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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