Which cruise ship is best for adults?

There are a lot of cruise lines that provide first-class amenities for a sophisticated voyage, ranging from budget-friendly escapes to ultra-luxurious bucket-list sailings geared towards adults. If you're poised to ditch the minors on your next expedition, then an adult social cruise could be just the right fit for you.

Settling on the best cruise for adults can be a complicated task, so we have assembled a list of the most highly-rated cruise lines that provide a rich mixture of fine dining, luxury accommodations, wellness options, and entertainment — all specifically targeted toward adult travelers. What to expect onboard, including dining, relaxation, and fun cruise for adults experiences, is presented below.

1. Celebrity Cruises

If you are looking for a trendy overseas vacation still having the warm atmosphere and style of the latest trends, then Celebrity Cruises is the best choice for you. The ship's special design featuring the distinctive outward-facing architecture and enormous outdoor spaces, created by famous interior decorators such as Kelly Hoppen, are the first signals that the environment is classy and adult-oriented.

What you will experience on board

• The Edge Series (Celebrity Beyond, Edge, and Apex) are especially impressive: a modern luxurious atmosphere full of space and light.
• A strong wellness program with over 120 therapies and partnerships with F45 and Peloton to keep the adults occupied besides partying by the pool.
• Eating is a big part of the cruise- 15 restaurants, 5 cafés, and 12 bars including Le Voyage, Daniel Boulud's first-ever restaurant at sea.
• If you stay in a suite, you will get a personal ‘getaway host’ (butler) so that you do not have to do anything.

Adult social events & activities

• Dining events, wine tastings, and cocktail hours hosted by chefs.
• Envision health clinics alongside mixology classes or directing talks for arranging enrichment programs.
• Venues where one could effortlessly mingle while enjoying delightful drinks and nice atmosphere.

Itineraries for adults

• The ports of call are not the ordinary ones — the vessels visit places where the big companies may not at all, allowing you to completely integrate in a location instead of just being there.
• Less family-oriented diversions signify your itinerary is designed for adults who seek the taste of culture, delight in food, and have the desire for rest.

Planned cost

• Although the exact prices vary with cabin type, ship, route and season, the cost for a pair in an adult-friendly cruise sharing a premium cabin with superior facilities and services is that of a premium adult-friendly cruise fare.

2. Viking Cruises

Viking welcomes travelers aged 18+ to their ocean, river, and expedition cruises and thus, they are a good option if you want an adult-only atmosphere without the “kids’ club” vibe.

What’s more, the facility will be

• Every stateroom has a balcony on the ocean liners, and there are about 930 passengers on board the ships—small by the standards of major cruise lines and allowing access to ports that are often skipped by larger ships.
• The river vessels are positioned right in the core of the towns and cities—perfect for getting to know the place.
• The vessel features: al fresco eating, a small herb garden which is daily harvested for the kitchen, a Nordic spa comprising sauna, steam room, thermal bath and Snow Grotto.
• Cultural enrichment: history of the place lectured, demo of cooking, market tours with local guides and hands-on sessions.

Adult social events & activities

• Evenings in comfy lounges, wine and cheese tastings of sorts, and storytelling and cultural sharing are some of the great moments together.
• “Meet-the-Chef” plus cooking with locals are thus not just activities that are engaging but also leading to deep and lively conversations with other adult participants.
• The calm, polite atmosphere allows contact without the disorder of big resorts.

Adult-friendly itineraries

• The trip allows long port stays (often overnight) so that you can enjoy waking up at the destination instead of just sailing through.
• Cruises link Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia and other areas - giving access to local markets, museums, hidden towns instead of visiting just the resorts.
• The focus is on the place and not merely the entertainment of the ship.

Indicative cost

• The price usually includes veranda accommodation, numerous shore excursions, meals, lecture series and more—hence you’re not just paying for the ship, but also for the rich cultural program.

3. Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises virtually exclusively serves the adult market and showcases classic, elegant,-style ships with first-class culinary skills and a wide choice of itineraries.

