Kids sail free on these 8 cruise lines in 2025, including river cruises
Many family cruise lines are offering no-sail promotions for kids on new bookings, making it easier than ever to plan an affordable family vacation. Whether it’s your first or fiftieth cruise, a free kids’ cruise fare adds incredible value. I have compiled a list of the main cruise lines offering this offer. Note that taxes, fees, port charges, registration, insurance, flights and transfers are generally not included, even when kids sail for free, but you’ll still enjoy significant savings on the overall price of a cruise.
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1. Royal Caribbean – Free Kids Promotions
Royal Caribbean is a family favorite with kid-friendly amenities like kids’ clubs, family entertainment, swimming pools, water play areas, kid-friendly menus and the perfect day on the private island of CocoCay. During certain times, children aged 12 and under sail for free when sharing a cabin with paying adults. The deals are updated frequently, so if you don’t see a free kids surfing promotion on its deals page now, check back often. These deals tend to sell out quickly but are regularly reintroduced for families to enjoy.
2. Norwegian Cruise Line – “Free at Sea” Offers
Norwegian, another kid-friendly cruise line, has some great deals to attract traveling families, including a host of “free at sea” perks that include free sailing deals for kids (and great deals on cruises for couples as well). You can find the latest Norwegian cruise deals here. Norwegian typically offers up to five freebies with its “Free at Sea” promotion: free open bar, free specialty restaurants, free excursions and port fees, free Wi-Fi, and kids sail for free (or at a rate of just $99 for the third). and fourth guest).
3. MSC Cruises – Free Kids Cruise and All-In-One Pricing
Children aged 18 and under staying in the same cabin as a parent can sail for free with MSC Cruises. The company’s “kids free cruise” offer (available here on its website) often comes with other perks, such as free drinks and Wi-Fi and onboard credits of up to $400. Even when not offering a free sailing promotion, MSC Cruises also offers a discounted “all-in-one” option for single parents or guardians traveling with up to three children: adult pays full rate, while the second guest (under 18 years old) pays 60 percent and the remaining children receive even lower rates.
4. Holland America Line – Free Kids Cruise on Select Voyages
Holland America offers free cruise promotions for kids on select voyages each year, typically allowing children 18 years old to sail for free with paying adults. Although Holland America warns that “this offer won’t last long,” it’s a safe bet that when one promotion ends, another will begin shortly after. For more information, visit the Free Cruises for Kids page on the Holland America website. Other route discounts typically include balcony cabin upgrades and onboard credit.
5. Costa Cruises – Kids sail for free when traveling as a third or fourth guest
Costa Cruises, which sails to South America, Europe and the Middle East, has an ongoing deal where children (ages 2-17) sail for free if traveling with two full-fare adult guests. This promotion applies to all Costa ships and sailings, making it a great option for a family holiday to these exciting destinations. Specializing in cruises in South America, Europe and the Middle East, Costa’s family ships include water parks, mini golf, go-karts, kids’ clubs (ages 3-11) and teen areas ( from 12 to 17 years old).
6. CroisiEurope – Kids sail for free on European river cruises
River cruise lines aren’t known for being the most family-friendly, but it’s a different story with CroisiEurope, which makes it easy for families to experience European river cruises. You can find free sailing deals for kids on a handful of routes: France, Portugal, Spain, Rhine and Italy. The free cruise offer (see full details here) is available for children up to 16 years old. Additionally, families can benefit from adjacent cabins when booking multiple cabins, child-friendly menus at meal times and a one-time supplement waived.
7. A-Rosa – Kids sail free on river cruises, when booked on select decks
Families are a priority for A-Rosa, a European river cruise line that has designed a ship for children called A-Rosa Sena, with larger cabins, a dedicated youth club and their own swimming pool. Across the rest of its fleet, you’ll find features like family cabin categories, kids’ menus, kids’ activities, and even babysitting services, all of which are rare in the industry. As if that wasn’t enough, the line offers kids 15 and under free boating perks.
To qualify, families must be booked into a cabin on Deck 1 of a given ship and accompanied by at least one adult (two in Category G rooms). Discounts are given to children up to and including 15 years old, who receive 30% off their cruise fare if staying on Deck 2. The full list of A-Rosa offers can be viewed here , while you can learn more about its free navigation program for kids here. .
8. Explora Journeys – Kids sail for free
The chance to cruise on a luxury ship is more affordable on Explora Journeys, thanks to free sailing offers for children aged six to 23 months (at the time of sailing) and a whopping 50% discount for children aged 2 to 17. be registered as third and fourth guests.
Without water slides, climbing walls, or high-energy pool decks, Explora Journeys’ ships may not be like your average family cruise. But they still cater to those with kids, with an elaborate kids’ club and programming, separate dining menus, family-oriented shore excursions, in-room toys for little travelers, and even lavish details like youth-sized bathrobes and slippers. Get an overview of each offer offered by Explora Journeys here.
Does Disney Cruise Line have free sailing deals for kids?
Disney Cruise Line (DCL) occasionally offers promotions that allow kids to sail for free, but these deals are rare. Most often, DCL offers special offers for discounted children’s fares, including a 50% discount for Disney+ subscribers on certain trips. These promotions are generally limited to specific sailings and dates.
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