The best adult only cruise lines right now are Viking (ocean and river, 18+), Virgin Voyages (18+), Oceania Cruises (18+ on new bookings since January 2026) and, for UK cruisers, Saga (50+), plus the adults-only ships run by P&O Cruises and Marella. If you just want a calm ship where children are rare rather than banned, luxury lines such as Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Seabourn and Azamara are worth a look too. Below we compare minimum ages, what each fare includes and who each line suits best.
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Truly Adults-Only vs. Adult-Focused: What’s the Difference?
A truly adults-only line sets a hard minimum age, usually 18, and will not accept younger passengers at all. An adult-focused line still allows children, but has few or no kids’ clubs, longer and more port-intensive itineraries and higher fares, so families are uncommon outside school holidays.
There is also a third group: mainstream lines that keep one or two ships adults-only, or run occasional adults-only sailings. These can be great value, but the rules can change from season to season, so always check the specific sailing before you book.
The Best Adults-Only Cruise Lines
Viking (Ocean and River) – 18+
Viking does not allow anyone under 18 on its ocean or river ships, and there are no casinos, no kids’ areas and no art auctions. The ocean ships are mid-sized, carrying roughly 930 to 1,000 guests, with a calm Scandinavian design and a strong focus on history, culture and destination lectures.
Fares typically include one shore excursion in each port, Wi-Fi, all onboard restaurants (including room service), wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, specialty coffees and access to the spa’s thermal suite. Viking is a good fit for travellers who want enrichment and port time more than nightlife.
Virgin Voyages – 18+
Virgin Voyages is the adults-only option with the most energy. Its four ships, Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady, are large (around 2,700 guests) but have no buffet, no kids’ clubs and a lively, design-led feel with late-night entertainment and a well-known festival-style party night.
The fare covers more than 20 restaurants and eateries with no specialty dining surcharges, basic Wi-Fi, group fitness classes, entertainment, soft drinks and water. Crew gratuities have traditionally been included too. Alcohol is extra unless you buy a bar tab or package. Virgin suits couples and friends in their 20s to 50s who want a social, modern atmosphere.
Oceania Cruises – 18+ (New Bookings)
The biggest change in this category came in January 2026, when Oceania Cruises announced it would only accept guests aged 18 and over on new reservations. Bookings made before the change that include under-18s are still honoured, so you may see the occasional teenager on sailings booked before then, but that will fade over time.
Oceania never had a children’s programme and is best known for its food, with several specialty restaurants on each ship at no extra cost. Drinks, Wi-Fi and excursions are often bundled through promotional packages, so compare what is included in the specific fare you are quoted.
UK Favourites: Saga, P&O Cruises and Marella
Saga Cruises – 50+
Saga is built for travellers aged 50 and over, and a travelling companion can join from age 40. Its two boutique ocean ships, Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure, carry fewer than 1,000 guests and have many single cabins, which makes Saga popular with solo cruisers.
Saga fares are among the most inclusive in this list: crew tips, all specialty dining, Wi-Fi, a selection of wines with meals, gym classes, specialty coffee, port shuttle buses and a chauffeur service to the port (within set distance limits) are typically included. Bar drinks, excursions and spa treatments usually cost extra.
P&O Cruises – Arcadia and Aurora (Mostly Adults-Only)
P&O Cruises still sails Arcadia and Aurora, its two smaller, traditional ships long reserved for adults. However, the policy is softening. From December 2026, a limited number of designated sailings on each ship (about a dozen on Aurora and eight on Arcadia through September 2027) are open to families. There are no kids’ clubs on either ship, and most other departures remain adults-only.
Longer term, Arcadia is due to leave P&O for Holland America Line in August 2029, with Cunard’s Queen Anne moving to P&O. If a child-free ship matters to you, check that your chosen P&O sailing is not one of the all-ages departures.
Marella Cruises – Explorer 2 and Discovery 2
Marella, part of TUI, runs Marella Explorer 2 as its dedicated adults-only ship, and has announced that Marella Discovery 2 will become a permanently adults-only ship from the winter 2027 season, with former kids’ areas turned into a speakeasy-style bar, an escape room, a karaoke room and an arts and crafts space. You can read more in our piece on Marella’s Discovery 2 adults-only transformation.
