Sarah BretzIt may seem far too early, but spring break 2026 is coming up faster than most of us would like to admit. So, it may be time to start thinking about what you’ll do during your (or your kids’) week off from school. If you’re considering taking a cruise but aren’t sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve got the basics on spring break cruising here, from how the cruise fare works and what’s included to age requirements and details on passports. Stick around for the end, because we’ve also got recommendations for the best spring break cruises in 2026 for both college students as well as families with kids.
What’s Included on a Spring Break Cruise
When it comes to mainstream large-ship cruise lines, what’s included in your cruise fare looks pretty much the same across the board. You’ll get stateroom accommodations, meals plus snacks, basic non-alcoholic beverages (such as lemonade and coffee), a variety of entertainment options, and access to a number of amenities and activities — including the kids’ clubs.
On many ships, you’ll also have the option to pay extra fees for additional activities and amenities (such as access to Norwegian Cruise Line’s Vibe Beach Club sundeck or Carnival’s BOLT roller coaster) as well as specialty dining, which is usually upscale restaurants focused on a particular cuisine — such as an American steakhouse, an Asian hibachi experience, or an Italian fine-dining restaurant.
Other items that are not wrapped into the cruise fare on most mainstream cruise lines include soda, specialty coffee, and alcoholic beverages. Likewise, casino gameplay, access to wifi, and the daily gratuities (sometimes called the daily service charge) are not included.
You’ll automatically incur a per-person daily gratuity charge on your folio — it’ll be around $16 to $20 per day. Most cruise lines allow you to remove it or adjust the amount, but we don’t recommend doing so. You’ll likely have the option to pre-pay your gratuities prior to the cruise, which we do recommend.
If you’re a college student, one cruise line to consider is Virgin Voyages. This cruise brand rolls wifi and all restaurants into the base cost of the cruise fare. Further, it is often running a promotion that provides onboard credit to use for alcoholic beverages. This adults-only cruise line is great for those who want a premium, relaxing experience and aren’t necessarily looking for the thrills that other mainstream cruise lines provide.
Age Requirements
To take a cruise, passengers must be at least six months old on most cruise lines. There are also rules when it comes to how old you must be to cruise without an older adult. Just because you’re legally an adult at 18 doesn’t necessarily mean you have free reign when it comes to taking a cruise.
Most cruise companies require that there is someone at least 21 years old within the group. Carnival takes it a step further. Unmarried passengers who are 18-20 years old must have someone on the same reservation that’s at least 25, but they can be in any other stateroom on the ship. Norwegian Cruise Line requires that the 21+ adult stays in an adjacent stateroom. This means that if you’re part of a group of younger college students wanting to sail together, most cruise lines will require that you bring along a friend that’s at least 21 years old.
If you’ve got more money than the average college student, there is a way to get around this. Though, it may not be the cruise line of choice for a college spring break. Disney Cruise Line is one of the only cruise lines that allows guests who are at least 18 to sail together without an older adult. However, keep in mind that Disney’s pricing is more expensive than mainstream lines and it doesn’t offer drink packages.
Age Requirements to Consume Alcohol
Speaking of drinking, let’s address the legal drinking age aboard the ship. Even though your vessel will likely sail to destinations where the drinking age is 18 (instead of 21 like in the U.S.), the ship abides by the laws of the country it originates from. If it sails from a U.S. homeport, the drinking age will be 21 on board. Off the ship, you abide by local rules — so go ahead and have some beers during your port day in Cozumel.
If you’re taking a cruise that begins and ends somewhere other than the U.S. — like a Mediterranean sailing — you abide by the drinking age of that country. In most cases, this means that on a European cruise, you will be able to drink on the ship if you’re 18 or older.
Passports
If you’re not very familiar with cruising or international travel, you may wonder whether you need a passport to take a cruise. If you’re taking a voyage that begins and ends in the same U.S. homeport, you likely won’t need a passport. You have the choice between taking your passport or taking your birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID.
If you’re taking a voyage to or from a foreign homeport or two different U.S. ports, you do need a passport. In either case, we recommend having a passport anyway.
Beverage Packages
Spring break cruises tend to have a stereotype as being one big party from beginning to end. While this is not always the case, there’s a reason the stereotype exists. If that’s your plan for your spring break cruise, you’re going to want to know what the alcohol situation is on cruise ships.
