I’ve explored the adult-only retreats on many different cruise lines, from tranquil sanctuaries to bustling spaces. Cruise lines realize that passengers want a kid-free space, and in this article, we’ll look at three of the biggest in the industry.
Roller coasters, go-karts, and water parks on a cruise ship make for great marketing material in a TV spot, and these things get the kids excited about going on a cruise. But for some parents, it’s more exciting to find some peace and quiet on board.
Kids might not understand it, but yes, adults can get so excited about the opportunity to take a nap that it might even keep us awake. Funny how that works.
Unless you’re taking a cruise on an adult-only cruise line like Viking or Virgin Voyages, you’re going to have to accept that there may be the sound of some tiny screaming voices in the air.
But this is vacation, right? And sometimes you just want some peace and quiet. Some of the biggest names in the cruise industry realize that even families might need a break from each other, at least for a couple hours.
And so adult-only spaces were introduced to cruise ships.
Let’s look at the adult-only areas on three of the biggest cruise lines in the US: Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Carnival’s Serenity Deck & Loft 19
The Serenity Deck on Carnival ships was introduced in 2007, and since then it’s been rolled out across the fleet, with older ships being retrofitted with the adult-only space.
The concept is simple. Only passengers 21 and older are permitted, and pretty much everything is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Oh, and there’s no extra cost for access.
Hammocks, loungers, day beds, and clamshells are available (if it’s not too busy), and most Carnival ships have a hot tub or small pool in this area.
Serenity’s vibe is usually calm and quiet in the early hours and around dinner time. But midday, especially on a sea day, it can get busy, and those padded loungers fill up fast.
If you do find an open clamshell you should probably grab it right away. Just be mindful of others if you’re planning on parking there for the entirety of the afternoon.
I have some Carnival-only friends that will spend almost the entire cruise in Serenity. They’re also usually burnt to a crisp by the end of each cruise from lying in the sun all day.
There are no formal opening and closing times, and I’ve found that the age restriction is fairly well enforced. On some ships it’s a little too close to the waterpark for my liking, though.
Locations of Serenity on Carnival Ships
Some Carnival ships have Serenity in the front, and some have it in the back. I like the aft locations better for noise and wind, and here is a list of Carnival ships with Serenity locations in the back of the ship:
Aft Locations: Carnival Legend, Miracle, Paradise, Pride, Spirit, and Splendor have aft Serenity Decks.
Some ships have split level Serenity decks too.
Split-Level: Carnival Dream, Sunrise, and Radiance have split-level Serenity Decks. Carnival Sunshine’s Serenity Deck is split across three levels.
There’s a bar in Serenity, and some ships have a Fresh Creations salad bar as well with some light snacks available throughout the day.
Premium/Paid Option: Loft 19
So, this is not strictly an adult-only space. Children can be in the area if their parents booked a suite or rented a cabana. But in my experience, it’s mostly kid-free. Take that for what it’s worth.
Loft 19 is only available on Excel-class ships with Carnival (Mardi Gras, Celebration, Jubilee), and it’s a retreat that is free for suite guests. It’s located on deck 19, as the name suggests, and this high location really makes it feel separate from the rest of the ship.
If you don’t have a suite on one of these Carnival ships, you can still get in, but it will cost you extra. A full-day pass (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) for a cabana costs $50 on port days and $150 on sea days (price subject to change). Week-long access to a cabana is usually available for $900 per cabana, in addition to an 18-percent gratuity.
Booking a reservation for access to Loft 19 is the way to go, but you can always walk up to see if anything is available.
Royal Caribbean’s Solarium and Hideaway
The first time I walked into the Solarium on Allure of the Seas I was hooked on the space. Not only is it just for passengers 18 and up (with some exceptions for families to use it during embarkation etc.), but it’s also just such a peaceful area full of light from the glass dome, in addition to hot tubs, pools, and loungers across the entire span of the ship.
But Oasis-class ships aren’t the only ones with Solariums. In fact, just about every ship in the fleet has a Solarium, except for the newest Icon of the Seas, which has its own adult-only area we will talk about in a minute.
This space is usually a quiet area with soft music playing, although the areas around the hot tubs or pools might get a little louder during busy times. It’s located at the front of the ship in most newer vessels and more mid-ship on older vessels.
The faux palm trees and tropical plants give the area a relaxed tropical island feel that is a great getaway from the busy waterpark on board.
