It’s one of the busiest bookings in the cruise industry, and one brand is committed to adults-only travel, a category in which it continues to gain ground.
Virgin Voyages said it was entering Wave season with record momentum, capitalizing on growing demand from the adult-focused travel segment. Sector analyst projects will grow from USD 9.2 billion in 2024 to USD 18.1 billion by 2033.
Since its launch, the child-free cruise line has been at the center of its expansion.
Adults-only category on the rise
Industry analysts point to adults-only travel as one of the most significant changes shaping the broader leisure market. The sector is expanding at a CAGR of 7.8%, driven by changing traveler priorities and demographic trends.
Millennials, Gen Dual-income households place greater emphasis on meaningful leisure time as part of an overall balance rather than occasional leisure time.
Recent U.S. census data show that women are giving birth later than previous generations and are extending lifespan stages defined by career growth, travel, and flexible lifestyle choices. At the same time, the visibility of social media has amplified the demand for curated, adult-focused experiences.
Virgin Voyages has built its brand on this premise from the beginning.
“We didn’t approach child-free travel as a short-term trend,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages. “We built Virgin Voyages around this from day one. “We’re seeing what we’ve created truly resonate as more adults find spaces to unplug and reconnect with themselves, their partners, or friends.”
A banner year for 2025
The company ended 2025 with its strongest year-over-year performance since launch.
Virgin Voyages reported a nearly 20% increase in bookings compared to the previous year and a nearly 30% increase in total ticket revenue. The vessel sailed at full commercial load factor, highlighting continued demand across the fleet.
Mid-Wave data shows momentum continuing into 2026. Revenue increased nearly 20% year-over-year, and January 2026 marked the highest booking month in the company’s history.
Longer voyages, new markets
Particularly in the Caribbean, longer travel itineraries are performing better than predicted.
The United States remains the strongest source market.
A critical milestone arrives with the debut of Brilliant Lady in 2025, completing Virgin Voyages’ four-ship fleet. The vessel will embark on two maiden voyages from New York City and Miami, expanding the brand’s North American presence and deepening its accessibility to key departure hubs.
“The Brilliant Lady is proof of what happens when you refuse to stand still,” Saverimuttu said. “Everything we’ve learned from 2021 is in her DNA, and she is the most incisive expression of what we believe travel should feel like for adults.”
A movement, not a niche
Virgin Voyages argues that adults-only cruises are no longer a niche segment of the cruise market, but a category shift that reflects broader consumer preferences.
While the discretionary travel category is under pressure in some parts of the market, demand for child-free cruises continues to accelerate, driven by travelers who prioritize tranquility, cultural immersion and adult-focused amenities, the brand says.
“Child-free travel is a movement, not a niche category,” Saverimuttu said. “We are now the preferred brand for anyone traveling without children.”
With Wave season underway and bookings at record highs, Virgin Voyages is confident the adults-only model will remain one of cruise travel’s strongest growth engines going forward.
