On Carnival Cruise Line, the minimum legal drinking age for all alcoholic beverages is 21 years of age. This policy is strictly enforced across the entire fleet, regardless of the ship's location or the destination's local laws (such as in the Caribbean or Mexico where the legal age might be 18). Upon boarding, your "Sail & Sign" card is coded with your birthdate, and the point-of-sale system will automatically block alcohol purchases if you are under 21. While some cruise lines allow parents to sign a waiver for 18-to-20-year-olds on specific European or Australian itineraries, Carnival does not typically offer this exception. Guests who are caught providing alcohol to minors or minors caught consuming it can face serious consequences, including being removed from the ship at the next port of call without a refund.