Planning a family cruise in 2026? One of the best ways to save is by booking Kids Sail Free promotions — offers where children cruise for free (or nearly free) when traveling with adults. These deals typically apply to kids 12 and under when they share a cabin with full-fare adults.
Below is the most complete list of major cruise lines offering Kids Sail Free 2026 deals, how they work, and tips to book them.
1. Royal Caribbean — Classic Kids Sail Free Promotion
Overview:
Royal Caribbean regularly runs Kids Sail Free deals where children 12 and under pay $0 cruise fare (taxes & fees still apply) on select sailings in 2026.
How It Works:
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Kids 12 and under cruise free when booked with two full-fare adults.
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Typically available on sailings 3 nights or longer.
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Promotion appears periodically and has blackout dates (often busy summer and holiday periods).
Tips:
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Sign up for Royal Caribbean email alerts to know when deals are released.
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Combine with other offers like BOGO60 (60% off second adult fare) to multiply savings.
2. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) — Select Kids Sail Free Deals
Overview:
NCL occasionally offers Kids Sail Free promotions on select itineraries — especially Caribbean, Bahamas, or Bermuda sailings.
How It Works:
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Available on limited sailings and changes often.
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Kids 12 and under cruise free when sharing a cabin with paying adults (promotion dependent on ship and cruise dates).
Tips:
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Work with a travel advisor or cruise expert — many NCL Kids Sail Free offers aren’t heavily advertised.
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Check ship-specific promotions for family sailings.
3. Carnival Cruise Line — Family Offers With Kids Sail Free
Overview:
Carnival also lists family cruise deals where kids sail free or with greatly reduced fares on select 2026 departures.
How It Works:
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Cruise deal sites frequently pair Carnival sailings with Kids Sail Free perks.
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Typically available on select Caribbean and Bahamas sailings.
Tips:
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These deals may be offered by booking partners (e.g., Cruises.com), so check both Carnival’s official site and trusted third-party sellers.
4. MSC Cruises — Kids Sail Free on Family Sailings
Overview:
MSC Cruises — known for modern family ships — also promotes Kids Sail Free deals through certain travel partners or promotional events.
How It Works:
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On select 2026 sailings, third and fourth guests (often kids) sail free or with big savings.
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Often paired with onboard credits or drink packages.
Tips:
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Look for Kids Sail Free bundled with Free at Sea packages for extra onboard perks.
5. Cruises-Only & Priceline Kids Sail Free Deals
Overview:
Travel portals like Cruises-Only and Priceline often list curated Kids Sail Free cruise deals across multiple cruise lines.
What You’ll Find:
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Select Kids Sail Free sailings on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC and others.
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Additional bonuses like free Wi-Fi, onboard credits, or drinks included.
Tips:
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These third-party deals can expand your options beyond what you see on cruise lines’ own sites.
6. Other Potential Kids Sail Free Offers
Disney Cruise Line
Disney doesn’t regularly advertise a formal Kids Sail Free deal, but they occasionally offer promotions or onboard credits that make it feel like kids cruise virtually free when bundled with other perks.
(Disney doesn’t currently have a consistent 2026 Kids Sail Free promotion on its official site.)
Holland America Line & Celebrity Cruises
These lines sometimes run third/fourth guest free deals (effectively similar to Kids Sail Free), especially during big sales like Black Friday or Travel Tuesday events.
Important Notes Before You Book
✔ Kids Sail Free ≠ fully free: Taxes, port fees, and gratuities still apply for everyone, including kids.
✔ Offers are limited time and change often — they’re not guaranteed for every ship or date.
✔ Blackout dates (peak travel times) usually apply on many deals.
✔ Deals often work best when booked early — families who wait risk fewer cabins at free fares.
Tips to Maximize Kids Sail Free Deals
🧳 Book ASAP: Most Kids Sail Free promotions sell out quick.
🧳 Stack deals: Combine with BOGO discounts, onboard credits, or drink packages.
🧳 Travel in shoulder seasons: Spring and late summer often have more available sailings.
🧳 Check with agents: Travel agents often see unpublished or early Kids Sail Free sailings.
