Rccl minor sailing potential issues?

[bucahenze]

Hello everybody,

 

I am sailing LOTS with my friend, aunt and her boyfriend on the 18th. I know that the dance clubs are 18 and older-which my friend happens to be. I turn 18 on August 12th and was wondering how strict RCCL tends to be with these sorts of things. Will I be able to go to the club with my friend? Am I even going to be ID'd? Keep in mind that I look about 19-20ish with potential for a beard if I need it lol. I want to be able to enjoy the same things my friend does and just need to know if I can! FEEDBACK WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED :D

[rummenroman]

I usually see a security officer asking for seapass card so they can check for proper ages of patrons. If you are underage they will deny you entry.

[LovesCruising]

Are you sailing June 18 and not turning 18 until August? If so, you may have a problem getting in if you are carded.

[bucahenze]

ughhhhhhh frustrating. no dancing then?

[bucahenze]

that is right...

[apk1389]

I have been on plenty of ships and only 20 right now they id everything if you even look younger 20's.. my brother was 17 and couldnt come up with me and my dad. They are strict and wont let it happen

[dohertm1]

Hello everybody,

 

I am sailing LOTS with my friend, aunt and her boyfriend on the 18th. I know that the dance clubs are 18 and older-which my friend happens to be. I turn 18 on August 12th and was wondering how strict RCCL tends to be with these sorts of things. Will I be able to go to the club with my friend? Am I even going to be ID'd? Keep in mind that I look about 19-20ish with potential for a beard if I need it lol. I want to be able to enjoy the same things my friend does and just need to know if I can! FEEDBACK WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED :D

 

Your Seapass alerts security officers as to whether you are an adult or minor. They will ask for it. You won't be able to enter adult dance clubs that serve alcohol but on the Freedom of the Seas they opened one club for "family dancing" without alcohol until certain hours. Kids of all ages were in there with their parents and friends. Also, I don't believe that your friend will be able to drink in the dance club because RCL's liquor policy is 21 or older. What's more, on the Freedom, theer was a 1 a.m. curfew for anyone under the age of 18 and it was enforced -- you can ask my 17-year-old!

[bucahenze]

Your Seapass alerts security officers as to whether you are an adult or minor. They will ask for it. You won't be able to enter adult dance clubs that serve alcohol but on the Freedom of the Seas they opened one club for "family dancing" without alcohol until certain hours. Kids of all ages were in there with their parents and friends. Also, I don't believe that your friend will be able to drink in the dance club because RCL's liquor policy is 21 or older. What's more, on the Freedom, theer was a 1 a.m. curfew for anyone under the age of 18 and it was enforced -- you can ask my 17-year-old!

 

Does it make a difference that its a European cruise? I mean this is really going to stink if the 1 am curfew thing is intact. I see no harm in just going to the club and dancing-especially if I am not causing any trouble. Has anybody had any success lol? What does the bodyguard or security man do-ID every person there?

[waterbug123]

Does it make a difference that its a European cruise? I mean this is really going to stink if the 1 am curfew thing is intact. I see no harm in just going to the club and dancing-especially if I am not causing any trouble. Has anybody had any success lol? What does the bodyguard or security man do-ID every person there?

 

No. Just the ones who look they are, or might be, underage.

[LBcruzman]

Does it make a difference that its a European cruise? I mean this is really going to stink if the 1 am curfew thing is intact. I see no harm in just going to the club and dancing-especially if I am not causing any trouble. Has anybody had any success lol? What does the bodyguard or security man do-ID every person there?

My answer wasn't relevant since I see you will only be 17 on date of sailing. Unless you look old enough to not be carded you won't be allowed in the Club.

[bucahenze]

I am hoping I can just find a way around it haha. Are the entrances to the clubs pretty big-could my adult friend I am traveling with essentially distract the doorman while I slip in through the front door? Are their back doors or exits to the places I could walk in? Please advise, I just want to have some late night fun instead of being stuck alone without my friends every night!

[rummenroman]

You won't be able to sneak around it. My guess is if you look under 30 you will be carded, and denied entry. If you want to try go for it, but be ready for the embarrassing of being told to leave.

[cafe rose]

the cruise lines have to be strict, especially in regards to drinking and the age thing.

