14 Best Adults-only Cruises, According to Travel Experts
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Sharing a room with a friend is always a tricky proposition, but even more so in the tight quarters of a cruise ship. My friend and I shared a 225-square-foot Sea Terrace suite and from the photos, it looked like we’d have some trouble squeezing in clothes for two. But we were pleasantly surprised upon arrival, as the suite was filled with plenty of space to accommodate all of our clothes and toiletries. When my best friend suggested we needed some one-on-one girl time, we knew we wanted to spend a week in the Caribbean sun and escape winter’s wrath. It just so happened that Virgin Voyages, which has only been in operation since the pandemic, had recently launched a 7-night itinerary from San Juan to island hop in Antigua, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, and St. Lucia. Always one to enjoy Sir Richard Branson’s hotels and airlines, a trip aboard the Valiant Lady seemed like an ideal match.
Best Adults-Only Luxury Cruise: Viking Cruises
Adults looking for a romantic getaway can do worse than setting sail with Princess Cruises. In fact, the line has an entire section of its website dedicated to travelers looking for romance. Maybe you’re the sort of person that has been turned off by stereotypical cruise. Or maybe you are just a younger couple that wants to have a tropical vacation?
Royal Caribbean
The best adult cruises allow passengers to pursue relaxation, rejuvenation, and indulgence, undisturbed by tantrum-minded toddlers and other children potentially ruining your me-time groove. For when it's time to sail away from the stresses of life on land, we've pulled together the very best cruise lines for adults, plus their most exciting itineraries available for booking in 2024 and early 2025. River cruise line Uniworld is a favorite amongst mature couples and groups for its wide variety of itineraries throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America.
Saga
Viking is the pioneer of comfortable, adult-only cruising for the modern traveler. The breadth of Viking’s destinations and cruise styles is nearly unmatched, but its decision to accommodate a kid-free atmosphere positively sets it apart. Viking Cruises is a river and ocean cruise line that recently added expedition sailings and the Great Lakes trips to its repertoire. "T+L readers rave about the consistency of Viking's vessels and their Scandinavian design," cruise expert Fran Golden reported when Viking once again topped T+L's World's Best Awards last year. Viking came in at No. 1 in T+L's best mid-size ship category and river cruise category.
Getting Healthy at Sea
An adults-only, all-inclusive cruise is the holy grail for travelers seeking a child-free, hassle-free vacation. Viking Ocean cruises, Virgin Voyages and Saga Cruises are your best bets for kid-less bliss and free-flowing cocktails. However, other cruise lines come close to providing adult-oriented sailings, with scarce children and all-inclusive benefits. “While not strictly adults-only, another line adults should consider when traveling without children is Windstar,” says Clabbers. Children are welcome onboard Regent Seven Seas, but primarily on select voyages to Alaska or Europe in the summer months.
What are the best cruise ships and cruise lines of 2024? USA TODAY 10Best seeks your vote - USA TODAY
What are the best cruise ships and cruise lines of 2024? USA TODAY 10Best seeks your vote.
Posted: Thu, 11 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Gratuities, exquisite main and specialty dining experiences, and – believe it or not – airfare with airport transfers are all part of the package. Saga Cruises, a British boutique cruise line, offers small-ship sailings exclusively to passengers over 50 years of age. Fares include all meals at any restaurant, gratuities, Wi-Fi, most drinks (wine with lunch and dinner plus soda, house spirits, draft beer and mocktails), fitness classes, transfers to and from the ship and shuttles into town from port.
Viking Ocean + Expedition Cruises
Over the past few decades, cruise ships have become more diverse in the activities, restaurants, itineraries, and accommodations offered. This diversity has caused the industry to boom, becoming one that generates multiple billions of dollars. If minors are allowed onboard, find out if the cruise ship has designated adult-only areas, such as pools, lounges, or sundecks. These areas can provide a serene and tranquil environment away from families with children. Check whether the cruise line has a minimum age requirement to ensure that the atmosphere is geared towards adults. Not only does Virgin Voyages provide all-inclusive fares, but you’ll also find some boundary-pushing offerings geared towards the adventurous.
Saga Ocean Cruises
Another option for couples is Celebrity Cruises, which offers upscale amenities and services such as themed evenings at the English pub, providing a cozy atmosphere for couples to relax and enjoy each other's company. Aurora, for instance, is exclusively for adult passengers, offering a luxurious experience with chic dining options and elegant interiors. Similarly, Virgin Voyages provides sophisticated spaces for adult guests, from sophisticated restaurants to luxurious cabins.
Best Adults-Focused All-Inclusive Cruise: Seabourn Cruise Line
On board, you'll find fine dining, expansive spas and fitness facilities, and butler service. Additionally, specialty restaurants are included in the cruise fare, and passengers can get wine, beer, and soft drinks during lunch and dinner. Viking is akin to a VIP club for sophisticated travelers without the hustle and bustle of families with kids on board.
Join me as I delve into the best cruise lines for adults, crafting the getaways of which dreams are made. When selecting an ideal vacation, there’s something uniquely appealing about the serenity and sophistication of an adult-only cruise. Whether I’m craving the historic allure of Mediterranean cruises adults only or desire the vibrant rhythms of Caribbean life on adults-only Caribbean cruises, the plethora of options available never fails to impress. Viking Ocean Cruises are adults-only, as are its river and expedition cruises. Fares include a shore excursion in every port, Wi-Fi, meals in multiple onboard restaurants, as well as wine, beer and soda with lunch and dinner. Viking Ocean, Expedition and Mississippi River ships also offer no-charge self-serve laundry facilities, and on ships with in-room mini-bars, complimentary stocking of a range of drinks and snacks (dependent on your stateroom category).
Silversea ships only carry between 200 and 600 passengers, which ensures passengers have plenty of space onboard. Spacious suites are also available for cruisers who don’t want to feel cramped in a tiny cabin. Travelers looking for an immersive cruise will love the itineraries offered by Azamara. These sailings offer longer port stays to encourage cruisers to have in-depth exploration at each destination, which is something that many young children might not be able to tolerate. If you're looking for an adult cruise, it is important that you know that Royal Caribbean does cater to families.
Holland America Line offers a luxury traveling experience unlike any other cruise line, thanks to their ideal staff-to-guest ratio and exclusive amenities. While Celebrity Cruises is well-known for being one of the best cruise lines for kids and families, it’s also a great choice for adult-only groups that come aboard. With open-air dining and beautiful deck views, Celebrity Cruises will provide you with an unmatched travel experience. Celebrity offers a range of accommodations, including suites, cabins and staterooms perfect for any party size. Seabourn is a fully all-inclusive cruise for adults and offers top-notch amenities and services.
When you’re not out exploring a new port of call, you can take cooking classes, book a spa day or fitness class, enjoy evening entertainment or gamble at the casino, among other activities. Cruising is a popular way for travelers to visit multiple destinations for one price. In fact, industry statistics indicate that nearly 80% of travelers who have cruised before want to book another cruise in the future. The best cruise lines offer transportation, accommodations, food and entertainment that meet their target audience's needs. Entertainment is geared toward adults, including shows focused on Motown, cabaret shows, and even croquet and bocce ball on the ship’s Lawn Club.
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