Alcohol waiver for the Caribbean?

[kruzgal]

We are considering a cruise around the Caribbean on Oasis/Allure. Our son will be 19 and in the UK he can drink legally (and also when sailing around the Med. if we sign the waiver). What is the situation when sailing from the US? We realise he can't drink legally in the US but what happens on cruises from the US and is there any way around this? Thanks.

[Puffinater]

No waivers are provided by RCI

[coordinator23]

They used to allow the 18+ crowd to drink wine and beer, with a parental waiver, but no longer. I think that the "kids" took advantage of the waiver and got drunk (and were not supervised because they they were "older" and basically had the run of the ship). Sorry.

[ryano]

We are considering a cruise around the Caribbean on Oasis/Allure. Our son will be 19 and in the UK he can drink legally (and also when sailing around the Med. if we sign the waiver). What is the situation when sailing from the US? We realise he can't drink legally in the US but what happens on cruises from the US and is there any way around this? Thanks.

 

Unfortunately, here in the USA, you can vote and go die for your country at 18 but you can't legally drink alcohol until 21. RCI adheres strictly to their policy of having to be 21 to consume alcohol.

 

I wouldn't even let him sneak a drink either. If caught they can and most likely will put you all off of the ship.

[reallyitsmema]

We are considering a cruise around the Caribbean on Oasis/Allure. Our son will be 19 and in the UK he can drink legally (and also when sailing around the Med. if we sign the waiver). What is the situation when sailing from the US? We realise he can't drink legally in the US but what happens on cruises from the US and is there any way around this? Thanks.

No, there is no waiver for ships sailing from US ports. Drinking age on ship will be 21.

 

You also don't need to sign a waiver anymore for sailings from Europe and South America. The cruiseline changed the policy earlier in the year, the drinking age on those sailings is now 18.

[mark290]

I think that the "kids" took advantage of the waiver and got drunk (and were not supervised because they they were "older" and basically had the run of the ship). Sorry.

 

What are you basing this thought on ?

[Racing fan]

He can not drink on the ship. Many ports in mexico and other parts of the caribbean allow him to be served but do not have him bring anything back on the ship.

[btorlv]

Just think of all the money you will save.

[akcruz]

At 19 your son will be able to do everything on board except for drink alcohol. This includes entry to the night clubs and casino.

 

As others have said, drinking age in the caribbean island is 18 or lower so buy him some drinks ashore.

[Loyal2RCCL]

Originally Posted by coordinator23

I think that the "kids" took advantage of the waiver and got drunk (and were not supervised because they they were "older" and basically had the run of the ship). Sorry.

 

 

 

 

What are you basing this thought on ?

 

 

The above statement is a fact. They did away with this several year ago after the infamous video onboard the Grandeur during Spring Break, when one of the tabliod TV shows did an undercover expose of underage partying on cruise ships. As a matter of fact RCCL used that footage as part of a company wide training program for the bar staff.

[PhoenixCruiser]

The above statement is a fact. They did away with this several year ago after the infamous video onboard the Grandeur during Spring Break, when one of the tabliod TV shows did an undercover expose of underage partying on cruise ships. As a matter of fact RCCL used that footage as part of a company wide training program for the bar staff.

 

Oh yes, the young man who peed his shorts and then jumped into the pool :eek:

 

###

[kruzgal]

Thanks everyone. Looks like we will have to give it a miss then for a couple of years. At 19 years old it is uncertain whether he would want to holiday with us or not anyway, but booking a cruise where he couldn't even have a beer in the evening would probably mean a 'no' and we would prefer him to join us if possible. It's not that he drinks to excess - just a couple of drinks with us pre/with dinner - and he prefers to spend his evenings with the rest of us as a family rather than joining in with any groups/gangs. I just don't want to book a holiday which would mean he would be less likely to come with us. Thanks for clearing that up:)

[Merion_Mom]

Thanks everyone. Looks like we will have to give it a miss then for a couple of years. At 19 years old it is uncertain whether he would want to holiday with us or not anyway, but booking a cruise where he couldn't even have a beer in the evening would probably mean a 'no' and we would prefer him to join us if possible. It's not that he drinks to excess - just a couple of drinks with us pre/with dinner - and he prefers to spend his evenings with the rest of us as a family rather than joining in with any groups/gangs. I just don't want to book a holiday which would mean he would be less likely to come with us. Thanks for clearing that up:)

 

Enjoy whatever cruise line you sail on, or whatever vacation you take.

 

But I am sad to read that he would only be happy being with you in the evening if he could drink, and this is a deal breaker for your family.

 

But good luck. :)

[kruzgal]

Not saying that is the only way he would be happy - I just would love him to come with us and I fear booking this trip might make him want to stay home, whereas if we booked a cruise around the Mediterranean this wouldn't be an issue.

[Katana_Geldar]

He can drink with the waiver from an Australian port as well.

[honkyjay]

Not saying that is the only way he would be happy - I just would love him to come with us and I fear booking this trip might make him want to stay home, whereas if we booked a cruise around the Mediterranean this wouldn't be an issue.

 

my 2 boys (19 21) eldest does not hardly drink at all, the other loves a beer or 2 , if they wanted to come with us we would not be booking with RCI

Totally agree with you on this 1 !!

[macruisefan]

I wouldn't even let him sneak a drink either. If caught they can and most likely will put you all off of the ship.

