Can a minor drink alcohol on a cruise?

Drinking Alcoholic Beverages / Tobacco Products Guests must be 21 years of age or older to be served alcohol on board. Proper I.D with birth date is required. In keeping with U.S. federal law, the age for the sale of tobacco products is 21. This policy is for U.S.-based itineraries/ships only.



The rules regarding minor drinking on cruises in 2026 are strictly governed by the cruise line's policy and the ship's current location. For most U.S.-based lines like Royal Caribbean or Carnival, the minimum drinking age is 21, regardless of the ship's position in international waters. However, on cruises departing from Europe, South America, or Australia, the age is often 18. Some lines allow parents to sign a "parental consent waiver" for 18-to-20-year-olds to drink beer or wine only while in international waters. It is a peer-to-peer "legal warning" that "minor" status (typically under 18) strictly prohibits alcohol consumption on all major lines. Modern cruise ships use coded keycards that automatically block alcohol purchases for underage guests, and the staff is highly trained to spot "second-hand" drinking where an adult buys a drink for a minor. If caught, both the minor and the adult face consequences that can include being forced to disembark at the next port without a refund.

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For sailings departing from Europe and South America, a parent will need to sign a consent form so you can drink on the cruise at 18. For Royal Caribbean ships departing from the United States, the Caribbean, or the United Arab Emirates and Dubai, the legal drinking age for cruises is 21.

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If you break ship rules by drinking underage you can expect a stern verbal and written warning to you and your parents upon your first offense. If you do it again, your entire party (you, your parents and any other siblings) will be put off the ship at the next stop.

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Yes. The rules vary by cruise line, but most allow 18-year-olds to hang out at bars or nightclubs on their own, or with family and friends who are also 18+. But do note that the drinking age on all ships that visit the U.S., as well as on many U.S.-based cruise lines sailing anywhere in the world, is 21.

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ALCOHOL POLICY The minimum age to consume alcohol on Royal Caribbean ships on sailings originating in North America or the Caribbean is twenty-one (21). The minimum age to consume alcohol on Royal Caribbean ships on sailings originating in South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand is eighteen (18).

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The minimum age to consume alcohol on Royal Caribbean International ships on sailings from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand is eighteen (18). The minimum age to consume alcohol at all private destinations remains twenty-one (21) without regard to where the sailing originated.

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The minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on Norwegian Cruise Line ships is 21. Guests who are 18 - 20 years of age can purchase and consume beer or wine when the ship is in international waters (3 miles out of US territorial waters). The age modification does not apply for Alaska and Hawaii sailings.

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Any hard liquor, beer, other forms of alcoholic beverage, and non-alcoholic beverages, outside of the exceptions referenced above, are strictly prohibited (in both carry-on and checked luggage) and such items will be confiscated and discarded, and no compensation will be provided, states Carnival Cruise Line's ...

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Can I bring booze onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise? Bringing alcohol onboard at embarkation: Passengers can bring onboard a maximum of two bottles of wine or Champagne (750 ml each) per cabin during embarkation only; if spirits or beer are found, they will be confiscated and destroyed.

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Minors under the age of 18 not traveling with a parent or legal guardian must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older in the same stateroom.

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Are there any cruise lines that allow a 17-year-old to travel with an 18-year-old? Passengers on a cruise line must be 21 to travel alone. Anybody under the age of 21 must be travelling with a parent or legal guardian and provide proof.

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Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board with the following exception - at the beginning of the cruise during embarkation day only, guests (21 years of age and older) may bring one 750-ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne, per person, in their carry-on luggage.* Outside this exception, ...

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Children aged 16 and 17 have to be accompanied by an adult to cruise. However, at this age, they are generally allowed to stay in their own cabin and can do things alone on the ship, such as attending shows in the theatre, going to the gym, and leaving the ship by themselves without your permission.

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Here's how the rules go for most cruise lines in the US: For the most part, indoor smoking in public spaces is off-limits. However, some cruise lines make exceptions for casinos. You must be at least 18 years old to smoke from any departing destination, except the U.S., where you must be 21.

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If cruise ship crew suspect you are sneaking alcohol on board they will inspect your luggage in detail. They may check your wine bottles to see if it really is sealed as new and contains wine. They will confiscate it if found to contain spirits, and may even refuse you boarding.

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Most cruise lines allow 2 bottles of wine or sparkling wine per cabin and some do allow liquor or beer. You can enjoy that in the stateroom, or pour a glass and walk freely with it, but if you want to bring the bottle to the dining room they will charge you a corkage fee.

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The only bar that will be consistently open late and may stay open 24/7 is the casino bar on most ships. As far as am drinks, the main bar in the atrium is usually available earliest, pool bars shortly there after.

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If you are 18-20 and your parents are also on the ship, they can sign a consent form allowing you to drink beer and wine. Most sailing within Europe, or anywhere outside the US, allow 18+ to consume.

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For those under 21, you'll be happy to know that the legal drinking age throughout the Caribbean is 18 years or under. In addition, a couple of countries have drinking limits of 16.

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