The short answer: most cruise lines require babies to be at least 6 months old to sail. That rises to 12 months for longer voyages, such as transatlantic crossings and some remote itineraries. In addition, anyone under 21 must share a stateroom or travel party with an adult 21 or older. To book a cabin on your own, you generally must be at least 21, although a few lines allow 18. Below is how these 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. These include transatlantic and transpacific crossings and certain South American, Australian, and Hawaiian voyages. The reason is simple: those trips have more consecutive days at sea and are farther from medical care. At the other end, there is no upper age limit to cruise. In fact, cruising is very popular with older travelers, thanks to its easy pace and onboard medical care.
Do minors need to travel with an adult?
Yes. Anyone under 21 almost always must share a stateroom with a parent, guardian, or another adult 21 or older. Some lines also allow an adjacent cabin. If a minor sails without a parent, most lines require a signed parental consent letter. Some also want it notarized. For example, this applies when a child travels with grandparents, an aunt, or a family friend. The letter grants permission to travel and authorizes medical care. Rules differ by line, so confirm the exact requirement and paperwork 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. That includes Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, and Norwegian. Some lines lower that to 18. There are also exceptions for married couples with a marriage certificate. Active-duty military can often sail at 18 with proper ID. In addition, a few lines let 18-to-20-year-olds book when an adult 21 or older is in an adjacent cabin. Because these young-adult policies vary the most, 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 other regions, such as Europe, South America, and Asia, the minimum is often 18. Some lines also let 18-to-20-year-olds drink beer and wine with a parent’s written consent in those regions. Virgin Voyages, for example, allows guests 18 and older to drink in international waters. However, its drinking age is 21 in U.S. waters and on all Alaska sailings, according to Virgin’s sailor conduct policy. In short, the rule depends on where the ship sails, not on your home country.
Age-based programs and adults-only options
Most big-ship lines split youth programs by age. Supervised kids’ clubs typically start around age 3 (potty-trained), followed by separate tween and teen spaces. Family-focused lines like Disney and Royal Caribbean also offer nurseries for children under 3, sometimes for a fee. On the other hand, if you want to avoid children entirely, choose an adults-only line. Virgin Voyages and Viking’s ocean ships both require every guest to be 18 or older, 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. The paperwork for a minor traveling without a parent is also easy to get wrong. Our advisors verify the exact policy for your itinerary and make sure everyone has the right documents. We also 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. 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. That rises to 12 months for transatlantic and other itineraries with several sea days in a row. The drinking age is 21 in U.S. waters. You generally must be 21 to have your own cabin. However, Carnival lets 18-to-20-year-olds book their own cabin when a relative or guardian 25 or older sails with them.
Holland America. The same 6-month infant rule applies, rising to 12 months for long sea-day routes. However, the drinking age drops to 18 on voyages round-trip from Europe and several Asian ports. It is 20 on cruises round-trip from Japan. Guests under 21 must share a cabin with someone 21 or older. Married couples who are both at least 18 are the main exception.
Luxury and adult-focused lines (Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, Azamara). These lines skew adult, even though most of them welcome children. Several require infants to be at least 12 months old, and children’s programs are rare or seasonal. Guests under 21 (or under 18 on some lines) must share a suite with an adult. A few lines allow solo travel from age 18.
Cruise age requirements: frequently asked questions
Most cruise lines require a child to be at least 6 months old, rising to 12 months for longer voyages like transatlantic crossings and some exotic itineraries. There is no maximum age. Any passenger under 21 must sail with an adult 21 or older in their party.
Yes, but a minor must travel with an adult 21 or older, and if that adult is not a parent or legal guardian, most lines require a signed, sometimes notarized, parental consent letter authorizing travel and medical care. Requirements vary by line, so confirm before booking.
On most major lines the minimum age to book and sail without an older adult is 21. Some lines allow 18, and there are exceptions for married couples and active-duty military, who can often sail at 18 with documentation. This is the policy that varies most, so confirm it for your line.
More Questions About Cruise Age Rules
It depends on where the ship sails. On cruises from or within U.S. waters the drinking age is 21; on itineraries based entirely in international regions it is often 18. Some lines allow 18-to-20-year-olds to drink beer and wine with written parental consent abroad. Virgin Voyages allows drinking at 18 in international waters but requires 21 in U.S. waters and on Alaska sailings.
No. There is no upper age limit for cruising, and it is one of the most popular vacation styles for older travelers because of its relaxed pace, accessibility, and onboard medical facilities. Travelers with health conditions should check with their doctor and consider travel insurance.
Please note: event dates, ticket prices, ship assignments, and seasonal offerings change from year to year and can sell out or be updated without notice. The details here are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing; always confirm current prices and availability directly with the cruise line, theme park, or tour operator, or let an Atlas advisor confirm them for you, before booking.
