With swimming pools galore, entertainment and even childcare on board, cruises can be an obvious choice for a family holiday.
But sometimes travelers want to get away from it all without the kids. That’s where adult sailings come in handy. A range of cruise lines and ships exclusively carry guests over the age of 18, for parents looking for some “me” time for guests who simply prefer a child-free travel experience.
However, not all these operators are the same. Some family-friendly ships have areas designated for adults, so passengers can get the best of both types of travel.
Here’s what you need to know about adult offers at sea.
What is the best cruise line for adults?
“There are really only two in the United States that specifically target adults 18 and older, and those are Virgin Voyages and Viking,” Sheri Griffiths, founder of CruiseTipsTV, told USA TODAY.
British operator Saga Cruises goes one step further and caters to an older clientele with a minimum age of 50 (although passengers can bring a companion over 40). P&O Cruises, part of Carnival Corp. and located across the pond, reserved two of the seven vessels exclusively for adults.
Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady ship.
Other lines simply focus less explicitly on children, although children are welcome. Griffiths pointed to lines like Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line, but demographics may vary depending on destination and sailing dates.
“Alaska is a very family-oriented destination. So even on these premium lines, you’re going to have a lot more families with children in Alaska in the summer months,” she said. “But for other routes and anything longer than seven days, you’ll find very few kids on Celebrity and Holland America.”
The same goes for some Princess Cruises ships, Griffiths added, although she noted it has “excellent” programming for young children and teens.
Cruise line guide: How to choose the right one for you
Do cruise ships only have adult areas?
Yes. Even on lines known for a variety of onboard activities for young people, ships often have areas specifically for adult guests. These include Royal Caribbean International’s Solarium – with hot tubs, lounge space and more – and Carnival Cruise Line’s Serenity Adult-Only Retreat.
“And it can be especially helpful on a more family-oriented ship, where there are sometimes a lot of kids on Carnival and Royal Caribbean, and so you might be more interested in a little bit of quiet,” Griffiths said.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cruises for adults: Here’s which lines are suitable for travelers 18+
