'Their very own private oasis': What to know about adults-only spaces on cruise ships
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Spring break is among the busiest times to take a cruise, but Randy Young managed to carve out a relaxing holiday on board Carnival Celebration last March.
The 42-year-old New Jersey resident spent sea days in Carnival Cruise Line ship’s Serenity Adult-Only Retreat for guests 21 and up, which on Celebration has a dedicated pool, loungers and its own bar. Young largely stayed there from morning until mid-afternoon.
“(It was) just this whole different experience than you felt from the rest of the ship walking to that area,” he told USA TODAY. “You went through all this chaos and kid soup in the main pool, and you walk to the back where it just feels so much more relaxed."
Cruises are increasingly popular vacation options, with 37.1 million ocean-going passengers expected to set sail this year, up from an estimated 34.7 in 2024, according to Cruise Lines International Association's most recent State of the Cruise Industry Report. CLIA said one-third of families cruise with at least two generations.
But adults-only spaces on cruise ships allow guests to curate a different kind of experience on otherwise family-friendly vessels. Here’s what to know.
'E for Everyone'
Carnival Cruise Line has built its ships with wide appeal in mind. “Ultimately, it’s about giving our guests more choice and freedom to tailor their cruise experience to their personal preferences,” Glenn Aprile, the line’s AVP of brand experience and product development, said in an email.
He pointed to Serenity, where guests can catch some sun and enjoy the sea breeze. “It gives guests the feeling of stepping into their very own private oasis filled with comfortable loungers and hammocks, sweeping ocean views, pools and a dedicated cocktail bar,” he added.
Passengers must be at least 18 to visit the Cloud 9 Spa, as well.
“It’s all about creating spaces where our guests can experience a little bit of everything, depending on what they’re looking for,” Aprile said. “Adults can find their own pace and still have the option to dive into the Carnival fun when they’d like.”
Royal Caribbean similarly strives “to keep the idea of being ‘E for Everyone’ in mind,” Jay Schneider, chief product innovation officer at Royal Caribbean Group, said. That includes parents who want some time to themselves or guests traveling without kids.
The Solarium, for example, featured on many ships in its fleet, offers lounge space, whirlpools and more. Royal Caribbean takes pains to differentiate those spaces from others on board.
“Even looking at the fine details, our team puts extra thought into the appropriate aesthetics of these spaces, ensuring that the colors and decorations set the tone and feel distinct from our kid-friendly areas,” Schneider said in an email.
Icon of the Seas launched last year as a haven for kids, from its multicolored Category 6 water park – billed as the biggest at sea – to a full-size carousel in view of massive flamingo and surfboard statues.
But its adults-only Hideaway area – one of eight neighborhoods on board – is more sedate. The space has a muted pink-and-blue color palette with an infinity pool at the vessel’s aft and views of its wake.
“We really strive to set the tone right off the gate to help define the space and allow guests to enjoy it to its fullest extent,” Schneider said.
Those features extend to their land-based offerings, too. Royal Caribbean opened the adults-only Hideaway Beach last year at its private Bahamas destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, complete with a private beach and pools, cabanas and live music. Schneider said an adults-only area was the “number one requested addition” to the island, and has since become one of its top-rated experiences.
Carnival’s Celebration Key, slated to open this July also in the Bahamas, will feature multiple areas of that kind. The destination’s Pearl Cove Beach Club will be for visitors 18 and older, and there will be an adults-only space within Calypso Lagoon with a DJ and swim-up bar.
What other cruise lines have adults-only spaces?
Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian’s Vibe Beach Club and Spice H20 Lounge, available on select ships, are reserved for adult guests. Passengers also have to be at least 16 to use the sun deck in The Haven – the line’s luxe ship-within-a-ship concept – and the fitness center.
Disney Cruise Line: Disney ships all have an adult-only pool and cafe, at least one restaurant for guests over 18 – such as Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement on its Wish class – and exclusive lounges. Most of the lounges are open to all guests during the day before adult programming begins at 9 p.m. Senses Spa and the fitness center are also reserved for guests 18 and up, along with the Serenity Bay area at its Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point destinations in the Bahamas.
MSC Cruises: MSC’s adult-only spaces include a dedicated pool and surrounding deck areas on its World, Meraviglia, Seaside and Fantasia Class ships, and the Aurea Spa thermal areas. MSC World America, the line’s new ship launching in April, will also feature the 18-and-up venue The Loft. The space will host comedy, dueling pianos and karaoke.
What is the best cruise for adults?: What to know about 18+ sailings
Do adults-only spaces on cruises cost extra?
Sometimes.
Entry to Carnival’s Serenity is included in the fare, for example, while Norwegian’s Vibe Beach Club costs between $149 and $329 per person for the duration of a sailing, depending on the ship and length of the cruise. Other spaces that come at an extra charge include Carnival’s Pearl Cove Beach Club; Royal Caribbean’s Hideaway Beach; MSC’s Aurea Spa thermal areas (though they are included for MSC Yacht Club and Aurea Suite guests); and Disney's adult-only restaurants if guests forgo rotational dining.
Guests should check with their cruise line to determine potential added costs.
How to take a kid-free cruise
Big, mainstream ships are typically geared towards families – including multigenerational groups – so avoiding kids entirely is tough. But in addition to adults-only onboard spaces, select programming may be 18+ or naturally lend itself to grown-ups according to RacQuelle Major-Holland, owner of Major Adventures Travel Agency.
Those include late-night comedy shows, wine tastings or mixology classes. “There's always going to be plenty to do for adults,” she said. “But obviously, on those cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean that attract more families, you're going to probably see the family activities highlighted more than the adults.”
In Major-Holland’s view, however,18+ spaces on those ships are “limited.” Cruising at times when kids are in school may mean fewer youngsters, but travelers looking for a child-free holiday may be better off booking with an adults-only company like Virgin Voyages.
Young, who is a marketing manager for a software company and runs a blog about cruises, enjoys the amenities on larger ships – but also wants to chill out.
“I don't have kids, so I like a little peace and quiet. But also, I love the ropes course on the (Carnival) Celebration,” he said. “We ziplined over the side of the ship.”
Other times, areas like Serenity gave him the escape he was looking for. “There were at least 1,000 kids on the ship, if not more, and it didn't feel like it because I purposely avoided where the kids were going to be because that's not what I want to do.”
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: What to know about adults-only spaces on cruise ships
