"kicked out" of the disco for being under age

[newcatintown]

Just one question: was the security officer Asian, possibly from the Indian subcontinent? If he was, that would explain a lot. In the Far East, people get an order from their boss and follow that. Own common sense is not wanted, if you do not follow the order to the letter, that would mean loss of face for the boss (and loss of job for the employee). It is a cultural difference: Europeans and Americans are mostly "result-driven". They get the order "check if no-one is underage". They only will check people who look like they could be underage, whereas an Asian will be procedure-driven and check everyone, because that was the order in his view.

 

This does not go for all Asians, as it doesn't go for all Europeans or Americans, and it is absolutely not meant discriminatory, it is just an observation from working with a lot of different nationalities.

 

A very logical explanation, thanks.

[bridetobe53108]

and let me add, I appreciate the workers looking out for my safety. The reason that I had an issue with it was really due to the fact that I (or no one we were with) had any idea that we should be carrying our ID's around with us. I have been on 6 cruises and this was the only time I was asked for it. If it was a policy than I would carry it with me at all times.

 

My friend and I were on a cruise with our husbands and a few other couples..I *think* it was the Imagination, 2 Halloweens ago. We were in the club, and the 2 of us left to use the bathroom. When we got back a few minutes later the guy asked us for our ID's before entering. We showed him our s&s cards, but that wasn't good enough. He made us go back to our rooms and get our cards! I was highly annoyed! (We were both 26 at the time).

[~earthmama~]

I'm not one that gets easily upset but that would really upset me. He was picking on you. If he's so stupid he can't realize a bunch of 27+ year olds are over 18 then he needs a new job. This is a club on a cruise ship...please.

 

What ship was this?

 

Fantasy and 27 was the youngest in our group LOL I am 39

 

I see more then one side too. However in reading only the OPs posts it is quite obvious that is was the messing around.

 

To include the loud music and probably a language barrier only making matters "not as funny".

 

Questioning what is going on though is a lot different then the statements and innuendos you made.... Coming from a law enforcement background I found them very unsettling considering the circumstance.

 

I am really good at reading people and everyone I was with was sure he was NOT joking around. The following us and saying wait was more because he realized he had just pissed off a group of pax in my opinion.

 

Oh and there was NO music on (which is why we sat in there to chat) and he was clearly a native english speaker.

[soozles]

The policy is to card everyone and this way, there is no questioning why one person got carded and not another. Yes, it's a bit silly carding a 50 year old, but at what point do you draw the line? This way, it's everyone is treated the same. And with the policy being to card everyone, and if security doesn't do it, they risk losing their jobs.

 

As for not needing an ID to buy alcohol, that would be because when they swipe your S&S card, they can see how old you are.

[LynneL]

I carry my s&s card at all times on the ship however I don't carry my drivers license or passport (photo id to prove my age). I think this is the case for most folks. Just can't imagine being carded but would definitely be flattered. :) Seems the easiest solution is to do something to the card of those under 18 or 21...like put a hole in the middle if under 21, 2 holes if under 18.

 

I'm sure almost everyone like you that doesn't carry license around ship. As for the hole in the card...sounds good - RCI had similar system with a hole punched to designate if underage...still had a problem. My son, who was of age, had bought a beer at a bar with no problem. Not long after when he comes into the Captains party to meet us the waitress there asks for a license with his ship card to prove he is at least 21 before giving the champagne. Stated he doesn't carry his license. She refuses to serve. We asked why punch cards to give an extra system if staff is not going to believe it. No problem at the outside bar. She starts getting extremely rude. Stated it is written in the rules & so on. We asked to speak to her supervisor & he started with an attitude when we asked for his & her names....pointed to his name badge, which was hard to read in the dark, and then said to us, "If you want my name, give me your names!" We got their names & wound up leaving because we were so aggrevated with the attitude. Another couple who was not even with us but seated at the next table and heard all this got up and walked out too. They said they couldn't believe how they acted, especially since we were in no way rude to either of the staff. Funny part was we were traveling with my husband's friend & his wife and the wife always raves about RCI & states she hates Carnival (even though only ever on a cruise to nowhere). The other couple that we didn't even know that walked out after seeing how we were spoken, and of course had no knowledge of anyones likes & dislikes, stated "We usually cruise Carnival and have never witnessed anyone being treated with the disrespect that your family was just subjected to. We've heard people say Royal is a step-up from Carnival. I don't think so!!!!" Made an aggrevating moment pretty funny.

[MiamiSpartan]

Here is kind of an odd story from our cruise.

 

One night after dinner my DH, two BILs and a SIL were walking the ship and looking for an indoor place we could sit and chat. (we were trying to get away from the AWFUL lounge singer turned up WAY too loud in the open area by the bars) First we noticed Cat's Lounge was open but empty and went in and sat down there. DH got a drink (the rest of us had a dod already) and a few minutes later the bartender came over to see if we needed anything. BIL said "not yet, we were just looking for a quiet place to have a drink and chat". He says "ok cool" and goes and turns the music up LOUD.

 

So we leave and wander into the empty disco. We sit there about 15 minutes before a security officer came up holding a sign and said "The disco is about to open and you have to be 18, are you 18?" We laughed (the youngest is 27) and said "yes of course". Then the guy says "well I need to see ID, I need proof you are 18" Now I am 39 and have never been asked for ID on a ship, it lives in the safe. At this point my BIL says "ok sir I am 27 and my ID is in the room where it belongs we'll just leave" the security dude says "Well YEAH you have to" BIL says "fine".

