Drinking in International Waters/ Cruise Recommendations?

May 10, 2009 10:36 AM

My sister and I want to take a cheap cruise over the summer. I'm 22, but she's 19. Are there cruise lines that let you drink at 19 in international waters? Also, does anyone have any recommendations for cheap-ish (doesn't have to be dirt cheap, just reasonable) and fun cruises?
posted by slowcat to travel & transportation (14 comments total)

See here for a fairly comprehensive table of cruise line alcohol policies. Looks like you have several options.
posted by jedicus at 10:43 AM on May 10

I'm just guessing, but any cruise line that would let you do that is probably going to be...less than scrupulous. Even if it is technically legal, they're probably worried about being held responsible.
posted by InsanePenguin at 10:43 AM on May 10

I stand corrected. Shoulda previewed.
posted by InsanePenguin at 10:44 AM on May 10

Here's a couple run downs on drinking age policies of various cruise lines.
posted by Mitheral at 10:52 AM on May 10

Some cruise lines let you buy pre-paid drink cards. It is unlikely that anything would go wrong with buying two and handing one to your sister. (I assume that your sister does not look like she's 12.) As a bonus the cost of drinks with pre-paid cards is often cheaper.
posted by oddman at 11:59 AM on May 10

Also keep an eye on age restrictions for specific cruise lines. Some would not let you book a room unless you're accompanied by someone 25 or older.
posted by contrariwise at 1:08 PM on May 10

Some cruise lines let you buy pre-paid drink cards

Don't they still check ID? The cruise I went on did, even when using the cards.
posted by InsanePenguin at 1:22 PM on May 10

Most cruise lines allow this in my experience. If you can't find one that embarks from a US port, try a foreign flagged cruise line that disembarks from a Mexican or Caribbean port.
posted by fshgrl at 2:31 PM on May 10

The cruise I went on didn't check ID, but you don't want to take that chance. How about buying the drinks for her? I was <21 and my ex definitely bought a drink, gave it to me, then walked back to the bar 3 mins later and bought another drink. Repeat.
posted by KateHasQuestions at 2:44 PM on May 10

Wouldn't any cruise line that's not based in the United States be a viable option? (Considering that the drinking age in most of the rest of the world is 18 - 19 in canada - wouldn't it be only american-owned cruiselines worried about being subject to US drinking laws?)
posted by Kololo at 3:12 PM on May 10

Easycruise can be cheap and is not based in the US.
posted by mdonley at 3:59 PM on May 10

Kololo - 18 in Quebec ;)
posted by mbatch at 6:37 PM on May 10

mbatch - and in alberta!
posted by Kololo at 8:50 PM on May 10

Wouldn't any cruise line that's not based in the United States be a viable option? (Considering that the drinking age in most of the rest of the world is 18 - 19 in canada - wouldn't it be only american-owned cruiselines worried about being subject to US drinking laws?)

Yes, this. US drinking laws are not the drinking laws nearly everywhere else, and there is no great need or compulsion for a non-US flagged cruise line to enforce the drinking laws of one of the countries that its guests come from. I would be very surprised if you even got ID'd on most British or French cruise lines.
posted by Happy Dave at 3:02 AM on May 11