Infants must be a minimum of 6 months old on the sailing date for most voyages. For transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, Australia and South America sailings ? and any with 3 or more consecutive days at sea ? the minimum age is 12 months.

In 2026, the general rule among major cruise lines is that infants must be at least 6 months old on the first day of the cruise to be eligible to sail. This "6-month minimum" applies to most standard itineraries in the Caribbean, Europe, and Alaska. However, for more remote or strenuous voyages—such as Transatlantic crossings, Transpacific treks, or cruises to Hawaii and South America—the minimum age requirement typically increases to 12 months. This is because these routes involve more "consecutive sea days" where the ship is far from land-based pediatric medical facilities, and the onboard medical centers are not equipped to handle specialized neonatal emergencies. If a child does not meet the specific age requirement for your chosen itinerary, you will be denied boarding without a refund. Always check your specific cruise line's policy (such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, or Disney) before booking, as they are extremely strict about these safety-driven age thresholds for young children.