Cruise Drinking Laws: What Passengers Should Know

Cruise vacations are synonymous with relaxation, exploration, delicious food, and tempting cocktails. However, the rules and regulations regarding the legal drinking age on cruise ships can be complex and vary depending on several factors. Cruise ships may be liable for accidents and injuries if they are negligent about drinking laws, even at sea. This liability includes ensuring that alcohol is not served to underage passengers and that all guests are aware of the drinking policies, which are essential for maintaining safety and compliance.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Drink on International Waters?

When embarking on a cruise, passengers often wonder about the drinking age on board. The laws governing alcohol consumption can differ widely, not just between cruise lines but also depending on the destinations they visit. Here are some general guidelines about the minimum age for drinking alcohol on the most well-known cruise ships:

• Carnival Cruise Line — The legal drinking age on most Carnival ships is 21 years of age. However, there are exceptions when the ship is sailing in international waters or if the vessel docks in countries where the drinking age is lower.
• Other Major Cruise Lines — Similar to Carnival, most other major cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Disney Cruises, also set the minimum drinking age at 21. However, these policies can vary, especially in areas like Europe, where the legal drinking age may be lower.

Legal Drinking Age and International Waters

The concept of international waters often confuses travelers regarding the legal drinking age, particularly as the ship approaches a country with different rules. It is important to keep in mind the following:

• International Waters — Typically refers to areas beyond any country's jurisdiction, usually starting at 12 nautical miles from the coast. In these areas, cruise lines may follow their policies.
• Ship’s Registry — Cruise ships still need to comply with the laws of the country where they are registered (the flag state) and the laws of the passengers' home countries.
• Territorial Waters — When a cruise ship enters the territorial waters of a country with a different legal drinking age, the laws of that country apply. This can affect what passengers may do and could result in stricter enforcement of age-related regulations.

Regional Variations: America vs. The Caribbean

With many cruises traveling between the U.S. and the Caribbean, passengers often have questions about the drinking age during their journey.

United States Drinking Laws

In the United States, the legal drinking age is strictly 21. This law applies to establishments on land and cruise ships that operate under U.S. jurisdiction or visit U.S. ports. U.S. law is stringent, and cruise lines operating in this region must comply, ensuring that crew does not serve alcoholic beverages to guests under 21.

Caribbean Drinking Laws

The legal drinking age in the Caribbean can vary significantly from island to island. Some countries set the minimum drinking age at 18, while others align with the U.S. standard of 21. This diversity requires cruise lines to be flexible and adaptable, often adjusting their policies depending on the local laws of each port of call.

Special Considerations and Exceptions

There are exceptions to general guidelines set forth by international and territorial waters regarding who can consume alcohol:

• Specific Locations — Cruise lines may lower the drinking age to 18 when the ship is not in U.S. waters or during voyages in regions where local laws permit it, such as Europe or South America. 
• Special Events and Packages — Some cruise lines offer special events or packages that include alcoholic beverages. Passengers should read the fine print to make sure they understand the minimum drinking age law.

Dram Shop and Alcohol Liability

Florida’s dram shop laws do not follow a ship onto the sea. Instead, passengers have the right to sue cruise lines if they overserve them and the passenger is hurt as a result. In addition, they can also sue if the cruise line overserved other passengers who then harmed them through violence because they were drunk on alcohol purchased from the ship.

• Establishments can be liable for serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals, known as over-serving.
• Servers should check the identification of patrons who appear younger than the legal drinking age and cannot serve them alcohol.
• Passengers caught breaking the law, such as buying alcohol for a minor, may face penalties from the cruise line. They might be confined to their cabin or required to disembark at the next port.

The Dangers of Minors Drinking Alcohol on a Cruise Ship

Serving minors alcohol on a cruise ship can result in greater risk than serving them in standard establishments for several reasons:

• Young individuals experience more pronounced effects of alcohol as they are still developing physically and mentally.
• Minors who consume alcoholic beverages are more prone to accidents and risky behavior, which can be particularly hazardous on cruise ships with enclosed and unfamiliar environments. They may engage in dangerous activities like climbing railings, swimming in restricted areas, or entering off-limits sections of the ship.

Guardians of minors traveling on cruises should strongly consider restricting their children to only non-alcoholic beverages, even in instances where alcohol consumption by minors is allowed.

Can I Bring Alcohol Onboard?

Passengers are generally restricted from bringing alcoholic beverages onboard cruise ships in their own carry-on luggage, with some exceptions. You may be allowed to bring one bottle of wine or champagne with you on your cruise, but it’s best to check your specific cruise line’s policy, as some lines have special rules, such as the Disney Cruise Line Policies allowing passengers to bring up to two sealed bottles of champagne or wine on board.

Attempting to conceal alcoholic items can result in disciplinary actions, and any containers holding alcohol found in your luggage may be confiscated. Security may request to check any soda bottles or beverage containers in your luggage.

Get Help from a Cruise Ship Passenger Claims Lawyer

In cases where passengers experience harm due to improper alcohol service on a cruise ship, they may have legal grounds to seek compensation. A cruise ship passenger claims lawyer can provide guidance on pursuing claims related to alcohol-related incidents, whether due to over-service, underage drinking, or other violations of cruise line policies.

If you or a loved one suffered harm from the overservice of alcohol on a cruise, contact Louis A. Vucci P.A. With decades of experience, our cruise ship passenger claims lawyers can demand maximum compensation from those responsible. Call today at (786) 375-0344 or contact us online for a free consultation.

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