---
# System prepended metadata

title: Does Royal Caribbean charge for children?

---

# Does Royal Caribbean charge for children?

Royal Caribbean may charge children based on age and cabin selection; call customer service at 1-866-291-7625 for exact pricing details.

Royal Caribbean is one of the most family friendly cruise lines in the world. Parents planning a cruise with their little ones often ask a very important question does Royal Caribbean charge for children. At first glance, many people assume that kids might travel free or at a steep discount, but the reality is more detailed.

The cost of bringing children on board depends on their age, the stateroom you book, promotions available at the time, and the sailing itinerary. In this complete guide we will break down how Royal Caribbean charges for children, how families can save money, and what parents should know before booking.

---

## Why Families Ask About Child Fares

Cruises are attractive vacations for families because they combine travel, entertainment, and dining into one package. For families with one or more children, cost is a big factor.

On airlines, infants under two often fly free if they sit on a parents lap. Hotels sometimes allow kids under a certain age to stay free when sharing a room with parents. Families naturally wonder if cruises follow a similar system. The answer is that cruise pricing is more structured and every guest regardless of age is counted as part of the ship capacity.

---

## Do Children Sail for Free

In most cases Royal Caribbean does not allow children to sail completely free. Every guest is charged a fare that covers accommodations, meals in the main dining areas, onboard entertainment, and access to pools and many activities. However there are promotions at times when kids sail free, and these special offers can provide big savings.

The key is understanding that free promotions usually have restrictions such as age limits, blackout dates, or requirements that at least two paying adults are booked in the same stateroom.

---

## Infant and Toddler Fares

Royal Caribbean has clear policies for infants and toddlers.

* **Minimum age to sail** six months for most itineraries and twelve months for longer or transoceanic cruises.
* **Infant fares** Infants are not free. Even babies are counted as passengers and are charged a cruise fare, though sometimes at a reduced rate.
* **Why they charge for infants** Each guest uses resources such as food, safety equipment, and space, and every person counts toward the maximum capacity of the ship.

Parents should plan for the fact that even the youngest travelers add to the overall cost.

---

## Child Fares for Ages 2 to 11

Children older than infants but not yet teenagers usually pay a fare similar to adults once the minimum stateroom occupancy is met.

* **First two guests** in a cabin always pay full fare regardless of age.
* **Third or fourth guests** in the same cabin which are often children may pay a reduced fare.
* **Discount levels** vary by sailing. Sometimes it is a small discount, other times the fare can be heavily reduced under promotions.

This system encourages families to book together in one cabin.

---

## Teen Fares Ages 12 to 17

Teenagers are generally treated the same as adults when it comes to pricing. After the first two paying guests, teens may qualify for reduced third or fourth passenger rates. Teens over the age of 12 are rarely given separate discounts unless a kids sail free promotion is active.

---

## Young Adult Fares Ages 18 to 20

Once children reach 18 they are fully counted as adults for all fares and promotions. They are subject to the same rules as other adult guests for pricing, drinking age restrictions, and cabin booking policies.

---

## How Cruise Pricing Works for Families

To understand how children are charged, it helps to review the overall pricing structure.

* Each stateroom is priced based on double occupancy. This means the first two guests pay the full published fare.
* Additional guests in the same room whether children or adults pay a reduced fare.
* Taxes, port fees, and gratuities are added for every guest including children and infants.

So while families often save by placing kids in the same cabin, every child still has a cost attached.

---

## Promotions That Benefit Families

Royal Caribbean regularly runs promotions that lower the cost for children.

1. **Kids Sail Free**. This is the most popular deal. Children under 12 often qualify to sail free as the third or fourth guest in a stateroom during specific promotional periods.
2. **Discounted third and fourth guest fares**. Even when kids are not free, the cost for additional guests is usually much lower than the full fare.
3. **Seasonal sales**. Holiday or back to school promotions sometimes target families with extra savings.

Families looking to save should monitor these promotions before booking.

---

## Taxes and Fees Still Apply

Even during Kids Sail Free promotions, parents should note that taxes, port fees, and gratuities are still charged for each child. These costs can add up, so while the base fare may be waived, the total expense will not be completely free.

---

## Are Children Charged for Activities

Most of the entertainment and activities for kids onboard are included in the fare. This covers kids clubs, supervised programs, shows, and pool access. However, certain extras may cost more.

* Specialty dining for children incurs a charge unless they eat from the main dining room or buffet.
* Babysitting services or late night kids programs may have an hourly fee.
* Arcade games, shore excursions, and spa treatments for teens are not included.

Parents should budget for these extras.

---

## Comparing Cost of Adults and Children

To illustrate how children are charged, consider a typical example.

* A family of four books a stateroom.
* The first two guests pay the full fare, let us say one thousand dollars each.
* The two children are added as third and fourth guests at a reduced fare of five hundred dollars each.
* Taxes, fees, and gratuities are then added per person.

In this case the children are not free but are cheaper than the adults.

