What are the best adults only cruises? We go over kid-free cruise lines and ships

Whether you’re happily child-free or want to have some time away from your (and other people’s) littles, an adults-only cruise is a great option for a relaxing and fun vacation. In the cruising world, there are surprisingly few lines that ban kids completely, but they do exist.

So what cruise lines offer an adults-only experience? Well, we take a look at cruise lines that are just for adults, as well as other brands that have designated at least one ship as child-free. We also go over lines that allow older kids or teenagers, but keep the younger children to a minimum, as well as adults-only spaces on family-friendly cruise lines.

Adults Only Cruises

1. Viking

Which cruise ships are adults only? All of Viking’s ships are adults-only.

Since their debuts, Viking’s ocean and expedition cruise fleets have been reserved for the 18 and older crowd. The brand’s river cruise division previously allowed tweens and teens 12 and older, but moved to align with the ocean vessels by implementing the 18+ adults-only rule in 2018.

By cruise ship standards, the line’s ocean vessels are small, coming in at around 50,000 gross tons and holding 930-998 passengers each. The expedition ships are even smaller at just over 30,000 gross tons and carrying 378 passengers. Most of the line’s “Viking Longships,” or river vessels, are between 350 and 450 feet long, carrying under 200 guests.

The vibe onboard all of Viking’s vessels is upscale and laid-back. They feature cozy Scandinavian interior design that shines through in venues such as the ocean ships’ light and wood-filled Wintergarden space, the pool decks, the Explorers’ Lounge with a faux fireplace, and The Living Room central atrium. As an added bonus, all of the staterooms on the ocean and expedition ships include balconies.

Included in the cruise fare on Viking is one excursion in each port. The fare also includes wifi; beer, wine, and soda at lunch and dinner; specialty coffees; and bottled water. The ocean and expedition ships also include the use of self-service laundry facilities; all onboard dining; use of the spa’s thermal suite; and 24-hour room service.

As this is an adults-only cruise line, Viking has a focus on relaxation and its destinations rather than on thrills. Because of that, you won’t find energetic top-deck attractions such as water slides and ropes courses. Instead, guests enjoy things like performances from onboard and local musicians, cooking and mixology classes, pools and hot tubs (note: most river ships don’t have a pool), the spa’s thermal suite, and afternoon tea.

2. Virgin Voyages

Adults-only ships: All of them

Virgin Voyages is one of the newer cruise lines to splash onto the scene. It made waves with its first official sailing in 2021. A venture of Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, Virgin Voyages currently operates four nearly identical 110,000 gross-ton, 2,770-2,860-guest ships in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Bermuda, Mexican Riviera, and Alaska.

What are adults-only cruises like on Virgin Voyages? From the start, the brand said that it would be doing things differently, “reinventing the cruise ship experience” on “adult-by-design” vessels. The line’s target demographic is millennials up to those in their early 60’s with a special focus on non-cruisers. It’s been quite successful with convincing many of them to give cruising a try through its unique approach to what a cruise experience can be.

Interior design is modern and trendy. Venues include the boho beach club-inspired Dock House, old ship-themed bar The Loose Cannon, and The Red Room entertainment space. It also features one of the best nightclubs at sea — The Manor — complete with a mirror-clad “infinity room” hallway entrance. Virgin Voyages also debuted the cruise industry’s first on board tattoo parlor, aptly called Squid Ink.

Virgin turned traditional cruise dining upside-down, as ships have no traditional buffet or main dining room. For a casual option, they instead feature The Galley with differently themed food stations.

In place of main dining rooms and extra-fee specialty restaurants at dinnertime, Virgin has differently-themed restaurants (which would be specialty on most other cruise lines) that are included in the cruise fare. Guests can choose from The Wake steakhouse, modern Mexican venue Pink Agave, Korean BBQ restaurant Gunbae, and more for dinner each evening.

Entertainment is another area where Virgin Voyages has set itself apart in the cruise industry. Shows include Duel Reality, a retelling of Romeo and Juliet with a circus twist, and It’s a Ship Show where an old-school variety hour meets a late-night talk show.

The ships are also filled with some of the best parties at sea, including an energetic pajama party and the not-to-be-missed Scarlet Night. This ship-wide activation includes interactive games, circus performances, live music, and an epic dance party in and around the main pool.

Virgin’s base cruise fare inclusions are somewhere between Viking and mainstream cruise lines. The cost of the cruise doesn’t include shore excursions, specialty coffees, or any alcohol. However, it does include wifi, soda, and fitness classes.

