18-21 year olds on board

[GregOSU]

Hello all! Just three more days until I leave for my second Disney cruise aboard the Magic for the 7-day Western Caribbean! I'm a 20-year old college student (OSU=Go Buckeyes!!) going with my family and I'm a little bit concerned about what I'm going to find on board....

1) So has anyone had experience cruising with the 18-21 age group? Are there many people on board this age?

2) Where/What is a good way to meet other people my age on board?

3) I know I am probably going to be chastised for this, but do the bars on board check for ID when serving alcohol? I understand that the drinking age in the US and on board is 21, but I am a person who has learned to make informed decisions about alcohol and what I can handle. I feel that a cruise ship is a safe environment for alcohol consumption and that my being 6 months older to make it legal will not make me any better or worse off. Other cruise ships I have been on have had a drinking age of 19; making it 21 on board alienates the 18-21 age group from all other cruisers. *OK I'm off my soap box now*

Thanks for your help, I'm really looking forward to this cruise!!!

 

[ThreeCircles]

Hey Greg--

I don't think you'll have much of a problem finding appealing things to do on board. I'm 27, have been on the Disney Magic twice, and had an outstanding time on both trips.

The ship and Rockin' Bar "D" have a lot of great adult comedy and is usually a good place for meeting other individuals.

During my last cruise, on Thanksgiving week, I noticed a lot of people from the 18-25 age group. They all seemed to be having a good time.

As far as drinking, the legal drinking age is 21 onboard Disney Cruise Line and they will check for ID. I was asked on several occasions for identification.

The ports are a different story...

 

[wovenwonder]

Drinking age on the ship is 21 (sorry). But the islands it is 18 (I believe). My daughter got her first drink on St.Maarten. She thought it was so cool that she was legal to drink there -- but she didn't even finish it! Shelby had a friend along. They went to the 411 meet in Rock N Bar D the first night and met a few people. She had a nice time (LOVED IT) but would have probably been totally bored without a friend. She said that she won't cruise again until she is 21. She is NOT a big drinker or anything. She just said she felt in between programs and kind of out of place.

 

[fletcher21]

Your "key to the world card" has your age coded right into it.

That said... the only way to purchase drinks is to charge it to your card.

 

[Rhonda]

My son and his friend are 18 & 19, and they have a great time on the ship! The best place to meet others their age is at the basketball court! LOL! They had several impromptu games during the cruise.

The cruise director and his assistants arrange lots of games, activities, etc. for younger people (basketball, volleyball tournaments, ping pong, pool games, etc).

Don't worry - you'll find the others and you'll have a great time!

 

[mmouse37]

We have sailed before with our 18 year old who loved the adult clubs/shows. She always seemed to meet others her age and we are travelling again this January with her cousins who are 20 & 21. But then again, these girls also just like to sit around and soak up the sun!!

The theme nights are a hoot and should not be missed!! Like wovenwonder said...there is an informal meet for guests 18-23 listed in the Navigator. I believe it is hosted by the DJ and he does a good job of getting people of like ages together for activities.

MJ

 

[ZPT1022]

Hi Greg,
I went on a 4 day cruise with my now DH when we were both 19. We had a great time, we didn't really meet too many people, but then again we weren't trying to. I would think if you wanted to meet other people your age it wouldn't be too hard. I would hang out near the pool and as someone else said, near the sports courts would be a good place to meet people, or at least find a group to hang out and do stuff with. I never got carded once the entire trip and we ordered a bottle of wine with dinner most nights and we also drank on New Years Eve. Ryan got carded once, on the adult beach on Castaway Cay. The drinking age on the islands is 18, not that they even check whatsoever. They are much more relaxed than the US there. We asked about some flavored rums just to get an opinion (we were doing some souvenir shopping) and they proceeded to pour us little cups of about 5 different flavors. Their whole attitude is much more laid back. So I guess if you really wanted to be able to have a drink you could pick something up in port. Beware that if you were to bring a bottle of wine to dinner though, there will most likely be a corkage fee.

Hope this helps!

Becky

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

The legal drinking age is 18 at all ports of call except Key West and Castaway Cay (where it is 21).

 

[GregOSU]

Thanks for everyone's replies!!

Leaving in less than 24 hours for what should be a GREAT cruise!!!!

 

[Rizzo1]

Are they allowed to go in to the nightclubs for the 'late performances'?

 

[undertheradar]

Wow, an almost 14 year bump!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Are they allowed to go in to the nightclubs for the 'late performances'?

Anyone 18 and over can be in the adult areas. 18-20 year olds cannot purchase alcoholic drinks, however.