If you’re interested in a kid-free vacation at sea, then an adult cruise is for you. Singles may simply prefer the company of other adults in an environment that offers an abundance adult activities such as sipping cocktails at a bar or lounge, dancing at a nightclub, gambling at the casino, relaxing at a spa, attending Vegas-style shows, or fine dining in the company of adults. Parents, on the other hand, may prefer a true vacation from the pressures of parenthood and everyday life. Whatever the case, there are plenty of adult cruises to choose from.
When searching for an adult cruise, it is important to keep in mind that most cruise lines don’t advertise as adult cruise lines. Fortunately, most cruise lines that cater mainly to adult travelers will imply it. Cruise lines like Disney Cruise Lines and Carnival Cruise Lines are not the best choices for a relaxing adult vacation. It’s best to steer clear of cruise lines such as these and look for cruise lines that are considered upscale or luxury or cruise lines that are adult entertainment oriented. Adult entertainment doesn’t mean x-rated adult entertainment, but rather the presence of a high number of casinos, lounges, bars, and singles events. This is a pretty good indication that the cruise line doesn’t attract many families with children.
An adult cruise can be found just about anywhere in the world. Some market heavily to singles, while others feature “dance hosts” and events for couples and singles. Some of the top adult cruise options in the industry today include: Orient Lines (specifically Orients Marco Polo cruise ship), Cunard Line (Queen Mary 2), Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Classic International, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Fred Olsen, Hebridean Island Cruises, African Safari Club, Crystal Cruises, Discover Egypt, Ocean Village, and P&O Cruises as well as some Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Line vessels.
When searching for an cruise (luxury or otherwise) there are several additional signs that indicate that a cruise line is possibly kid-free. Look for cruise lines that travel to exotic locations, cruise lines that offer under 50% supplement, cruise lines that offer single cabins, cruise lines that offer shared cabins, and cruise lines that offer “hosts” Keep in mind that adult cruises that offer hosts are not in the “sex for sale” business. Hosts are simply “gentlemen” selected on the basis of their dancing ability. Dance hosts can be found on Cunard Lines Queen Elizabeth, Orient’s Marco Polo, Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, and Silversea ships as well as some Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Lines vessels.
If you want the best adult cruise option, choose Orient Lines . Orient Lines is considered the top cruise line for adult travelers and singles. Voted one of the Top 10 Large-Ship Cruise Lines by Travel+Leisure (2007), Orient Lines offers 0% supplements on selected grades (25% for other grades and 75% for A grades and suites); a social staff including congenial gentleman on hand to serve as social hosts, and 8 single cabins (Marco Polo) consisting of: B Grade – 816, D Grade – 643, 648, 656, 661, and K Grade – 267, 101, 102.
Orient Lines travels to Europe, Africa, Egypt, South America, Antarctica, and (spring) Transatlantic. Orient Lines cruises may range from 11 days up to 52 days or more. At the time this article was written, Orient Lines (owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines) was in the process of acquiring a new owner. Details will be posted to Orient Lines website as they become available.
For links to all cruise lines’ websites, including the cruise lines mentioned in this article, visit: Ships and Cruises.