Luxury Cruising Editorial

I’ve explored the adult-only retreats on many different cruise lines, from tranquil sanctuaries to bustling spaces.  Cruise lines realize that passengers want a kid-free space, and in this article, we’ll look at three of the biggest in the industry.

Roller coasters, go-karts, and water parks on a cruise ship make for great marketing material in a TV spot, and these things get the kids excited about going on a cruise.  But for some parents, it’s more exciting to find some peace and quiet on board.

Kids might not understand it, but yes, adults can get so excited about the opportunity to take a nap that it might even keep us awake.  Funny how that works.

Unless you’re taking a cruise on an adult-only cruise line like Viking or Virgin Voyages, you’re going to have to accept that there may be the sound of some tiny screaming voices in the air. 

But this is vacation, right?  And sometimes you just want some peace and quiet.  Some of the biggest names in the cruise industry realize that even families might need a break from each other, at least for a couple hours.

And so adult-only spaces were introduced to cruise ships. 

Let’s look at the adult-only areas on three of the biggest cruise lines in the US: Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Carnival’s Serenity Deck & Loft 19

The Serenity Deck on Carnival ships was introduced in 2007, and since then it’s been rolled out across the fleet, with older ships being retrofitted with the adult-only space.

The concept is simple.  Only passengers 21 and older are permitted, and pretty much everything is on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Oh, and there’s no extra cost for access.

Hammocks, loungers, day beds, and clamshells are available (if it’s not too busy), and most Carnival ships have a hot tub or small pool in this area.

Serenity’s vibe is usually calm and quiet in the early hours and around dinner time.  But midday, especially on a sea day, it can get busy, and those padded loungers fill up fast. 

If you do find an open clamshell you should probably grab it right away.  Just be mindful of others if you’re planning on parking there for the entirety of the afternoon.

I have some Carnival-only friends that will spend almost the entire cruise in Serenity.  They’re also usually burnt to a crisp by the end of each cruise from lying in the sun all day.  

There are no formal opening and closing times, and I’ve found that the age restriction is fairly well enforced.  On some ships it’s a little too close to the waterpark for my liking, though.

Locations of Serenity on Carnival Ships

Some Carnival ships have Serenity in the front, and some have it in the back.  I like the aft locations better for noise and wind, and here is a list of Carnival ships with Serenity locations in the back of the ship:

Aft Locations: Carnival Legend, Miracle, Paradise, Pride, Spirit, and Splendor have aft Serenity Decks.

Some ships have split level Serenity decks too.

Split-Level: Carnival Dream, Sunrise, and Radiance have split-level Serenity Decks. Carnival Sunshine’s Serenity Deck is split across three levels.

There’s a bar in Serenity, and some ships have a Fresh Creations salad bar as well with some light snacks available throughout the day.

Premium/Paid Option:  Loft 19

So, this is not strictly an adult-only space.  Children can be in the area if their parents booked a suite or rented a cabana.   But in my experience, it’s mostly kid-free.  Take that for what it’s worth.

Loft 19 is only available on Excel-class ships with Carnival (Mardi Gras, Celebration, Jubilee), and it’s a retreat that is free for suite guests.  It’s located on deck 19, as the name suggests, and this high location really makes it feel separate from the rest of the ship.

If you don’t have a suite on one of these Carnival ships, you can still get in, but it will cost you extra.  A full-day pass (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) for a cabana costs $50 on port days and $150 on sea days (price subject to change).  Week-long access to a cabana is usually available for $900 per cabana, in addition to an 18-percent gratuity.

Booking a reservation for access to Loft 19 is the way to go, but you can always walk up to see if anything is available.

Royal Caribbean’s Solarium and Hideaway

The first time I walked into the Solarium on Allure of the Seas I was hooked on the space.  Not only is it just for passengers 18 and up (with some exceptions for families to use it during embarkation etc.), but it’s also just such a peaceful area full of light from the glass dome, in addition to hot tubs, pools, and loungers across the entire span of the ship.

But Oasis-class ships aren’t the only ones with Solariums.   In fact, just about every ship in the fleet has a Solarium, except for the newest Icon of the Seas, which has its own adult-only area we will talk about in a minute.

This space is usually a quiet area with soft music playing, although the areas around the hot tubs or pools might get a little louder during busy times.   It’s located at the front of the ship in most newer vessels and more mid-ship on older vessels. 

