RCI's New Alcohol Policy effective 7/28/06? (merged)

[DJCRUISIN]

My agent who booked our group cruise on the EOS for 7/28 received an email this pasted Thursday from her RC sales rep stating that effective 7/28 there will no longer allow anyone under the age of 21 to purchase alcohol. I know this has been a recent topic of discussion and was wondering if anyone else has heard about this. I checked for press releases and on RC website and cannot find anything.

[angelpug]

I can see that happening. I was on the July 7th sailing of the Grandeur, and the waiver I had to sign for my daughter said "Beverage Waiver....Europe." No sign of a waiver for the Caribbean. I also could not sign for my daughter's 18 year old friend, because the agent said I had to be her actual Parent or Guardian. The letter her parents signed and had notarized stated this, but we needed COURT DOCUMENTS!

 

I can tell you that if your older teens want a drink, they can still have a drink with you in your presence. As long as we were together as a group, and the girls were staying with me and I was buying, they never even carded them. This included wine at dinner. Even with signing the waiver for my daughter, she never bought a drink. She shared 2 (Pina Coladas) with her friend that I bought, and they both had a 1/4 of a glass of wine with dinner. They did each have a margarita with their dinner in Mexico (legal for 18 and up to drink there), but once again, they were with me.

 

For them, the trip and excursions were what the cruise was all about, and they enjoyed laying by the pool, ordering Shirley Temples with their soda cards better!

 

Hopefully we'll all get to see an official new release soon, and this topic will be over.

 

Take Care,

Jaime

[cruise3122]

We just recieved our docs for our Aug 18th Caribbean cruise and we are traveling with DD who is 20. They still contain the information that 18-20 can purchase beer and wine with a signed waiver. The new information in that section of the docs that we have not seen before is the information regarding court documentation being needed for minors that are your child. I think they would change the info on the docs they are sending before changing the rules.

 

just my opinion...hope everyone has wonderful cruises!

[3seass]

Well I disagree with the change. We have cruised three times and all three were with 9 people. Our oldest girls were old enough our youngest girls too young but the middle boys hit that 17-21 age range everytime. We signed the waiver and the first day while still in port they may have taken advantage on the first cruise but once they realized we we ok with it and we TRUSTED them it eneded and they were responsible. The boys were so well behaved the only time they got in trouble and not trouble, trouble I mean almost missed the ship trouble was in Cozumel Mexico where it was legal at 18.

Then again I don't agree with the whole 21 thing anyway as my three boys 18, 20 and 20 could fight for our country, have guns and vote for OUR President but they can't have a drink? I think the other three things have a greater impact on all us.

Thats just my thought right or wrong.

[crookedhalo]

I just completed our online reg for our 9/1 Grandeur cruise and the beverage waiver popped up for my DD who is 18, so who know's what's really going on?!:p

[dougp26364]

Fortunately, we don't have an under 21 to test this out on. I can see it coming to this as they attempt damage control from all the bad press. While I known it's not just the under 21 crowd that gets obscenely drunk, I'm sure RCI might consider it a politicaly correct step in the right direction. I would imagine that RCI will eventually take measures to cut down (or out) smuggled booze onboard as well. I"m sure it would take time to purchase, get set up and find a way to make it time effecient to X-ray luggage going onboard. In the beggining, if they do this, I'm sure it will also take maximum effort to pull out the cases with suspicous containers inside and get the owners down to claim them/turn over the booze.

 

Maybe the term, "If your not boozing, your not cruising" will become a thing of the past.

[navigator2006]

i am 19 and will be on the navigator 7/29. that would be aweful if it is true!

[Mikensusanl]

We are sailing on the Adventure on July 30th and signed the online waiver allowing our 18 year old daughter to drink beer and wine only.

 

Off topic. . . .Can the under 21 year olds go into the casino and gamble?

