Cruise vacations are usually known for being family-friendly, so you might be surprised to learn that several liners offer an adults-only experience. Say goodbye to noisy children running around the deck!
On a practical level, cruise lines are also much more affordable than the average suite accommodation. No more scouting, no more coordinating, no more stressing—just pick a cruise line that ticks all your boxes and you’re ready to go! The good news is that the best cruise ships for partying are not just limited to routes from Mexico and the United States.
Meeting new people is one of the best parts of a vacation—land, sea, or otherwise. What better way to turn strangers into friends than partying over drinks? There’s just something about being on a cruise ship that makes partying ten times more fun than usual. Being out on the sea makes people do things they otherwise wouldn’t do at home. You get to leave all your worries (and inhibitions!) behind.
Beyond being at sea, you’re bombarded with non-stop entertainment venues that keep you out and about exploring the entire deck. There’s always something to do onboard, and if you run out of options, you can always hop off the cruise and check out an island that’s part of your itinerary!
When it comes to adults-only partying, these cruise lines have perfected the craft:
Best Party Cruises For Adults
1. Temptation Caribbean Cruise by Temptation Experience
Temptation is no stranger if you’re into the party scene. Temptation Cancun Resort is among the best adult playgrounds for anyone above 21, where the nightlife ends only when the sun comes up. Now, Temptation has expanded to include more thrilling adventures—on a cruise ship! Go for the topless women, stay for the sensual feeling of liberation of not having a care in the world.
Launched in 2020, Temptation Caribbean Cruise is an adults-only ship that boasts poolside soirees, themed pool parties, and a mysterious red room. Over the course of five nights, the cruise will sail from Tampa Florida to Cozumel, Mexico and George Town, Grand Cayman. On the cruise are two pools and three whirlpools to enjoy. Just like its signature Cancun resort, the Temptation Caribbean Cruise is topless-optional. It also features four dining venues, a spa and fitness center, and a casino onboard. The experience starts at $710 per person based on a double occupancy room.
The Red Room
Temptation Caribbean Cruise invites couples to try something they’ve never done before, and what better way to experiment safely than an erotic room, ala-Fifty Shades of Grey? Experience the sensuality of freedom with the R-rated red room, a fan-favorite playground where couples can take part in a tantric workshop led by top sexologists. It’s a safe haven lined up with beds and mood lighting to get you worked up even before you’re even touched. Couples are free to try out having semi-public sex since the bed is covered only by semi-transparent curtains.
Clothing-Optional Hotspot
Most of its on-board activities and areas are targeted towards couples, but singles are still free to join in on the sensual fun! Take note that Temptation Caribbean Cruise is not tailored to swingers, so manage your expectations on this one.
Still, Temptation likes to raise the stakes. To take it up a notch, this voyage number three also offers a new clothing-optional area. Leave your inhibitions behind—as well as your worries about awkward tan lines! You don’t have to worry about creeps given that this space is a couples-only hotspot.
Unlike the other party cruise ships, Temptation Caribbean Cruise doesn’t follow a regular schedule, which makes booking a stay here all the more coveted. Cruise two had just finished boarding a few months ago, and since then, Temptation has learned how to make everything sexier and sexier! The next cruise ship you can catch sails on February 11-16, 2023. That might be a whole year from now, but don’t wait before you run out of slots!
2. Scarlet Lady by Virgin Voyages
Operated by the famous Virgin Voyages, Scarlet Lady is an adults-only cruise you wouldn’t want to miss out on. It’s luxurious without the formalities, creating this new hip environment where laid-back sophistication is the name of the game. You’ll be greeted by loud techno music while boarding the ship—a clear sign that Scarlet Lady isn’t your typical Virgin cruise. In fact, you might encounter a lot of bachelor parties and birthday parties going on while you’re on deck.
The experience starts at $725 per cabin for four nights from Miami to the Caribbean. It had only debuted last April 2020, but former passengers vouch for its unparalleled Virgin experience for both the young people and the young-at-heart. The itinerary includes a visit to the exclusive Beach Club at Bimini in the Bahamas. Once the sun sets, there’s onboard partying at the Manor nightclub until the wee hours of the night. The Manor is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before—and we mean it! Think classroom ballroom infused with punk elements into its design.
If you have the means, you might want to book one of the 78 RockStar Suites. The premium suite comes with a guitar room, a vinyl turntable, and a cabinet full of high-end spirits. The perks don’t stop onboard—at the Beach Club in Bimini, rockstars also have access to an exclusive bar, complimentary food service, and an outdoor terrace with sun loungers and beach cabanas.
Entertainment for Everyone
Scarlet Lady recognizes that fun comes in other forms, too. There are board game competitions, karaoke rooms, trivia contests, and mixology classes for those looking for quirkier fun. Meanwhile, sports junkies have boxing rings, basketball courts, and fitness classes like interval training and aerial yoga to choose from.
Scarlet Lady also has its own version of the red room, albeit less erotic and more entertaining for everyone. Here, audiences aren’t just meant to watch, but are expected to participate in whatever the night might bring: modern interpretations of classic stories, comedic scenes, interactive dance performances, and so on. Fortunately, you’re likely exempt from participating in the acrobatic shows.
