10 Best Kids Sail Free Cruises 2025 for Budget Families

Imagine taking your family on an exciting vacation where kids can sail for free! Many cruise lines now offer special deals where kids cruise free, making it more affordable for families to explore the seas. But what cruise lines do kids sail free, and how can you take advantage of these amazing offers?

From fun onboard activities to family-friendly dining, kids sail free cruises provide incredible value and memorable experiences for everyone. These deals are perfect for families looking to save money while enjoying the ultimate adventure at sea.

Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about kids sail free cruises and how to plan your next family vacation!

Top 10 Kids Sail Free Cruises

Here are the 10 Best Cruises for Kids 2025:

Holland America Line 

Holland America Line may not be the top choice for family cruises, but their Kids sail free cruises causing a stir in the cruising industry. The Holland America Line is often associated with adult travelers, this attractive offer now allows families to enjoy high-end cruising at a significantly reduced price.  

Holland America Line’s recent announcement of the Kids Cruise Free deal for select itineraries has set the stage for an exciting family adventure at sea. This offer is applicable to various destinations such as Hawaii, the Caribbean, and the Panama Canal.

Children under 18 can qualify if they are the third or fourth guests in a cabin with adults. Each child must still pay taxes and port fees for their tour, but there are family-friendly perks available. 

What Makes Holland America an Ideal Choice for a Family Cruise? 

Holland America Line used to be Dutch owned, but now it’s part of Carnival.

• The fleet travels to many places around the world, from Antarctica to Asia. There are over 500 different trips for families who want to have special travel experiences, not just to the Caribbean islands. 
• The company is well known for providing cultural experiences like cooking and sightseeing trips that families enjoy. 
• Holland America Line has a program called Club HAL for kids and teens aged 3 to 17. The program offers fun activities and is run by trained staff.  
• The Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam ships have big rooms with beds for four, a large sitting area, and a big balcony. 
• Children can do arts and crafts, play sports, compete in video games, go on scavenger hunts, play team games, and have themed parties with kids their age. 
• Holland America has many dining options for everyone. Families can enjoy great food, and there are also kid-friendly choices at the restaurants. Kids can have mac and cheese, pizza, and other tasty foods from a special menu just for them, or they can try smaller portions from the regular menu to taste new flavors. 

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean is renowned for its exceptional family-friendly cruises, featuring a wide range of promotions that are available round the year. Royal Caribbean also provide various kids sail free cruises, but the specific timing of these deals remains uncertain.  

Royal Caribbean Kids Sail Free promotion allows children aged 12 and under to cruise for free if they are the third or subsequent occupants in a cabin with at least two paying adults.  

Royal Caribbean occasionally offers a deal called “Kids Sail for Less.” It gives a 25% discount on the fare for extra passengers in a cabin. This deal is open to any additional guests sharing accommodations with two passengers paying the full fare, regardless of age. 

Note: This kids sail free Royal Caribbean offer is not valid during holiday periods or school breaks. You can avoid blackout dates by looking for discounted cruise fares. Sometimes, they offer a 30% discount on the standard fare, which can help reduce your overall expenses, even though it’s different from getting free fares for your children. 

Find family special offers on the Royal Caribbean’s deal page.

What Makes Royal Caribbean an Ideal Choice for a Family Cruise? 

Royal Caribbean is renowned for its outstanding children’s entertainment options. 

• The special island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, is a hit with kids thanks to its waterslides and splash areas. 
• On the modern Royal Caribbean cruises, there are facilities such as science labs, art studios, and stages tailored to kids. 
• They offer nurseries and play areas designed for infants and young children 
• Families love Royal Caribbean because it has lots of fun activities for everyone, like ice skating, high-diving shows, splash parks, FlowRider surf simulators, waterslides, rock climbing walls, multi-story dry slides, mini-golf, laser tag, escape rooms, and zip lines. 

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers an amazing deal where kids can sail for free on select itinerary. This means families can enjoy a fun vacation at sea without worrying about extra costs for children. The Cruise Line offers a Kids Sail Free cruises all year round.

These MSC kids sail free cruises not only makes cruising more affordable but also allows families to save on their holiday budget. By eliminating the cost of children’s fares, MSC Cruises is redefining family travel by making it accessible and enjoyable for all.  

