Drinking onboard not yet 21!

[lengland]

Were about to go on a 4 day cruise in 2 weeks. My step-daughter will be 21 On May 17. We leave for our cruise on May 6th. My question is she was hoping they would let her drink being that she'll turn 21 about 10 days later. How strick are they about 21 and drinking?

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

Would a bar on the mainland risk their liquor license for someone who "turns 21 in 10 days"? No.

I would hope the Cruises respect that same (legal) guideline.

 

[buck4568]

I can't believe a responsible parent would even pose a question like this.

 

[Disney Debbie]

Strict enough that I'm pretty sure my DH couldn't buy 2 drinks at one time when he tried to bring me a drink on deck one evening. They required both ID's

Some cruise lines let 18 and above drink beer & wine - but I'm pretty sure Disney doesn't do that.

 

[B9erSteve]

Ouch! That last one hurt!

That question wasn't totally out of the question though. I would have to say that I have no idea what the drinking age is outside of American waters. Heck, I'm not even sure what it is from state to state. (Is 21 the country-wide law now?)

 

[catalexander]

21 is the legal drinking age.


"just-under 21" is NOT legal.

period.

shouldn't even be a question really.

If the purpose of the cruise was to get your "almost 21 year old" drinking, then save the cash and stay home...

Interesting that a PARENT is interested in "breaking the law" in front of the kid (for the kid?)....

 

[tvguy]

In all fairness, there is no legal drinking age in international waters, so it is a legit question. Many cruise ships do not have a drinking age when they are in international waters. And NCL ships that cruise around Hawaii follow Hawaiian law.....drinking age is 21, 20 if your parents give you permission to drink.

 

[disney1990]

Were about to go on a 4 day cruise in 2 weeks. My step-daughter will be 21 On May 17. We leave for our cruise on May 6th. My question is she was hoping they would let her drink being that she'll turn 21 about 10 days later. How strick are they about 21 and drinking?

If you get off the ship in Nassau, your step-daughter will be able to have a drink. The drinking age there is only 18, same as in Canada. That's where my DD had her first drink -- legally.

 

[Disney Debbie]

Good heavens - can we drop the judgements and just answer the question? It's not like she asked if she could get her 12 year old drunk.

 

[BobandLee]

Were about to go on a 4 day cruise in 2 weeks. My step-daughter will be 21 On May 17. We leave for our cruise on May 6th. My question is she was hoping they would let her drink being that she'll turn 21 about 10 days later. How strick are they about 21 and drinking?

I do seem to remember that on the ship, the drinking age is 21. On Nassau it is 18 and on Castaway Cay ?????. Afterall, it is the Bahamas, it could be 18.

My advice is to change your cruise to 10 days later. That way it would be legal and those with a burr in the bonnets wouldn't worry about it.

 

[misseulalie]

Good heavens - can we drop the judgements and just answer the question? It's not like she asked if she could get her 12 year old drunk.

Thank you....

we have no problem sending them off to war at 18 but if the same person has a glass of wine before they are 21, oh my goodness!!!

As far as I know, DCL uses US laws and you need to be 21. If they get off they ship, then it's 18.

 

[Gixer]

Good grief - I had no idea the forum was full of such judgemental people - all the OP did was ask a perfectly reasonable question- she wasnt asking to break the law, she was asking if the age limit was still 21 and how strict DCL were on enforcing this issue as the ship will be in international waters. I doubt she has any intention of getting her daughter blind drunk - but come on guys, at 10 days out from being 21 I dont blame the girl for wanting something good in a coconut shell! Honestly - shes old enough to get married and have babies of her own but not buy a beer?! Give me a break

At most of the ports you will find that the age limit is 18 as it is in Europe, and Im sure nobody would mind that your ADULT daughter - not CHILD has a couple of drinks in your cabin (and who would know any different) Try emailing DCL for a definitive answer and Best Wishes for your Daughters 21st - hope you guys have a great trip.

 

[Aisling]

I can't believe a responsible parent would even pose a question like this.

I'm a responsible parent, and my son was 20 on our first cruise. I posted THE SAME question. We've never been in international waters, and I didn't know what the rules were. On St. Maarten, my 20 year old son was able to have a Corona beer, and the two of us toasted to our good health!

The OPs step-daughter will be 2 weeks away from her 21st birthday. To make an unhelpful remark about not believing a responsible parent would even pose a question like this is a hilarious over-reaction!

I believe in following the rules. My son did not drink alcohol while on board the Magic. To the OP, your question was no reflection on you as a mother.

 

[cruisinluver]

Get the drink yourself and serve it to your step-daughter. Problem solved.

 

[Aisling]

If the purpose of the cruise was to get your "almost 21 year old" drinking, then save the cash and stay home...

I'm sure that's the PURPOSE of the OPs cruise!

 

[BubbaGrump]

Good grief - I had no idea the forum was full of such judgemental people - all the OP did was ask a perfectly reasonable question- .

Amazing , aint it!

 

[disney1990]

Thank you....

we have no problem sending them off to war at 18 but if the same person has a glass of wine before they are 21, oh my goodness!!!

As far as I know, DCL uses US laws and you need to be 21. If they get off they ship, then it's 18.

I totally agree. How can we send 18 year olds off to fight in a war and possibly die and deny them having a drink? We let them have a cigarette at 18 and it is far more dangerous to their health than an occasional drink.

Not looking for a response -- the law is the law -- it didn't make any sense when my friends died in Vietnam and it doesn't make sense now.

 

[cruisinluver]

But it is NOT LAW. It is DCL policy. So if you are married and over 21 and your wife is under 21, buy her the drink and serve it to her yourself, just as this mom should do for her step-daughter.

 

[Ksmihein]

Did anyone think when looking at her NAME that she might be from ENGLAND?? All you needed to do was answer her question....not play mother to her! That was her first post too....you probably scared her off for good!! I've got an almost 20 year old and know perfectly well that he drinks in college. You try to STOP them! Good luck and let us all know how that works out for ya!! Shame on you guys!!!

 

[dreamcometrue]

Did anyone think when looking at her NAME that she might be from ENGLAND?? All you needed to do was answer her question....not play mother to her! That was her first post too....you probably scared her off for good!! I've got a almost 20 year old and know perfectly well that he drinks in college. You try to STOP them! Good luck and let us all know how that works out for ya!! Shame on you guys!!!

I was thinking the same thing (England). I wish people wouldn't be judged so quickly! The OP never said she was trying to get her kid drunk every night! OP...please don't let this thread scare you away. The DIS is a great place! Besides, I drank wine coolers and stuff at home when I was 20. I never got drunk, but had a wine cooler here and there, with my parents knowledge. They were/are very responsible parents!