Can guests under 21 travel alone?
In most cases guests under 21 must travel with a parent, legal guardian, or chaperone who is at least 21. One adult chaperone is required for every five guests under age 21.
Age requirements to sail
Infants must be at least 6 months old on embarkation day to sail.
For trans-ocean crossings and remote itineraries with more than two consecutive sea days, children must be at least 12 months old on embarkation day.
These age thresholds support guest comfort and align with the ship’s limited medical resources, offering added reassurance for families traveling with young children.
Alcohol policy for guests under 21
To purchase or consume alcohol on board, guests must generally be 21 or older.
For voyages that depart from and return to Australia and/or New Zealand, Europe, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, or Taiwan, the minimum age is 18.
For voyages that depart from and return to Japan, the minimum age is 20.
Documents when minors travel internationally
Minors under 18 traveling to foreign countries must be accompanied by both parents, or carry a notarized letter of consent signed by the parent or parents not traveling.
If one parent is deceased, or a child has only one legal parent, a notarized statement is required as proof.
All minors under 18 should travel with proper identification documents plus the signed authorization.
U.S. citizen minors should have an original, photocopy, or certified original of a government-issued birth certificate, or another proof of citizenship.
Children 16 or older also need a photo ID.
For itineraries outside the Western Hemisphere, a passport is required for guests of any age, so reviewing documents early can save stress later.
Supervision expectations on board and on tours
Parents, guardians, and chaperones are responsible for the behavior and well-being of minors in their care at all times.
Minors may not be left unsupervised on board the ship.
For shore excursions and tours, a parent or legal guardian must accompany all children under 18, based on safety and liability requirements.
For structured youth activities for ages 3 to 17, visit the Kids Club for age-appropriate experiences designed around creativity, connection, and discovery.
Minors going ashore without an adult
Parents and guardians determine whether minors under 16 may go ashore without adult supervision.
If permitted, this must be discussed in advance with the ship’s Security Officer so authorization can be recorded in the gangway control system.
Without prior approval, security will generally prevent minors from leaving the ship without an adult companion.
Even with approval, the parent or guardian remains fully responsible for ensuring the minor follows all agreed-upon instructions while ashore.