Adult Only Cruises
An adult only cruise is a cruise holiday designed exclusively for adults, offering a calmer onboard atmosphere without children.
These cruises focus on relaxation, social spaces, dining and entertainment created with adults in mind. Without family facilities or children’s clubs, the pace onboard is typically more relaxed, making adult only cruising a popular choice for couples, friends and solo travellers.
What Is an Adult Only Cruise?
An adult only cruise is a sailing where guests must meet a minimum age requirement, usually 18 or over. Unlike family-friendly cruises, the onboard experience is designed around adult interests, from dining and entertainment to enrichment and wellness.
Rather than waterslides and children’s activities, adult only ships prioritise quiet public areas, refined dining venues, spa facilities and evening entertainment that runs later into the night. The result is a more grown-up cruise environment where guests can relax without distraction.
Cruise Lines Offering Adult Only Cruises
Adult only cruising is available across several well-known cruise lines, each with a slightly different style.
P&O Cruises offers an adult-focused cruise experience on Arcadia and Aurora, which are traditionally positioned as quieter ships with a relaxed, classic British cruising style. While most sailings on these ships are designed for adults, a limited number of cruises during school holiday periods are open to guests of all ages. Outside of these specific sailings, Arcadia and Aurora remain popular choices for adults seeking a more relaxed pace onboard.
Virgin Voyages is exclusively adult only across its entire fleet, combining contemporary design, varied dining and a lively but grown-up social scene.
Viking Cruises operates a fleet of ocean ships that are also 100 percent adult only, with a strong focus on destination-led itineraries, enrichment and cultural experiences.
Oceania Cruises is also exclusively adult only, offering a premium cruise experience centred around fine dining, carefully curated itineraries and a relaxed, refined onboard atmosphere.
Ambassador Cruise Line offers a predominantly adult-focused cruise experience, with the majority of sailings designed exclusively for adults. With a relaxed onboard atmosphere, traditional cruising values and a strong emphasis on value and destination-led itineraries, Ambassador appeals to travellers who enjoy a quieter pace and a classic cruise style.
Why Choose an Adult Only Cruise?
For many travellers, the appeal of an adult only cruise is the atmosphere rather than the itinerary.
Guests often choose adult only cruising for:
• A quieter, more relaxed onboard environment
• Dining and entertainment designed for adult tastes
• Peaceful sea days and uncrowded public spaces
• The chance to socialise with like-minded travellers
It is a style of cruising that suits those who value comfort, conversation and time to unwind.
FAQs About Adult Only Cruises
Most adult only cruises are open to guests aged 18 and over, meaning 18-year-olds are welcome to sail on adult only ships.
However, alcohol laws can vary depending on where the ship is sailing. On cruises that operate in US waters or depart from US ports, the legal drinking age onboard is 21, even if the cruise line itself is adult only. On sailings departing from the UK or operating primarily in European waters, the legal drinking age onboard is typically 18.
This means that while an 18 to 20-year-old guest may be welcome on an adult only cruise, alcohol consumption may be restricted on certain itineraries. Checking the cruise line’s onboard policies before booking is always recommended, and our cruise specialists are happy to advise.
Adult only cruises are popular with couples, friends and solo travellers who prefer a quieter onboard environment. They appeal to guests who enjoy relaxed sea days, grown-up entertainment, good food and the chance to socialise with like-minded travellers.
Not necessarily. Prices vary depending on the cruise line, ship and itinerary, and adult only cruises are available across a wide range of budgets. In many cases, they are priced similarly to comparable mainstream cruises.
Yes. Adult only cruises typically offer a full programme of entertainment and activities, including live music, shows, talks, tastings and wellness experiences. The difference is that these are designed with adult interests in mind rather than family audiences.
Choosing the right adult only cruise depends on the atmosphere you are looking for, the destinations you want to visit and the style of ship you prefer. Our cruise specialists can help you compare different cruise lines and find the best match for your travel plans.