This was published 7 years ago
Cruising without children: Adults only cruising in luxury
While there's lots of news about the latest family-friendly megaships, what's on offer for people who prefer cruising without kids? Although many modern resort-style ships have adults-only spaces, sometimes only a child-free ship or cruise is going to cut it – particularly if you're looking for a romantic, relaxing sojourn at sea.
There aren't many dedicated adults-only ships, although Viking Ocean Cruises, the world's newest cruise line, has plumped firmly for that segment. Its 930-passenger ships, Viking Star and Viking Sea – and the next four in the series – are specifically designed for over-18s. The emphasis is on destinations, with expert lectures, pop-up classical performers, and art and books everywhere you look, creating a calm, laid-back atmosphere.
See also: Why this megaship will wow Australians
Looking for a romantic sojourn at sea?
Three British cruise lines operate adults-only ships. P&O Cruises World Cruising has two, the 1994-passenger Arcadia and 1870-passenger Oriana; Saga's 456-passenger Saga Pearl II and 706-passenger Saga Sapphire are exclusively for the over-50s; and Voyages to Antiquity's 378-passenger Aegean Odyssey is "unsuitable for children under the age of 12" and under-16s are discouraged from cruising.
Apart from booking a cruise with those lines, your options for child-free cruising are to look for ships that aren't designed for family holidays. These include luxury and premium ships that appeal to well-heeled couples and singles and don't offer much (or anything) in the way of kids' programs, clubs or facilities. Think Azamara Club Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea and Windstar. Interestingly, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' Europa 2 and Crystal Cruises' Crystal Serenity and Symphony do cater for children but they're the exception to the general rule.
See also: On board Australia's new billion-dollar cruise ship
Viking Ocean Cruises living room.
Similarly, world voyages attract retirees who have the time and money to spend up to three months at sea, so they are more appealing to older couples and singles than to young family groups. Most river cruises are not very family-friendly either; the ships and itineraries are not geared up for kids, although Uniworld and Tauck offer family-oriented programs during school holidays.
Talking of school holidays, if you're planning a cruise in Australia or the Pacific islands and don't want to be surrounded by kids and teenagers, your best bet is to book outside of school holidays. There may not be any strictly adults-only ships cruising here, but you can escape on board to adults-only retreats.
Princess Cruises will have five ships cruising Down Under this coming summer and all feature The Sanctuary, where grown-ups can escape for a few hours (or the whole day). Carnival Legend and Spirit both have Serenity decks, P&O Cruises' ships have the Oasis retreat, Royal Caribbean ships have the Solarium pool area and Celebrity Solstice, which is a more adult-focused ship, also has a child-free Solarium.
Carnival fare.
MEET THE CREW
NAME Manuel Costa, from Portugal
POSITION Senior Maitre d', Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Legend
Explore Kangaroo Island on paddle wheeler PS Murray Princess.
MY JOB … is ensuring that the dining room operations run smoothly. A maitre d' must have a thorough knowledge of all standards and procedures related to all restaurant outlets and the training of all assistant managers in this area. Most importantly, I must ensure guest satisfaction at all times. A TYPICAL DAY On a daily basis I work with my team, coaching and supervising. I also meet with all guests to ensure their satisfaction and experiences onboard.
FAVOURITE CRUISE MOMENT Transiting the Panama Canal was a very special experience.
FAVOURITE CRUISE PORTS Isle of Pines is a great place, very relaxing. It also offers fantastic opportunities for sports.
Beautiful Croatia.
INSIDER TIPS You mustn't miss our Nouveau restaurant on Deck 10 – wonderful service and fine cuisine. I also recommend The Chef's Table.
TIP
While 18-year-olds can legally enjoy a drink on ships cruising in Australian, European and South American waters, alcohol is not served to under-21s on ships cruising out of North America.
NEWS
Kangaroo Island, wine and river cruise combo
Discover the highlights of South Australia on SeaLink Holidays' new eight-night tour that takes in three nights on Kangaroo Island, a four-night cruise onboard paddle-wheeler PS Murray Princess and visits to the Barossa and Clare Valley wine regions. Departing from Adelaide on March 24, 2017, the tour will be escorted by well-known SA travel identity Shirley Tamm, who says it is ideal for "wildlife, cruise and food and wine lovers, or really anyone that enjoys new experiences, travelling in groups and meeting new friends". The river cruise sails from Mannum to Blanchetown and calls at Swan Reach, the sacred Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Reserve and the Burk Salter Boutique Winery along the way. See: sealink.com.au
Croatia small ship cruising
If you're looking for a really small-ship experience, Beyond Travel operates cruises in Croatia, the Greek islands and Turkey on vessels that accommodate a maximum of 40 to 50 passengers. Eight-day cruises depart from Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar in Croatia for the Dalmatian islands, and from Athens for the Greek islands. Traditional Turkish gulet cruises of the Aegean Sea sail from Bodrum and Marmaris. New for 2017 is the sleek, 40-passenger MS Mare; its eight-day Dalmatian Treasures cruise departs from Dubrovnik and is perfect for first timers as it visits popular Dalmatian Islands such as Mljet, Split, Brac, Hvar and Korcula. Beyond Travel is offering savings on its 2017 Croatia cruises when booked by October 31, 2016; see beyondtravel.com.au .
Tips for Cup Cruise
Carnival Cruise Line has shortened its odds ahead of this year's Melbourne Cup cruise, adding Cup-winning jockey Wayne Harris to its already strong field of onboard talent. Wayne, who recorded more than 2000 wins during his career, will join well-known race caller John Tapp onboard Carnival Spirit to share expert tips ahead of the "race that stops a nation". During the six-night roundtrip cruise from Sydney, passengers will also be able to enjoy special themed events including a fashion show hosted by TV presenter Erica Davis of Sydney Weekender, in partnership with designer Karen Gee. It departs Sydney on October 30 and features three days of racing festivities in Melbourne, including the Emirates Melbourne Cup and admission to Crown Oaks Day. See carnival.com.au.
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Royal Caribbean is offering up to 30 per cent off all Royal Caribbean voyages* departing after September 4, 2016, when booked by October 1. The line will have five ships cruising Down Under this summer: Radiance, Voyager, Explorer and the hotly anticipated Ovation of the Seas will be based in Sydney, while Legend of the Seas will cruise out of Brisbane. Phone 1800 754 500, see royalcaribbean.com.au. * except China
MORE DEALS
CRUISE TRAVELLER's 14-night Alaska fly/cruise/rail tour is available for $9995 when booked by September 30. Departing Sydney on May 23, 2017, the package includes a seven-night cruise from Seattle to Vancouver in an oceanview cabin on board Oceania Regatta, two nights in Vancouver plus a Rocky Mountaineer train trip. Phone 1800 507 777, see cruisetraveller.com.au.
INTREPID TRAVEL is offering up to 40 per cent off last-minute sailing trips to the Galapagos. Snorkel alongside sea lions and turtles, view Giant Tortoises, spot rare birds and marvel at the almost tame wildlife that live on these islands made famous by Charles Darwin. For select tours departing before September 30, 2016. Phone 1300 797 010, see intrepidtravel.com.
See also: The resort with its own swim-up casino
See also: Things that will surprise you on board the world's biggest ship
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