ALL ABOVE BOARD
Four adult-only cruises to book now – with on-board spas, pyjama parties and archery-at-sea
Enjoy serene relaxation, vibrant nightlife, and tailored experiences without any interruptions
THE kids are finally back at school, so now it’s time for the grown-ups to put their feet up.
And there are few better ways to unwind than a cruise. From epic adventures around the Caribbean to wild nights partying on the White Isle, Sophie Swietochowski picks her top adult-only sailings still with availability this year.
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1. FRENCH DAZE & IBIZA NIGHTS: If a raucous adults-only getaway is what you’re after, that’s certainly what you’ll get on board Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages — and this French Daze & Ibiza Nights cruise has 70 per cent off for the second passenger, but you’ll have to be ready to set sail straight away.
When you’re not swigging back cocktails in your jammies at the PJ party on board Scarlet Lady, you’ll be dancing til dawn on the sands of Ibiza or slurping some of the finest rose in France’s Provence.
And if all that boozing leads to a bit of a sore head, the ship is home to a marble-clad spa complete with a mud room, salt room, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, and heated hammam benches.
The seven-night voyage costs from £1091.69pp, based on two sharing an indoor cabin and departing from Barcelona on September 29.
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The ship calls at Marseille, Cannes, Mallorca, and Ibiza. See .
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2. NORWAY’S LAND OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS: This 14-night icy voyage around Norway’s snow-capped peaks is certainly one for the bucket list as you hunt for the famous Northern Lights.
Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition is all about the grown-up getaways with sophisticated dining options like Lupino’s, an al-fresco style Mediterranean restaurant, and a lavish theatre hosting epic musical performances.
The sailing departs in November so pack your winter coat as it’ll be chilly outside, but the frost only adds to the magic.
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The ship sails from London Tilbury to Haugesund, Alesund, Trondheim, Alta, Leknes, Narvik, Bodo and Bergen.
The Norway’s Land of the Northern Lights voyage costs from £1,199pp in the end of summer sale. See .
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3. CARIBBEAN DISCOVERY: Got buckets of time? Well, pack your sunscreen as P&O Cruises has a mega 24-night trip that will take you around some of the Caribbean’s most picturesque, sun-drenched islands.
You’ll tick off St Maarten, the French-half Dutch port littered with little boutiques; Guadeloupe, where hikers will have their pick of craggy trails; Kingstown in St Vincent, home to lush botanical gardens and Bridgetown in Barbados, where you can swig on rum until the sun comes up.
The cruise also calls at Madeira and Ponta Delgada in Portugal.
With plenty of days at sea you’ll have ample time to soak up Aurora’s fun with an epic casino on board, interactive game shows, archery, a cinema and even a library.
The 24-night sailing (R421) costs from £2,399pp, departing Southampton on October 29. See .
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4. FESTIVE FLAVOURS: For a festive-themed European break, few do it better than TUI’s adult-only river cruises.
This five-night sailing along Germany’s Rhine River will call at some of the best Christmas markets in the world, including the one in Cologne selling sweet and spicy biscuits and blown-glass trinkets.
From the top deck of TUI Skyla, you’ll be able to admire the passing cities or join one of the open-air movie nights under a blanket of stars.
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Be prepared to not just fill your boots with Christmas gifts but your stomach with grub as on top of the market grub, cruisers will be treated to a six-course gala dinner on board the ship one evening.
The five-night voyage costs from £978pp, departing Mainz on December 8 and calling at Bonn, Cologne, Dusseldorf and Koblenz. See .
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