Onboard Drinking

[L2J]

While it is illegal in the US states, it is NOT illegal outside of the US, and that includes a cruise ship in international waters.

 

I don't think that is entirely true.

[GoinCruisin]

Has anyone ever seen a family removed from a ship for underage drinking? How peeved did the parents look? Can you imagine how long that kid was grounded for!!!

 

Have only SEEN it once... have heard of it happening MANY times. First cruise, about 6 teens, one set of parents... didn't see their faces, but saw them being escorted from the ship... I'm sure they weren't too happy, LOL.

[Leo Jay]

The idea that airline or cruiseline security can't open your bags "without you being present" is just so... charmingly naive.

[Leo Jay]

Exactly, if you are happy to do then, then by all means go ahead and do it.

 

These are the same policies that set up alcohol smuggling, dress codes, pool /hot tub ages, chair hogging, and the like. Pick and choose the policies you wish to adhere to at your discretion.

 

Cheers,

Peter

 

Good Lord, now we're implying ethical equivalencies between people who wear shorts to dinner and those who violate safety policies designed to preserve the welfare of other passengers. Makes one wish for the relative sanity of a dress code thread.

[CruiseDawg2001]

You are only in danger of being put off the ship if you are acting like a stooge, alchohol or otherwise. Security does not 'spot check' people having a drink and card them in order to flush out the underagers; I would be very surprised if there was not some form of 'dont ask dont tell' policy. If a 20 year old is enjoying his beer and not making a problem, there is no advantage at all for security to throw them off, as that is a pretty decent chunk of lost onboard revenue. I'm sure Carnival would absolutely love to sell booze to those under 21; 21 is for liability and likely insurance reasons as well (i.e. the age is 18, some high school senior gets plastered and falls overboard, and the parents back home blame and subsequently sue Carnival for it because of course it wasent little Billy's fault that he did 12 Jager bombs in a row and thought he could fly).

[jeffdal]

I'll admit, I'm conservative about drinking, but am I the only one who is bothered by this?

 

I second that. There was alot of that going on this past week and it was a little crazy.

[TriadSteeler]

This whole issue reminds me of my 8th grade English teacher that forbade gum chewing in his class. His statement was "If you are chewing gum in class and I don't see it, then you are chewing it properly."

 

Even if you are underage and drinking, If you don't act like a drunken fool, then you probably won't stand out enough to force the crew to take action.

[sunflowerstarr]

from what i understand of things the law is 21 here because the government beleives that generally mostpeople cant use it correctly. and thats exactly true but its only true because we live in a society that deems it as something bad. we arent brought up with a healthy respect for it. we arent taught its ok in moderation like in europe and other counties. i knew someone who would buy alcohol for me and the rules were dont get me in trouble, clean up your messes, dont get loud and no one leaves once they start drinking. simple rules and its taught me how to to be wise with it. do i overindulge occasionally? yes but rarely and i know how to handle myself. the problem is we say this is bad you cant do it then suddenly say hey do all you want we dont care anymore. thats where the problem is to me.

[caribbean dreams]

Yeldarb -- you can drink beer and wine at 18+ on RCCL, liquor you must be 21 :)

 

Yes, my friend is taking her 18 & 19 yr olds on Royal Caribbean next month, they can drink wine or champagne if they are 18 or over but she had to sign a waver to let them do so.

[peterv]

from what i understand of things the law is 21 here because the government beleives that generally mostpeople cant use it correctly. and thats exactly true but its only true because we live in a society that deems it as something bad. we arent brought up with a healthy respect for it. we arent taught its ok in moderation like in europe and other counties. i knew someone who would buy alcohol for me and the rules were dont get me in trouble, clean up your messes, dont get loud and no one leaves once they start drinking. simple rules and its taught me how to to be wise with it. do i overindulge occasionally? yes but rarely and i know how to handle myself. the problem is we say this is bad you cant do it then suddenly say hey do all you want we dont care anymore. thats where the problem is to me.

 

Have to agree with you here. It is funny how an 18 yo is old enough to decide he wants to lay down his life for his country, but can't decide if he can handle a drink.

 

By the way, what is the difference in the allowing people to drink only beer and wine, and not spirits? Is there some sort of difference? Alcohol is alcohol and no matter which one you drink if you drink to excess you will get drunk.

 

Cheers,

Peter

[Nonesuch]

The idea that airline or cruiseline security can't open your bags "without you being present" is just so... charmingly naive.

 

At the airport, the TSA signs and instructions specifically say to leave your bags unlocked or use a "TSA approved" lock, else they will force your bag open, without you present.

 

Carnival's documents specifically say to lock your bags, so it's safe to assume that, unless the X-ray detects something really egregious, Cruiseline/Port security will request your presence before opening them.

