Alcohol

[Crsr22]

Wondering if anyone knows of a cruise line that allows drinking at 18 with parental consent in International waters? Not sure if this is really a thing. 
 

[Woody14]

14 hours ago, Crsr22 said:

Wondering if anyone knows of a cruise line that allows drinking at 18 with parental consent in International waters? Not sure if this is really a thing. 
 

generally drinking ages vary by region you are sailing and cruiseline (to an extent).  Sailing out of the US it is 21 but if you are sailing out of Europe, Australia or South America the age is different.    

[PaulB]

Most of the European countries, the drinking age is 18, however a couple you can get served at 16 years of age. I can't speak for the rest of the countries, but in the UK, there is a law, very rarely used, with the drinking age of 18, if a 16 year old is having a meal with his parents, they are permitted to either a small glass of wine or a cider. But it's hardly heard of and never acted upon really in restaurants, but a little loophole for anyone wanting to try it.

[LukeJ]

Are these laws still in force? I don't know if anyone in the hospitality trade these days know these little rules anymore. I believe the industry is dying, and few places I've gone to lately, the customer service after care is definitely lacking, and the knowledge isn't passed on.

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@Crsr22 It does usually depend on where you are cruising from. As someone who has cruised out of the US underage before, I can attest that 21 is the legal drinking age onboard. If you get off the ship and the drinking age is different (say 18 years old), you can consume what you would like off of the ship. If you were to cruise out of Europe or another country with a lower drinking age, you should be able to drink alcohol onboard as long as you are of the legal drinking age for the departure location. You can always call and confirm theses details with the cruise line directly. Which cruise line will you be cruising with? Each line has its own rules and regulations for this.

Edited March 1 by Kendall James-Vargas

[LukeJ]

That's a good point, would cruise lines that have the 21 year drinking age, stop people coming onboard if they have drunk alcohol, because technically they shouldn't be drinking? I still can't get my head around that 21 is the drinking age in America, it feels so strange. Is there a particular problem on why it's at this age, was there problems before hand?

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@LukeJ It may depend on the cruise line, but I don't think that would occur if it was all done legally. The cruise lines can't deny legal drinkers to drink once off of the ship. It's completely legal activity at that point. Cruise lines can only control what happens on the ship. If a cruise guest gets in trouble and detained off-ship, it's not the ship's responsibility to care for that person at that point. One thing I wouldn't do it get severely intoxicated off of the ship; you don't know what may end up happening after that. It's better to stay in control of yourself and be aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar environments. 

[LukeJ]

Good point. And no I don't know how anyone can go onshore and get intoxicated to be fair. It's a day off to enjoy your surroundings. Enjoy yourself by any stretch of imagination, but I don't see why someone could go and get steamed.

[Cruising Caribbean]

@Crsr22 It all depends on the cruise line and where you embark from. What cruise line are you considering? The cruise lines have to oblige with the local rules to some degree. If you embark from an area with a lower drinking age, then the cruise line will likely follow those same standards. 

@LukeJ I agree. If you are looking for a vacation filled with intoxication at a young age, you may want to book an all-inclusive in Mexico instead. 

[LukeJ]

Yeah choose a club 18-30 or an escapades vacation type in Europe, and have some fun if that's what your wish is.

[PaulB]

I remember those days. Enjoyed myself immensely too. You felt freedom at that stage.

[LukeJ]

Personally I've never been on one of those vacations. Only once I've been on a trip with friends, all other vacations have been with partners. Don't ask me what was the most fun. I guess it all depends on the situation.

[Cruising Caribbean]

@LukeJ Now you make me want to ask which was the most fun. I remember being 18 and the idea of drinking legally suddenly became so enticing to me. The idea of doing something new in a legal way (usually on a family vacation) seemed so exhilarating. That phase is so short lived but following the rules and keeping your integrity is always best. It's better to reduce your risks of getting in trouble. 

[LukeJ]

Amen to that, especially when you are in a foreign land. It's important to stick withing their rules and laws, or it could really come back and bite you. I've seen it many times before, as ive worked abroad for a time, and even tried to warn people that if they continue to act the way they are through alcohol, it would spell trouble. In some instances it proved true.

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@LukeJ It seems we are on the same page. I hesitate to be intoxicated off of the ship because I want to be fully aware of my surroundings. I don't know what to expect when I'm visiting a new area. If I'm off exploring somewhere new, it's best to enjoy the area and be fully alert. I feel most comfortable drinking onboard the cruise ship actually, but I'm not interested in over drinking. The days of excess drinking are short lived for most. You come to realize that there is more to vacation than constant intoxication. Drinking alcohol can be so fun, particularly while on vacation, but it doesn't make or break a vacation for me. A vacation without it is just as fun as a vacation with it!