Dining in the Solarium on certain Royal Caribbean ships offers a relaxed vibe with the Solarium Bistro serving lighter meals like salads and grilled dishes for breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner. There’s also a bar in the area.
The Hideaway
One of the biggest, and somewhat disappointing, things I noticed when I sailed on one of the first Icon of the Seas cruises was that it didn’t have a Solarium. The bulbous AquaDome is at the front of the ship. While it soaks in plenty of natural light, it’s more of a peaceful observation deck than a Solarium. I loved hanging out in the AquaDome, by the way. The nearby AquaDome Market was one of my favorite places to grab a bite to eat, too.
Royal Caribbean’s adult-only (18 and up) area on Icon-class ships is at the very back of the vessel. The Hideaway has a beach-vibe with an incredibly inviting aft-facing pool, cozy day beds, and padded loungers that look out over the wake-view of the ship.
It can be a lively atmosphere during the peak times with some socializing going on, and is fairly close to the waterpark, but surprisingly, I didn’t notice too much spillover of noise from there.
The Hideaway is terraced, with different levels offering various seating options, including loungers, daybeds, and whirlpools.
It’s also free to enter. Think of it like a beach club – you can hang out there without paying. But, like a real beach club, the fancier stuff costs extra. Want a comfy daybed or a private cabana? That’ll be an added charge. Same goes for special drinks or bottle service. So, while chilling in The Hideaway is included, the really nice stuff will cost you extra.
Reserving a daybed for 2-4 people will also include pool towels, bottles of water, a tray to put your belongings, dedicated beverage service, and a bottle of champagne.
Norwegian’s Spice H2O and Vibe Beach Club
Norwegian Cruise Line offers two distinct adult-only areas on their ships: Spice H2O and the exclusive Vibe Beach Club.
Spice H2O, an Ibiza-inspired retreat, is free to access and available on select Norwegian ships, including Norwegian Sun, Breakaway, Getaway, Escape, Joy, Bliss, Star, and Epic.
Think daytime sunbathing and nighttime transformations into an open-air lounge with live music and entertainment. It can be a lively spot during certain times of day (or night), and it can get crowded.
One thing to note: smoking may be permitted in designated areas of Spice H2O on some ships, which could be a turn-off for some. Spice H2O is open to all adult guests, typically 18 and older, although there has been some discussion about how well this is enforced.
Premium/Paid Option: Vibe Beach Club
For a more premium experience, Norwegian offers the Vibe Beach Club on select ships: Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Escape, Getaway, Joy, Prima, and Viva.
This extra-fee area promises a more exclusive and even more peaceful escape. There are private cabanas (available for an additional fee), a dedicated concierge, oversized hot tubs, comfortable daybeds, a full-service bar, chilled towels, and some fresh snacks.
Vibe Beach Club access usually requires buying a multi-day pass, but you should know, the price is variable. A 7-day cruise might start around $229 per person, but it can easily climb from there – Norwegian doesn’t publish prices. Haven suite guests sometimes get in free, which tells you something about the target audience. Vibe is a more luxurious and less crowded experience than Spice H2O, with better service, but space is limited, so book ahead if you’re splurging.
Comparison Chart
| Feature | Royal Caribbean | Carnival | Norwegian Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult-Only | Solarium, Hideaway (Icon Class), Cloud 17 (Icon Class) | Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, Loft 19 (Mardi Gras & Carnival Celebration only) | Spice H2O, Vibe Beach Club (select ships), Bliss Ultra Lounge (select ships), Haven |
| Free | Solarium | Serenity Adult-Only Retreat | Spice H2O |
| Extra Cost/Premium | Hideaway, Cloud 17 | Loft 19 | Vibe Beach Club, Haven |
| Age Restrictions | 18+ (Solarium, but may have family hours) | 21+ (Serenity) | 18+ (Spice H2O) |
Bottom Line
Each cruise line offers a different flavor of adult-only escape. Time of year and duration of cruise will make a difference as to how many kids are on board as well. So, if you want the best way to enjoy a relaxing cruise while still cruising with a mainstream cruise line, I hope the above information will help.
Ultimately, the best adult-only space depends on your budget and preferences. Carnival’s Serenity offers a solid free option, while Royal Caribbean and Norwegian provide more premium experiences for a fee.
And if you really want to splurge, you can just book a swanky suite and have your own private oasis whenever you want.