Since you’re probably not looking to sail a pricey luxury cruise line (where alcohol might be part of the fare), you’re going to need to buy your cocktails and beers on board. The good news is, most cruise lines offer a beverage package to help you offset the cost. You will also know how much you’re going to be spending ahead of time.
Drink packages cost a per-day price for nearly unlimited beverages. They usually include spirits, beers, wine by the glass, cocktails, and other things like specialty coffee, smoothies, and bottled water. Every cruise line has different inclusions and a different price tag. Though, expect to pay somewhere between $70 and $100 per person, per day for a package that includes alcoholic beverages.
Note that these are only available to those who are at least the legal drinking age on board. Further, you cannot share beverages acquired through your drink package with anyone else. On most lines, if one person is purchasing a beverage package, everyone else in the same cabin that’s also of age must purchase one as well.
Smoking
Cigarettes, vapes, and cigars are allowed on cruises — but only in designated smoking areas on the ship. Yes, that applies to vapes too, so don’t even bother trying to sneak them in your stateroom or a quiet corner of your favorite non-smoking sundeck.
Most ships will allow smoking in the casino as well as a dedicated outdoor spot on one of the upper sundecks. If a vessel has a cigar lounge, cigar smoking is allowed there as well — though you won’t be able to smoke cigarettes or vape there.
Other than these designated spots, the entire ship is one big no-smoking zone. Smoking is not allowed in your cabin, on your balcony, or in any other public area. If you get caught, you can incur hefty fines and potentially other disciplinary action.
In addition, marijuana is not permitted on cruise ships. Even if weed is legal in the state the ship is sailing from, federal law prohibits it. Some cruise lines have drug-sniffing dogs in the terminal prior to embarkation. If you do manage to sneak it on but get caught, you could be kicked off the ship mid-cruise. Save yourself any legal trouble and don’t bring it — or any other drugs — on your vacation.
How Cruise Pricing Works
The cost of your cruise will vary depending on a number of factors such as the cruise line, specific ship, and the cabin category you choose to book. Interior staterooms (those without windows or a very small porthole) are the cheapest option, with oceanview (larger window) and balcony cabins coming next, then the most expensive accommodations on a ship — the suites.
Further, instead of like a hotel where pricing is usually per room, it’s per-person on a cruise. However, the cruise fare is generally lower for the third person in a cabin and beyond. For example, if you’re taking a four-night cruise with a base fare of $600 per person, it’ll be $600 per person for the first two guests in the cabin, but may only be $300 per person for the third and fourth guests in that same stateroom.
This means that if you’re dividing out the cost of a cruise equally between your group, you’ll all pay less if there are four of you in the same cabin vs. splitting up in two cabins with two people in each one. It might be tough to squeeze everyone (and their luggage) into one stateroom, but it’s a great option if you’ve got an especially tight budget.
Other Add-Ons
Additionally, some cruise lines offer the option of a higher up-front cruise fare that includes extras like wifi, alcoholic beverages, and daily gratuities. Holland America’s “Have It All,” Celebrity Cruises’ “All Included,” and Princess Cruises’ “Plus” and “Premier” packages are all examples of this. They can be worth considering if you were planning to purchase the extras anyway.
In addition, Norwegian Cruise Line has its “More at Sea” program, which includes limited free specialty dining, wifi, and excursions; a free drinks package; and other perks such as a discount on the second guest in a cabin. This program applies to just about every 3+ night sailing on NCL except for charter cruises.
Our Picks For Best Spring Break Cruises For College Students in 2026
March is the most popular time for college spring break in the U.S. With that being said, there’s no single “spring break week;” it varies depending on your specific school. Because of that, we’re gathering together some itineraries that have multiple date options in and around March 2026.
Six-Night Western Caribbean on Royal Caribbean
This six-night voyage out of Fort Lauderdale is an ideal option for college students not only because of its length, but also the ship. It’s aboard one of the largest cruise vessels in the world, Oasis of the Seas.
The itinerary includes two sea days for relaxing or enjoying the huge amount of activities and amenities the ship has to offer, plus port calls in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic. The six-night length means you’ll get back with a couple days to unpack and catch up on sleep before classes begin again.
Four-Night Baja Mexico on Carnival
If you go to college on the west coast, consider hopping on this quick four-night voyage out of LA to Catalina Island and Ensenada. Taking place aboard Carnival’s “Italian Style” ship Carnival Firenze, the itinerary includes a sea day for hanging out on the ship with your friends.
