Yes, Celebrity Cruises generally charges for children and infants. Unlike some family travel offers where young children automatically receive a free or reduced fare, Celebrity Cruises states that infants and children are subject to its normal guest pricing. The cruise line explains that passage is sold by the guest rather than simply by the stateroom, so children count toward the ship's guest capacity regardless of age.
However, the amount you pay for a child can vary considerably depending on the sailing, stateroom occupancy, fare type, and promotional offer available when you book. Celebrity sometimes offers reduced or complimentary cruise fares for third, fourth, or fifth guests on selected sailings. These offers can make a family cruise substantially less expensive, but they generally do not eliminate taxes, fees, and port expenses.
Understanding the difference between the regular child fare and a third- or fourth-guest promotion is important when calculating the real cost of a family cruise.
Under Celebrity Cruises' standard pricing policy, children do not automatically receive a special child fare simply because they are younger.
Celebrity states that:
This means the price depends more on the child's position in the stateroom occupancy than simply on the child's age.
For example, a family of four sharing an eligible four-person stateroom may pay different amounts for the first two guests and additional guests. A child traveling as the third guest could qualify for a discounted third-guest fare when that fare is available.
Celebrity explains that cruise passage is sold by the guest, not only by the stateroom. Every person onboard counts toward the ship's occupancy and safety limits.
Even a very young child requires the cruise line to account for that guest in its capacity and safety planning. For this reason, Celebrity does not generally make children free simply because they consume fewer onboard services than adults.
This is also why a stateroom designed for three or four guests may have different pricing and availability from a room occupied by only one or two people.
There is no single price that applies to every child on every Celebrity cruise.
The final amount can depend on:
For this reason, parents should check the actual price for the specific sailing rather than assume that a child will pay either the adult fare or a fixed percentage of it.
Celebrity itself notes that taxes, fees, and port expenses vary by sailing and are included in the current pricing displayed for the booking.
They can be, particularly when a family books a triple- or quad-occupancy stateroom with a reduced third- or fourth-guest rate.
Celebrity's FAQ explains that some sailings offer reduced rates for third and fourth guests in triple- and quad-occupancy staterooms. Importantly, the cruise line states that these rates are intended to apply equally to third and fourth guests regardless of age.
Therefore, a child may receive a lower cruise fare because they are the third or fourth guest, not necessarily because they are a child.
Imagine two parents traveling with two children in one eligible stateroom.
The first two guests may be charged the applicable first- and second-guest fares. The children may then qualify for the third- and fourth-guest rates when that pricing is available.
The exact savings cannot be determined without checking the selected cruise because Celebrity's prices and promotions vary by sailing.
Celebrity does sometimes offer promotions in which additional guests can receive a $0 cruise fare, but this should not be interpreted as a permanent "children cruise free" policy.
Celebrity's current promotional information includes a 3rd/4th/5th Guests Cruise Fare Offer for qualifying new bookings on select sailings. Under the stated offer terms, eligible additional guests in the same qualifying stateroom as the first and second guests can receive a $0 cruise fare. However, taxes, fees, and port expenses still apply to all guests.
Celebrity also advertises selected sailings where third and fourth guests sail with complimentary cruise fares. Its promotional page specifically states that taxes, fees, and port expenses still apply to the free guests.
So, when you see an advertisement saying that children or additional guests "sail free," always check the promotion's terms.
No.
A promotional free cruise fare does not necessarily mean the child has a zero-dollar total cost.
Celebrity's current promotion terms state that taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional and apply to all guests, including guests whose cruise fare is reduced to $0.
There can also be other costs during the trip, depending on what you purchase, such as optional shore excursions, specialty dining, or other chargeable services.
When comparing family cruise prices, look at the total amount due, not just the advertised cruise-fare portion.
Yes. Celebrity's current FAQ states that its general guideline does not provide reduced fares for infants. Infants are treated as guests for cruise pricing purposes.
There is also an important age requirement. Celebrity states that infants must be at least 6 months old on the first day of the cruise to sail on an ocean cruise. Certain itineraries and activities can have additional age requirements.
Parents should therefore check both the fare and the age requirements before making a reservation.
A child under 3 is still a paying guest under Celebrity's normal pricing policy. Age alone does not automatically make the cruise fare free.
Celebrity does provide youth facilities for children, but its Camp at Sea program is designed for children ages 3 to 12, and children using the program must be fully toilet trained. Celebrity also says it does not currently provide nursery or drop-off services for children under 3.