[RDeagazio]

It is true-- I posted a month ago that RCI would be doing away with the beverage waiver for those under 21. I didn't have a date it would begin at the time, but it looks like they have already started. Only those sailing in Europe will have the option to sign the waiver allowing those under 21 to drink.

[BearySweet2Cruise]

With the new policy taking affect 7/28/06, we are boarding enchantment on on 7/27/06, and my daughter has a signed waiver ( she is 18) I wonder if this will have any affect on our sailing.. she is packing a 12 pack beer so in ant case even if true she will be prepared for what ever happens. :)

Happy cruising to all CC out there!!!

[angelpug]

A waiver that is "signed" from the internet is NOT the one they take at the pier. I brought one with me that I printed out with my Set Sail paperwork, and they tossed it aside, and handed me a yellow beverage waiver to sign that had "Beverage Waiver...Europe," across the top. I had to fill out the side for the parent/guardian, and then they turned it over, and my daughter had to sign the other side stating she knew what she was allowed to purchase/consume, and accept responsibility or her actions would cost everyone in her party.

 

In my opinion Bearysweet, and this is just MY opinion, the age on which you board is what you are for the whole cruise, so I would think you would make it onboard with a day to spare for your daughter's beverage waiver.

 

If you're using a passport though, and you want to sign the waiver, bring her birth certificate to prove parental status. They did look for something to prove my daughter was in fact mine, and they ignored the letter I had signed and notarized stating I would be the legal guardian of my daughter's friend (it was not official COURT DOCUMENTATION.) I had the waiver from online signed for both girls, and they never even looked at it, but brought out the yellow waivers at the pier.

 

Even though my daughter's friend could NOT drink (she had 2 holes immediately punched into her card), she was allowed in the casino to gamble, and in the disco (There is some kind of code on the cards that others recognize as being an "Underage Adult.")

 

Take Care,

Jaime

[spectatorsports]

When I cruise in December I'll be under 21. The only reason I agreed to it in the first place was because I could drink. The fact that I booked with that understanding and they are now possibly changing the rules before my trip annoys me immensly. I can legally drink where I am from and if it wasn't for the waiver I'd have picked somewhere else for my holiday.

 

It wouldn't stop me drinking anyway. I have 5 people with me who can buy me alcohol. But I'd prefer to be able to buy it myself.

So here is my question; would an Australian drivers license that says I am 21 be enough to get a seapass or whatever it is called with that age on it and therefore the ability to buy any alcohol I want?

[wrp96]

 

It wouldn't stop me drinking anyway. I have 5 people with me who can buy me alcohol. But I'd prefer to be able to buy it myself.

So here is my question; would an Australian drivers license that says I am 21 be enough to get a seapass or whatever it is called with that age on it and therefore the ability to buy any alcohol I want?

 

No a license marked 21 won't be enough to allow you to buy. They will go by the age on your passport that is entered in the system and then your seapass card will be marked so you can't buy alcohol. T

[beachchick]

I can see that happening. I was on the July 7th sailing of the Grandeur, and the waiver I had to sign for my daughter said "Beverage Waiver....Europe." No sign of a waiver for the Caribbean. I also could not sign for my daughter's 18 year old friend, because the agent said I had to be her actual Parent or Guardian. The letter her parents signed and had notarized stated this, but we needed COURT DOCUMENTS!

 

I can tell you that if your older teens want a drink, they can still have a drink with you in your presence. As long as we were together as a group, and the girls were staying with me and I was buying, they never even carded them. This included wine at dinner. Even with signing the waiver for my daughter, she never bought a drink. She shared 2 (Pina Coladas) with her friend that I bought, and they both had a 1/4 of a glass of wine with dinner. They did each have a margarita with their dinner in Mexico (legal for 18 and up to drink there), but once again, they were with me.

 

For them, the trip and excursions were what the cruise was all about, and they enjoyed laying by the pool, ordering Shirley Temples with their soda cards better!

 

Hopefully we'll all get to see an official new release soon, and this topic will be over.

