Drinking onboard not yet 21!

[missyoh8]

We are plenty old enough to drink..........however we bring our own so I dont know what would stop the OP from bringing your own adult beverages ?

 

[jhmommy]

nvm

 

[wehavesix]

What a lot of to do over nothing! When my oldest son was nearly 21 and wanted a drink with dinner at a local restaurant, I ordered it then gave it to him. Wouldn't that work on board the ship? Sorry if someone has already answered this. I got tired of reading all the ridiculous up roar over "rules." FYI folks. The laws regarding drinking ages aren't universal. In my state it's 21 to BUY alcohol but it is legal for an 18 year old to drink. Just don't drink and drive at any age.

 

[DisneyPhD]

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?

Hey OP, Welcome to the Dis. I don't know if you are still around, but here is a link to the thread of people who will be on the same cruise as you. I will be there with my family, it is our 1st DCL trip. I can't wait.

So far there are 11 groups from Disboards on the boat.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1126213

The thread is long, you might want to skip the middle pages, read the 1st few and the last few.

 

[Tarabra]

Back in the 80's when I was vacationing on Paradise Island w/ my parents, I was 17 and we went on an excursion to an island w/ free wine. My dad would have me run and get him a glass, and oops, I'd happen to get myself one too!! No one said anything. Then when we were back on the little boat that took us back to P.I. they were walking around pouring wine in everyone's glass. They gave me a glass and my dad says, "she can't drink, she's only 13!!!" Everyone gasped then I said I was 17 and they were all like, "Go ahead and have a glass of wine then!!" I asked one of the islanders what the drinking age was and she said, "My baby drinks!!" Yikes. Then she said her 13 year old brother could go in the liquor stores and buy stuff. Wow! Talk about lenient. So, definitely at the Ports she should be able to drink. Nothing better than a tropical drink while on vacation!

 

[BethA]

What a lot of to do over nothing! When my oldest son was nearly 21 and wanted a drink with dinner at a local restaurant, I ordered it then gave it to him. Wouldn't that work on board the ship? Sorry if someone has already answered this. I got tired of reading all the ridiculous up roar over "rules." FYI folks. The laws regarding drinking ages aren't universal. In my state it's 21 to BUY alcohol but it is legal for an 18 year old to drink. Just don't drink and drive at any age.

Do you mind posting what state that is---I thought I read here the whole US was 21 to drink.

We had a bottle of champagne at dinner for my parents 50th wedding anniversary and the waiter would not bring a glass for my 20 yr old nephew--he kept offering him something else. I'm sure at dinner, they have some legal liability--on deck or in a bar a parent might be able to pass off a drink if they choose to do so a little easier. I doubt she could carry her own on, parent would have to, since boarding in Florida.

 

[Rock Chalk]

My wife and I cruised on the Wonder in 2005 as part of our WDW/DCL honeymoon. At the time I was a 21 year old student and she was two weeks shy of being a 21 year old student as well (we graduate in a year and we have already decided to celebrate in WDW ). This may not serve to alleviate the concerns of some parents but my wife had little difficulty in ordering and enjoying several alcoholic drinks while on the ship. Specifically she had a drink during the sail-away that was purchased from a one of those guys with a tray, wine while at Triton's (purchased by tablemates as a gift , several drinks throughout our cruise at the bars, and finally a Pina Coloda while at Serenity Bay. My underlying point is that it is not necessarily as difficult as one would like to believe to attain a drink while on a cruise, even a Disney cruise. My wife's ability to purchase drinks 2 weeks prior to her 21st birthday could be attributed to the fact that we were two college age people cruising alone on our honeymoon. Many servers most likely assumed she was of age.

 

[wehavesix]

Do you mind posting what state that is---I thought I read here the whole US was 21 to drink.

We had a bottle of champagne at dinner for my parents 50th wedding anniversary and the waiter would not bring a glass for my 20 yr old nephew--he kept offering him something else. I'm sure at dinner, they have some legal liability--on deck or in a bar a parent might be able to pass off a drink if they choose to do so a little easier. I doubt she could carry her own on, parent would have to, since boarding in Florida.

