What is the Minimum Age to Go On a Cruise?
There are age restrictions for babies on cruise ships – and it even depends on how long and where the voyage goes. What is the minimum age to go on a cruise? We’ve done the research so you don’t have to.
I started bringing my kids on cruises when they were six months old – the literal first day they were allowed to cruise on nearly ever cruise line. And for longer voyages they needed to be a year old. Let’s break down the age restrictions and rules of cruise lines.
Make Your Cruise Smooth Sailing with These Resources
1. Check out this baby cruise gear must-have packing list
2. Search cruises on ships that have baby splash pads here (yes, just those ships!)
3. Get a download of our cruise line guide for babies by clicking here
How old does a baby have to be to go on a cruise?
What is the minimum age to go on a cruise? In general babies have to be 6 months to cruise. The only exception to this is MSC – which ironically has both the most restrictive and most generous baby age policy.
On MSC for cruises less than 11 days, there is no minimum age for babies. However, on cruises longer than 11 days, babies aren’t allowed, and rather toddlers need to be at least 2 years old – they are the only major cruise line that has a 2 year requirement versus 12 months.
On every other major cruise line that allows babies, if the itinerary has more than 2 or 3 sea days in a row (typically 3 sea days+) the baby needs to be 1 year old.
There are also some restrictions for expedition cruises or cruises to Antarctica, sometimes requiring the child to be 5 or 6 years old. If you are planning an expedition cruise talk to a travel professional to make sure you are meeting the requirements.
Additionally, some cruise lines such as Viking Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Saga Cruise Line do not allow children at all.
Minimum Age to Go On a Cruise for Each Cruise Line
|
Cruise Line |
Minimum Age |
Longer Voyages Age Requirements |
Additional Age Restriction Information |
Link for additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ambassador Cruise Line |
3 years on Renaissance |
Adults only on Ambience and Ambition except for our advertised multi-generational cruises. Renaissance welcomes children 3+ |
||
|
Azamara |
6 months |
12 months |
For transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, select South America and other selected cruises and/or CruiseTours, the infant must be at least 12 months old and any cruise with three or more consecutive days at sea |
|
|
Carnival |
6 months |
12 months |
12 months for voyages with: |
|
|
Celebrity |
6 months |
12 months |
12 months for voyages with: |
|
|
Costa Cruises |
6 months |
12 months |
12 months for voyages: |
|
|
Crystal |
6 months |
none |
no other requirements noted in their Booking Terms & Conditions |
|
|
Cunard |
6 months |
12 months |
12 months for voyages: |
|
|
Disney |
6 months |
12 months |
12 months for voyages: |
|
|
Explora Journeys |
6 months |
|||
|
Fred. Olsen |
12 months |
We are delighted to accept booking for younger guests, aged between 12 months and 17 years on board Bolette and Balmoral. (Borealis is Adults Only). |
||
|
Holland America |
6 months |
12 months |
12 months for voyages: |
|
|
MSC Cruises |
no minimum |
2 years |
2 years for voyages 11 nights or longer |
|
|
Norwegian |
6 months |
12 months |
12 months for voyages with 3+ sea days in a row |
|
|
Oceania |
ADULTS ONLY |
|||
|
P&O Cruises |
6 months |
12 months |
12 months for remote voyages or those with extensive sea days. For the full list click here. |
|
|
Princess Cruises |
6 months |
12 months |
6 months on 6 months on Alaska, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Europe, Mexico and Trans-canal cruises and 12 months on all others |
|
|
Regent Seven Seas |
6 months |
12 months |
12 months if the voyage has 3 or more consecutive days at sea |
|
|
Royal Caribbean |
6 months |
12 months |
12 months for transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, Australia and South America sailings – and any with 3 or more consecutive days at sea. |
|
|
Seabourn |
6 months/ |
12 months |
12 months for trans-ocean crossings and on remote itineraries, where there are more than two consecutive sea days. |
|
|
Silversea |
6 months |
Silversea Expedition cruises require guests to be 5 years old. |
||
|
Viking Ocean |
ADULTS ONLY |
|||
|
Virgin Voyages |
ADULTS ONLY |
|||
|
Windstar |
8 years old |
Cruising with a Baby Cruise Line Overview
Plus, read our full post on Cruising with a Baby here.
BONUS:
🧳 Baby Cruise Packing Essentials (Quick List)
Health & Hygiene
- ✅ First aid kit (include baby-safe medications)
- ✅ At least twice as many diapers and wipes as you think you’ll need
- ✅ Portable changing pad
- ✅ Travel-size baby dish soap + sponge or bottle brush
- ✅ Inflatable baby tub (cruise cabins usually don’t have bathtubs)
Feeding
- ✅ Baby utensils (spoons, forks) & sippy cups
- ✅ Containers for storing buffet food in your cabin fridge
Sleep & Comfort
- ✅ Blackout cover for travel crib (SlumberPod)
- ✅ Baby monitor (especially useful for balcony rooms)
- ✅ Comfort items like favorite toys or lovey
Gear
- ✅ Lightweight travel stroller
- ✅ Baby carrier
- ✅ Over-the-door organizer (great for small cabin storage!)
For Mom
- ✅ Nursing-friendly clothing
- ✅ Clothes that actually make you feel good and comfortable
To read more check out our complete guide to cruising with a baby with an expanded packing list here.
FAQ’s:
What is the minimum age for Royal Caribbean?
Infants have to at minimum be six months old at the start of a voyage to sail with Royal Caribbean. There are exceptions to this though, with Royal Caribbean requiring infants to be 12 months old for transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, Australia and South America sailings – and any with 3 or more consecutive days at sea.
Can you take a 3 month old on a cruise?
The only cruise line that would allow a three month old onboard is MSC Cruises and only for some of their voyages. Every other cruise line has a minimum age to cruise of at least six months with many being even older.
Why can’t babies under 6 months go on a cruise?
Onboard medical facilities onboard are not equipped to handle all emergencies, including those of incredibly young infants. Additionally not all ports are equipped to handle the sometimes specialized diagnostic facilities and treatment that might be needed for infants. Other reasons that may have gone into a cruise lines decision:
- life jacket size requirements
- risk of SIDS and other infant issues are greater prior to six months
- insurance policies – what the cruise lines insurance was willing to cover
- postpartum related challenges like postpartum depression often present themselves before six months
Final Thoughts:
What is the minimum age to go on a cruise?
There is so much to consider when cruising with a baby, but at the end of the day the biggest thing to consider is the incredible experience you and your family will have on this vacation.
Make sure you plan ahead and research your cruise and cruise line, be smart with your packing, and you can have an incredible time cruising with a baby.
