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. We do not carry baby food or formula on board our ships.

In 2026, the minimum age for a child to sail on a Carnival Cruise is generally 6 months old on the day of embarkation. However, for specific higher-risk or longer itineraries, such as Transatlantic, Transpacific, Hawaii, and select South American cruises, the minimum age requirement increases to 12 months. It is also important to note that infants must be at least 2 years old to participate in the "Camp Ocean" supervised youth programs without a parent, though some ships offer "Turtles" programs for those under 2 for an additional fee. Furthermore, guests under the age of 21 must be accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian in the same or an adjacent stateroom. If the adult is not a relative or guardian, they must be at least 25 years old. These rules ensure that medical facilities on board are appropriately equipped for the age of the passengers and that there is adequate supervision for minors throughout the duration of the voyage, especially during days at sea.