One of the most family-friendly cruise lines is kicking kids off select sailings.
Carnival notified passengers booked on Carnival Magic's November 1, 2025, voyage that the ship will be adults-only due to an "operational change."
The reason is that the sailing is now a special Casino Event cruise part of the line's Players Club program. As such, all guests must be at least 21 years old.
“We have made an operational change for this voyage, designating it as a special Casino Event cruise, dedicated to offering our playing enthusiasts thrilling and unique experiences,” the notice sent to confirmed passengers reads.
That's not all, either. Reddit users have reported seeing new "SEA" sailings exclusively for adults available aboard Carnival Conquest.
"Anyone else get the offers for the new Sailings Exclusively for Adults? What do you think of the itineraries? There are two 9 day, a 10 day, and a 12 day all in Aug/Sept of this year. The 12 day looks like an awesome one and I'd absolutely jump on if I didn't have a 13 day in October," Long_Dong_Silver6 shared to the r/CarnivalCruiseFans Reddit thread.
Read more: I sailed on Carnival Conquest for the first time: 13 things I loved and hated
The 12-night Southern Caribbean cruise on Conquest departs on August 31, 2025, and calls at St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Antigua, and St. Maarten.
Long_Dong_Silver6 added that the 9-day sailing departs on Aug. 22 and visits the ABC Islands, while the 9-day Sept. 12 cruise calls at St. Maarten, Princess Cays, and Celebration Key, Carnival's brand-new private destination in the Bahamas.
The fourth adult-only cruise on Carnival Conquest sets sail from Miami, Florida, on Sept. 21 and visits Aruba, Bonaire, Amber Cove, and Grand Turk.
Another Reddit user added that the sailings on Carnival Conquest are special casino cruises, too.
"This appears to be through the casino too. It’s an Elite sailing. My offer came with $2k FunPlay, and drinks on us everywhere, plus $200 [onboard credit]," wrote Taterhater257.
Read more: I got a free cruise in the ship casino. Here's what it really cost me
Carnival's Players Club website says Elite cruises are invite-only
The more you spend in Carnival's casino, the more points you earn in the cruise line's coveted casino rewards program.
The points translate to perks such as free or discounted cruises, onboard credit, complimentary drinks, and access to exclusive sailings like the Elite cruises.
Elite sailings feature upgraded amenities and generous FunPlay offers, such as the $2,000 mentioned by Taterhater257. As such, they're reserved for players who have a significant play history in Carnival's casino.
Carnival's website claims Elite cruises come with benefits like a complimentary gift in your stateroom, free parking or local airport drop-off and pick-up, priority check-in and boarding, VIFP Platinum status for the duration of the sailing, free drinks, a complimentary shore excursion, a Social Wi-Fi plan, and more.
In short, these sailings are sought after by serious casino players.
Read more: How to get the best Carnival cruise deals, according to cruise fans
Mixed feelings among Carnival fans
Although some appreciate having another adult-only cruise to choose from (compared to Virgin Voyages as the only mainstream adults-only cruise line), others think it's a recipe for disaster.
"Would I willingly sail Carnival with even more drunken louts aboard? Not in a million years," wrote one user on an r/Cruise Reddit thread.
Another added, "If it could be an adult only cruise on Carnival, that just had a six drink per day limit for each passenger. That would make a big difference."
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Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
