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.

Whether an 18-year-old can drink on a cruise depends entirely on the cruise line's policy and the ship's location. On most U.S.-based lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Holland America, the minimum drinking age is strictly 21, regardless of where the ship is sailing. However, for cruises departing from European, South American, Australian, or Asian ports where the legal drinking age is lower, many lines lower their minimum age to 18. For example, on a Mediterranean cruise, an 18-year-old can typically purchase beer and wine. Some lines, like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, allow parents to sign a waiver for their 18-to-20-year-old children to drink alcohol on specific international itineraries. In 2026, these rules are strictly enforced via the passenger's "SeaPass" or "MagicBand," which is coded with their birthdate. If a ship is in "international waters," the "flag state" of the ship usually dictates the law, but most major lines stick to their corporate 21-year-old policy for any voyage touching a U.S. port to avoid legal complications and ensure a consistent onboard safety environment for all guests.