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Considering a cruise vacation? Many of the world’s most popular family cruise lines offer ongoing promotions that let kids sail free on new bookings for families traveling together, and this year that list is growing with even more kids-cruise-free promotions. Whether it’ll be your first cruise vacation or your fiftieth, why not do it with free cruise fare for the kids?
I’ve compiled a complete list of every major cruise line that will let kids cruise free. Additional cruise fare savings onboard these kid-friendly cruise lines can also put a vacation within reach for families looking to balance tighter budgets. Note that taxes, fees, port expenses, registration costs, insurance, flights, and airport transfers are generally not included in kids sail free promotions (but you’ll still save a fortune).
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1. Royal Caribbean – Kids sail free promotions
Perennially kid-friendly Royal Caribbean has a loyal family following that appreciates its extensive kid-centric offerings, including kids clubs, family-oriented entertainment options, endless pools and water play areas, menus built with kids’ palates in mind, a private island oasis called Perfect Day at CocoCay, and even kid-centered spa options.
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Royal Caribbean’s kids sail free offers are available at different times throughout the year, allowing children aged 12 years and under to cruise free when booked in the same stateroom as paying adults. You can find the latest Royal Caribbean cruise deals here. If you don’t see a kids sail free promotion right now, check back often, as they can go quickly once offered but always pop up again soon after.
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.
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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 best of all for families, kids sail free or at a rate of only $99 for the third and fourth guest, respectively (for select cruise departure dates; exclusions on Thanksgiving sailings, Easter sailings, and spring break may apply).
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. Its “kids cruise free” deal is often accompanied by other perks like complimentary drinks and Wi-Fi, and an onboard credit that sometimes goes as high as $400. For more information and to see the valid cruise departure dates, check out the cruise deals offered by MSC Cruises on its website.
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MSC Cruises also offers an “all-in-one” pricing option for single parents or guardians traveling with up to three kids even when it’s not running a limited-time free sailing promo for children. With this reduced price for kids, the grownup is charged full cruise fare, the second guest under age 18 pays 60% of the grownup fare, and the remaining kids are charged reduced fares.
4. Holland America Line – Kids cruise free on select voyages
Cruising to destinations as far and wide as Asia, Alaska, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, New Zealand, and Indonesia, Holland America offers kids cruise free promotions on select voyages in 2024. Its current deal, valid on some cruises to Mexico, the Caribbean, and beyond, lets kids 18 and under sail free.
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While Holland America Line urges cruisers to “book right away” because “this offer won’t last long,” it’s a safe bet that when one kids cruise free promotion ends another one will begin soon after, because that’s been the pattern for many years now. For more information, visit the kids cruise free page on Holland America’s website. Holland America’s other discounts and deals, which are also perpetually ongoing, 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) sail free if they’re traveling with two full-priced grownup guests.
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You might not be familiar with Costa Cruises unless you’ve looked into cruises around South America, Europe, or the Middle East, which are the cruise line’s areas of focus. But if your cruise vacation dreams involve one of those destinations, you definitely want to give Costa Cruises some consideration. Its family-friendly ships have all the usual fun-at-sea perks you could want, including water parks, mini golf, go-karts, and both a kids club (for ages three to 11) and a teen zone (ages 12 to 17).
To sweeten the spot, Costa Cruises has an ongoing kids sail free deal for children ages two to 17 when the kids travel as a third or fourth guest with two full-priced grownup guests. Better yet, this free cruise promotion is valid line-wide across all of Costa’s ships and not limited to select sailings.
6. CroisiEurope – Kids sail free on European river cruises
River cruise lines aren’t known for being the most family-friendly—unless you book a special, chartered or themed itinerary for kids, which come with hefty price tags. That’s not the case 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 is available for kids up to age 16.
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In addition to the free cruise rates for kids, CroisiEurope offers a 30% discount on Croatia coastal sailings for children. Families can also get adjacent cabins when booking multiple staterooms, child-friendly adapted menus at mealtimes, and a waived single supplement fee. For more information about free and discounted cruises for kids with CroisiEurope, visit the family cruise deals page here.
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.
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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% off their cruise fare if staying on Deck 2.
Additional ship-specific deals also are on offer. For those cruising on A-Rosa Sena in cabin categories B through D, youngsters up to 7 accompanied by two adults can use the sofa bed for free. On A-Rosa Alva, A-Rosa Alea, and A-Rosa Clea, children sailing with at least one adult receive a 30% discount. 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 within grasp, thanks to kids sail free deals for ages six to 23 months (at the time of sailing) and a whopping 50% discount for ages two to 17. Children must be registered as third and fourth guests. There are no caveats, such as itinerary and cruise length, to which the deal does not apply.
So, what can families expect on a high-end ship that’s not replete with waterslides, rock-climbing walls, and 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. Combine all that with highly attentive service and mostly inclusive pricing, and you’ve got one carefree family getaway. Get a snapshot of every deal offered by Explora Journeys here.
8 cruise lines that let kids sail free originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
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Amanda Norcross also contributed to this article.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations.
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