Cruising has long carried a reputation as the domain of retirees with shuffleboard, ballroom dancing and quiet nights at sea. Yet on many cruise lines, the modern reality is very different.
Today’s newest ships are often packed with families, waterparks and late-night entertainment, a trend that’s seen cruise ships of all kinds become more popular with families.
Yet not every cruiser is looking for the same kind of holiday. That tension between serenity and family fun is now playing out among Britain’s biggest cruise lines.
In 2026, two of the UK’s most established cruise brands will take opposite approaches to the adults-only question. P&O Cruises will open two of its traditionally child-free ships to families on select voyages, while Fred Olsen will make one of its vessels adults-only year-round.
The decisions reflect contrasting strategies for how to balance nostalgia, loyalty and shifting demand in a fast-evolving market.
P&O Cruises’ Arcadia and Aurora have long been havens for adults seeking a quieter experience at sea. They lack the splash zones, climbing walls, and children’s clubs found on larger ships like Iona and Arvia.
From December 2026, however, both vessels will welcome families on a limited number of itineraries ranging from short European city breaks to extended voyages through the Mediterranean and Canary Islands.
The cruise line says the move responds to guest feedback from families wanting to share the smaller, more traditional P&O Cruises experience. In practice, that means select sailings, particularly during the Christmas and summer vacation periods, will now be open to passengers of all ages.
Aurora’s first family-friendly sailing will depart Southampton on December 11, 2026, followed by a 14-night Christmas cruise through Scandinavia and a New Year’s voyage to Hamburg. Arcadia will follow with a 16-night holiday sailing to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands. Other itineraries through 2027 will include Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.
Despite the shift, both ships will retain their adults-only character for the majority of the year, and neither will add dedicated youth facilities or babysitting services. P&O Cruises says there will instead be family activities, games, and children’s menus available.
Passengers already booked on the affected departures have until December 1, 2025, to switch to another cruise without penalty.
While P&O Cruises opens up, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is moving in the opposite direction. From January 2026, all sailings aboard Borealis will become adults-only.
Borealis’ first adults-only sailing will be the 10-night northern lights sailing to Norway, departing Portsmouth on January 4, 2026.
The decision follows guest feedback, according to the cruise line, from travelers who want to guarantee a peaceful atmosphere without the unpredictability of family groups.
Fred Olsen will continue to welcome families on its two other ships, Bolette and Balmoral, particularly during school holidays. But by designating Borealis as adults-only, the line is creating a clearer distinction between its vessels.
The move is part of Fred Olsen’s broader repositioning for 2026, which includes refreshed dining options on Borealis and a new, more inclusive “Freedom Fare” covering alcoholic beverages with meals and gratuities in the fare.
For a line that markets itself around smaller ships and traditional service, going adults-only on one vessel plays directly to its strengths. Fred Olsen’s guests tend to be older and loyal, often drawn by its smaller-ship itineraries and focus on destinations rather than onboard thrills.
The change to Borealis effectively doubles down on that brand promise, although it does open the door to potential changes on the other two ships.
These diverging decisions highlight a fundamental challenge in modern cruising: how to please everyone on ships that increasingly cater to everyone.
The family cruise market has exploded over the past decade, fueled by younger travelers and multi-generational groups. Lines like Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises have built enormous resort-style ships aimed squarely at this audience. But as family cruising has grown, so too has demand for peace and quiet among travelers seeking a more refined, adult-focused experience.
P&O Cruises’ experiment with mixed-age sailings on Arcadia and Aurora suggests a bet on flexibility and the idea that one ship can be many things depending on the season. Fred Olsen’s move toward exclusivity on Borealis suggests that clarity of purpose and atmosphere can be a competitive advantage in a crowded market.
Such clarity works well for another British line. Despite, or perhaps because of, only having two ships, Saga Cruises remains firmly in the adults-only camp. The boutique line operates a 50+ policy on its ocean and river cruises.
For cruise guests, these distinctions will matter more than ever. The difference between an adults-only sailing and a family-friendly one can shape the entire onboard experience, from dining and entertainment to poolside ambiance.