Also, since you will not be with your parents, make sure that your aunt has legal documents regarding the fact that she is your guardian on the ship, especially since you will be out of the country.

[amybear912]

Kid, I'm 38 and I'VE been carded going in... LOL...

 

There is one entrance in and it is the same place that you exit... On one ship I was on, they had one of those machines that scans your pass when you enter...

 

There is no way to sneak in... They are very strict about who they allow access into the clubs... It's a safety thing... It's not personal...

 

Sorry but you are seriously just out of luck...

 

I wouldn't try to cheat the system either... You and your traveling party could be disembarked...

[reallyitsmema]

I am hoping I can just find a way around it haha. Are the entrances to the clubs pretty big-could my adult friend I am traveling with essentially distract the doorman while I slip in through the front door? Are their back doors or exits to the places I could walk in? Please advise, I just want to have some late night fun instead of being stuck alone without my friends every night!

You will not be able to sneak in. Your "adult" friend will be carded since he is only 18. The "doorman" is actually security, just like at any club on land, whose job is to keep people out who don't belong there. Don't risk having your entire party put off the ship in the next port just because you try to break the rules.

 

If your friends are really your friends, they will stay out of the nightclub at night and find other activities that everyone can participate in. I do understand that you are frustrated but the ship can't risk have a minor in an adult venue. There is music many places at night on the ship, check out the cruise compass each day and then go investigate.:)

[SpeedGeek]

I am hoping I can just find a way around it haha. Are the entrances to the clubs pretty big-could my adult friend I am traveling with essentially distract the doorman while I slip in through the front door? Are their back doors or exits to the places I could walk in? Please advise, I just want to have some late night fun instead of being stuck alone without my friends every night!

 

Sorry, no chance. The crews have seen every trick in the book. They'll pick you out in a heartbeat, and then send you packing. It sucks, but them's the breaks. If you turned 18 while on the cruise, you could go to Guest Services and have your SeaPass reissued so you could enjoy the perks for the rest of the cruise (helped a guy who turned 21 on my most recent Monarch cruise with this, though it probably didn't help his SeaPass account :D ), but since it's over a month away, I think you're out of luck.

[CaptData]

The back doors are Fire Doors. They are alarmed. They also have camara all over including in the Clubs. If you are caught you and your family could be kicked off the ship (especially if it is a second time).

[waterbug123]

If your friends are really your friends, they will stay out of the nightclub at night and find other activities that everyone can participate in.

 

I was going to mention that. By the way, most (maybe all) RC ships have Boleros now. Granted, it's not the same kind of dance music as what's in the disco, but there IS dancing there, and no restricted entry. While Bolero's is a Latin-themed club, and usually has a Latin band, I've also been in Boleros when they had a cover band, and thus different style music and dancing. Also, there is usually a party late one night on the pool deck with music and dancing, and like Bolero's, there is no restricted entry for that.

[Scottee25]

I am hoping I can just find a way around it haha. Are the entrances to the clubs pretty big-could my adult friend I am traveling with essentially distract the doorman while I slip in through the front door? Are their back doors or exits to the places I could walk in? Please advise, I just want to have some late night fun instead of being stuck alone without my friends every night!

 

Unlike much of the staff on the ship, security in the clubs are not there to put "customer service" first. I have seen them escort unrulely people out of the disco in a less than friendly manner. On my last cruise in March, they had a computer system outside the door and would scan cards of those entering (works the same way as the system used when yuo enter/exit the ship). If you make trouble with them, they will not hesitate to make trouble for you. This isn't your local dive bar where things may be a bit more relaxed. They have rules and they live by them. You're SOL bud.

 

Can't 17 year olds still enroll in the Adventure Ocean or whatever the kiddie's program is called?

[bucahenze]

Unlike much of the staff on the ship, security in the clubs are not there to put "customer service" first. I have seen them escort unrulely people out of the disco in a less than friendly manner. On my last cruise in March, they had a computer system outside the door and would scan cards of those entering (works the same way as the system used when yuo enter/exit the ship). If you make trouble with them, they will not hesitate to make trouble for you. This isn't your local dive bar where things may be a bit more relaxed. They have rules and they live by them. You're SOL bud.

