the adult-only voyager
If you were a cruise line, which one would you be? There are dozens of cruise lines globally, so finding your ideal fit is no easy task. Every cruise line has its own distinct character, from the fun-loving life of the party to the sophisticated cultural connoisseur. Whatever your personality, there's bound to be a ship that's specifically tailored to your taste.
Are you all about the finer things in life? Do crowds of kids fill you with horror? Or perhaps you want to take centre stage, without being tied down by a plus-one?
To make the decision a little easier, we've shortlisted four very different cruise styles. We hope we can inspire you to take to the waves—your way.
cruise
the elevated experience
The solo explorer
the luxury connoisseur
Find your perfect match
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Discover your
style
The elevated experience
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A design-led approach
Celebrity Cruises set themselves apart from mainstream cruise lines with their "Nothing Comes Close" promise. Cabins, service, dining, and spa are all top-notch. Discover more than 120 rejuvenating treatments, including therapies inspired by the destinations you visit. You can call at over 300 destinations across seven continents, so there's lots to choose from.
One of the defining features of the newer Edge Series ships is the Magic Carpet. This cantilevered floating platform hangs out over the open ocean, and can move freely between decks, up to 13 stories above sea level. The function changes to suit the mood—it can add more al fresco restaurant seating at sunset, provide a panoramic setting for a live music performance, or bring guests up close to stunning scenery like fjords and glaciers. It really blends elegance with practicality—much like the cruise line itself. For more information on Celebrity Cruises, click here.
Blurring the line between ship and shore
Celebrity Cruises love to bring a real-world feel to cruising, so you feel immersed in local culture even when the sea stretches over the horizon. Menus are inspired by ports of call, and feature elevated, refined versions of traditional cuisine to really bring each destination to life.
The cruise line's newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, takes this concept even further. It will introduce a brand-new multi-sensory space, The Bazaar, to immerse guests in local traditions. The three-storey space will transform every time you reach a new destination, intending to capture the essence of every port. Food stalls will showcase local favourites, and there will also be music, classes, and pop-up performances inspired by traditional culture. Local artisans will even come aboard the ship to host craft workshops and cookery classes.
A premium cruise experience
Celebrity Cruises have a great reputation for all-round quality among critics and cruisers alike. They're the first ocean cruise line to earn a 4-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide, and offer an upscale, premium experience without breaking the bank.
Don't expect ships to be filled with go-kart tracks or waterslides. Understated elegance is the order of the day, and ships are designed with the sophistication of a modern luxury hotel. Design is a real highlight throughout, and special attention is paid to developing a serene atmosphere full of indoor-outdoor spaces. The newest Edge Series ships have a lush rooftop garden and living walls, while the five Solstice Series ships famously boast a half-acre of living grass on the top deck. Guests can also enjoy world-class dining to compliment the refined atmosphere on board. As you're relaxing under those big skies, you might even forget that you're on a cruise ship.
The size of the ship really separates 5-star cruising from 6-star cruising. As 6-star ships are smaller, they can dock at off-the-beaten-path ports with fewer tourists. They can also stay overnight in port, meaning guests can live like a local and enjoy the nightlife.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises call at over 550 destinations around the world. Thousands of shore excursions are included, while some offer even deeper exploration for a supplement. They are all carefully crafted to offer immersive experiences you’d be hard-pressed to book independently. Imagine dining on the private estate of a Michelin-starred Provençal chef, visiting a generations-old farm in remotest Andalusia, or taking a yoga class in the hills overlooking Taormina and Mount Etna. You’ll also have peace of mind that your tours impact positively on local communities, with many options focused on organic farming and eco-friendly living.
Immersive exploration
You can expect a crew-to-guest ratio of almost one-to-one on a Regent ship—that’s far higher than the industry norm, and it means that the service is really standout. The crew will know your name, greet you with a chilled glass of your favourite tipple, and recommend excursions that complement your interests. They’ll even tailor your suite to your unique taste and preferences.
As there are no more than 746 guests per ship, you’ve got plenty of room to breathe and never need think about queues or crowded bars. The atmosphere may be more informal than you imagine. Guests are friendly, well-travelled, and looking forward to having fun and making memories. There is no stuffiness or unnecessary formality—just interesting people exploring exciting new places. Click here to discover more online, or order a brochure.
Service is gold standard
If you’re a discerning guest who enjoys the finer things in life (and, yes, are also willing to splurge a little) you can take your pick of the very best ships at sea. One of our top recommendations in the 6-star category is Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 6-star cruises are a step beyond 5-star cruises—they're designed to offer a truly personalised experience where even the tiniest details are meticulously thought out. The experience on board feels effortlessly indulgent. Personal butlers are always one step ahead, anticipating your needs and desires before you even have time to think of them.
Regent Seven Sea Cruises sets itself apart by promising to deliver the most inclusive luxury experience at sea. Life on board is lavish without limits. You'll savour the finest wines, dine at any of the ship’s gourmet speciality restaurants, and enjoy unlimited access to the spa facilities as standard. You'll also enjoy a variety of complimentary excursions in each port. This breadth of choice is a real rarity.