3. Oceania Cruises

Adults-only ships: All of them

Oceania Cruises is the latest line to add an adults-only offering — in fact, the entire line became exclusive to those 18 and older in January 2026. In a press release announcing the news, Oceania said that it is “elevating the onboard ambiance and responding to the preferences of its guests.”

There are eight ships currently sailing in the Oceania Cruises fleet. Its four oldest ships are part of the Regatta class, and all come in at just over 30,000 gross tons with the ability to hold just under 700 guests each based on double occupancy. All were originally built for and operated by the now-defunct Renaissance Cruises in the late 1990s-2000. The line’s four newest ships in the Oceania and Allura classes were newbuilds for Oceania Cruises and are double the size at over 60,000 gross tons each.

Included in the cruise fare are specialty and casual restaurants, Starlink wifi, gratuities, fitness classes, soda, still and sparkling bottled water; and self-service launderettes. Guests also enjoy specialty coffees and teas, cold-pressed juices, fruit smoothies, and homemade gelato and ice cream all included.

In addition, passengers can choose between two additional perks: wine and beer included with lunch and dinner or a shore excursion credit of up to $600 per person.

Oceania touts itself as being a destination and culinary-focused luxury cruise brand. Since vessels are small, they can reach smaller and lesser-known ports that larger vessels can’t access. Excursion groups are small, with many focused on the cuisine in the region the ship is visiting, called Culinary Discovery Tours. Onboard, passengers can take cooking classes at The Culinary Center, take part in mixology experiences, and enjoy specialty restaurants created in partnership with renowned chef Jacques Pépin.

Other onboard amenities include the Aquamar Spa with thalassotherapy pool and steam room, a pool and hot tubs, a casino, and a variety of bars and lounges.

4. Saga Cruises

Adults-only ships: All of them

Not only is boutique British line Saga Cruises adults only, but it goes above and beyond the usual 18+ age minimum… to 50. That’s right, you can’t cruise on a Saga ocean or river vessel without being at least 50 years old… unless you’re at least 40 years old and are sailing with someone who’s 50+.

Saga has two ocean ships and three of its own river ships. Plus, there are additional river vessels that it charters from other companies.

The cruise fare includes all onboard restaurants, room service, one excursion in each port, Starlink wifi access, gratuities, spa thermal suite access, fitness classes, and either a flight with chauffeur service or free cruise port parking. The fare also includes premium wines, spirits, beers, cocktails, mocktails, and soda.

The ocean ships are just over 58,000 gross tons, carrying 999 passengers each and featuring all-balcony cabins. There’s also a fitness center, spa with thermal suite, a wraparound promenade, and a lido deck with swimming pool.

Restaurants and bars vary between both ships. Options include the 1950s-inspired supper club restaurant The Club by Jools, Coast to Coast seafood restaurant, Nepalese venue Khukuri House, and Amalfi Italian restaurant. There’s also a main dining room and The Grill. The Grill offers casual options at breakfast and lunch and doubles as another main dining room in the evenings.

Saga’s river vessels feature a panoramic lounge and bar, fitness area, and a shaded sundeck with a splash pool. All cabins feature either a window or a French balcony.

5. P&O Cruises

Adults-only ships: Arcadia and Aurora

P&O Cruises is a popular choice for many British families. Though, the line also sees value in having adults-only cruises. Five vessels in the fleet are open to both kids and adults, while the remaining two are reserved just for the 18+ crowd. These two ships are Aurora and Arcadia. With that being said, in December 2026 Aurora and Arcadia will open to kids during select sailings only, mostly during peak school breaks and Christmastime.

Arcadia is slightly larger than Aurora, but both are considered small by modern ocean ship standards, coming in at under 85,000 gross tons. Aurora carries 1,878 passengers, while Arcadia holds 1,952 at double occupancy.

Like the other cruise lines on this list, you won’t find top-deck thrills and adrenaline-inducing activities around every corner on these ships. Instead, they offer a relaxing, distinctly British experience. They include things like afternoon tea, a spa with thermal areas, a pub, swimming pools, cabaret shows, and a nightclub.

Both ships feature the standard buffet and main dining room, along with a complimentary poolside grill. You’ll also find specialty restaurant Sindhu on both vessels, which serves up Indian fare with a British twist. Arcadia also boasts The Ocean Grill steak and seafood restaurant. Aurora features The Glass House by TV presenter and wine expert Olly Smith and chef/restaurateur José Pizarro.

P&O’s adults-only itineraries are primarily in northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Arcadia also operates P&O’s months-long world cruises.

