Are there adult only Carnival cruises

[elainmir]

I don't mind kids...after all we were all one once..I like to see them have fun..HOWEVER what I do hate is when parents show up and let their kids run wild on a cruise..they are making huge messes at the buffet, the ice cream station and the hot tub is full of them. You can't get in there to relax! or when they are screaming and yelling in the hallways..( on our spring break Glory cruise last year the kids in the next cabin sounded like they were throwing their bodies into the wall) THAT TYPE OF STUFF I HATE. And I have been known to say you should clean up after yourself ,etc. Not being mean but I mean honestly their parents should be saying these things to them only they are NOT. and on the flip side of that I've seen kids who were so good and sweet and had manners. So for me its not the fact they are kids it depends on the TYPE of kid they are. Some parents actually do their job!

[riclop]

My husband and I just returned from our first cruise over Christmas on the Navigator of the Seas which was a great cruise but my husband did not enjoy it because of all the kids running around and lack of late night activities. So my question is does Carnival have any cruises that are more adult oriented with fewer kids or even better no kids? I have read on these forums that Carnival has more late night activities so maybe Carnival is more in line with his cruise expectations. Right now he refuses to go on any more cruises unless I can find a more adult oriented cruise.

 

Thank you for any recommendations or suggestions.

 

Go when they are in school like Oct-Nov.

[Spaniel Lover]

You may have heard of "Viking River Cruises"... which is the #1 cruise line for river cruises in Europe. They recently created a new cruise line called Viking Ocean Cruises, with their first ship already in service and two more new ones on the way. The minimum age to cruise on Viking Ocean Cruises is 16 years old... so it's an interesting option for someone that truly wants no kids on the ship at all.

 

Viking Ocean Cruises also has a completely different way of cruising that most of the major cruise lines. They're not at all in to nickel and diming the customers. Just as an example, the self-service laundry facilities are completely free. Just go in and push the buttons and the washers and dryers just work. Even the laundry detergent is included at no extra charge.

 

You don't pay extra to eat in their specialty restaurants. The wi-fi is free. Beer and wine and soft drinks are served with lunch and dinner at no extra charge. The spa's Thermal Suite is available for use by every passenger, at no extra charge. There's even a free shore excursion in each and every port of call. Also, not sure if they are still offering it, but airfare was included at no extra charge when I booked my upcoming Viking Ocean cruise.

 

Their first ship, the Viking Star, is coming to the Caribbean in the Fall of 2016. It's been cruising the Mediterranean for several months now, and the reviews have been extremely positive. It's roughly the size of a Carnival Fantasy-class ship, but carries about half as many passengers... so it seems very uncrowded. Just 930 passengers! And EVERY cabin has a balcony. There are no inside cabins at all.

 

Something to consider if you would rather not cruise with kids, and/or if the nickel and diming drives you crazy. Also, the Caribbean itineraries are VERY port intensive! 10 ports of call during an 11-day cruise!

Edited January 1, 2016 by Spaniel Lover

[The4Cruisers]

It's a very interesting premise, having a kids-free (18+)sailing. Maybe schedule some sailings in the popular school months, like October and January. They wouldn't have to change the ships at all; maybe reassign the Camp Carnival folks to other things for those sailings...

 

I wonder if CCL would trial it and see well how it goes over.

 

We'd probably give it a go to see if we like it.

Edited January 1, 2016 by The4Cruisers

[A&Jfamily]

I am gamma disagree those who suggested princess or Viking as they are not going to meet the requirement for nightlife. While I have not done a Sandals those also seem lacking in hat area as they are designed f quiet and romance

 

Carnival will have nightlife - depending on what you are looking for. Piano bar til 1, adult comedy at 1130 and the dance club. Plus casino. But as toes ve said, try longer cruises and off times.

[moniquet]

We like the week after Labor Day, over Halloween or the week after Thanksgiving. Our last few cruises have had very few kids!

 

We have just sailed on Liberty the week after Thanksgiving. We usually find there aren't many children. However, it was full of kids, unruly ones. They dominated the hot tubs, jumping in and out and most seem to be left to run riot to do as they pleased! The positive is the Serenity area which is adult only:)

 

Generally the longer more expensive cruises have less children.

