We just returned from a cruise aboard the RC Voyager of the Seas. We have been on over 10 cruises with a large extended family group and must say that this one was, by far, the least friendly to the 18-20 year old age group. Our kids were constantly asked to show their IDs even though they weren't doing anything but sitting at a table with a drink in their hands, sometimes they were just walking in the hallways without a drink but were stopped anyway. RC strictly follows US laws regarding underage drinking. The guys were not allowed to even have a drink in the presence of their parents! The guys were not belligerent, loud, or bothering other travelers. They were just having a beer. My nephew, who will be 18 in March, was hounded for walking in the hallway after the 1:00 curfew for those under 18. IT WAS 1:05 A.M.!

If someone under 21 is caught with a beer, the parents must collect him from wherever he is on the ship and take him back to his cabin. You cannot sign a waiver saying it is ok for them to drink. Zero tolerance for anyone drinking yet you are welcomed onboard with a welcome cocktail, the cruise director begins his daily spiel on TV debating the merits of the drink of the day, and champagne flows freely on New Year's Eve. There they were handed champagne by cruise staff but, had security noticed, we parents would have been called to escort them to their cabins!

We felt like we were in a police state wondering what problem the ship's security would next cause us. We complained to the purser's desk, the head of security and left a detailed message for the captain. It was not a relaxing vacation since we were constantly worried that they would find something else wrong with our young people. Read more