Carnival Cruise Line Tightens Policy on Minor Guests, Chaperones

Carnival Cruise Lines is tightening up its policies regarding young adult cruisers under the age of 21, including requiring more guardians/chaperones and closing the distance between minor and chaperone staterooms.

Effective this month (October 2026), all minor guests (between 15 and 20 years of age) must stay in a stateroom that is separated by no more than three other cabins from their relative or guardian (aged 25 and older). Prior to this, guests between 18 and 20 didn’t have any restrictions. Now they do.

Additionally, Carnival has changed its guardian per minor group policy. Starting now, one adult guardian/chaperone must be assigned for every five minors. The policy used to be one adult for every eight minors.

What hasn’t changed is Carnival’s policy stating that guests must be 21 years old on embarkation day to travel alone. Anyone 20 or younger must travel with someone who is 25 years of age or older, with a few key exceptions. Legally married couples and U.S. and Canadian miliary personnel between the ages of 18 and 20 are exempt, but both must present various forms of identification at check-in in order to board.