 

I think the circumstances would dictate this. This is a parent asking about their 19 year old son. I'm fairly confident that if you were to slide him an occasional beer, wine or other beverage, and he was drinking with you, and not becoming a drunken nuisance, nothing would come of it. If he did get caught, they would likely tell him to stop and give you a warning.

 

But to make it sound like him sipping a beer while sitting with mom and dad one afternoon would result in all of them being tossed is a bit unrealistic.

[tfrcal]

I think the circumstances would dictate this. This is a parent asking about their 19 year old son. I'm fairly confident that if you were to slide him an occasional beer, wine or other beverage, and he was drinking with you, and not becoming a drunken nuisance, nothing would come of it. If he did get caught, they would likely tell him to stop and give you a warning.

 

But to make it sound like him sipping a beer while sitting with mom and dad one afternoon would result in all of them being tossed is a bit unrealistic.

 

Would you really want to run that risk just to give your kid a beer?

 

 

Guests who violate any alcohol policies, (over consume, provide alcohol to people under age 21, demonstrate irresponsible behavior, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense, in accordance with our Guest Conduct Policy. http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?faqId=309&pnav=5&pagename=frequently_asked_questions&faqType=faq&faqSubjectId=333&faqSubjectName=Onboard%20Policies

[macruisefan]

I'm aware of the policy. I'm just saying that I think it's highly unlikely that RCI is going to boot a family because mom or dad gave their 19 y/o child a drink. It's already been mentioned in this thread that the impetus for the policy change was the out of control behavior. I'm not talking about letting a 19 y/o get smashed and wreak havoc. I'm talking about a drink here or there. And I'm postulating that if this were the case, and RCI caught on, they would merely be warned.

 

I promise you there are PLENTY of 17, 18 and 19 year olds on cruises with family members enjoying a few drinks here or there. You can quote the policy all you want, but until someone steps forward and says "we were all kicked off the ship because our teenage son was having a drink with us", I'm still saying you'd only get a warning.

[highlandlassie]

This is the law in the UK

 

What the law says

 

It is against the law:

 

to be drunk in charge of a child under seven in a public place or on licensed premises

 

to sell alcohol to someone under 18, anywhere

 

for an adult to buy or attempt to buy alcohol on behalf of someone under 18

 

for someone under 18 to buy alcohol, attempt to buy alcohol or to be sold alcohol in any circumstances (unless acting at the request of the police or a weights and measures inspector)

 

for someone under 18 to drink alcohol in licensed premises, with one exception - 16 and 17 year olds accompanied by an adult can drink but not buy beer, wine and cider with a table meal

 

for an adult to buy alcohol for a person under 18 for consumption on licensed premises, except as above

 

Children and alcohol - what the law says in more detailOpens new window

Drinking at home

 

It is not illegal for a person under 18 to drink alcohol at home or at a friend’s house. Parents can choose to give young people some of their own alcohol when at home

 

 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Yourchildshealthandsafety/Youngpeopleandalcohol/DG_10026211

[Merion_Mom]

This is the law in the UK

 

What the law says

 

It is against the law:

 

to be drunk in charge of a child under seven in a public place or on licensed premises

 

to sell alcohol to someone under 18, anywhere

 

for an adult to buy or attempt to buy alcohol on behalf of someone under 18

 

for someone under 18 to buy alcohol, attempt to buy alcohol or to be sold alcohol in any circumstances (unless acting at the request of the police or a weights and measures inspector)

 

for someone under 18 to drink alcohol in licensed premises, with one exception - 16 and 17 year olds accompanied by an adult can drink but not buy beer, wine and cider with a table meal

 

for an adult to buy alcohol for a person under 18 for consumption on licensed premises, except as above

 

Children and alcohol - what the law says in more detailOpens new window

Drinking at home

 

It is not illegal for a person under 18 to drink alcohol at home or at a friend’s house. Parents can choose to give young people some of their own alcohol when at home

 

 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Yourchildshealthandsafety/Youngpeopleandalcohol/DG_10026211

 

That's lovely, but we are talking about Royal Caribbean ships, not somewhere on land in the United Kingdom.

[setsail]

Guests eighteen (18) years of age and older are welcome to play in our casinos (for all Alaska sailings, guests must be 21 years of age in order to play in our casinos).

 

 

For #9

[galavant3]

I'm aware of the policy. I'm just saying that I think it's highly unlikely that RCI is going to boot a family because mom or dad gave their 19 y/o child a drink. It's already been mentioned in this thread that the impetus for the policy change was the out of control behavior. I'm not talking about letting a 19 y/o get smashed and wreak havoc. I'm talking about a drink here or there. And I'm postulating that if this were the case, and RCI caught on, they would merely be warned.

 

I promise you there are PLENTY of 17, 18 and 19 year olds on cruises with family members enjoying a few drinks here or there. You can quote the policy all you want, but until someone steps forward and says "we were all kicked off the ship because our teenage son was having a drink with us", I'm still saying you'd only get a warning.

 

Very true. In fact on our last family cruise (there were 12 of us), two were 18 and 19. The waiter gave them wine glasses but told us that he couldn't serve them but they could serve themselves or we could serve them. I think when there is a large international crowd on board, as there was on this sailing, they are more tolerant. My guess is that a 19 year old having a glass of wine with dinner is not the behavior they are concerned about.