8-Ship Cruise Line Goes Adult-Only, Effective Today

There’s another player in the ring of adult-only cruises after a luxury cruise line announced today that only passengers 18 and older will be allowed on their ships.

Oceania Cruises officially switched over to adult-only travel on January 7, 2026. While the cruise line has always been known for its fine dining and “sophistication at sea”, this move makes the “no kids” policy official for their entire eight-ship fleet.

Why the Change?

According to Oceania’s leadership, this wasn’t about not wanting families on their ships, but rather a result of listening to what their loyal travelers were asking for.

Passengers loyal to the cruise line keep coming back because of its “serene environment” and what they call the “finest cuisine at sea.” By removing the need to cater to all ages, Oceania can double down on the tranquility that fans of the company keep raving about.

But if you already have a trip on the books with a traveler under 18, don’t worry.  Oceania has confirmed they will fully honor all existing reservations made before today.

Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises, explained why the cruise line decided to make the change:

“Our guests have consistently shared that the tranquil environment aboard our ships is one of the primary reasons they return time and time again. By transitioning to an adults-only experience, we are enhancing the very essence of the Oceania Cruises journey – one defined by sophistication, serenity and discovery.”

Oceania stated that it was the passenger feedback, from both loyal and new-to-brand guests, that showed them what people really wanted: “serene atmosphere, sophisticated service and unhurried pace”.

The Fleet

Oceania’s current fleet of eight ships offer a passenger capacity ranging from around 700 to 1,200 guests.  These vessels that range from 30,000 gross tons in Regatta Class to 67,817 gross tons in Allura Class.

But the real news for the future is the Sonata Class. The first of these is set to debut in August 2027. At 86,000 gross tons, it will be the largest ship ever built for Oceania, but will still only carry around 1,390 guests, maintaining the cruise line’s great passenger to space ratio.

Oceania has three more Sonata-class ships on order through 2035.

Joining the “Adults-Only” Club

Oceania isn’t the first to realize that many cruisers are looking for a kid-free vacation.  Even parents of young children have expressed a desire to make that getaway cruise an actual getaway.

Prior to this announcement, Viking and Virgin Voyages were the two main players in this space, although Oceania wasn’t necessarily geared for families of young children to begin with.

• Viking: Often called “The Thinking Person’s Cruise,” Viking was a pioneer in this space. Every single ship in their fleet (both on the rivers and the oceans) is strictly 18+. You won’t find casinos or kids, but you will find spas, libraries, and cultural lectures.
• Virgin Voyages: If you want a “grown-up” vacation, Virgin is another great choice. Their ships are 18+ and offer inclusive Michelin-level dining.

You can read more about these two adult-only cruise lines and how they compare here.

Carnival Cruise Line has also experimented with adult-only (21+) cruising on a few select casino cruises. They proved to be wildly popular, and there are eight of these SEA (Sailings Exclusively for Adults) scheduled for 2026 you can see here.