Carnival Cruise Line Minimum Age Policy
Guests are required to be 21 years of age (on embarkation day) to travel on their own. Guest ages will be verified at embarkation. Guests not conforming to this policy will result in denied boarding and no compensation will be provided at embarkation.
Minor Guest Policy
Guests Under the Age of 21 MUST: travel with a relative or guardian of 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.
- Havana Staterooms and Suites: Minors must be 12 years of age or older in order to cruise in Havana accommodations.
Minors Traveling Together - the policy is slightly different because of stricter guidelines as follows:
- Must have 1 chaperone for every 8 minors.
- Prepaid gratuities per minor are due at final payment.
- 8 or more staterooms must be booked through the Group Department and a $100 damage deposit per minor will be charged.
Traveling with Minors
When traveling with a minor where one parent or both parents or legal guardians are not cruising, Carnival Cruises strongly recommends bringing an original signed letter from the absent parent(s) or legal guardians authorizing the minor to travel with you. This will expedite processing by the Department of Homeland Security.
Where minor guests can be booked in relation to relative or guardian:
- Guests 12 and younger: If the relative or guardian insists on booking separate staterooms, minors must either be directly across the hall or next door. Guests 12 and under may not be assigned to a balcony stateroom without a relative or guardian (25 years of age or older).
- Guests 13 - 17 years of age: Can be booked up to 3 staterooms away from a relative or guardian (25 years of age or older).
- Guests 18 - 20 years of age: Do not have any restrictions and may book whatever location they prefer.
Exceptions
Guests under the age of 21 may travel without a relative or guardian of 25 years of age 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 issued by the County Clerk's Office; legal proof of civil union; for newly married couples: a copy of the marriage license application or certificate signed by the official that performed the ceremony.
Qualified Military Personnel:
- Applies to US Military Personnel and Canadian National Defense personnel (and their traveling companions in the same stateroom) of 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.
Infant Policy
Cruise fares are per person which includes children and infants. When traveling with 2 full fare guests, additional guests in the same stateroom pay a discounted cruise fare. Children less than 2 years of age are not required to extend gratuities.
The policy below is in place due to the infant's vulnerable health. While at sea or in port, the availability of medical care may be limited or delayed. Early infant care, in particular may require specialized diagnostic facilities and/or treatment that are not obtainable during the cruise on board the ship or ashore in ports of call.
Domestic and Europe Cruises:
Infants must be at least 6 months of age at the time of embarkation in order to sail with the exception of the following cruises:
- Children must be at least 12 months of age at the time of embarkation in order to sail on trans-ocean crossings and remote itineraries, where there are more than 2 consecutive sea days.
Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and South Pacific Cruises:
Infants must be at least 6 months of age at the time of embarkation in order to sail on domestic cruises (cruises to Australia, Tasmania or Cruises to Nowhere), with the exception of the following cruises:
- For any cruise, regardless of length, if it includes at least one International port (Pacific Islands, New Zealand, Singapore and Hawaii), an infant must be at least 12 months of age at the time of embarkation in order to sail.
- In addition, any itinerary that includes more than 2 consecutive days at sea, an infant must be at least 12 months of age at the time of embarkation in order to sail.
Age Restrictions on Board
Drinking Alcoholic Beverages / Tobacco Products:
- Guests must be 21 years of age or older to be served alcohol on board. Proper I.D with birth date is required.
- In keeping with U.S. federal law, the age for the sale of tobacco products is 21. This policy is for U.S.-based itineraries/ships only.
Casino and Bingo:
- Guests must be 18 years of age or older to play the tables and the slot machines.
- Guests under 18 years of age are not permitted in the casino.
- Guests must be 18 years of age to purchase a bingo card and play.
Serenity Adult-Only Retreat:
- Guests must be 21 years of age or older to be in the "Serenity" adults-only area.
Spa Carnival and Cloud 9 Spa:
- Fitness Center and Studio: Guests must be at least 18 years of age to use the fitness facilities on their own. Minor guests (12-17 years of age) may use the facilities provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian (subject to restrictions posted outside the Fitness Center).
- Salon: Salon services (hair, nail and facial services) are available to guests of all ages.
- Spa Facilities: Guests must be at least 18 years of age to receive treatments or utilize spa facilities, including the sauna and steam rooms (within the locker rooms) as well as use of the Thermal Suite and Thalassotherapy Pool at the Cloud 9 Spas.
- ZSPA: Teens (13-17 years of age) must be accompanied by an adult when they book treatments on board. Parents or a guardian must complete and sign the spa's consultation form acknowledging their consent before services are rendered.
Lounges, Shows and the Dance Club:
- Guests under the age of 18 should be accompanied by an adult in all public areas of the ship.
- Guests under the age of 18 must vacate the dance club by 10:00pm.
- Guests under the age of 18 may not attend late-night Punchliner Comedy Club shows which may be "R" rated.
Shore Excursions:
- Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) to participate in shore excursions. Some excursions require a minimum age to participate and will be noted accordingly.
Getting Off the Ship in Port:
- Minor children 16 years of age and older may debark the ship in port without a parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian wishes to raise this age limit, they must contact the onboard Security department.
- Minor children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) within the same travel group in order to debark the ship in port.
Minimum Age Policies are subject to change by the cruise line. For the most current Carnival Cruise Line Minimum Age Policies, please refer to the Carnival Cruise Line website.