The faux palm trees and tropical plants give the area a relaxed tropical island feel that is a great getaway from the busy waterpark on board.

Dining in the Solarium on certain Royal Caribbean ships offers a relaxed vibe with the Solarium Bistro serving lighter meals like salads and grilled dishes for breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner. There’s also a bar in the area.

The Hideaway

One of the biggest, and somewhat disappointing, things I noticed when I sailed on one of the first Icon of the Seas cruises was that it didn’t have a Solarium. The bulbous AquaDome is at the front of the ship. While it soaks in plenty of natural light, it’s more of a peaceful observation deck than a Solarium. I loved hanging out in the AquaDome, by the way. The nearby AquaDome Market was one of my favorite places to grab a bite to eat, too.

Royal Caribbean’s adult-only (18 and up) area on Icon-class ships is at the very back of the vessel.  The Hideaway has a beach-vibe with an incredibly inviting aft-facing pool, cozy day beds, and padded loungers that look out over the wake-view of the ship.

It can be a lively atmosphere during the peak times with some socializing going on, and is fairly close to the waterpark, but surprisingly, I didn’t notice too much spillover of noise from there.

The Hideaway is terraced, with different levels offering various seating options, including loungers, daybeds, and whirlpools.

It’s also free to enter. Think of it like a beach club – you can hang out there without paying. But, like a real beach club, the fancier stuff costs extra. Want a comfy daybed or a private cabana? That’ll be an added charge. Same goes for special drinks or bottle service. So, while chilling in The Hideaway is included, the really nice stuff will cost you extra.

Reserving a daybed for 2-4 people will also include pool towels, bottles of water, a tray to put your belongings, dedicated beverage service, and a bottle of champagne.

Norwegian’s Spice H2O and Vibe Beach Club

Norwegian Cruise Line offers two distinct adult-only areas on their ships: Spice H2O and the exclusive Vibe Beach Club.

Spice H2O, an Ibiza-inspired retreat, is free to access and available on select Norwegian ships, including Norwegian Sun, Breakaway, Getaway, Escape, Joy, Bliss, Star, and Epic.

Think daytime sunbathing and nighttime transformations into an open-air lounge with live music and entertainment. It can be a lively spot during certain times of day (or night), and it can get crowded.

One thing to note: smoking may be permitted in designated areas of Spice H2O on some ships, which could be a turn-off for some. Spice H2O is open to all adult guests, typically 18 and older, although there has been some discussion about how well this is enforced.

Premium/Paid Option: Vibe Beach Club

For a more premium experience, Norwegian offers the Vibe Beach Club on select ships: Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Escape, Getaway, Joy, Prima, and Viva.

This extra-fee area promises a more exclusive and even more peaceful escape. There are private cabanas (available for an additional fee), a dedicated concierge, oversized hot tubs, comfortable daybeds, a full-service bar, chilled towels, and some fresh snacks.

Vibe Beach Club access usually requires buying a multi-day pass, but you should know, the price is variable. A 7-day cruise might start around $229 per person, but it can easily climb from there – Norwegian doesn’t publish prices. Haven suite guests sometimes get in free, which tells you something about the target audience. Vibe is a more luxurious and less crowded experience than Spice H2O, with better service, but space is limited, so book ahead if you’re splurging.

Comparison Chart

Bottom Line

Each cruise line offers a different flavor of adult-only escape.  Time of year and duration of cruise will make a difference as to how many kids are on board as well.  So, if you want the best way to enjoy a relaxing cruise while still cruising with a mainstream cruise line, I hope the above information will help.

Ultimately, the best adult-only space depends on your budget and preferences. Carnival’s Serenity offers a solid free option, while Royal Caribbean and Norwegian provide more premium experiences for a fee.

And if you really want to splurge, you can just book a swanky suite and have your own private oasis whenever you want.

An epic new cruise was announced this week and a cruise ship will sail completely around the globe in 2026-2027.

Costa Cruises, one of nine cruise lines from Carnival Corporation, has announced a new 139-day cruise on Costa Deliziosa that departs from Italy on November 25, 2026.

Over the 139 days, the cruise ship will circumnavigate the globe westward, visiting 29 countries and 47 ports before returning to Italy.