I'm in Louisiana. My oldest son is now 27 so the loophole in the law may have been closed since then. I'm not positive. But at that time, the law here was: 21 to purchase but you could legally drink at 18.

 

[Joel110]

Your daughter wont be able to purchase alcohol herself onboard but there is nothing stopping you buying drinks for her. Have a brilliant trip

International waters do not have a drinking age, this is a Disney rule, not a law.

These would be my opinions. The ship is in international waters, so the ship makes the rules. As long as I felt she was responsible and promises not to captain the ship, I'd buy a drink or two for her. I can't see it being an issue and, if it was, at most would be a warning. I think the captain's got better things to worry about than a couple vacationers lounging on deck with a drink.

Heck...I thought I read somewhere on here that some idiot teenager jumped off the ship in port and all he got was confined to his room for a few days.

 

[ChrisStef]

To graduate from Mead Sr. High, in Spokane WA a senior is required to pass 2 classes.

One was Current World Affairs (or Current Issues) and one was Senior Consumerism (A class that taught people how to balance a check book, rent an apt, get insurance etc).

We were taught that in WA, you had to be 21 to purchase booze but could drink it in "a private home or club".

We also were taught that "you can send them off to war at 18"....and they can drink legaly drink on any base in the USA, just not off base.


Chris

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Do you mind posting what state that is---I thought I read here the whole US was 21 to drink.

Wisconsin law allows children of any age to consume alcoholic drinks in restaurants and taverns as long as their parents are present. A state legislator tried to have this law changed in 2003, but, as far as I know, he was not successful. (Please correct me if this law has changed since 2003.)

Getting back to the OP's question, I'm sorry that there have been a few judgmental responses. The legal drinking age in most countries of the world is 16 or 18. Some countries have no restrictions. The general drinking age in Japan is 20. The United States is very unusual in having a general drinking age of 21.

Disney Cruise Line has chosen to set the drinking age on their ships at 21, and to enforce that rule strictly. It has nothing to do with being under U.S. law or Florida law. It's Disney's choice, and they've chosen to set the their drinking age at 21. That means that 18-to-20-year-old adults dining with their parents at Palo cannot have a glass of wine with their sophisticated meals.

Several other cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, serve beer and wine to 18-year-olds at meals in international waters, with their parents' consent. That makes sense to me.

Disney Cruise Lines' drinking age rule must seem very strange to European families. But Disney can do what they want.

 

[crisi]

Wisconsin permits the consumption of alcohol by minors provided their parents are present. I think its one of the few states left that allows this outside the home - with the exception of for religious purposes. Some states no longer allow it inside the home - which I've always found a little stupid - being someone who grew up with table wine.

 

[crisi]

These would be my opinions. The ship is in international waters, so the ship makes the rules. As long as I felt she was responsible and promises not to captain the ship, I'd buy a drink or two for her. I can't see it being an issue and, if it was, at most would be a warning. I think the captain's got better things to worry about than a couple vacationers lounging on deck with a drink.

Heck...I thought I read somewhere on here that some idiot teenager jumped off the ship in port and all he got was confined to his room for a few days.

Others violating Disney rules have been asked to leave the ship at the next port, however.

Sorry, Horace, wandered away, you hadn't posted yet when I had posted.

 

[cruisinluver]

In Texas, the parents must be served but they can serve their minor children.

Also a minor married to someone over 21 may be in a bar that is 21 and up. Same rules apply though, husband or wife must be served (whomever is over 21) and they serve their spouse.

 

[wayneg]

Just had a quick read thru this thread cant believe some of the comments been posted. Not often these boards are so judgemental. I know law in US is 21 for drinking out but what about in the home?
It was in our news here in UK yesterday, a group are wanting to change our law so its illeagal to give children under 15 alcohol, currently its 5 ( yes FIVE)
here is a quick guide to laws in UK http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6598867.stm
First time we visited Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney we were agroup of 4 adults, youngest 27, they asked her for ID, being from UK and first time in US we thought it was a joke, she had been drinking in UK for 9 years without showing ID once in her life. she did not have ID so had to drink secretly at age 27, we thought it was very funny, she did not.

