The top 6 cruise lines for getaways with your girlfriends

If you're looking for a holiday with your best friends where you can relax, enjoy bar hopping, and dine at quirky restaurants, a cruise fits the bill perfectly. Plus, you only have to unpack once, and there's no need for driving.

This incredibly flexible vacation choice removes the hassle of catering to different personalities and travel preferences. You board ready to relax and still love your friends by the end of the week. If needed, everyone can pursue their own activities during the day and then reunite for dinner and evening fun.

With nightlife options and wellness amenities like an onboard spa, yoga sessions, and relaxing poolside moments just steps away from your cabin, no one will feel restricted. Friends who prefer to party late or turn in early won't disrupt the group's vibe. Diverse onboard dining options cater to adventurous eaters and picky eaters alike, while your wine-loving friend can indulge in Napa wines as you chat with bartenders or sample craft beers.

However, not all cruise lines cater well to girlfriend getaways, especially if you're not interested in evening lectures or leaving each port by 4 p.m.

Discover the six premier cruise lines for your next getaway with friends, featuring everything from a lively party atmosphere to a focus on self-care.

Virgin Voyages

Founded by Sir Richard Branson, the daring Virgin Voyages set sail for the first time in 2021, targeting fun-loving travelers looking for a cruise experience free from children (no guests under 18 permitted). The line's trio of ships — Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady — capture a festive essence, designed to evoke a "superyacht" atmosphere with an exclusively adult clientele. (A fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, is scheduled for launch in 2025.)

For budget-conscious groups, consider an Insider cabin. The beds are arranged in an L shape, making it a cozy spot for happy-hour drinks or late-night chats with friends from neighboring cabins. Additionally, there are two bunk beds overhead.

Treat yourself to a suite for extra space. Whether you choose the expansive 2,147-square-foot Massive Suite with a private hot tub on the terrace or the 570-square-foot Gorgeous Suite, your crew will have plenty of room to relax. The terraces are spacious enough for a swing chair, and some even include two chaise lounges; you'll also enjoy access to a members-only outdoor area for pre-dinner cocktails.

With twenty dining options focusing on casual fare like Korean barbecue and Mexican cuisine, plus a collaboration with Bar Lab and Cocktail Cartel for delicious drinks perfect for your girls-only bar crawl, you're in for a treat. Expect lively entertainment, including late-night cabaret shows and the rock and funk music you'd anticipate from the founder of a record label.

Get ready to dance! Pack your terrycloth shorts and headband for the '80s-themed VHS Workout classes, a nostalgic group activity. Alternatively, consider getting matching tattoos at Squid Ink, the onboard tattoo studio.

Itineraries prioritize evening departures and overnight stays over typical 9-to-5 port days, allowing you to enjoy dinner and nightlife at port. Choose sailings from Miami or San Juan, Puerto Rico, or embark on a Mediterranean cruise to hot spots like Ibiza and Corsica. Caribbean routes to the Bahamas include a stop at the cruise line's exclusive beach club on Bimini.

Celebrity Cruises

Led by social media sensation Capt. Kate McCue and a team of female officers on select ships, Celebrity Cruises embodies female empowerment, catering to women travelers who seek a culinary and cultural experience rather than families looking for arcade games or zip lines.

Spend your days at the adults-only Solarium, featuring an indoor pool beneath a stunning skylight—perfect for sipping piña coladas and sharing laughs with your girlfriends. Opt for AquaClass cabins, which connect you with a spa concierge to help arrange your spa day and grant access to a thermal suite for unwinding after leaving work behind. For active friends, enjoy fitness classes ranging from Zumba to yoga; some ships even have Peloton bikes available.

If your ladies are wine enthusiasts, connect over workshops focused on food-and-wine pairings or even crafting your own blend. Prefer a lively gathering? Kick off with a toast at the alfresco Sunset Bar before dinner, then explore Celebrity's bars and lounges for some people-watching and dancing into the night.

Dining experiences range from playful to sophisticated. Marvel at the artistic presentations and table animations at Le Petit Chef, and hold on tight at the Magic Carpet Restaurant, an open-air venue that dangles over the ship's edge. Dress to impress for an evening at Raw on 5 or Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, featured on Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent, the cruise line's latest vessel.

Whether your group seeks thrilling adventures in Alaska, relaxing beach days in the Caribbean, or exploring charming villages in the Mediterranean, Celebrity Cruises offers itineraries that encompass it all.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line's three-day weekend getaways are perfect for friends short on vacation time or budgets, but a longer week-long cruise can be rewarding if you can swing it. If you'd rather skip the airport hassle, chances are you can find a cruise leaving from a port just a drive away from your home. Carnival cruises set sail from cities like Baltimore; Galveston, Texas; Los Angeles; Seattle; New York City; as well as several Florida ports including Jacksonville, Tampa, and Port Canaveral (near Orlando).

