Which are the greatest adults-only cruise lines, those that not only forbid children but also satisfy grown-up tastes and interests?
You might be wondering because, much to your dismay, you just spent time on a megaship where the children occupied the pools and hot tubs—not to mention the lifts. Alternatively, you might be searching for a cruise skewed more R-rated than G or a holiday with more lectures and less limbo.
Sadly, the list of adult-only cruises is somewhat small. Only a few cruise lines promise cruises for adults and forbid children from their ships; among the most prominent ones are cruise newcomer Virgin Voyages and the rapidly expanding Viking.
With more children showing up on ships of all kinds, the trend in recent years in cruise is really more family-oriented. Indeed, some of the largest, most well-known cruise companies have gone full-bore after the family market, to the extent that the sun-soaked top decks of their ships can feel more like a scene out of “Daddy Day Care” than a peaceful vacation hideaway.
Still, don’t sink hopelessly. A small group of cruise operators stays all-in on the idea of adult-only trips even as several lines double down on the family market.
Best Adults-Only Cruise Lines
These are our choices for the top adults-only cruise lines, with a grown-up ambiance to go with them.
Virgin Voyages
Children under the age of eighteen are not allowed on ships of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group’s much-publicized new line. It’s part of an attempt to produce a hipper, more-sophisticated, adult-oriented ambiance that corporate leaders believe is severely lacking in the cruise industry.
“We have done a ton of research really trying to create a sophisticated experience,” Virgin Voyages CEO Tom McAlpin stated in the days before the line’s 2021 launch. “I’ve done some personal research. We found that when you put kids in the pool, they scream, and we don’t want that.”
With such offers as interactive dance parties and a drag queen performance, Virgin Voyages’ first three adults-only cruise ships—the 2,770-passenger Scarlet Lady and sister boats Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady—catered to grown-ups seeking a clearly adult brand of pleasure.
Along with a tattoo parlor, it also provides a karaoke club featuring pink-and-purple karaoke rooms.
On the three ships, you will not find waterslides, watery splash zones, teen lounges, or all the other family-friendly amenities that are so prevalent on larger ships. A fourth ship is scheduled for later this year.
Viking
Virgin Voyages turned to fast-growing Viking’s playbook to design an adults-only cruise experience. Since its 2015 launch, Viking’s 12-ship ocean cruise line has barred minors under the age of 18. Its 80-ship river cruise business also has a minimum age requirement spanning more than two decades. The cut-off was first age 12; as of 2019, it moved to 18, too.)
Not that Virgin and Viking are exactly alike. Virgin is meant to attract to older guests who wish to party like they are millennials and millennials. Viking is the anti-millennial line by contrast.
Viking’s target market is clearly that of the 55-plus range. It concentrates in on that group with an expensive, destination-oriented experience that is heavily weighted on what the business likes to call “enrichment” – onboard lectures and other learning opportunities.
It also highlights tours centred on history and culture (with at least one free excursion in every port) and entertainment options that tilt more toward string quartets than dancers in string bikinis.
P&O Cruises
Though it is not giving up on the family market, this legendary British line clearly sees the need for cruise ships designed just for adults. The line divides the two halves exactly. Five of its seven ships—Arvia, Iona, Britannia, Ventura and Azura—are advertised as “family-friendly” and open to guests of all ages. The other two, Arcadia and Aurora, are set aside just for adults.
Considering that over 95% of the passengers of the Southampton, England-based cruise line are British, you would most likely want to be either British yourself or a huge Anglophile before considering booking one of the latter two vessels. A uniquely British experience, sailing with P&O Cruises is evident the instant you see its vessels. Their hulls are painted in big Union Jacks.
On board P&O Cruises, you also get essentially British offerings including sophisticated afternoon teas, quoits on the upper deck and restaurant menus created by chefs popular in the United Kingdom, including Marco Pierre White.
Having said that, on a P&O Cruises ship you might feel perfectly at home if you enjoy Princess Cruises. Though Holland America fans may be interested in discovering that Arcadia actually shares a ship design with that line’s Vista class, the two brands—longtime sisters who have switched ships back and forth—are tucked under the same corporate tent.
P&O Cruises takes into account everyone who will be eighteen or above when sailing an adult for booking purposes.
Saga Cruises
Like P&O Cruises, Saga Cruises is a British company that has focused on the business of providing trips especially for adults. But it goes much beyond what P&O Cruises or any other company does in rejecting younger guests. Saga Cruises sets their minimum age at 50, not 18 or even 21.
Indeed, you won’t find a single millennial or even that many Generation Xers on board a Saga Cruises ship (at 58, even the eldest members of Generation X only make the cut-off by eight years). Many of the baby boomers you may come across have retired from their jobs.
Operating just two ocean vessels and several river ships in addition, Saga Cruises sails only from the United Kingdom. Like P&O Cruises, this is definitely a good offering for big-time Anglophiles or British tourists.
Related Article: Once you’ve chosen from the best adults-only cruise lines, finding the perfect cabin is your next step. Check out our guide on the Best Cruise Ship Cabin Locations to select the ideal spot that enhances your tranquil cruise experience.
Other Adult-Focused Cruises
Apart from lines allowing small children but getting rather few of them, several cruise companies forbid passengers under the age of eighteen outright.
These elegant lines, which mostly appeal to an older audience, include Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises, and Seabourn. On its six ships, small-ship specialist Windstar Cruises lets tweens and teens go; it does not let any children under the age of eight.
Selling both river and ocean vacations, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has always discouraged clients from bringing children under the age of twelve aboard ships save during Christmas holiday sailings.
You will also find less children the longer the voyage is. During the school year, schedule a two-plus-week voyage to a more exotic destination, such as Asia or South America, under Holland America or Princess, and you will share the ship mostly with adults.