Cruises for Students & Young Adults
Spring break, graduation and trips with friends — plan it right, on budget and within the rules.
Plan My Student CruiseCruising for Students and Young Adults
For students and recent grads, a cruise is a smart way to see several places on one budget. Your cabin, most meals, entertainment and the trip between ports are bundled into one fare, and splitting a cabin three or four ways can bring the per-person cost down further.
Young adults sail for spring break, after graduation, between semesters or simply because a group of friends finally lined up their schedules. Big resort ships are full of things to do at night, and the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico are close to many US home ports for short, inexpensive sailings.
There are rules to understand first, though. Cruise lines set minimum ages for booking and for sailing without an older companion, and drinking ages onboard often differ from what you might expect. This site walks through the age rules, budgeting, staying safe and the more academic side of cruising, so your trip goes smoothly. When you are ready, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can quote a cabin for your group.
Plan Your Trip
Spring break cruises
Short Caribbean and Bahamas sailings, timing around your school’s break and what to know before you book.
Graduation cruises
High school and college grad trips with friends or family, and celebrating on board.
Age rules
Minimum sailing ages, travel with an older companion, drinking ages and ID.
Budget
What the fare covers, the extras that add up and how to split costs fairly.
Safety
Practical habits for a safe trip, on board and ashore.
Educational voyages
Study-abroad voyages, school trips and learning-focused itineraries.
Why Young Travelers Like Cruising
- One price, many places. Wake up in a new port most mornings without paying for hotels or transport between them.
- Food is included. Main dining rooms and buffets are part of the fare — a big deal on a student budget.
- Built-in nightlife. Shows, live music, comedy, dance clubs and late-night events on big ships.
- Easy for groups. Friends can share cabins and meet up anywhere on the ship.
- Active port days. Snorkeling, kayaking, ziplining and beach days in the Caribbean and Mexico.
Quick Facts Before You Book
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | Major lines sailing from the US generally require guests to be 21 to sail without an older travel companion, with limited exceptions. Check your line. |
| Drinking age | On sailings from North America, the minimum drinking age on major lines is generally 21; some lines allow 18 on certain international sailings. |
| ID and passports | A valid passport is the simplest document for any cruise; check what your itinerary requires. |
| Cabin sharing | Most standard cabins sleep two; some sleep three or four. Ask before you build the group. |
| Final payment | Full fare is due before sailing, often 60 to 90 days ahead depending on the line and length of cruise. |
Brand new to cruising? Our sister site First Time Cruise explains the whole process step by step.
Who Is Behind Student Cruisers
Student Cruisers is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and will tell you up front about any age rules that apply to your group. Meet Mister Cruise →
Planning a Trip With Friends?
Tell us how many are going, everyone’s ages, your school break dates and your budget. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will find sailings that fit the rules and your wallet.
Plan My Student Cruise