Are there age restrictions?

To cruise unaccompanied, most lines require guests to be 21 years old, or accompanied by someone 21 years old (25 on some lines). The only exceptions are:

• Disney and Oceania, which allow 18 year olds to cruise
• Married couples under 21 are allowed on RCI and Carnival

To drink alcohol, all major cruise lines require guests to be 21. The only exceptions are:

• During cruises in Europe, Asia and Australia, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity allow parents accompanying their children can sign a waiver allowing guests aged 18-20 to drink onbaord

Babies, accompanied by a parent, must be between 3 and 12 months old, depending on the line and itinerary. In general, cruise lines will not board women who are more than 24 weeks pregnant.

Cruise Line Specifics

Azamara

• Age to cruise unaccompanied: 21. Otherwise, must be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older. This age limit will be waived for minor children sailing with their parents or guardians in adjacent staterooms.
• Age to drink: 21. However, on ships in Europe, South America and Australia, a parent who is sailing with his/her child may sign a waiver allowing an 18 to 20 year old to alcohol.
• Source: Azamara FAQ and Azamara Alcohol Policy

Carnival

• Age to cruise unaccompanied: 21. Exceptions: sharing a stateroom with someone 25+, traveling with a parent or guardian, sharing a stateroom with their spouse. Must provide evidence of age and/or marriage.
• Age to drink alcohol: 21. No exceptions or parental waivers, even for travel in Europe.
• Age to gamble: 18
• Other restrictions: If under 18, must leave nightclubs by 10:45
• Babies: infants must be at least 6 months old, or 12 months for trans-ocean crossings. Expectant mothers must be earlier than the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy by the time of the voyage
• Source: Carnival Age Restrictions and Cruise Contract

Celebrity

• Age to sail unaccompanied: 21. No exceptions, though minors can sail with their parents or guardians in adjacent staterooms.
• Age to drink alcohol: 21. However, on ships in Europe, South America and Australia, a parent who is sailing with his/her child may sign a waiver allowing an 18 to 20 year old to alcohol.
• Source: Celebrity age FAQ, alcohol waiver

Costa

• Age to sail unaccompanied: 21. Otherwise must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. On selected seasonal departures (usually Spring Break), guests 21 to 24 must have one person at least 25 years old in the same stateroom, who shall be responsible for the under-age 25
• Age to drink alcohol: 21 years old for cruises departing from U.S. ports and 18 years old for cruises departing from non-U.S. ports
• Babies: Infants must be at least 6 months of age at the time of embarkation to sail. Infants must be at least 12 months of age at the time of embarkation to sail on the following: trans-ocean crossings (Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, etc.), World cruises, cruises of 15 days or longer duration, and any other itinerary which may in the opinion of Costa Crociere or CCL present serious risk to infants in need of emergency medical care.
• Source: Costa Terms and Conditions

Disney

• Age to sail unaccompanied: 18
• Minimum drinking age: 21
• Babies: Infants must be at least 12 weeks old. Women who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy as of their embarkation date will be refused passage due to safety concerns.
• Source: Disney Cruise Terms & Conditions

Holland America Line

• Age to sail unaccompanied: 21. If under 21, must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or chaperone who is at least 25 years old; one adult chaperone is required for every five people under the age of 21
• Age to drink alcohol: 21, no exceptions
• Babies: Infants must be at least 6 months old at time of sailing. For transocean crossings, or other itineraries which our Medical Department feel present a significant risk, infants must be a minimum of 12 months
• Source: HAL Policies - Under 21

MSC Cruises

• Age to sail unaccompanied: 21. Otherwise must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult over the age of 21 who expressly agrees to be responsible for the minor and is booked in the same or connecting stateroom/suite.
• Age to drink alcohol: 21
• Babies: MSC Cruises cannot accept expectant mothers who will have entered the 27th week or third trimester of pregnancy by the beginning or or at any time during their cruise.
• Source: MSC Cruises USA

Oceania

• Age to sail unaccompanied: 18. Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by and occupy the same accommodations as an adult aged 25 years or older
• Age to drink alcohol: 21, no exceptions
• Babies: Oceania Cruises is unable to accommodate women past their sixth month of pregnancy; no other stated regulations
• Source: Oceania Terms & Conditions

Princess

• Age to sail unaccompanied: 21. "Passengers under the age of 21 years must be accompanied by a Passenger 21 years or older who shall assume responsibility for their care during the cruise"
• Age to drink alcohol: 21, no exceptions
• Age to gamble: 21 on all sailings
• Babies: Infants must be 6 months on Alaska, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Europe, Mexico, Trans-canal and Australia/New Zealand cruises, and 12 months on all other cruises.
• Source: Princess Passage Contract

Royal Caribbean International

• Age to sail unaccompanied: 21. Otherwise must be accompanied by an adult 21+, or minors sailing with their parents or guardians in adjacent staterooms or married couples (proof of marriage is required).
• Age to drink alcohol: 21. Exception: on cruises departing from European and South American, a parent who is sailing with his or her child may sign a waiver allowing their 18 to 20 year old to child to consume alcoholic beverages.
• Age to gamble: 18, except in Alaska sailings,where guests must be 21
• Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