Save even more by sharing a cabin with three or four friends, though it might be wise to splurge on a couple of cabins to avoid the hassle of a shared bathroom.

Carnival Cruise Line excels at catering to diverse tastes. Enjoy casual meals from celebrity chefs like Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken, Guy Fieri's Guy's Burger Joint, and Emeril Lagasse's Emeril's Bistro 1396, or opt for sushi, Italian cuisine, or fine dining at The Chef's Table and Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse.

If your group is up for it, you can hit the dance floor, zoom down waterslides, or test your music knowledge with trivia games on the pool deck. Alternatively, you might prefer the tranquility of the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, a perfect spot for catching up with friends in a relaxed atmosphere — no noisy kids allowed. You can also cool off and try your luck at the casino's slot machines.

When it's time for a night out, Carnival boasts an impressive array of bars. Enjoy tropical drinks at the poolside RedFrog Tiki Bar, join the Mega Deck Party on the lido deck, or sample inventive botanical cocktails at the Alchemy Bar (available on all ships except Carnival Paradise, Carnival Firenze, and Carnival Venezia).

Norwegian Cruise Line

If your idea of fun involves dancing the conga on the lido deck, grooving at a Glow Party, or busting moves at a retro disco, Norwegian Cruise Line ships might be the perfect spot for your group.

Whether you wish to unwind during a serene sea day with manicures and pedicures at the spa or seek refuge from the crowds at Vibe Beach Club (available on select ships), there are countless chances to bond with your friends. These ships provide a wealth of adrenaline-pumping daytime activities, from thrilling waterslides to indoor cycling classes.

Stay out late to enjoy Broadway-style shows or discover your onboard crush among the performers of "The Choir of Man." Afterward, catch up at any of the 20-plus bars and lounges, serving everything from sparkling wines to martinis. Each venue boasts its own unique theme, such as the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar, crafted entirely from ice.

Norwegian Cruise Line takes you around the globe, including destinations like Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, and Hawaii (explore four islands in just one week, wow!).

Margaritaville at Sea

Pack your salt shakers and embark on a journey with Margaritaville at Sea's two ships, Paradise or Islander. This cruise line is the nautical extension of the beloved Margaritaville Resort brand, inspired by Jimmy Buffett.

Until recently, the line exclusively offered two-night trips to Freeport in the Bahamas from the Port of Palm Beach, Florida, on its original ship, Paradise. Now, with the introduction of Islander, travelers can enjoy four- and five-night getaways to Key West and the Mexican Riviera from the Port of Tampa Bay.

Head straight to the aptly named 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar, the Sunset Bar, or the Euphoria Lounge for your first round of margaritas. Alternatively, gather in the casino to try your luck at the slots. Both ships are equipped with a theater, fitness center, and spa to ensure your schedule is packed with fun.

Yes, you can belt out your favorite Buffett tunes! Just head over to "Jimmy's Ship Show," a musical penned by Buffett himself and showcased onboard. Don’t forget to grab a Cheeseburger in Paradise at the LandShark Bar & Grill, inspired by Margaritaville Resorts. Additional dining options include a coffee and pastry spot, a steak and seafood restaurant, a pizzeria, and the classic buffet.

Royal Caribbean

If your group can't come to a consensus, choose a ship that has it all. This way, everyone gets to enjoy themselves. Royal Caribbean's six Oasis Class ships (Oasis, Allure, Harmony, Symphony, Wonder, and Utopia of the Seas) are excellent choices, being the largest passenger vessels at sea, ensuring plenty of options for all.

You can experience a new restaurant each night (and still not sample them all), catch a Broadway-style performance, and then hop from bar to bar via the elevating Rising Tide Bar. Food enthusiasts can indulge at gourmet spots like Wonderland and 150 Central Park, while those watching their waistlines can enjoy smoothies at the Vitality Cafe for lunch.

Or cheer on the bravest among you as she zips down the ship's zip line, conquers the multi-deck rock wall, or tries to ride the FlowRider surf simulator. Afterward, you can all unwind with relaxing treatments at the spa or detox in the thermal suite.

If you're after a quick tropical getaway on a ship equipped with the latest amenities, the line's newest vessel, Utopia of the Seas, is perfect for you. This is the first brand-new ship specifically designed for short-cruise service, offering quick three- and four-night itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Nassau, Bahamas, with most routes including a stop at Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

At Perfect Day, make your way to Hideaway Bay, the island's newest adults-only retreat, where you can enjoy live music, plenty of loungers, and bars boasting beautiful beach and ocean views.

Bottom line

If your close-knit group of ladies is craving a getaway to bond, rejuvenate, and unwind, a cruise makes for the perfect girls' trip. With a plethora of destinations, various itinerary lengths, and numerous onboard attractions, cruises provide endless options for everyone in your group.

Cruise vacations are super convenient — you only need to unpack once, allowing your girls' getaway to flow seamlessly as soon as you step aboard the ship.