Legal drinking age sailing from Barbados

[kruzgal]

We are considering the Christmas/New Year sailing from Barbados on Britannia but are wondering what the legal drinking age is. We are presuming it is 21, which will probably be a deal breaker for our 18 year old, but thought it best to check with the people in the know! Thanks.

[richleeds]

I think in parents company it's at their discretion.

[BrianI]

On P&O ships it is 18 unless in US waters when it is 21.

https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/life-on-board/alchol_age_limit

Brian

[daiB]

On P&O ships it is 18 unless in US waters when it is 21.

 

https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/life-on-board/alchol_age_limit

 

Brian

 

 

Yes 18.

 

 

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[richleeds]

As I've noticed, if a parent orders an extra beer/wine and then gives it to their 17/18 year old then no questions are asked.

 

If however the same 17yr old went to the bar and asked for alcohol they would be asked for ID appropriate to the seas they were in.

Edited January 25, 2015 by richleeds

[BrianI]

As I've noticed, if a parent orders an extra beer/wine and then gives it to their 17/18 year old then no questions are asked.

 

If however the same 17yr old went to the bar and asked for alcohol they would be asked for ID appropriate to the seas they were in.

There is no need to ask for ID as the cruise card for anyone under 18 blocks the purchase of alcohol. See P&O website.

Brian

[kruzgal]

I guess under age drinking (as per UK rules) is a different issue and not something I would help my son do on any cruise ship. I just thought there might be people who have taken 18/19/20 year olds on a P&O cruise flying direct to Barbados (where the legal drinking age is 16) with experience of how the rules work. I have a feeling that where you fly in to might be a factor but I could be wrong about that. I suspect if I ring P&O they won't be any the wiser. I have posted on the roll call where there are a number of former P&O Caribbean cruisers so maybe someone there will know.

[richleeds]

There is no need to ask for ID as the cruise card for anyone under 18 blocks the purchase of alcohol. See P&O website.

 

Brian

 

 

And if only all kids were sweetness and light!

 

It's a well known cruise ship trick that they borrow or switch their parents cruise cards to get served at the bar!

[CRUISIN LINDA]

An interesting question kruzgal. I know that on American ships it is 18 in Europe but 21 in American waters, so could be the reverse on British ships. You may be right and it depends on the port you sail from in which case it would be 16 :eek:

 

As a matter of interest is the Caribbean Sea classed as American wtaers?

[davecttr]

This is quite simple, on P&O ships the minimum age at which you can purchase alchohol is 18, as it is at home. It states this on the P&O site. If the ship is in american waters the age raises to 21.

 

Barbados is not american waters, nor is anywhere else you will visit on that cruise so there is no need to worry. Barbados having an age of 16 does not matter, even if it did it would only be for a couple of hours before the ship reached the edge of barbadan waters.

 

The USA thought police arn't going to be boarding the ship either demanding to know how many under 21's bought a drink in the 17 minutes the ship just touched US waters at 3am :rolleyes:

 

just relax and look forward to your cruise. Sometimes on here you can get too much information which just muddies the waters ;)

[davecttr]

An interesting question kruzgal. I know that on American ships it is 18 in Europe but 21 in American waters, so could be the reverse on British ships. You may be right and it depends on the port you sail from in which case it would be 16 :eek:

 

As a matter of interest is the Caribbean Sea classed as American wtaers?

No just the bits that are the territorial waters of american possessions such as Puerto Rico and the US virgin islands, any more?

[kruzgal]

Thanks everyone. We have only ever sailed 'American cruise lines before (celebrity and royal Caribbean) and then only from mainland USA (Miami, Fort Lauderdale etc) which is where is probably why my thinking has been that drinking may not be allowed. I will phone P&O but it is looking more promising. :)

 

 

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[BrianI]

No need to phone P&O. It's quite clear on their website. See link in my post #3.

Brian

[john watson]

P&O tend to stick to previous British Colonies etc and avoid American Colonies. There are a significant number of Islands which have never related to either of these countries. So when you examine US waters these are going to be a small area where the higher drinking age limit will prevail.

 

I should like to point out also that whereas the cruise line is responsible for knowing whether it is permissible to open the casino or not; and if it is they are free to do so, it is not up to me as a potential gambler to know whether it is right or proper to participate at any time due to the ships location or local laws. In a similar way it is not; in my opinion the responsibility of any person aged 18 to 21 to know what the score is at any particular instance in time. The onus is on the cruise line to notify people about the ships position, regarding US waters and any implications arising from this and/or to direct bar tenders accordingly.

 

NB BrianI website link gives the official ruling.

 

Regards John

Edited January 26, 2015 by john watson

[BrianI]

In reality, the 21 age limit would only be implemented if the ship actually calls at a US, or US territory, port.

Brian

[kruzgal]

Thanks everyone... now I just need to try and understand the different cabin types, booking terms and conditions etc. ..!!

[Tinahols]

We have sailed many years with my son and daughter, as they turned 18 ,there have been no restrictions on them being served alcohol.

This includes when in USA waters and all of the caribbean.

[Denarius]

My understanding is that a ship is subject to the laws of the country in which she is registered except when she is in port, when she is subject to that country's laws. P&O ships now tend to be registered in Bermuda, where I understand the minimum age for drinking alcohol is 18.

Edited January 31, 2015 by Denarius