If you’re scouting for a vacation to take with your best gal pals where you can get pampered, barhop and dine at fun, eclectic restaurants, a cruise checks off all the boxes. Even better? You only have to unpack once, and there’s no driving involved.
This super-flexible vacation option takes the stress out of satisfying a mix of personalities and travel styles. You arrive on embarkation day ready to unwind and still adore your besties at week’s end. If needed, everyone can do their own thing during the day and still come together for dinner and evening entertainment.
Nightlife options — not to mention wellness perks like an onboard spa, yoga classes and poolside naps — are never far from your cabin. A friend who wants to stay out late or retire to bed early won’t cramp the group’s style. Adventurous eaters and picky palates can be easily satisfied at various onboard restaurants with extensive menus, and your wine-loving pal can load up on Napa cabs while you chat up mixologists behind the bar or taste-test craft beers.
But not all cruise lines are girlfriend getaway-friendly, particularly if you don’t like attending academic lectures at night or leaving each port by 4 p.m.
Here are the six best cruise lines for your next bestie vacation, offering everything from a party-vibe atmosphere to a self-care-focused scene.
Virgin Voyages
Sir Richard Branson’s edgy Virgin Voyages first set sail in 2021, aiming to attract party-minded travelers seeking a kid-free cruise experience (no passengers under 18 allowed). The line’s three ships — Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady — take the celebratory spirit to heart: All emulate a “superyacht” vibe with an adults-only clientele. (A fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, is set to launch in 2025.)
If your group is on a budget, opt for an Insider cabin. The beds are in an L shape, creating an instant spot to host happy-hour drinks or late-night chit-chat with friends from other cabins. Two other beds are in bunks above.
Splurge on a suite for room to spread out. Whether you choose the 2,147-square-foot Massive Suite with a private hot tub on the terrace or the 570-square-foot Gorgeous Suite, your squad will have ample room. Terraces are wide enough for a swing chair and, on some, two chaise lounges; access to a members-only outdoor space hosting predinner cocktails is also included.
Related: First impressions of Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady from a cruise newbie
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Twenty dining venues focus on casual eats like Korean barbecue and Mexican, and a partnership with the Bar Lab and Cocktail Cartel crafts swoon-worthy drinks for your gals-only bar crawl. Expect irreverent and fun entertainment that might include late-night cabaret shows and the kind of rock and funk in the clubs that you’d expect from the founder of a record label.
Speaking of dancing, pack your terrycloth shorts and headband; ’80s-themed VHS Workout classes are an aerobic time warp perfect for a group activity. Or consider getting matching tattoos at Squid Ink, the onboard tattoo parlor.
Itineraries reject 9-to-5 port days in favor of evening departures and some overnight stays so you can experience dinner or nightlife in port. Choose among sailings that depart from Miami or San Juan, Puerto Rico, or opt for a Mediterranean cruise that hits hot spots like Ibiza and Corsica. Caribbean itineraries to the Bahamas include a stop at the cruise line’s private beach club on Bimini.
Celebrity Cruises
With social media star Capt. Kate McCue and a supporting cast of female officers at the helm on select ships, Celebrity Cruises will match your need for female empowerment with its own. The cruise line appeals to women travelers who crave a foodie and cultured vibe more than families in search of an arcade or zip line.
By day, gather at the adults-only Solarium, where an indoor pool (in a covered area marked by skylights) is true bliss when you want to sip pina coladas and giggle with your girlfriends. Book AquaClass cabins that connect you with a spa concierge to arrange your spa day and provide access to a thermal suite where you can all destress once you’ve ditched the office for vacation. Energetic friends can sample fitness classes ranging from Zumba to yoga; some ships even offer Peloton bikes.
Related: The ultimate guide to Celebrity Cruises ships and itineraries
If your ladies love their vino, bond at one of the cruise line’s workshops in food-and-wine pairing or blending your own wine. Or skip class for a party; gather the gals for at least one toast at the alfresco Sunset Bar predinner, then bounce among Celebrity’s bars and lounges for people-watching and dancing after dark.
Dining options range from the whimsical to the elegant. Gawk at Le Petit Chef’s innovative plating and table animation, and hold on to your hats at the Magic Carpet Restaurant (an open-air space that hangs over the side of the ship). Dress up for a night out at Raw on 5 or Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud (on Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent, the cruise line’s newest ship).
Whether your group wants shore excursions the likes of rugged adventures in Alaska, beach-bathing in the Caribbean or village-hopping in the Mediterranean, Celebrity Cruises’ itineraries cover it all.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line’s three-day weekend cruises are ideal for gal pals short on either vacation time or travel budget, but a weeklong cruise is worth it if you manage it. If you don’t want to bother with airports, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find a cruise departing from a port within driving distance of your hometown. Carnival cruises depart from Baltimore; Galveston, Texas; Los Angeles; Seattle; New York City; and Jacksonville, Tampa and Port Canaveral (near Orlando) in Florida, among others.