[LukeJ]

It's frightening if you don't have a foothold on your surroundings, especially in a place you are not familiar. I like to know where I am at all times, and not at the mercy of anyone because my brain can't function due to alcohol. The world is a dangerous place at the best of times, at least allow yourself to be aware of your senses.

[Cruising Caribbean]

@LukeJ I find alcohol so dangerous because it's so accessible and normalized. Don't get me wrong, I like the freedom to consume alcohol as I please, but it can be abused so easily! Those that have trouble with addiction can fall into a vicious trap pretty easily without even realizing it. Abusing the substance is very normalized too. Many cultures consider you weak if you can't keep up with consumption like your peers. So many people struggle to have a social life without it. I don't have a particular way of how it could be better regulated, I just wish cultures didn't always impose such pressures to over indulge in drinking. It's not good for your body. Using alcohol is moderation should be the societal norm. Pressuring others around you to drink gross volumes doesn't make sense to me. It's toxic for everyone. It doesn't matter how you slice it. 

[LukeJ]

It's like most things, the abuse of them spoils it. Alcohol is savoured and enjoyed by majority of the world, but it's a shame then when you see people rely and consumed by alcohol and it runs their lives for them. I'm fortunate that I don't have an addiction to anything, I can't fathom how hard it would be to be fixated on things. As you say, moderation is a societal norm. 

[3Sisters]

@LukeJ Any addiction is so sad! Sometimes it's accidental. Pain pills are prescribed so frequently in the US, it's a norm. I had a step brother who fell into the trap of pills and it was all from getting wisdom teeth pulled and taking the prescribed meds! When you have the instinct to become easily addicted, you have to be so careful. I avoid pain meds at all cost because some of my family members have battled with addiction. Can you imagine something that takes over you so strongly you loose control of yourself? The thought of that just scares me to death. I love that cruise lines are regulated to keep drugs out off of the ships. It keeps the guests in check and provides a get safety framework for everyone onboard. 

[LukeJ]

It is sad when something takes over from you. To feel the need and the reliance of certain things is hard to take. 

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@LukeJ It is certainly upsetting when that happens. Thankfully most guests manage their alcohol consumption onboard really well. Typically, the drinking crowd on most ships isn't too rowdy or out of control. I appreciate those that remain in control of themselves while consuming alcohol because it can be easily abused. One thing I don't recommend is sneaking alcohol onboard a ship. Some cruise guests are willing to take this risk and break the rules but it's not a good decision. The tips and tricks for sneaking alcohol onboard are seemingly endless but it's not worth getting caught! Save up for the drinks onboard and consume them in moderation, with self control. They are much better when a professional bartender makes them anyways!

[LukeJ]

Yes that's true, before we go down the route of how much assumption of alcohol, I agree that the professional way of bartender is far better. I'm not known for drinking at home, I much prefer to go out and socialise and get served by a bartender. There is something about that, it makes it taste better at least. In my opinion. To drink out is a treat and sometimes I can get excited just for the thought of going out for a drink with a friend or a group, rather than just having a drink in the house watching TV.

[Cruising Caribbean]

@LukeJ I don't understand the need to sneak alcohol onboard. If you can't afford to drink onboard, don't drink. If drinking is a must for you and you can't afford it during the cruise experience, you probably shouldn't take the cruise. You can drink on land affordably and make your own vacation out of it. The idea of sneaking alcohol onboard seems juvenile to me. I'm only going to take a cruise vacation if I feel like I can afford the experience I'm looking for. If I can't afford it I will either consider something else in my price range or wait and save until I can afford the experience I'm looking for. Do you feel the same way? Preferably, I'm cruising MSC Yacht Club or Azamara. I'm comfortable cruising a regular ocean view cabin too. I could either save and get that luxury cruise or take two ocean view cruises for the same price. The choice is mine, but either way, I'm not sneaking alcohol onboard. I will save and cruise when I can afford the experience I'm looking for. There is no need to cheat the system and cut corners! 

[LukeJ]

@Cruising Caribbean yes I do agree with you. And not only that, it baffles me when people sneak alcohol onboard because they claim the prices on the ship are expensive, I just think to myself then why go on a cruise. Cruising isn't exactly a cheap vacation, yet you could afford that, just not the amenities onboard. And as you say, why drink so much that the alcohol or the cost is going to be an issue. 

[Seaawgs]

@Cruising Caribbeanand @LukeJ. Two of the most popular days of the year in the US are St.Patrick's Day and Cinco de Mayo. Drinking permeates our culture. There are even socially sanctioned drinks for breakfast,  mimosas, bloody Mary etc. Jimmy Buffet, a marginal singer, became wildly famous and rich building a multi-billion dollar business structure by creating a happy state of mind with the Margaritaville theme. Oddly, drinking is one thing people from all walks of life are happy to do together.