beautifulblueii:

and no longer receive "child support" whether they are still in school or not (

My mom got child support until I graduated from college and I have 1 guy in the office whos son is in med school and is 24 and he still pays child support.  Enough about that because that is not the subject.

This is obviously one of those posts that everyone has their own opinion on.  I am not a child either, I am in my 30's with a 15 year old.  My mom used to let me and my friends drink at our house when I was 15 and up as long as we all stayed there and I do the same thing with my daughter.  I don't think the drinking age being 21 has anything to do with the abuse of alcohol by our minors, most of them that abuse it are under 21 so they are still getting it regardless of age.  I also think it has nothing to do with parents and the way they raise their children.  At some point kids have to be responsible for their own actions but what is that point? (Read the article in Oprahs magazine about the mother of the kid that carried out that coulmbine shooting) There are ALOT of drivers out there on the roads in the ages of 18-20 and I for one feel a little bit better knowing that they are not out at the bars and then driving home, atleast that is a few less morons out on the road.

I was actually watching a show yesterday with my kids about this school in Canada (where the legal drinking age is also 18) and she was a senior in high school.  She had a drink, set it down on the table while she went to the bathroom, someone put something in it (which happens ALOT) and after only having that one drink she passed out and was raped and didn't know by who...I realize that can happen at 21 also but I think with each year you tend to get a bit wiser as you have seen a little more of the world we live in each year and lets face it, it is not pretty.  I have had too many friends killed by drunk drivers to want anyone that has only been driving for a year or 2 to be able to drink and drive too.

Walt:

For the most part, one isn't an adult until they are 21.  It is true, that certain adult-like privileges are extended to those under 21.

Mississippi will allow under 21s to marry with parental consent.  Virtually every other state allows marriage without partental consent at the age of 18.

http://www.coolnurse.com/marriage_laws.htm

Individuals under 21 can't drink or (in this area anyway) go into a casino.  I can't think of any other adult privilage that is not afforded the 18 year old.  There has to be some I'm sure.  They CAN buy cigarettes, go figure.  As far as 18 y/o drunk drivers?  Most 18 y/o people behind the wheel make me nervous anyway.  Let's don't complicate the task for them.  I'm not saying my judgement is beyond reproach, but the tools requirred to have good judgement have yet to fully develop in the average 18y/o.

Drinking with supervision of a legal guardian at the age of 18 should be allowed IMHO.  It would give them the opportunity to experience drinking and learn about the effects of alcohol on the brain in a more controlled fashion.  The adult should also have to take full legal responsibility for the actions of the "minor" while under their supervision.

 So here is my question... I turn 21 the day I leave for my cruise, I wont get any problems about drinking will I ?

Thanks

Just as long as you are indeed 21 you will be fine.

tracyanns:

My mom got child support until I graduated from college and I have 1 guy in the office whos son is in med school and is 24 and he still pays child support.  Enough about that because that is not the subject.

If you were in fact married and your mom received child support for you, your mother did both your father and your husband and you a huge injust. And as far as the dude's son in med school if he too is in fact married, he too is no longer obligated to support his son. I was only pointing out that married young people are caught in a catch 22. The are legally no longer "children" but are also not adults. Really seems unfair to me!

Libby

It would be a SAD world that we live in that they only way we can be classified as an ADULT would be to be able to buy a beer or a shot legally.  That is more about responsibility than age...imagine what our college campuses would look like if every 18 year old could drink...

I considered myself an adult when I was 18, who cares if I couldn't go to a bar and get drunk or even just have one drink...it should NEVER be that important to someone to partake in drinking that this should ever become an issue... 

Sadly, you have missed the whole point of the orginal post. It was a 20 yo married women asking about drinking on a cruise with her 22 or 23 yo husband. And people have went off on a tirate of whether 18 yos should be able to drink. I personally don't think the average 18 yo should drink, but if several of the rules change when a person says their vows they should be exception to the rule.

I grew up in New York State when the drinking age was 18,  But that makes no difference to how I feel about how old someone should be to drink.