Save even more by bunking three or four to a cabin, though you might want to splurge on a couple of cabins to avoid sharing one bathroom.
What Carnival Cruise Line does best is cater to a variety of people. You can enjoy casual dining by celebrity restaurateurs (including Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken, Guy Fieri’s Guy’s Burger Joint and Emeril Lagasse’s Emeril’s Bistro 1396), sample sushi or Italian fare, or choose fine dining at The Chef’s Table or Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse.
Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line
If your crew is into it, you can line dance, race down waterslides and holler out music trivia answers on the pool deck. Or perhaps you’d rather walk past that wet madness to the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, a sweet spot for catching up on girl talk in a completely chill environment — no shrieking kids allowed. Cool off and try your luck at the slot machines in the casino.
When you’re ready for a late night out, you’ll find Carnival offers an impressive bar lineup. Sip fruity drinks at the poolside RedFrog Tiki Bar, join the Mega Deck Party on the lido deck or sample creative botanical-forward cocktails at the Alchemy Bar (on all ships except Carnival Paradise, Carnival Firenze and Carnival Venezia).
Norwegian Cruise Line
If dancing the conga line on the lido deck, jamming at a Glow Party or working it at a retro-themed disco are your ideas of a good time, Norwegian Cruise Line ships could be your group’s utopia.
Whether you want to spend a relaxing sea day on the ship getting manis and pedis in the spa or escape the crowds at Vibe Beach Club (on select ships), you have plenty of opportunities to hang with the girls. These ships offer plenty of daytime onboard options drenched with adrenaline, from zipping down a waterslide to an indoor cycling class.
Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian Cruise Line
Stay up late to see Broadway-style shows or find your onboard crush among the cast of “The Choir of Man.” Afterward, reconnect at your choice of 20-plus bars or lounges, pouring everything from bubbles to martinis. Each watering hole has a distinct theme, including the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar, entirely constructed from ice.
Norwegian Cruise Line sails the world, including Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe and Hawaii (see four islands in a week, whew!).
Margaritaville at Sea
Grab your salt shakers and set sail on one of Margaritaville at Sea’s two vessels, Paradise or Islander. Margaritaville at Sea is the Jimmy Buffett-affiliated oceangoing offshoot of the popular Margaritaville Resort brand.
Until recently, the line only sailed two-night voyages to Freeport in the Bahamas from the Port of Palm Beach, Florida, on its first ship, Paradise. With the addition of Islander, the line now offers four- and five-night departures to Key West and the Mexican Riviera from the Port of Tampa Bay.
Make a beeline for the aptly named 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar, the Sunset Bar or the Euphoria Lounge for the first of many margaritas. Or meet up in the casino to play the slots. Both ships also host a theater, fitness center and spa to fill in your calendar of fun.
And, yes, you can sing your heart out to Buffett songs. Just show up at “Jimmy’s Ship Show,” a musical written by Buffett and performed on board. You can also order a Cheeseburger in Paradise at LandShark Bar & Grill, a concept borrowed from Margaritaville Resorts. Other dining venues include a coffee and pastry shop, steak and seafood joint, pizzeria and the requisite buffet.
Royal Caribbean
If you can’t decide on anything as a group, pick a ship that lacks nothing in terms of things to do. This way, everyone is happy. Royal Caribbean’s six Oasis Class ships (Oasis, Allure, Harmony, Symphony, Wonder and Utopia of the Seas) are solid options because they’re the largest passenger vessels at sea. This means lots of choices.
You can dine at a different restaurant every night (and still not try them all), check out a Broadway-style show, then barhop from one deck to the next by way of the elevating Rising Tide Bar. Foodie friends can load up on calories at gourmet venues such as Wonderland and 150 Central Park, while the health-conscious can sip smoothies for lunch at the Vitality Cafe.
Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean
Or cheer on the bravest of your bunch as she soars along the ship’s zip line, climbs the multideck rock wall or attempts to hang 10 on the FlowRider surf simulator. Then you can all bring your heart rates back down with treatments at the spa or a thermal suite detox.
If you’re seeking a quick tropical escape on a ship with the latest amenities, the line’s newest vessel, Utopia of the Seas, is right up your alley. It’s the line’s first brand-new ship designated for short-cruise service, and offers quick three- and four-night itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Nassau, Bahamas, with most of them stopping at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
On Perfect Day, head to Hideaway Bay, the island’s newest adults-only escape, where you’ll find live bands, plenty of loungers and bars with beach and ocean views.
Bottom line
If your tight-knit group of ladies is looking for a getaway to bond, refresh and let loose, a cruise is an ideal girls’ trip. With a bevy of destinations and itinerary lengths, and various onboard attractions, cruises offer so many choices for everyone in your group.
Cruise vacations are also easy peasy — you unpack once, freeing you to let your girls’ getaway unfold effortlessly once you board the ship.
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