When families plan a cruise vacation, one of the first questions that comes up is whether children travel free or if cruise lines charge the same fare for kids as they do for adults. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is known for being family-friendly, offering large ships with thrilling waterparks, kids’ clubs, and family cabins — but how does their pricing work for children?
This detailed guide explores everything you need to know about Norwegian Cruise Line’s child fares, discounts, family packages, kids’ programs, and the overall value you can expect when cruising with your little ones in 2025. We’ll also look at some insider tips to help you save money while giving your family an unforgettable vacation at sea.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s pricing system is designed primarily around occupancy per cabin, not the age of the traveler. The first two guests in a cabin generally pay the standard rate, while the third and fourth guests — who can be children or adults — often pay a reduced fare.
In other words, children don’t typically sail for free, but their fare is discounted when they are the third or fourth passenger sharing a stateroom with paying adults. This model applies to most NCL ships and itineraries, though some special promotions may change that rule temporarily.
The cruise fare for each child also depends on:
The child’s age
The cruise destination and duration
The season or promotion at the time of booking
Cabin type and occupancy
Applicable taxes, port fees, and service charges
While Norwegian Cruise Line does not advertise “kids sail free” as a permanent policy, it occasionally runs special offers where children sail free or at a significantly reduced rate with two paying adults. These deals tend to appear during seasonal promotions, especially for Caribbean or Alaska sailings.
One of the most common questions parents ask is: “Does Norwegian Cruise Line charge for babies?”
The answer is yes — even infants count as guests on the ship and are charged a fare, though sometimes this is reduced compared to the adult rate. Norwegian Cruise Line requires that all passengers, including infants, pay taxes, port fees, and government charges.
There is also a minimum sailing age policy:
Infants must be at least 6 months old to sail.
For cruises with three or more consecutive sea days, infants must be at least 12 months old.
While you will pay something for your infant’s ticket, NCL provides many conveniences for families with babies. For instance, cribs and high chairs are available upon request, and the ships offer early meal times and flexible dining options. However, there are no babysitting services for infants under 3 years old on most ships, so parents need to plan accordingly.
Let’s look at a general overview of how NCL’s pricing applies to children of different ages:
Must pay port taxes and government fees.
Often charged a discounted third or fourth passenger rate if sharing a cabin with adults.
Not allowed in pools (even baby pools) due to maritime sanitation laws.
Can use family areas and designated play spaces if accompanied by parents.
Typically charged the reduced third or fourth guest rate.
Full access to NCL’s Splash Academy, the complimentary kids’ club.
Pay only for extras like shore excursions, soda packages, or specialty dining (if used).
Also charged the reduced third or fourth passenger rate when in a shared stateroom.
Eligible for Entourage, the teen club with activities and social events.
May incur separate charges for onboard purchases (if parents allow account access).
In short, children of all ages are charged some fare on Norwegian Cruise Line — but it’s usually lower than the adult price when they share the same room.
Norwegian Cruise Line frequently offers a deal called Free at Sea, which can be a huge advantage for families. This promotion bundles multiple perks, such as:
Free open bar
Free specialty dining
Free shore excursion credits
Free Wi-Fi
Reduced fares for the third and fourth guests (sometimes even free for select sailings)
During certain Free at Sea promotions, children sailing as the third or fourth guests may pay only taxes and fees, effectively sailing for free in terms of base fare. These promotions usually apply to select itineraries and cabin categories, so checking the fine print is essential before booking.
If you’re flexible with your dates, it’s worth watching NCL’s promotions page or working with a travel advisor who specializes in cruise deals for families. Timing your booking right can make a big difference in your overall cost.
Norwegian Cruise Line has designed many of its modern ships with families in mind. The pricing and accommodation options can vary depending on the type of stateroom you choose.
These rooms are the most budget-friendly options for families. They can sleep up to four guests comfortably with a combination of beds and pullman bunks. Third and fourth guests (often children) pay reduced fares here.
A bit more spacious, these cabins come with private balconies and offer a better view. Families love the balcony rooms for their comfort and extra space, especially when traveling with kids who might need quiet nap times.
For luxury family cruising, The Haven offers private suites, exclusive dining, and concierge services. While these cabins come at a premium, they sometimes include perks like additional discounts for children or complimentary third and fourth guest fares under special promotions.
If you book a suite or The Haven, you may also benefit from larger bathrooms, separate sleeping areas, and babysitting options for older kids.
This is NCL’s supervised children’s program available on most ships. It’s divided into age-based groups:
Turtles (Ages 3–5)
Seals (Ages 6–9)
Dolphins (Ages 10–12)
Kids can participate in fun activities like treasure hunts, arts and crafts, science experiments, sports, and themed parties. There’s no additional charge for most of these activities — they’re included in your cruise fare.
For teenagers, Norwegian offers Entourage, a cool, lounge-style club where teens can hang out, play games, and attend supervised parties. It gives parents peace of mind knowing their teens have a safe, social space to make friends.
Norwegian Cruise Line also offers a Late Night Fun Zone for children ages 3–12. It’s available from around 10:30 PM to 1:30 AM and charges a small hourly fee. This is convenient for parents who want to enjoy evening shows or late dinners while kids play under supervision.
When it comes to dining, Norwegian Cruise Line makes it simple for families to enjoy meals together without worrying about extra costs.
Children can eat in the main dining rooms and buffets at no additional charge. There’s also a dedicated kids’ menu with options like pasta, chicken tenders, pizza, and fruit plates.
For specialty restaurants that charge a cover fee, children under 12 usually eat at a discounted rate or from a complimentary children’s menu. Always check the restaurant’s policy when booking reservations.
