18 and wants to go on a cruise with my bf, any suggestions?

Show all answers

tech_fanatic

While Carnival is one of the best cruise lines for the younger, fun seeking crowd, you have to be 21 on the day you board in order to travel without anyone else. Since you are only 18, you will need either a parent or guardian to travel with you, that is 25 or older. Carnival had a lot of problems with partying and drinking, so they put that policy in to help cut down on those problems. Royal Cairbbean is another great line, but you still have to be 21 to book a room on your own or you have to have an adult that is 21 or older in your room.

Royal Caribbean and Carnival are the least expensive lines and are the most popular for your age group, which is why I list them first. Carnival is the most strict with this policy, requiring you to be with a parent or guardian. The other lines generally only require someone that is over 21 to go with you. So, if you have any friends or relatives that may want to come along that are over 21, this would make it a whole lot easier.

Since you are required to have i.d such as a drivers license or a passport I wouldn't want to risk lying about your age and hoping to get on. Basically, you can pretty much say that lying about your age when cruising is not going to work. I understand you probably don't want to wait any longer for the cruise, especially until you are both old enough to travel alone, but otherwise you will need to find someone else that will be willing to travel with you.

Since you are younger, but not young enough to go in kids clubs, I think that Royal Caribbean and Carnival are going to be the best lines for you. They offer a lot of night time activities for adults and things like that, some other lines aren't quite as good for younger people. For example, Princess is a great line, but not really fun for a younger couple, such as yourselves. Disney is another line, but it going to be about double the price, not sure of what your budget it, but Carnival and Royal Caribbean are the least expensive lines. I think that you will be pleased the most with these two lines. They are not the top of the line cruise lines, but they are good lines and offer really good choices as far as ships go, and again, I think they would provide the most entertainment for you.

I've included a link where Royal Caribbean and Carnival outline the age policy.

Unless your boyfriend is over 21 (or over 25 for Carnival), your only option is Princess because of the minimum age requirements. If under 21, it is required that someone booked in the same cabin as you must be over that age (25 for Carnival) and they can't just be booked on the same cruise, they have to be booked within the same cabin. Or you must be legally married if under 21 and required to show marriage license at registration.

You won't be able to get around this due to the fact you will also be required to show proof of citizenship by either Passport or certified copy of your birth certificate since you are leaving the US and will be coming back into the US. You will have to show the proof at the time of registration during the embarkement at the Port.

So your options are (if both of you are under 21 and not legally married by that time - being that you stated he was your boyfriend, I assume you aren't married at this time), you will have to take a legal guardian with you that is 21 (25 for Carnival) and have them booked within the same cabin or cruise on Princess (assuming boyfriend is at least 18).

Also be aware that if you don't met the age requirements but you take you chance of booking the cruise on the cruise lines that have the requirements, when it is found you don't meet the requirements at embarkment registration, you will not get a refund on your cruise as part of the contract.

Don't want to be the bearer of bad news but instead want you well aware of the requirements so you aren't disappointed at the end and out a lot of money.

denathecruiseplanner

Unless your boyfriend is 25, the only cruise line you will be allowed on is Princess. All other cruise lines you must be 21 and have a travel partner 25 years or older to share a room with you, unless you are married???

Janette R

You know what , The best cruise to start with is a 4 day cruise this way if you feel woozy you don't have that many days . And your not spending a whole lot . Try that first then branch out to the 7 day cruises . Carnival is much better than Royal Caribbean. Carnival is geared towards the younger crowd . My first cruise was Carnival and it was a 4 night cruise and it was goin on , I think i slept maybe 12 hrs in the course of the 4 nights i would recommend that to everyone . And it cost less than $300.00 for the cruise and that includes everything except your Alcohol. Good Luck :)

Laura J

Check out the cruises on this site: http://www.laurajamestravel.com

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: