@russs7574

The issue really isn't kids on a cruise ship.  The issue is parents who won't supervise their kids and keep them under control.

@ronnyb9416

My rules to avoid the little Snot Gobblers.....
1. Cruise for 10 days or longer
2. Avoid holidays and school breaks
3. Transatlantic or cruises far away from the USA
4. Avoid specific cruises offering free kid sailings

@davidjames6879

As Gary mentioned, part of the problem with adult only areas is the lack of enforcement.  If the cruise line were more diligent with promising an enjoyable vacation onboard, and provide a (at least) sanctuary for parents, some of these issues would mitigate.  But as personal  entitlement and disregard for rules  has put fear into any entity anywhere that wants to implement it's [olicies and procedures, then those efforts are generally fruitless.

@angieharris8015

September is a sure-fire way to avoid the majority of kids and college-students because September is the START of the school-year for most schools and colleges. If any parent pulls their kid out of school at the very beginning of the school-year, they are crazy lol. September always works for me! In fact, I'm going on another Alaskan cruise....in September.  Yayyy. Study hard, kiddos! 😂

@MelvisVelour

We recently took a cruise on Oceania Vista from Istanbul to Rome and there was one multi-generational family which had a baby and a small child.  On the first night, we were having a lovely dinner at Ember and the small child was just running out of control screaming his head off.  The wonderful staff tried to gently reign this miniature Tasmanian Devil in with no luck and the parents really didn't seem to care and finally he ran smack into this older lady who gave him a glare that could instantly freeze water in the Sahara on a hot day and he quieted down and went back to his family.  A number of us bought the lady and her party some really good glasses of wine as thanks...

For the rest of the cruise, that family was usually seated in some remote corner of the restaurants to keep any possible outburst as isolated as possible.

@danielintheantipodes6741

Here in Australia the school holiday dates are very different for each state.  Has to be factored in for anyone who wants to avoid school holidays.  Thank you for your video.

@peedee2221

Viking for us. No kids  no casino, no photographers, no bingo. Most things included in the price. Heaven.

@marilynwelther5823

Some good advice in this video, particularly about seasons that are prime children and young people. Personally I avoid Spring break because tends to encourage rowdy groups.

@yaakovina

We just took a 10 day Seabourn cruise (Western Mediterranean and Morocco, Aug. 1-10, 2024). Just reporting back on number of children: I think there were 3 kids. I love children, but after a career as an elementary school teacher, I need a vacation from them! Especially because it’s second nature for me to jump into “teacher mode,” if they start misbehaving. (Lol as much as the other adult cruise passengers appreciate this, it’s why I need a break!) I sure wish more parents would raise well-behaved children. 
Also, even though it was high season, we found that the ports of call were mostly not too busy/congested at all. Presumably, this was because Seabourn’s ships are small, so they can get to out-of-the-way ports that the bigger ships physically cannot, and where local regulations limit the number of cruise passengers per day.
All of these details worked to make a very enjoyable and relaxing cruise experience.

@FraserAtSea

I previously hadn't thought too much about 'adult only' cruises, but have just returned from a 7-night Virgin cruise, and found it to be SO chilled onboard. What I've boiled it down to isn't that there were no kids playing onboard, I think it's that the removal of kids allowed the parents to properly relaxed - I was really impressed!

@StillSandy

Thank you!! I am for all kid free cruising only. I very much appreciate this information.

@thetravelportfoliousa6148

Excellent video.  Everyone has a right to want to avoid kids and obnoxious adults on a cruise or any other type of vacation.  The lack of a sense of  boundaries can be off-putting - or even terrifying.

In some instances, it might be a case of wanting time for solitude.  To each their own.

@patty17294

I just wanted to thank you for all your advices. Just came back from my first cruise and felt like a "pro", explaining to my husband everything I learned through your channel. Thank you again, the experience was way easier and pleasant due to your great help! ❤❤❤

@jeffreyclinard2002

If you want to go on a shorter cruise with fewer children, find a ship that does three night / four night sailings, and go on the four night during school periods (especially at the beginning of September, which is the first week of school for many children).  The four night sailings are usually Monday to Friday, while the weekend sailings are Friday to Monday.

My upcoming sailing on Disney to Alaska was booked for September for twin reasons.  First, it was cheaper.  Second, while I accept you're likely to never fully get away from children on Disney,  the first week of September I think will be one of the slowest weeks for that outside of  repositioning.  On the whole, I actually found the adults do a very good job of parenting their kids on Disney (unlike an experience on Royal Caribbean a few years ago, which had kids running around at an adult game show, and some kid on a push bike zipping around the buffet).

@sl4193

Thank you for your insights, Gary.
As always, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on cruising, the challenges and recent changes.

@well-blazeredman6187

Many, many years ago, my sister went on an educational cruise on the SS Nevasa.  It had a sister--ship, the Uganda, doing the same work.  The only adults onboard were a few teachers and the crew.  She had a great time  - and the ship didn't seem to regress into the SS St Trinian's.
Good video.

@williamrowe1369

Thanks Gary for another great video!  However, it is very easy for me. I have 4 Virgin Voyages cruises coming up.  No kids ever.  Absolutely love the line!

@007Aura

This is so timely! 👏🏾 I have just got off both the Celebrity Ascent and Sun Princess and I was horrified to find that the experience was dramatically different then what I’m used to because there were so many children onboard. They were running amuck up and down the stairs, along the decks, in the lifts, screaming, crying, arguing with their parents, jumping in the pools and splashing in the hot tubs!?! 😱. It was horrific.

I don’t think some parents understand (or care?) that bringing their children onto ships that don’t really cater to them is unbelievably annoying to many passengers (like me) who don’t want to be surrounded by children when they’re on holiday. Why can’t they take them on a line that the children actually want to go on? (like Royal Caribbean for instance?) 

The Future cruise agent explained to me that it was because of the summer holidays but I’m sure I’ve cruised on Celebrity around this time before? 

Anyway, thank you so much for covering this as I really need some practical advice!

@zzzabcd13

it would be good if cruise lines dedicated adult only part of decks, where cabins are for adults only

@dchenkin02

My best friend and I did this on Carnival starting on Labor Day 2022.  We saw less than a dozen children on our Monday through Friday morning cruise to Ensenada, Mexico.  We saw more unruly behavior from intoxicated young adults than children on that cruise.  Absolutely, sailing when kids near the embarkation port are in school is a great way to sail without children running around on the budget friendly cruise lines.