Disney Cruise Line: Key Ages You Need to Know About

A Disney Cruise Line vacation involves a number of situations where a passenger’s age makes an important difference where they can or can’t participate in some activity. This includes things large (getting onto the ship) and small (getting a spa treatment). Here’s a rundown of all the key ages you need to know when planning your trip.

Before we get into it, be aware that because DCL will have your official identification documents when you check in, there is no ability to fudge an age as you might be able to in some Walt Disney World theme park situations. For example, the archery experience at WDW’s Fort Wilderness resort has a minimum age requirement of seven years old. You could likely bring tall, well-behaved, child who is six years and eleven months old and no one would be the wiser. (To be clear, I’m not advocating that anyone do this. I’m just saying that you probably could do this.) There is no mechanism here to verify the child’s actual age at Walt Disney World; not so with DCL.

Because the Cruise Line has access to every passenger’s passport or birth certificate, they know exactly how old everyone is. This is true even if an age change happens during a sailing. If your child turns 18 years old on Day 3 of your trip, the system will not all them to be booked into a reservation at Palo on Days 1 and 2, but it will allow them to be booked at Palo on Days 3+. Similarly, that same child will be allowed into the Vibe teen club on Days 1 and 2, but his access will be revoked on Day 3.

Also note that Disney contradicts itself with age requirements, particularly with regard to age limits at onboard pools. For example, signs posted at Nemo’s Reef on the Dream state that the area is for use “by children up to the age of 8 years old.” The Nemo’s Reef description on the Disney Cruise Line website states, “This attraction is intended for Guests ages 3 and under.” Where there is a discrepancy, I’ve listed the younger of the guidelines. In practice, you will have to follow the instructions of the cast members onboard the ships, regardless of what the website or posted signage states. Click photos to enlarge.

24 Weeks Pregnant

• People who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy as of their embarkation date or who will enter their 24th week of pregnancy during the cruise will be refused passage.

6 Months Old

• For most itineraries, guests must be at least six months old at the time of embarkation.

1 Year Old

• For the South Pacific, Transatlantic, Hawaii, and Panama Canal repositioning cruises, the minimum age to sail is one year old at the time of embarkation.

Crawling Age

• Guests who have no yet learned to walk may participate in Jack Jack’s Diaper Dash.

3 Years Old and Under

• Use of the It’s a Small World Nursery is restricted to guests 3 years old or younger.
• Nephew’s Splash Zone, Dory’s Reef, and Nemo’s Reef (Dream, Fantasy) are designed for guests ages three and younger.

3 Years Old and Over

• AquaLab (Magic, Fantasy, Wonder) are restricted to guests ages three and older.
• Donald’s Pool (Dream, Fantasy), Goofy’s Pool (Magic, Wonder), and Mickey’s Pool (Dream, Fantasy) are restricted to guests ages three and older.

3 to 10 Years Old

• The Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab Youth Clubs are restricted to guests ages 3 to 10 years old.

3 to 12 Years Old

• The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique salon is restricted to guests ages 3 to 12 years old.
• Olaf’s Royal Picnic (Wish) is designed for children ages 3 to 12. Children must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older.
• Royal Court Tea (Magic, Wonder, Dream, Fantasy) is designed for children ages 3 to 12. Children must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older.

4 to 14 Years Old

• Mickey’s Slide (Dream and Fantasy)  is restricted to guests ages 4 to 14 years old AND 38″ to 64″ tall.

7 Years or Older

• Guests must 7 years or older AND 54″ inches or taller to ride the AquaMouse (Wish) alone. (Kids under age 7 may ride at 42″ if they are with another guest age 14 or older.)
• Guests must 7 years or older AND 54″ inches or taller to ride the AquaDuck (Dream, Fantasy) alone. (Kids under age 7 may ride at 42″ if they are with another guest age 14 or older.)

11 to 14 Years Old

• The Edge tween club is restricted to guests age 11 to 14 years old.

13 and Under

• Guests ages 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older to use the sports simulators (Dream, Fantasy).

13 to 17 Years Old

• Guests ages 13 to 17  may have select treatments at Senses Spa if a parent/guardian books the experience for them AND accompanies the teen for the duration of the treatment.

14 to 17 Years Old

• The Vibe teen club is restricted to guests ages 14 to 17.
• At the Sports Simulator (Dream, Fantasy) guests ages 14 to 17 must be accompanied by at least one guest of the same age or older.
• For sailings originating in the United States, Guests between the ages of 14 and 17 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian to enter the Fitness Center.

18 Years Old and Over

• The minimum age to sail unaccompanied on Disney Cruise Line is 18 years old. (Minors under age 18 who are not accompanied by a parent/guardian must be booked into the same stateroom with someone at least 21 years old.
• Use of the Quiet Cove pool (all ships) is for guests ages 18 and older.
• Use of the Satellite Falls pool (Dream, Fantasy) is for guests age 18 and older.
• Cove Cafe is for guests ages 18 and older.
• Guests must be 18 years old to dine at the adult restaurants including Palo, Palo Steakhouse, Remy, and Enchanté.
• Guests must be 18 years old to leave the ship unaccompanied by an adult in their own stateroom. A parent/guardian may sign a Debarkation Authorization Form that allows a minor to leave the ship on their own or in the company of an adult from a different stateroom.
• Guests must be at least 18 years old to collect winnings at BINGO games. Younger children may participate, but winnings must go onto an adult’s account.
• Guests must be at least 18 years old to use the Senses Spa unaccompanied.
• For sailings originating in the United Kingdom, use of the Fitness Center is restricted to adults 18 years of age and older.
• Bars and Lounges are restricted to ages 18 and up after 9:00 p.m.
• Serenity Bay areas at Castway Cay and Lookout Cay are restricted to guests ages 18 and up.

18 to 20 Years Old

• The 1820 Society is restricted to guests ages 18 to 20 years old, inclusive.
• The Hideaway (Wish) is restricted to guests ages 18 to 20 years old, inclusive.
• Guests ages 12 to 20 years old may drink alcohol, while in an adult’s presence, if their parent/guardian signs a Beverage Consent Form, only for round-trip sailings from a European country that has drinking age lower than 21; round-trip cruises from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane; or repositioning cruises between Australia and Hawaii.

21 Years Old

• For most sailings, the minimum required age to drink alcohol is 21.
• Only guests age 21 and older may bring alcoholic beverages (beer/wine/champagne) onto the ship.

Also note that the majority of Port Adventures offered by Disney Cruise Line have an age requirement for participation. Some examples on Disney’s Castaway Cay private island include: any age may participate (Glass Bottom Boat Scenic Voyage), ages 5 and up (to ride on an AquaTrike with an adult), ages 8 and up (Castaway Cay Fishing Adventure), ages 14 and up (Chiliboats Waterbikes Rental), and ages 18 and up (to drive at the Watercraft Ski Adventure). There is a wide array of age variations required at all ports. ALWAYS make sure your party meets the age qualifications before booking.