 

[BubbaGrump]

While the moralizing tone of this discussion might drive anyone to drink
Not only this discussion, but quite a few lately! This is rapidly becoming a not so nice place to be. As the saying goes, "A few bad apples....."

 

[Babs417]

Its ok to fight for your country at 18 and maybe give your life but you cant have a drink with your family! Something is wrong with that picture!

 

[thegales]

...(its never occurred to me to not get a drink for my husband when I get mine)...

You must be related to my DW.

Edited to add: I read that incorrectly at first. I thought you meant you never got a drink for your DH. Hence the reference to my DW.

 

[birkner]

Africa

Algeria No minimum 18
Cameroon 18
Egypt 21
Eritrea 18
Ethiopia 18 Law is hardly enforced
Kenya 18
Mauritius 18
Morocco 18 for Muslims, No minimum age for foreigners and non-Muslims Selling alcohol to Muslims is technically illegal according to Islamic law, however, 18 is accepted as the legal drinking age.
Namibia 18
Niger 18
Nigeria none Although there is no legal minimum age, bars rarely serve to people under the age of 18
South Africa 18
Sierra Leone No drinking age
Tunisia 21 This law is rarely enforced among non-Muslim foreigners.
Uganda 18
Zambia 18
Zimbabwe 18

The Americas
Antigua 16
Argentina 18 Loosely enforced
Bahamas 18
Barbados 18 Those aged 10-17 are allowed to consume alcohol provided they are with a parent.
Belize 18
Bermuda 18
Bolivia 18
Brazil 18 Loosely enforced
Canada 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec; 19 elsewhere Drinking by minors under adult supervision is permitted in licensed premises in the provinces of Manitoba and New Brunswick and at home in Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Saskatchewan. Drinking age in any setting is not as enforced in Quebec compared to other provinces. Legal drinking age legislation falls under provincial jurisdiction.
Chile No minimum age 18
Colombia 18 Very loosely enforced
Costa Rica 18 Loosely enforced
Cuba No minimum age 16
Dominican Republic 18 Loosely enforced
Ecuador 18
Haiti 6
Honduras 18 Loosely enforced
Jamaica none Parents may buy it for any child at any time.
Mexico 18 Loosely enforced, but more enforced in nightclubs
Nicaragua 18 Loosely enforced
Paraguay 18
Peru 18 Loosely enforced
Puerto Rico 18
United States Varies by state 21 (de facto) Financial incentives create de facto federal purchase age of 21. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 states that revenue will be withheld from states that allow the purchase of alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. Some states do not allow those under the legal drinking age to be present in liquor stores or in bars (usually, the difference between a bar and a restaurant is whether food is being served). Contrary to popular belief, since National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, few states specifically prohibit minors' consumption of alcohol in private settings (an exception includes Connecticut). In some cases or states, alcohol permits can be purchased at a cost to the parent or legal guardian. As of 2006, 20 states do not specifically ban underage consumption and an additional 15 states have family member and/or location exceptions to their underage consumption laws.
Federal law explicitly provides for religious, medical, employment and private club possession exceptions; as of 2005, 31 states have family member and/or location exceptions to their underage possession laws.
Underage purchase of alcohol, though illegal in all fifty states, is not a federal offense, although restrictions on highway funding for states that allow it make it illegal federally de facto. See underage drinking in America.
Venezuela 18