All-inclusive at its finest
The luxury connoisseur
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The solo explorer
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Never an afterthought
In partnership with:
Solo cruising with Fred. Olsen
Fred. Olsen ships tend to carry around 1300 passengers, and if you ask us, that’s a great sweet spot for solo travellers. You’ll soon start to recognise familiar faces, but you’ll also have the space you need to slip into anonymity if you want some downtime.
Fred. Olsen is dedicated to making solo travellers feel especially welcome. Cruise Critic recently voted them best for solo travellers because they do so much to help single guests settle in. You can attend pre-arranged solo welcome drinks, pop in to informal coffee mornings, and join other relaxed meetups designed to help you connect with like-minded people. If you’d rather bond over an activity, there’s a wealth to choose from, ranging from arts and crafts classes to deck games, card tournaments, trivia, bingo, and book clubs. And all this comes before you’ve even set foot off the boat.
A voyage of self-discovery
More and more people are gaining the confidence to cruise alone. CLIA, an association representing the global cruise industry, estimates that between 8-13% of all cruisers travelled solo in 2024. Perhaps your friends don't share the same passion for adventure, or perhaps you're simply looking for a new experience.
Exploring on your own terms is incredibly appealing—and a cruise offers the perfect mix of stability and excitement. Each morning, you’ll wake up in a brand-new place, energised and ready for a full-day of exploration, before returning to a familiar space that feels just like home. If you’ve previously travelled solo on land, you’ll know it can be hard to fully switch off. A cruise is pretty unique in this aspect, and that constant sense of being “on alert” really fades into the background. You’re in a safe environment where everything you need is instantly available, from food and entertainment to naps in your cosy cabin. Build a routine that suits you, and enjoy company if you want it, or solitude if you need it.
Stories that last a lifetime
You’ll make many a memory onboard the ship, with entertainment from theatre shows, dance clubs, and bars. The Scarlet Night is a big talking point—everyone is encouraged to wear a splash of red, and the whole ship comes alive with pop-up performances and live music.
Even when you're off the ship, Virgin Voyages ensure you'll get a unique and mature experience. You could explore Dubrovnik on a Medieval heritage tour, sample craft brews in Zeebrugge, or hop around hidden foodie hotspots feeling just like a local. Most voyages have at least one late stay in port, and some even have overnight stops. When the other ships leave, you’ll stay behind so you can enjoy the nightlife in destinations like Mykonos and Ibiza. See the amazing sunsets, try out the local restaurants, and stay out as late as you like. For even more reasons to love Virgin Voyages, click here.
The ultimate night out
Imagine a big night out in a cool capital city like London or Paris. Perhaps you’d dine at a critically acclaimed restaurant and enjoy some drinks at a rooftop bar. On a Virgin Voyages ship, you can do it all—then walk back to your cabin as soon as you’re done. 24-hour food delivery means you can even get snacks delivered to your cabin to end the night, no matter how late the hour.
When you’re planning your evening, you can take your pick from over 6 specialty restaurants, ranging from hands-on grilling at the Korean BBQ to authentic tamales at the Mexican City-inspired hacienda. When you’ve eaten your fill, embark on an epic bar crawl, hopping from sophisticated champagne bars to intimate, softly-lit cocktail joints. There’s no forced formality: you can eat when you want and where you want, and the Always Included Luxury fare covers dining, tips, gratuities, fitness classes, entertainment, soft drinks, and Wi-Fi.
We love kids, but let’s face it, sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder. A poolside martini just doesn’t hit the same when a pirate scavenger hunt is unfolding in the background. That’s why there’s something so special about adult-only cruising. You’re always made to feel like the main character in your own show.
It doesn’t matter if your thing is sunrise yoga, lazy days by the pool, late-night karaoke, or curated cocktails. A kid-free cruise lets everyone live their best life, away from the patter of tiny feet.
Virgin Voyages is our top pick for adult-only cruising, as you have to be over 18 to cruise. This means the onboard experience is fully tailored for adults, especially those who feel young at heart. Itineraries are curated with adults in mind, and you'll enjoy a mix of adventure, relaxation, and mature, unexpected dining options.
For the young at heart
The child-free voyager
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For many first-time solo travellers, evenings can feel a bit uncertain. That’s why we love Fred. Olsen for solo cruising—you'll never feel forgotten on the sidelines.
Importantly, all dining is fixed seating, meaning you’re allocated a shared table with other solo travellers and are given a set dining time every evening. That means, when you eat in the main dining room, you’ll sit with the same people the whole time—and there’s loads to talk about after a long day exploring. Feel like dancing? You’ll never be baby in the corner. There are male and female dance hosts on every single cruise, so you'll always have a partner, whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just valiantly attempting the two-step. No matter where you are on the ship, there’s a way to join the fun, whenever you feel ready. For more information from Fred. Olsen Cruise Line, click here.
