Minimum age in a cabin

[flutprop]

I feel like this has been answered but could not find the answer in a search. What is the minimum age for someone to be booked into a cabin without an adult with them?

 

I am planning a cruise with a new boyfriend and my teenage son (16yo) plus another 16yo. Will end up with the kids in one cabin and us in another, and I know I can book one adult and one teen in each cabin and switch once on-board. However, I would prefer to not have to purchase the Plus package for all 4 of us, since the kids won't get the full benefit of the package.

 

I found on the Princess website where it states family groups with multiple cabins have to be 16yo, but when I called was told 21yo minimum. I am going to try calling later this week to see if I get the same answer.

I guess the other question would be if I book us all standard, then switch once on the ship and add the Plus package to my cabin, would it go to me and my son, or me and the boyfriend? As in, do they actually move the passenger in the system, or just rekey the medallion?

 

Thanks for any insight you may have.

[Rick&Jeannie]

Don't hold me to it...but I *think* it's 16.

[Rick&Jeannie]

Better to check directly with Princess on this, though. 

[1025cruise]

I think the issue you are going to have is the 16yo NOT related to you. On paper, they might need to be booked with an adult. Both don't hold me to this.

[t&atravel]

Delete

 

Edited January 1 by t&atravel

[startedwithamouse]

1 hour ago, flutprop said:

I feel like this has been answered but could not find the answer in a search. What is the minimum age for someone to be booked into a cabin without an adult with them?

 

I am planning a cruise with a new boyfriend and my teenage son (16yo) plus another 16yo. Will end up with the kids in one cabin and us in another, and I know I can book one adult and one teen in each cabin and switch once on-board. However, I would prefer to not have to purchase the Plus package for all 4 of us, since the kids won't get the full benefit of the package.

 

I found on the Princess website where it states family groups with multiple cabins have to be 16yo, but when I called was told 21yo minimum. I am going to try calling later this week to see if I get the same answer.

I guess the other question would be if I book us all standard, then switch once on the ship and add the Plus package to my cabin, would it go to me and my son, or me and the boyfriend? As in, do they actually move the passenger in the system, or just rekey the medallion?

 

Thanks for any insight you may have.

The correct answer is 16, but the booking cannot be done on the website.  You need to contact Princess or your TA. 

Edited January 1 by startedwithamouse

[Rick&Jeannie]

1 minute ago, t&atravel said:

.... provided they are traveling with a parent or legal guardian.

 

Note that this particular phrase does NOT say "in the same cabin".  Perhaps it is to be implied...but given that legal guardians (or parents) *are* traveling for each teen, I am fairly certain that what you need to do is book with a parent and teen in separate cabins.  Then, once on board have GS program medallions such that they will open both cabins and switch out cabins after boarding.  Have done this several times.

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, flutprop said:

I guess the other question would be if I book us all standard, then switch once on the ship and add the Plus package to my cabin, would it go to me and my son, or me and the boyfriend? As in, do they actually move the passenger in the system, or just rekey the medallion?

 

Short of using a TA, I would contact Princess and get with a CVP (Cruise Vacation Planner).  I bet you ended up with the overseas call center where you can end up with misinformation.  21 is the drinking age for most voyages.

 

It might help to have a letter from the other teen's parents that they are authorized to travel with you.  However, it really is no big deal to swap cabins on board.

 

There is also no issue in ordering Plus Fare package on board day 1.  Besides, any OBC you have goes towards paying for it and you will get $10 rebated for not having Medallion mailed.  Of course, make sure the people are swapped in the System before ordering. 

 

You can also order the Medallion Net for teens, but I would simply upgrade your include package to a 4-device package and then the teens can login.  Everyone will always have one connection and if anyone has a second device, you just bump off the original.

[capriccio]

After making your booking, make sure you collect an original, notarized letter signed by the his parent(s) authorizing you to take the him on that specific cruise, supervise him, and allow emergency medical treatment to be administered, if needed (copy the back and front of his parent's insurance card too). 

[tonit964]

3 hours ago, flutprop said:

I feel like this has been answered but could not find the answer in a search. What is the minimum age for someone to be booked into a cabin without an adult with them?

 

I am planning a cruise with a new boyfriend and my teenage son (16yo) plus another 16yo. Will end up with the kids in one cabin and us in another, and I know I can book one adult and one teen in each cabin and switch once on-board. However, I would prefer to not have to purchase the Plus package for all 4 of us, since the kids won't get the full benefit of the package.

 

I found on the Princess website where it states family groups with multiple cabins have to be 16yo, but when I called was told 21yo minimum. I am going to try calling later this week to see if I get the same answer.

I guess the other question would be if I book us all standard, then switch once on the ship and add the Plus package to my cabin, would it go to me and my son, or me and the boyfriend? As in, do they actually move the passenger in the system, or just rekey the medallion?

 

Thanks for any insight you may have.

Unless things have changed since 2016, I brought my DD & her friend both 16 and booked them in a cabin across and a few down from mine. No issues at all. 

[ceilidh1]

It's 16 years old - you would need to have it booked by Princess agent or TA as the bookings would need to be correctly linked. One thing to note is that if you plan on using Princess Air, the minors must be on the same flight as the adults (sounds obvious but did cause an issue for us once as one of the teens was flying from school rather than from home).

[tonit964]

Oh, also, very important, when taking a minor friend along, Princess requires everyone to have passports. BC & ID will not work in this instance. 

[TN-Mountains]

This is from the FAQ regarding Cruisung with Family & Kids:

 

Preparing for Your Cruise

 

What is the minimum age to cruise?

