney cruise lines have a drinking age of 21 when departing or visiting any US port. Carnival Cruises has a flat age of 21 for purchasing alcohol on one of their cruise ships.

Viking (formerly Viking Cruises) is a Swiss cruise line with a fleet of river and ocean cruise ships. For the rest of the world, the age is 18, except for Japan where it’s 20. The Italian cruise line Costa cruise line has a drinking age of 21 for any cruise from or to US ports.

Their ships are popular for their relaxed atmosphere and family-friendly amenities. However, things get a little more turbulent when we navigate towards other parts of the world. Norwegian Cruise Line, for instance, lowers the drinking age to 18 for cruises that depart from Europe and Australia. Similarly, for Princess Cruises, beer and wine consumption is permitted for 18-year-olds, provided they have parental consent.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that the legal drinking age on all ships that dock in the U.S, as well as many U.S.-based cruise lines worldwide, is 21. On some cruise lines, passengers 18 through 20 face alcohol restrictions that older passengers do not. For example, on Celebrity and Azamara, you are not allowed to provide alcoholic beverages to anyone else, even if that person is over 21. Read your cruise line’s policy carefully to ensure that you understand all the rules.

Maybe you have a cruise planned and want to know whether your older kids will be able to join you for a cocktail. No matter the situation, knowing the drinking age on cruise ships is important. Effective immediatly on all sailings, the minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on all Royal Caribbean International is as follows. If your sailing originated from South America, the minimum age to consume alcohol on most cruise ships is 18 years old. So why does leaving from a certain port make a difference to the legal drinking age?