What you will get on board

• Among its features, one can find a jogging track, an artist loft, a culinary centre, a library, and lecture halls, all pointing to adults who value enrichment.
• The line is often referred to as providing the "best food at sea," where foraging/local market excursions are combined with cooking onboard.
• With Europe’s leading cities and Mexico, the smaller ships might reach the less-frequented ports for a full experience.

Adult social events & activities

• Exhibitions of culinary arts, tasting food and wine, and presentations by guest chefs.
• Library discussions, lectures on different countries, and cruises for viewing art—these are all meant for the curious adult.
• Rather than having the chaos of kids at the pool, the on-board lounges foster drinking and chatting.

Travel plans for adults

• The ports are usually less trafficked with less number of giant ships, thus providing more genuine and deeper visits.
• The “grand” cruises with multiple destinations allow one to easily get into the pace of travel and not be rushing between stops.
• The size of the smaller-ship affords more freedom and less jostling around.

Estimated price

• Round-trip flights (on certain itineraries), port shuttles, specialty restaurants, broadband internet, soft drinks, specialty coffees, and teas are among the notable inclusions. The price is expected to be high reflecting the lavishness of boutique-style.

4. Seabourn

Seabourn is the ultimate luxurious adults-only getaway, but it combines all-inclusive subtly with an intimate boutique environment, so if that’s what you're looking for, then this cruise line delivers.

What you will get to witness during the cruise

• With spacious, premium-quality and elegant all-suite accommodation, you will enjoy the best views.
• You will be treated to award-winning restaurants and complimentary premium spirits and exquisite wines.
• Ships travel to every continent, including over 400 places, with some very remote ones as well as the well-known ports.
• For the max delight: a spa suite with a pool, spa, wide verandas, and direct access.

Social events and activities for adults

• The calling card events like “Caviar in the Surf” beach-lunch, wine tastings in the front lounge, and sunset cocktail hours with live jazz are among the lifestyle of the cruise.
• Teaching programs: knowledgeable guides, explorations, different types of wine tasting, and events with chefs.
• Not just family-friendly games but rather real “grown-up” parties and gatherings.

Adult-friendly cruise routes

• The ultra-luxury itineraries may be long, up to 20 days, and may reach very far islands, polar regions, and very small ports.
• Usually, the routes are designed with the experience factor in mind rather than the number of sea days—more exploration time than just lying on the deck.
• Perfect for couples or selective adult groups eager to take a sailing trip long on their dreams.

Price indication

• A premium fare but it comprises a lot of extras: fine dining, premium drinks, sometimes even certain shore excursions. The value is high for a world-class experience.

5. Silversea Cruises

Silversea sits at the very luxurious end of the scale: every ship is all-suite, there are butlers for all the suites, there are customized land programs offered, plus you can access more than 900 ports of call all over the globe. This is the cruise that tops the list for wealthy adults deliberately.

What you will experience on board

• A butler to serve you exclusively in your room. An all-year-round indoor-outdoor living, big rooms and minibars filled with your favorite beverages.
• The best in gastronomy: glorious French cuisine, usual Italian meals served family-style, and many specialty restaurants that every one of them is a dining experience.
• The small-ship intimacy + expedition-style access to the remote ports—this gives you both a luxurious and adventurous experience.

Adults’ social events and activities

• Exclusive gatherings: champagne receptions at sunset, expert-led expedition briefings, themed galas and refined social mixers.
• Destination-immersive experiences that create stories to share with like-minded adults.
• The atmosphere is slow luxury: think fine wine, deep conversations, curated adventure.

Adult-oriented itineraries

• The places you will visit are the Arctic, Africa, the Galápagos Islands, the Amalfi Coast, and delightful small islands as well as big luxury ports with lots to offer.
• Less people on the ship means more unique stops, higher ratio of staff to guests for personalized service and hence, no crowds.
• Those travelers are ideal who say, “I’ve done the mainstream cruises” and ask the tour operator to suggest something unique.

