can my 18 year old drink with me?

I don't think so

No. Carnival has a minimum age of 21 and despite what one reads from time-to-time, my personal observations have been that their bar staff rigorously enforces it.

On our recent cruise, I did buy our daughter A drink for her 18th birthday. The bartender really got upset when I slip it to her, and rightfully so. If you do buy a drink, order them and leave the bar with it so that waiter/bartender has no threat of getting in trouble. After thinking about the situation, I really did appreciate their efforts to stop it. It could have been anyone buying her that drink otherwise.

I really want to say something about this. But I don't want it to come across as judgemental, or as a personal attack on anyone.

When I turned 18 it was of legal age, and I bought my first drink. It was then changed to 21 during this time. I hated it, I wanted to go to the Disco and bars and have a few drinks. During this time some classmates had been killed in alcohol related traffic accidents.

I was still mad that I could not buy a beer, and would sneak in or get someone to get me a drink. When I did turn 21 it was no big deal, but as I look back, I am glad they changed the law. I think of how immature I was then about making decisions.

I grew up alot, and smartened up alot in those 3 years. And after having a Daughter of my own I appreciated the law change.

I still believe that we should be able to buy our enlisted Men and Women a beer when they come home from service no matter their age.

But, would anyone disagree that they have a higher maturity level than a typical 18 year old? The point being, why introduce a danger to immature people.

Sure, they are going to do it anyway. But, I chose not to put my stamp of approval on it as a parent. I know I learned alot about life between 18 and 21.

I dont remember anything between 18 and 21... the drinking age was 18 when I started drinking that was in 1976.

I was Grandfathered in when they Changed the law. I didnt care...lol Kinda like a shirt I bought a friend of mine for his Baby, it says,
" Now that Im Safe, Im all for Pro Choice"

I think the age is still 18 in Mexico isnt it? thought thats why its so popular with the school kids.

Well stated IslandCruz!!

It was 18 in NY when I graduated high school in 1974. I went right into the Marines a week later and remember being stationed in places where the age was 21 (California and Pennsylvania). They carded everyone in Pennsylvania, whether in uniform or not - even on base in the enlisted club! I was 21 by then, so no big deal. California was a mixed bag. Usually when in uniform I was not hassled.

Count me in as one who thinks someone in the military should be able to have a beer no matter how old they are. I don't think most people would have a problem with that.

I am over 21 so I guess I don't have to worry about it now.

However, I disagree with the whole "21 years old to drink" thing in this country... Military personel or not. If an 18 year old is considered to be mature enough to decide on their own to put their life on the line for our country, (or not) then I say they are mature enough to have a beer.

That being said, who's to say that someone who decided NOT to join the military ISN'T mature enough to have a beer??? Let's say that person goes to college, becomes a doctor or medic and THEN joins the military, only to go into battle and pull our wounded boys and girls out of harms way, and save their lives! This country has a horrible double standard.
Old enough to vote, serve, or die, but not old enough to enjoy a beer.

I understand that many, many, many... TOO many people have lost loved ones in alcohol related accidents. Many of these horrible events have happened to High school aged kids who have barely turned 18 or under, and are still in high school. The thing is, the (18 back then, now 21) year olds aren't the ones dying! Its their underage friends who over indulge because of that little "treat" of alcohol that may only be availible for that one night of the weekend.

Anyway, I just realized I have turned this post into a rant... Sorry!

The difference is that someone who is in the military has achieved an established and recognized standard for demonstrating a level of maturity. They are also held to a high standard with regard to their conduct, both on duty and off duty. Not so for the typical kid who is a college freshman or similar.

Dave,
I don't doubt for a second that you are sincere and I'm sure your feeling on this is based on your personal experience. But I've got to tell you that having worked in a lot of N.C.O. and enlisted men's bars on a lot of bases in Southern California, and a lot of bars frequented by the military, and also a lot of college pubs, there really isn't much diffenence in the level of maturity, or lack thereof. But then, that's just my experience.
By the way, what happened to 56--who's this new guy Beers?

I decided that as an admin, I needed to use a real name and not a handle.

I'll admit that in my many years of active duty I saw some hoseheads among the troops. Nothing is perfect. Some people in the military are jerks, just like anywhere else. I'd like to think the proportions are lower though, and I don't know when you worked the clubs but things are a lot tighter these days as compared to my days. I've heard of people who were given administrative discharges for getting repeat DUI's. In my day the command would have tried to squash the charges.

Thanks for the reply, Dave.
I'm sure you are right, and I surely didn't mean to paint all military with the same brush. I worked a lot at Terminal Island Navy Base and Tustin Marine Base, and clubs in Orange County and Long Beach while attending Long Beach State from 1960-64; I've got a few years on you. I know those guys worked hard and were under a lot of pressure, what with Viet Nam heaating up; and when they were off, they could really let off steam.
By the way, 1974 was the year I started working for Princess! That was a quasi-military experience.
Cheers, Beers!

Everyone has diferent opinions and methods on child raising. Personally I have found that they are going to do it anyway, and already have before age 18. Kids tend to get hurt and in trouble when trying to sneak around behind the backs of parents. The only thing I condone is instilling responsibility in her actions.

Here in New Zealand a few years back they reduced the drinking age from 20 to 18. for much the same reasons as have been talked about here. Some people were not happy with this decision and unfortunately a minority of younger people especially in the majority of cases university students showed that they were not responsible enough to control their actions. Just recently Parliament decide to have a free vote on raising the drinking age back to 20 but it defeated by a hefty majority.
Whilst we are on the subject of alcohol. May I raise again the subject of bringing alcohol on board. We are not interested in trying to smuggle whisky or vodka on board but we do like our drop of wine in the evening in our cabin.
Carnival say quote "fine wine or champagne may be brought on board only during embarkation at the beginning of the cruise." what is their rule with regard to quantities. If whilst in Rome we buy say six bottles of wine (3 each) will this be OK.
Cheers
Peter

Give it a try~! its easier to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission!

Well I have always thought if a person is considered legal age at the age of 18 then they should be able to buy beer. If they can fight for our country they should darn well be able to buy alcohol!

A very good point of view

I say the drinking age should be 18. Lets not fool ourselves here, 18 year olds drink and can get drinks at anytime. I feel that the law is not to protect 18 year olds, it is to just have more laws.