After a child-free holiday? These adult-only cruises are just the ticket for grown-ups seeking a relaxing escape minus the entourage.
While only three cruise lines in the world are officially ‘adults only’, there are plenty of options for cashed-up Millennials, honeymooners, solo travellers or busy parents and grandparents who prefer to sail on ships that are not packed with kid-friendly activities, wild rides, noisy water parks and, well, kids.
Viking (Ocean, River and Expedition), Virgin Voyages and UK-based Saga Cruises are your go-to for clients wanting to escape tripping on little ones. While P&O Cruises UK also operates two adults-only ships – Arcadia and Aurora – within its otherwise family-friendly, seven-ship fleet.
You have to be over 18 to cruise with Viking and Virgin (and on Arcadia and Aurora), but Saga sets its age limit at 50 on its two oceangoing ships and four river ships – although 50-plus cruisers are allowed to book for companions over the age of 40. That’s seriously adults only…
Viking River, Ocean & Expedition cruises
Viking’s Founder & Chair Torstein Hagen has often been quoted about the three main reasons why his river, ocean and expedition cruises are so successful: “No children under 18, no casinos and no nickel and diming”.
Considering that 27 years after founding the company in 1997 Hagen recently added about USD$5 billion (around AUD$7.4 billion) to his personal coffers when shares went on public sale, he clearly knows a thing or two about what appeals to grown-up cruisers.
Viking’s 80-plus river ships operate in Europe and on Asia’s Mekong, the Nile in Egypt and the Mississippi in the US. They vary in size according to the rivers they operate on, but all share a similar design inside and out. Most of the river ships in Europe are Longships that accommodate 190 guests; on smaller rivers such as the Seine and Douro, they accommodate 168.
In 2015, Viking launched its first ocean ship, Viking Star. Since then, nine more of the 930-guest ships have joined the fleet and the 10th, Viking Vela, is due in December 2024. Viking Vela is slightly larger, carrying 68 more guests; however, the deck layout, light-filled, Scandinavian-style interiors and range of inclusions will be the same as those of her fleetmates.
Viking’s ocean ships sail all over the world, apart from the polar regions. The two new expedition ships, the 378-guest Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, cover more far-flung destinations.
Viking Venus will arrive in Australia in December 2024 for a series of cruises in local waters and on 20 January 2025, she heads off from Sydney on a highly anticipated 31-night Grand Australia Circumnavigation that calls at places many Aussies have never visited plus a side trip that takes in Komodo and Bali.
Another nine Viking ocean ships are set to debut between 2025 and 2030 – the mind boggles.
Virgin Voyages
Dubbed ‘Adult-by-Design’, Virgin Voyages set out to disrupt the cruise industry and attract young-at-heart, party people who, as founder Sir Richard Branson said, would “never dream of going on a cruise ship”.
“We’re going to start without kids, which will make me a very unpopular granddad,” Branson said when launching the line.
“It sends a message. I think there are a lot of people who find that kids running around a cruise ship gets in the way of their holiday. But then I’m sure we’ll become kids-friendly with a ship down the line.”
Virgin’s three Lady Ships, Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady, set sail on adults-only cruises in 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively, and Brilliant Lady is due to make her debut in 2025.
Each has 1,330 cabins and suites, plus 78 RockStar Quarters and are pretty much identical in layout, look and signature features.
These features include nine highly acclaimed restaurants and eateries, eight bars, several entertainment venues and late-night clubs as well as more unusual spaces, such as Squid Ink tattoo parlour, a record shop and private karaoke lounge – not remotely kid-friendly.
Virgin Voyages cruises in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and North America. Sadly, after Resilient Lady’s inaugural season in Australia last year, the line is unlikely to return Down Under anytime soon.
More options for adults-only cruises
Other options for those looking for (mostly) child-free cruises include river cruise lines; ultra-luxe lines; premium small-ship lines, such as Azamara, Oceania Cruises and Windstar Cruises; and expedition lines, whether luxury or more traditional in style.
- River cruise ships are not set up for small children – there are no kids’ clubs or family-centric activities, excursions or entertainment (with the notable exception of the Tauck Bridges’s program and Scenic’s holiday cruises). The minimum age ranges from four to 13, so be sure to check with individual cruise lines, but in general, river cruising is not popular with the younger demographic.
- Similarly, ultra-luxe lines, such as Silversea, Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and premium lines operating smaller ships, don’t offer child-friendly facilities. Sophisticated onboard venues, longer itineraries and higher fares also tend to put off families with small children.
- Expedition cruising is also not geared for kids. Some lines welcome children of at least eight or older when accompanied by devoted parents or grandparents who appreciate there’s nothing laid on in the way of entertainment other than nature’s attractions, but it’s extremely unusual to see young children on ships in Antarctica, for example.