[milee]

The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 required all states to raise their minimum purchase and public possession of alcohol age to 21. States that did not comply faced a reduction in highway funds under the Federal Highway Aid Act.... It does not prohibit persons under 21 (also called youth or minors) from drinking. The term "public possession" is strictly defined and does not apply to possession for the following:

• An established religious purpose, when accompanied by a parent, spouse or legal guardian age 21 or older
  
• Medical purposes when prescribed or administered by a licensed physician, pharmacist, dentist, nurse, hospital or medical institution
  
• In private clubs or establishments
  
• In the course of lawful employment by a duly licensed manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer.” 1

Many of the states that have chosen to specifically prohibit alcohol consumption by those under age 21 have a variety of exceptions. For example,

Some States allow an exception for consumption when a family member consents and/or is present. States vary widely in terms of which relatives may consent or must be present for this exception to apply and in what circumstances the exception applies. Sometimes a reference is made simply to "family" or "family member" without further elaboration.

....

Some States allow an exception for consumption on private property. States vary in the extent of the private property exception which may extend to all private locations, private residences only, or in the home of a parent or guardian only. In some jurisdictions, the location exception is conditional on the presence and/or consent of the parent, legal guardian, or legal-age spouse.

Some States also allow exceptions for educational purposes (e.g., students in culinary schools), religious purposes (e.g., sacramental use of alcoholic beverages), or medical purposes.

2

 

 

Exceptions to Minimum Age of 21 for Consumption of Alcohol as of August 5, 2005 3

Note: This map is based on statutes and regulations only. It does does not include exceptions created by case law (judicial decisions), custom, or application of constitutional protections.

 

 

Thanks for posting this, I was looking for it. Me and some of my sons parents just had this talk and looked this up about a month ago. Our children (ages 18 to 20) were planning a out of school party and so of course drinking came up. After finding this online we talked to the VA State Police (as you can see, VA consumption is not prohibited) and where told contrary to what people think that this information is correct. If the parents are present and it isn't in public then it isn't illegal in VA. As you can see by the map, this is different for every state.

 

With this said I do worry about underage (21) drinking. I know how I was when I was that age and I do not want my son (18) over indulging but I do not see anything wrong with a beer or two, glass or two of wine or mixed drink. BUT if carnival says it is against the rules, then it is against the rules. This isn't VA or whatever state you are from. Like I tell my son you have a life time to drink and be adults (not that most adults act like they are when they are drinking, myself included :D )

 

Happy sailing everyone!

[CruiserErin]

I am 25, and I still get carded everywhere. I was on the Destiny when I was 23, and whenever I used my own sail and sign card, I would still get asked for my ID. So using your dad's sail and sign still might not work. I guess it depends how old you look.

[K.T.B.]

Sheesh, I'm 43 and I still get carded!

 

Of course, it's my AARP card they want to see...... :eek:

 

 

 

 

 

And for those of you using the "if you're 18 and you fight for your country, blah, blah" reasoning: if you've no problems with underaged kids doing something illegal, go ahead and let your 15 year old daughter date that 21 year old guy. I mean, she's only 3 years away from constent, right? What's the problem?? ;)

[books0209]

I'm not sure if cruiseline security would open your bags without being there, but I do know that the TSA will, and then they put a sticker on your luggage, after they do. They do this without the passenger being there. That is why they ask you to use a TSA approved lock. If you use an older non-TSA lock, I think they will break it open.

[seamama1]

If you are planning to bring drinks onboard the ship, be sure to do it when you first board the ship and place it in your luggage. They cannot legally open your luggage without you being present, so even if it shows up in the x-rays they can't take it. If you plan to being stuff onboard later in the cruise from one of the ports you will have more trouble, as the security will take and alcohol and water bottles you may bring back with you. They might nott get every bottle but they will take most.

 

:D

 

You are soooooo wrong here. They can open your luggage anytime for any reason...... They usually leave you a little "love note" that they have searched your luggage. Now, if they find contraband in your luggage, they will call you out. They will wait a reasonable amount of time for you to respond then the contraband will be confiscated without your lovely presence.....:p

[books0209]

I did say I'm not sure if cruiseline security would open your bags without being there.

[suzy1212]

Since Carnival asks you to lock your luggage, I would assume that they would rarely open it without your being present.

[hstrybuf]

Since Carnival asks you to lock your luggage, I would assume that they would rarely open it without your being present.

 

Never "assume" anything. They can and will open your luggage whether or not you are present if they deem it necessary to do so.

 

Under 21 on a Carnival ship, you can't drink. You may find a way to do so, but who is going to pay the price of the drink and the consequences that may result from this? U.S. laws have nothing to do with the age limit aboard the ship. Their ship, their rules.