If you’re looking for a slightly longer getaway, the same ship also operates six-night sailings with stops in Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas.
Seven-Night Western Caribbean on Norwegian Cruise Line
College students who seek a tropical cruise getaway that takes full advantage of their week-long spring break might consider this seven-night western Caribbean itinerary aboard Norwegian Escape from New Orleans.
The itinerary includes two sea days, perfect for enjoying the ship’s water park complete with four water slides. As for ports, the ship will stop in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Roatán, Honduras; and NCL’s private destination in Belize, Harvest Caye. The itinerary has a perfect mix of culture and history-rich destinations as well as spots perfect for a beach or pool day.
Five-Night Riviera Maya on Virgin Voyages
If you’re looking to splurge for a more premium (and adults-only!) cruise experience for spring break, this five-night itinerary aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady might fit the bill.
Two sea days provide ample time to hang out in one of the many modern and upscale spots across the ship, as well as hit The Manor nightclub and be able to sleep in the next morning. Port calls include Cozumel, Mexico as well as Bimini, Bahamas — where Virgin has its own beach club that’s free for passengers.
Seven-Night Eastern Caribbean on Carnival
Set sail aboard one of Carnival’s newest and largest ships with this week-long itinerary out of Miami. Packed with amenities including a top-deck roller coaster, a water park, and plenty of bars and included dining options, Carnival Celebration is the perfect vessel for a spring break getaway with friends.
This itinerary includes three sea days for enjoying the amenities and relaxing by the pool, as well as three port calls: St. Thomas, San Juan, and Carnival’s newest private destination in the Bahamas, Celebration Key.
Our Picks For the Best Spring Break Cruises For Families With Kids in 2026
Though this article largely focuses on college spring break, we know that parents of grade-school kiddos might be looking for some great options for a family cruise, too. Here are some of our top picks for family spring break cruises in 2026.
Seven-Night Eastern Caribbean on Royal Caribbean
Star of the Seas is the newest and largest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. It features the largest waterpark at sea at Thrill Island, the Hideaway adults-only sundeck with a suspended infinity pool, an entire neighborhood for families with young kids called Surfside, and high-dive shows in the indoor AquaDome.
This seven-night itinerary has an equal number of sea days and port days, meaning you can balance enjoying the ship with exploring tropical destinations as a family. The itinerary includes visits to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Royal Caribbean’s private island (complete with its own water park!) Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Four-Night Bahamas on Disney
In a list of best sailings for families with kids, we’d be remiss if we didn’t include a voyage on Disney Cruise Line. Though pricey, Disney knows how to make family vacations magical, and it offers some of the best experiences for families at sea.
This four-night sailing on Disney’s newest ship, Disney Destiny, includes calls to both of the line’s private destinations in the Bahamas: the new Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Castaway Cay. There’s also a sea day to enjoy the ship and its many activities geared towards kids and families.
Five-Night Mexican Riviera on Carnival
A great option for families based on or near the west coast, this five-night voyage aboard Carnival Radiance provides a great mix of down-time at sea and time in port to explore.
Two sea days accompany visits to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada where guests can enjoy a beach day or head out on a shore excursion to see the beauty that the Mexican Riviera has to offer.
Seven-Night Western Caribbean on Norwegian Cruise Line
Families looking to take full advantage of their free time during spring break might consider this seven-night sailing aboard one of NCL’s newest ships, Norwegian Viva. The itinerary is action-packed with four port calls and just two days at sea.
The ship visits Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico, as well as Roatán, Honduras and NCL’s private destination in Belize, Harvest Caye. This itinerary is perfect for families who want high-energy outdoor adventures with activities including things like tubing, snorkeling, ATV-riding, zip-lining, and jungle hiking.
Seven-Night Bahamas and Florida on MSC Cruises
Along with Carnival, MSC currently has some of the cheapest cruise fares out there. If you aren’t looking to break the bank on a family vacation, MSC Meraviglia is a great option. This seven-night sailing starts as low as $482 per person in March 2026 and departs from Brooklyn, New York. The itinerary visits Nassau, Bahamas; Port Canaveral, Florida; and the cruise line’s private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
MSC Meraviglia offers a host of family activities to enjoy on the three sea days as well, including a ropes course, aqua park, an indoor gaming facility and sports court, and more.
Comments
Do you have any other ships or itineraries to add to our list of best spring break cruises for 2026? Have you taken a spring break cruise as either a college student or family? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences.
