6 Best Cruises for Adults

Cruise getaways for adults typically share one thing in common: they’re child-free! While we all love our little ones, sometimes, adult-centric amenities like wine tastings and spa treatments are simply more appealing than the typical family-friendly activities onboard cruise ships. Fortunately, child-free cruise lines, like Virgin Voyages and Viking Ocean Cruises, are designed with adults in mind.

If you’re wondering how to choose the best cruise for adults, the answer is to decide which types of onboard and onshore experiences you want — are you looking for relaxing cruises for adults, like Saga Cruises, or adventure cruises for adults, such as Virgin Voyages? No matter if you’re traveling solo, with a partner, or with a group, here’s a quick guide to the best cruises for adults, arranged by experience category. 

Luxury Cruises for Adults: Unmatched Elegance and Comfort

For those looking for a high-end vacation experience, look no further than luxury cruises for adults. Luxury cruises are the pinnacle of elegance and comfort, offering spaces for travelers to relax and unwind, as well as dine on cuisine prepared by the world-class chefs onboard. Luxury cruises for adults often feature significantly larger suites, most of which include private balconies and top-tier service.

Luxury cruises offer several unique features (and itineraries) that encourage many above the age of 21 to view them as the best cruises for adults. Beyond the premier staterooms, luxury cruises for adults are designed with a more sophisticated ambiance that truly feels, well, adult! Most are also all-inclusive, which means they include premium beverages, gourmet dining, and unlimited shore excursions. 

Top Luxury Cruise Lines

So, are there luxury cruises specifically for adults? Yes! Crystal is an adult-centric luxury cruise line with an all-inclusive package that includes nearly all dining and alcohol on board, 24-hour room service, and butler service. There’s also the small-ship Silversea line of luxury cruises for adults, which is not explicitly child-free but rarely has children onboard due to the lack of family-friendly activities. 

Adventure Cruises for Thrill-Seekers: Exciting Itineraries and Activities

Adventure cruises bring the action to the sea with exciting activities like kayaking through pristine mangroves, snorkeling some of the biggest barrier reefs, and hiking across scenic landscapes. Though these cruises may require specialized adventure travel insurance if you plan to jump into higher-risk activities like scuba diving, they allow you to explore your inner adventurer while still relaxing at sea. 

Are there adventure cruises tailored for adults? Of course! Virgin Voyages is one of the best cruises for adults, point blank; however, this top-tier cruise line also allows travelers to become thrill-seekers. Take a catamaran trip through Martinique in France, a two-tank dive into the coral reef in Nassau, or a helicopter tour through Antigua on one of Virgin Voyages’ many unique itineraries. 

Popular Adventure Cruise Destinations

With the world as your oyster, there are tons of adventure cruises for adults that travel through picturesque destinations and offer unparalleled opportunities for exploration. Some of the most popular adventure cruise destinations (and the best cruises for adults) include: 

Romantic Cruises for Couples: Intimate Settings and Romantic Experiences

The thought of the sun on your skin and a cool breeze through your hair might sound romantic, but once it’s paired with the shouting of kids on the water slide, you might be looking for an adults-only cruise to achieve a more intimate setting. Thankfully, providers have taken note, and there are several romantic cruises for couples that are crafted for special occasions like honeymoons and anniversaries.

Some of the best cruises for adults allow couples to take part in private dining experiences and secluded excursions that all begin with a glass of champagne as soon as you step on board. Romantic cruises for couples often include adults-only amenities, such as couples massages and sunset sails — especially on Hawaii cruises, where activities like stargazing help create lasting memories. 

Best Cruises for Honeymoons and Anniversaries

Can couples find romantic cruises for adults? They sure can! Celebrate special occasions like a honeymoon trip aboard Princess Cruise Lines, which offers a child-free top deck called Serenity and a romantic escape called the Sanctuary Bungalow in the Bahamas. Older couples celebrating an anniversary may prefer Saga Cruises, a boutique British cruise line that caters exclusively to passengers 50 and over. 

