I’m declaring it: 2024 will be the year we challenge the stereotype that cruises are just for the older crowd.

But is it worth using your annual leave on one?

With the nine-month Ultimate World Cruise creating viral moments on TikTok and Sir Richard Branson introducing adults-only cruise experiences with Virgin Voyages, I’m gradually starting to believe that you don’t need grandchildren to enjoy a cruise. This has piqued my curiosity about cruises as a vacation option, and after experiencing Virgin Voyages in Europe, I’m convinced that adults-only cruises are an excellent choice for the laid-back (or demanding) traveler. Here’s why.

Transport never looked so good. (Image: Instagram / @virginvoyages)

1. There’s As Much Alone Time & Together Time As You Want

Sadly, I find it difficult to tolerate any travel companion (whether platonic, romantic, or family) for more than three days straight — I need my own space to avoid turning into a grumpy mess. That’s where this adults-only cruise truly opened my eyes.

If you’ve ever seen the size of typical cruise ship cabins, you’ll know that you’ll want to play music while using the bathroom if you’re sharing a room. It’s snug, but unlike a tiny Airbnb in Europe, you have an entire ship to explore, whether it’s to do your business or just relax.

Omw to urinate in silence. (Photo: Supplied.)

There are bathrooms everywhere, but on a cruise ship, you also have access to various other spaces like game rooms (I’m a sucker for Tetris), restaurants, cafes, lounges, pools, spas, and more activities I can’t list because it would exceed my word limit.

In my gamer era pls don’t follow me. (Photo: Supplied.)

Apart from the cruise ship, if your journey includes a disembarkation point — and most do — you can also enjoy some personal space off the boat.

Want to explore Lokrum while your travel buddy checks out Dubrovnik’s city walls? Not a problem.

OK, see you back on the ship!!! (Image: Supplied.)

2. You Don’t Have To Plan (As Much) On An Adults-Only Cruise

I can’t count the number of vacation discussions that never materialized because of the planning involved. Conversations about flights, transportation, budget, and more can quickly deflate anyone’s holiday enthusiasm.

It’s not unusual for someone in the travel group to have endless questions before booking, such as, “Where will we have lunch on Day 3?” or to say things like, “I don’t want to change accommodations more than once during the trip.” You know the type.

Waking up in a new country without changing hotel rooms? Sign me up. (Image: Supplied.)

Sure, you’ll need to figure out how to get to and from the port the ship departs from.

But an adults-only cruise significantly reduces the organizational effort between embarking and disembarking (like finding accommodations near attractions without breaking the bank — I should be arrested for the amount of time I spend on Booking.com).

This means more time for bonding or just relaxing, which is the kind of vacation many people prefer.

What a backdrop. (Image: Supplied.)

3. Your Itinerary’s As Sorted Or As Flexible As You Like

One thing that amazes me about an adults-only cruise is the variety of entertainment options, ranging from fitness to wellness, theatre, dance, art, and more.

One evening, I enjoyed dinner with trivia and a show, and the next morning, I was participating in a bungee class overlooking the sea (the most entertaining workout I’ve ever done, highly recommended). That afternoon? I indulged in a spa session to relieve my back tension.

Three hours at the spa? Well, it’s not called a holiday for nothin’. (Image: Supplied.)

While the options for dining and activities are fewer than if you were staying overnight in a city rather than at sea, there’s still a wealth of options to entertain everyone and ensure everyone’s happiness without any disputes over dinner choices.

Just hanging out wbu? (Image: Supplied.)

4. There’s No Drama Dividing Costs

The great thing about cruises is that they come with a set price that includes meals, accommodation, activities, soft drinks, and more while on board, which significantly reduces one of the biggest travel headaches: dividing costs.

There’s something to be said for activities that are included in your booking price. You know when you’re on holiday, and there’s hesitation about a bike ride or winery visit because of the cost? Not a concern at sea.

No bills. No splitwise. (Image: Supplied.)

Your Splitwise account can take a break. For expenses not covered by the “ticket,” such as alcohol, each passenger (on Virgin Voyages, at least) has an armband that acts like an electronic tab. If you grab someone a drink from the bar using your armband, you can allocate that cost to them in the app too.

Don’t worry, you can ensure you haven’t gone overboard in the app, which tracks all your transactions as you go.

Chic? TBC. (Image: Supplied.)

The Adults-Only Cruise Verdict

If there’s one thing that resonated with me during this adults-only cruise, it was how convenient and hassle-free it was compared to other vacations I’ve been on.

I embarked on this cruise in the midst of a larger European trip, and taking a break from the logistical challenges of travel — like lugging your suitcase up flights of stairs every other night or spending 10 hours at the airport weekly — made the cruise feel like a vacation within a vacation.

Just having a champas at sea instead of neck pain in the air, WBU? (Image: Supplied.)

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from an adults-only cruise, especially concerning fellow passengers my age. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of people in their 20s and 30s on board.

Of course, every cruise will attract an older demographic who have embraced the cruise lifestyle — adults-only or not — but this one was a step in the right direction with no noisy children and a ship designed to please all 18+ age groups.

Everyone on board is at least young at heart and shares a common desire: to avoid being around kids, whether they’re theirs or someone else’s.

In all honesty, I wish I had stopped judging cruises so harshly sooner.

Chantelle Schmidt is a freelance writer who traveled as a guest of Virgin Voyages. You can follow her on Instagram.