Carnival set to continue “extraordinarily popular” adults-only cruises

• Carnival has signalled an intention to continue its adults-only cruise offerings.
• They were initially offered as a quick-fix after two Carnival ships had open schedules after a cancelled dry-dock.
• But due to the popularity of these voyages, Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald suggests more adults-only cruises are on their way.

Carnival has suggested that it will continue adults-only cruises, due to the initial tests proving ‘extraordinary popular’.

The line recently offered its first ever adults only cruises when two ships in their fleet had cancelled dry dock. These left the ships open for sailings and this is when the family-fun cruise line piloted the now popular adults-only cruise.

Popular Carnival brand ambassador John Heald has confirmed that these cruises are proving extremely popular and are likely to continue to be offered.

Heald reaffirmed that Carnival will never stop being a family line at its core.

“So before I continue let me say that we are and always will be a proud family cruise line and I don’t ever want you to think that this is changing,” he said.

“However, I have seen how extraordinarily popular the adult only cruises that we have done so far have been.”

Heald noted that he has come across many parents who enjoy cruising with their kids and will continue to do so, but also enjoyed the chance to cruise without them.

“It has been fascinating for me to read that lots of the people who have taken these adults-only cruises still cruise with their children but enjoy a chance to not do so.

“There is a thought then that says cruises with your children isn’t a vacation…just a relocation.”

Heald said: “I think it is something that we’ll continue to do. I don’t have news yet about any more adults-only cruises.

“I think we have perhaps stumbled across a secret and discovered that not all family cruises have to feature the whole family, and those choosing these adults-only cruises seem very happy to know this.”

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Adults-only cruising – could it take off?

Adult cruisers have complained on forum that their holiday was disrupted by the behaviour of children and teens. And many have called for adults-only cruising to become an option.

Carnival’s three adults-only sailings that there were offered to the public quickly sold out, demonstrating that this demand that this is a real want amongst cruisers.

There are cruise lines around the world that offer adults-only sailing such as Virgin Voyagers and Ambassador Cruise Lines.

Cruisers can of course opt for more luxury-oriented cruise experiences and are unlikely to see many kids on the ship, but they not only have to fork out thousands of dollars extra. But they also might lose the upbeat and social ‘party’ atmosphere that cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer.

Given that families are a huge market and how convenient the cruise ship offering is for a family, adults-only cruising will never become the norm, but it’s looking more and more possible that cruise lines could have occasional designated adults-only itineraries.

If cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival wanted to view this a long-term pursuit, what could make the most sense would be having dedicated adults-only ships, where space currently occupied for family activities is converted to more adult-friendly spaces.

Cruise lines in Australia are seeing large success on shorter weekend cruises of a few days, which often attract younger professionals or people just looking for a short break who are younger than the traditional cruising demographic, these types of cruises could definitely transition into adults-only offerings.

While it’s a new idea in the mainstream, the idea of adults-only cruising on large cruise ships is definitely gathering steam.

What do you think? Would you sail on an adults-only cruise?