Enjoy an Adult Cruise Vacation on any Cruise Ship

Today's cruise ships are family-friendly floating theme parks with arcades, water slides, and extensive children's programs. While this is a great getaway for the hundreds of kids on board, what many prospective passengers don't realize is that these same cruise ships can also be wonderfully tranquil destinations for parents and child-free adults. With proper planning, a cruise ship can be the perfect getaway from the kids, no matter how many of them - including your own - are on board.

When to Cruise

Once of the easiest ways to ensure that you can find quiet time on board away from the kids is to choose a time for your cruise vacation when there will be fewer young passengers. Avoid common school vacation periods, such as Thanksgiving week, the Christmas holidays, and the summer months. In general, the best times for more adult-oriented cruises are in January and February or later in the year during September and October. Cruises during the week are also a safer bet for a more grown up vacation.

Choosing a Cabin

Where your stateroom is located on the ship can help give you a quiet, private oasis away from the exuberant activities and excited younger passengers. Check out deck plans before you book your cruise, and opt for a cabin away from decks with nearby pools or children's centers. Families are more likely to book less expensive cabins such as interior rooms, so choosing an upgraded stateroom with a private balcony not only minimizes the chances of having young neighbors, but it also gives you an even more enjoyable retreat on board. Parents who are booking a separate cabin for their children will want to be nearby, but they can easily opt for both an ocean view and an interior stateroom across the hall from one another.

Similarly, when you make your cruise reservations you can request the later assigned dining time, one that is less popular with families that have young children. Larger cruise ships also have private supper clubs and while they usually require an extra fee, it can be worth it for a romantic, secluded dinner.

Secluded Spaces

A cruise ship is a large space with many quiet, relaxing spots to find, no matter how many hundreds or thousands of children are on board. These can be delightful places for catching a quick nap, reading a book, or just enjoying being at sea. Furthermore, many ships designate adults-only areas either for the entire cruise or at certain times. Great spots to check include:

• Fitness center
• Sauna or steam rooms
• Adults-only solariums or pools
• Casino
• Empty dance clubs and lounges
• Library
• Empty decks far from pool activities
• Bars

Awesome Activities

Cruise ships have full schedules of activities whether they are cruising the open ocean or docked in port. While activities such as towel-folding demonstrations, scavenger hunts, and magic shows often attract many of the ship's younger passengers, other activities are more adult-oriented, including...

• Late night dance clubs
• Late night, mature comedy shows
• Fitness classes
• Educational and informative lectures
• Casino gaming lessons
• Spa demonstrations, tours, and treatments
• Trivia contests
• Wine tasting and bar mixology demonstrations

Going Ashore

Some of the most fun from a cruise vacation is visiting unique ports of call. Cruises offer dozens of organized shore tours that provide a safe, easy way for passengers to experience new cultures and activities. Tours such as dolphin swims, beginner's snorkeling, glass bottom boats, pirate museums, and animal encounters are the most popular for families and children. If you're looking for a more adult excursion, consider tours organized around the area's historic and cultural significance, rounds of golf, SCUBA diving, shopping, and party boats. Be sure to read the descriptions of each shore tour before choosing your best options: many of them will list age requirements that can give you a clue about whether or not they are child-friendly tours.

Too Many Kids

While you may hope that your own children are well behaved on board and you will discipline them appropriately if they are not, there will be other parents on the ship who are willing to let their children be more rambunctious and out of control. If you have a problem with children in areas where they don't belong or who are behaving inappropriately, contact the purser's information desk or call security directly for severe complaints. The ship's staff will be able to control the problem and inform the children's parents of any misbehavior. In extreme cases, such as harassment or property damage, the parents may be charged fines if necessary.

It isn't hard to enjoy an adult cruise vacation, even if you bring your kids along on the voyage or if you have no children of your own. With proper planning for the right sailing and stateroom and care taken on board for adult-oriented activities and excursions, any parent or adult can enjoy a relaxing, invigorating getaway on the high seas. Bon Voyage!