Cruises with a baby from UK ports
A no-fly cruise from a UK port means no airport security, no cabin bag limits and no flight with a baby. The catch is age: every line sets a minimum age for babies, and some raise it on longer voyages. Here's what each line that sails from UK ports says on its own website.
From each cruise line's own website. Last checked: 30 Oct 2026. Rules differ by ship and sailing, so confirm the minimum age for your exact cruise before you book.
Key facts
Short answer: most big lines sailing from Southampton accept babies from 6 months, rising to 12 months on some longer voyages (often transatlantic crossings or cruises with 3 or more sea days in a row). Fred. Olsen accepts children from 12 months. MSC admits under-2s, except on cruises of 11 nights or more, where children must be at least 2. Ambassador's two ships are adults-only except on advertised multigenerational cruises.
| Cruise line | UK departure ports | Minimum age for a baby | Higher minimum on some sailings |
|---|---|---|---|
| P&O Cruises | Southampton | Children under 6 months are refused boarding | Some holidays don't allow under-12-months; check with P&O before booking |
| Cunard | Southampton | Six months plus are permitted on board | Not stated by the line on the pages we checked |
| Royal Caribbean | Southampton (no-fly cruises) | 6 months on the first day of the cruise | 12 months for transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, select South American and other selected cruises, and any cruise with 3 or more consecutive sea days |
| MSC Cruises | Southampton (no-fly cruises) | Under-2s admitted; a lower age limit is not stated by the line | At least 2 years old on cruises of 11 nights or more |
| Celebrity Cruises | Southampton | 6 months on the first day of the cruise | 12 months for transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, some South American and selected cruises, and any cruise with 3 or more consecutive sea days |
| Princess Cruises | Southampton | 6 months at embarkation | 12 months for transatlantic crossings and remote itineraries |
| Norwegian (NCL) | Southampton | 6 months on the day of boarding | 12 months if the cruise has 3 or more consecutive days at sea |
| Fred. Olsen | Southampton, Liverpool, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Rosyth | 12 months (ages 12 months to 17 on Bolette and Balmoral) | Borealis is adults-only |
| Ambassador | Seven UK ports: London Tilbury, Liverpool, Newcastle, Belfast, Bristol, Portsmouth and Dundee | Ambition and Ambience are adults-only (18 and over), except advertised multigenerational cruises | Minimum age on multigenerational cruises: not stated by the line |
Marella Cruises (TUI) says infants under 6 months can't travel on its cruises, but we didn't find UK departure ports on its pages, so it isn't in the table. Disney Cruise Line and Costa Cruises are also left out because we couldn't confirm UK departures on their own sites.
How to read the minimum ages
- Count from the first day of the cruise. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity measure age on the first day of the cruise; NCL on the day of boarding.
- Sea days matter. On Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and NCL, 3 or more consecutive sea days raises the minimum to 12 months. A Southampton cruise to the Canaries or a transatlantic crossing can hit that rule.
- Back-to-back MSC cruises: MSC says the 11-night rule doesn't apply when a longer trip combines two or more cruises and the ship returns to its home port in between.
FAQ
What is the youngest age a baby can go on a cruise from Southampton?
On most lines it's 6 months: P&O Cruises, Cunard, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess and NCL. MSC admits under-2s on cruises shorter than 11 nights without stating a lower limit, so ask MSC about a very young baby.
Can a baby go on a transatlantic crossing?
Usually only from 12 months. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Princess all set 12 months for transatlantic sailings.
Which UK cruise line sails from the most UK ports?
Ambassador says it sails from seven UK ports, but its ships are adults-only except on advertised multigenerational cruises. Fred. Olsen lists Southampton, Liverpool, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Rosyth, and accepts children from 12 months.
Does Fred. Olsen accept babies?
Not under 12 months. Fred. Olsen accepts guests aged 12 months to 17 on Bolette and Balmoral, and Borealis is adults-only.
Do I need travel insurance for a cruise with a baby?
Yes. GOV.UK says cruises generally need an additional level of cover. See our travel insurance for babies guide.
Sources (Last checked: 30 Oct 2026)
- P&O Cruises: cruises from Southampton, booking terms, facilities for babies
- Cunard: cruises from Southampton, family accommodation
- Royal Caribbean: no-fly cruises, age policy
- MSC Cruises: cruises from the UK, children and teens FAQ
- Celebrity Cruises: all FAQs (UK), before you board
- Princess Cruises: British Isles cruises, onboard FAQs
- NCL: cruises from Southampton, age requirements
- Fred. Olsen: departure ports, children FAQ
- Ambassador: no-fly cruises from the UK, general information
- TUI (Marella): A to Z guide
More cruise guides
- Cruise line baby rules compared: cots, nurseries and kids' club ages
- Best cruise lines for babies from the UK
- P&O Cruises with a baby and Cunard with a baby
Back to cruising with a baby.
Last checked and updated: · Kiddieko · How we check facts
