Cruising with minor children
Anchors Aweigh, Families! Making Memories Cruising with Minors!
Embarking on a cruise with your children can unlock a world of shared adventures and create lasting family memories. The convenience of having accommodations, dining, and entertainment all in one floating resort makes it an incredibly appealing vacation option for families. From exploring exotic destinations together to enjoying a plethora of onboard activities, a cruise offers a unique blend of relaxation and excitement for every age group. However, it’s important for parents to be aware that cruise lines, while incredibly welcoming to families, often have specific and sometimes strict policies in place regarding their minor guests to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone onboard. Understanding these guidelines will help you navigate your family cruise smoothly and make the most of your time at sea.
One of the standout features that makes cruising so attractive for families is the abundance of dedicated kids’ clubs and activities offered by most major cruise lines. These programs are typically age-specific, providing engaging and supervised fun for toddlers, children, and teenagers. From arts and crafts and games to themed parties and age-appropriate social events, these kids’ clubs offer a fantastic opportunity for children to make new friends and participate in activities tailored to their interests, all while giving parents some valuable downtime to relax and enjoy other aspects of the ship. Beyond the kids’ clubs, cruise ships are packed with amenities that appeal to younger travelers, including multiple swimming pools, waterslides, mini-golf, arcade games, and often even dedicated teen lounges. The daily schedule is usually filled with family-friendly entertainment options, ensuring there’s never a dull moment for the younger members of your crew.
While catering to families is a priority, cruise lines also recognize the need for adult relaxation. Therefore, most ships feature designated adults-only areas, such as serenity pool decks, quiet lounges, and adults-only bars. These spaces provide a peaceful sanctuary for parents and other adult guests to unwind and enjoy some child-free time. Knowing that these havens exist can make a family cruise even more appealing, offering a balance between shared family fun and individual relaxation.
A particularly important policy to be aware of when cruising with young children is the restriction regarding water areas. For health and safety reasons, children who are not fully potty trained are typically not permitted in any of the ship’s swimming pools, hot tubs, or splash pads. No swim diapers are allowed. This policy is strictly enforced to prevent contamination and maintain a hygienic environment for all guests. Families with infants and toddlers who are not yet reliably potty trained should plan their onboard water activities accordingly, focusing on other family-friendly entertainment options available. Understanding this policy beforehand will prevent disappointment once onboard.
In conclusion, cruising with minors can be an incredibly rewarding and memorable family vacation. The combination of diverse activities, dedicated kids’ programs, and the convenience of an all-inclusive setting makes it a fantastic choice for multi-generational travel. By being mindful of the cruise line’s specific policies regarding minor guests, particularly those concerning water areas, and by taking advantage of the wealth of family-friendly amenities and kids’ clubs available, you can ensure a smooth, safe, and utterly enjoyable cruise experience for your entire family. So pack your bags, prepare for adventure, and get ready to create unforgettable memories at sea! #CruiseFamilyFun #TravelWithKids #FamilyTravelTips
Minor guest policy on Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival minor guest policy
Guests under 21 years of age MUST¹ travel with a relative or guardian 25 years of age or older.
- The guardian does not need to be a legal guardian
- The bookings must be cross-referenced with the relative or guardian's stateroom and documented properly
- Guests who are 21 to 24 years of age may travel with their minor children
- Minors traveling together must have 1 chaperone for every 8 minors
- Minors traveling together, 8 ore more staterooms must be booked through the group department and a $100 damage deposit will be charged PER MINOR
- Minors must be aged 12 or older to cruise in Terrazza accommodations
- Minors must be aged 12 or older to cruise in Havana accommodations
When traveling with a minor where one parent or both parents or legal guardians are not cruising, it’s strongly recommended to bring an original, signed letter from the absent parent/guardian authoriazing the minor to travel with you.
If there is no second parent/guardian with legal claims to the minor due to sole custody, deceased, etc., other relevant paperwork such as a court decision, death certificate, birth certificate naming only one parent would be useful to bring. This will expedite processing by the Department of Homeland Security.
¹Exceptions
Guests under 21 years old may travel without a relative or guardian that’s 25 years old or older under the following conditions:
Legally married couples
- Proper documentation must be provided at embarkation. Failure to provide documentation or not conforming to this policy will result in denied boarding and no compensation will be provided.
- Documentation includes: Marriage license application or certificate signed by the official that performed the ceremony.
Qualified Military Personnel
- Applies to United States Military Personnel and Canadian National Defense personnel (and their traveling companions in the same stateroom 18-20 years of age.)
- Copy of proof of service must be provided at embarkation. Failure to provide documentation or not conforming to this policy will result in denied boarding and no compensation will be provided.
Which cabins can minors be booked in?
Guests 14 and younger
Guests 14 and younger must be booked with a relative or guardian aged 25 or older in the same cabin, or a connecting cabin.
Guests 15-17 years old
Guests aged 15-17 can be separated by up to 3 cabins from a relative or guardian aged 25 or older. The cabins must be linked as “travel with” and must be noted and cross referenced.
Guests 18 and over
Guests 18 years of age and older do not have any restrictions on stateroom location and may book whatever location they prefer. Their reservations must be linked with a “travel with” a relative or guardian aged 25 or older. The reservations must be noted and cross referenced.
Minor guest policy on Royal Carribean
Royal Caribbean minor guest policy
Guests must be 21 years of age or older to sail unaccompanied. No guest younger than 21 years of age will be assigned a stateroom unless accompanied in the same stateroom by an adult 21 year of age or older. The age limit will be waived for children sailing with their parents or guardians in connecting staterooms; for underage married couples; and for active duty members of the United States of Canadian military.
Adults who are not the parent or legal guardian of a minor traveling with them must present an original, notarized letter signed by the child’s parent(s) authorizing the adult to take the child on the specific cruise, supervise the child, and allow emergency medical treatment to be administered, if needed. This is necessary even when the adult traveling is part of the child’s extended family (i.e. aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc).
Minor guest policy on Norwegian Cruise Lines
NCL minor guest policy
Norwegian Cruise Line’s policy dictates that a minor or young adult under the age of 21 must be accompanied in the same stateroom (or a connecting/adjoining stateroom) by a guest 21 years of age or older at the time of boarding.
Minors – an individual under the age of 18 on the day of embarkation/boarding.
Young Adult– an individual between the ages of 18 and 20.
Note: Two people under the age of 21 may travel together in the same stateroom if they are a married couple and provide proof of marriage to a Norwegian Cruise Line representative at the pier prior to boarding.
Travelling with Minors Unaccompanied by Parent or Legal Guardian*:
For passengers under the age of 18 travelling with an accompanying adult, who is not the minor’s parent or legal guardian, a Parent/Guardian Consent Form that authorizes the minor’s travel and further authorizes medical treatment in case of an emergency must be delivered to a Norwegian representative at the pier during check-in. Failure to produce this letter at embarkation may result in boarding being denied. Both living parents/legal guardians must sign and complete this form and attach a copy of his/her driver’s license or other government issued identification. Minors of the same parent(s)/legal guardian(s) may be listed on the same form.
