Two of the world’s biggest cruise lines are cracking down on young travelers cruising on their own. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line quietly changed their minimum age policies in February 2025.

They are still two of the most family- and kid-friendly cruise lines out there, with cruise guests of all ages welcomed.

The change is for young adults traveling without an older grownup.

Now, to sail unaccompanied on either cruise line, guests embarking from North American ports must be a minimum of 21 years old. That’s up from the previous minimum age of 18.

From now on, a Royal Caribbean guest under the age of 21 will have to be accompanied by someone over 21 (parents or guardians may be in a connecting stateroom.)

On Carnival, someone under 21 must sail with someone over the age of 25.

But there are exceptions.

Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival will waive the new minimum age policy for guests 18-20 who provide proof they are married or active duty members of the United States or Canadian military. So very young honeymooners need not worry!

In addition, if you’re embarking on your Royal Caribbean cruise outside North America, the rules are different. Royal Caribbean's minimum age to sail unaccompanied on sailings embarking from Europe, South America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand remains 18.

Carnival’s new 21-year-old policy appears to apply to all its ships, everywhere, regardless of where your cruise originates.

The two cruise lines’ new age policies affect new bookings made after February 1, 2025. If you booked before February 1, the previous policies apply.

What about the other ‘family’ cruise lines?

The new minor age traveler policies at Carnival and Royal Caribbean largely appear to line up with what’s already happening at other big-ship, family-focused cruise lines, based on the information on their websites.

Norwegian Cruise Line uses the 21-years-of-age cut-off. Anyone under 21 on the day of embarkation must be accompanied in the same or connecting stateroom by another guest 21 years or older. Like the new rules at Carnival and Royal Caribbean, Norwegian's policies also make an exception for married couples under 21.

European-based MSC Cruises updated its policies in 2024. If your cruise has a port in the USA, anyone under 21 is considered a minor. If your MSC cruise does not have a port in the USA, a minor is anyone under 18.

“MSC Cruises does not permit minors to occupy a cabin without the presence of at least one adult. For sailings within the US, guests aged 18-20 can be accommodated in a cabin alone, provided they are traveling with a guest aged 21 or older.”

If you have booked or are planning a cruise involving young adults, double-check your cruise line rules to avoid problems when boarding!