FAQ – CHILDREN & TEENS
MINORS POLICY
The Minors Policy protects the safety and well-being of all passengers on board. ‘Minor’ refers to any person under the age of 18 (on cruises that do not include a port in the USA) or 21 (on voyages that do include a port in the USA). We have recently updated our Minors Policy, effective July 1st, 2024.
INFANTS UNDER ONE YEAR OLD
Infants under one are welcome on board, except for cruises lasting 11 nights or longer. For these longer cruises, infants must already be one by embarkation day.
Prams and wheelchairs are always allowed on board, but must be declared at the time of booking confirmation. Wheelchairs are available on all ships in the MSC Cruises fleet, for use during embarking and disembarking or in the event of an emergency and can be borrowed on board.
This policy is due to long cruises often having multiple days at sea, which can impede our ability to provide urgent medical care for infants.
What if I have booked two seven-night cruises? Does the age requirement for infants under one apply?
No, the age requirement does not apply in this case, as these are considered two separate sailings.
You will be offered a Free Cruise Move with new pricing or the booking will be cancelled according to the standard cancellation policy.
CHILDREN UNDER 18 – 21 YEARS OLD
MSC Cruises does not permit minors to occupy a cabin without the presence of at least one adult. For sailings within the US, guests aged 18-20 can be accommodated in a cabin alone, provided they are traveling with a guest aged 21 or older.
To be considered an adult, passengers must be 18 or 21 years old at the time of embarkation, depending on the itinerary.
Yes, an exception applies for minors under 18 traveling with one parent or legal guardian, provided the following conditions are met:
The parent/legal guardian must specifically request at the time of booking that the minors be assigned a cabin without an adult and sign a liability waiver, which must be submitted to the Contact Centre.
The parent/guardian is traveling with 2 to 5 minors.
The cabin is occupied by either one minor aged 12 or older, or two minors, with the eldest at least 12 and the youngest at least 8.
No more than two minors may occupy a cabin without an adult.
For MSC Lirica, Musica, and Fantasia class ships:
Parent/guardian and minors must stay in connecting cabins, and the balcony of the minors’ cabin will be locked.
For all other MSC ships:
The parent or legal guardian and the minor(s) shall be accommodated in connecting cabins with the minor cabin’s balcony being locked or in interior adjacent cabins**.
The parent or legal guardian shall be required to purchase a bracelet to have access to the cabin occupied by the minor(s) at any time during the cruise.
‘Adjacent cabins’ is defined as two cabins, at least one without a balcony, which have no more than 3 cabins between them, and that pertain to the same assembly station and corridor.
You can download a liability waiver here. Please ensure the waiver is signed by the parents or legal guardian of the minors. The waiver must be submitted to your travel agent for bookings made in Travel Agency and to MSC if you booked your cruise through our Contact Center or website. A signed copy must be brought at embarkation.
The ages will be verified through official documents provided during embarkation.
All restrictions mentioned above are handled directly through the Contact Center.
Travellers of all nationalities must be at least 21 to travel alone on cruises embarking in the US or travelling to the US. They must have turned 21 by the time they enter a U.S. port. Guests aged under 21 must travel accompanied by their parents or a legal guardian. Otherwise, a signed authorization letter from the absent parent must be provided when booking, along with the name of a chaperon or a designated individual in charge of the minor
Yes, guests aged 18-20 may stay in a cabin alone if they are traveling with someone aged 21 or older, without any additional requirements.
Yes, MSC Cruises will contact guests with confirmed bookings. Guests be offered the following options:
- Free Cruise Move to sailings with ports outside the US.
- Free Cruise Move to another (later) available date (on available sailings at the time of the Cruise Move) if, for this new sailing, the guests will be 21.
- Or our Standard Cancellation Policy will apply.
The guest will be offered a Free Cruise Move with new pricing or the booking will be cancelled according to the standard cancellation policy.
FAQ – CHILDREN & TEENS
Our Kids Club and family activities will welcome kids and parents in a healthy and safe environment fun and enjoyable experience.
All children on board our ships can enjoy delicious, nutritious dishes and varied, fun main courses. Our huge menu selection is designed according to children’s tastes as well as their nutritional needs.
There are ad-hoc programmes designed for every age group, as well as sports competitions, contests, quizzes, treasure hunts, and games in the swimming pool. A fully-equipped games room is also available with a vast selection of toys selected according to the needs of each age group. These range from board games, draughts, chess, stencils, art, blackboards, modelling clay, colouring, group games and much more.
No, the activities are free.
Minors onboard must be supervised by a parent or a legal guardian at all times and are welcome at the activities onboard or at shore excursions, provided that a parent or legal guardian is present. Guests under the age of 18 are prohibited from disembarking the ship unless accompanied by a legal guardian or an adult duly authorised from the legal guardian to accompany the minor, by virtue of an official consent of the latter. Children cannot remain onboard if their parents or legal guardian go ashore, unless expressly authorized by the onboard staff.
Yes, provided that the miniclub staff is notified one day prior to the excursion.
You can register your children for the Kids’ Clubs on board or fill in the form before boarding. Once on board just bring us the printed form, along with your Cruise Card and those of your children.
Every child is issued with an MSC ID wristband during embarkation. This wristband must be worn at all times during the cruise for security.
Every ship in the MSC Cruises fleet has a well-equipped modern Medical Centre on board. The Medical Centre is staffed by fully-qualified personnel, and benefits from 24/7 specialist paediatric telemedicine support. Over-the-counter medicines can be purchased on board.
All our restaurants and 24-hour Cabin Service are ready and happy to help, ensuring you can feed your baby swiftly on demand, for their and your own comfort
We do everything we can to make life easier and as comfortable as possible for all our guests. Partnering with world-leader Chicco, we provide a limited quantity of beautifully-designed bottle warmers, strollers, bouncers and backpacks on board for your combined comfort and convenience. Among the shops on board, you’ll find a Chicco corner with a selection of great products for babies and toddlers, including nappies.
Also a limited number of cots and highchairs are available on board, although please be prepared for increased demand for these during the high season.
Cots can be requested before departure through your travel agent, or your MSC Cruises representative.
Yes, provided that the miniclub staff is notified one day prior to the excursion.
Minors onboard must be supervised by a parent or a legal guardian at all times and are welcome at the activities onboard or at shore excursions, provided that a parent or legal guardian is present. Guests under the age of 18 are prohibited from disembarking the ship unless accompanied by a legal guardian or an adult duly authorised from the legal guardian to accompany the minor, by virtue of an official consent of the latter. Children cannot remain onboard if their parents or legal guardian go ashore, unless expressly authorized by the onboard staff.