 

So we get up to leave and the dude follows us out going "wait wait"

 

LOL WTH? I may not look my age but I don't look under 18!

 

OMG!! I would KILL to have that happen to me!!!

LOL!!

:D

[MiamiSpartan]

...and I NEVER carry my ID on board....it stays in the safe, as well...

That would annoy the heck out of me to have to go all the way back to the room...

[alreadypacked]

Seems like every venue that serves alcohol cards EVERYBODY these days, regardless of how old they look. I guess it's just corporate policy. No big deal. Show them the ID. Problem solved.

 

You may be right. I know it's different on a cruise ship, but land based restaurants and bars have to be very careful--and maybe the cruise lines are being careful too.

 

My sister trains new hires at a large upscale restaurant chain, and she and all the trainers from the various stores recently had to attend a special meeting regarding the way servers are trained to card guests for alcohol consumption.

 

This was all due to the fact that a server in one of the stores failed to card a guest who was well over the age of 21, but still had a somewhat youthful appearance.

 

Well the "guest" turned out to be an undercover ATF agent, the server lost their job, and the restaurant lost their liquor license for 3 months.

 

Maybe cruise ships don't have liquor licenses, but it wouldn't surprise me if they were trying to avoid problems/liability from serving under-age drinkers.

[matj2000]

When they try to card me because it is mandentory to "card everyone", I usually let them know the truth. I tell them that their boss thinks that they are to "Stupid" to make a decision on their own.

I walked out of a Kroger a while back because the cashier tried to card me when I ran in to by a 12 pack. I told the Mgr if your employees lack the skill to determine if someone is over/under 21(when its obvious) than I don't trust them to ring up my groceries correctly.

We did our weekly shopping there for 4 years, and have never gone back.

[kcroxyoursox]

I am going with that he was just messing around.....I doubt he was just trying to do a good job and go above and beyond....because what you suggest..a 100% ID check.......even if they are what...70... Will only show that the cruiseline or the security guard wants to piss off the pax and has .....shall we say...little respect for them?

 

What does respect have to do with any of this? How is it disrespectful to card someone?

[johneeo]

If I am out at a sporting event, restaurant, or pub and asked for ID I won't show it. I don't look anywhere close to 21 and in fact have three children that are over 21 (32, 29, 23). I understand they are doing their jobs, but I refuse to play the corporate lawyer game. I don't give them a hard time about it. They always have served me.

 

There are some establishments that have a policy of carding 100%. If you look to be 99 YO you must provide proof to get a drink.

 

I don't know what the big deal is in pulling out your cruise card or if elsewhere a drivers license.

[kcroxyoursox]

Last year on the Ecstasy, my husband and I were headed into the club to retrieve our friends and head to the late night comedian. My husband walked right in and then they stopped me and asked for ID (I was 24.) Now I had it with me in my backpack, but didn't feel like digging through all my junk to find it. Since we were just running in the club to essentially turn around and leave, I told my husband to go on without me and I'd wait.

 

About a minute later this guy comes sauntering up and they stopped him too. When they asked him for ID, he threw a fit and started talking about how he's plenty old enough and just came from the casino and blah blah blah. Then he saw me standing there and tried to get me upset. "Aren't you offended that they carded you? You look older than 21 to me..." To which I promptly replied that if I was worried about it, I'd show my ID and go in (and suggested he do the same.) He got angry and stormed off.

 

A little later I saw the same guy in the casino. After observing him at an empty table with a glass of water, I realized that he was indeed underage, even for the casino, and promptly pointed it out to the casino staff.

[matj2000]

What does respect have to do with any of this? How is it disrespectful to card someone?

 

It is disrespectful to me because the person asking is usually on a power trip...

[caribbean dreams]

At a certain point it becomes quite rude. I am in my mid 60's and it is completely absurd to ask me for an id to prove that I am 21. I refuse. Maybe I just have a thing about it. I don't make a big deal but it seems to me that it is creating a world of complete idiots who can't use their heads. Like having a calculator and reaching for it to add 2+3. Or immediately reaching to text message someone when they are standing 5 ft away. I can understand the "we card under 40"- but by the time you are approaching old age you shouldn't be asked to prove your age, unless you are hoping for a senior discount.

 

Probably not true on the ship but where i live, to enter any lounge/bar, no matter how old you are, you have to be carrying your ID, it's not an age issue but a city ordinance, you are asked to show your ID when you enter, they may not look at the birthdate on it but they must make sure you have it with you or they can be fined.

 

I totally agree with the calculator statement and the cashiers can't even count change back anymore.

 

My 24 year old daughter is carded everytime she tries to get in the ships disco after 11pm, they are getting more stict on the ships and thats a good thing!

[lady_cruiser]

I wonder if he was trying - unsuccessfully - to joke around with you and the "wait wait" was to try and tell you he was kidding.

 

I was thinking the same thing. Sounds like he was joking and wanted to start up a conversation with all of you. He also sounds like he was in need of other adult conversation beside those he has with his shipmates. too bad the OPs didn't stay and get to know him better.

[MiamiSpartan]

Seems to me that people who think they are being "disrespected" usually have self esteem issues....

Would it be annoying to have to go back to the room to get my ID?

Absolutely.

Do I care whether the person asking is on a power trip?

No.

Why allow someone else to dictate your mood?

You can't be disrespected if you don't allow someone to do it....

 

Just my 2 cents....

:)

[shark Fan]

In New Mexico you have to have a valid state ID to be served alcohol no matter what your age is. Just keep your driver license with you if you want to go into the disco. This was started with all the problems of having underage girls with older men in the disco.:(