Kids Free Family Cruise: Families can reunite and make memories together on cruise trips. However, the cost of a cruise for three or four people may add up, particularly when additional costs like lodging, flights, and excursions are included. A possible fix? Save money by sharing a stateroom with a “kids cruise free” offer.
Throughout the year, some cruise lines, including well-known family brands like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, periodically provide free kid fares and other cruise specials. Some never let children go. Wave season, which runs from January to March, is when you can have the best chance of finding family-friendly bargains because this is when cruise companies offer some of their best deals of the year.
7 Cruise Lines Offering Best Kids-Free Family Deals in 2024
Royal Caribbean
The “Kids Sail Free” deal from Royal Caribbean is available on a seasonal basis. While every promotion is different, the company usually gives youngsters 12 years old and under complimentary cruise fares when they travel as extra guests with two people who are paying full price. This is in addition to sporadic promotions for discounted rates on a second passenger and onboard credit.
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Make sure you read the fine print, since there are several conditions attached to the complimentary kid-only cruises, including minimum sailing durations and blackout dates during major holidays and school vacation periods.
Occasionally, Royal Caribbean runs a promotion called “Kids Sail for Less,” which typically entails a 25% discount on the ticket for each extra passenger in a cabin. This offer is available to any additional guests who are sharing lodgings with two travelers who have paid their full cost, since there is no age restriction.
Families that enjoy big-ship entertainment like rock climbing walls, miniature golf, laser tag, escape rooms, zip lines, ice skating and high-diving acts, onboard splash parks and waterslides, are strong fans of Royal Caribbean. With various beaches and an exciting water park, its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, is a top family destination. Its massive kids clubs accommodate all age groups, from babies to teens.
Regent Seven Seas
Although children under the age of 17 travel free on some summer and holiday sailings, Regent Seven Seas Cruises does not often grant free passage to children. Depending on the journey, these costs range from $999 per child (or young adult) sailing as the third or fourth passenger in a suite.
As of the time of publication, Regent was promoting a “Kids Sail Free” offer on a few itineraries. Children who are 17 years of age or younger at the time of sailing can take advantage of this offer, which is a per-person, cruise-only cost. As a third passenger, they must travel in a suite with an adult who is at least 21 years old.
Kids may explore and stay active when traveling in Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, or other areas featured in the program because Regent always provides unlimited free shore excursions.
MSC Cruises
Throughout the year, MSC Cruises regularly runs its “Kids Sail Free” campaign in addition to other one-time deals. In most cabins, children 17 years old and under sail free as the third or fourth passenger. (Rooms at Yacht Club are not included.)
In addition to discounted tickets, certain deals may also provide freebies (such beverage packages or Wi-Fi) or flexible booking options, in addition to cabin upgrades. This means that parents may also receive a few benefits. The MSC Cruises discount program for healthcare professionals and active-duty or retired military personnel can be combined with the “Kids Sail Free” offer.
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With its virtual reality-enhanced waterslides and kids club cooperation with Lego, MSC Cruises is a hit with kids. Its pizza is up there with the best in the business.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line’s “Free at Sea” program provides complimentary rates for children. Cruisers can take advantage of free booking benefits, including as gratis specialty meals, complementary beverage packages, shore excursion credit, free Wi-Fi, and discounted pricing for additional guests in a cabin (including children).
With the latter, third and fourth passengers, regardless of age, can obtain complimentary or $99-per-person rates. Only certain sailings are eligible for this special fare, and it only applies when the extra passengers share a cabin with the first and second visitors.
When combined with the “Free at Sea” promotion, NCL frequently offers discounted cruise tickets for the first two passengers. Extra benefits to ease a family’s travel budget could be discounted deposits or complimentary flights for the second guest, contingent on the specific offer in effect at the time of booking.
Select Norwegian’s most recent cruise ships for jaw-dropping family attractions like laser tag, waterslides, and go-kart racing. Children who dislike having to change into formal attire for supper will enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of this collection.
Star Clipper
Consider scheduling a trip on one of Star Clipper’s tall ships if you’re organizing a multigenerational family vacation. On some three-to nine-night sailings in the Caribbean, Central America, and the Mediterranean in 2024 and 2025, children aged three to seventeen can sail for free in a cabin with one or two adults. Bookings for this promotion are due by April 30, 2024.
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When two adults and two children are traveling together (in certain accommodation categories), the line splits the family up into two separate cabins. Additionally, grandparents can participate in the festivities and save 10% on cruise prices if they are 65 years of age or older.
With games like knotting and scaling the ship’s mast, kids may pretend to be pirates or sailors. Children who are older in particular will love water activities from the ship.
Holland America Line
Holland America Line offers special pricing, which includes its “Kids Cruise Free” program. The savings on the bottom line don’t vary, even though the limits might.
As of this writing, the company is offering free sailing for third and fourth passengers under the age of eighteen on a few Caribbean, Mexico, and Panama Canal itineraries. (Additional taxes and fees apply.) There can only be two kids per reservation.
Other incentives that parents and caregivers can keep an eye out for could include discounted deposits, complimentary balcony upgrades, and onboard credit. Certain cruise lines provide a free “Have It All” premium package that includes Wi-Fi, gourmet cuisine, a beverage package, and free shore excursions, depending on the length of the trip. Families can upgrade to the more inclusive package at a discounted cost if they choose not to.
Families with many generations that enjoy touring in ports and taking in live music on board will find Holland America to be the perfect vacation destination.
CroisiEurope
riverboat operator On some sailings, children under the age of sixteen can sail for free or at a discounted fee of up to 30% when they join CroisiEurope’s Family Club.
Family fares on these sailings are free of the single premium, as the line’s ships don’t have many rooms that can hold more than two people. This implies that two cabins can be reserved for the price of one by two parents and one youngster. (The youngster rides free; each parent pays for one berth in each cabin.)
Deals on kid-free river cruises with CroisiEurope in 2024 are available for Portugal, Spain, Italy, and the Rhine River. Children under 16 receive a 30% discount on Family Club sailings to Croatia.
There can only be two kids per paying adult on this Family Club cruise offer. Upgraded accommodations may incur additional costs. Kids-only optional excursions and a kid-friendly menu are offered in onboard eating areas on these sailings.
For children under ten, the river cruise operator gives a 20% discount on all other sailings. Youngsters under two sail free of charge.
