A perfect plan for a cruise trip also requires an understanding of the rules and regulations onboard. One of the rules you should be well aware of is alcohol consumption. Many cruises have specific age restrictions for drinking. While some cruises consider 18 the legal age to drink, many cruises do not allow alcohol to people under 21 years of age.
Planning a cruise but unsure about drinking age rules? This guide breaks down the alcohol policies and cruise drinking age requirements for major cruise lines and popular destinations. Stay informed and enjoy a hassle-free voyage!
30-Second Summary
People often neglect the basic rules of cruises in the excitement of the trip. Specific rules, particularly alcohol consumption, are essential to understand. This blog explores all the significant cruise lines and their rules regarding onboard drinking. It also details the age restrictions on various cruise destinations. Learn about these rules, particularly if you are underage or planning a trip with underage people in your group.
Drinking Age Policies on Major Cruise Lines
All cruises have drinking age restrictions, reflecting the laws of the country they sail from. For instance, cruises sailing from North America have a drinking age of 21. In contrast, ships sailing from the UK allow 18 year old people to consume alcohol.
These laws are stricter on ships due to safety and liability concerns. Minors are at risk of engaging in dangerous behavior after drinking. Therefore, all cruise lines have unbending rules to mitigate any potential risks.
Let’s look at the rules for alcohol consumption on some significant cruise lines.
Royal Caribbean Drinking Age Policies
Royal Caribbean Cruises has the following guidelines for alcohol consumption:
- The minimum age to consume alcohol onboard is 21 when sailing originates from North America or the Caribbean.
- If the sailing originates from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the minimum drinking age is 21 years.
- The minimum age for drinking is 18 years if the voyages originate from Asia, Europe, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
- The age of drinking on all private destinations is 21, regardless of where the sailing originated from.
- Carnival Cruise Drinking Age Requirements
Carnival Cruises follows the “one size fits all” drinking rule for all passengers. The minimum age for alcohol consumption is 21, regardless of the vessel’s location and itinerary. This rule applies to the purchase and consumption of alcohol in bars, lounges, and gift shops.
Norwegian Cruise Line Alcohol Policies
Norwegian Cruises offers some flexibility in drinking rules. Passengers should be 21 years or older to purchase and consume alcohol onboard. Except for US sailings, this cruise line allows young adults to drink wine and beer onboard with their parents’ consent. Moreover, during trips to Europe and Australia, 18 year old passengers are allowed to drink without their parents’ consent.
Celebrity Cruises Drinking Regulations
The minimum drinking age on Celebrity Cruises is 21 years. Europe, Australia, and South America have a lower drinking age than 21. If passengers aged 18 to 20 are on ships in these regions, they are allowed to consume alcoholic beverages. Accompanying parents may have to sign a waiver form, allowing their 18 to 20 year old children to drink.
Disney Cruise Line Alcohol Rules
On Disney Cruises, the minimum drinking age is 21 with a valid photo ID card. During trips departing from European countries with a low drinking age, parents sign the Beverage Consent Form. This form allows young adults to consume alcoholic beverages in their parents’ presence. The same rule applies for repositioning cruises between Hawaii and Australia.
MSC Cruises Drinking Age
MSC Cruises determines the legal drinking age according to the home port and other port destinations. Passengers on ships sailing from North America, the United Arab Emirates, and private destinations should be 21 or older to consume alcohol. Sailings from Japan allow 20 year old people to drink. 18 year old passengers can drink on ships sailing from Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia (except Japan).
Virgin Voyages Drinking Policies
Virgin Voyages is flexible when it comes to drinking policies. This cruise line determines the age of alcoholic consumption according to the country’s law it visits. In the United States, the minimum drinking age is 21. On international waters, 18 year old teenagers can indulge in alcoholic beverages. Other age limits are set according to the destinations.
Margaritaville Cruise Drinking Policy
The minimum drinking age on all Margaritaville vessels is 21. This cruise line does not change the age limit according to itinerary or destinations. The drinking policy of Margaritaville is strict and can result in severe legal consequences if not followed by passengers.
Parental Consent
Cruise lines, such as Norwegian Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruises, allow young adults and 18 year old teens to drink onboard. However, these lines require an accompanying parent to sign a Beverage Consent Form that lets their children indulge in alcoholic beverages.
