Is there an age limit for cruises?
The short answer
The age rules the cruise lines publish are minimum ages — for children, and for booking a cabin. None of the rules we checked sets a maximum age. What matters later in life is traveling safely: health cover, and any help you need getting around.Free guide2 min readUpdated September 2026
The age rules each line publishes
| Cruise line | What the line says | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival Cruise Line | Infants must be at least 6 months old on most itineraries | September 21, 2026 |
| Royal Caribbean International | Drinking age is 21 from North America, the UAE and the private destinations; 18 elsewhere | September 21, 2026 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Anyone under 21 is a minor and must be accompanied by a guest 21 or older | September 21, 2026 |
| MSC Cruises | A minor is anyone under 21 on voyages calling at a US port, and under 18 on voyages that do not | September 21, 2026 |
| Princess Cruises | Under-21s must share a stateroom with a guest 21 or older | September 24, 2026 |
| Celebrity Cruises | No guest under 21 is booked in a stateroom unless an adult 21 or older is with them | September 21, 2026 |
| Disney Cruise Line | 6 months old on most itineraries, and 1 year on transatlantic, Hawaii, Panama Canal and South Pacific | September 21, 2026 |
| Holland America Line | Nobody under 21 may book, and any guest under 21 must share a stateroom with someone 21 or older | September 21, 2026 |
| Virgin Voyages | 18 and over — every sailing is adults only | September 21, 2026 |
| Viking | 18 and over on the day of embarkation | September 21, 2026 |
| Cunard Line | Nobody under 21 may book, and any guest under 21 must share a stateroom with someone 21 or older | September 21, 2026 |
| Oceania Cruises | 18 and over — adults only since January 7, 2026 | September 24, 2026 |
If you want a ship with no children at all, choose an adults-only line: Virgin Voyages, Viking or Oceania. See best cruise lines for seniors.
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