Which Marella ship is adult only?

Marella Explorer 2 is our only ship that's reserved exclusively for adults. An adults-only cruise is a sailing with a minimum age limit for passengers – usually 18 years and over.



As of 2026, Marella Cruises (operated by TUI) has expanded its "Adults Only" fleet to meet the surging demand for child-free travel. The flagship adult-only vessel remains the Marella Explorer 2, which has operated exclusively for adults since its launch with the brand. However, for the Summer 2026 season, Marella has officially transitioned the Marella Discovery to be its second adult-only ship. This move means that both the Explorer 2 and the Discovery now cater exclusively to guests aged 18 and over, featuring sophisticated dining, "The Veranda" private sun decks, and entertainment tailored to a mature audience. The newer Marella Voyager also features extensive "Adults Only" zones (like "The Hideaway"), though it remains a family-friendly ship overall. This shift reflects a broader trend in the cruise industry where lines are dedicating entire hulls to the "quiet luxury" and social atmosphere sought by couples and solo travelers who prefer to avoid the high-energy, kid-centric amenities of traditional family megaships.

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Adult Focused Cruise Options and Amenities
  • Carnival Serenity Adult-Only Retreat.
  • Silversea All-Inclusive Ultra-Luxury Cruises.
  • Seabourn Luxury Cruises.
  • Windstar Small Ship Cruises.
  • Oceania Cruises.
  • Azamara Luxury Cruises.


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Children are one of life's great joys, but on Virgin Voyages, we believe absence makes the heart grow fonder. That's why, despite the fact that our ships are a playground for your inner child, we've chosen to curate an adults-only cruise experience.

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Best Luxury Cruise Lines
  • #1. Viking Ocean Cruises.
  • #2. Seabourn Cruise Line.
  • #3. Regent Seven Seas Cruises.


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Our river cruises combine standout service and culture-packed excursions with nightly entertainment and a choice of restaurants and lounges. All our ships are adults only, and there's a maximum of 155 guests onboard at any time, so you can be sure that you'll have your own space.

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Our Cruise Experts have selected the following as their top three picks for laid back and informal cruise options:
  • Norwegian Cruise Line. For an informal and relaxed cruise holiday our Cruise Experts top recommendation would be Norwegian Cruise Line. ...
  • Princess Cruises. ...
  • Oceania.


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The ship was a deserved winner of the 2016 Editors' Picks Awards for Best New Ship, and the move (in 2017) to the ship going all-inclusive has cemented its appeal as a great all-rounder accessible to most budgets.

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Norwegian Cruise Line also has three adults-only outdoor areas for guests 18 and older. These areas can be found on Norwegian's Bliss, Joy, Escape, Getaway, and Breakaway ships. The outdoor area is perfect for enjoying a cocktail and soaking up the sun without the loud music or screaming children.

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Come aboard our adults-only cruises for a kids-free getaway at sea. Children are one of life's great joys, but on Virgin Voyages, we believe absence makes the heart grow fonder. That's why, despite the fact that our ships are a playground for your inner child, we've chosen to curate an adults-only cruise experience.

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As it stands and the moment, you will not able to get off the ship in port unless you are on a Marella organised Shore excursion. Yes we know it's a way for TUI to make some much needed money back, but it's to identify ship bubbles.

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P&O Cruises The most popular cruise line in the UK with its authentic British cruising experience. These gleaming white superliners offer great value for money with effortless travel, fine dining, dazzling entertainment and exceptional service all included in your fare.

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Eastbound cruises get the most sun on the port side; westbound on the starboard side. Watching a sunset over the ocean or seeing the sun slip behind distant islands can also be a reason for a side preference. To catch sunsets, you'll want to be on the port side on northbound cruises and starboard on southbound cruises.

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