Kids under 18 can travel for free if they are in the same cabin as their parents. This offer applies to kids who are the third or fourth passengers in a cabin with at least two adults. Additional costs include port taxes, registration fees, insurance, flights, and transfers.  

Note: This does not apply to MSC Yacht Club staterooms.  

With the European cruise line offering promotions like free WiFi, complimentary drinks, and up to $400 of onboard credit, families can make the most out of their cruise experience without breaking the bank. The amount of onboard credit you get depends on when and what type of stateroom you book. Interior cabins get less credit than balconies. 

You can find family special offers on the MSC Cruises’s deal page.

What Makes MSC Cruises an Ideal Choice for a Family Cruise? 

MSC Cruises provides a wide range of entertainment and facilities tailored to children. 

• MSC Cruises is known for its unique European style and travels all around the world. But they are also good for family cruises and have many sailings in North America. 
• There is also a Lego Experience on Board event on every cruise. Parents can enjoy amenities while their kids are at one of five kids’ clubs. 
• There are also cool things to do like an F1 simulator, bowling alley, VR Maze, video games, and a 4D Cinema. Some activities might cost extra. 
• MSC Cruises offers many activities and facilities for kids, like water parks, pools, shows, dinners, and family outings.  

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line offers an exciting way for families to save money with their Kids Sail Free program. This deal allows children to cruise for free when traveling with adults, making it easier to enjoy a fun and affordable family vacation.

The Cruise Line offers the opportunity for third and fourth guests to cruise for free on specific itineraries at various times of the year. These cruises go to many places around the world, like Alaska and the Mediterranean.  

Norwegian Cruise Line also offers reduced cruise fares for third and fourth guests when combined with the “More At Sea” promotion. They offer additional perks like unlimited open bar, specialty dining, shore excursions, complimentary WiFi, substantial discounts on the overall cruise expenses, and even free airfare for a second guest when booked directly through the cruise line. 

It is important to note that you are still required to cover all gratuities, taxes, and fees.

What Makes NCL Cruises an Ideal Choice for a Family Cruise? 

Norwegian Cruise Line has a large fleet and offers many activities and amenities. It’s great for relaxed family vacations with a mix of activities and entertainment. 

• Norwegian makes it easy to plan a family vacation with their kids’ clubs, dining, and entertainment included in one package. Their ships also offer spacious family-friendly staterooms, like the two-bedroom family villa with a large balcony in “The Haven” on the luxurious Norwegian Prima, designed for VIP guests. 
• Enjoy a variety of fun activities, like fast races on a speedway, exciting g-force slides, and an adventurous ropes course. 
• Families can have fun with kids’ clubs, sports, and classic game shows like Price is Right. 
• The Galaxy Pavilion has high-tech games that make you feel like you’re in the future. 
• Norwegian’s newest cruise ships offer fun activities for families, such as go-kart racing, laser tag, virtual-reality games, and waterslides. The relaxed atmosphere on board will be appealing to children who don’t like dressing up for dinner. 

Costa Cruises

Costa Cruises may not be as well-known as some of its competitors, but it offers a unique and worthwhile option for cruisers looking to explore Europe, the Middle East, or South America. 

Costa Cruise Line is renowned for offering some of the best deals for families with kids, as children up to the age of 18 can share a cabin with two adults without incurring any extra cost. This incredible offer not only makes cruising more affordable but also allows families to create unforgettable memories together at sea. 

Costa Cruises Kids Sail Free promotion is great for families who want a memorable travel experience. Kids aged 2 to 17 can go on the cruise for free as the third or fourth guests in a cabin with two paying adults. 

This offer is good for all itinerary offered by the cruise line, which go to popular ports in the Mediterranean like Barcelona, Marseille, and Rome. 

What Makes Costa Cruises an Ideal Choice for a Family Cruise? 

Costa Cruises ships have lots of facilities for families to enjoy, like water parks, arcades, and mini golf. 

• Children aged 3 to 11 can take advantage of kids’ clubs, where they can enjoy a variety of entertainment such as arts and crafts, themed parties, and an abundance of games. 
• The teen zone is also available in costa cruises. It is a place where young people between the ages of 12 and 17 can come together to socialize, sing karaoke, and participate in group sports activities when the ships are not docked. 
• Onboard, there are plenty of enjoyable activities for kids of all ages, including specialized children’s clubs and events like pizza parties and lively Venetian masquerades.  
• There are also kids’ pools, water parks with multi-level slides, Peppa Pig-themed activities. 
• Rope Garden ropes courses on newer ships ensure that there is no lack of entertainment for young guests.  

