Underdage drinking on cruises, are you in for trouble?

Show all answers

owenlax17

Policies on drinking aboard any vessel vary based on the departure port, registration of the ship, and destination port. Cruises that depart from ports within the United States or are ultimately destined for the United States often restrict drinking to those 21 and older in accordance with US law. Cruises which originate and terminate solely in Europe and Asia often are anywhere from 18 to 21, depending on the line. American cruise lines tend to follow the 21 and older rule even abroad; European lines tend to be a little more lenient. Costa however retains 21 and older both for purchase and consumption.

If you're caught drinking there are several potential punishments which can be taken. Usually it will involve some sort of conference with the ship's Head of Security and your parents. Often the bartender or waiter who sold you the beverage will also be punished. On second offense, or if you were unruly while intoxicated, you and your parents may have to meet with the Captain of the vessel (who ultimately is in charge of everyone's safety and wellbeing, as well as in charge of making sure everyone follows rules and regulations) who can confine you to your stateroom, or demand you and your parents offload at the next port at your expense. Under a worst case scenario, the crew can detain you in your stateroom or a holding room if the ship is equipped with one, and turn you over to local authorities at the next port (provided you were within US waters at the time).

They likely won't catch alcohol in a shampoo bottle in your luggage however, since on a security scanner it would just show up as liquid in a shampoo bottle, which is quite normal. That said, if you're flying at any point on your journey, you might want to reconsider carrying said bottle. It will be prohibited in your handluggage due to new restrictions on carry-aboard liquids, and you run the risk of having it break in your checked-luggage (and thus, you'd smell like vodka for the rest of your trip...).

Don't take the risk, unless your parents are willing to buy you drinks.

renish

yes

tbugs

If you are caught drinking or drunk and under 21, you will be confined to your cabin and put off at the next port to find your own way home - with no refund.

Can you sneak it onboard in your suitcase? Sure, but don't be stupid. The same goes for drugs. Do not be stupid.

They can ask you and your adult companion to leave at the next available port, you lose your money and you have to find your own way back.

pb44

Should they choose the cruise ship can ask you to leave at the next stop and have you pay for your own flight back, they can also restrict you to your cabin or restrict you from doing things on the boat. I don't think you would have a legal problem with alcohol but can't say. Be careful about drinking of the boat if your to young local police can and will arrest you if they choose too.

cluess356101

well they could kick u off the ship but how underage are u if ur over 18 but not yet 21 ur rents can sign a form allowing u to drink which would make it legal i doubt they would find it in shampoo bottles my family has brought bottles of johnny walker on board lol and they were fine with it and the best way to do it is wait until ur of legal age u don t need to destory ur liver now

emmyisyummy

although i wouldn't advise underage drinking, especially with all of the crap going on on cruise ships lately, there are ways. they are going to be very very particular checking your things when you come back from a port, so buying in mexico and sneaking on is never good. there are some cruise lines that are registered in another country, meaning you are under their laws. so, a few you can drink when you are 18. carnival i know you have to be 21 to drink legit on the ship. all in all, i don't think it is worth it. if they do catch you, you could be ousted at the next port and have to buy your plain ticket home. also, if you are with your parents, they could get in trouble too. plus, think of the rocky ship in rough waters... do you really want to be drunk during that? i think not!

coolliz2444

Alot of the ships dont care the people on board from their countries they are aloud to drink at young ages so when they see a person drinking they dont tihnk anything of it and they may never find out but dont overdo it like getting drunk then doing something that could land you off the ship.

akb962491

The best way to get it is to wait until your legal, For your own good don't try it. Cabin arrest is the first action that would be taken for under age possession or drinking. They really don't mess around with this. I have seen them guard a door of someone under cabin arrest before.

dandanthecranman

I would not reccomend doing this, you wouldn't want to get kicked off the cruise after spending all that money. People do bring there own alcohol on board, some get caught some don't. The worse they would do just finding it in your bag, is take it away and keep it till the end of the cruise. I'm not 100% sure they will give it back. I would not suggest trying to drink on the cruise. Drink at the ports where an adult can buy it for you. So basically i would not try to drink, you wouldn't want that to be the reason you were kicked off the ship.

pattie541

On my last cruise, I have seen teens having drinks taken away from them from crew members...even when their parents are right there.

DAVE

why even drink. cruises are so fun you don't need alcohol to have fun

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: