How Old Do You Have to Be to Go on a Cruise? Cruise Age Rules Explained

The short answer: most cruise lines require a child to be at least 6 months old to sail, rising to 12 months for longer voyages such as transatlantic crossings and some exotic itineraries. Every passenger under 21 must share a stateroom with, or travel in the same party as, an adult 21 or older, and booking a cabin on your own generally means being at least 21, though a few lines allow 18. Below is how the age rules actually work, since they vary by cruise line and itinerary. When in doubt, our advisors can confirm the exact policy for your sailing at no charge: call 1-800-942-3301.

The minimum age to cruise

For most sailings, infants must be at least 6 months old on the first day of the cruise. That minimum jumps to 12 months for longer or more remote itineraries, including transatlantic and transpacific crossings and certain South American, Australian, and Hawaiian voyages, because those trips have more consecutive days at sea and greater distance from medical care. There is no upper age limit to cruise, and cruising remains one of the most popular vacation styles for older travelers thanks to its easy pace and onboard medical facilities.

Do minors need to travel with an adult?

Yes. Anyone under 21 almost always has to be booked in a stateroom with a parent, guardian, or another adult 21 or older, or in an adjacent cabin on lines that allow it. If a minor is sailing without a parent, for example with grandparents, an aunt, or a family friend, most lines require a signed and sometimes notarized parental consent letter granting permission to travel and authorizing medical care. Rules differ by line, so confirm the specific requirement and any documentation before you book.

How old do you have to be to cruise without a parent?

To book and sail on your own, the standard minimum age is 21 on most major lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, and Norwegian. Some lines lower that to 18, and there are exceptions for married couples (with a marriage certificate) and for active-duty military, who can often sail at 18 with proper identification. A handful of lines also allow guests 18 to 20 to book if an adult 21 or older is in an adjacent stateroom. Because these young-adult policies vary the most from line to line, this is the detail most worth confirming before you commit.

What is the drinking age on a cruise ship?

On cruises sailing from or within U.S. waters, the drinking age is 21, matching U.S. law. On itineraries based entirely in international regions such as Europe, South America, and Asia, the minimum is often 18. Some lines let 18-to-20-year-olds drink beer and wine with a parent’s written consent while sailing in those regions. Adults-only line Virgin Voyages sets its drinking age at 18 across the board. Policies are tied to where the ship sails, not the passenger’s home country, so check the rule for your specific region.

Age-based programs and adults-only options

Most big-ship lines split youth programs by age, with supervised kids’ clubs typically starting around age 3 (potty-trained), then separate tween and teen spaces. Nurseries for children under 3 are available on family-focused lines like Disney and Royal Caribbean, sometimes for a fee. At the other end, if you want to avoid children entirely, adults-only lines such as Virgin Voyages, Viking, and most luxury and river lines set an 18-or-over minimum for all guests, which makes them popular with couples. Our guide to the best cruise lines for family reunions covers multigenerational trips in more depth.

Let us confirm the rules for your sailing

Age rules shift by cruise line, ship, and region, and the documentation for a minor traveling without a parent is easy to get wrong. Our advisors verify the exact policy for your itinerary, make sure everyone has the right paperwork, and match your family or group to a line that fits every age aboard, all at no cost. Call 1-800-942-3301 or email groups@atlastravelweb.com, and if you are traveling as a group, see our guide to planning a group cruise.

Cruise age rules by cruise line

The general rules above hold across the industry, but the details vary by line. Here is how the major lines compare. Always confirm the current policy for your specific sailing, since these can change.

Mainstream lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity, Princess, MSC, Disney). Infants must be at least 6 months old, rising to 12 months for transatlantic and other itineraries with several consecutive sea days. The drinking age is 21 in U.S. waters. You generally must be 21 to have your own cabin, though some lines such as Carnival allow guests aged 18 to 20 to book if someone 25 or older is in the travel party.

Holland America. The same 6-month infant rule applies (12 months for long sea-day routes), but the drinking age drops to 18 on voyages round-trip from Europe and much of Asia, and 20 on cruises round-trip from Japan. Guests under 21 must share a cabin with a parent or guardian, and some sailings require 21-to-24-year-olds to travel with someone 25 or older.

Luxury and adults-focused lines (Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, Azamara). These skew adult: several require infants to be 12 months old, offer no children’s programs, and require any guest under 21 (or under 18 on some lines) to share a suite with an adult. A few allow solo travel from age 18.

Cruise age requirements: frequently asked questions

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