Help, 20 year old alcohol ?

[goldmom]

My DD and her friend are going on the Spirit in May. My DD is 21, but her friend wouldn't be 21 until June.

 

I called NCL today. They said that the 20 year old can order beer or wine if her parent signs a waiver onboard. I explained that she will not have a parent on the cruise and they didn't seem to know what to do in this situation. I asked if a notarized letter from her parents saying that she could order alcohol would fufill the requirement and no one seemed to know the answer.

 

Anyone have any experieince or suggestions. I would appreciate any thoughts.

 

Also, if my DD just ordered a drink for her friend would she get into any trouble? Would hate to have her get put off the ship for giving alcohol to a "minor". These are not big drinkers, but they might have enjoyed an occassional drink.

[margaretmerrill]

What with the death of that under age drunk Irish girl, I would think cruise lines would be very careful not to let any one under 21 order a drink.

[CruisinMK]

I wouldn't be surprised if fear of lawsuits makes them say no

[sweetpea-2]

21 is 21.....it's that for a reason....with the fear of lawsuits etc.... I would be very surprised if they let someone under 21 drink any alcohol, signed papers or not.....

[immargaret]

The notorized letter won't work.....there still must be parental supervision on the ship to drink alcohol for under 21.

[Stevie17]

I too would be very surprised if a notarized letter would be accepted.

[elleusion]

I believe they want someone to sign that will be responsible for that person under 21. I dont think the , having a parents sign anything if they arent going will do any good. The only other thing I could think of would be if your DD signed for responsibilty of her friend. I really wouldnt suggest your DD slipping her friend any drinks, Imagine if they ask her and her friend to both leave while at port....Sorry I couldnt help anymore.Depending on which ports she might be allowed to drink there.

Good Luck and I hope they have a safe cruise...

Elle

[elleusion]

OOOppss meant to add :::

Carnival is 21 and no exceptions

RCCL 18-21 can drink wine and beer with parents permision...they punch holes in their cards.

Least this was what it was last Jan when we took our 18 yo son on his graduation cruise, on RCCL. Sad but true as this was the ONLY reason we went on RCCL.....

Elle

[goldmom]

Thanks for the replies. I'll just explain to them that her friend can't drink on the cruise. I honestly don't think it'll be a big deal for them. Think of all the money they'll save by not ordering drinks!

 

Of course, they can both go to the casino which will be a first for them. Oh well, there goes the money they saved on drinks. Just kidding! They are both very responsible girls.

 

Thanks again.

[electricron]

They can still drink non alcoholic drinks, including sodas, smoothies, and non alcohol beer while dancing at the lounges. ;)

[goldmom]

Electricon, very true. Knowing them they will probably run up quite a smoothie bill. Thanks

[shoreguy]

Electricon, very true. Knowing them they will probably run up quite a smoothie bill. Thanks

 

You DD may run up quite a bar bill as well. Nothing to stop her from buying drinks for both of them. Walk to the bar order two of anything and share them with her friend.

[bluehorizonlover123]

Basically they clip the corners of the sail cards for anyone under 18 years. If you are over 18 your card won't be clipped and you can order liquor. Now you can shut the card off so a person can not charge with it. But they really don't check much if the corner of the card hasn't been clipped.

[Nectarologist]

I was on the Spirit over the winter and they were serving people that I assume were not 21. One member of the wait staff wouldn't run the ss card for two people while the other server had no problem doing it for them. Don't get me wrong, they weren't 15 years old. If I had to guess I'd say they were probaly in the same boat (pardon the punn) as you dd's friend. I think it all depends who you order from. What shoreguy posted is very true, I've even seen plenty of parents buy drinks for their kids.

[goldmom]

Appreciate all the comments and suggestions. While I would certainly not want to suggest to my DD that she get drinks for both of them, I'll just explain the situation and let them use their best judgement.

 

Again, we're not talking about two girls getting drunk or drinking to excesss, it's more likely a celebratory Pina Colada or two during the week.

 

It's true that I've also seen parents buy drinks for their kids and I'm not sure that I approve of that, so I really don't want to encourage or condone them doing something wrong, then again I want them to have a good time also. I know they can have fun without drinking, but there is something special about sitting by the pool in the sun sipping a tropical drink (guess they could also do a virgin version). Hmmmm, just thinking about it is making me jealous of them. I'm ready to book another cruise for myself!

[sun~]

I am pretty sure if your daughter bought her friend a drink the bartenders wouldn't even notice. What if some guys bought them drinks and sent them over? Again, I am sure they wouldn't notice.

 

Just a note to the Americans: here in Canada the drinking age is either 18 or 19 depending on the province. No silly nonsense about beer & wine having a different drinking age than liquor (you get just as drunk on beer & wine!). UK, Ireland & Europe similarly have drinking ages at 18. I don't know of anywhere else that I have been to that the age is 21 other than the states.

 

As soon as the young women are off the ship they can do what they like, head to a senor frogs or whatever. I just hope they are responsible and not go too crazy due to restrictions on board.

[Catbiri2]

Remember to have DD's Friend's parents sign the consent form that is located somewhere on the NCL site. We don't want her not being able to board.

 

From http://www.ncl.com/more/terms.htm#minors :

 

A passenger under 21 years of age must be accompanied in the same or connecting stateroom by a passenger 21 years or older who expressly agrees to be responsible for the under 21 passenger throughout the cruise. This includes, but is not limited to, preventing the purchase or consumption of alcohol and preventing the violation of any ship rules. If the accompanying adult is not the minor's parent or legal guardian, a notarized parental/guardian consent letter that authorizes the minor's travel and further authorizes medical treatment in case of an emergency must be delivered to an NCL representative at the pier.

[goldmom]

Guys buying drinks for them! Oh no! That's a whole different set of worry. Just kidding. They are really good kids, otherwise we wouldn't be sending them on the cruise.

 

As for the consent form. Thanks for the heads up. I did see that too and called the latitude desk and asked about it. They told be that it only applied to passengers under 18 not sailing with parent or guardian. Hope they did not steer me wrong as the way it is worded makes it sound like anyone under 21 needs the consent form.

 

Do you think we should have them fill out the form anyway? Would hate for them to have a problem. Anyone have any experience with this?

[shoreguy]

Guys buying drinks for them! Oh no! That's a whole different set of worry. Just kidding. They are really good kids, otherwise we wouldn't be sending them on the cruise.

 

As for the consent form. Thanks for the heads up. I did see that too and called the latitude desk and asked about it. They told be that it only applied to passengers under 18 not sailing with parent or guardian. Hope they did not steer me wrong as the way it is worded makes it sound like anyone under 21 needs the consent form.

 

Do you think we should have them fill out the form anyway? Would hate for them to have a problem. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

They did not steer you wrong - at 18 they may not be able to drink but legally they are adults.

[goldmom]

Thanks Shoreguy. I appreciate having the information confirmed, one less thing to have on my mind.

[shoreguy]

Thanks Shoreguy. I appreciate having the information confirmed, one less thing to have on my mind.

 

Lucky they chose NCL - many cruise lines require someone 25+ to book a cabin. I am sure they will have a great time:)