Adults-only cruises offered by Carnival, focusing primarily on casinos
May 27, 2025: Carnival Cruise Line Introduces Limited Adults-Only, Casino-focused Sailings
In a departure from its family-friendly lineup, Carnival Cruise Line has announced a series of adults-only, casino-focused voyages beginning in August and extending through the fall months. These special sailings, named SEA (Sailings Exclusively for Adults) and ACES (All-Casino Exclusive Sailings), are the result of scheduling issues with dry docks for the Carnival Magic and Carnival Conquest.
Initially scheduled for dry dock maintenance next spring, these ships will instead undergo the necessary upgrades next year. In the interim, Carnival has repurposed some Magic and Conquest sailings to cater exclusively to adults aged 21 and over.
Confirmed passengers have been informed by Carnival guest sales director Colleen Oliverio about the operational change. Affected families will be assisted in rebooking their travel arrangements.
Only those aged 21 and over will be eligible for the adults-only cruises, a move necessitated by the focus on casino entertainment. The cruises are being offered by invitation to loyal customers, primarily members of the Carnival Players Club, a free-to-join loyalty program for onboard gamblers.
The casino-focused voyages will feature promotions, free play, and exclusive events for gaming aficionados. Both smoking and nonsmoking gaming spaces will be available on the affected ships, like most Carnival vessels. However, it's important to note that the minimum age for gambling on most cruise ships, including Carnival, is 18.
Carnival Cruise Line, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, assures it remains committed to its family-first mentality. Spokesperson John Heald clarified that the adults-only cruises are a temporary measure, not a shift from the company's family-oriented ethos.
In other news, Carnival Cruise Line will expand its fleet to 32 vessels in 2027 with the arrival of Carnival Festivale and to 33 in 2028 with Carnival Tropicale, both built by German shipbuilder Meyer Werft.
[1] The cruises are limited, with bookings restricted to two people per room and only half of the ship's accommodations available for booking.[2] The cruises are not a signal of a broader move towards adults-only sailings, but rather a temporary solution to utilize the ships while they await dry dock maintenance.[3] The cruises are primarily being offered to casino enthusiasts, mainly members of the Carnival Players Club.[4] The cruises will provide a range of casino promotions and free play for passengers.[5] Impacted guests were notified about the operational changes.
- These adults-only voyages, named SEA and ACES, are exclusive to passengers aged 21 and over, a move necessitated by the focus on casino entertainment.
- The casino-focused sailings will be offered by invitation to loyal customers, particularly members of the Carnival Players Club, a free-to-join loyalty program for onboard gamblers.
- The affected ships, Carnival Magic and Carnival Conquest, will undergo necessary upgrades next year, due to scheduling issues with dry docks.
- The cruises will feature promotions, free play, and exclusive events for gaming aficionados.
- Only those aged 21 and over will be eligible for the adults-only cruises, with bookings restricted to two people per room and only half of the ship's accommodations available for booking.
- In the interim, Carnival has repurposed some Magic and Conquest sailings to cater exclusively to adults aged 21 and over.
- Confirmed passengers have been informed by Carnival guest sales director Colleen Oliverio about the operational change.
- Affected families will be assisted in rebooking their travel arrangements.
- Carnival Cruise Line, with a commitment to its family-first mentality, assures that the adults-only cruises are a temporary measure, not a shift from the company's family-oriented ethos.
- The cruises are not a signal of a broader move towards adults-only sailings, but rather a temporary solution to utilize the ships while they await dry dock maintenance.
- The cruises will take place in international waters, offering guests a unique gambling experience comparable to that found in Las Vegas casinos and the latest casino-culture trends.