[elliair]

My husband and I just returned from our first cruise over Christmas on the Navigator of the Seas which was a great cruise but my husband did not enjoy it because of all the kids running around and lack of late night activities. So my question is does Carnival have any cruises that are more adult oriented with fewer kids or even better no kids? I have read on these forums that Carnival has more late night activities so maybe Carnival is more in line with his cruise expectations. Right now he refuses to go on any more cruises unless I can find a more adult oriented cruise.

 

Thank you for any recommendations or suggestions.

 

I don't know of any. Your best bet is to take a cruise when the kiddies are in school. Even on our Princess cruise through the Panama Canal we had children on board. I'm hoping on our upcoming Hawaii cruise that the children are limited, but I'm expecting a few. I can handle a few, it's the ones that gather in gangs and raise *ell, play on the elevators all day, and block the stair ways.

[Frank12]

May is a great time. Good weather, but not quite full on summer hot yet.

Plus, it is after spring break but before school lets out so fewer kiddos.

[texasnewcruiser]

Thank you so much for all the quick replies not I realize that cruising over Christmas wasn't the best idea because of all the kids. After the last cruise my husband said no more cruises for at least 2 years. But after reading all the responses we decided to look at a couples cruise since he would like a cruise with no kids. After looking at the cruises he is now ready to try it again in April can't imagine what changed his mind. While we would never partake in the swinging we would definitely partake in the parties and nightly themes to dress up in.

 

I wasn't to sure of the clothing optional pool deck but since I can wear my swimsuit I'm OK with it. Plus I'm sure my husband will enjoy the scenery :).

 

So it looks like we may be cruising again in 3 months and we will get to see what MSC is like thanks to all the helpful people on cruise critic.

[Rosethorn40]

You may have heard of "Viking River Cruises"... which is the #1 cruise line for river cruises in Europe. They recently created a new cruise line called Viking Ocean Cruises, with their first ship already in service and two more new ones on the way. The minimum age to cruise on Viking Ocean Cruises is 16 years old... so it's an interesting option for someone that truly wants no kids on the ship at all.

 

Viking Ocean Cruises also has a completely different way of cruising that most of the major cruise lines. They're not at all in to nickel and diming the customers. Just as an example, the self-service laundry facilities are completely free. Just go in and push the buttons and the washers and dryers just work. Even the laundry detergent is included at no extra charge.

 

You don't pay extra to eat in their specialty restaurants. The wi-fi is free. Beer and wine and soft drinks are served with lunch and dinner at no extra charge. The spa's Thermal Suite is available for use by every passenger, at no extra charge. There's even a free shore excursion in each and every port of call. Also, not sure if they are still offering it, but airfare was included at no extra charge when I booked my upcoming Viking Ocean cruise.

 

Their first ship, the Viking Star, is coming to the Caribbean in the Fall of 2016. It's been cruising the Mediterranean for several months now, and the reviews have been extremely positive. It's roughly the size of a Carnival Fantasy-class ship, but carries about half as many passengers... so it seems very uncrowded. Just 930 passengers! And EVERY cabin has a balcony. There are no inside cabins at all.

 

Something to consider if you would rather not cruise with kids, and/or if the nickel and diming drives you crazy. Also, the Caribbean itineraries are VERY port intensive! 10 ports of call during an 11-day cruise!

 

I didn't realize the thermal suite was included at no extra charge. DH & I love thermal suites and always buy the passes on ships that have them. Didn't know about the free laundry either. Will definitely take a closer look as we love Viking River (2 under our belt and a third booked).

[geckoaz]

We did a carnival hawaii cruise at end of september. There were about 5 kids on the boat. The camp carnival staff changed into the adult "crafts" in the afternoon. It was very popular as they made hawaiian crafts. My first response when i passed it was that the kids had put me in the home. Although the cruise age was senior we had the best toga party in the sea. Best cruise ever.

[bobsfamily]

We did a carnival Hawaii cruise at end of September. There were about 5 kids on the boat. The camp carnival staff changed into the adult "crafts" in the afternoon. It was very popular as they made Hawaiian crafts. My first response when i passed it was that the kids had put me in the home. Although the cruise age was senior we had the best toga party in the sea. Best cruise ever.

Now that might be something fun...

[cec311]

An adult only cruise sounds great. Could have no seasoning on any of the food and have early seating at 4. Hair bluing on the lido at 6. Griping and complaining about various ailments at 7. Lights out by 8 so we can be up by 5 am for breakfast.