While adults can purchase the Unlimited Open Bar Package, kids can get the Soda Package, which covers unlimited fountain sodas throughout the cruise. The soda package cost is usually around $7–$9 per day per child plus service charge.
Infants and toddlers obviously don’t need beverage packages, but milk, juices, and baby food (if available) are typically included in the dining venues.
Even if a child sails free under a promotion, parents must still pay the mandatory service charges, port fees, and gratuities for every guest, regardless of age. These fees cover onboard staff services like room attendants, dining staff, and entertainment crew.
As of 2025, Norwegian Cruise Line’s daily service charge is approximately:
$20 per person per day for standard cabins
$25 per person per day for The Haven and suite guests
These charges apply to both adults and children. It’s important to factor them into your total trip cost.
Yes — occasionally. Norwegian Cruise Line sometimes introduces special “Kids Sail Free” or “3rd and 4th Guest Free” promotions. These deals usually apply to specific sailings and cabin types and often require early booking. During these promotions, you’ll still need to cover taxes and port charges, but the base fare for children may be waived entirely.
Families who book during NCL’s Free at Sea sale or during Black Friday and New Year promotions often find these offers. It’s a great way to reduce costs, especially for larger families.
If you’re evaluating whether Norwegian offers the best value for family cruising, it helps to compare their child pricing to competitors like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Disney Cruise Line.
Royal Caribbean – Similar to NCL, kids are charged as 3rd or 4th passengers with discounted fares. Occasionally runs “Kids Sail Free” promotions.
Carnival Cruise Line – Children are charged reduced fares when sharing with adults. Known for budget-friendly family options.
Disney Cruise Line – Kids’ fares are significantly higher; Disney rarely offers “kids free” deals, but it provides immersive family experiences.
Among these, Norwegian Cruise Line generally strikes a balance between affordability and quality family entertainment. Its flexible dining system (Freestyle Cruising), spacious cabins, and extensive youth programs make it a strong choice for family vacations.
While Norwegian Cruise Line charges for children, there are several smart ways to reduce your overall expense:
Book During Promotions: Watch for “Free at Sea” or “Kids Sail Free” deals, which can eliminate or reduce the cost of child fares.
Choose an Inside Cabin: Inside or oceanview staterooms cost less than balcony or suite categories, making family travel more affordable.
Avoid Peak Seasons: Cruise fares rise during school holidays. Traveling during shoulder seasons (like early spring or late fall) can save hundreds of dollars.
Limit Specialty Dining: Stick to complimentary dining venues for most meals and treat your family to one specialty dinner instead of several.
Bring Your Own Essentials: Pack baby supplies, snacks, diapers, and reusable water bottles to avoid onboard purchase costs.
Prepay Gratuities: Paying service charges upfront can help you budget and avoid last-minute surprises.
Use Onboard Credit: Some promotions offer onboard credit, which you can use toward kids’ activities, drinks, or shore excursions.
Skip Expensive Excursions: Choose self-guided sightseeing or beach days in port to save on shore excursion fees.
Travel with Extended Family: Booking multiple cabins under the same group reservation may earn discounts or onboard perks.
Despite charging fares for children, Norwegian Cruise Line remains one of the most family-friendly cruise lines in the world. Its ships feature:
Water parks with multiple slides
Mini golf, rock climbing, and ropes courses
Broadway-style entertainment
Flexible dining schedules
Spacious family accommodations
Kid-friendly menus and programs
Affordable third and fourth guest pricing
Ships like the Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Joy are particularly popular with families because of their cutting-edge entertainment zones, including the Galaxy Pavilion and laser tag arenas.
Before booking your family cruise, it’s essential to be aware of Norwegian Cruise Line’s policies that apply to children:
Age Verification: Parents must provide a valid birth certificate or passport for children.
Parental Supervision: Children under 12 cannot roam the ship unsupervised outside Splash Academy.
Traveling with Minors: If one parent is absent, you may need a notarized consent letter to board.
Babysitting Availability: Group babysitting is available for ages 3–12 only and comes with an hourly fee.
Pool Restrictions: Only potty-trained children can use swimming pools. Swim diapers are not permitted in any pool.
Cabin Occupancy: Each cabin has a maximum occupancy limit — usually four guests.
Health Requirements: Children must meet health requirements, especially infants under one year for longer voyages.
To give you a clearer picture, let’s estimate a 7-night Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line for a family of four (two adults, two children ages 6 and 9):
Base fare per adult: $950 × 2 = $1,900
Reduced child fare (3rd & 4th guests): $499 × 2 = $998
Taxes and port fees: Approx. $200 per person = $800
Service charges: $20 × 4 × 7 nights = $560
Total estimated cost: $4,258 for the family of four(around $1,064 per person for a full week including meals, entertainment, and lodging)
If booked during a “Free at Sea” promotion where kids sail free, that total could drop by nearly $1,000 or more — a substantial saving.
So, does Norwegian Cruise Line charge for children?Yes, they do — but usually at a discounted rate.
Children are not entirely free passengers unless a special promotion applies. Infants, kids, and teens all count as guests for booking and must pay applicable port fees and service charges. However, Norwegian’s reduced third and fourth passenger fares, frequent family promotions, and inclusive onboard programs make it a strong choice for parents seeking both value and quality.
With complimentary kids’ clubs, flexible dining, family-friendly entertainment, and modern ships designed for all ages, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a balanced and affordable family cruising experience. While you’ll pay something for your little ones, the fun, convenience, and memories you’ll gain are truly priceless.
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