 

Can't 17 year olds still enroll in the Adventure Ocean or whatever the kiddie's program is called?

 

That's real funny man. I'm dying. I just wanted some information, now I know it's going to be near impossible to get in. Thanks for the help everybody some people just need to know how to say it. Thanks!

[woody73]

 

. . . I have seen them escort unrulely people out of the disco in a less than friendly manner.

Last month we were on the Voyager of the Seas, and unruly people at trivia were escorted off the ship at the next port. It's not worth spoiling a vacation.

 

Woody

[Scottee25]

That's real funny man. I'm dying. I just wanted some information, now I know it's going to be near impossible to get in. Thanks for the help everybody some people just need to know how to say it. Thanks!

 

Look pal, you asked for feedback. You said it would be greatly appreciated. I gave it to you. I gave you facts. Truth is, you are 17 years old and will still be so when the ship sails. That puts you in the proper age group for one of Royal's Teen programs. As much as you like to think you are grown up, or want to act that way, the fact remains that you are still a minor. Security around the clubs will have little patience for someone who wants to keep looking at avenues to sneak in. You deserve what I said to you because even after people told you that you were SOL, you kept pressing the matter with other "possibilities" that could grant you access to the clubs. If you get in, consider yourself lucky. But as hard as it would be to get in, it will be just as hard to stay in. Not only is security at the door, they are also inside the clubs. They will, of course, try to enforce the rules with as little confrontation as possible. But they have little patience. If you do not comply with their first request, they will not hesitate to put you in a chicken wing and march you straight for the door. If you are lucky, someone on the outside will open that door before you get there. Otherwise, you might find yourself kissing glass for a few moments. Did I see them manhandle a lot of people? No. But I did see it happen. They take their job very seriously. Next time, don't ask a question if you are ready to handle the answers.

[galavant3]

I don't know if this is the case on every ship but from what we have seen it would be impossible to sneak in. There is usually a (large) "guard" posted at the door. There is only room for one person to pass through at a time...it would be extremely obvious if you tried to enter with someone else. They are deligent about carding. Last cruise, I wasn't carded (darn) but my 24 year old daughter was.

 

As someone else pointed out, there are other venues that you will be permitted to enter. Stick with those and you'll be fine.

[Expar]

I sailed LOTS two years ago in the Mediterranean and they do have parties on the pool deck on some evenings and you will be able to go to those. I was 5 months pregnant at the time and from a cooler climate so the heat at the various ports really got to me (meaning I had a lot of early evenings) but I don't really remember that much in terms of nightclub type venues. LOTS is one of RCI's smaller ships.

[bucahenze]

Look pal, you asked for feedback. You said it would be greatly appreciated. I gave it to you. I gave you facts. Truth is, you are 17 years old and will still be so when the ship sails. That puts you in the proper age group for one of Royal's Teen programs. As much as you like to think you are grown up, or want to act that way, the fact remains that you are still a minor. Security around the clubs will have little patience for someone who wants to keep looking at avenues to sneak in. You deserve what I said to you because even after people told you that you were SOL, you kept pressing the matter with other "possibilities" that could grant you access to the clubs. If you get in, consider yourself lucky. But as hard as it would be to get in, it will be just as hard to stay in. Not only is security at the door, they are also inside the clubs. They will, of course, try to enforce the rules with as little confrontation as possible. But they have little patience. If you do not comply with their first request, they will not hesitate to put you in a chicken wing and march you straight for the door. If you are lucky, someone on the outside will open that door before you get there. Otherwise, you might find yourself kissing glass for a few moments. Did I see them manhandle a lot of people? No. But I did see it happen. They take their job very seriously. Next time, don't ask a question if you are ready to handle the answers.

 

I certainly agree with all of the points you made here. I know that it will be EXTREMELY hard to get in but I'm gonna die trying (the first time haha). I am just trying to find a crafty way to enjoy time AFTER HOURS on the ship with my friends, something that you feel to just flat out deny. I am not pestering anybody, merely exploring the options that I have in order to get into the club. Your assurance that I belong in the "kiddie program" speaks volumes to the maturity level I am dealing with. Thanks for the help but I will look to other valued CC members for advice. Have a good day, Scottee.