[xerenthar]

An adult only cruise sounds great. Could have no seasoning on any of the food and have early seating at 4. Hair bluing on the lido at 6. Griping and complaining about various ailments at 7. Lights out by 8 so we can be up by 5 am for breakfast.

 

you realize "adult" doesn't start at 75?

 

 

i would love an adults only cruise. hoping for as many adults as possible 2/21/16

[bobsfamily]

you realize "adult" doesn't start at 75?

 

 

i would love an adults only cruise. hoping for as many adults as possible 2/21/16

LOL, my thoughts exactly! Usually when we cruise in Feb. (as long as it's not the Presidents/MLK weekend) it's a rather small crowd of "kids".

 

A couple of years ago we were on a cruise that had a bunch (about 30) of 19-22 year old's right at the beginning of spring break(late Feb/early March). I would have taken 300 12-14 year old's... They were scream MF and much worse, drunk all the time, puking in the halls, just obnoxious in so many ways. This was on a Celebrity cruise....

[rtap23]

I'm one that like the kids. It's fun watching them running around and having a blast. It reminds me of how dun it was to be that age. To me it's better then seeing a whole bunch of old folks

[Pesh]

I read a review of the Breeze cruise a few years ago that was taken during the first week of September. The reviewer noted that ship had barely any children and the crew mentioned to him that they have much fewer children that time of year due to school starting. I'll search and see if I can find it for you!

[MaiTaiMary]

I've always thought "the longer the cruise and the colder the weather, the older the passenger". ;) Short cruises to warm climates will bring younger people, IMO.

[Pesh]

I read a review of the Breeze cruise a few years ago that was taken during the first week of September. The reviewer noted that ship had barely any children and the crew mentioned to him that they have much fewer children that time of year due to school starting. I'll search and see if I can find it for you!

 

Found it! Link below. They cruised the week of 9/8 and there were only 100 kids on board (the week before had 2,000). This of course could have been a fluke, but since you're asking, thought it might be helpful! It was also an enjoyable (although older) review!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1915014

[john watson]

Carnival Corporation's brand P&O Cruises UK have a number of ships which do not allow passengers under 18 years of age on board on any cruises. As I recall the current ships that sail under these rules ships are called Arcadia, Oriana and Adonia but this does change from time to time and different ships are then reclassified as adult only while others are reclassified family friendly. They do cut off at a set date when changing.

 

Regards John

Edited January 2, 2016 by john watson

[SadieN]

Thompson or P&O have an adult only ship or two. River cruises are geared toward the more mature passenger.

[crusinpsychRN]

Only those Bare Naked charters. Would he be up for that?!?! LOL

[texasnewcruiser]

Only those Bare Naked charters. Would he be up for that?!?! LOL

 

Yes. Right now it looks like we are going to try a Couplescruise in May on the MSC Divina. I wasn't to sure at first but it sounds like a great party cruise with no kids and of course we will not be participating in the swing aspect.

 

I will also look into the Bare Nakedcharters. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Hawaiifrank]

Really, it's all about timing. If you cruise when kids are not in school, you will cruise with a lot of kids. We normally time our cruises when school is in session. Not only are there fewer kids, but the prices are generally lower then as well.

 

Understand, I said FEWER kids. There will always be kids on cruises. Carnival does not have "adults only" cruises.

 

Well, except for the "clothing optional " charter cruises. Not actually sure Carnival does those, but other cruise lines do. No kids there, I've heard.

[kc58ab]

May is a great time. Good weather, but not quite full on summer hot yet.

Plus, it is after spring break but before school lets out so fewer kiddos.

 

Agreed - I did an early May cruise the last two years and there wasn't a ton of kids. Although I did take my own :) but they weren't allowed to wonder the ship alone even at 17/14 at the first one. I try to pick times school is in session to 1) less number of rowdy children and 2) it is quite a bit cheaper. If you plan in advance with the school my kids haven't had any trouble with them falling behind in school. Although you have to watch out for attendance if you have sickly kids that probably wouldn't work with 10 day limit per semester. Thankfully mine are very healthy and rarely miss school so this works out nicely for us. Our first cruise was when our kids where much younger and during the summer break and it was like night and day different, so many kids. Unfortunately so many people do not watch or discipline their children so it can really put a damper on your time.