Infants must be at least 6 months of age at the time of embarkation in order to sail. Children must be at least 12 months of age at the time of embarkation to sail on trans-ocean crossings and remote itineraries, where there are more than 2 consecutive sea days.

The minimum age for a child to go on a cruise in 2026 is generally 6 months old on the day of embarkation for most standard itineraries (like the Caribbean, Europe, or Alaska). However, for more remote or "high-risk" routes—such as trans-oceanic crossings (Transatlantic or Transpacific), world cruises, or voyages with more than two consecutive sea days—the minimum age is typically increased to 12 months old. This is a safety regulation because cruise ships have limited medical facilities and cannot always provide specialized pediatric emergency care if they are far from land. Additionally, many cruise lines have "chaperone" rules for minors; for example, anyone under 21 must usually be accompanied by an adult over 21 in the same or an adjacent cabin. It is also important to check the "toilet training" rules, as many ships do not allow children in diapers or "swim diapers" in the main pools for health and sanitation reasons, though many modern family-friendly ships now include designated "splash pads" for the youngest travelers.