These service details are separate from the cruise fare, so parents should not assume that paying for an infant or toddler means all child-care services are included.
The cruise fare is only one part of a family's total vacation budget.
These charges can apply to children even when their promotional cruise fare is reduced or waived. Celebrity's current promotional terms explicitly state that taxes, fees, and port expenses apply to all guests.
If your family purchases shore excursions, the price may depend on the specific excursion and age requirements.
Some activities may have minimum-age, height, or other restrictions, so parents should review the individual excursion details before booking.
Families may also spend money on optional dining, drinks, activities, shopping, internet services, or other onboard purchases. These expenses are separate from the basic cruise fare.
Children also need the appropriate travel documentation for the specific itinerary. Celebrity requires additional documentation in certain circumstances when a child is traveling without a parent or legal guardian.
Celebrity's age rules can affect how you arrange family accommodations.
For voyages departing from North America, Celebrity generally requires guests under 21 to be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older in the same stateroom, subject to stated exceptions. For cruises originating in Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, and New Zealand, the applicable minimum age for an unaccompanied minor is generally 18.
This means parents should consider the cruise's departure region before assuming that children can occupy a separate stateroom.
Families can sometimes reduce the total cost by looking beyond the basic advertised fare.
A stateroom designed for three or four guests can sometimes have discounted third- or fourth-guest pricing. Celebrity confirms that these reduced rates can be available on specific sailings.
Look for promotions involving third, fourth, or fifth guests. Celebrity's offers are sailing-specific and subject to terms, availability, and other restrictions.
Do not compare only the headline cruise fare. Check the final cost after taxes, fees, and port expenses.
A promotional offer may apply only to certain stateroom categories. For example, Celebrity's current U.S. promotional terms specify eligible Inside, Ocean View, Veranda, and Concierge Class staterooms for the applicable third-, fourth-, and fifth-guest offer.
Before booking, write down the cost for each part of the reservation:
Guest 1 fare + Guest 2 fare + child guest fares + taxes and fees for all guests = basic booking cost
Then add any optional services your family expects to purchase.
This approach prevents a common mistake: assuming that a "free child" or "free third guest" promotion means the entire cost associated with that child disappears.
Yes. Celebrity's standard policy says infants and children are subject to normal guest pricing. Some sailings offer reduced third- and fourth-guest rates, and promotions may provide complimentary cruise fares for additional guests.
Not under Celebrity's standard pricing policy. The cruise line says it does not provide a general reduced fare for infants. Promotional offers can have their own terms, so always check the specific sailing.
Celebrity's policies use different age categories depending on the rule being applied. For example, its youth program is divided into age groups, while its travel policies define minors and establish separate age restrictions. The applicable rule should therefore be checked for the specific service or sailing.
A child can potentially receive a $0 cruise fare under an eligible promotion for an additional guest. However, this is not a permanent child-free policy, and taxes, fees, and port expenses can still apply.
They can. Celebrity offers reduced third- and fourth-guest rates on specific sailings, and the cruise line states that those rates are designed to apply regardless of guest age.
Yes. Celebrity's promotional terms state that taxes, fees, and port expenses apply to all guests, including additional guests receiving a complimentary cruise fare under an eligible promotion.
For Celebrity's ocean cruises, infants must be at least 6 months old on the first day of the cruise. Some itineraries or activities may have additional age restrictions.
Yes. Celebrity offers youth programming through Camp at Sea on eligible ships. The program is designed for children ages 3 to 12, with age-grouped activities, while teens also have dedicated programming.
No. Cruise prices vary according to the sailing, stateroom, occupancy, fare conditions, and available promotions. The most accurate price is the total displayed for the particular cruise and guest combination you select.
A child may qualify for a reduced third-guest rate when that pricing is offered, but the cheapest arrangement depends on the specific sailing and available staterooms. Compare the complete booking price before choosing a room.
Celebrity Cruises does charge for children under its standard fare policy, including infants. A child's age does not automatically make the cruise free or guarantee a reduced fare. Celebrity explains that all guests count toward the ship's capacity, which is one reason children are normally priced as guests.
The important exception is promotional and occupancy-based pricing. Selected Celebrity sailings may offer reduced rates or even $0 cruise fares for third, fourth, or fifth guests, but these offers have eligibility rules and do not necessarily remove taxes, fees, and port expenses.
For families, the best approach is to compare the final cost for the entire party, check whether your children qualify as third or fourth guests, and read the terms of any "kids sail free" or additional-guest promotion before booking. That gives you a much more accurate picture of what your family cruise will actually cost.
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