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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Travel
Julie Delahaye

Best cruise lines for couples including top adults-only cruise ships

Cruise holidays can be ideal for a romantic break.

Think elegant cabins, luxurious spas, fine dining restaurants, heaps of activities and, of course, the chance to go exploring plenty of new destinations.

After all, with hotspots from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean on offer, it's an easy way to have an adventure without the stress of organising every part of your trip.

But like any romantic holiday, there is some planning involved, especially when it comes to picking the right cruise lines for a couple's holiday.

Luckily, we've done the leg work for you and searched out the top cruise lines for couples including those that offer adults-only sailings.

Check out our round-up below...

Looking for more inspiration? Mirror Cruise has deals on Honeymoon Cruises from £699pp .

1. P&O Cruises

Arcadia (Getty Images)

 

P&O Cruises offers three adults-only ships; Arcadia , Oriana and, when its refurbishment is completed this year, Aurora .

These are all mid-size ships so it can feel a little more intimate compared to the larger cruise ships, but still with plenty of space so you don't feel like it's too cramped.

Meanwhile P&O offers up heaps of perfect date settings whether you're after a leisurely walk along the deck, want to indulge at the fine dining restaurants on board, relax at the spa or catch a show as part of the evening entertainment.

As for the destinations? Expect sailings to the likes of Norway, Mediterranean hotspots, the Canary Islands and even a few British hotspots or two.

Best all inclusive cruise deals for 2019/2020 sailings  

2. Princess Cruises

 

Although Princess Cruises doesn't specifically offer adults-only sailings, it does cater to couples who want some time away from large groups or families with noisy children.

For example, ships such as Crown Princess , Emerald Princess and Regal Princess have their own retreat The Sanctuary, an adults-only haven where you'll find signature drinks, light meals, massages and extra treats.

As for dates? Think movies under the stars, in-cabin dining (including three-course meals), lush spas and of course the glamorous destinations on offer from Alaska to the Caribbean.

Oh, and for those celebrating something special the cruise line also offers Honeymoon and Anniversary packages with extras including the likes of spa passes and champagne.

In fact, they even accommodate weddings on board .

Best Caribbean cruises and top tips for finding cheap packages  

3. Fred Olsen

The river cruise giant offers up plenty of adults-only sailings , whether you're looking to discover the Norwegian Fjords or want to soak up the sunshine in the Canary Islands.

The cruise line is renowned for offering smaller ships which are less crowded than some of the larger ships to be found with other companies - so it feels a little cosier.

Then there are the seriously elegant cabins with their cosy home-from-home vibes, the fine dining and plenty of fun excursions sure to make for lifelong memories.

4. MSC Cruises

MSC Fantasia (ullstein bild via Getty Images)

 

Although MSC doesn't have adults-only ships, there are a few of its ships such as MSC Fantasia , MSC Divina and MSC Preziosa which tend to cater to more of an adult audience, meaning they're not quite as popular with families.

For example, all three ships offer an MSC Aurea Spa, an adults-only sun deck with stunning sea views, a dedicated spa service and a bar menu.

Meanwhile the fine dining restaurants, luxurious cabins and glamorous destinations all make for an ideal getaway - not to mention the company offers dedicated honeymoon and anniversary celebration packages.

Best themed cruises for 2019/2020 from Strictly Come Dancing to French wines  

5. Viking River Cruises

If you've been thinking of a honeymoon in Europe but can't choose between all of the top European honeymoon destinations , why not head on a trip that gives you a taste of a whole host of them?

Viking River Cruises offers plenty of glamorous itineraries, not to mention that it's known for its smaller ships with elegant cabins, with onboard activities including guest lectures, cooking demonstrations and wine tastings.

As of 2018, the entirety of Viking River Cruises' fleet has gone adults only - although it's worth noting that the cruise line is honouring any bookings made before the change up until the end of 2019, for those who booked with passengers aged under 18.

6. Saga Holidays

 

As it's an over 50s travel firm, it comes as no surprise that Saga's cruises are adults-only.

The company offers a mixture of ocean cruises and river cruises , and boasts smaller ships for an intimate feel, and your itinerary is all planned from the moment you leave home taking out all the stress of holiday planning.

On board you'll find the likes of cosy libraries, elegant dining rooms for everything from afternoon tea to gourmet dinners, and stylish cabins with all those home comforts you need for a relaxing stay.

Meanwhile, off the ship, you can expect fascinating shore excursions whether you're searching for the Northern Lights in Norway, soaking up the sun in the Caribbean or discovering new cities in the Mediterranean.

7. Marella Cruises

Marella Explorer 2 (Marella Cruises)

 

Marella's new adults-only ship Marella Explorer 2 has been tailored for couples, friends and groups, and includes some quirky themed dining venues from a golf-inspired eatery to a dedicated bubbles and fizz bar.

The 1,814 capacity ship will spend her first winter season in Bridgetown, Barbados with three wanderlust-inducing itineraries spanning destinations including St Lucia, Aruba and the Grenadines.

Oh, and for those looking to get the best bang for their buck, from summer 2019 the entire of Marella's fleet will be going all-inclusive , including extras such as transfers and tips.

You can find packages from £510pp too, making for a budget-friendly way of exploring the world of cruise.

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