What does matter is what Carnival says, and they say it is 21.  and you have to be 21 by the time you set sail... It is their ships they set the rules... and we just have to go by what they say.  I know some people get upset to find out about some of the rules carnival does have.... what everyone needs to learn to do is to read the FAQ section and the cruise contract before they even book a cruise.... that way they would be an informed consumer....  

Carnival even makes it necessary for a married couple to bring  proof they are married if someone is under 21 and the spouse is not 25....   Just the way they want to do business...

We all might not like their rules but we have to go by them...

ok  getting off the soapbox... 

Hope everyone has a great cruise.

In ALMOST every thread we will MISS the POINT and go off on a tirade about something else, that is what these threads are for, they are for informational purposes and for us to voice opinions and much of the time they do go off track.  Who cares?  The POINT is a 12 yr old can get pregnant and a 16 yr old can get married, that doesn't mean they can drink.  Carnival says 21, just like the US does and that is the rule.  What does that matter if they are married or not...21 is 21.  I am sure she can have fun on her cruise without drinking, plus they will save money!

tracyanns:

In ALMOST every thread we will MISS the POINT and go off on a tirade about something else, that is what these threads are for, they are for informational purposes and for us to voice opinions and much of the time they do go off track.  Who cares?  The POINT is a 12 yr old can get pregnant and a 16 yr old can get married, that doesn't mean they can drink.  Carnival says 21, just like the US does and that is the rule.  What does that matter if they are married or not...21 is 21.  I am sure she can have fun on her cruise without drinking, plus they will save money!

This coming from the person who say it's okay for their 15 yo and HER FRIENDS to drink as long as it's at home! That is the what educated people call a hypocrite!

Well, golly gee, not sure us non educated people should be on this forum then.

Call me what you wish, along with being a hypocrite I am a whole list of things a lot worse than that...I do allow my 15 yr old to drink at home and her friends if I talk to their parents but they do not expect to be able to do it anywhere else and don't complain if they can't...and they know the law is 21 and they have to wait to do it elsewhere.  I guess we should write Carnival and tell them no matter how old you are, if you are married or have kids they rules don't apply to them.  And once again, the POINT is it doesn't matter what the situation is, if you aint 21 you aint gettin drunk...that would be the redneck hypocrite version.

Oh, and since I don't remember criticizing anything you or anyone else said I would love to know why you decided this was a personal attack on me.  I don't speak to ANYONE in particular on a thread unless I address them and I would suggest you have the common courtesy and manners to do the same, as any polite and non ignorant person would know.  And a quote is not addressing someone directly, it is just a comment on something that someone said.  And talk about missing the point, what does child support have to do with ANYTHING on a cruise?

tracyanns:

And talk about missing the point, what does child support have to do with ANYTHING on a cruise?

It has alot to do with this post since I was saying being a young married (nobody but you even mentioned unwed mothers of any age)person you are LEGALLY ineligible to receive child support from their parent(s) or be a dependent on their insurance. It becomes a double standard. While unwed children in college can benefit from both of these things. So it should be 21 or not married couples should be allowed to drink if they so choose! Without, other people bashing them for their decisions. I fully understand that carnivals rules are 21. That is not my issue, it is the double standard in general.

Wherever you go, there are rules and laws someone will not like, but they are still rules and laws.  Those rules and laws are created for the safety of people, not just the safety of those it is directed at, but the safety of those that become innocent victims.  There are many laws that I think might be "unfair", but they exist.

I'm sure Carnival created their rules to protect the many, and not the few.  The money comes from the "older" crowd, and the problems come from the "younger" crowd.  The age limits on the ship, the marriage exemptions, and drinking age etc, is based on Carnivals experience.  It may not be to someone's liking, but it is what it is. 

In International waters, there is no drinking age, so you can have your 5 year old do shots.  That is where responsibility comes in, and Carnival, as a company, decides what the responsibility level they want to set.  Like it or not.

Here is a tip, Room service will bring mix drinks to your room as long as you order them under his name. 24 hours a day

Drinking age on ship is 21, but many of the ports are 18.