6. Marella Cruises

Adults-only ship: Marella Explorer 2

Another British cruise line, Marella, has taken a page from P&O’s book by allotting one ship as adults-only (Marella Explorer 2). The rest of the fleet remains family-friendly. The 1,814-guest vessel, which began sailing with Marella in 2019, offers a semi-inclusive cruising experience. It wraps gratuities and a selection of both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages into the cruise fare.

Amenities on Marella Explorer 2 include a spa with thermal suite, a nightclub, a golf simulator and bar with themed cocktails, modern British pub Squid and Anchor, outdoor movies at night, multiple sundecks, a pool, and hot tubs.

The ship features 10 restaurants, half of which are included in the cruise fare. The Dining Club is a high-end specialty venue that also offers The Great Musical Afternoon Tea. Dishes are inspired by famous musicals, and teas and a cocktail are included in the event fee. Other dining highlights include Kora La pan-Asian restaurant, Surf & Turf Steakhouse, Beach Cove with a barbecue-inspired menu, and Nonna’s where you can create your own pizzas and pastas.

Marella Explorer 2 sails mostly in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

Other Cruise Lines With Age Minimums

In addition to the lines mentioned above, there are other cruise brands that don’t allow young kids or discourage them. Small ship luxury line Windstar Cruises doesn’t allow guests under eight years old. Scenic has a minimum of 12 years old except on select sailings like its Christmastime voyages.

River cruises are another option where you won’t find many or any younger children. This is due to the fact that river cruises aren’t usually as kid-friendly, along with age minimums that some lines have in place.

Uniworld and AmaWaterways have an age minimum of four years old, but encourage that guests be at least eight years old to sail. Avalon Waterways has a minimum of eight. Emerald and Grand Circle require that guests are at least 12 and 13, respectively.

Adults-Only Spaces on Cruise Ships

Despite welcoming cruisers of all ages, many mainstream cruise ships feature adults-only spaces on their ships for a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle elsewhere on board. These include places like pool decks, sundecks, restaurants and bars, and more. So if you’re looking for a cruise line for your multi-gen family or just want a place to escape while your kids are at the kids’ club, consider a ship that has one of these spaces.

Note: Nearly all spa thermal suite areas and casinos are restricted to just adults on cruise ships, so those won’t be mentioned here.

Princess Cruises

Most Princess ships feature an adults-only sundeck called The Sanctuary, which can be accessed for a fee. Sun and Star Princess go a step further with the Sanctuary Club, a pool deck with outdoor bar that can only be accessed by booking a stateroom within the Sanctuary Collection of accommodations (and it’s included). There’s also an exclusive main dining restaurant for Sanctuary guests on these ships.

Royal-class ships feature the free Retreat Pool for adults.

Disney Cruise Line

All Disney Cruise Line ships except Disney Adventure feature the Quiet Cove adults-only pool area. This included space features the Quiet Cove pool with hot tubs, a bar, and the Cove Café. Disney’s ships also feature a variety of bars and lounges exclusively for adults; on some ships, these bars are clustered together for an entire adults-only “zone.” Disney’s specialty restaurants, Palo/Palo Steakhouse and Remy/Enchanté are also exclusively for those 18 and older.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival ships offer a 21+ sundeck called the Serenity Retreat. This space varies depending on the ship, with some vessels including a pool in Serenity and many featuring at least one or two hot tubs. Seating includes plush loungers, daybeds, clamshells, and other comfortable lounge furniture to hang out. Also found in Serenity is a dedicated bar and a salad station that’s open during lunch hours.

Norwegian Cruise Line

There are two main outdoor sundecks on Norwegian Cruise Line ships that are reserved for those 18 and older. Spice H2O, which features posh daybeds and hot tubs, is free for guests to enjoy. Vibe Beach Club also features plush loungers and hot tubs, along with food and bar service, chilled towels, and cabanas for rent. However, Vibe Beach Club costs extra and passes are capacity controlled — so if you want one you should purchase it as soon as you board the ship.

Royal Caribbean

Almost all Royal Caribbean ships feature a Solarium, which is a glass-covered, indoor-outdoor space that’s reserved for those 18 years old and up. While exact offerings in the Solarium depend on the ship, amenities include hot tubs, a pool, a full-service bar, and plush lounge furniture.

The Icon-class ships, Icon and Star of the Seas, feature an adults-only neighborhood called The Hideaway. Reminiscent of a modern beach club, this outdoor space features a suspended infinity pool, the Hideaway Bar, live music throughout the day, and a variety of seating options including comfy loungers and daybeds.

Holland America Line

The aft pool on Holland America ships, called the Sea View Pool, is exclusively for guests 18 and older. Each day, passengers can enjoy live ambient music in this area and Holland America’s Signature Pool Experience, which includes cold towels and poolside bar service.

Comments

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