Wellness and Relaxation Cruises: Spa and Wellness Programs

Wellness and relaxation cruises are designed for adult passengers looking for a bit of tranquility at sea. What sets relaxing cruises for adults apart from the rest is the emphasis on the spa-like amenities, including wellness workshops, onboard and onshore yoga classes, and, of course, massage and spa treatments. Certain spa cruises for adults even include meditation classes and health-focused dining. 

P&O Cruises and Saga Cruises, both British lines, are some of the best cruises for adults who prefer a more relaxing cruise experience. P&O ships are strictly child-free and feature the ultimate British amenities, like afternoon tea on the spacious top deck. Saga Cruises, which are small ships exclusive to passengers over 50, also put an emphasis on traveler wellness with onboard and onshore fitness classes. 

Top Relaxing Cruise Destinations

Cruise getaways for adults are often more relaxing than family-friendly cruise experiences that feature onboard amenities like waterslides and kids’ arcades. However, many also sail around more serene environments that provide the perfect backdrop for relaxation, such as:

• Sailing along the blue waters of the Caribbean
• Gliding through the islands that line the Mediterranean 
• Drifting down the historic cities along the Danube River

Culinary Cruises for Food and Wine Lovers: Gourmet Dining Experiences

Wine and dine cruises for adults are some of the quintessential adult cruises. These cuisine-centric cruise experiences cater explicitly to food enthusiasts who want a taste of exotic destinations and Michelin-level dishes. Guests aboard these cruises can indulge in complimentary wine tastings, leave the ship for authentic culinary tours, and take part in hands-on cooking classes abroad.

Some of the best food-focused cruise experiences for adults are those that travel through destinations celebrated for their cuisine, like the Isles of Sicily and renowned cities of France. Gourmet dining experiences are provided by acclaimed chefs, often during special dining events onboard. For those who love a behind-the-scenes look at the culinary world, there are also cooking demonstrations both onboard and off. 

Best Wine and Culinary Tours

If you’re seeking wine and dine cruises for adults, Viking Ocean Cruises is an adults-only cruise line highly regarded for its culinary programs. However, there’s a newer contender — U by Uniworld — that recently launched as an adults-only river cruise line and quickly became one of the best cruises for adults. Passengers can follow the picturesque Douro River, enjoy private wine tastings, and meet the winemakers. 

Cultural and Enrichment Cruises: Immersive Cultural Experiences

If you’re searching for deeper cultural experiences beyond wine and dine cruises for adults, set sail on a cultural enrichment cruise. Enrichment cruises have been designed to provide travelers with more immersive experiences that strengthen passengers’ knowledge of various cultures and their histories. They offer guided tours, onboard lectures from local experts, and cultural performances on shore. 

The emphasis of enrichment tours is for travelers to engage with the local heritage of destinations beyond simple excursions to tourist areas. So, travelers onboard these cruise destinations for adults can expect more educational programming that covers the art, literature, and scientific discoveries stemming from the local area. But don’t worry; these events are still paired with great food and superior rooms.

Top Educational Programs for Travelers

Lines like Azamara and Cunard are globally recognized for their culturally rich itineraries; however, they’re not explicitly child-free. If you’re looking for the top cruises for adults, aim for Viking Ocean and River Voyages instead. Viking’s target market skews towards an older demographic but still accommodates young adults with enrichment opportunities that include free cultural excursions in each port.  

Protect Your Trip with Aegis Cruise Travel Insurance

Whether you set sail on a luxury ship like Crystal or an adventure-focused vessel like Virgin Voyages, the best cruises for adults will help achieve a more mature ambiance with amenities — like top-tier spa and dining experiences — that allow for a truly adult feel. As you’re planning your upcoming adult cruises, be sure to invest in cruise travel insurance to protect your trip from the unexpected.

Explore the Go Ready Cruise Plan by Aegis General today to learn how to safeguard your upcoming trip.