Guide to Adults-Only Cruises: Best Cruise Lines and Onboard Retreats

If your idea of the perfect holiday involves uninterrupted relaxation, exceptional dining and destination-rich adventures, an adults-only cruise could be just the ticket.

Far from being a one-size-fits-all experience, adults-only cruising spans everything from lively voyages packed with entertainment to luxurious sailings focused on fine dining and deeper cultural discovery. In this guide, you’ll discover which cruise lines are adults-only, the standout ships sailing today and how adults-only spaces on mainstream cruise lines compare.

What are adults-only cruises?

Adults-only cruises are voyages where passengers must be above a minimum age requirement, typically 18 years or older. Unlike traditional cruise holidays that cater to travellers of all ages, adults-only cruise ships focus their onboard experience around mature tastes, interests and lifestyles. This often influences everything from entertainment and dining to wellness facilities and nightlife. Rather than waterslides and kids’ clubs, adults-only cruises typically offer elevated dining experiences, contemporary bars, wellness spaces and destination-focused itineraries.

Group of four friends smiling and holding drinks while socializing in a modern bar setting.

Which cruise lines are adults-only?

While most cruise lines welcome travellers of all ages, a growing number are embracing adults-only cruising. These cruise lines create experiences tailored specifically to adult travellers, with everything from dining and entertainment to onboard spaces designed with a more mature atmosphere in mind.

Two popular adults-only cruise lines are Virgin Voyages and Oceania Cruises. While both offer child-free holidays at sea, each delivers a distinctly different cruising experience.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages has redefined what many travellers expect from adults-only cruises. All Virgin Voyages sailings are reserved for guests aged 18 and over, creating a vibrant onboard atmosphere that blends contemporary design, wellness and entertainment.

The cruise line has gained a reputation for its innovative approach to cruising, replacing traditional buffets and formal dining rooms with 20+ Michelin Star-inspired eateries included in your fare. Evenings come alive with immersive entertainment, epic parties and stylish bars, while sea days can be spent relaxing at the pool, enjoying fitness classes or unwinding at the onboard spa.

Virgin Voyages’ fleet includes Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady. Each ship features the line’s signature modern aesthetic, adult-focused entertainment and award-winning dining concepts.

The cruise line sails to destinations throughout the Caribbean, Mediterranean and beyond, making it a popular choice with travellers seeking a contemporary adults-only holiday with a social edge.

Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises is an adults-only cruise line known for its elegant ships, exceptional cuisine and destination-rich itineraries. Offering a more luxurious experience than Virgin Voyages, Oceania appeals to travellers seeking sophisticated surroundings, personalised service and immersive travel experiences.

The cruise line has built its reputation around having The Finest Cuisine at Sea®, with multiple specialty dining venues, beautifully appointed lounges and enrichment experiences that complement the destinations visited. Rather than focusing on high-energy nightlife, Oceania places greater emphasis on cultural discovery, culinary excellence and relaxed luxury.

Popular ships include Vista, Marina and Riviera, each offering spacious accommodations, premium dining and an intimate onboard atmosphere. These ships are particularly well suited to travellers who value comfort, world-class cuisine and longer, destination-focused voyages.

Sailing to destinations across Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and beyond, Oceania Cruises offers an elevated adults-only experience designed for those who want to uncover more destinations in comfort and style.

Find your perfect adults-only cruise

Adults-only areas on family-friendly ships

Booking a fully adults-only cruise line isn’t the only way to enjoy peace and quiet at sea. Many mainstream cruise lines feature dedicated adults-only areas designed to provide a relaxing escape from busier family-focused spaces.

These retreats allow travellers to enjoy portions of the ship reserved specifically for adults while still benefitting from the broader facilities, entertainment and itineraries offered by larger cruise lines.

The Solarium onboard Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s Solarium is one of the best-known adults-only retreats at sea. Available onboard many ships across the fleet, the Solarium provides a serene environment featuring pools, whirlpools and comfortable lounge areas reserved for adult guests.

With its glass-enclosed design on selected ships, the Solarium creates a peaceful sanctuary for swimming, reading or simply taking in ocean views away from the main pool deck.

People relaxing on a cruise ship deck around a hot tub, surrounded by palm trees and lounge chairs with ocean in the background.

Serenity Adult-Only Retreat onboard Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival’s Serenity Adult-Only Retreat offers a dedicated outdoor space designed exclusively for relaxation. Featuring comfortable loungers, shaded seating and whirlpools, Serenity delivers a calmer alternative to the lively atmosphere found elsewhere onboard.

The retreat has become a favourite among guests seeking a quiet place to enjoy sea days while still experiencing the fun and energetic personality that Carnival is known for.

Outdoor lounge area on a ship with wicker chairs, blue cushions, stairs, and a bar under a covered deck.

The Sanctuary onboard Princess Cruises

The Sanctuary provides a premium adults-only experience on selected Princess Cruises ships. This exclusive retreat offers private cabanas, attentive service and a tranquil atmosphere designed for complete relaxation.

For many guests, The Sanctuary delivers a resort-style experience at sea, making it particularly popular during sea days and scenic cruising itineraries.

A joyful couple sits at an outdoor bar, sipping drinks and listening to a guitarist perform. The vibrant

Adults-only spaces onboard MSC 

MSC Cruises also offers several adult-friendly areas focused on wellness and relaxation. Depending on the ship, these may include dedicated spa facilities, thermal areas and quieter pool environments designed for older travellers.

These spaces allow guests to enjoy moments of tranquility while still benefitting from the extensive entertainment, dining and family-friendly facilities available throughout the rest of the ship.

Modern spa relaxation room with illuminated salt wall, curved lounge chairs, towels, and glass door entrance.

Adults-only cruises vs adults-only areas: what’s the difference?

The key difference comes down to consistency. On a fully adults-only cruise ship, every restaurant, entertainment venue, pool and public area is designed with adult travellers in mind.

Adults-only areas, on the other hand, provide designated spaces within a broader family-friendly environment. While these retreats offer moments of peace and relaxation, the overall ship experience remains tailored to guests of all ages.

When a fully adults-only cruise is the better choice

A dedicated adults-only cruise line may be the best option if you’re looking for an atmosphere that feels tailored entirely to adult guests. Dining schedules, entertainment, social spaces and wellness facilities are all designed around adult preferences.

Cruise lines like Virgin Voyages excel in creating a seamless adults-only experience where every aspect of the holiday reflects the same philosophy.

Mature couple enjoying drinks and conversation at a stylish, modern bar with illuminated shelves of liquor bottles.

When adults-only spaces are enough

Adults-only areas can be an excellent compromise for travellers who love a particular cruise line, destination or itinerary but still want access to quieter spaces.

Royal Caribbean, Princess, Carnival and MSC all demonstrate how family-friendly cruise lines can cater to guests seeking relaxation without requiring a fully adults-only environment.

Two women relax in white robes on lounge chairs by a large, angled window overlooking the ocean, with a man standing in a white robe behind them.

Discover adults-only cruising your way

Whether you prefer the contemporary energy of Virgin Voyages, the refined luxury of Oceania Cruises or the flexibility of adults-only retreats on family-friendly ships, there’s never been more choice when it comes to adults-only cruising. From relaxing sea days to destination-rich adventures, these experiences offer a unique way to enjoy life at sea.

Start planning your adults-only escape by exploring our Hot Deals, or get in touch with our Cruise Experts to learn more about which cruise line is right for you.

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