Drinking Age Guide for Popular Cruise Destinations
Every region has different laws regarding alcohol consumption. Let’s look at some of the famous cruise destinations and their legal drinking age limit.
Caribbean Islands
The Bahamas drinking age: The legal age for alcohol consumption in the Bahamas is 18 years. Once you are off the ship, you can enjoy all the cocktails and other alcoholic beverages. However, on private islands like CocoCay, you need to be 21 to drink alcohol.
Dominican Republic drinking age: The Dominican Republic allows 18 year old tourists to drink. This rule applies to all places in the Dominican Republic.
St. Kitts and other Eastern Caribbean islands: In St. Kitts and other Eastern Caribbean Islands, tourists who are 18 and older can indulge in alcohol.
Western Caribbean drinking age: The minimum legal drinking age in Western Caribbean is 21 years.
North American Ports
Miami and Florida drinking laws: In Miami, Florida, the alcohol consumption age is strictly 21 years. It is illegal for people under 21 to possess, purchase, or consume alcohol.
Hawaii drinking age: The legal drinking age in Hawaii is 21 years. However, minors can consume alcohol in private areas under the supervision of their parents or guardians.
Mexico drinking age and enforcement: The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18. However, in popular tourist destinations, the enforcement varies.
European and Other Destinations
Bermuda drinking age: In Bermuda, you must be 18 years old to purchase and consume alcohol. However, stores cannot sell alcohol on Sundays, and many bars are closed on that day too.
Spain legal alcohol age: In Spain, people who are 18 or older can purchase, possess, and consume alcoholic beverages.
Greece drinking age requirements: You just have to be 18 years or older to buy and consume alcohol anywhere in Greece.
Casino and Gambling
Many large and mainstream cruise lines have casinos. The general age of access to casinos and gambling is 18; however, this age limit varies from one cruise line to another.
Royal Caribbean casino age requirements: According to the rules of Royal Caribbean, guests who are 18 can participate in gambling in casinos. However, on Alaska sailings, the age for gambling is 21 years.
Carnival Cruise gambling age policies: Guests must be 18 years of age or older to participate in any game in the casinos. Passengers under 18 are not allowed in casinos at any time.
International waters gambling age regulations: Many cruise lines have a minimum gambling age of 18 or 21, depending on specific routes and destinations. However, beyond the territorial waters (12 nautical miles away from shore), gambling ages and regulations can change.
Beverage Policies Onboard
You can bring your own non-alcoholic beverages onboard. The drinks should be in cans and cartons, but not in bottles. Alcoholic beverages are generally prohibited from being brought onboard. However, there may be some exceptions offered by specific cruise lines where you can bring one or two 750ml bottles of wine or champagne.
The beverage package age requirements for the majority of famous cruise lines are 21 years. It includes purchasing and consuming alcohol onboard.
Additionally, military personnel, including active duty, veterans, and retirees, get special discounts on drinks. These discounts are applicable to their spouses as well. These discounts are significant and can often provide free upgrades and a percentage reduction.
Wrapping Up
Every cruise traveler should have an understanding of the rules and regulations of the cruise line they booked. One rule every passenger should know about is alcohol consumption. Cruise lines have strict age restrictions when it comes to the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
This blog discussed the different age policies of drinking on popular cruise lines. It explored the legal age requirements for drinking in various famous ports as well. Additionally, you learned about the gambling policies. This valuable information is sure to make the planning for your next cruise trip easy.
FAQs
Can I bring my own Drinks on a Cruise?
Generally, most cruise lines have restrictions on bringing your own drinks onboard, particularly alcohol. Some cruises allow small quantities of non-alcoholic beverages in cans and cartons. No bottled drinks are permitted. However, some cruises allow one or two 750 ml bottles of wine or champagne. It is better to thoroughly check the rules of cruises before booking your trip.
Can I drink on a cruise at 18?
The typical age for drinking on a cruise is 21. However, this age limit largely depends on cruise lines. For instance, Royal Caribbean allows 18 year old travelers to drink if the sailing is in Europe, Asia, New Zealand, and Australia. On the other hand, Carnival Cruises does not allow passengers under 21 years old to drink alcohol.
Can you drink on a Cruise with Parental Consent?
Yes, many cruise lines offer this flexibility in their alcohol consumption rules. Parents have to sign a waiver form, taking responsibility for supervising their children who want to drink. However, the age limit is usually 18 to 20 years old.