18-20 year olds must be accompanied by an adult - Really??

[Oscar_the_Grouch's_Sis]

I am in my late 30's, so it doesn't matter to me - I am just so surprised that I just read that passengers between 18-20 ("anyone under 21") must be accompanied by an adult.

 

So a sophomore in college (for example) would not be allowed to take a cruise vacation if she/he wanted to? :confused: That is crazy! How strict are they on this policy? ... I'm just really curious.

[marci22]

It is correct, and they are strict. I think there is some kind of exemption you can request if you are married.

[rummenroman]

VERY STRICT. Under 21 year olds will not be allowed to book unless one of the few exceptions are met (parents, marriage).

 

I don't understand it either, but those are the rules, and as far as I'm aware it is pretty much a standard across the cruise lines.

[CruisinDawn]

To book a cabin? Thought you had to be 24 or married to book a cabin? Could be wrong but I am almost positive it's not 21.

 

Ok now thinking about it, ya maybe 21 because when I tried to make payment online on my daughters cabin it would not let me because she is under 21. The operator verifies we are across the hall before taking payment.

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

[Rancher Dave]

To book a cabin? Thought you had to be 24 or married to book a cabin? Could be wrong but I am almost positive it's not 21.

 

Ok now thinking about it, ya maybe 21 because when I tried to make payment online on my daughters cabin it would not let me because she is under 21. The operator verifies we are across the hall before taking payment.

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

 

 

I beleive 24 is on Carnival.

 

Of course you know a couple of 18y/os who want to cruise tell 'em to get hitched and then they can cruise...:eek::D seriously any young adults out there don't get married just to cruise.

[cb at sea]

The cruiselines do NOT want a "spring break" atmosphere on their ships (that cater to alot of families!)...so they make this rule to try to keep a responsible adult in charge. There are exceptions if you are a young, married couple...but a bunch of under-21 kids (and even tho' they are "legally" able to sign a contract and vote) who are still stupid as hell, in most cases, they want to restrict their passage. I'm sure you've seen hotels after a "college-aged" group has plowed thru...it's NOT pretty!

[gw812]

Yes, SERIOUSLY. First cruise was on Carnival in '97 right after school was out, the last time they allowed 18-21's unescorted. Shows and activities ruined, couple jumped over the side in port, and around 100 busted for drugs in the US ports. Ruined the trip.

Let loose a freshly-graduated high school senior on a boat? Pure stupidity.

[FreshOffTheBoat]

To book a cabin? Thought you had to be 24 or married to book a cabin? Could be wrong but I am almost positive it's not 21.

 

Ok now thinking about it, ya maybe 21 because when I tried to make payment online on my daughters cabin it would not let me because she is under 21. The operator verifies we are across the hall before taking payment.

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

 

I don't think that 24 rule applies at all. I am pretty sure you just have to be over 21.

 

However I think 21 is a good age and would not want a bunch of 18 - 20 year olds running around on any ship. And this is coming from someone who is only 25.

[Oscar_the_Grouch's_Sis]

...it's NOT pretty!

 

I agree ... but neither is shorts and tank tops (or ball caps) in the MDR, but they don't seem to have a problem with that. ;)

[FLHugh]

Sad, you can give you life for you country at age 18, vote in the Presidential election, but you can't buy a drink or book a cabin on an RCI ship! ???

[Sue L]

I don't think that 24 rule applies at all. I am pretty sure you just have to be over 21.

 

However I think 21 is a good age and would not want a bunch of 18 - 20 year olds running around on any ship. And this is coming from someone who is only 25.

 

On Carnival, if anyone under 21 in the cabin then someone 25 or older must be accompanying them if the parents or grandparents are not on board

[crusinmama06]

Why are you surprised? The cruise lines don't need more alcohol fueled stupidity and lets be honest -- its rampant in this age group. We see it here all the time -- college aged kids diving into a pool net with no water (seriously injured) -- jumping from balcony to balcony (fell off the ship) -- a whole slew of them who get so drunk they simply fell overboard.

