David Rowlinson

My Kind of Cruise

FAQ: MSC - Children and Teens

Children and Teen Policies on MSC Cruises

At My Kind of Cruise, we want to ensure families booking MSC Cruises through us have all the information they need to travel confidently and safely. Below are the most frequently asked questions regarding MSC Cruises’ policies for children and teenagers:

What is MSC Cruises’ minors policy?

The Minors Policy is designed to protect the safety and well-being of all passengers on board. A "minor" refers to anyone under the age of 18 (on cruises that do not include a US port) or under 21 (on cruises that do include a US port).

What is the policy for infants under one year of age?

Infants under 12 months old are welcome on most MSC Cruises. However, on cruises lasting 11 nights or more, infants must be at least one year old by the date of embarkation.

Why are infants under one year not permitted on cruises of 11 nights or longer?

Longer cruises often include several consecutive days at sea, which may limit the ship’s ability to provide immediate medical care. For safety reasons, infants under one are not permitted on these itineraries.

Does the infant age requirement apply if I have booked two seven-night cruises?

No, it does not. If you have booked two separate cruises, even if consecutive, the policy treats them as individual sailings and the age restriction for longer cruises does not apply.

What happens if a new booking does not comply with the Minors Policy?

If a booking does not comply, MSC Cruises will contact you. You will be offered a Free Cruise Move with updated pricing, or the booking will be cancelled in line with MSC’s standard cancellation policy.

Can guests under 18 travel without an adult?

No. Minors must be accompanied in their cabin by at least one adult. For itineraries that include a US port, guests aged 18-20 may travel in a cabin alone only if accompanied on the same booking by someone aged 21 or older.

What age is considered “adult” for cruise purposes?

You are considered an adult at 18 years of age for most itineraries. However, for cruises involving a US port, the minimum age is 21.

Are there any exceptions to the cabin policy for minors?

Yes. MSC Cruises allows minors under 18 to occupy a cabin without an adult under the following conditions:

- The parent or legal guardian must request this arrangement at the time of booking and submit a signed liability waiver to MSC’s Contact Centre.

- The parent/guardian must be travelling with two to five minors.

- The minor-only cabin must be occupied by either one child aged 12 or older, or two children, where the eldest is at least 12 and the youngest is at least 8.

- A maximum of two minors per cabin is permitted without an adult.

For MSC Lirica, Musica, and Fantasia class ships, the parent/guardian must be booked in a connecting cabin, and the balcony of the minors’ cabin will be locked.

For all other MSC ships, minors may be accommodated in:

- Connecting cabins (internal door between rooms) with balcony locked, or

- Interior adjacent cabins, with no more than three cabins between them, located in the same corridor and assigned to the same assembly station.

Parents/guardians must also purchase a bracelet that grants them access to the minor-occupied cabin at any time.

What is the difference between ‘connecting’ and ‘adjacent’ cabins?

- Connecting cabins are two cabins joined by an internal door.

- Adjacent cabins are cabins with no more than three rooms between them, in the same corridor and assigned to the same muster station. At least one must not have a balcony.

Where can I find the liability waiver?

You can download the waiver from MSC Cruises’ official website, and you need to submit the form via their Contact Centre or website.

How is the age of minors verified?

Age is verified using official identification provided at embarkation.

Who manages the enforcement of these policies?

All aspects of these policies are handled directly by MSC Cruises’ Contact Centre.

Can guests under 21 travel alone on cruises to or from the USA?

No. All guests must be 21 or older to travel unaccompanied on cruises embarking in or travelling to the United States. Guests under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If the parent is not travelling, an authorisation letterand the name of a designated chaperone must be provided at the time of booking.

Can 18-20 year-olds stay in a cabin alone?

Yes, provided they are travelling with a guest aged 21 or older on the same booking. No additional requirements apply.

What happens if a US-based booking does not comply with the age policy?

MSC Cruises will contact the guest and offer one of the following options:

- A Free Cruise Move to a sailing without US ports

- A Free Cruise Move to a later sailing, if the guest will be 21 at the time

- Cancellation under the standard policy

Will we be contacted if our booking is not compliant?

Yes. MSC Cruises will reach out to offer appropriate alternatives, as listed above.

Is the Kids Club open? What activities are offered for children?

Yes, Kids Club and family programmes are open and offer a fun, safe, and hygienic environment. Activities include:

- Age-specific clubs

- Sports competitions

- Pool games

- Quizzes and treasure hunts

- Arts and crafts

- A fully-equipped games room with toys, board games, modelling clay, colouring materials, and more

Are the kids’ activities free of charge?

Yes. All onboard children’s activities are included in your cruise fare.

What food is available for babies and children?

A wide selection of nutritious, child-friendly meals is available, catering to young palates and nutritional needs. Restaurants and cabin service can also help with warming baby food or formula.

Can children join the MSC Voyagers Club?

Yes, children can join. For guests under 18, registration must be completed by a parent or legal guardian. Required information includes full name and date of birth. An email address is optional.

Can I leave my child on board while I go on a shore excursion?

Yes, children can stay on board under the supervision of Kids Club staff, but you must notify the miniclub team at least one day in advance. Children cannot disembark alone or remain onboard while parents disembark unless authorised by onboard staff.

Is there a secure payment system for children on board?

Yes. Using their Cruise Card, children can purchase soft drinks, photos, games, and souvenirs. Parents can set spending limits via Guest Services. If no limit is set, it is assumed all purchases are authorised by the parent or guardian.

What about swimming pool safety and hygiene?

- Babies in nappies are not allowed in pools.

- Children under 16 must be supervised by an adult at all times.

- Flip-flops are recommended and available for purchase.

- Swimming caps are optional.

Are babies allowed in the swimming pool?

No, for hygiene reasons, babies wearing nappies are not permitted in the pool.

Do you provide equipment for parents with young children?

Yes. MSC Cruises partners with Chicco to offer limited quantities of:

• Bottle warmers

• Strollers

• Highchairs

• Cots (available upon request before departure)

A Chicco corner in the onboard shops features nappies and other baby products. Supplies are limited, especially during peak season.

Do you have medical services for children on board?

Yes. Every ship in the MSC fleet has a modern Medical Centre with fully qualified staff. 24/7 paediatric telemedicine support is available. Over-the-counter medicines can be purchased onboard.

Is there special security for children?

Yes. Every child is issued with an MSC ID wristband upon embarkation, which must be worn throughout the cruise for safety.

If you have additional questions about booking an MSC Cruise through us, feel free to contact our support team. We are here to make your family cruise planning smooth, secure, and enjoyable.