Carnival Cruise Line · Who can sail

What is the minimum age to sail?

The answer

Checked 2026-09-21

Infants must be at least 6 months old on most itineraries

  • 12 months on transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii and some South American voyages.
  • Carnival's contract does not set the sailing minimum; this comes from its published age policy.

In one sentence — Carnival Cruise Line: Infants must be at least 6 months old on most itineraries. 12 months on transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii and some South American voyages. Carnival's contract does not set the sailing minimum; this comes from its published age policy. Read from Carnival Cruise Line's own published policy on 2026-09-21. Cruise lines change policies without notice — confirm with Carnival Cruise Line before relying on this.

Why this one catches people out

Two separate rules: the youngest infant accepted, and whether the line accepts children at all.

Where this came from

https://www.carnival.com/about-carnival/legal-notice/ticket-contract

We read these policies from each cruise line's own pages and record the date we read them. Lines change their rules without notice. Always confirm with the cruise line before you rely on anything here.

How other lines handle it

See all 12 lines compared →