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.

On Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the default drinking age is 21, but there are specific exceptions for 18-to-20-year-olds. If the ship is in international waters (and not sailing to/from Alaska or Hawaii), a parent or legal guardian who is also on the cruise can sign a Young Adult Alcoholic Beverage Waiver. This allows the 18-to-20-year-old to purchase and consume beer and wine only while in international waters. For cruises departing from and returning to European or Australian ports, the drinking age for beer and wine is often automatically 18 without needing a specific waiver, though spirits and hard liquor still require the passenger to be 21. It is important to note that NCL is very strict about this; the parent must be present at the Guest Services desk to sign the form, and the permission can be revoked at any time if the young adult becomes disruptive. This policy provides a middle ground for international families while maintaining the stricter U.S. standards for most North American itineraries.