Asia
Azerbaijan 14 18
Armenia No minimum age
Bahrain 21 Muslims in Bahrain are not allowed to drink alcohol at any age. Non-Muslims may, but are forbidden to drink during Ramadan.
Brunei Illegal Muslims are not allowed to drink or possess alcohol, non-Muslim residents and visitors may import alcohol for personal consumption. Public sale of alcohol is illegal.
China
(mainland China) None 18 Introduced in January, 2006.
Georgia No minimum age 18
Hong Kong None 18
India Varies by state. 18-25 Per state age limit. Constitution requires states to work towards alcohol prohibition.
Indonesia 18
Iraq 18
Iran Illegal to all, except for Jewish or Christian ceremonies Only alcohol used for Jewish or Christian religious ceremonies is allowed.
Israel 18
Japan 20 Alcohol can be bought in some vending machines. Many vending machines have now installed ID readers which must be inserted prior to purchasing or are turned off when liquor stores are open to prevent minors from purchasing.
Kuwait - Illegal to buy.
Lebanon 18
Malaysia 18 The sale of alcohol to Muslims is illegal, as is consumption of alcohol by Muslims in public.
Nepal 18
Oman 21 Very few (if any) establishments will serve alcohol during the Holy Month of Ramadhan.
Pakistan Illegal to all Forbidden by Sharia Law (Quran Law)
Philippines 18 Not enforced
Qatar 21
Saudi Arabia Illegal to all Forbidden by Sharia Law (Quran law)
Singapore 18
South Korea 19 From January 1 of the year the person becomes 19
Sri Lanka 18
Taiwan 18 Parents, guardians, and others taking care of people under 18 are required pursuant to the Children and Youth Welfare Law (zh:兒童及少年福利法) to prohibit underage drinking or risk administrative fines when the situations are serious.
Thailand No Minimum drinking age 18 Must be 20 to enter night clubs, but people over 18 can buy alcohol in convenience stores.
United Arab Emirates No Minimum drinking age 21 Dubai laws state that no person under the age of 16 may be in a place serving alcohol after 18:00. Alcohol is only served in restaurants and bars attached to hotels. Alcohol is forbidden in Sharjah.
Vietnam 15 18

