8 Cruise Lines That Offer Free Cruises for Kids
Even with accommodations, meals and entertainment wrapped up in its fares, cruising can still be pricey if you take the entire family. As you plan your sea adventure, you might wonder, "Do kids sail free on cruises?" We have some good news for you: kids do sail for free on several cruise lines.
Before we dive into our list of cruise lines that allow kids to cruise for free, you should be aware of a few caveats: With most lines, kids' free fares are only available as limited-time promotions, require applicable taxes and fees to be paid for each passenger and necessitate sharing a cabin with the junior travelers as the third and/or fourth passengers in the room. (Contact a travel agent or your cruise line for specific information before booking any cruise.)
Without further ado, here is our list of eight cruise lines that offer free cruises for kids.
1. MSC Cruises: An Already Affordable Cruise Line with LEGO and Chicco Partnerships
MSC Cruises is a splashy and elegant line -- and it's also affordable. With colorful, fun children's facilities, onboard arcade games and partnerships with LEGO and European brand Chicco, MSC ships are decidedly kid-friendly.
Bonus: MSC vessels cater to an international passenger base, so they're ideal for children curious about other languages and cultures. MSC is a big draw for families, with children under 18 traveling in the same cabin as their parents cruising for free. (Taxes and port fees must still be paid on all free and reduced-fare cruises.)
2. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL): "Friends and Family Sail Free" Promotions
Every so often, Norwegian Cruise Line offers "friends and family sail free" deals as part of its Free at Sea pick-your-perk promotion; this means that third and fourth passengers in a cabin (e.g., your kids) don't have to pay the cruise fare.
The line's newer ships have a dizzying array of options, including arcade games, onboard bowling, top-deck ropes courses, circus school and dinner theater with acrobats and magicians. Additionally, all ships provide programming via Splash Academy, the line's kids club, especially for the kiddos.
3. Royal Caribbean: Seasonal Deals for Kids to Sail Free
Royal Caribbean achieves consistently high marks for its children's offerings. Newer ships boast teen lounges, arcades, onboard science labs, art studios, and nurseries and play areas for babies and toddlers.
Beyond specific programs, ships throughout the fleet offer kid-friendly features, like surf simulators, water slides, rock climbing walls and multi-story dry slides. Royal Caribbean frequently releases seasonal "third and fourth passenger" or "kids sail free" deals (check out Black Friday & Cyber Monday promotions), allowing parents to bring their kids 12 or younger for free or for a lower cost.
4. Holland America Line: "Kids Cruise Free" Promotion for 18 and Younger
Although Holland America Line (HAL) is known for drawing a somewhat older crowd, its shorter cruises and holiday sailings are excellent options for multigenerational family travel groups. The Kids' Club offers a fun-filled youth activities program for ages three to 17, with arts and crafts, sports, video game competitions, scavenger hunts, team games, and themed parties, all supervised by a full-time, professional staff.
Holland America Line's "Kids Cruise Free" promotion lets kids 18 and under cruise for free as the third or fourth guest in the same cabin on select 2024 and 2025 cruises, including exciting destinations like Hawaii, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, and more (taxes, fees, and port expenses still apply).
5. CroisiEurope: A Kid-Friendly River Cruise Line in Europe, a Rarity in River Cruising
The passenger base for CroisiEurope, a French-owned river line, skews slightly older, and its ships -- most with less than 200 passengers -- don't have all the flashy bells and whistles found on much larger ocean ships. However, river cruises are a solid option for well-behaved older kids and teens who enjoy cultural immersion and history.
River itineraries often include more than one port call per day, complete with in-depth (and complimentary) shore excursions that dive deep into the local customs and cuisine. Plus, kids cruise free (16 and younger) in Portugal, Spain, Italy and on the Rhine or at a discounted rate of 30 percent off the adult fare on the Dalmatian coast in Croatia and Montenegro on select Family Club voyages.
6. Paul Gauguin Cruises: A Luxury Line with Nature-Based Excursions in Far-Flung Destinations
Luxury line Paul Gauguin Cruises lets kids 17 and under sail free as a third guest when sharing a cabin with two paying cruisers on their French Polynesia itineraries, while those 18 and older pay just 30 percent of the adult fare plus taxes and fees.
These ships lack dedicated kids' facilities but offer the free Moana Explorer program on select summer and December sailings, with reservations required; some itineraries also feature extra activities for a small fee. Kids aged six to 15 can enjoy nature-themed activities like naturalist-led island excursions, stargazing and marine life games, making it an excellent choice for curious, well-behaved children who love water sports.
7. Cunard: A Formal Cruise Line with Outstanding Kid-Friendly Amenities
Formal cruise line Cunard is renowned for its transatlantic voyages on Queen Mary 2. Still, it's also a fantastic choice for kids sail free cruises. While it may not offer the adrenaline-packed fun of some mainstream ships, it features a dedicated Kids' Zone for ages eight to 12, a Teen Zone, and a children's program with age-appropriate activities. Plus, there's a free Night Nursery for children aged six to 23 months, and children are welcome in all theaters.
On the Queen Mary 2, the Illuminations planetarium offers spectacular daily shows that delight guests of all ages. Additionally, children under two sail free, and kids aged two to 17 sail at half the adult fare when traveling as a third or fourth passenger in a cabin (taxes, fees and port expenses apply).
8. Costa Cruises: A Plethora of Fun for Kids on a Popular Italian Cruise Line
Costa Cruises, a popular Italian cruise line, offers one of the best deals for families with kids, with children up to 18 sharing a cabin with two adults going free (port fees, service fees, insurance, flights and transfers). With age-appropriate children's clubs and programming (think pizza parties and fun Venetian masquerade events), dedicated kids pools, water parks with multi-deck slides, mini-golf and the Rope Garden ropes courses on newer ships, there's no shortage of fun on board.