The minimum age on Marella’s adults-only cruises is usually 18. Marella fares are all-inclusive, covering meals, a wide selection of drinks and tips, which makes it one of the best-value ways to try a child-free cruise from the UK.
Adult-Focused Luxury Lines Where Kids Are Rare
These lines accept children, but their small ships, high fares and long, port-heavy itineraries mean most guests are adults. Expect more families in summer and over Christmas.
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises – Highly inclusive (drinks, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, most excursions and tips). Regent still welcomes children and runs a youth programme on selected holiday sailings.
- Silversea – Small, all-suite ships with butler service and an expedition fleet. Children are allowed but there is no dedicated kids’ club on most sailings.
- Seabourn – Intimate, all-suite ships with an inclusive bar and dining. Families are uncommon and children’s activities are limited.
- Azamara – Mid-sized ships known for late nights and overnights in port. There is no children’s programme, so the atmosphere is very adult.
- Explora Journeys – MSC’s luxury brand is calm and adult-leaning, but it does run the Nautilus Club for ages 6 to 17, so it is less child-free than the others here.
Adults-Only Cruise Lines Compared
| Line | Minimum age | Style | Key inclusions | Price level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viking | 18 | Mid-sized, cultural | One excursion per port, Wi-Fi, wine/beer with meals | Premium |
| Virgin Voyages | 18 | Large, lively, modern | All restaurants, basic Wi-Fi, fitness classes | Mid to premium |
| Oceania | 18 (new bookings) | Mid-sized, food-led | Specialty dining; packages vary | Premium |
| Saga | 50 (companion 40) | Boutique, British | Tips, Wi-Fi, wine with meals, port chauffeur | Premium |
| P&O Arcadia/Aurora | Usually 18; some all-ages sailings | Traditional, British | Main dining and entertainment | Mid-range |
| Marella Explorer 2 / Discovery 2 | Usually 18 | Relaxed, all-inclusive | Meals, drinks, tips | Value |
| Regent, Silversea, Seabourn | Children allowed | Small, ultra-luxury | Drinks, dining; often more | Luxury |
| Azamara | Children allowed | Destination-focused | House drinks, tips (check fare) | Premium |
Prices change constantly with season, cabin type and promotions. As a very rough guide, Marella and P&O are usually the cheapest options here, Virgin sits in the middle, Viking, Oceania and Saga are premium, and Regent, Silversea and Seabourn are at the top end. For current offers, see our guide to cruise deals for 2027.
How to Choose the Right Adults-Only Cruise
- Want a party? Virgin Voyages has the most nightlife.
- Want culture and quiet? Viking or Saga.
- Want great food? Oceania.
- Want value from the UK? Marella’s all-inclusive adults-only ships, or an adults-only P&O sailing.
- Want luxury and don’t mind the odd child? Regent, Silversea, Seabourn or Azamara, ideally outside school holidays.
Luxury lines are also naturally quiet and adult-focused; read how Silversea and Seabourn compare if you are deciding between them.
For special-interest sailings, from music festivals at sea to fan events, see our themed cruises guide.
If you would rather drive to the port than fly, our guide to adults-only cruises from the UK covers the child-free ships sailing from Southampton, Dover and London.
FAQs
Which cruise lines are completely adults-only?
Viking (ocean and river), Virgin Voyages and Oceania Cruises (for bookings made since January 2026) accept only guests aged 18 and over. Saga is limited to travellers aged 50 and over, with companions from 40.
Is P&O still adults-only on Arcadia and Aurora?
Mostly. From December 2026, a small number of designated sailings on both ships are open to families, but most departures remain adults-only. Check the individual cruise before booking.
What is the minimum age on an adults-only cruise?
It is usually 18. Saga is the main exception, with a minimum age of 50 for the lead traveller and 40 for a companion.
Are luxury cruises child-free?
Not officially. Regent, Silversea, Seabourn, Azamara and Explora all accept children, but families are rare on most sailings outside school holidays because of the itineraries, fares and limited kids’ facilities.