The cruise line is also offering a slightly shorter version of the cruise that will allow guests to board the ship in San Francisco on January 3, 2027 for a 100-day journey that ends in Italy.

Port stops on this 2027 World Cruise include Half Moon Cay, one of Carnival Corporation’s private islands in The Bahamas. The ship will also visit the following destinations:

• East and west coasts of the United States
• Hawaii
• Tahiti
• Fiji
• Australia
• Maldives
• Japan
• Singapore
• Other ports in Southeast Asia and Africa

The cruise ship will spend New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles, and overland helicopter tours will be available to discover Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.

Multi-day tours will also be available so guests can make the most of their time at each destination.

Luigi Stefanelli, vice president of worldwide sales at Costa Cruises, gave the following statement about this new cruise:

“With the World Cruise 2027 we want to offer a truly unique and unforgettable experience, combining the exploration of iconic places with the proposal of exclusive destinations, some of which have never been touched before by our itineraries.

“With this edition, we want to redefine and innovate the concept of travel around the world, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those who dream of an extraordinary adventure and the opportunity to discover the world with the quality and hospitality that distinguish Costa Cruises.”

This 139-day world cruise from Costa Cruises is now open for bookings.

Costa Deliziosa is a Luminosa-class ship (Spirit) that can accommodate up to 2,800 passengers. The 92,000 gross ton ship has been in service since 2010.

Cruise prices are always changing.  And if you want to get the most cruise for your money, knowing the when of a sailing is just as important as the where.  In this article we show the average cost of a cruise for each week of next year in 2026.

Our data shows that most people like to book a cruise anywhere from 6 months to a year out in advance, and that means 2026 cruises are well in focus.

With that in mind, we looked at over 2,000 cruise sailings scheduled for next year and broke down the average cost per day for each week on every sailing that was at least 7 days in duration.

(We’ll have to break down the pricing of those 3- and 4-day sailings another time.)

By the way, with this same data we looked at which U.S. cruise ports are the cheapest to sail out of and which cruise lines charge the most for cabin upgrades if you’re interested.

These prices are for inside cabins for two people and include gratuities.  So, yes, the price could be higher or lower depending on your ship, cabin type, cruise port, and a load of other variables.

But let’s keep it simple.  The point here is to show the fluctuations in pricing throughout the year.  And instead of using old data, this is for actual cruises taking place in 2026.

Chart Showing Cruise Prices in 2026

The reason some prices in the above chart are higher or lower than the below data is that the chart was based on daily average pricing.  So, weekly averages brought those figures back to a mean a bit.

Weekly Average Prices for Cruises in 2026

January 2026:

• Week 1 (1/4 – 1/10): $243.50
• Week 2 (1/11 – 1/17): $290.86
• Week 3 (1/18 – 1/24): $276.80
• Week 4 (1/25 – 1/31): $265.40
• Monthly Average: $269.14 

February 2026:

• Week 5 (2/1 – 2/7): $272.57
• Week 6 (2/8 – 2/14): $292.17
• Week 7 (2/15 – 2/21): $283.00
• Week 8 (2/22 – 2/28): $293.80
• Monthly Average: $285.44

March 2026:

• Week 9 (3/1 – 3/7): $294.33
• Week 10 (3/8 – 3/14): $285.00
• Week 11 (3/15 – 3/21): $304.67
• Week 12 (3/22 – 3/28): $325.00
• Week 13 (3/29 – 4/4): $285.00 (Note: This week overlaps into April)
• Monthly Average (March only): $298.75

April 2026:

• Week 13 (3/29 – 4/4): $285.00 (Included in March and April calculations)
• Week 14 (4/5 – 4/11): $267.43
• Week 15 (4/12 – 4/18): $293.00
• Week 16 (4/19 – 4/25): $390.75
• Week 17 (4/26 – 5/2): $297.71 (Note: This week overlaps into May)
• Monthly Average (April only): $306.98

May 2026:

• Week 17 (4/26 – 5/2): $297.71 (Included in April and May calculations)
• Week 18 (5/3 – 5/9): $338.40
• Week 19 (5/10 – 5/16): $323.71
• Week 20 (5/17 – 5/23): $356.50
• Week 21 (5/24 – 5/31): $357.14
• Monthly Average: $334.69