Tattoo and Piercing Studio
Passengers who aren’t into swimming or sun tanning on a cruise can consider getting inked. Scarlet Lady also provides a tattoo and piercing studio on board to pull in the younger crowd. Granted, a cruise ship isn’t the most steady place to get a tattoo, but that’s exactly where the fun lies! Since swimming isn’t allowed for two weeks after a fresh tattoo, we recommend getting inked on the last day so you can still maximize the pool during your stay.
Speaking of pools, Scarlet Lady has only one outdoor pool deck that seems to be the same size as a double bed. It’s not enough to fit ten people inside, let alone the cruise capacity of 2,770. However, what she lacks in the pool department, she easily makes up for in her dining options. Foodies will rejoice at the cruise’s six specialty restaurants and twenty eateries, one of which includes an open food hall.
Secret Bar
We love conspiracy theories as much as the next person, so this rumor is worth mentioning. It is said that Scarlet Lady has a secret bar with a James Bond-theme that passengers can check out. Ask the staff about this secret bar and they’ll just wink at you in response.
More than anything, what sets Scarlet Lady apart from more posh ships is its casual come-as-you-are environment. Unlike most mainstream cruises, there is no dress code at the Scarlet Lady—not for formal nights, not for partying. In a true laidback fashion, Shake for Champagne also allows passengers to request champagne anywhere on board with a simple shake of their phone using the Virgin Voyages Sailor App.
Best Party Cruise With Adult Spaces
3. Norwegian Breakaway by Norwegian Cruise Line
Single and looking to mingle? Norwegian Breakaway is recognized as one of the friendliest party cruises for single people. Studio cabins are a great way to go on vacation at sea with a limited budget. Compared to the two cruises we already talked about in-depth, Norwegian Breakaway is the older option, having debuted in 2013 and refurbished in 2018. Older as it is, the cruise still remains one of the top picks for people looking to make unforgettable nights at sea. That isn’t much of a surprise given that Norwegian Cruise Line has some of one of the largest commercial fleets in the world.
Boarding over 4,000 passengers, the Norwegian Breakaway isn’t exactly adults-only, but there are more than enough spaces on board that prohibit children from running around and causing noise. That isn’t to say that the cruise has night clubs and nothing else. For example, the Vibe Beach Club is an adults-only sun deck that only allows a limited number of passengers inside to avoid overcrowding and to maintain the zen of the space. In the area are loungers, whirlpools, and majestic ocean views that allow your mind, body, and soul to be at rest.
Themed Nights and Bars
At night, there is Norwegian Breakaway’s adult-only playground called Spice H2O—an open-air lounge with live entertainment and themed parties. The place has sleek furniture and a carpeted floor for that sought-after premium feel.
Meanwhile, Bliss Ultra Lounge is the ultimate nightclub and disco on deck. It’s always packed with people, and long lines of wait are not uncommon, so it’s best you arrive early! Aside from Bliss Ultra Lounge, there are other smaller but more specialized bars. On Deck 8 alone, you’ll find Shaker’s Cocktail Bar, Maltings Beer & Whiskey Bar, and The Humidor Cigar Lounge.
Also on Deck 8 is the Ice Bar, where ice sculptures of the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and the Chrysler Building are kept at 17 degrees Fahrenheit. It costs an extra $20 per person to stay at the Ice Bar for 45 minutes, but it already comes with a rental of a hooded parka and two specialty drinks in an ice glass.
Themed nights are also a big deal in Norwegian Breakaway. There’s Latin Night, Glow Party, White Hot Party, ‘70s and ‘80s Night, and so much more! Make sure to pack clothes that fit the theme you’re eyeing to experience. Nothing says total immersion more than looking the part. Get your dancing shoes on and learn how to party with the Norwegians!
Broadway Musicals
Here’s something you don’t see many cruise lines offer: Broadway musicals as live entertainment! Talk about a superb viewing experience! Depending on what’s offered, there’s Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots, Footloose, and Happy Hour Prohibition. If musicals aren’t your thing, Norwegian Breakaway’s still got you. Rock, jazz, and The Beatles enthusiasts can rejoice because they have something special waiting for them on board. There’s live music from Syd Norman, Howl at the Moon, and The Cavern Club.
Aside from partying, onboard activities are also offered with singles in mind: golf, bar crawls, rope courses, and wall climbing. There’s even a casino and sports complex to boot. If you find yourself getting bored of the many activities on board, you can always opt to hop off the cruise for a day. The itinerary includes plenty of time to enjoy the pristine beaches of Cozumel, Roatan, Harvest Caye, and Costa Maya.
Spring Break Party Cruises Never Go Out Of Style
As you might have already gleaned from above, Temptation Caribbean Cruise, Scarlet Lady, and Norwegian Breakaway is not your typical cruising holiday! Sure, there are other solid options like Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruises, but these cruise lines fail to capture the adults-only community in the way our top three can!
We don’t know about you, but we’re sold on booking our next vacation on the best party cruise. Unless you’re prone to seasickness, you don’t have any valid reason not to, really. Granted, adults-only cruise ships are yet to hit the mainstream, but in the meantime, we’re here to spread the good news about the pioneers that exist as blueprints for other lines.
