Palo

[natdencro]

Thanks Lloyd: always seemed funny to us that DD could SERVE alcoholic drinks when she worked at the UK Pavilion in Epcot (when she was 19) but couldnt actually DRINK them! Our drinking age is 18 here in UK.She was even refused by car hire firm last vacation as the age limit was 25 (she is 24), although she has been driving here since aged 17! Guess every country makes their own rules, but some are hard to understand. Nat

 

[goingbacksoon]

I think since DCL has U.S. ownership, they have to follow U.S. rules, meaning they don't serve alcohol to a "minor." That and, how many hs grad parties, hs spring breakers, etc would there be if they did? A whole lot.

About the Palo thing, the only way I can see it working is if you made the reservation for one less than the actual number in the stateroom. Say you have 4 people total, but you make reservations only for 3, and switch your daughter off for the third person on the reservation. But that means someone must be left out, and that someone must also be a female over 18. I realize it's kinda like "pulling a fast one" but they don't check IDs at the door.

goingbacksoon

 

[ThreeCircles]

Originally posted by goingbacksoon
About the Palo thing, the only way I can see it working is if you made the reservation for one less than the actual number in the stateroom. Say you have 4 people total, but you make reservations only for 3, and switch your daughter off for the third person on the reservation. But that means someone must be left out, and that someone must also be a female. I realize it's kinda like "pulling a fast one" but they don't check IDs at the door.

Actually, they DO check for IDs if you look young. Believe it or not, I was asked for my Key to the World Card (it has your year of birth printed on it) not only when I entered Palo (for my reservation) but also in the Cove Cafe. And I'm 28!

Now, I'm sure that they can't catch everyone but DCL does do a pretty good job of checking IDs not only for alcohol but also for age-restricted areas of the ship. Personally, I'm glad that they enforce the age-rule.

 

[goingbacksoon]

While looking youthful does have its advantages, it does have its pitfalls too. I suffer the same problem as well ThreeCircles, although not on DCL. It's good to know that they do enforce it, although it is to the chagrin of some.

On a side note, from your picture I know I would assume you are more than 18

goingbacksoon

 

[jin diesel]

Three Circles,

Thanks for pointing that out. I didn't realize our birth year would be on the Key to the World Card and I was just assuming I'd have to carry my ID around with me the whole time.

I always get carded, so it's nice to know I don't have to stress about his!!

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

Since the ships are of Bahamian registry, I don't think they are subject to US law unless they are in US territorial waters. The ship itself is subject to Bahamian law for things such as employee wages and crew nationality (US-flagged ships have to have a certain percentage of US nationals on the crew), so my guess would be they could establish the drinking age at 18, if they so chose. Royal Carribean is also owned by a US company (Carnival), and they serve beer and wine to 18 year-olds.

 

[natdencro]

Thanks for the info Lloyd.

In UK, if underage drinkers are caught in bars/clubs, then that club is liable to have it's alcohol licence removed by the courts, thus putting the business virtually out of action. I guess Palo may be subject to similar regulations. Not worth their while risking it I would imagine.Nat

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by Lloyd Dobler
Royal Carribean is also owned by a US company (Carnival), and they serve beer and wine to 18 year-olds.

Yes, I also understand the Royal Caribbean serves beer and wine to 18 year olds, if a parent gives permission (at dinner, for example). I'm sure DCL could legally do the same, but DCL chooses not to.

In Wisconsin, restaurants can serve beer and wine to children of any age, as long as a parent gives permission (unless something has changed in the past year or so)!

By the way, Royal Caribbean is not owned by Carnival. Although Carnival owns a lot of other well known cruise lines (such as Holland America, Princess, and Cunard), they don't own Royal Caribbean.

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

Originally posted by Horace Horsecollar
By the way, Royal Caribbean is not owned by Carnival. Although Carnival owns a lot of other well known cruise lines (such as Holland America, Princess, and Cunard), they don't own Royal Caribbean.

You're right, I got confused in all the merger/takeover activity with RCCL, Princess and Carnival last year. RCCL is it's own company, which also owns Celebrity. My point (I think) remains valid, though; RCCL has offices and markets itself in the US, I believe it's publicly traded on the NYSE, but has ships of foreign registry and sets it's drinking age as it sees fit.

My understanding of the drinking age in the US is that it is not a federal law, but is dictated by the individual states, that's why for a while, different states had different ages. However, the federal government decided in the 80's to hold federal highway funds hostage to make states comply with a drinking age of 21.

 

[HookedonMagic]

Whatever the reason, I'm glad DCL does not allow drinking for the 18-20 year old crowd. The teens were wild on our RCCL this past spring break...during the afternoons by the pool I felt like I was at an MTV spring break party in Daytona Beach, not on a family vacation. (When did I get soooo old and crusty? )