Little passengers, big question: what does a cruise with kids cost?
In this article we sum up the most important things to know about child fares on cruises, so you can plan your next cruise with confidence and no surprises.
Cruising is one of the best family holidays there is, but it is not always clear how much a cruise costs for children or how the different cruise lines work out the child fare. Every company has its own rules on who counts as a child, when someone counts as an adult, and what discounts children get, or don’t.
Who counts as a child on a cruise?
Cruise lines use different age categories, and there is no single rule for when a child starts paying the full fare. On top of that, some lines go by the day you board and others by the day you disembark.
Important: child fares depend not just on the age limit but also on which day of the cruise your child has their next birthday. Every cruise line goes by the child’s age on the day of boarding, except Costa, which uses the day of disembarkation. You don’t pay extra if your child moves into a new age group during the cruise, unless they turn 18 on board, in which case the adult fare applies.
On Carnival ships you cannot travel alone if you are under 21: whoever travels with you must be at least 25. The exception is parents aged 21–24 travelling with their own children.
Child fares: when is a cruise free?
We have rounded up, cruise line by cruise line, when children cruise free and what discounts they get on the fare.
| Cruise line | Child pricing (sharing a cabin with two adults) |
| MSC | Children under 2 travel completely free. From 2 to 18, the cruise line may offer child discounts depending on the cruise and current promotions. |
| Costa | Under 18s pay only the port charges and the mandatory gratuities: under 4s pay no gratuities, 4 to 14-year-olds pay 50% of the gratuities, and over 14s pay them in full |
| Carnival | Every passenger, babies included, pays the full fare. Under 2s pay no mandatory gratuities. |
| Celebrity | Every passenger, babies included, pays the full fare. |
| Norwegian | The 3rd and 4th passengers in the same cabin pay a reduced fare. |
| Royal Caribbean | With seasonal promotions, children under 12 can travel free when booked as the 3rd or 4th passenger in the same cabin as two adults. |
| Silversea | Every passenger pays the full fare. Children under 6 cannot join some cruises. |
| Virgin Voyages | Passengers under 18 are not allowed on board. |
| Celestyal | Children under 3 travel free when sharing a cabin with two adults paying the full fare. They pay only the port charges and the mandatory gratuities. |
Babies: how young is too young?
Most cruise lines don’t allow babies under 6 months on board, and on some itineraries (such as ocean crossings and far-flung destinations) the minimum age is 12 months. That is why it matters to give your child’s exact date of birth when you book. The good news: in the CLICKnCRUISE cruise search you can also enter a child’s age in months, so the child fares you see are spot on.
Cruising while pregnant: how late can you go?
Most cruise lines don’t allow you on board after the 24th week of pregnancy, counted at the date the cruise ends. So before you book, check with your doctor and read the cruise line’s official guidelines.
Good to know about child fares
These conditions can change at any time. We keep our articles up to date, but before you book, or if you are unsure, check with us first!
Our top tips for travelling with kids
- Always ask which age limits and discounts apply on the ship you have chosen: they can vary with the season and current promotions.
- When you book, give your child’s exact age on the day of boarding/disembarkation!
- Check whether there is a kids’ programme, kids’ club or childcare: these differ from one cruise line to the next. Look up the ship on our blog, or if you can’t find what you are looking for, get in touch!
More questions about child discounts or cruising with kids? Email us at ahoy@clickncruise.com.
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