Cruise Ships Legal Gambling Age
The minimum age to work on cruise ships is actually higher than what is required by international law. According to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, the minimum age to work onboard ships is 16 years old, but the Convention states that employment of seafarers under the age of 18 shall be prohibited where the work is likely to jeopardize. Minimum Age to Gamble in United States of America Below you will find the minimum legal age to gamble in various locations around the U.S., Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. In the 50 American states, some times you'll see a variance, this usually is due to Indian casinos having different age requirements in their casinos than state regulated. A move toward small-ship cruising. Small cruise lines capable of carrying fewer than 250 people, including passengers and crew, are excluded from the CDC protocols on cruising and are permitted to sail in the U.S. If you plan to spend a lot of time in the ship’s casino, choose an itinerary with a lot of sea days. With a few exceptions — including overnight in Bermuda and Nassau ports — cruise ship casinos are required to remain closed when the ship is in port so as not to compete with local gambling or entertainment businesses. Different ships may have different age requirements for gambling onboard. Consult a travel agent for regulations for specific cruise lines. Slot tournaments and other special events fill up quickly and spaces may need to be reserved in advance. When the casino is closed the gaming staff may offer complimentary gambling lessons for novices.
They may be smaller than the ones in Las Vegas, but cruise ship casinos mirror what’s found on land in terms of rules and the training required for dealers. Cruise lines make sure they’re offering the latest and most popular slots and table games, including penny video slots and the ever popular blackjack. Here’s what you need to know to improve your odds, at least of having fun:
Cruise Ship Gambling Tips
1. Casinos close while in port.
If you plan to spend a lot of time in the ship’s casino, choose an itinerary with a lot of sea days. With a few exceptions — including overnight in Bermuda and Nassau ports — cruise ship casinos are required to remain closed when the ship is in port so as not to compete with local gambling or entertainment businesses. In Bermuda, casinos on ships can operate from 9 pm to 5 am, and in Nassau, from 7 pm to 3 am.
2. Ship casinos are open in international waters.
Photo by SIME / eStockPhoto
Casinos are typically only open 3 to 12 nautical miles from the coast. However, in the case of Alaska, cruise ship casinos are permitted to open 3 miles after departing from one Alaska port until 3 miles before arriving in the next Alaska port, regardless of proximity to land. That’s good for gamblers, as cruises in southeast Alaska tend to hug the coastline.
3. Smoking is part of the game.
Though there are fewer places to smoke on cruise ships than ever before, casinos are one of the last holdouts. Most cruise ship casinos, with the exception of the luxury lines, have designated smoking areas for cigarette smokers; however, cigar lovers are rarely permitted to light up.
4. Card sharks are a rare species at sea.
Photo by SIME / eStockPhoto
Professional gamblers tend to focus their energies on the land-based casinos that are open around the clock, without the distractions of a cruise — from buffets to deck parties and those pesky ports of call. Plus, according to Paul Jarvis, vice president of casino operations for Carnival Corp., card sharks seek anonymity, and passengers need to provide the cruise line with their passport details before boarding.
5. Gambling theme cruises offer real competition for top players.
If you really want to double down on your gaming ops at sea, some cruise lines — including Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line — host blackjack, slots, and poker tournaments that attract hundreds of gaming enthusiasts. Qualifying rounds are held on cruises throughout the year, with the final competition taking place toward the end of the year.
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 consumption of 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. However, it’s 21 on U.S. and Caribbean itineraries.
Norwegian
The drinking age is generally 21. However, 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. However, 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
Florida Gambling Cruise
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
Gambling Cruises Near Me
If drinking, it’s always wise to do so in moderation.