Setting the scene: let’s clear the air
When people hear the phrase “adults-only cruise,” a few assumptions tend to surface quickly.
No families.
No togetherness.
No multigenerational fun.
And we get it. For decades, traditional cruising has trained us to believe that “family-friendly” means everyone, while “adults-only” must mean exclusive or off-limits to certain groups.
But here’s the twist: Virgin Voyages doesn’t exclude families — we simply redefine them.
If your family members are 18 or older, you can absolutely sail together. (Incidentally, our Groups program for 8 cabins or more gives you luxe vibes for a sensible spend.) Parents, adult kids, grandparents, chosen family, best friends who feel like siblings — we welcome them all. What we don’t welcome are juice boxes, bedtime curfews, or planning your vacation around someone else’s nap schedule.
Instead, we’ve created something different: an elevated, adults-only cruise experience that still feels warm, social, celebratory, and deeply connected. The kind of atmosphere where generations mingle, friendships spark easily, and everyone on board is here for the same reason: to actually enjoy their vacation.
Adults-only doesn’t mean anti-family
Let’s start with the biggest myth head-on.
Virgin Voyages is 18+ only not because we’re trying to keep people out, but because we’re designing the experience around shared expectations. Everyone on board is legally an adult. Everyone can access every space. And everyone gets to enjoy the ship without dividing lines between cruise “kid zones” and “grown-up zones.”
That creates something rare at sea: a ship where no one feels like an afterthought.
Families still sail together, just without the logistical gymnastics. Parents can vacation with their adult children without worrying about what to make for dinner. Siblings can reunite without distractions. Grandparents get to celebrate milestones with the whole (grown) crew. And multigenerational families can travel at the same pace, knowing there’s something on board to keep everyone happy.
Without children, the atmosphere becomes more relaxed, more social, and more inclusive — not less. The only group that loses…is kids. And we’re content to sit with their feelings about that.
What actually changes when kids aren’t on board
On most cruise lines, removing kids would create a void. On Virgin Voyages, it creates space. Space for:
- Conversations that don’t get cut short (or interrupted)
- Dining experiences that linger (the drinking games included in your Korean BBQ dinner at Gunbae aren’t kid-friendly, anyway)
- Entertainment that doesn’t need a PG version
- A ship rhythm that flows instead of rushing
Because everyone on board is an adult, the energy naturally aligns. No one’s frustrated by competing needs. No one’s stuck choosing between “fun” and “appropriate.”
Instead, you get a cruise where every venue is open to everyone, every event feels communal, and every Sailor is on the same wavelength.
That shared baseline is one of our biggest differentiators — and one of the reasons so many first-time Sailors say the ship feels more welcoming than other cruises they’ve taken before.
A social atmosphere without forced fun
Another common fear travelers have? That an adults-only cruise must mean quiet corners and hushed vibes.
Not here.
Virgin Voyages is lively, playful, and social, but never cheesy or scripted. There are no conga lines, no awkward icebreakers, and no pressure to perform “fun.” Instead, we curate experiences that invite connection naturally. Some Sailor favorites include:
- Scarlet Night – A ship-wide celebration where Sailors dress in red, follow the music, and end up dancing together under the stars. It’s spontaneous, inclusive, and unforgettable.
- Live music & pop-up performances – from soulful sets to DJ-fueled deck parties, Virgin Voyages’ award-winning entertainment happens around you, not at you.
- Interactive shows & comedy – smart, surprising, and made for adults who appreciate humor with a little edge.
Because everyone onboard can participate fully (at all hours, not just the late-night shows), these moments feel collective rather than segmented. You’re not watching from the sidelines; you’re part of it.
Dining without divisions (or compromises)
Food is another place where Virgin Voyages' adults-only cruising shines.
On traditional ships, dining often means separate kids’ menus, early seatings, loud dining rooms, and compromises on atmosphere. On Virgin Voyages’ lady ships, our award-winning dining is designed for adults who love food, love to try new things, and have a palette for the finer things in life (not just pizza…although we have that too).
You’ll find:
- Over 20+ eateries included in your voyage fare
- Menus created by world-renowned chefs
- No buffets (yes, really)
- No upcharges for specialty restaurants
From elevated comfort food to plant-based creativity (yes, we’ve thought of our vegan and vegetarian cruisers too), dining becomes one of the most social parts of the voyage. Families with adult children can linger over meals, share plates, and actually enjoy the experience together — without rushing anyone out the door.
Wellness that works for every age over 18
Another misconception: that adults-only cruising is all late nights and loud mornings.
In reality, Virgin Voyages offers one of the most balanced onboard lifestyles at sea.
Our wellness and spa highlights include:
- Free fitness classes like sunrise yoga on deck, HIIT classes, and spin workouts
- Day and week-long passes to our Thermal Suite for ultimate relaxation in the steam room, mud room, and more
- Running tracks and outdoor fitness zones
- Spa treatments designed for real decompression
Because everyone on board is an adult, wellness spaces feel calm and intentional.
Whether you’re 22 or 72, the focus is the same: feeling good, moving when you want to, and resting when you don’t.
Why this feels more inclusive, not less
Here’s the quiet truth: when cruise lines try to cater to everyone, someone always ends up compromising.
At Virgin Voyages, we chose a different path.
By designing an age 18 and over cruise experience, we removed the need for age-based rules, restricted venues, and split programming. Gone are the days of adult-only pool hours that feel like exceptions to the rule of cannonballs.
Instead, we created a ship where every space is yours, every experience is shared, and every Sailor belongs. That’s why so many people who initially hesitated — like families with adult kids — end up calling it their favorite vacation they’ve ever taken together.
How we compare to other cruise lines
Let’s be honest. On most ships, adults-only areas feel fenced off. The nightlife can compete with family programming, the dining shifts tone throughout the evening, and the entertainment is diluted to suit all ages.
On Virgin Voyages’ lady ships, there’s one consistent vibe: elevated, playful, and grown. No one is navigating around strollers or bedtimes, and no one feels like they’re in the wrong space at the wrong time.
It’s not about exclusion. It’s about intentional design.
And our 5-star Sailor reviews say it all. It’s definitely noticed and appreciated.
Who Virgin Voyages is perfect for
Our Sailors often include:
- Families with adult children
- Parents reclaiming vacation time together
- Friend groups spanning decades
- Couples traveling alone (or with their favorite friends)
- Solo travelers who want community without pressure
If everyone in your group is 18 or older, you’re not only welcome, you’re actually exactly who we designed this experience for!
Final call: a grown-up take on togetherness
Virgin Voyages proves that adults-only cruising doesn’t shrink the guest list — it deepens the experience.
By sailing without kids on board, we’ve created a space where families of all kinds can connect more fully, laugh more freely, and travel without compromise.
So if you’ve ever hesitated because you thought “adults-only” meant “not for us,” consider this your invitation to look again. Your people are welcome here.
As long as they’re over 18.
Ready to see what cruising feels like when everyone’s on the same wavelength?
