Adults-only cruises combine the normal cruise experience with a child-free atmosphere. Guests can spend their time dining, swimming, visiting ports, attending shows, joining fitness classes, relaxing at the spa and enjoying nightlife without children onboard.
The experience depends on the cruise line. Virgin Voyages operates entirely adults-only voyages for guests aged 18 and over. Viking also does not allow guests under 18. Other cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, offer adults-only areas rather than adults-only ships.
Adults-only Cruises at a Glance
| What to expect | Typical experience |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | A cruise cabin, suite or balcony room |
| Daytime | Pools, sun decks, fitness classes, wellness activities, games and live music |
| Dining | Restaurants, cafés, casual food venues, specialty dining and late meals |
| Evenings | Theatre shows, comedy, karaoke, live music, parties and nightclubs |
| Ports | Guided excursions, beach days, sightseeing and water activities |
| Atmosphere | Relaxed and sophisticated or lively and social, depending on the cruise line |
| Age policy | Often 18+, but age limits vary by ship, venue and sailing |
What Does a Typical Day Look Like?
A typical day includes a mix of meals, pool time, activities, port visits, entertainment and time to yourself. You can make the schedule as busy or as quiet as you like.
Morning: Breakfast, Exercise and Relaxation
A morning might start with breakfast in a restaurant, coffee, yoga, a fitness class, time in the gym or a spa treatment. Some guests may prefer to sit by the pool and do very little.
Virgin Voyages offers wellness classes, outdoor fitness spaces, spa treatments and several dining venues. Royal Caribbean's adults-only Solarium areas generally include pools, whirlpools and ocean views for guests who want quieter pool time.
Afternoon: Sea-Day Activities or Shore Excursions
On a sea day, the ship becomes the main destination. Activities may include:
- Swimming and sunbathing
- Trivia and organised games
- Live music
- Cooking, arts or wellness classes
- Fitness sessions
- Spa appointments
- Wine or spirits tastings
- Reading, socialising or doing nothing at all
On a port day, guests might leave the ship for sightseeing, snorkelling, food tours, beach visits or cultural excursions. Viking includes a shore excursion in each port on its cruise product and places a strong focus on destination experiences.
Evening: Dinner, Entertainment and Nightlife
Evenings often begin with dinner and continue with entertainment. Depending on the ship, options may include:
- Live bands and solo musicians
- Theatre performances
- Comedy shows
- Karaoke
- DJ sets
- Themed parties
- Nightclubs
- Cabaret or variety shows
- Casinos on selected cruise lines
Virgin Voyages offers adult-oriented performances, live music, karaoke rooms, themed events and late-night entertainment. Viking takes a quieter, destination-focused approach and does not operate casinos.
Adults-only does not always mean a party-focused holiday. Some ships are energetic and social, while others give more space to dining, cultural activities, wellness and relaxation.
What Is Different From a Family Cruise?
The main difference is the ship's atmosphere and the facilities available onboard. An adults-only ship does not need children's clubs, family queues or child-focused entertainment, so its public spaces can be planned around adult guests.
You can generally expect:
- Fewer family-focused facilities
- More adult-oriented shows and activities
- A calmer pool and spa environment
- Later evening entertainment
- More space for couples, solo travellers and groups of friends to socialise
- Restaurants and bars aimed at adult guests
An adults-only ship can still be busy, loud and highly social, particularly around the pool, bars and nightlife venues.
Are Adults-Only Cruises Quiet or Party-Focused?
They can be either, so the cruise line matters more than the phrase "adults-only."
Social and Lively Adults-Only Cruises
These cruises suit travellers who want:
- Pool parties
- DJs and dancing
- Late-night bars
- Themed events
- Casual dining
- A modern, resort-style atmosphere
Virgin Voyages is one example. Its ships have several restaurants and bars, live entertainment, wellness facilities and late-night activities.
Relaxed and Destination-Focused Cruises
These cruises suit travellers who prefer:
- Smaller ships
- Longer meals
- Lectures and cultural activities
- Fewer loud attractions
- More time ashore
- Quieter evenings
Viking markets its ocean cruises around destination discovery. Its ships do not allow children under 18 and do not have casinos.
What Food and Drinks Are Included?
Most adults-only cruises include some meals and casual dining in the fare, but the details vary by cruise line.
You may find:
- Main restaurants
- Casual cafés
- Poolside food
- Room service
- Specialty restaurants
- Late-night snacks
- Bars and lounges
Virgin Voyages gives guests access to more than 20 eateries on its ships and does not use a traditional buffet format. Viking includes several dining and beverage benefits, although premium drinks and some services can vary by fare or package.
Alcohol, premium wines, spa treatments, casino spending, shore excursions, some specialty dining and internet access may cost extra. Check the fare details before booking. The adults-only label does not mean every part of the trip is included.
What Does "Adults-Only" Mean on a Family Cruise Ship?
An adults-only area is not the same as an adults-only cruise.
The rest of a family ship may still have children, family pools, kids' clubs, water slides and child-focused entertainment. An adults-only area may be:
- A restricted-access pool or sun deck
- A quiet lounge
- An adults-only restaurant
- A spa
- A casino
- A late-night entertainment venue
- An adults-only beach area at a private destination
Royal Caribbean, for example, offers adults-only spaces such as the Solarium, Casino Royale, selected nightlife venues and adults-only areas at its private destination. Age requirements vary by venue and ship.
Choose a full adults-only ship if you want the whole holiday to be child-free. Choose an adults-only area on a family ship if you want bigger attractions but also want somewhere quieter to spend part of the day.
Are Adults-Only Cruises Sexual or Clothing-Optional?
No. An adults-only cruise normally means an age-restricted holiday, not an erotic or clothing-optional event.
Guests follow the cruise line's usual conduct, dress and safety rules. Some ships may offer daring performances, themed parties or adult comedy, but these are scheduled entertainment rather than the purpose of the cruise. Virgin Voyages states that more daring clothing is limited to designated themed events and venues.
Who Are Adults-Only Cruises Best For?
Adults-only cruises are best suited to:
- Couples wanting a child-free break
- Solo travellers who enjoy meeting other adults
- Groups of friends
- Honeymooners and anniversary travellers
- Adults who prefer late-night entertainment
- Travellers who want a calmer pool and dining environment
- People who do not need children's facilities or family attractions
They may not suit travellers who want waterparks, kids' clubs, family entertainment or activities for several age groups.
The Bottom Line
Adults-only cruises range from lively, social ships to quieter sailings built around destinations, dining and relaxation. The age policy tells you who can board; the cruise line determines how the trip feels.
Before booking, compare the age rules, onboard entertainment, dining inclusions and overall atmosphere. Choose an adults-only ship for a fully child-free holiday, or an adults-only area on a family ship for a more limited break from family spaces.