Indicative cost

• You will get an amazing experience for the price though. Even if it is one of the highest prices among the resorts, still considering the all-suite accommodation, inclusions (flights, shore excursions, drinks), and the excellent service.

Virgin Voyages

This time let’s go all out: the Virgin Voyages cruise is a separate and totally adult cruise line for 18+ and more who love to travel. Not only does it have a smart and chic view of the sea, but also it brings the party with a classy twist.

What you will encounter during your trip

• All the voyages are exclusively for adults, hence an adult-like atmosphere is being built right from the beginning.
• The pricing is “almost all-inclusive” — food at more than 20 restaurants, basic drinks, Wi-Fi, fitness classes, and all entertained are included in your fee.
• Unique features that are only available on board: an adult playground with gigantic swings and a deck chessboard, tattoo studios, and classic arcades.
• The atmosphere is modern, social, energizing, yet still lavish and focused on the design.

Adult social events and activities

• Parties at night, entertaining that involves the audience, festivals like “Scarlet Night” where everyone is dressed up, and even an adult playground where one can swing over the ocean.
• The mingling of singles, couples, or groups of friends — the atmosphere is full of life but at the same time classy.
• Business, finding people of the same mind, and making friends with the assistance of the board are the opportunities which are given to those who don’t mind just relaxing quietly.

Adult-friendly itineraries

• The ships sail from Miami, Barcelona, Athens, and San Juan, Puerto Rico to areas like the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and more.
• Due to the adults-only policy, the routes are planned around at least long dinners and late-night activities with the sharing and less done on the children's side of entertainment.
• Perfect for groups of friends, singles, and couples who want both fun and subtlety.

Indicative cost

• Starting fares represent luxury with lots included of course, you pay less later but more upfront as there are no add-ons.

Holland America Line

The fact that Holland America Line is not a cruise line for adults only is very important but contrary to this, it offers a lot of areas and activities that are adult-friendly and hence it becomes an excellent choice for those who prefer to socialize in a more discreet way, to visit less crowded places with mature adults etc.

What you’ll experience onboard

• The spaciousness of the mid-sized ships can be enjoyed along with the numerous activities, sports, and fitness options, including the use of pickleball courts, tai chi, and spa treatments.
• There will be activities planned for all the time such as cooking shows, flower-arranging, book club via Audible, and destination-themed lectures.
• The cruise line does have facilities for children, but the majority of the adults prefer to take it easy and enjoy the programming that is meant for them.

Adult social events & activities

• The social events are mixers that are not too intrusive, are casual gatherings where wine is tasted, and the evenings are filled with lectures and card games as well as musicians playing and welcoming couples to mingle.
• There are places with low lights and quiet where books can be read, art classes conducted, and cultural talks given instead of loud nightlife.
• Perfect for couples or adults who would like to connect without the party-bar atmosphere.

Adult-friendly itineraries

• The routes cover Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, etc., with very few "kid-heavy" stops, most of them being new for kids' interests.
• The ports of call present attractions of natural beauty, the art of culture, and scenic cruising (ice fields, fjords) as the only way rather than just swimming on the resort beach.
• A trip suitable for grown-ups who want a luxurious yet casual travel experience.

Indicative cost

• It is recommended that you consider the middle to upper tires depending on the ship, cabin class and itinerary. The money you spend will be worth it because of the adults-friendly amenities and destination focus.

Princess Cruises

Though not entirely designated for adults, Princess Cruises provides great adult-only spots and luxurious itineraries for mature tourists who eager to have luxury and socializing opportunities.

What you will experience onboard

• On ships, adults-only pool areas, the Sanctuary sun-deck for 18+ (or 16+ in certain cases) with cabanas, comfortable quiet lounge areas and premium spa access are found.
• Sublime entertainment, diverse food options and places to visit such as Alaska, the Mediterranean, Japan and others.
• The atmosphere is sleek, easy-going and elegant instead of full of parties.

