Cruise Lines Offering ‘Kids Sail Free’ for Louisiana Guests

To board a cruise ship and sail away from the Port of New Orleans is a trip that every Louisiana resident needs to experience. Whether you are from Shreveport, Monroe, Lafayette, or even "down the bayou" in Lafourche or Plaquemines parishes the opportunity to see our state from a "river view" is an experience of a lifetime.

For a lot of families in Louisiana, the barrier between taking a cruise vacation and a typical summer beach vacation comes down to one issue, money. It can be expensive to set sail with kids. But several cruise lines are now offering special deals for Louisiana guests in which kids 12 and under sail for $0. One cruise line is offering a package that includes a $0 fare for teenagers.

Besides the money issue the other elephant in the room when it comes to sailing with kids or teens is timing. Most parents don't want their kids to miss school for a vacation. Even though travel should be considered a learning experience it doesn't help our public schools "win" when it comes to standardized tests. But that's a whole different discussion for a totally different day.

Which Cruise Lines Are Offering Kids Sail Free?

Many of Louisiana's favorite cruise lines, namely Royal Caribbean and Margaritaville at Sea, are offering special deals for kids. A newcomer to the Louisiana cruise market, MSC Cruise Lines, is also offering special deals for families with younger travelers. The MSC deal extends the age range for the deal to 17 and under while Royal Caribbean and Margaritaville cap the special offer at 12 years old and under.

You'd need to consult each cruise line's website for specific details on their particular offer but we do know that time is of the essence if this is of interest to you. Some of the deals require booking by the end of September. The Margaritaville at Sea offer is available through the first week in October.

Celebrity Cruise Line as well as Norwegian Cruise Line also have special offers for families traveling with younger children. But those cruise lines have blocked out specific sailings for the deals. But I would be willing to wager that you can find a trip that will fit your family's travel needs and travel budget if you do a little research.

Is There Anything For Kids to Do on A Cruise?

The answer is a resounding yes. Each of the cruise lines we have mentioned all have special programs just for kids. This gives the kids something for to do with passengers of their own age group. It also allows parents a little alone time during the cruise as well. I am currently writing this article from a vessel that has a go-kart track, a six-story water slide, and an interactive arcade as well.

There are also splash areas and the obligatory crowded swimming pool that will keep your kids entertained. And there is ping pong, basketball, and pickleball on board this vessel as well. So, there is fun to be had if you want to have it.

Not all cruise ships have these kinds of amenities but almost all ships have "diversions" to keep your kids from being bored and driving you over the rail, if you know what I mean. As we've mentioned, do your research and do it now for these special deals.

Just don't rush to the top of the ship if they announce an impromptu ice cream party. Why? Well, you can visit this link if you really need to satisfy your curiosity.