Drinking age on DCL vs. maritime "law"

[Tonka's Skipper]

The age 18 drinking laws really bothers me! For one, alcohol consumption is a states-rights issue but the federal government blackmailed the states by threatening to withhold Federal highway money from the states if they did not lower their drinking age to 18.

Second, we have thousands of men and woman in harm’s way fighting and dying on foreign soil who are 18 years old and yet Big Brother has decided that they are not allowed to buy a beer! You can die on the battlefield for us but you can’t drink a beer!? When someone turns 18 they are legally and adult and will be tried as an adult in court. They can get married, sign a contract, vote, join the military . . . but they can’t buy a beer! Unbelievable.

OK, so I don’t agree with the law but the law is the law. DCL won’t allow you to drink in the Bahamas but an 18 yo can go ashore and drink or they can buy a fifth of rum and bring it back on board with them. The bottom line is, as we learned during prohibition, if someone wants to drink, they will. And if they are in one of the adult clubs partying as long as the under-aged 20 yo is not the one ordering drinks . . .

Well Said!

AKK

 

[Yokelridesagain]

If Disney found someone 18 with a drink while they were docked in Nassau, what would they do? I mean, I know they won't sell it to them, but what would they do? Confine them to their room? Or what? I have never heard what happens if someone this age is caught drinking while in Nassau.

How would they find out? If an 18 year old tried to carry liquor on the ship it would probably get confiscated (and presumably not returned, either) but if a kid is drinking from his parents' private stash in their cabin DCL isn't going to know a thing about it. And if he's off the boat they're certainly not going to do anything about it. Only way it's going to be a problem if the kid gets drunk and disorderly--which would be an issue regardless of age.

 

[thedonduck]

On our RC cruise in 2004 my parents signed for my sister and I to be able to drink although we were only allowed to get beer, no hard liquor. It got marked on our cards and we were given wristbands. I was 19 and my sister was 20 and we left from Port Canaveral and it was as Eastern Caribbean. We also drank on a few of the islands that allowed under 21.

 

[DCLSecondChance]

You cannot smoke pot onboard even if you are docked in San Pedro, CA and you have a medicinal Script from CA.

 

[Rogillio]

You cannot smoke pot onboard even if you are docked in San Pedro, CA and you have a medicinal Script from CA.

And you know this how?

 

[Nette]

So I am in no way saying that this didn't happen or that you are not telling the truth but I have lived in Texas for 6 years and I have never heard of this. What part of Texas was this? Obviously my kids are so young that it isn't an issue but I have never heard of Texas serving underage kids with parents permission????

I have lived in Texas all my LONG life and have known about this, not saying that I would take my 17 yo daughter to a bar and let her drink but yes it is true. and this is why one of my neighbors has 2 out of control alcoholic boys, he thought that it was better to be their friend and take them out for drinks at 15 than being the Dad

I've lived in Texas my whole life too and also knew about this law. I cannot believe that you said that because your neighbor allows her kids to have a drink they are raging alcoholics.

1) are they really alcoholics or are they just kids drinking too much. (There is a HUGE difference)

2) Every one I know was allowed to drink under their parents supervision and NONE of them are alcoholics. Actually, if you want to get picky about it, my grandparents were teetotalers, and my dad still was an alcoholic.

Wow. just wow.

 

[TXDCLfan]

I've lived in Texas my whole life too and also knew about this law. I cannot believe that you said that because your neighbor allows her kids to have a drink they are raging alcoholics.

1) are they really alcoholics or are they just kids drinking too much. (There is a HUGE difference)

2) Every one I know was allowed to drink under their parents supervision and NONE of them are alcoholics. Actually, if you want to get picky about it, my grandparents were teetotalers, and my dad still was an alcoholic.

Wow. just wow.

Yes the two boys are alcoholics along with their father both boys have DWI's the younger has TWO both were kicked out of the local high school one in 9th and they other in 10th for coming to school under the influence. Both boys have committed various acts of vandalism while being drunk. The father would take the boys to pool halls and bowling ally"s and drink with them both until they were 2 sheets to the wind.

 

[thefamilymouse]

So I guess that means a glass of wine with dinner is not permitted either.
That must have been a problem on European cruises as I know a lot of families allow their older teens have a glass with dinner.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Now that is great question!!!

Will DCL allow you as a parent, to purchase an alcoholic beverage and give a minor under their control and supervision/guardianship?

Anyone know?

Ex Techie

 

[Florida Dreamin']

Maybe because you're an American citizen? Just guessing...

 

[Princess&CowboyMommy]

Let me tell a story…While we were visiting my brother in Texas, my parents and I took my brother to dinner. In Texas kids can drink with their parents permission. So he asked for a Margarita, the waitress asked for his ID and said that even though it is a law, The Establishment can set their own rules just as long as they don't become looser than the law.

So moral is, As long as Disney doesn't allow anyone under 18 to drink, they can set any rule they want about alcohol. It's the same reason they CAN become a no alcohol ship.

Very true - and I knew this to be the case when I was growing up (until I was 21), but lost track of the law until we were in Pensacola, FL this past Nov. The waitress was talking to another TX couple and confirmed the same thing - that she gets families from TX all the time that can *buy* alcohol and give it to their kids on premise in TX, but she has to tell them it's illegal in FL. My kids are waaay underage, but the couples we were sitting with had older kids/nieces/nephews in the 18-20 range.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Maybe because you're an American citizen? Just guessing...

Who was that comment directed towards!

Ex Techie

 

[hazlnut]

You cannot smoke pot onboard even if you are docked in San Pedro, CA and you have a medicinal Script from CA.

Is that in the contract?

 

[Florida Dreamin']

Who was that comment directed towards!

Ex Techie

I guess myself, didn't realize the OP was from Canada.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

I guess myself, didn't realize the OP was from Canada.

Still confused! lol!

The OP is Canadian, your a American, the ship is registered in the Bahama's, but the cruise company in the UK!?!

What a mix up!

Ex Techie

 

[Florida Dreamin']

Still confused! lol!

The OP is Canadian, your a American, the ship is registered in the Bahama's, but the cruise company in the UK!?!

What a mix up!

Ex Techie

Just ignore me, it's been a long day. lol

 

[101DalmFan]

Still confused! lol!

The OP is Canadian, your a American, the ship is registered in the Bahama's, but the cruise company in the UK!?!

What a mix up!

Ex Techie

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Just ignore me, it's been a long day. lol

Have a hug!

Sleep well and hope tomorrow is a shorter day!

Ex Techie

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Would be a hard one to mix up more nationalities into that!

Ex Techie

 

[jodifla]

If Disney found someone 18 with a drink while they were docked in Nassau, what would they do? I mean, I know they won't sell it to them, but what would they do? Confine them to their room? Or what? I have never heard what happens if someone this age is caught drinking while in Nassau.

18 year olds can drink in ports where they sell to 18 year olds. THey just won't serve it to them on the ship. DCL can't control what other countries do.