What are the best cruises in the world? Viking, Disney are big winners

Table Of Content

• All-Inclusive Cruise Lines That Aren't Adults-Only
• Best Adults-Focused Cruise For Parents Who Want Alone Time: Windstar Cruises
• Oceania Cruises
• Adults-Only Cruises That Aren’t Quite All-Inclusive
• Carnival Ship Rescues 27 People Adrift at Sea in the Caribbean
• Cruising on the comeback?
• Adult-Focused, Small-Ship Cruises with Few Children

Some cruise lines have a selection of family-friendly ships, plus some ships which are exclusively for adults. If you choose one of these adult-only ships, you can be sure that there won’t be a child in sight. There are currently three ships in the fleet, with a fourth joining in 2024.

All-Inclusive Cruise Lines That Aren't Adults-Only

Each sailing features demos and dinners with a chef from the James Beard Foundation as well as market visits, tastings and recipes, allowing parents to feel miles from making dinner for picky eaters. Because all staterooms are designed for double occupancy, it's generally a rule that a person traveling alone must pay both fares. This means they would pay twice as much per person as two people sharing a room. Unfortunately, Carnival has been slow to adopt solo cabins, meaning that no ships in its fleet offer accommodations for one.

Best Adults-Focused Cruise For Parents Who Want Alone Time: Windstar Cruises

This storied British line clearly sees the demand for adults-only cruise ships, but it isn't giving up on the family market, either. Five of its seven vessels (Arvia, Iona, Britannia, Ventura and Azura) are marketed as "family-friendly" and open to passengers of all ages. Azamara discourages families with children under 18 as the atmosphere and experiences onboard cater directly to adults. There are no activities for children, nor are there babysitting services. Special golf cruises with PerryGolf include play at such prestigious courses as Ireland’s Royal Portrush.

Oceania Cruises

Celebrity features an adults-only solarium with jacuzzis, heated pools, and comfortable loungers. The pool decks here are casual but elegant and are devoid of water slides, surf simulators, and other waterpark-type activities. From DJ-driven pool parties, a drag queen brunch, midnight dodgeball games, rock star motifs, and even an onboard tattoo parlor, choosing this cruise line will be unlike any other cruise experience. Viking dominates this category due to its "adult-focused environment and luxurious and romantic amenities, such as fireplaces in each ship's common area and private verandas in every stateroom," according to a U.S.

Named the world's largest square rigger in service by Guinness World Records in 2001, the Royal Clipper provides luxury cruising in a tall ship experience. For instance, not many cruise ships offer guests the opportunity to climb the mast and take in the view from the crow's nest. Or you can retreat to the bowsprit net suspended over the water or one of the hidden balconies on either side of the bow.

Best Carnival cruise ships: Here’s which ship you should sail, based on your travel style

Outside of the Broadway production are even more exciting entertainment choices, including a cabaret show in the expansive Two70 venue and live rock bands in the Music Hall. His work has also appeared in the Washington Post's travel vertical, By The Way, DCist and elsewhere. He is a graduate of Columbia Journalism School.He can be found on X and Threads.

Carnival Ship Rescues 27 People Adrift at Sea in the Caribbean

In the evening, watch the sunset at the ship's signature Viking Crown Lounge, where floor-to-ceiling windows surround clusters of cozy lounge chairs just beckoning adults to linger over their favorite drink and enjoy the view. Eric Goldring is a T+L A-list travel advisor specializing in expedition, small-ship, and medium-ship cruising. Foodies will salivate over the chance to book a James Beard-themed cruise, exploring the flavors of regions like Greece; France and Spain; Japan; and the Persian Gulf.

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Cruising on the comeback?

Another premium-luxury cruise line which focuses on the adult experience is Oceania Cruises. Couples and friends can enjoy life on board each of the seven ships available to book with Wi-Fi, and all dining and non-alcoholic drinks are included as standard. Allure of the Seas currently offers 7-night Western Caribbean cruises departing from Galveston, Texas and visiting Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. These itineraries have three ports and three sea days, offering the perfect mix of time onboard and in port.

While ultra-premium lines Oceania and Azamara are a slight step down from the previously mentioned luxury lines, the focus is almost entirely on the adults. Neither cruise line has planned activities for children, which works as a deterrent. With that in mind, we've rounded up the best all-inclusive adults-only cruises -- plus, some additional lines and itineraries to consider. The 3,114-passenger Mariner of the Seas is an ideal ship for multigenerational cruises, with plenty of activities to please everyone from young adults to grandparents. Quantum of the Seas, like sister ship Anthem, has a multitude of dining venues that serve great dishes around the ship.

One commercial features children looking forlornly out of rain-streaked windows and singing sadly about their parents cruising without them. It’s all in good fun, of course, with an onboard atmosphere that is intentionally a little naughty and not suitable for young families. It’s in this welcoming, anything-goes environment that solo cruisers will thrive, with ample opportunities to mingle—or not. Viking Cruises is a river and ocean cruise line that recently added expedition sailings and the Great Lakes trips to its repertoire. "T+L readers rave about the consistency of Viking's vessels and their Scandinavian design," cruise expert Fran Golden reported when Viking once again topped T+L's World's Best Awards last year.

From the décor of the ship and its style of stateroom design to the dining offerings and entertainment, Virgin Voyages is already making waves as a unique cruise line for adults seeking a getaway of their own. Jenna DeLaurentis enjoys exploring new ports of call around the world on a cruise ship, learning about new cultures, discovering beautiful landscapes, and trying diverse cuisine. She loves to get active while at port, whether cycling through mountains in the Caribbean or scuba diving under the sea. Outside of dining venues, Rhapsody of the Seas also features a spacious adults-only Solarium, large spa and salon, Schooner Bar, and a variety of entertainment lounges and venues. Starting in November 2023, Allure of the Seas will offer 3 and 4-night cruises departing from Port Canaveral, Florida. These itineraries will visit both Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, with the 4-night cruise including one day at sea.

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She even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, sailing the world on a ship while taking courses for college and visiting 4 continents. Spring break, holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, and summer sailings will appeal to families since these best accommodate school schedules. Vision and Radiance Class ships lack the attractions and onboard thrills that kids love, such as surfing simulators, ice skating rinks, and more.