Basics

Cruise Ship Casino Age Limit: 18 vs 21 by Cruise Line

How old do you have to be to gamble on a cruise? Casino age rules for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, NCL, Princess, Celebrity and MSC, from each line's own pages.

By Adult Arcades Editors • 8 min read

Adult Arcades is a 21+ community for people who enjoy cruise and land casinos. We are not a gambling operator, and we do not take bets. This guide explains what each major cruise line says about casino age rules. Every rule below links to the line's own page, checked on November 2, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with your cruise line before you sail.

The short answer

Most large cruise lines set the casino age at 18. On Alaska sailings, several lines raise it to 21. Some lines also change the age based on where the ship sails, such as Japan. The drinking age on board is a separate rule, and it is often 21 even when the casino age is 18.

That gap surprises a lot of first-time cruisers. A guest can be old enough to play blackjack but too young for a free casino drink. Knowing the rules ahead of time saves an awkward moment at the table.

Why cruise casinos often allow 18

Cruise casinos generally open only once the ship is at sea. NCL, for example, says its casinos close whenever the ship is in territorial waters whose laws prevent them from operating. Each cruise line publishes its own casino age policy for its ships. Most of the large lines use 18 as their baseline, with exceptions for certain regions.

On land, the rules come from the state or country. Nevada law is a clear example. Nevada Revised Statutes section 463.350 prohibits gaming by anyone under 21. A 19-year-old who plays slots on a Caribbean cruise cannot do the same on the Las Vegas Strip.

Casino age rules by cruise line

Here is what each line publishes. We quote or summarize the line's own words, and we flag anything we could not confirm.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean's FAQ says guests must be at least 18 to gamble in the casino. The exception is Alaska sailings, where guests must be 21. Minors may walk through the casino but may not linger or be left there unattended. Casino staff may ask for government-issued photo ID to prove age.

Royal Caribbean's Club Royale terms match that rule. Membership is open to people 18 or older at the time of sailing, or 21 or older on Alaska voyages.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival's age policy page says guests must be 18 or older to play the tables and slot machines. Guests under 18 are not allowed in the casino at all. The same age of 18 applies to bingo cards, Deal or No Deal game show cards and scratch cards.

Carnival also says guests must be 21 to be served alcohol on board. We did not find an Alaska exception for gambling on Carnival's official pages. Some third-party sites claim a higher age on Alaska or Hawaii sailings. That claim is unverified, so ask Carnival before you book an Alaska trip.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

NCL's terms and conditions say you must have a valid ID showing you are 18 or older to gamble in its casinos. Its guest conduct policy lists the casino age as 18 and over. NCL also notes there is no casino on its ship Pride of America.

The rewards program is different. NCL's Casinos At Sea page says you must be 21 or older to join the program. It also says you must be 21 to redeem all Casinos At Sea benefits. So an 18-year-old may play, but may not earn or use rewards from that program.

Princess Cruises

Princess says the gambling age on its ships is 18, and the drinking age is generally 21. Its FAQ says guests under 18 are not permitted in the casino. For cruises between Japan ports, Princess sets both the drinking and gambling age at 20.

Princess also says casino hours vary by ship and itinerary. It recommends checking the MedallionClass app for current hours.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity's onboard FAQ lists the casino age as 18 and over, except Alaska. For all Alaska itineraries, guests must be 21 or older to gamble. Celebrity's Blue Chip Club rewards program follows the same split. It is free to join for guests 18 and older, or 21 and older for Alaska.

MSC Cruises

MSC's guest conduct policy, last updated February 27, 2026, sets the casino age at 18. In Alaska, the minimum age is 21. MSC sets drinking ages by region, and the age is 21 on ships sailing from North America.

MSC's conditions of carriage add a stricter rule. They say that on itineraries that include a U.S. port, guests under 21 may not take part in gambling. The two documents differ, so if you are under 21, confirm with MSC before you sail.

Quick comparison

  • **Royal Caribbean:** 18, or 21 on Alaska sailings.
  • **Carnival:** 18. No Alaska exception found on Carnival's own pages (unverified).
  • **Norwegian Cruise Line:** 18 to gamble. 21 to join Casinos At Sea rewards. No casino on Pride of America.
  • **Princess:** 18, or 20 on cruises between Japan ports.
  • **Celebrity:** 18, or 21 on Alaska itineraries.
  • **MSC:** 18, or 21 in Alaska, under its conduct policy. Its conditions of carriage say 21 on itineraries with a U.S. port.

Bring ID, every time

Several lines say casino staff can ask for proof of age. Royal Caribbean mentions government-issued photo ID. NCL says you need a valid ID showing you are 18 or older. Princess says valid government-issued photo ID is required to verify age for gambling.

ID also matters if you win. NCL's terms say a guest under 18 who wins and cannot prove their age will not be paid. Our guide to cruise casino winnings and taxes explains the separate ID and tax form steps for larger payouts.

A simple habit helps. Keep your ship card and a photo ID together whenever you head to the casino.

Age rules for drinks in the casino

Free drinks are a common part of casino culture, but the drinking age still applies. Carnival says you must be 21 to be served alcohol on board. Celebrity and MSC use 21 on ships sailing from North America. NCL allows 18 to 20 year olds to buy beer or wine in international waters, but only with written parent or guardian consent. NCL says that exception does not apply on Alaska or Hawaii sailings.

Drinking and gambling also mix poorly for many people. Alcohol can make it harder to stick to a budget. Many players set a rule to stop playing after a drink or two.

Traveling with younger family members

Cruise casinos are often in busy central areas of the ship. That means families often pass through them. Royal Caribbean lets minors walk through but not linger. Carnival and Princess say guests under 18 are not permitted in the casino. If you sail with teens, plan meeting spots outside the casino.

Some lines also have rooming rules for younger adults. Princess says guests under 21 must share a stateroom with a guest who is 21 or older. MSC says guests under 21 on cruises with a U.S. port must travel with a parent or guardian, and NCL publishes its own supervision rules for guests ages 18 to 20. These rules do not change the casino age, but they shape how a group of younger friends can book.

What this means for our 21+ community

Adult Arcades is for adults 21 and older, even though many ship casinos allow 18. That standard applies to our forums, guides and events. It also keeps our content in line with ad and platform rules for gambling-related topics.

If you are under 21, please do not join or post in our community. If you are 21 or older, welcome aboard.

Play for fun, and set limits first

A casino is entertainment, not a way to make money. The house has an edge on every game, and no strategy changes that over time. We never promise wins, comps or offers, and nobody can.

A few habits help keep play fun:

  • Set a budget for the whole cruise before you board. Treat that money as spent.
  • Decide on a time limit for each session, and keep it.
  • Do not chase losses. A bad night is a good time to see a show instead.
  • Watch how easy it is to charge play to your cabin account. Check your onboard account often.
  • Take breaks, eat real meals and enjoy the rest of the ship.

Royal Caribbean's Club Royale terms mention a casino exclusion list. Ask the casino host or guest services what limit or exclusion options your line offers.

If gambling stops feeling like fun, help is available. The National Council on Problem Gambling runs the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738). You can call, text or chat 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It is confidential.

Sources

All pages checked November 2, 2026.

*This guide is general information, not legal advice. Policies can change at any time. Always confirm current rules with your cruise line or casino. Written with help from the Adult Arcades AI assistant and fact-checked against the sources above.*