Minimum age requirements:

Guests must be at least 6 months of age at the time of embarkation and at least 12 months of age for trans-atlantic crossings and remote itineraries.

 

Cruisetours: The minimum age for escorted cruisetours is 5 years.

Guests under the age of 21 need to travel in a stateroom with a guest 21 years or older who will assume responsibility for them during the cruise. For family groups booking multiple staterooms, the minimum age for each guest is 16, provided they are traveling with a parent or legal guardian. Unfortunately we are unable to accept group reservations for student or youth groups that do not meet our minimum age requirements.

 

What travel documents do I need to bring for my child?

Passport requirements: Travel document requirements For U.S. and Canadian citizens

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT ALL GUESTS TRAVEL WITH A PASSPORT.

Documents for guests under the age of 18:

Several countries require special documentation for children traveling with only one parent or with neither parent, and these requirements can change without notice. Many foreign countries require a single parent or guardian to bring a permission slip for the minor to travel abroad. It’s your responsibility to ensure you have the proper documents for all of the countries you’ll visit. Please verify requirements with the consulates of these countries prior to your cruise.

 

ETA: Here is the link that I copied the above information from:

 

https://www.princess.com/en-us/faq/onboard-experience#cruising-with-family-kids

Edited January 1 by TN-Mountains
Added link to Princess FAQ

[skynight]

From your posting there is one parent and one legal dependent 16 years of age (no. 1). Then you have one adult over 21 and another 16 year old (no. 2) that is not a legal dependent of you or your friend. You are not really a family group. It seems to me that you would have to get written legal P of A for youth no. 2 to travel. I think it is possible for you and youth no. 2 to be booked into one cabin and then the other adult and your son to be booked into the second cabin. You may be able to switch once on board. You will require passports. Here is the legal text from the passage contract

5. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS; DRINKING; TOBACCO; GAMING; ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.

The minimum Guest age to sail is 6 months of age at the time of embarkation in order to sail on Alaska, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Mexico, China, Europe (excluding Transatlantic), Japan (roundtrip) and Panama canal itineraries where there are more than 2 consecutive sea days, the minimum Guest age is 12 months of age at the time of embarkation in order to sail. No Guest under 21 years of age is permitted to book a cruise, and any Guest under 21 years of age must travel in a stateroom with a Guest 21 years or older who shall assume responsibility for their care during the cruise. For family groups booking multiple staterooms, the minimum age for at least one person in each stateroom is 16 years of age, provided they are traveling with a parent or legal guardian. We are unable to accept group reservations for student or youth groups that do not conform to our minimum age requirements. Each Guest agrees and warrants that he/she will supervise any Guest in his/her care at all times to ensure all policies, along with all other rules of the Carrier and Ship, are strictly adhered to by all Guests under their supervision. For cruises operating in Japan and Singapore all guests under the age of 20 must travel with a guest age 20 or older. For cruises on operating in Australia specific age limits apply and You should consult with Your travel advisor or refer to the relevant travel brochure for more information.

[flutprop]

OP here. Thank you all for the replies. That is the section I had found on the website. 

I took the other teen with us last June, so know about having the form filled out by the parents and having ID. 

 

Sounds like this should be possible to book the way I want, but if not, once we change cabins on board we would show in the "correct" cabins to then purchase the Plus for the adults only.

 

Last summer when we cruised, my son and I had the Premiem package (as a free upgrade offer) and I just bought additional internet for the friend and paid the daily grats. 

[flutprop]

11 hours ago, tonit964 said:

Oh, also, very important, when taking a minor friend along, Princess requires everyone to have passports. BC & ID will not work in this instance. 

I know this is the policy for Princess, but they don't follow it. We cruised last June and by the time I was made aware of this requirement after final payment, it was too late for the friend to get a passport. So we were prepared to be denied boarding with just the BC and ID, but had no problems. What caused a problem once on the ship was lack of the authorization letter from the parents! We had it; kept asking about it at check-in and being told nothing further was required. Then once in our cabin, the head of Guest Services found us and said she would need it. So the parents took photos and messaged me, which I then emailed to Guest Services manager.

 

The mother did tell me they are going to start now to get passports for the cruise this summer.

[1025cruise]

Just remember the check-in agents are not Princess employees. While they have rules for what documentation is required, sometimes they get it confused.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

14 hours ago, flutprop said:

Last summer when we cruised, my son and I had the Premiem package (as a free upgrade offer) and I just bought additional internet for the friend and paid the daily grats. 

doesn't Premier come with like 4 devices pp? Why would you need to purchase separate internet for another person?

[flutprop]

13 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

doesn't Premier come with like 4 devices pp? Why would you need to purchase separate internet for another person?

You are right! The offer we booked under as pay for Plus and get Premier, so all my paperwork showed the Plus benefits. I didn't remember about the internet, so paid $90 for something we didn't need. Oh, well. A mistake I won't make in the future.

[flutprop]

57 minutes ago, 1025cruise said:

Just remember the check-in agents are not Princess employees. While they have rules for what documentation is required, sometimes they get it confused.

We checked in with the private lounge offsite, so I think they were Princess employees. He called the ship multiple times with our questions, and for other guests who wanted to book Sanctuary and such, so should have received the correct info. The guest services manager told me later that she had not been at the desk when the calls came from him, so he did receive incorrect info from the ship.

[Cruise Raider]

If two people re booked in the same cabin, the plus or premium fare packages would need to be bought for the two passengers in each cabin, even once onboard.  It would be best if you could get the teens in their own room.  A CVP (cruise vacation planner) down at Princess or a good TA would be your best bet.