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line does not have a specific Kids Sail Free promotion like some other cruise lines. However, they offer various discounts and deals for families traveling with children. These promotions can include special rates for kids, discounts on third and fourth passengers in the same cabin and seasonal offers to make family vacations more affordable.

Kids don’t sail for free, but Carnival frequently runs sales where families can save money during off-peak seasons. The cruise company is offering incentives like onboard credit up to $50 or $100 and free cabins upgrades.

Prices start at $300 per person for cruises to the Bahamas, providing affordable options for a fun Carnival Cruise with your family. 

What Makes Carnival Cruise Line an Ideal Choice for a Family Cruise? 

Carnival is famous for offering affordable fun. It is no surprise that Carnival is consistently recognized for offering incredible value.  

With such affordability and diverse options available, planning a dream cruise vacation has never been more accessible or appealing for families and individuals. 

• Carnival is known for being fun with lots of activities, like the BOLT Roller Coaster and sports. 
• A wide range of entertainment options are available on board, including live performances, interactive game shows like Family Feud Live, a comedy club. 
• But the excitement does not stop there – imagine dining while watching a blockbuster movie or enjoying lively deck parties under the stars. 

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises offers a Kids Sail Free promotion, allowing 3rd and 4th guests in the same cabin to cruise for free. This offer is available on specific itinerary and can be combined with additional discounts of up to 25%, making family vacations more affordable.

It may not be explicitly labeled as kids sail free cruises, but the benefits for families are undeniable. This offer allows you to bring along your children at no additional cost, making it an ideal choice for those seeking value and convenience. 

These Kids Sail Free offers are valid for a wide range of locations around the globe such as the Caribbean, Europe, and Alaska.

What Makes Princess Cruises an Ideal Choice for a Family Cruise? 

Princess Cruises provides a wide range of activities for families on vacation: 

• This includes top-rated kids and teen clubs, mini-golf, dance lessons, outdoor movie screenings, and exclusive parents’ night out events. These offerings ensure that families can enjoy plenty of fun during their cruise. 
• The partnership between Princess Cruise Line and Discovery, along with Animal Planet, has revolutionized the cruising experience by offering specialized programming that is both educational and entertaining. 
• They bring local animals on board during Alaska cruises and Caribbean cruises. For Alaska cruises, they bring puppies, and for Caribbean cruises, they bring parrots. The opportunity for kids to interact with local animals in such a unique setting not only creates lasting memories but also fosters a deeper appreciation for wildlife and cultural diversity. 
• You can also explore the sky in an indoor planetarium. You can see real-time views of planets, stars, and galaxies. 

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers a Kids Sail Free Cruises for families looking to travel with children. This lets children aged 17 or younger cruise for free when traveling with an adult aged 18 or older. It applies to the third and fourth guests staying in a suite, making it a great way for families to save money on their vacation.

The promotion also includes unlimited shore excursions, so your family can enjoy exciting adventures at no extra cost. However, this offer is only available on select sailings, and it’s important to book early to take advantage of the deal. This offer is valid for new bookings made between January 1, 2025, and March 31, 2025.

It’s a perfect opportunity for families to explore amazing destinations while keeping the budget in check. Be sure to check the available dates and restrictions before booking.

CroisiEurope

CroisiEurope’s Family Club cruises let kids up to 16 years old can sail for free or get up to 30% off on certain trips. Families benefit from not having to pay extra for single supplements, meaning two parents and one child can book two cabins for the price of one.

CroisiEurope stands out in the cruise industry by focusing on families and making it affordable for them. Kids under 10 get 20% off their ticket, making it a great deal for family trips. Children under 2 sails for free, so everyone can enjoy the cruise together. 

Star Clippers

Star Clippers is offering a unique opportunity for families to create unforgettable memories while sailing through the Caribbean, Central America, or the Mediterranean. This limited-time offer allows children between the ages of 3 and 17 to sail at no additional cost when booked in the same cabin with one or two paying adults. 

If two kids are traveling with two adults in specific cabin, the cruise line will provide two separate cabins for the family. Grandparents aged 65 and older can join the fun and get a 10% discount on cruise fares, making the experience more attractive. 

FAQs – Kids Sail Free Cruises 2025