Who can sail

What is the minimum age to sail?

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

Minimum age by cruise line
Cruise lineMinimum ageSource
Royal Caribbean InternationalDrinking age is 21 from North America, the UAE and the private destinations; 18 elsewhere
  • — 18 or over to buy, possess or use tobacco on board.
  • — A minor is anyone under 18 for the purposes of the conduct policy.
Checked 2026-09-21
Carnival Cruise LineInfants 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.
Checked 2026-09-21
Norwegian Cruise LineAnyone under 21 is a minor and must be accompanied by a guest 21 or older
  • — The adult must be in the same, connecting or side-by-side stateroom, and agree to be responsible for them.
  • — You must be 21 or older to buy or drink alcohol.
  • — 18 and over may drink on round-trip European voyages, and in Australian and New Zealand waters, without a waiver.
Checked 2026-09-21
Celebrity CruisesNo guest under 21 is booked in a stateroom unless an adult 21 or older is with them
  • — Infants under 6 months old are not permitted to sail.
  • — Exceptions for minors in adjacent staterooms with a parent or guardian, and for married couples with proof.
  • — Drinking age is 21 from Asia, North America, the UAE and the private destinations; 18 from South America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Checked 2026-09-21
Princess CruisesUnder-21s must share a stateroom with a guest 21 or older
  • — You must be 18 or older to register and book on Princess.com.
  • — Guests under 21 must share a stateroom with a guest aged 21 or older who takes responsibility for them.
  • — Family groups in several staterooms: at least one guest in each room must be 16 or older, traveling with a parent or legal guardian.
  • — Unsupervised student or youth groups cannot be booked.
  • — Guests who will be 24 weeks pregnant or more by the last day of the cruise may not sail.
Checked 2026-09-24
MSC CruisesA minor is anyone under 21 on voyages calling at a US port, and under 18 on voyages that do not
  • — A minor cannot embark unless accompanied by a parent, guardian or other authorized person over that same age.
  • — On voyages calling at a US port, under-21s may not order or drink alcohol or gamble.
Checked 2026-09-21
Holland America LineNobody under 21 may book, and any guest under 21 must share a stateroom with someone 21 or older
  • — For family groups booking multiple staterooms, the minimum in each room is 16, if traveling with a parent or legal guardian.
  • — Where minors travel with only one adult 21 or over, every guest must hold a valid passport.
Checked 2026-09-21
Disney Cruise Line6 months old on most itineraries, and 1 year on transatlantic, Hawaii, Panama Canal and South Pacific
  • — Disney's contract defines a Responsible Adult as the parent or guardian, or an adult over 18 they have authorized.
Checked 2026-09-21
Virgin Voyages18 and over — every sailing is adults only
  • — The minimum age to book and to sail is 18 years old.
  • — Virgin creates every voyage exclusively for adults.
Checked 2026-09-21
Viking18 and over on the day of embarkation
  • — All guests must be 18 years old on or before the day they embark.
  • — Viking does not maintain facilities or services on board for younger guests.
Checked 2026-09-21
Cunard LineNobody under 21 may book, and any guest under 21 must share a stateroom with someone 21 or older
  • — For family groups booking multiple staterooms, the minimum in each room is 16, if traveling with a parent or legal guardian.
  • — Where minors travel with only one adult 21 or over, every guest must hold a valid passport.
Checked 2026-09-21
Oceania Cruises18 and over — adults only since January 7, 2026
  • — From January 7, 2026, Oceania accepts only guests aged 18 and older on all new reservations.
  • — Reservations made before January 7, 2026 that include travelers under 18 are still honored.
Checked 2026-09-24

12 of 12 lines recorded. Blank rows are gaps in our data, not gaps in the line’s policy.