Europe

Albania No minimum age
Austria 14 16 from the age of 14 it is permitted to drink alcohol provided by parents; in Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland the legal drinking age is 16.
Belarus 18
Belgium 16 No minimum age to drink in private.
Bulgaria 18
Croatia 18
Cyprus 18
Czech Republic 18
Denmark No minimum drinking age 16 If a shop fails to ask for an ID-card and they are identified having sold alcohol to an underage, they are fined. A national ID-card can be obtained in the local town hall in order for the youth to verify the youth age towards shops. This card is rarely used though, since a passport or moped-licence can be used.
Estonia 18
Finland No minimum drinking age 18 (shops and Alko stores up to 22% ABV and all alcohol in bars), 20 (over 22% ABV in Alko stores) Although consumption by minors is not prohibited, it is strictly limited to certain rare situations because of various statutes regarding possession and offering. Because of this, legal drinking age is often perceived to be 18 by the general public. Purchase age also applies to possession.
France 16 (beer, wine), 18 (spirits)
Germany 16 (beer, wine), 18 (spirits) The legal drinking age does not apply when drinking in private. Minors in possession of alcohol are not punished; however, people who make alcohol available to minors are.
Greece 16 Rarely enforced, except in certain chain restaurants (which have self proclaimed a 17 year old minimum drinking age). No legal age for drinking in private.
Hungary No minimum age 18 Rarely enforced. It's usually only enforced in major supermarkets and stores that were recently fined for illegally selling alcohol to minors.
Iceland 20 Possession or consumption of alcohol by minors is not an offence but supplying them with alcohol is. However, law allows alcohol possessed by a minor to be confiscated.
Ireland 18 By law, only a passport, driving licence or the Garda age card is accepted as proof of age (although not always asked for in practice). Purchasing alcohol for a minor is illegal (except by parents for consumption at home).
Isle of Man 5 18 (16) As in the United Kingdom it is only illegal for an adult to give alcohol to a child under 5 years, unless under medical supervision or it is an emergency, but this gives an effective drinking age of 5. The age for buying and consumption of alcoholic beverages on licensed premises is 18; however, a person over the age of 16 may buy an alcoholic beverage with a substantial meal, as long as they are accompanied by a person over 18. [6]
Italy 14
Jersey 18
Liechtenstein 18
Luxembourg 18
Latvia No minimum drinking age 18
Lithuania 18
Macedonia 18
Malta 16 Not enforced
Moldova No minimum age (beer),
18 (wine and spirits)
Netherlands 16, 18 for alcoholic beverages containing more than 16% of alcohol No minimum age to drink in private with a parent/guardian.
Norway 18 (under 22% ABV),
20 (22% ABV and over) Beer, cider and alcopops can be bought in any store, whilst all beverages above 4.7% must be bought at The Wine Monopoly. Under aged youth are actually allowed to drink alcohol, but it is illegal to sell them or provide them with alcohol.
Poland No minimum age 18 Rarely enforced. It's usually only enforced in major supermarkets and stores that were recently fined for illegally selling alcohol to minors.
Portugal 15 People suffering from mental illness or already extremely inebriated cannot purchase or obtain alcoholic beverages. People under 16 can drink if parents allow
Romania No minimum drinking age 18 Sale of all distilled spirits is illegal for those under 18. Advertising distilled alcohol is forbidden during the day (between 5:00 and 22:00). All restrictions apply on sale and distribution to underage persons, not consumption.
Russia No minimum drinking age 18 Rarely, if ever enforced.
Serbia 18 Rarely if ever enforced. Beer and other alcoholic beverages are sold to minors in corner stores while some chain stores refuse to sell alcoholic beverages to minors.
Slovakia No minimum drinking age 18 Only the seller can be punished.
Slovenia No minimum drinking age 18
Spain 16 In some regions, low-alcohol drinks, like wine or beer, may be bought by people over 16. This is likely to change in the near future to a national drinking/purchasing age of 18.
Sweden 18 (bars and restaurants, beer and cider with ≤ 3.5% (volume) alcohol in shops), 20 (Systembolaget stores) Consistently enforced in Systembolaget stores. See also alcohol in Sweden. Bars/clubs often voluntarily choose to have higher age limits than 18, commonly 20 or 23. Bootlegging to minors is illegal but frequent.
Switzerland 16 (wine, beer and cider)
18 (spirits & spirit-based cocktails ie. alcopops)
Turkey 18 People under 18 years old are allowed to drink wine, champaigne and beer while being accompanied by parents. Although it is not directly stated, no restaurants or cafes will serve alcoholic beverages to unaccompanied minors. Also, minors cannot enter bars.
Ukraine No minimum drinking age 18 People under 18 years old are allowed to drink while being accompanied by an adult. Beer, being a low alcohol beverage, can be freely bought by minors. (NOTE: these laws are rarely if ever enforced)
United Kingdom 5 18 (16) The legal age to purchase alcohol is 18. Persons aged 16 and 17 may consume wine, beer, cider or perry with a meal in a restaurant providing they're with an adult and the adult orders it. Children under 16 are not allowed in pubs without an adult. The purchase of liquor chocolates is 16. The legal age for drinking in one's home is 5 provided parental consent is given. Children under 5 must not be given alcohol unless for medical reasons. This is very strictly enforced.


Oceania
Australia 18 It is illegal to buy, drink or possess alcohol if under 18 but states allow drinking or possessing alcohol on private premises for people under the age of 18 (under the supervision of an adult). Minors may be on licensed premises accompanied by a parent or guardian (but not purchase alcohol) and parents can provide alcohol with a meal on licensed premises. In Victoria, if a minor is caught with alcohol it will be confiscated and guardians notified of the offense, and a fine may occur. Generally the law enforcement forgive minors with just a warning and then confiscate the alcohol. The consequences of the situation depend on the police officer involved. It is also illegal to provide minors with alcohol, and one can be fined by it if caught in the act.
Fiji 18
Guam 18
New Zealand No minimum age with parents 18 While minors can drink at any age, they can only legally be supplied alcohol by their legal guardian or spouse. On 8 November 2006 the New Zealand Parliament rejected a bill to return the legal age to 20.

 

[tiggr33]

I have two things to say.

Will this thread ever end?

And I see VD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (If you where there, you will know what this means, otherwise ignore it, as it makes no sense to you)