 

Take Care,

Jaime

 

I want to be clear: This part of my response in absolutely not a judgment, just a statement of RCI rules. They may have had drinks with you in your presence, but it's not now and never has been okay in the RCI rules. In fact, the RCI rules have specifically stated (for as long as I can recall) that it is against the rules for anyone (parent or otherwise) to purchase or provide alcohol to underage pax (their own kids or not).

 

Truly, I'm glad that you all had a good time, but the fact is that the staff was lax in allowing you to purchase hard liquor for your underage daughter and her friend. Technically, pax can be kicked off the ship for this. Personally, I think that would be pretty extreme for a simple infraction of buying your daughter a pina colada and wanting to enjoy spending time with her, but that is what RCI says can result. (I'd think that should only be the case if the adults have allowed the underage pax to become drunk and/or a danger to themselves or others. But then again, they aren't my rules.)

 

As for those wondering how to get around the rules, keep in mind that parents are considered responsible for their underage kids (theirs and any others travelling with them). If you help them break those rules and they or you get caught, there may be consequences that could affect your cruise. And while I'm not assuming that anyone would get out of control or cause problems/damage, the fact is that sometimes younger drinkers truly don't know how strongly their behavior can be affected by alcohol. What kind of message does it send to encourage your young adult child to try to break these rules? I can't imagine that they would allow an underage pax to bring on a 12 pack of beer if the 18-20 y/o waiver rules have changed. Certainly, parents could try to bring it onboard (I know, that's a whole other topic) and then give it to their kids, but that goes back to my original question of what kind of message that sends.

 

In case anyone thinks I think I'm "better than thou," I don't. I didn't like not being allowed to drink when I was 19 and 20. I did have wine with friends at their homes, and I did sneak a few in bars before I turned 21, but I didn't do it in my parents presence--they wouldn't have allowed it--and I never had a fake ID or anything. And yes, my dad did allow me to have small tastes of wine and liquor at home before I turned 21. (Small tastes = a few sips.) I'm not holding myself out as some perfect person--not by a long shot. I am saying that parents have the responsibility to set a good example.

 

beachchick

[shazzz]

i just got off the explorer yesterday :( :(

 

yes its true.....and they ask for photo id besides the sea pass......

 

when i was in puerto rico.....one store owner let 4 guys pour their absolute into all their water bottles...so when there is a will---there is a way..

[dougp26364]

Wow, isn't it amazing to see parents stating their underage kids will be smuggling a 12 pack of beer onboard in case RCI won't let them drink. That parents would buy a few buckets of beer to hold their kid over for a few days. That the only reason for sailing RCI is that their kids are allowed to drink.

 

maybe a little judgemental on my part but it really amazes me the lengths people will go to allow their kids to drink and possibly get drunk on vacation.

[OliverTheCat]

Wow, isn't it amazing to see parents stating their underage kids will be smuggling a 12 pack of beer onboard in case RCI won't let them drink. That parents would buy a few buckets of beer to hold their kid over for a few days. That the only reason for sailing RCI is that their kids are allowed to drink.

 

maybe a little judgemental on my part but it really amazes me the lengths people will go to allow their kids to drink and possibly get drunk on vacation.

 

I have to completely agree here.... just silly if you ask me..

[mbtaz]

While I agree that anyone who is able to vote for our nation's leader and fight for our country's freedom should be able to drink alcohol responsible, I also think that parents who allow underage kids to drink "just this once" are not doing them any favors.

 

We are traveling in August with our 18 year old and just received our docs which still include the 18-21 beverage policy so I guess we will see what happens when we check in. I wonder what happens in the conceige lounge? They don't even look at sea pass cards.

[dougp26364]

The really sad part is, it only takes a few reckless people to get things tightened up for everyone else. As we have only sailed RCI, I assumed it was similar to all other cruise lines. I had no idea that RCI was one of the few (only one maybe) that would allow you to buy a bottle, pay a corkage fee and take it to your room. Apparently other cruise lines set the drinking age at 21 while RCI was trying to be more liberal and allow 18 year olds the priviledge.

