Underage Drinking on Opera

[cruzin023]

Hey guys! How's MSC's policy regarding underage drinkers. Are they stringent? Will they ask you for ID, if so what kind of ID. Please let me know asap as I am going on the 3/19 sailing.

[henri]

I do not know if MSC has to behave "American" in U.S.-cruises, but elsewise it is no ploblem drinking if you're 16+.:D

Henri.

[Magwa]

In the Med the children can have half a glass of bubbly on Gala night, with parental permission. But I read the age limit ex US for buying alcohol is 21. I can only assume this is purely whilst in US waters, as I do not think the rest of the world, who are used to enjoying a glass of something, would look very kindly at being treated as a kid again.

[Diane&4girls]

I would suggest a little parent/child conversation prior to cruise day! If your kids are caught drinking, it could be quite embarrassing for the whole family. One of my clients and her kids were dumped off the ship in Grand Cayman due to her kids' drinking... they were caught once and she was warned, the second time... they were "evicted".

 

Ultimately, it's the parents' responsibility, no matter what the cruiselines' policies are.

[Rotterdam]

I just returned from teh 26 Feb Opera cruise.

 

There are signs in the bar stating that you must be 21 years old to drink alcohol. I saw it enforced in teh Cotton Club & disco.

 

I applaud MSC - this certainly prevented teens from becoming a problem.

[Magwa]

Between the ages on 18 and 21, one is not a minor. I note one has to be 21 to book a cruise under the US terms and conditions, but 18 under the UK brochure. It is legal in most of Europe for those over 5 to drink alcohol, for purchase is it usually 18, some countries are lower.

 

21 is fine if an all American ship with mainly Americans aboard. I wonder quite what a 20yr old Italian says when he's told he can't buy a drink [alcoholic]. I bet [outside US waters] it is waived.

 

Pam

[Rotterdam]

The over 21 policy is a MSC decision. Here in NY state (& other states) the drinking age is 21. The ship is in international waters so I imagine the law is relaxed. But the casinos also must be closed in port & within a few miles offshore.

 

There were 1500+ passengers onbaord the Opera last week - 1200 Americans.

 

For common sense its a good ruling. If you have ever been on a ship with underage kids running around drunk - its a nitemare - especially for safety reasons. Also - there are 20 year olds & then there are 20 year olds!

 

Also as a corporation MSC has the right to conduct business as they see fit(as long as it is not discriminitory). The MSC product is a well run professional adult venue.

 

Maybe it is different in Europe...but that was not the case last week.

[Magwa]

I am not moaning about anything Rotterdam... just curious as to what happens when a European 20yr old wants a drink. Nothing is mentioned in the UK brochure re the limit and unless one is travel savvy I don't think it would occur to any European the drinking age would be anything other than 18. They would probably be happy knowing it was just while in US waters, but once outside the limit I would hope it is somewhat relaxed. Not being able to buy a drink for the whole cruise, especially if it were for some celebration or other, would soon put a downer on MSC as a line. Of course that 20yr would find a way of getting the drink anyway, but would not be happy.

 

I have never been on a ship and come across underage drunks. I have only ever come across a handful of obnoxious drunks [as opposed to people 'just happy'] and they were all retirees. The casino ruling is the same everywhere, likewise the shops closing when in port.

[eroller]

 

I have never been on a ship and come across underage drunks. I have only ever come across a handful of obnoxious drunks [as opposed to people 'just happy'] and they were all retirees. The casino ruling is the same everywhere, likewise the shops closing when in port.

 

 

Pam,

I guess you have never sailed on a 3-day Carnival cruise during Spring Break! ;) It's not pretty.

 

Back in the mid 80's when I was a teenager different states in the US had different ages for drinking. NJ was 18, PA was 21. We used to drive over to NJ all the time to drink. Now I believe all states are 21, in large part due to MAD (Mother's against drunk driving) and a few other organizations. I've always found it interesting that when you are 18 you are old enough to serve your country (and even die) in the US armed forces, but you cannot drink.

 

In general, Europe does not seem to have the problem with drunken teens like the US, and maybe that is because kids tend to have a glass of wine or champagne at younger ages and it becomes not such a big deal as they get older.

 

Ernie

[henri]

Here you have a point, Ernie.

My sister lives around Los Angeles and I heard the most terrible stories of her about young boys and girls drinking for the first time on or just after their 21 birthday. And specially with driving a car too !

Things you (almost) never hear around in Holland/Europe.

I think maybe it is better, to get use to it slowly and talk about it a lot with the growing children.

Henri.

[Magwa]

No I haven't Ernie, & no intention of doing so:) We have our drink problems over here too, but not as bad, I think.. who knows. I was brought up being able to drink as a child, as & when I felt like it [within limits of course], but I didn't like the taste of alcohol so rarely touched it. Tastes change and I do drink it now, but was never 'drunk' as a teen, it had no pull. IMHO, when something is banned, it's the nature of kids/teens to make it a 'must have' at any cost, and as much as one can get. That causes the problems, IMHO.. many peoples' opinions differ on the matter though. I think guidelines are needed, but 21 is going too far. I just think it a shame that MSC have felt the need to follow yet again US customs/ways. It should have been left as 18, except in US waters, where US laws apply.

[Rotterdam]

IMO - I think it has more to do with lawsuits than anything else! I may applaud MSC for the policy - yes I did see a bartender ask for proof of age - but with the lawsuits that are frivously put into courts these day(ie - they got my "child drunk" thats why he tore apart the cabin...etc) I believe its a wise corporate decision.

 

Years ago Carnival ships were so out of control they put a age minimum for teens sailing alone.

 

When I was 17 I travelled w/ my 17 year old cousin - yes we did drink wine w/ dinner etc and we never got drunk or behaved badly.

 

Times have changed.