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Tom Earnshaw
There are big changes in the world of cruise ships. In particular, it focuses on who can travel on the world's largest cruise lines, namely Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise ships.
Hands down the top two players in the multi-billion dollar industry, a ban of sorts has been introduced across the two cruise lines that regularly set sail from the Port of Miami in Florida.
The cruise ship capital of the world, it entertains ships from both companies on an almost weekly basis. And if they aren't in port, they're already out sailing around the likes of the Caribbean, Europe, or even the wider world if you're on the nine-month cruise of a lifetime.
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For those ever thinking about a cruise, better make sure you check the rules now that they've been significantly changed for people heading out on to the open seas with either Royal Caribbean or Carnival.
Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean are cracking down on young people cruising with them.
It's bad news if you're under the age of 21 and leaving port in the USA.
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But don't kick off too much. You're still okay if you're travelling with someone else under the age of 21. But things get tricky if one of you isn't of age.
If someone under the age of 21 wants to travel with Carnival or Royal Caribbean, they must be accompanied by someone who is older than 25.
They have to be a relative or 'guardian' but they do not have to be the legal guardian of that person.
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You're in luck if you're married and both under the age of 21, with those people exempt from needing a companion aged 26 or older. You'll just have to present your marriage certificate as evidence.
Carnival says: "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 20 years of age and younger must travel with a relative or guardian 25 years of age or older."
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Royal Caribbean's website says: "Royal Caribbean's minimum age to sail unaccompanied on sailings originating in North America is twenty-one."
For Royal Caribbean cruises departing from anywhere but the USA, the age is 18, so it is very much just an American rule.
If you've already booked and fall foul of the new rules, we would suggest contacting your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice.
Topics: Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Cruise Ship, Travel, World News, Holiday, US News
Tom joined LADbible Group in 2024, currently working as SEO Lead across all brands including LADbible, UNILAD, SPORTbible, Tyla, UNILAD Tech, and GAMINGbible. He moved to the company from Reach plc where he enjoyed spells as a content editor and senior reporter for one of the country's most-read local news brands, LancsLive. When he's not in work, Tom spends his adult life as a suffering Manchester United supporter after a childhood filled with trebles and Premier League titles. You can't have it all forever, I suppose.
@TREarnshaw
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