Families looking for a cheap cruise will be glad to know that some of the biggest cruise lines let kids sail for free, either all the time or during special events. Find out which cruise lines have deals that let kids sail for free that are good for families later.
Deal: Royal Caribbean has a deal called “Kids Sail Free” several times a year. This means that kids 12 years or younger can sail for free as long as they are the third or later guests in the same cabin with at least two paying adults. The only catch is that there are blackout dates, which are usually school and holiday breaks.
Pros that are good for families: There’s a reason why so many families choose Royal Caribbean: it has great features for kids, like age-appropriate shows and zip lining at sea. Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, the line’s private island for tourists, is also a big hit with kids because it has water slides and splash areas.
Deal: In 2024, Holland America Line is running a deal called “Kids Cruise Free” on some itineraries. The deal is good for a number of trips, such as those to Hawaii, the Caribbean, and the Panama Canal. To be eligible, kids must be 18 or younger and be going as third or fourth guests in the same cabin as adults. As with other deals like this, each child’s journey still has to pay taxes and port fees.
Pros that are good for families: Holland America ships have kids clubs, youth programs, and shore trips that are designed to be fun for families with young children. There are also many staterooms that can handle larger groups. The staterooms on the Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam ships are especially big, with beds for four people, a large sitting area, and a large veranda.
Deal: Norwegian Cruise Line lets third and fourth guests sail for free on some trips all year long. This deal can be used on cruises all over the world, even to places like Alaska and the Mediterranean that are on many people’s bucket lists.
Some itineraries that let third and fourth people stay for free also include free things like an open bar with no limits, specialty dining, shore excursions, and/or Wi-Fi. Some of the itineraries also offer big discounts on the total cost of the cruise, plus free airfare for a second guest (if booked through the cruise company).
Pros that are good for families: Norwegian’s all-ages kids clubs, family dining, entertainment, and activities are all included in one price, which makes it easy to plan a trip that the kids will love. A lot of Norwegian ships also have a variety of bedrooms that are good for families and have a lot of extra space. As an example, the very fancy Norwegian Prima has a family house with two bedrooms and a big balcony in “The Haven,” which is only for VIP guests.
Deal: MSC Cruises lets kids younger than 18 cruises for free on some routes, based on how many people can fit on the ship. (Other restrictions or qualifications may apply.) The deal only works if kids are the third or fourth people going in the same cabin as their parents (at least two adults). Keep in mind that taxes and port fees still apply to kid’s fares.
Pros that are good for families: MSC Cruises has many fun events and features that are just right for kids. On board, kids can enjoy things like water parks with slides and swimming pools, as well as Broadway-style shows and meals where they can interact with the food. One of the fun things the line does is plan “Lego Experience On Board” events for every trip. A lot of services are also available for parents to enjoy while their children are entertained in one of five special kid’s clubs.
Deal: While Costa Cruises isn’t as well-known as some of the other cruise lines on our list, it’s still a good choice for people who want to sail through Europe, the Middle East, or South America. Kids ages 2 to 17 can sail for free with two adults in the same cabin as them as the third or fourth guest. This offer is valid for all cruise lines. This deal is good for all of the line’s sailings, and a lot of them go to nice marinas along the Mediterranean, like Barcelona, Marseille, and Rome.
Pros that are good for families: Costa Cruises ships have a lot of features that are good for families, like water parks, playgrounds, and mini golf. Kids clubs are for kids ages 3 to 11, and they offer lots of fun things to do, like arts and crafts, special parties, and lots of games. Teenagers (12–17 years old) can hang out in a teen zone, sing karaoke, and play group sports when the ships aren’t in town.
FAQ’s
Q1. What are the best kids sail free cruises for 2024 and beyond?
The top 5 cruise lines that give "Kids Sail Free" deals are listed below. Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Disney Cruise Line are a few of these. Different people like different things about each cruise line's features and locations.
Q2. How does the "Kids Sail Free" promotion work?
Under the "Kids Sail Free" offer, one or more children can cruise for free as long as they are in the same cabin with paying adults. Different cruise lines have different rules, so it's important to read the fine print of each offer. Most of the time, the deal is only good for certain cruises, cabin types, and age groups.
Q3. Which cruise line is best for families with young children?
The Disney Cruise Line is famous for having fun things for the whole family to do. It's great for little kids because it has youth clubs, figure meet-and-greets, and themed activities. But other cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, also have great choices with amenities and programs just for kids.
