Virgin Voyages debuted in 2021 as the only adults-only cruise line in the industry, a venture that is proving to be very successful. This year, the cruise line debuted its fourth ship, the first of its ships to sail from all corners of the United States, and able to traverse the Panama Canal.
In August 2025, Carnival Cruise Line decided to wade into the waters of adults-only cruising. The cruise lines’ first “SEA cruises” (sailings exclusively for adults) were by invitation-only and were focused on casino offers.
Despite Carnival’s trepidation that the adults-only cruises might be controversial and go against their long-time family friendly cruise line image, the sailing proved to be extremely popular. The cruise line quickly decided to add more SEA cruises in early 2026 that are open to all adult members of the VIFP Club loyalty program.
These additional SEA cruises in no way indicate that Carnival is moving away from its family friendly cruise line image, but it does mean the cruise line is listening to its passengers. Carnival Cruise Line Ambassador, John Heald, discussed these adult-only cruises in a recent social media post when responding to a message he received from a parent of adult children who was asking for more adults-only cruises.
Heald said, “So before I continue let me say that we are and always will be a proud family cruise line and I don’t ever want you to think that this is changing. However, I have seen how extraordinarily popular the adult only cruises that we have done so far have been. It has been fascinating for me to read that lots of the people who have taken these adults-only cruises still cruise with their children but enjoy a chance to not do so. There is a thought then that says cruises with your children isn’t a vacation………..just a relocation.”
He went on to mention the three sailings from Port Canaveral, Miami and Galveston that are already sold out, and that he was unsure if more cruises would be added. In true Heald fashion, he stated the “beards” might add more SEA cruises if people would share their thoughts in the comments on the post.
Heald also said he thought perhaps the cruise line had “stumbled across a secret and discovered that not all family cruises have to feature the whole family and those choosing these adult only cruises seem very happy to know this.”
Keep your eyes open, more Carnival Cruise Line adults-only cruises seem to be on the horizon.