---

## Do Infants Pay the Same as Older Children

Not always. In many cases infants under two may qualify for a lower reduced fare compared to older children. Still, they are never completely free unless a promotion applies.

---

## Cabin Arrangements and Child Charges

The way you book your cabin has a big effect on what you pay for children.

* **Family suites** accommodate more guests and allow children to be charged at third or fourth guest rates.
* **Multiple cabins** If you book two cabins, each cabin requires two full fare guests. This can increase costs if children are spread across cabins.
* **Connecting rooms** may be ideal, but parents should check how the pricing works.

Planning your stateroom carefully is key to managing child fares.

---

## Age Policy and Responsibility

Children cannot book a cabin on their own. An adult 21 or older must be booked in each stateroom. On sailings outside North America the minimum age may be 18. This means children and teens cannot avoid fares by trying to book separately.

---

## Dining Costs for Children

Meals in the main dining room, buffet, and quick service spots are included for children just as they are for adults. Specialty dining restaurants may have special child pricing or smaller fees for kids. Beverage packages also cost extra if purchased for children, though water, juice, and milk are available for free in main dining areas.

---

## Do Babies Need Tickets

Yes, even babies need to be added to the booking as paying guests. They are assigned their own cruise card, safety equipment, and counted in the ship manifest. Parents cannot simply bring a baby without purchasing a fare.

---

## Common Myths About Child Fares

* **Myth children under two sail free**. False. They still pay a fare unless a special promotion is active.
* **Myth teens are always cheaper**. False. Teens are usually charged adult rates.
* **Myth babysitting is included**. False. Babysitting has separate fees.

---

## Why Royal Caribbean Charges for Children

There are practical reasons behind charging for every passenger regardless of age.

* Safety rules limit how many people can be on the ship. Children count toward capacity.
* Each guest uses resources such as food, staff time, and facilities.
* Charging ensures fairness and consistency.

---

## How Families Can Save Money

While children are charged fares, smart families can still reduce overall cost.

1. Book during a Kids Sail Free promotion.
2. Place children as third or fourth guests in the same cabin.
3. Travel during off peak times when fares are lower.
4. Choose itineraries with fewer sea days for reduced base fares.
5. Bring your own essentials to avoid spending on extras.

---

## Shore Excursions and Children

Children are allowed on most shore excursions but will be charged just like adults. Some tours may offer reduced rates for children under 12. Infants may not be allowed on excursions with age or safety restrictions.

---

## Onboard Programs Included in Fare

Families get good value because many kids programs are included in the base fare. Adventure Ocean youth clubs, teen hangouts, and family activities are all available at no extra cost. This offsets the fact that children do have to pay to sail.

---

## Multi Generational Travel and Child Fares

Grandparents often cruise with grandchildren. In these cases the same rules apply. Children in the cabin will pay fares as third or fourth guests. Families may find that large family suites are more cost effective than booking multiple cabins.

---

## Case Study Family of Five

Imagine a family of two parents and three children aged 2, 7, and 14.

* First two adults pay full fare.
* Third guest the 14 year old pays reduced fare.
* Fourth guest the 7 year old pays reduced fare.
* Fifth guest the 2 year old may also pay reduced fare but will not be free.

The result is that all five family members pay something, though the younger children pay less than the adults.

---

## Teen and Young Adult Activities

Since teens are charged adult fares in many cases, parents often ask if they get value. The answer is yes because teens enjoy dedicated lounges, sports, music, and social spaces that are included. While not free, the experience is tailored to their age group.

---

## Budgeting for a Cruise with Children

Parents should budget not just for fares but for other expenses children generate.

* Daily gratuities per person.
* Optional beverage packages or specialty dining.
* Souvenirs, arcade, and photos.
* Shore excursions.
* Babysitting fees.

Factoring in these costs helps avoid surprises.

---

## Why Cruises Still Offer Value for Families

Even though Royal Caribbean charges for children, the value remains high compared to other vacations. Kids receive meals, entertainment, supervised activities, and travel to multiple destinations. This would cost much more if booked separately on land.

---

## Future of Child Pricing on Cruises

The trend in the industry is to offer more family promotions rather than blanket free fares for kids. Families can expect to see ongoing Kids Sail Free campaigns, discounts for additional guests, and bundled family packages.

---

## Final Thoughts

So does Royal Caribbean charge for children. The simple answer is yes. Every guest on board from infants to teens is charged a fare. The only exceptions come through promotions where kids sail free as additional guests. Infants are never free unless a deal applies, and teens generally pay adult fares.

While parents may initially feel disappointed that kids are not free, it is important to remember what is included in the fare. Children enjoy meals, entertainment, kids clubs, pools, and supervised activities that make cruising a rich experience. Families can maximize savings by booking during promotions, keeping children in the same cabin, and planning carefully.

In the end Royal Caribbean remains one of the best family vacation options. Even with fares for children, the overall value, convenience, and fun of a cruise make it a top choice for parents and kids alike.
