Many cruise lines employ the laws that govern their country of origin. However, the vast majority of ships set a minimum drinking age of 21. Young adults between the ages of 18 and 20 are permitted to drink on certain liners, provided they are traveling with their parents or guardians who are willing to sign a waiver. This waiver is designed to ensure the parents are fully aware of their responsibilities and also protects the liner in the case of injury or harm to the drinker.
Passengers boarding cruise ships are not permitted to bring alcohol onto the ship, and although they may purchase minimal quantities once aboard, this is strictly regulated to minimize the risks of alcohol-related incidents.
A hazard of traveling aboard a cruise ship is the unpredictability of weather conditions and environment, especially in tropical climates such as South and Central America. Ships have strict regulations during high winds and heavy downpours, and passengers are not permitted up on the deck in these conditions. Passengers must remain below deck until advised further, and in the instance of extreme waves and subsequent cabin motion, they may even be confined to their quarters. Should the adverse conditions affect the ship's function or power, then passengers will be required to stay in their individual cabins until further notice from the captain or crew.
Fire poses one of the greatest hazards on cruise ships, both in its onset and through the difficulty of escape for passengers. Subsequently, each liner has strict regulations regarding smoking and fire safety, although these often vary slightly depending on the liner. Smoking is prohibited in all public and shared areas of a ship, and the majority of liners do not permit smoking in the individual cabins, due largely to the enclosed nature of the cabin space. Ships, therefore, usually designate one or two specific areas for smoking passengers, which are traditionally well-ventilated areas toward the port-side of the ship. In addition to isolated smoking areas, passengers and crew can typically find a smoke alarm in every cabin and corridor, ensuring that the ships regulations are upheld and also aiding a swift response in the case of fire.
