Carnival Freedom & Carnival Magic Carnival Cruise Line has had a Minor Guest Policy for many years, but recently this policy was updated to include a youth curfew for guests under 18.
Youth Curfew:
Carnival has a youth curfew in place that now begins at 1:00am each night of the cruise. Carnival's policy states that guests 17 and younger that are not with an adult in their traveling party that is 21 years or older, must be clear of all public areas unless participating in Club 02 and Circle C activities.
Although Carnival's policy officially states that participating in a Club 02 or Circle C activity is an exemption to this policy, the vast majority of activities for youth guests are generally over by 1:00am.
Drinking Onboard:
Carnival requires guests to be 21 years or older to be served alcohol. Carnival's FAQ states that guests are required to show a photo ID with birth date.
Casino & Bingo Games:
Carnival's rule for the casino is guests must be 18 or older to enter the casino and additionally must be 18 or older to play the casino slot machines or table games. I have seen cases where the casino team has asked guests with their underage kids to leave the casino due to the age policy. If you want to play in the casino, but do not want to leave your kids unattended or alone consider checking them into youth activities & go to the casino while they are in the youth program.
Carnival also requires guests to be 18 years or older to purchase and play Bingo. However, guests under 18 are allowed to watch the game of Bingo, but cannot purchase a card or play the game.
Serenity Adults Only Retreat:
Carnival's age policy for the Serenity Adults Only Retreat is an interesting policy because the name of the amenity implies "adult", but guests must actually be 21 years or older to enter the Serenity Adults Only Retreat. The crew members working the Serenity Adults Only Retreat generally watch to make sure guests utilizing the amenities are above the age threshold.
Fitness Center and Studio:
Carnival requires guests to be 18 years or older in order to use the Fitness Center and Studio amenities by themselves. However, guests 12 - 17 are allowed to use the facilities as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian and follow all posted rules.
SPA Facilities:
Carnival's policy requires guests to be 18 years or older to receive SPA treatments or utilize the SPA facilities. This includes SPA amenities such as the sauna, steam room. thermal suite, and Thalassotherapy pool.
An exception to this policy is Carnival's ZSPA offerings. Carnival has some special treatments available for kids aged 13-17 that can be done as long as a parent or guardian accompanies the kid. The policy posted by Carnival states that parents or guardians must sign the SPA's consultation form to indicate consent for the treatment.
Dance Club:
Carnival requires guests younger than 18 to leave the dance club by 10:00pm. This time may vary some by cruise & ship, but generally security checks guests entering to verify they are of age.
Punchliner Comedy Club:
Carnival's policy states guests under 18 are not allowed to attend the "R" rated comedy shows held as part of the Punchliner Comedy Club.
Shore Excursions:
Guests under 18 are required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian on a shore excursion. If there is a minimum age requirement for a particular shore excursion it should be noted.
Other Age Related Policies:
This policy does not include all onboard age restrictions & requirements and additionally does not cover age requirements for booking a cruise, traveling alone, or traveling in separate staterooms. Additionally, please keep in mind Carnival can change age restrictions at any time for any reason so stay tuned to Carnival's official policies for any changes. For the full policies related to Age Restrictions please check out these pages on Carnival's website:
Carnival's Age Restrictions Onboard Policy: Click Here To View
Carnival's Minor Guest Policy: Click Here To View
Both links will take you away from RyG's Cruise Guide!
Youth Curfew:
Carnival has a youth curfew in place that now begins at 1:00am each night of the cruise. Carnival's policy states that guests 17 and younger that are not with an adult in their traveling party that is 21 years or older, must be clear of all public areas unless participating in Club 02 and Circle C activities.
Although Carnival's policy officially states that participating in a Club 02 or Circle C activity is an exemption to this policy, the vast majority of activities for youth guests are generally over by 1:00am.
Drinking Onboard:
Carnival requires guests to be 21 years or older to be served alcohol. Carnival's FAQ states that guests are required to show a photo ID with birth date.
Casino & Bingo Games:
Carnival's rule for the casino is guests must be 18 or older to enter the casino and additionally must be 18 or older to play the casino slot machines or table games. I have seen cases where the casino team has asked guests with their underage kids to leave the casino due to the age policy. If you want to play in the casino, but do not want to leave your kids unattended or alone consider checking them into youth activities & go to the casino while they are in the youth program.
Carnival also requires guests to be 18 years or older to purchase and play Bingo. However, guests under 18 are allowed to watch the game of Bingo, but cannot purchase a card or play the game.
Serenity Adults Only Retreat:
Carnival's age policy for the Serenity Adults Only Retreat is an interesting policy because the name of the amenity implies "adult", but guests must actually be 21 years or older to enter the Serenity Adults Only Retreat. The crew members working the Serenity Adults Only Retreat generally watch to make sure guests utilizing the amenities are above the age threshold.
Fitness Center and Studio:
Carnival requires guests to be 18 years or older in order to use the Fitness Center and Studio amenities by themselves. However, guests 12 - 17 are allowed to use the facilities as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian and follow all posted rules.
SPA Facilities:
Carnival's policy requires guests to be 18 years or older to receive SPA treatments or utilize the SPA facilities. This includes SPA amenities such as the sauna, steam room. thermal suite, and Thalassotherapy pool.
An exception to this policy is Carnival's ZSPA offerings. Carnival has some special treatments available for kids aged 13-17 that can be done as long as a parent or guardian accompanies the kid. The policy posted by Carnival states that parents or guardians must sign the SPA's consultation form to indicate consent for the treatment.
Dance Club:
Carnival requires guests younger than 18 to leave the dance club by 10:00pm. This time may vary some by cruise & ship, but generally security checks guests entering to verify they are of age.
Punchliner Comedy Club:
Carnival's policy states guests under 18 are not allowed to attend the "R" rated comedy shows held as part of the Punchliner Comedy Club.
Shore Excursions:
Guests under 18 are required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian on a shore excursion. If there is a minimum age requirement for a particular shore excursion it should be noted.
Other Age Related Policies:
This policy does not include all onboard age restrictions & requirements and additionally does not cover age requirements for booking a cruise, traveling alone, or traveling in separate staterooms. Additionally, please keep in mind Carnival can change age restrictions at any time for any reason so stay tuned to Carnival's official policies for any changes. For the full policies related to Age Restrictions please check out these pages on Carnival's website:
Carnival's Age Restrictions Onboard Policy: Click Here To View
Carnival's Minor Guest Policy: Click Here To View
Both links will take you away from RyG's Cruise Guide!