US liner Oceania Cruises is now focusing on an adults-only concept to appease its affluent clientele. -- BERND WUSTNECK/dpa
Oceania Cruises is switching to adults-only travel. The luxury cruise line from the United States has announced that, with immediate effect, bookings can no longer be made for guests under the age of 18.
Existing reservations for children and teenagers made before Jan 7 will remain valid, it says.
The company, part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, says the decision was based on guest feedback. Many repeat customers value the calm, relaxed atmosphere on board, which the company says is a key reason for their loyalty.
According to industry media, families with children have never been a core target group for Oceania. The cruise line primarily caters to older couples, and its eight-ship fleet has so far offered no dedicated programmes or facilities for minors.
Oceania is not alone in focusing on adults-only cruising. Virgin Voyages restricts all four of its ships to adult guests, while Viking Ocean Cruises bars under-18 passengers across its 15 ocean vessels.
British operator Saga Cruises explicitly targets travellers aged 50 and over.
Other cruise lines are taking a mixed approach. British-based P&O Cruises currently operates two adult-only ships, Arcadia and Aurora, but plans to welcome families with children back on board from December 2026. – dpa