 

I rarely drink but, when on a cruise, I enjoyed a little glass of Balley's Irish Cream each night on the balcony before turning in. It was convenient to have the bottle in the room and the price wasn't that much. What was left over was emptied before I left. But, because a few people just can't seem to stop drinking and feel on only reason to drink is to get drunk, everyone pays.

 

You know, you have a couple of young people fall off a ship after drinking to much, an unexplained death at sea when both parties had been drinking way to much and you're bound to have a tightening of the rules.

 

Essentially, you just can't go hog wild while on vacation and not expect to see some repercussions down the road. IMO, it is unfortunate.

[Esmerelda]

sorry gang....my boys will only drink on a cruise ship with me if they are 21. Why on earth encourage underage drinking...? I work in emergency medicine and if I had a dollar for every 15-16-17 yr old that was in an alcohol coma/stupor I see...well...I'd be quite rich. I'm not about to give my ok for my underage children to drink.

 

let the flames begin...makes no difference to me

a caring mother,

Esmerelda

[dateacher]

I just called RCCL and they said they policy hasn't changed. If I am with my 18-21 year old I don't have to sign something but if they are not with me, I have to send something signed giving permission. She also said that if they changed the policy, it would be on the website.

 

Let's not be too harsh on the parents that let their kids drink where it is legal, even if it isn't at home. The reality is that the kids drink anyway and if they learn to drink responsibly, maybe they will.

[allpoints]

It is true, the following is RCI's new alcohol policy:

 

-Effective as of all sailings commencing on or after July 28, 2006, the minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverage consumption, on all RCI ships will be 21.

 

-An individuals age on the date of sailing determines his or her status for the entire cruise vacation.

 

-Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports of call or from onboard shops will be stored by the ship and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of the sailing. Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage, etc) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Royal Caribbean's Guest Vacation Policy may be enforced, up to and including disembarkation, if a guest violates any alcohol policy. Guests under the age of 21 will not have alcohol returned to them.

 

-Guests who violate any alcohol policies, (over consume, provide alcohol to people under age 21, demonstrate irresponsible behavior, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense in accordance with the Guest Vacation Policies.

 

-Royal Caribbean reserves the right to revoke or otherwise restrict drinking privileges of any guest, regardless of age.

 

FYI, Baltimore/Grandeur, as of July 21st, has begun confiscating any wine, beer or alcohol bring brought onboard ship at embarkation.

[allpoints]

Recieved this official information today:

 

-Effective as of all sailings commencing on or after July 28, 2006, the minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverage consumption, on all RCI ships will be 21.

 

-An individuals age on the date of sailing determines his or her status for the entire cruise vacation.

 

-Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports of call or from onboard shops will be stored by the ship and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of the sailing. Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage, etc) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Royal Caribbean's Guest Vacation Policy may be enforced, up to and including disembarkation, if a guest violates any alcohol policy. Guests under the age of 21 will not have alcohol returned to them.

 

-Guests who violate any alcohol policies, (over consume, provide alcohol to people under age 21, demonstrate irresponsible behavior, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense in accordance with the Guest Vacation Policies.

 

-Royal Caribbean reserves the right to revoke or otherwise restrict drinking privileges of any guest, regardless of age.

 

FYI, Baltimore/Grandeur, as of July 21st, has begun confiscating any wine, beer or alcohol bring brought onboard ship at embarkation.

[wolfcathorse]

Now I have to pay attention. If they're going to kick me off or not allow me to board if they find alcohol in my checked luggage, then its not worth taking the chance of getting caught. They worded it to allow each ship to decide if they'll just confiscate it or bar me from boarding. This is gonna open a can or worms! A BIG can!

[DJCRUISIN]

I just checked RC website and it still does not show this change in policy.