What drinking laws do cruise ships follow?

Both cruise lines have generally followed American law which includes only allowing people ages 21-and-over to drink and not allowing marijuana smoking onboard.



Cruise ships follow a complex blend of "Flag State" laws and "Port of Call" regulations. While in international waters, ships generally follow the laws of the country where they are registered (the "Flag State"). However, most major lines (Royal Caribbean, Carnival, etc.) set a standard minimum drinking age of 21 for all sailings departing from North America. For cruises departing from Europe, South America, or Australia, where the legal age is lower, the drinking age often drops to 18. When the ship is docked in a port of call, it must strictly adhere to the local laws of that country. For example, if a ship is docked in Cozumel, the drinking age on board may temporarily align with Mexico's age of 18. Furthermore, many cruise lines allow parents to sign a waiver for children aged 18–20 to consume beer or wine only on specific international itineraries. Always check the specific "Guest Conduct Policy" for your 2026 sailing, as these rules are strictly enforced by onboard security.

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All passengers must be 21 years old to drink alcohol, with the exception of Europe, South America and Australia cruises if parents cruising with their children sign a waiver allowing their 18 to 20 year olds consume alcohol. Passengers must be 18 to gamble in the casino (and 21 on Alaska cruises).

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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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Fine or surcharge: On many cruise lines, you may be subject to a fine or a surcharge if they catch you sneaking alcohol onto the ship. Confiscation of alcohol: No matter what other disciplinary action the cruise line takes, you can expect them to confiscate your alcohol as soon as they find it.

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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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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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Guests are not allowed to bring beer or hard liquor onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages (beer, seltzer, or hard liquor) seized on embarkation day will be returned at the end of the voyage provided that they are in the original sealed package.

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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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One person must be 18 years of age or older at time of sailing. Passengers under the age of 21 years must travel in a stateroom with a passenger 21 years or older who shall assume responsibility for their care during the cruise.

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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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In international waters, more than 24 miles off the coast, the crime would fall under the laws of the country where the ship is registered. If a ship is at port when a crime occurs, it falls within that country's jurisdiction. Every ship line has their own set of rules.

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While purchasing a beverage package prior to your cruise is the most cost effective, you can opt to purchase one on board for a slightly higher price.

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Gratitude Cruises® is the trademarked name of the sober cruise line created by Snow P. At Gratitude Cruises, we operate an anonymous parallel universe in which the word sober is never uttered. Our 6 annual vacations travel to destinations across the globe and feature some if not all of the following: Keynote Speakers.

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Final word. On most cruises, you're welcome to wander the ship with a drink in your hand, at least in most areas. It's just like one large resort, so grab your favourite tipple and then find your perfect spot to enjoy it. Just make sure you ask for plastic glasses if you want to head over to a pool or hot tub.

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Cruise ship tap water in your stateroom is perfectly safe to drink. It likely won't be as cold as the water you'd get in the restaurants or from the dispensers around the ship, and since it isn't filtered as heavily it may not taste the same, but there's nothing wrong with it.

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All packages are for single guest use and cannot be shared by multiple people. Any guest wishing to purchase an alcohol... Are gratuities included in the Royal Caribbean beverage package cost? For most sailings, beverage package gratuities of 18% are added at final checkout and not included in the initial cost.

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Onboard Alcohol Policy Guests are not allowed to bring beer, hard liquor or non-alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Guests may bring personal wine and champagne onboard only on boarding day, limited to two (2) 750 ml bottles per stateroom.

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What are the free drinks on Royal Caribbean? Your cruise fare always includes tap water, basic coffee/tea, milk and hot chocolate. Anything else usually costs extra. At breakfast, the Windjammer also serves fruit juice from concentrate that is included in your cruise fare, but freshly squeezed juices cost extra.

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Checked Bags: Yes Alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in unopened retail packaging. Alcoholic beverages with 24% alcohol or less are not subject to limitations in checked bags.

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