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I’ll be honest, since my children have grown and are now adults, I love nothing more than an adults-only trip. Where I once looked for kids clubs and splash pools, I now look for peace and quiet and good cocktails. And when it comes to cruising, I look for that relaxation and time away from kids, more so than on any other kind of trip.
I’ve been on family cruises and, while they are great, there’s nothing like cruising in quiet and with adult company only. The Mediterranean is a beautiful place for cruising, full of lazy stop-offs, swim stops, and historical land excursions. Most kids wouldn’t like these kinds of laid-back, low-key cruises anyway. All the more for us adults to enjoy!
To get you started on which Mediterranean cruises to try for an adults-only cruising experience, here’s my pick of the seven best options.
8 Best Adults-Only Mediterranean Cruise Packages
1. Variety Cruises
Unexplored Greece
This is one of the most laid-back and casual cruises I’ve ever been on around the Mediterranean. This Variety Cruises exploration of the small, lesser-visited Greek Islands begins in Athens; stops off at Amorgos, Ikaria, Serifos, Lipsi, Iraklia, Patmos, and Kalymnos; and ends back in Athens. Aboard the Pan Orama, which has capacity for 48 guests, is slow-paced, and is easy going.
There’s no dress code for dinner, no set place you have to sit for meals, and there’s plenty of free time to wander around the islands or book an excursion if you want, but there are some essential nude cruise tips you should follow. There’s a sun deck on board and a bar, but your time mainly revolves around swim stops and island life. These lesser-visited Greek Islands don’t have ports big enough for large cruise liners, so there are fewer tourists around, which makes every stop peaceful and relaxing. Cabins are comfortable, if a little basic, but you don’t spend much time in them; there’s too much to discover on the islands and in the quiet little secluded bays where you’ll stop off for a swim in each day.
2. Virgin Voyages
French Daze & Ibiza Nights
Beginning and ending in Barcelona, Spain, this seven-night Virgin Voyages cruise stops off at Marseille in France, Cannes, Mallorca, and Ibiza in Spain. Cabins range from the basic insider cabin to the mega rockstar quarters, though to be fair, the basic insider cabin is pretty rockstar as it is. These cabins sleep up to four people, with bunk beds, and are very comfortable and verging on luxury.
Don’t let the bunk beds throw you off, though, Virgin Voyages is a strictly over-18s-only cruise line, so the four berth cabins are for four adults. The mega rockstar quarters is something else, with its own private hot tub and a taste of what life is like for a movie star. Ships have spas, swimming pools, fitness suites, running tracks, nightly entertainment, and even a tattoo parlor. The ships have everything you’d want from a top-class resort, so it’s almost a shame there are no at-sea days on this cruise. It’s one of the best cruise lines in the world.
3. Emerald Cruises
French & Italian Rivieras
Setting off from the port of Rome, this 8-day cruise with Emerald Cruises takes you to Corsica, Calvi, Portofino, Menton in France, and ends in Nice. On board one of Emerald Cruises’ luxury yachts, there’s room for 100 guests in a range of very comfortable cabins. The terrace suite is stunning and includes your own little sun deck with loungers, but even the most basic stateroom is a cut above other cruise cabins.
Life aboard the yacht is a low-key affair that centers around the sun deck, bars and restaurants, and the swimming pool, but there is also a wellness area with a spa. What I found really impressive about this cruise is that almost all of your meals are included. All breakfasts, all dinners, and six lunches are provided on board, which is quite unusual for a cruise line.
4. Scenic Cruises
Authentic Andalucia
Beginning in Malta, this Mediterranean cruise with Scenic Cruises stops off at the island of Gozo, Trapani in Italy, Carloforte, Menorca, Formentera, Cartagena, Marbella in Spain, Tangier in Morocco, Portimao in Portugal, and ends in Lisbon. I liked the laid-back pace of this cruise and it stops at some glorious destinations. I also liked that flights to and from the UK were included.
This is an all-inclusive cruise, which I found unusual, but it’s basically just like any all-inclusive resort on the sea. Each guest receives butler service while all food and drinks are included. Excursions are also included in the price of the cruise, which does mean you’ve paid for all excursions up front. This is an expensive cruise and if you don’t like going on the land excursions, it isn’t for you because you’re paying for them no matter what. But for anyone who likes to do everything on offer on their cruise and likes to keep the drinks flowing, this is a great option.
5. Virgin Voyages
Adriatic Sea & Greek Gems
Virgin might just be the best-known cruising company offering adults-only cruises and one look at their ships shows you why. This cruise with Virgin Voyages begins in Athens and stops off at Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, and ends back in Athens. There are 2 at-sea days so you can make the most of everything the ship has to offer, from swimming pools and spas, to arcades and karaoke.
There’s even a record shop on board so you can pick up some vinyls while you sail. It’s all about relaxing and having fun adult-style — whatever that means to you. So if all you want to do is lounge in the sun on the deck, there’s plenty of space to do just that, but if you want to sing karaoke and spend time in the casino, this cruise has you covered.
6. Viking Cruises
Ancient Mediterranean Treasures
This 8-day cruise around the Mediterranean with Viking Cruises begins its journey in Istanbul in Turkey before stopping in Troy and Ephesus and then moving onto Rhodes in Greece, Crete, and ending in Athens. Life aboard the Viking Ocean ship is geared towards adult entertainment and includes a spa, fitness center, shopping, a beauty salon, a theater, a cinema, and restaurants.
Cabins and suites are all comfortable if a little basic. They are hotel standard, though, not quite luxury level. There’s an indoor and an outdoor pool with plenty of sun deck areas for sunbathing. There’s plenty to do on board the ship, but there are no at-sea days on this cruise, so unless you want to skip one of the land excursions, you’ll be packing in the delights of the ship around your adventures. There’s a strict no-under-18s rule on Viking Cruises, so you’re sure of an adults-only experience.
7. P&O Cruises
Mediterranean 18 Nights
If you know anything about P&O Cruises, you’ll know they are not a strictly adults-only cruise line, however, they do reserve a couple of their ships for adults-only voyages. This Mediterranean cruise is quite long at 18 nights, but it does depart and end in the UK, sailing you all the way to the Med and back. Because there’s quite a way to sail from the UK, the first stop-off is on day 5 and is in Cadiz in Spain. From there, the ship stops at Valencia, Ajaccio in France, Genoa, Rome, Naples, Gibraltar, and Lisbon before heading back to the UK.
There are plenty of at-sea days to enjoy the spa, swimming pools, art gallery, theater, and restaurants and bars. Cabins are stylishly decorated and some have verandas. With a capacity for 2,094 guests, this cruise falls somewhere between small-boat intimacy and large-liner luxury.
8. Virgin Voyages
The Irresistible Med
Set sail on an unforgettable adventure aboard the opulent Scarlet Lady by Virgin Voyages on the 7-night Irresistible Med round-trip voyage. It’s a wonderland of luxury and fun akin to a thrilling roller coaster ride, but way classier.
You’ll be port-hopping from the beautiful streets of Barcelona to the romantic corners of Toulon, cruising to Marina di Carrara, Cagliari, and Ajaccio, and ending your journey under the balmy sunsets of Ibiza. With mind-blowing cuisine, non-stop entertainment, and so much more, you’ll keep returning to Virgin Voyages.
9. Saga Cruises
From Classical Greece to Ancient Egypt
Departing from Dover, UK on the Spirit of Discovery, this all-inclusive Saga cruise to the eastern Mediterranean is a chance to trace ancient Greek, Roman, Ottoman, and Egyptian civilizations.
With chic interiors and bespoke works of art, along with an Art Deco-style Lido deck pool, this ship exudes an avant-garde feel. Standout features include the cruise line’s first purpose-built theatre, a swish spa, and a library touted as one of the largest at sea.
Even though guests must be 50 and over and despite the well-worn jokes, Saga ships are no floating rest homes.
Pro Tip: On adult-only cruises, avoid disruptive behavior like loud parties, excessive drinking, or inappropriate attire. Be mindful of fellow passengers’ preferences, follow ship rules, and enjoy the relaxed ambiance without creating disturbances.
If you plan a cruise around the Caribbean, there are adult-only Caribbean cruises also!
FAQs
What Are Adults-Only Cruises?
Adults-only cruises are a great way to relax and have fun without the worry of children running around. Adult-only cruises offer plenty of adult-oriented activities such as live entertainment, comedy shows, casinos, dance clubs, and more.
Which Cruise Lines for Adults Are the Best?
It depends on your needs as there are plenty of cruise lines for adults. Viking Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises are the most popular adult luxury cruise lines, Virgin Voyages is meant for younger travelers and single adults, Saga Cruises is for older couples, and Windstar Cruises is ideal for parents who want some alone time.
Which Cruise Line Offers All-Inclusive Cruise for Adults?
Virgin Voyages, Saga Cruises, and Silversea Cruises are your best bets for kid-less bliss and free-flowing cocktails. However, other cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Windstar Cruises may offer lower all-inclusive fares.
What Are the Top Adults-Only Cruise Destinations?
Mediterranean cruises, expedition cruises to South America and the South Pacific, and Caribbean cruises with shore excursions where adult passengers can lounge, enjoy onboard entertainment on cruise ships, and explore are some of the best adult-only cruise destinations. As for European river cruises, Viking River Cruises is the best adult-only cruise line.
Can I Have an Overnight Stay in the City on a Mediterranean Cruise?
Yes, when traveling on an adults-only cruise, make sure to pick a sailing with overnight stays in Mediterranean cities like Barcelona, Dubrovnik, or Ibiza. During an overnight stay in the port, you can return to the ship as late as you like.