June 2026:

• Week 22 (6/1 – 6/7): $366.50
• Week 23 (6/8 – 6/14): $363.14
• Week 24 (6/15 – 6/21): $378.00
• Week 25 (6/22 – 6/28): $372.17
• Week 26 (6/29 – 7/5): $381.86 (Note: This week overlaps into July)
• Monthly Average (June only): $372.33

July 2026:

• Week 26 (6/29 – 7/5): $381.86 (Included in June and July calculations)
• Week 27 (7/6 – 7/12): $395.71
• Week 28 (7/13 – 7/19): $399.17
• Week 29 (7/20 – 7/26): $377.14
• Week 30 (7/27 – 8/2): $387.83 (Note: This week overlaps into August)
• Monthly Average (July only): $388.34

August 2026:

• Week 30 (7/27 – 8/2): $387.83 (Included in July and August calculations)
• Week 31 (8/3 – 8/9): $365.29
• Week 32 (8/10 – 8/16): $355.29
• Week 33 (8/17 – 8/23): $352.00
• Week 34 (8/24 – 8/31): $319.43
• Monthly Average (August only): $355.97

September 2026:

• Week 35 (9/1 – 9/7): $315.43
• Week 36 (9/8 – 9/14): $307.29
• Week 37 (9/15 – 9/21): $303.86
• Week 38 (9/22 – 9/28): $294.20
• Week 39 (9/29 – 10/5): $285.75 (Note: This week overlaps into October)
• Monthly Average (September only): $301.31

October 2026:

• Week 39 (9/29 – 10/5): $285.75 (Included in September and October calculations)
• Week 40 (10/6 – 10/12): $262.80
• Week 41 (10/13 – 10/19): $269.00
• Week 42 (10/20 – 10/26): $268.00
• Week 43 (10/27 – 11/2): $250.75 (Note: This week overlaps into November)
• Monthly Average (October only): $267.26

November 2026:

• Week 43 (10/27 – 11/2): $250.75 (Included in October and November calculations)
• Week 44 (11/3 – 11/9): $244.20
• Week 45 (11/10 – 11/16): $263.17
• Week 46 (11/17 – 11/23): $318.17
• Week 47 (11/24 – 11/30): $317.80
• Monthly Average (November only): $278.82

December 2026:

• Week 48 (12/1 – 12/7): $282.86
• Week 49 (12/8 – 12/14): $284.14
• Week 50 (12/15 – 12/21): $315.14
• Week 51 (12/22 – 12/28): $424.40
• Week 52 (12/29 – 1/4): $393.75 (Note: This week overlaps into January of the next year)
• Monthly Average (December only): $340.06

Winter (Jan-Mar): Post-Holiday Slump & Spring Break Bounce

January is your budget-friendly month. Post-holiday lull means lower fares, especially early on. But take note: Spring break in March sends prices climbing, peaking towards month’s end as families seek warmer climates.

Spring (Apr-May): Price Peaks & Valleys

April presents a mixed picture. Some weeks offer attractive deals, others less so. Mid-month sees a price jump, possibly due to specific events or school breaks. May continues upward in pricing as summer approaches, so book early if you’re eyeing a spring getaway.

Summer (Jun-Aug): Prepare to Pay

Summer is peak cruise season, and prices reflect that. Expect the highest fares, with a consistent climb through June and July. August offers slightly lower prices toward the end, but it’s still prime time.

Fall (Sep-Nov): Shoulder Season Steals

September and October are ideal for budget-conscious travelers. Kids back in school means less demand and lower fares. This “shoulder season” is your chance to cruise comfortably without the peak-season cost. November, however, sees prices rise again, especially around Thanksgiving.

Holiday Season (Dec): Festive Fare Frenzy

December has two distinct price periods. The first half is generally manageable. The second? Be prepared to spend more. Christmas and New Year’s cruises command the highest prices of the year.

The Bottom Line

• Shoulder Seasons: September, October, and parts of April offer the best value for your money.
• Holiday Rush: Be prepared to pay a premium for cruises during holiday periods.
• January’s: January often sees a dip in cruise prices after the holiday rush, making it attractive for budget-minded travelers.
• Flexibility is Key: If your travel dates are flexible, you can often find better deals by shifting your trip by a week or two.