Can 17 Year Olds Go on a Cruise?

By Anna Duncan

Are you a 17-year-old looking to go on a cruise? Well, the answer is not as simple as a yes or no. It depends on various factors, including the cruise line’s policies and the laws of the countries that you will visit.

Cruise line’s policies:
Different cruise lines have different age restrictions. While some may allow 18-year-olds to travel independently, others may require that all passengers under 21 years of age be accompanied by someone over 25 years old. So, it’s essential to check with the specific cruise line you are interested in traveling with and read their age policy before booking.

Legal drinking age:
Another factor to consider is the legal drinking age in the countries you will be visiting during your cruise. Generally, most countries have a legal drinking age of 18 or 21. If your destination has a drinking age of 21, even if you are allowed on board by the cruise line, you will not be able to purchase or consume alcohol while on board.

Age restrictions for specific cruise lines:

Royal Caribbean:

Royal Caribbean requires that passengers must be at least 21 years old to book a cabin on their own. However, if someone over 25 years old accompanies them in the same cabin, then they can book at just 18 years old.

Carnival Cruise Line:

Carnival Cruise Line allows passengers who are between ages 18-20 to travel unaccompanied but requires them to have a signed consent form from their parent or guardian and also purchase an alcoholic beverage waiver.

Norwegian Cruise Line:

Norwegian Cruise Line allows passengers who are at least 18 years old to travel independently but prohibits them from consuming alcohol onboard.

  • To summarize,
  • Every cruise line has different age policies, so it’s essential to check with the specific cruise line before booking your trip.
  • If you are 17 years old, you may be allowed on board some cruise lines, but you will need to be accompanied by someone over 25 years old.
  • Even if allowed on board, you may not be able to purchase or consume alcohol due to the legal drinking age restrictions in the countries that the cruise ship will visit.

In conclusion, whether or not a 17-year-old can go on a cruise depends on various factors such as the cruise line’s policy and legal drinking age in their destination countries. It is best to do thorough research beforehand and check with the specific cruise line before booking your trip.