If you’re thinking about booking a future family vacation with this cruise line, you might want to reconsider.
Oceania Cruises will exclusively welcome guests ages 18 and older for all new reservations made starting Jan. 7, 2026, marking a significant policy change for the luxury cruise line owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., according to a press release from the company.
All existing reservations made before Jan. 7, 2026, that include travelers under 18 will be grandfathered to ensure a seamless transition for current guests.
Here’s why Oceania Cruises is making the change.
Why is Oceania Cruises going adults only?
Oceania Cruises made the change after conducting major research on customer preferences, which found that customers prefer to cruise in a calm, sophisticated environment.
According to Travel + Leisure, the cruise liner’s position on having children on board has been neutral until now.
“Our guests have consistently shared that the tranquil environment aboard our ships is one of the primary reasons they return time and time again,” Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises, said in a statement. “By transitioning to an adults-only experience, we are enhancing the very essence of the Oceania Cruises journey – one defined by sophistication, serenity and discovery.”
Oceania Cruises is not the only cruise liner that is adults only.
Viking Cruises led the adults-only cruise movement on both its ocean and river cruises, according to The Los Angeles Times.
