The minimum drinking age on cruise ships varies, even within the same cruise line. The U.S. has the highest minimum drinking age in the world. This creates numerous headaches for both cruise lines and passengers. In most cruise destinations, the minimum drinking age is 18.

You’ll find a link to each cruise line’s home page. Simply click on the name of the cruise line.

This description has two sections. Section I is Cruise Lines. Section II is Cruise Destinations.

I. Minimum Drinking Age on Cruise Lines

Azamara

In general, the minimum drinking age is 21. But not necessarily on ships in Europe, South America and Australia. There, parents can sign consent forms for their adult sons or daughters age 18, 19, or 20 to drink.

Carnival

The minimum drinking age on cruise ships operated by Carnival is 21.

Carnival Australia

The minimum age for the purchase and/or drinking alcoholic beverages in the bars, lounges and gift shops is 18. No minimum for drinking within cabins is specified.

Celebrity

On cruises departing from any country other than the U.S., a parent or guardian may sign a consent form. That permits an adult son or daughter to drink alcoholic beverages. That is, one who is age 18 through 20. On cruises departing the U.S., the age is 21.

Celebrity UK

Eighteen is the minimum drinking age on cruise ships sailing from anywhere in the world except North America. There, it’s age 21.

Celestyal

Eighteen is the minimum age on Celestyl cruise ships.

Costa

The minimum drinking age is 18 on any Costa vessel, except for one leaving a U.S. port. Then it’s age 21.

Crystal

The age is 18 for drinking beer or wine. However, when the vessel is within three miles of the U.S., the age is 21. For drinking spirits, it’s age 21 anywhere.This policy rests on a myth. In reality, standard servings of beer, wine and spirits contain the same amount of pure alcohol.

Cunard

The age is 18 for purchase or consumption. When in U.S. territorial waters, it’s 21.

Disney

The drinking age is 21 on Disney ships.

Fred. Olsen

Passengers may drink alcohol at  age 18.

Holland America

The minimum drinking age is 21 on Holland America.

Hurtigruten

Passengers over age 18 may purchase beer and wine. Spirits are only available to those over age 20.

MCS

The drinking age is 18. But it’s 21 on U.S. and Caribbean itineraries.

Norwegian

The drinking age is generally 21. But passengers age 18 through 20 may drink beer or wine when the ship is in international waters. To do so, a parent or legal guardian must be onboard the sailing and sign a consent form. However this does not apply to Alaska or Hawaii sailings.

Oceana

The minimum drinking age is 21 on Oceana ships.

P&O

Servers do not provide alcohol to passengers under age 18. However, 16- and 17-year-olds accompanied by parents may drink beer or wine with meals in the restaurants.

P&O Australia

Passengers may drink at age 18. Servers may request a government-issued photo ID.

Princess

The minimum drinking age is 21 on all Princess ships.

Regent Seven Seas

Age 21 is the minimum drinking age on cruise ships that Regent Seven Seas operates.

Royal Caribbean

The drinking age is 18 on cruise ships departing from any country in the world except the U.S. For any cruise that visits a U.S. port, the drinking age is 21 no matter where the cruise embarks.

Seabourne

Age 21 is the minimum drinking age on Seabourne.

Silverseas

In virtually all countries of the world, the minimum drinking age is under 21. It’s usually age 18. That’s the case in South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. On cruises departing from such countries, the drinking age on Silverseas ships is 18. But for any cruise that visits a U.S. port, the drinking age is 21 no matter where the cruise embarks.

Thompson (now Marella)

The drinking age is 18 on cruise ships that Thompson (now Marella) operates.

Viking Ocean

The minimum drinking age is 21 on Viking Ocean ships.

Windstar

Age 21 is the minimum drinking age on cruise ships that Windstar operates.

II. At Cruise Destinations

Destinations are alphabetical within each region. In many, if not most countries, authorities don’t strictly enforce minimum legal drinking age laws. Especially in the absence of problem behaviors.

Note that the ages are for the purchase of alcohol. Countries or provinces with no minimum legal drinking age carry an asterisk: *.

North America, including Caribbean

Bahamas – 18
Bermuda – 18
British Columbia – 19
Cuba – 18 *
Dominican Republic – 18 *
Haiti – 16 *
Jamaica – 18 *
New Brunswick – 19
Nova Scotia – 19
Prince Edward Island – 19
Puerto Rico – 18
Quebec – 18
Trinidad and Tobago – 18 *
United States Virgin Islands – 18

Europe

Austria – 16 (18 in some areas)
Belgium – 16 or 18 depending on beverage *
Bulgaria – 16 or 18 depending on beverage *
Croatia – 18 *
Cyprus – 17 *
Denmark – 18 *
Estonia – 18
Finland – 18
France – 18 (but no minimum age in private)
Germany – 16-18 depending on     beverage
Gibraltar – 18 *
Greece – 18 *
Iceland – 20 *
Ireland – 18 (none in private)
Italy – 16 *
Malta – 17
Netherlands – 16-18 depending on beverage *
Norway – none *
Poland – 18 *
Portugal – 18 *
Romania – none *
Slovenia – 18 *
Spain – 18 *
Sweden – 18 *
United Kingdom 18

Central and South America

Argentina – 18
Belize – 18
Brazil – 18 (19 in some provinces)*
Chile – 18
Columbia – 18 *
Costa Rica – 18 *
Ecuador – 18 *
El Savador – 18 *
Guatemala – 18
Guyana – 18
Honduras – 18
Mexico – 18
Nicaragua – 19 *
Panama – 18 *
Peru – 18 *

Asia

China – 18 *
Hong Kong – 18 *
India – Generally 18, but varies.
Israel – 18 *
Japan – 20
Macau – 16 *
Malasia – 16
Russia – 18 *
Singapore – 18 (none on private property)
South Korea 19
Turkey – 18
Ukraine – 18

South Pacific

Australia – 18
Fiji – 18
French Polynesia – 18
New Zealand – 18 (none with parent)
Samoa – 18 (none with parent)
Tokelau – 16
Tuvalu – 18
Vanuatu – 18

Africa

Cape Verde – 18 *
Comoros – none *
Egypt – 18
Madagascar – none *
Mauritius -18 *
Namibia – 18 *
Seychelles – 18
South Africa – 18 (none with parent)
Tunisia – 18

If drinking, it’s always wise to do so in moderation.