Many family-friendly cruise lines offer kids-sail-free promotions on new bookings, making it easier than ever to plan an affordable family vacation. Whether it’s your first or fiftieth cruise, free cruise fare for kids adds incredible value. I’ve compiled a list of major cruise lines offering this deal. Note that taxes, fees, port expenses, registration, insurance, flights, and transfers aren’t typically included even when kids sail for free, but you’ll still enjoy significant savings on the overall price of a cruise vacation.
SHIP SIZE MATTERS: These are 12 of the best cruise ships for kids and teens
1. Royal Caribbean – Kids sail free promotions
Royal Caribbean is a family favorite with kid-friendly amenities like kids clubs, family entertainment, pools, water play areas, kid-focused menus, and the Perfect Day at CocoCay private island. At select times, kids ages 12 and under sail free when sharing a stateroom with paying adults. Deals are updated frequently, so if you don’t see a kids-sail-free promotion on its deals page now, check back often. These offers tend to sell quickly but are regularly reintroduced for families to enjoy.
2. Norwegian Cruise Line – ‘Free at Sea’ deals
Another kid-friendly cruise line, Norwegian offers some seriously good deals to entice traveling families, including a host of “Free at Sea” perks that include kids sail free deals (and some great deals on cruises for couples, too). You can find the latest Norwegian cruise deals here. Norwegian typically offers up to five freebies with its “Free at Sea” promotion: free open bar, free specialty dining, free excursions and port expenses, free Wi-Fi, and kids sail free (or at a rate of only $99 for the third and fourth guest).
3. MSC Cruises – Kids cruise free and all-in-one pricing
Kids aged 18 and under staying in the same cabin as a parent can cruise for free with MSC Cruises. The line’s “kids cruise free” deal (found here on its website) is often accompanied by other perks, too, such as complimentary drinks and Wi-Fi and onboard credits as high as $400. Even when it’s not running a free sailing promo, MSC Cruises also has an “all-in-one” reduced pricing option for single parents or guardians traveling with up to three kids: The adult pays full price, while the second guest (under 18 pays) 60 percent and the remaining kids are charged even further reduced fares.
4. Holland America Line – Kids cruise free on select voyages
Holland America offers kids-cruise-free promotions on select voyages every year, typically allowing kids 18 to sail for free with paying adults. While Holland America warns that “this offer won’t last long,” it’s a safe bet that when one promotion ends another will begin soon after. For more information, visit the kids cruise free page on Holland America’s website. The lines other discounts typically include balcony stateroom upgrades and onboard credit.
5. Costa Cruises – Kids sail free when traveling as a third or fourth guest
Costa Cruises, which sails in South America, Europe, and the Middle East, has an ongoing deal where kids (ages two to 17 years old) sail free if they’re traveling with two full-priced grownup guests. This promotion applies across all Costa ships and sailings, making it a great option for family vacations in these exciting destinations. Specializing in cruises around South America, Europe, and the Middle East, Costa’s family-friendly ships feature water parks, mini golf, go-karts, kids clubs (ages three to 11), and teen zones (ages 12 to 17).
6. CroisiEurope – Kids sail free on European river cruises
River cruise lines aren’t known for being the most family-friendly, but it’s a different story with CroisiEurope, which makes it easy for families to experience European river cruises. You can find kids sail free deals on a handful of itineraries: France, Portugal, Spain, the Rhine, and Italy. The free cruise deal (see full details here) is available for kids up to age 16. Additionally, families can get adjacent cabins when booking multiple staterooms, child-friendly adapted menus at mealtimes, and a waived single supplement fee.
7. A-Rosa – Kids sail free on river cruises, when booked on select decks
Families are a major focus for A-Rosa, a European river cruise company that actually designed a ship for kids called A-Rosa Sena, with bigger cabins, a dedicated youth club, and their own swimming pool. Across the rest of its fleet, you’ll find features like family cabin categories, children’s menus, kids’ activities, and even childcare—all of which are a rarity in the industry. As if that weren’t enough, the line offers kids sail free incentives for ages 15 and under.
To take advantage, families must be booked in a cabin on Deck 1 of a given ship, and accompanied by at least one adult (two in Category G rooms). Discounts are provided to kids up to and including age 15, who receive 30 percent off their cruise fare if staying on Deck 2. A-Rosa’s full roster of deals can be found here, while you can learn more about its kids sail free program here.
8. Explora Journeys – Kids sail free
The chance to experience cruising on a luxury ship is more affordable on Explora Journeys, thanks to kids sail free deals for ages six to 23 months (at the time of sailing) and a whopping 50-percent discount for ages two to 17. Children must be registered as third and fourth guests.
With no waterslides, rock-climbing walls, or high-energy pool decks, Explora Journeys’ ships might not look like your average family cruise. But they still cater to those who have kids, with an elaborate children’s club and programming, separate dining menus, family-focused shore excursions, in-room toys for tiny travelers, and even lavish details like youth-sized robes and slippers. Get a snapshot of every deal offered by Explora Journeys here.
Does Disney Cruise Line offer kids-sail-free deals?
Disney Cruise Line (DCL) occasionally offers promotions where children can sail for free, but these deals are few and far between. More often, DCL has special offers for reduced child fares, including 50 percent off for Disney+ subscribers on select voyages. These promotions are typically limited to specific sailings and dates.
