The seas are changing as cruise lines expand beyond the traditional family experience to offer more spaces and sailings designed exclusively for adults. Many travelers are clamoring for more adults-only shipboard experiences, leading the industry to adapt to current trends. Adults-only cruising was once a niche market and is now becoming mainstream.
The cruise industry generally offers adults-only experiences in three different tiers: built-in adults-only zones on family-friendly ships, specialty adults-only sailings and cruise lines that are adults-only full time.
Adults-Only Zones Within Larger Family-Friendly Ships
Adults-only areas within larger family-friendly ships remain an extremely popular amenity for clients who don’t require a fully adults-only cruise but still appreciate some separation at certain times. These types of ships appeal to multigenerational travelers but also to other sailors looking to keep the big ship excitement and amenities that have made the cruise industry so popular.
Some examples of lines that offer such spaces include:
- Celebrity Cruises (16+ spaces): The Solarium is a glass-domed, sunlit pool area generally adjacent to the main pool area that offers quiet lounging and is a free amenity across all ships. Think padded lounge chairs and a calm vibe for reading or snacks from the nearby Spa Café and Juice Bar. Amenities typically include a pool and hot tubs for guests’ relaxation. The Solarium proves to be extremely popular during inclement weather.
- Royal Caribbean (18+ spaces): Most ships offer the Solarium, which features whirlpools, padded loungers, a pool and a dedicated bar. Often located in the forward section of the ships, some solariums are covered with glass atriums and others are open air. Check deck plans for features and availability prior to booking clients. The Hideaway on Icon Class ships is an entirely new “neighborhood” and replaces the traditional Solarium. The Hideaway features an infinity pool and a DJ to spin music during the busy daytime hours. The neighborhood has proven to be an extremely popular and lively addition for daytime gathering on the brand’s newest and largest class of ships.
- Carnival Cruise Line (21+ spaces): Each ship is equipped with the Serenity Adults-only Retreat, which is a 21+ area across all ships. The location can vary from forward to aft depending on the class of ship, and amenities vary widely as well, with some ships offering full pools, hot tubs, dedicated bars and salad bars and others offering padded lounge chairs and day beds.
- Disney (18+ spaces): Disney has also embraced adults-only areas with spaces such as the Quiet Cove Pool, available on all ships except Disney Adventure. These areas generally feature a pool, whirlpool and padded loungers, offering an unexpected adults-only escape from a brand known for its family-focused cruises. Adjacent to the Quiet Cove Pool is the Cove Bar/Cove Café serving specialty coffees and teas along with a full bar. Disney also offers Currents, a sun deck located high on the ship as an adults-only sunbathing zone. Additionally, Disney has several adults-only restaurants including Palo, Remy and Enchanté. These restaurants vary by class of ship and have an additional per person charge.
- Princess Cruises (16+ or 18+ spaces, vary by ship): Princess Cruises’ complimentary offerings include The Retreat Pool Deck (open to 16+) on most ships, which offers a quieter alternative to the higher-energy main pool. For an extra fee, The Sanctuary is a premium, reservation-only experience offering more personalized attention with private cabanas and loungers away from general crowds.
- Norwegian Cruise Line (18+ spaces): Norwegian Cruise Line’s Spice H2O is an Ibiza vibe-inspired space on many ships and is a complimentary adults-only space offering hot tubs, dedicated bar and a giant LED screen playing music and videos. During the evening hours, often around 6 or 7 p.m., this space transforms into an open-air dance club for all ages and hosts many of the themed dance parties onboard.
- MSC Cruises (18+ spaces): MSC Cruises provides distinct adults-only offerings across ships that vary based on the class of ship selected. The newest World Class ships offer the Zen Area which more closely resemble offerings on other lines while the Seaside-class ships offer the Aft Infinity Pool with 180-degree ocean views, which really caught a lot of attention when first introduced to the cruise industry. The Zen area onboard the lines’ newest and largest vessels include heated pools and beautiful, sweeping panoramic views from high up on the 18th deck.
The Middle Tier: Invite-Only Adult Sailings
Carnival Cruise Line jumped into the adults-only market when it started offering invite-only “Sailings Exclusively for Adults (SEA).” These sailings are designed for 21+ cruisers and offer themed parties and expanded casino access along with elevated dining menus. The invite-only sailings are held across a variety of ships throughout the year at various times. While SEA itinerates remain invite-only, the fact that Carnival, a cruise line long known for its family-friendly “Fun Ships,” is now offering specific adults-only sailings provides another signal that the mainstream cruise market is shifting, or at least testing new ways to meet demand for adults-only experiences.
Full Adults-Only Experience
The full adults-only experience also varies widely among Virgin Voyages, Viking and now Oceania. Options range from quiet, refined and educational experiences to lively ships focused on nightlife, themed parties and social activities.
- Virgin Voyages: Virgin Voyages is known for having fun in modern, luxuriously designed spaces. The line eliminated the traditional cruise ship buffet in favor of The Galley, which is set up more like a food hall with a variety of made-to-order options. The line’s focus on nightlife, themed parties and social activities throughout the day continues to reimagine the cruise experience.
- Viking: Viking is known for curated itineraries ranging from river cruises throughout Europe, Asia and Africa to luxury ocean liners to Expedition ships exploring the Great Lakes, Antarctica and the Arctic. The line is always adults-only with a focus on lectures and relaxation.
- Oceania: Oceania is the newest line to venture into adults-only cruising. Beginning January 7, 2026, all new reservations are limited to guests 18 and older, while the line continues to honor existing bookings made before the policy change. Oceania is best known for its “Finest Cuisine at Sea” gourmet food program, port-intensive itineraries that often include overnight stays and small, luxury ships.
General Ship Amenities
Of course, many other cruise lines and individual ships offer additional adults-only areas. Spas, thermal suites, nightclubs and music venues may have age restrictions, and some cruise lines also enforce curfews for younger guests. Because policies can vary by ship and sailing date, advisors need to confirm the details before presenting them to clients. When in doubt, a quick call to the cruise line’s reservations department may be the best way to provide accurate and reliable information.
Selling Advice
Even clients who don’t specifically ask for an adults-only cruise often appreciate knowing which adults-only amenities are available aboard mainstream cruise lines. Understanding your clients’ priorities and highlighting the spaces most likely to match their vacation style can make a real difference in turning quotes into bookings. Take it a step further by explaining why you selected a particular cabin location and how it provides convenient access to the amenities they are most likely to use.
When budget concerns arise, offering alternatives at different price points, sailing dates or cruise lines can help clients feel more comfortable paying their deposit and securing a booking. Keep in mind that amenities can vary by ship, even within the same cruise line, so advisors need to understand exactly what is offered before recommending a particular sailing.
The key to successfully matching clients with the right cruise line comes down to asking the right questions before creating proposals. A few simple questions can help differentiate you from online booking engines and other advisors. Don’t assume what clients mean when they say they want an “adults-only cruise.” Are they looking for a quiet and refined experience or do they want energetic nightlife and social activities? Do they need an entirely adults-only ship or would a dedicated adults-only area on a family-friendly ship meet their needs? Understanding how they want to experience their vacation will help you recommend the right level of adults-only cruising.
Understanding each client’s vacation goals allows advisors to highlight the right ship features and make stronger recommendations that can lead to more bookings. Taking advantage of training opportunities offered by suppliers can also help advisors build their knowledge of specific brands and become more confident selling adults-only cruise experiences.
Cole Sjoholm
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