Drinking on Cruises

[GoldenEagle]

Well my girlfriend is planning a cruise vacation for both of us come December. We are both under 21 and was wondering if we would be allowed to drink aboard the cruise ship. Her grandmother just went on a 7 day cruise from Galveston to the Carribean and loved it, so ever since then my girlfriend has been hooked on this idea. I also was told there was a casino on the ship, but again, being under 21, I didn't know if I would be allowed to play or not. Any of y'all have experience in this situation?

If you have to be 21 to both drink and gamble on the ship then i'm just going to try and convince her to take a trip to monterrey or some place in Mexico.

[Danny]

I went on a cruise when I was 19 and you can gamble. I don't drink, so I am not sure about that.

[AnalBumCover]

I did a quick search and found this.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/invoke.cfm?objectID=76785117-A61B-11D5-826A0002B3309983

From what I read briefly, it depends on the cruise ship. I went on a weekend cruise to Ensenada Mexico last year, and they didn't seem to check the ages of the drinkers. Of course, that Ensenada trip is more popularly known as the "Booze Cruise" :D

[GoldenEagle]

I guess I am just going to have to search for a cruise line that will let us drink. Although she is the one that wants to drink while I just want to go play some poker. We also heard that you had to pay for drinks while on the cruise ship, does that apply for all cruiselines are just certain ones? And is that the only thing you have to pay for besides the initial ticket?

[Danny]

You will have to pay for alcohol yes. Thats pretty standard. You will also pay for gambling, souvenirs and tipping the staff, waiter and matred. You might also spend money if you have stops.

[Raven]

I went on a cruise in April, it's an awesome vacation, and I'd love to do another one.

I went on Carnival cruise lines. With Carnival, when you first get on board, you will each be given a personal ID card. The card basically says anything you buy will be charged to your room number, so you don't need to carry cash on the ship. At the end of the cruise, you must pay your bill before getting off the ship.

You must pay for all alcohol, sodas, and $10/day (that probably varies from each cruiseline) for the people who clean your room. Other than that, you won't need to spend another dime if you don't want to. Food is all inclusive, as is juice, milk, water, and entertainment.

My cruise left Miami, and we went to Mexico. My cousin was only 20, and he gambled in the casino, but didn't order any alcohol for himself. Gambling is legal in the states if you are over 18, so it should be the same on whatever ship you take. When you order drinks, you have to show your ID card. He was told if you order a drink, when they run your card, it will say you are under 21 and you won't be served. That's what my Aunt told him, but I don't think he actually tried. I'd assume you aren't going to be able to drink though, unless you have someone of age in your party that can do the ordering for you.

[MrBug708]

The cruise ships make their money off of alcohol and the employees make a TON of money off of tips.

It def. isn't a casino where they bring free drinks to ya while you are playing cards.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Just bring your own alcohol and drink it in your room, or add it as a sweetener to a soda and then wander around the ship. Even people who are old enough to drink do this. It is a lot cheaper.

[Raiders Army]

I'm not trying to be sarcastic here. What is the purpose of drinking a lot during a cruise? You pay a lot of money for a cruise and then you drink so much you can hardly remember it?

Oh, I know you didn't say "my girlfriend wants to get hammered" so this is a just "in general" question, not a question to you, GoldenEagle.

[SirFozzie]

GE, the recommended tipping level on a cruise is $250 per week PER PERSON (I remember seeing that a while ago).. factor that into your trip costs..

[JimboJ]

I'm not trying to be sarcastic here. What is the purpose of drinking a lot during a cruise? You pay a lot of money for a cruise and then you drink so much you can hardly remember it?

Oh, I know you didn't say "my girlfriend wants to get hammered" so this is a just "in general" question, not a question to you, GoldenEagle.

Some people just like to have a beer or glass of wine with their dinner.

On the other hand, you can drink a lot and still remember the cruise. Some of my fondest memories are of good times I had when I was hammered. And a cruise seems like the perfect place, since you can't drive anywhere. You just gotta know when to stop before you get to the point of getting sick or passing out.

And I think the drinking age has more to do with insurance and liablity of the cruise line, than the drinking age of the country you're in. Besides, once you get past a certain distance from shore, those laws no longer apply. I saw that once in a Simpson's episode. :)

[GoldenEagle]

Well actually my girlfriend had two different cruise lines call her today and both said we could only get on a cruise ship if we were married or with somebody over 25. So the trip is pretty much cancelled. And she is heartbroken. I am going to try and plan another trip for her, but I can't think of anywhere that is as exciting as a cruise...
And I had no ideas about the tips, although i knew you had to buy your own drinks, I can't believe they expect you to tip that much, the tickets for the cruise alone wasn't as expensive as the tipping rate you mentioned Fozzie.
Raven, you said gambling is legal in the states if you are over 18... where? If I could find any casinos like that, I'd be there in a heartbeat. :D

[Danny]

I ate approximately 10 tons of food on my trip to cancel out the cost of tipping.

[SirFozzie]

Mininum Gambling Ages as of 2000 (http://rose.casinocitytimes.com/articles/966.html)

[vex]

I was about to say, its legal after 18 in most places.

[GrantDawg]

I ate approximately 10 tons of food on my trip to cancel out the cost of tipping.
Ditto. Best trip ever. Of course, it was also the only real vacation I've had in 12 years. :)

[finkenst]

Well actually my girlfriend had two different cruise lines call her today and both said we could only get on a cruise ship if we were married or with somebody over 25. So the trip is pretty much cancelled. And she is heartbroken. I am going to try and plan another trip for her, but I can't think of anywhere that is as exciting as a cruise...
And I had no ideas about the tips, although i knew you had to buy your own drinks, I can't believe they expect you to tip that much, the tickets for the cruise alone wasn't as expensive as the tipping rate you mentioned Fozzie.
Raven, you said gambling is legal in the states if you are over 18... where? If I could find any casinos like that, I'd be there in a heartbeat. :D
well.. marry the girl, GE.

[Samdari]

GE, the recommended tipping level on a cruise is $250 per week PER PERSON (I remember seeing that a while ago).. factor that into your trip costs..

Actually, its about $10-$15 per day per person - don't know where you saw $250/person/week.

It breaks down something like this (and they are pretty similar for all the US mass market lines):

$3.50 day/person for room steward
$3.50 day/person for waiter
$1.50 day/person for assistant waiter

Plus varying amounts for headwaiter maitr'd.

Of course, if you count all the tips automatically added when you order a drink, it probably comes to $250, but most people consider that part of their bar tab, not their tips.