As cruises become more and more pricey, when someone is wanting to plan that perfect getaway, it is more important than ever that they know what they are looking for so they can choose the cruise line that closely meets their needs and desires. Many seasoned cruisers know that when it comes to cruising with families that Royal Caribbean is the way to go. But, what about an adults-only cruise?
There are actually only two major cruise lines (with a third transitioning in that direction) that are actually a 100% adults-only cruise line. Those cruise lines are Virgin Voyages, Viking Cruises, and, coming soon, Oceania. These cruise lines are very different, offering a very different vibe.
Virgin Voyages, which set sail for the first time in 2021, is knows for being trendy, energetic, social and best for couples, foodies and younger adults. We love Virgin Voyages, which we have coined as being like “Summer Camp for Adults”. Virgin definitely brings the fun, yet chill vibe on board every ship. The Happenings Cast (their version of the activities crew) brings the fun and energy to every activity that they are involved in. Some cruisers who might be looking for a more traditional cruising experience may find Virgin Voyages to be too loud and edgy for their taste. And, since Virgin is still relatively new, their itineraries can be somewhat limited. While not entirely all-inclusive, Virgin Voyages includes more in their cruise fare than many cruise lines will offer. All the same, you will find that Virgin is more reasonably priced than other adults-only cruise lines.
Viking Cruises, which originally started as a rivers only cruise line, expanded to include ocean cruises in 2015. Viking thrives on providing its cruisers with a more quiet, cultural and refined experience and is generally best for more mature travelers and enrichment seekers. While more costly, a Viking cruise is an all-inclusive experience, so that what you paid up front can potentially cover everything needed to make your cruise spectacular, even the excursions and wifi. Not known for its lively nightlife, many have commented that a Viking cruise can feel boring at times. Viking is a great option if your main desire is to see more and do more off of the ship. After spending a long day in port exploring Santorini for the first time, you can come back to the ship to enjoy a luxury meal and your comfy bed on the ship.
The third cruise line that is transiting to becoming an adults-only cruise line is Oceania. Oceania is similar to Viking in that it is geared more towards mature travelers and also not necessarily known for its on board entertainment. Oceania Cruises provide a more traditional cruising experience and is known for having some of the best food offered at sea. For foodies, Oceania may be a great choice.
While technically not adults-only, there are a handful of cruise lines with very few children on board. Many of the luxury cruise lines are close to being child-free merely because of the higher price tag and because what they offer appeals mainly to adults. Time of year and area of the world will also help to dictate the number of children you will find on board a cruise ship. For example, on our New England Fall Foliage cruise with Royal Caribbean, we saw very few children on board. There are definitely ways around booking with the three major cruise lines mentioned above, if you are looking for a near adults-only experience.
Depending on the ship, the itinerary and time of year, Celebrity Cruises can provide a near adults-only experience. While you might find kids on board the fancier, newer ships, such as the ships in the Edge class, if traveling on the oldest ship around Japan, you will likely find that very few kids will be cruising with you. If staying in Celebrity’s Retreat (their suite area), then the number of children that you will encounter will decrease even more. Celebrity is a great option if not quite wanting to pay the higher prices of a luxury cruise line.
Silversea is the luxury cruise line in the Royal Caribbean Group. Offering a small ship feel, Silversea is practically adults-only without needing to make it official. Silversea, like Viking, includes a lot with its high price tag and places its focus on providing outstanding service with great cultural enrichment, especially with its expedition journeys. If wanting a quiet experience with every aspect of the trip taken care of for you, Silversea is a great option.
Explora Journeys, the more luxurious cruise line belonging to the MSC family, typically has very few children (1-5%) on board. While not known for its entertainment, this cruise line provides a luxury experience without requiring its passengers to get all fancy each night. Seen as an upgrade to those who typically enjoy the Celebrity retreat experience, Explora is a great option for someone wanting a relaxed, all-inclusive, adults-only cruise.
We love cruising with our kids and have really enjoyed taking them to experience new places while doing the thing that we love, cruise. But, we love cruising without our kids even more. When we are cruising without our kids, we really enjoy the stress-free vibe that we experience with adults-only cruises.
Ready to book that Adults-only cruise for yourself? I would love to help you choose the cruise line that is right for you.