I'm Turning 21 on my cruise...?

[TheHippie524]

So, I'm turning 21 on the second day of my 4 day cruise in may 2011 (which is why I'm going ) and I was curious. Will they know of my birthday?
Like, I've been reading that something on the KTTW card has something about age on it. Does that mean it will say 20? or my birthday? If it has my age, would I have to go to the desk on my birthday (at midnight of course haha) and have them change it so I can have my 21st drink at Skyline (I'm going on the Dream)?
I'm just so confused. It's been about 3-4 years since my last cruise, and I can't remember anything about the KTTW card.
Any insight would be FANTASTIC.

 

[disneylove69]

Check with the cruiseline. Some will only go with the age you are when you board.

 

[zulemara]

The KTTW card is tied to your age, but they also typically will card you. Otherwise someone who is not 21 could walk around with a parent's key card and get served drinks. I think if you went to guest relations at 12:01am on ur bday, they would be happy to change ur status. Just make sure to keep your ID on you at all times so you can show it when you're carded.

If other companies only go on ur age at time of sailing, that's just dumb. Once the ship is out of US waters, their is no legal consequence for anyone having alcohol. It's just each company policy. You would think they would want the revenue

 

[Tneah]

I believe, most cruiselines go by the age you are when you board the ship and remains this way thoughout the cruise.

I would play it safe, and switch your vacation until you are 21 on your license if this is an issue for you.

 

[ScouterJT]

Good question !

and I don't know the answer to it.

But I do know that in other situations (such as going to Palo or other Adult activities), your "age" is your age that day -- so if you turn 18 on the cruise, you would be able to go to Palo on or after your birthday.

I don't know if they issue a new KTTW in these situations or not.

So, I would guess that you would be able to have your first official drink onboard -- although you may have to go through a couple of hoops first.

 

[pierresgirl]

What a great way to celebrate that milestone!

 

[MassDisLovers]

If you turn 18 on the cruise, DCL lets you eat at Palo once you're 18, so I'm sure it will be the same for having a drink after your birthday has arrived. Have a great time!

 

[SplashMountainManiac]

I'm not positive on this, but I believe you need to go to guest relations with your citizenship document, (aka passport, or birth certificate). I can't remember where I read that, since they already know your birthday. But that may be the case. However, I do know that they will have no problem switching it at 12:01 on your birthday.

 

[codygirl5150]

Wow, your very first drink on the cruise , how exciting!!!!



Congrats!!

 

[outahere]

To the OP.....

The only "age" codes I have seen on the KTTW cards is either an A, for adult 18 or over, or M for minor under 18. Since you will be over 18 when you check in, your card should have an A. Once you hit your birthday, you shouldn't need to get a new KTTW card and you should be able to purchase a drink. As others have stated though, I would carry a photo ID with your birthday on it, because you may get carded.

 

[shinez]

Wow, your very first drink on the cruise , how exciting!!!!



Congrats!!

Cody- you mean the first LEGAL drink!! Bring your license, make your mom or someone tell your TA and let EVERYONE know!! Birthday is a Birthday!! Whoo hoo!!
Congrats on making it to 21!!

 

[SplashMountainManiac]

To the OP.....

The only "age" codes I have seen on the KTTW cards is either an A, for adult 18 or over, or M for minor under 18. Since you will be over 18 when you check in, your card should have an A. Once you hit your birthday, you shouldn't need to get a new KTTW card and you should be able to purchase a drink. As others have stated though, I would carry a photo ID with your birthday on it, because you may get carded.

There is actually a third code. B for between when you are 18-20 indicating that you are an adult but not able to purchase alcohol. When the card of someone with a B is swiped, the computer system will indicate that the server should refuse service. I have sailed 4 times as an 18/19 year old and always had a B.

 

[Davids-Coco]

Have a wonderful birthday on board. Enjoy some yummy drinks... just don't go overboard!

 

[Capt_BJ]

There is actually a third code. B for between when you are 18-20 indicating that you are an adult but not able to purchase alcohol. When the card of someone with a B is swiped, the computer system will indicate that the server should refuse service. I have sailed 4 times as an 18/19 year old and always had a B.

And I have no doubt that if you go to customer service or what ever it is called {ship guy says the purser but....} with a document that proves your birth date they will change your card .... I say this based on my experience getting a new card....there's no problem getting this if you just ask [nicely].

 

[dhluvsDisney]

My Son just turned 21 on the DCL Magic on Jan 5. This is how they handled it. As of midnight, it was Jan 5, and there were some adult friends ready to celebrate and buy him a drink. The bar refused him and everyone was quite upset. He went right to guest services, and they said he had to wait until the morning to get the new card indicating he was 21. They would not issue this to him after 12:00 am. It was sad to have taken this "timely" celebration from him, but they stuck to their guns on this.

 

[LadyZolt]

My Son just turned 21 on the DCL Magic on Jan 5. This is how they handled it. As of midnight, it was Jan 5, and there were some adult friends ready to celebrate and buy him a drink. The bar refused him and everyone was quite upset. He went right to guest services, and they said he had to wait until the morning to get the new card indicating he was 21. They would not issue this to him after 12:00 am. It was sad to have taken this "timely" celebration from him, but they stuck to their guns on this.

I have to agree with Disney on this one. I think it's a bit wiser to have your first drink closer to "happy hour" time (6 p.m.) than after midnight when many people have already had "one too many".

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[TheHippie524]

Thank you all for the responses.

I will take my chances at midnight, and if I do get shot down, that's all right too, because I JUST realized where I will be on my birthday.... CASTAWAY CAY!!!!!!! I figure my first legal drink chillaxing on the beautiful beach will suffice enough.

 

[outahere]

There is actually a third code. B for between when you are 18-20 indicating that you are an adult but not able to purchase alcohol. When the card of someone with a B is swiped, the computer system will indicate that the server should refuse service. I have sailed 4 times as an 18/19 year old and always had a B.

Thanks for posting that. I wasn't aware of a third age code.

 

[Kaizen]

What do they do in general for kids birthdays?? My DD will turn 10 on our cruise this summer.

 

[TheHippie524]

What do they do in general for kids birthdays?? My DD will turn 10 on our cruise this summer.

If you let them know ahead of time, pick a day, and at dinner they will sing happy birthday and bring out a birthday cake/cake slice (can't remember which one) and give him a birthday pin!

I don't care that I'm turning 21, I could be turning 41 and I will always want to spend my birthday at WDW or on a DC. I blame my parents for that one though lol. 7th birthday, was surprised at the airport with my first WDW trip!