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-   -   What is min drinking age on cruises? (https://www.fodors.com/community/cruises/what-is-min-drinking-age-on-cruises-425287/)

Heavens Apr 23rd, 2004 11:10 AM

What is min drinking age on cruises?
 
And in Mexican ports? Is it 18 or more? Thinking about cruise for sr. trip for group of kids.

P_M Apr 23rd, 2004 01:11 PM

Right now I am sitting near a person who grew up near the border. I asked her about the drinking age in Mexico. She says it is 18, but that means nothing because they will serve anyone with money regardless of age. I have also seen this for myself when visiting Cancun.

On my last cruise the drinking age was 21, but I don't know if that applies to all ships. Ask the cruise line.

Theresa Apr 23rd, 2004 03:00 PM

Most cruise lines use 21 as a drinking age.

Cruiser Apr 23rd, 2004 04:49 PM

Hi Heavens!!
You probably already know this but....
No one under 21 can stay in a cabin by themselves on many/most cruise lines. So start rounding up chaperones!!

Have fun! ?? :-)

U10BLACK Apr 28th, 2004 08:47 AM

Are you trying to find a vacation where the kids WIll or WILL NOT be allowed to drink??????

If you're going to allow them to drink, then Mexico is a good choice.
Many, many teenagers have gotten into plenty of serious trouble while drinking in Mexico.

If you're going to do the legal thing..and not allow them to drink..then a cruise or land package in the USA are better choices.

I read a story in the Naples FL newspaper about an elementary school teacher that was arrested at a resort for buying drinks for 15 and 16 year olds....the bartender turned the teacher in.

gail Apr 28th, 2004 04:40 PM

Second the cruise age limit thing - we are traveling this summer with our 2 teenagers - 2 cabins. Were required to officially list one adult, one kid per cabin (not my husband and me in one, them in another, although everyone knows that is the way we will actually stay)

Our papers from NCL lists 21 as drinking age.

RachelG Apr 29th, 2004 11:01 AM

I am operating here under the premise that you are wanting the kids not to drink. Hopefully correct, especially if you are going to be one of their sponsors.
My experience is the same as several other posters. Although the official drinking age is 18 in Mexico, nobody there checks or even cares. Years ago, when I was 15, I went to Mexico with a school group. Though I was well-behaved, a bunch of my friends got totally drunk in Acapulco.
My son, when he was 15, spent a semester in Mexico. He was under strict orders from us and his school here not to drink. Apparently, the year before, they had to send a kid home half-way through because of issues with drinking.
While on the ship, they probably wouldn't serve alcohol to anyone under 18 or 21, depending on the cruise line, it is readily available at port.

Deloris Apr 30th, 2004 02:14 PM

3 miles out, drinking is generally legal. Depends on the ship's policy, tho.

HappyLC May 1st, 2004 05:57 AM

Most ships keep the 21 year drinking age, I don't know of any exceptions in the Caribbean.

Celebrity allowed 18 year olds to drink last summer in Europe. Probably because of the large number of Europeans on board...


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