Carnival Cruise Line Rules and Restrictions

General Rules and Restrictions

  • Your credit card will be charged the deposit amount due.
  • Any changes made to your booking after final payment will incur penalties charged by the cruise line; including re-faring, name changes, air cancellations, etc. To determine applicable change fees for your reservation, please call us at 1-866-310-5768
  • Any payment not received by its due date will result in your reservation being cancelled. You would then be responsible for any applicable cancellation penalties
  • All listed rates are valid for U.S. and Canadian residents only.
  • All passengers must provide proof of citizenship when boarding the ship, even if your cruise includes only domestic destinations. If your cruise is an international sailing, the countries you visit will also require proof of citizenship. We strongly recommend bringing a valid passport as this is the only form of identification accepted by most countries as required by the US Department of State for reentry into the United States.
  • Some countries require visas. You will need both a visa and a passport if your cruise departs from or visits a port of call that requires a visa. You are responsible for acquiring the necessary visas. If your cruise departs from or visits a port of call that requires a visa you must have a valid passport for your trip. Non US citizens must present a valid passport and any visas or travel documents required for re-entry into the US. Contact your consulate for specific requirements.
  • It is your responsibility to check on all required documents as requirements are subject to change and differ for various itineraries. To learn about visa requirements, or to purchase a passport or visa, visit the CIBT Web site.
  • View the cruise line's cancellation policiesOpens in a new window.
  • View the cruise line's general conditions, rules and regulationsOpens in a new window.

Age Restrictions

Minimum age to sail: The minimum age for sailing is 6 months, with the exceptions of Transatlantic, Hawaii and South American cruises, which are 12 months.

Guests are required to be 21 years of age (on embarkation day) to travel on their own. Guest ages will be verified at embarkation. Guests not conforming to this policy will result in denied boarding and no compensation will be provided at embarkation.

Guests Under the Age of 21 MUST travel with a relative or guardian of 25 years of age or older:

  • The guardian does not need to be a legal guardian.
  • The bookings must be cross-referenced with the relative or guardian’s stateroom and documented properly.
  • Guests who are 21 to 24 years of age may travel with their minor children.

Where minor guests can be booked in relation to relative or guardian:

  • Guests 12 and younger: If the relative or guardian insists on booking separate staterooms, minors must either be directly across the hall or next door. Guests 12 and under may not be assigned to a balcony stateroom without a relative or guardian (25 years of age or older) traveling in the balcony stateroom with them.
  • Guests 13 - 17 years of age: Can be separated by up to 3 staterooms from a relative or guardian (25 years of age or older).
  • Guests 18 - 20 years of age Do not have any restrictions and may book whatever location they prefer.

Exceptions: Guests under the age of 21 may travel without a relative or guardian of 25 years of age or older under the following conditions:

Legally married couples, including same gender couples

  • Proper documentation must be provided at embarkation. Failure to provide documentation or not conforming to this policy will result in denied boarding and no compensation will be provided.
  • Documentation includes: marriage license issued by the County Clerk’s Office; legal proof of civil union; for newly married couples: a copy of the marriage license application or certificate signed by the official that performed the ceremony.

Qualified Military Personnel

  • Applies to US Military Personnel and Canadian National Defense personnel (and their traveling companions in the same stateroom) of 18 – 20 years of age.
  • Copy of proof of service must be provided at embarkation. Failure to provide documentation or not conforming to this policy will result in denied boarding and no compensation will be provided.

Pregnancy Restrictions

  • Guest understands and acknowledges that in addition to the limitations in medical care described in Clause 2(a) of the cruise ticket contract, prenatal and early infant care, in particular, may require specialized diagnostic facilities and/or treatment that are not obtainable during the cruise on board the ship and/or ashore in ports of call. Therefore, any Guest who has entered, or who will at any time during the cruise enter, the 24th week of estimated gestational age in her pregnancy, agrees not to book a cruise or board the ship.
  • Due to limitations of medical care, both on board and in various ports of call, women who have entered or exceeded their 24th week of pregnancy, at any time during the cruise, will not be allowed to board or sail with the ship. Accordingly, I hereby acknowledge and agree that I will not enter my 24th week of pregnancy before or at any time during my cruise. I understand and agree that any pregnant woman who tries to board the vessel, who has or will enter her 24th week of estimated fetal gestational age at any time during the cruise, risks denial of boarding and/or disembarkation without compensation or refund.