 

The cruise lines have enough problems during spring break. They don't need/want any more.

[ehfl]

It's actually not uncommon. This age group also cannot rent a car.

[crusinmama06]

Sad, you can give you life for you country at age 18, vote in the Presidential election, but you can't buy a drink or book a cabin on an RCI ship! ???

 

You can't buy a drink anywhere in the US if you are 18. So RCI would be following those rules.

[Oscar_the_Grouch's_Sis]

And just to be clear - I am happy that the cruise lines are trying to create some order. I agree with that. I was just surprised, that is all. I guess I was a nerd and always hung out with nerds ;) (I don't call myself a nerd anymore - just an "old soul" LOL) At 18-20 I would have fit in perfectly with a "senior citizen cruise"!!! :D

[rummenroman]

Why are you surprised? The cruise lines don't need more alcohol fueled stupidity and lets be honest -- its rampant in this age group. We see it here all the time -- college aged kids diving into a pool net with no water (seriously injured) -- jumping from balcony to balcony (fell off the ship) -- a whole slew of them who get so drunk they simply fell overboard.

 

The cruise lines have enough problems during spring break. They don't need/want any more.

 

What about those who don't partake in that type of behavior? I'm 30 now, but when I was 18-20 i can count on one hand the number of alcoholic drinks I consumed. I also had a large group of friends that did they same thing. We would rather have sat around and played Monopoly or Risk than get hammered. While that behavior may be rampant, it doesn't include everyone, but everyone gets punished for it. It's rather sad if you ask me.

[Sue L]

Sad, you can give you life for you country at age 18, vote in the Presidential election, but you can't buy a drink or book a cabin on an RCI ship! ???

 

An 18 year old can't sail on ANY line by themselves except on Disney I believe

[crusinmama06]

And just to be clear - I am happy that the cruise lines are trying to create some order. I agree with that. I was just surprised' date=' that is all. I guess I was a nerd and always hung out with nerds ;) (I don't call myself a nerd anymore - just an "old soul" LOL) At 18-20 I would have fit in perfectly with a "senior citizen cruise"!!! :D[/quote']

 

What about those who don't partake in that type of behavior? It's rather sad if you ask me.

 

I agree...it is sad that the cruise lines have to do this. I don't drink -- at all. Just never have (gives me a instant migraine). So my time at Penn State was spent totally sober ;) However, all it takes is a few bad apples to spoil the bunch. And its those few bad apples that RCI and all of the other cruise lines need to avoid.

[Icruzthere4Iam]

It's that age group, the wild, irresponsible ones and the bottom feeding lawyers who sue when they do something idiotic that the cruiselines are protecting themselves from. Sad but an unfortunate fact of life.

[CruisinDawn]

Think of this.....you can drive at 16 but with most rental car companies you can't rent a car until 25. :confused:

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

[Jasmine11381]

When my husband and I were 24 and engaged when we tried to book a cruise together and they would not allow it on any boat other then NCL. They said we had to be 25 or married. I agree with it to a point, but we were a professional couple getting married within the next year. I'm a teacher and my husband is a manager of a major store. You would think they would make some exceptions! But then again, where do they draw the line?

[Cheryl H]

I wonder if it is the same for hotels in general. I worked at a Hampton Inn that had the same rule.

[wrp96]

I wonder if it is the same for hotels in general. I worked at a Hampton Inn that had the same rule.

 

 

Yes many hotels have minimum ages to rent a room, sometimes even varying the minimum age by the time of year.

[Rancher Dave]

I wonder if it is the same for hotels in general. I worked at a Hampton Inn that had the same rule.

 

Not always enforced as well as RCCL enforces their rules about age.

[Oscar_the_Grouch's_Sis]

Not always enforced as well as RCCL enforces their rules about age.

 

Now if we could just get them to enforce their other rules!

 

Obviously (according to the comments) they actually do know how to make a rule and stick to it ... so why are they so lax with rules such as attire and exactly where children are allowed and not allowed?:rolleyes: