Dreaming about adults-only cruises? Your options just expanded.
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Oceania Cruises kickstarted their adults-only routes on January 7, 2026. Starting yesterday, all reservations made for future Oceania cruises will be adults-only. (Any cruises booked before that date that include children will be honored.)
Virgin Voyages has made a splash by catering to adults who want to have fun—think: pajama parties. Meanwhile, Viking offers ocean and river cruises with upscale, more mature amenities and offers. Along with Oceania, both cruise companies were mentioned as the best cruises to take in the Mediterranean in 2026.
Want to know more about Oceania Cruises’ switch to the adults-only world? Let’s explore.
Why did Oceania Cruises switch to adults-only?
When I recently reported on Oceania (linked above), I pointed out that it’s great for solo travelers thanks to the smaller size of its vessels. Additionally, I pointed out that, while not adults-only, there aren’t usually too many children on board.
According to Oceania Cruises’ CCO, passengers have rated the cruise company highly because it lets them connect with like-minded adults. In fact, part of the reason Oceania took the cake as the best cruise in the Mediterranean for solo travelers (again, linked above) is thanks to its unique social programming.
Oceania Cruises’ CCO went on to explain in an USA Today exclusive that, although the cruise line hasn’t been adults-only, the number of passengers under 18 was so small that is shocked some passengers who had assumed the cruise company was adults-only. The move will help the cruise line meet passenger expectations, in other words.
