What is the best cruise line for adults? What to know about 18+ sailings.
With swimming pools galore, entertainment and even child care on board, cruises can be an obvious choice for a family vacation.
But sometimes travelers want a getaway without the kids. That’s where adults-only sailings come in. A range of cruise lines and ships exclusively carry guests over 18, for parents looking for some “me” time to guests who simply prefer a child-free travel experience.
But not all those operators are the same. Some family-friendly vessels have spaces reserved for grown-ups, allowing passengers to get the best of both kinds of voyages.
Here’s what to know about adults-only offerings at sea.
What is the best cruise line for adults?
“There really are only two in the United States specifically that cater to adults 18 and up, and that would be Virgin Voyages and Viking,” Sheri Griffiths, founder of CruiseTipsTV, told USA TODAY.
U.K. operator Saga Cruises takes it a step further, serving an older clientele with a minimum age of 50 (though passengers can bring a companion over 40). P&O Cruises, which is part of Carnival Corp. and is based across the pond, reserved two of its seven ships exclusively for adults.
Other lines simply cater less explicitly to children, though kids are welcome. Griffiths pointed to lines like Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line, but the demographics can vary depending on the destination and sailing dates.
“Alaska is a very family-focused destination. So even on these premium lines, you're going to have a lot more families with children in Alaska in the summer months,” she said. “But for other itineraries and anything over seven days, you're going to find very few children on Celebrity and Holland America.”
The same is true of some Princess Cruises ships, Griffiths added, though she noted it has “excellent” programming for children and teens.
Cruise line guide: How to choose the right one for you
Do cruise ships have adult-only areas?
Yes. Even on lines known for having all manner of onboard activities for youngsters, ships often have areas just for grown-up guests. Those include Royal Caribbean International’s Solarium – featuring whirlpools, lounge space and more – and Carnival Cruise Line’s Serenity Adult-Only Retreat.
“And it can be especially helpful on a more family-oriented ship, too, where there may be at times a lot of children on Carnival and Royal Caribbean, and so you may be more interested in getting a little bit of quiet time,” Griffiths said.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Adults-only cruises: Here's which lines cater to 18+ travelers
