18 and ready to belly up to the bar!
Drink umbrellas, salt rimmed glasses, and frilly garnishes are within your reach! In order to manage expectations, please use this as a general guide to cruise drinking policies onboard.
Moreover, enjoy yourself — especially when ordering drinks with suggestive names (yes, you must say them out loud to order), but have a plan and be responsible. Eat the fruit garnish, drink some water, and above all, obey the law.
Drinking Age Policy When Sailing From The USA
In general, when sailing from the United States and within three miles of the US shoreline, the drinking age is 21+. Some cruise lines will maintain this drinking age for any cruise that departs from a US port. Read up!
Cruise Drinking Policies For Sailing International Waters
Cruise lines often observe the 3 mile international waters policy in regard to minors consuming alcohol. When a cruise ship is no longer in US waters (beyond three miles from the closest shoreline), the drinking age becomes 18 years and up. This policy should be verified with each cruise line. Additionally, adults accompanying minors wishing to indulge may need to fill out a form accepting responsibility for the minor’s behavior and consumption of alcohol. These are generally available onboard the cruise ship at the reception desk.
Cruise Drinking Policies In Foreign Ports of Call
While many international countries observe age 18 as the legal age for alcohol consumption, this isn’t universal. For example, the UAE and other middle eastern countries have a very different cultural and religious posture towards consuming alcohol. When in doubt, read up — or better yet, call and verify the cruise drinking policy. We want to be good guests in our host countries!
Exceptions to the Rules
Yes, you are the exception. Your mother was right! You are special! Getting back to cruise drinking policies, some ships will make exceptions to drinking age policy for cruises traveling from continental US to Alaska, Hawaii, and on select repositioning itineraries. For a brief segment of time, while in international waters, 18-20 year olds can have a margarita or two as time allows. Again, manage expectations and verify with the cruise line for your specific voyage.
This is a general list. The nuances of each line’s cruise drinking policy can’t be captured in a chart. Please contact the cruise line directly to verify the specifics.
| Name |
Age 21+ To Consume Alcohol |
Age 18+ To Consume Alcohol | Minor Policy Available Online |
| Azamara | |||
| Carnival | All Destinations | All Destinations | YES |
| Celebrity | 21+ US and UAE | South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand | YES |
| Costa | USA | All other ports | YES |
| Cunard | USA | Most countries | YES |
| Disney Cruise Line | USA | Most countries | YES |
| Holland America | USA | Most countries | YES |
| MSC Cruises | USA | As defined by port of call | YES |
| NCL | USA | In international waters | YES |
| Princess | USA | Europe, Asia, South America, Australia & New Zealand | YES |
| Oceania | USA | In international waters | YES |
| Regent Seven Seas | USA | Select international voyages | YES |
| Royal Caribbean | USA & Caribbean | South America, Europe, Asia, Australia & New Zealand | YES |
| Seabourn | 21+ All Sailings | 21+ All Sailings | YES |
| Silversea | No Published Guidance | No Published Guidance | NO |
| Viking Ocean Cruises | 21+ All Sailings | 21+ All Sailings | YES |
| Virgin Voyages | USA | International Waters and if international law permits at ports of call | YES |
Was Your First Sip At Sea?
Did you hound your parents for your first sip of champagne like an over eager Von Trapp child? Were you finally allowed to pursue your well earned hangover on a cruise you’ll never forget? Maybe you conservatively savored every sip! Whatever your story is, share it with us at marketing@cruiseally.com!
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