Adult social events & activities

• Live music bars with jazz, cocktail lounges with crafts, evenings of food paired with wine.
• Lectures, cooking demos, book clubs and similar activities with adult-audience in mind destination-themed events.
• The Sanctuary is for many adults a cordial atmosphere, not only a retreat for the lonely.

Adult-friendly itineraries

• Greatly extended cruises, unusual ports, and world-cruise fragments.
• Jubilee is not only the sight of extensive family water-parks but also the experience of traversing through the wonders of different continents.
• This is the perfect option for couples who are celebrating their anniversaries, honeymoons or just craving a peaceful and still chic getaway.

Indicative cost

• Like other premium cruise lines, but slightly more invested in adult-only areas, tailored social events, and a variety of destinations.

How to Choose Your Best Adult Cruise

Although the cruise lines and itineraries for adult getaways might be varied, there are still some vital points of cruising that you need to consider:

• Tranquility or Social atmosphere: Which one would you prefer? the fun and party like atmosphere (Virgin) or the more controlled and calmer (Holland America, Princess)?
• Top spots: Are you willing to take a dark trip with short stops and high mobility (Viking, Seabourn, Silversea) or would you like to just revel in the luxury provided along the main routes (Celebrity, Princess)?
• What is included in the ticket price: just see what is included in your fare (food, beverages, internet, sighting trips). Lines for adults only generally provide more.
• Standard of accommodation: suites and butler service cost more but completely change the experience of the adult.
• Adult social activities: see the program of the onboard — mixers, themed events, enrichment, nightlife options.
• Style of destination: Love routes (Mediterranean, Caribbean at dusk), relaxing itineraries (Alaska, fjords), and vibrant adult cruise locations (Ibiza, Mykonos, beach clubs).
• Price versus value: there is a significant difference between premium adult cruise lines and standard lines in terms of the price per night, but when you compare inclusions and experience, you may get better value from a family cruise with many add-ons.

Conclusion

No matter the choice of the cruise company, the adult-friendly cruises are the same but each—Celebrity, Viking, Oceania, Seabourn/Silversea, Virgin, Holland America and Princess—has its own peculiarities. You will discover that the dedication to special events and social activities for adults, as well as the selection of itineraries suited for romantic, relaxing or social adult travel, have altogether given you a memorable and grown-up experience.

If you want, we can compile the price range averages for each company for two people sharing, the best adult-friendly voyages for 2025-26, and the tricks for obtaining adult-only cruise offers (including the timing for saving). Are you interested in having us investigate that?

FAQs

What makes a cruise ship ideal for adults?

Adult-oriented cruises mainly provide tranquility, high-class treatment, and new adventures to the top—where you are going to find quiet pools, and gourmet dining, wellness spas, and posh lounges instead of family activities. Wine tastings, art classes, and live music are some of the activities that enrich the ships and at the same time contribute to the adult and relaxing ambiance.

Are adult oriented cruise ships more expensive?

Generally, yes, but at the same time, they do offer better value. Adult cruises sometimes comprise gourmet meals, top-shelf drinks, Wi-Fi, fitness classes, and tips. You will Shell out more in the beginning; however, you will spend less during your cruise given the catch-all perks and the presence of smaller, better-horsepower ships.

Do adult-oriented cruises offer nightlife and entertainment?

Totally, expect all kinds of things. From jolly themed parties and cocktail events to jazz bars and piano lounges, everything is included in the package. Brands like Virgin Voyages are famous for their nightlife full of energy, while others like Viking or Oceania prefer to offer slow, cultural nights instead.

What destinations are most popular for adult-oriented cruises?

The most sought-after are the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Alaska and Northern Europe; all of which are somewhat described as the best. A river cruise through France or along the Danube is also a top choice for couples and arts lovers who want to go slowly, take in more sights, and enjoy the scenic beauty.

Do adult cruises have dress codes?

Most of them are “smart casual”—comfortable but polished. Some luxury lines provide optional formal nights, while Virgin Voyages takes a modern and flexible approach with no formal rules in place.