If your idea of getting away from it all includes a vacation without the kids, consider booking an adults-only or adults-oriented cruise. While some lines provide a fully adults-only experience (i.e., children are not allowed on board), others offer adult-focused venues and activities on the ship to keep you separate from younger patrons.
The following cruise lines provide upscale amenities, immersive excursions, sophisticated dining options, lively nighttime entertainment and time for relaxation among like-minded – and similarly aged – travelers.
Travelers ages 18 and older are welcome aboard Viking‘s adults-only ships, which feature destination-focused itineraries around the world. The line’s 11 oceangoing ships carry between 930 and 998 guests (at double occupancy) and offer luxurious, comfortable Scandinavian-style spaces. The line will add Viking Vesta to its ocean fleet in 2025.
Viking’s exploration program boasts special access to behind-the-scenes experiences curated for travelers who are interested in history, food, the arts or science. Immerse yourself in local culture with a visit to a traditional family farm near Bergen, Norway, or spend an evening dining on Chinese specialties at a home-hosted dinner in Shanghai.
In addition to these off-the-beaten-path excursions, guests can visit iconic sites like the ancient city of Ephesus (Kuşadasi) in Turkey and the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Viking also hosts onboard enrichment programs like cooking classes and lectures by historians. Cruise fares include stateroom accommodations with a private veranda, all meals (including specialty dining venues), wine and beer at onboard lunch and dinner, 24-hour room service, one free excursion per port, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and access to onboard amenities such as the Nordic Spa and fitness center.
In addition to its ocean vessels, Viking offers river cruises in destinations around the world – including Mississippi River cruises aboard Viking Mississippi. The line also has two Polar Class 6 expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, which traverse waterways from Canada, the U.S. and South America to remote destinations in Antarctica and the Arctic.
Virgin Voyages offers an adults-only retreat for guests ages 18 and older. The line currently has three sister ships: Scarlet Lady (the first in the fleet), Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady. The line’s fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, is set to debut in September 2025.
All the ships in this adults-only cruise line feature 1,404 cabins (most with balconies) and RockStar Quarters suites, where guests have access to Richard’s Rooftop, an exclusive outdoor deck space. The superyacht-inspired vessels boast 20-plus eateries, including restaurants by Michelin-starred chefs, and a variety of onboard fitness and wellness spaces. At Redemption Spa, relax and recharge in the mud room or salt therapy chamber – and then take rejuvenating dips in the hot and cold plunge pools. You can even order a bottle of bubbly anywhere on the ship via the Virgin Voyages app’s secret “Shake for Champagne” feature.