The world’s best cruise lines for adults have one major perk in common: the child-free utopia passengers are afforded while sailing. Daydreaming on deck, leisurely romantic dinners, dancing into the wee hours, popping champagne, and even getting tatted—such unabashed joys have everything to do with being grownup and nothing to do with kids.
The best adult cruises allow passengers to pursue relaxation, rejuvenation, and indulgence, undisturbed by tantrum-minded toddlers and other children potentially ruining your me-time groove. For when it’s time to sail away from the stresses of life on land, we’ve pulled together the very best cruise lines for adults, plus their most exciting itineraries available for booking in 2024 and early 2025.
Note that while some of these lines are strictly adults-only, others are adults-oriented, meaning that they may have some well-behaved older children on board during school holidays but otherwise, rarely do. Most are small ship experiences with geared-to-grownup itineraries spanning the globe and leaning into all-inclusiveness and luxury—all the better to admire when it’s all about you.
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