Adult Only vs. Regular Adventure..?

[AquaDame]

Does anyone know what sort of differences there are between adults' only and the regular departures? Aside from there not being anyone under 18 on them of course, is there anything else to be mindful of? We're in our mid-thirties and don't have kids. We don't mind having kids around but if it's all the same having a smaller group would probably be nice.

TIA!

 

[AquamarineSteph]

I've done three, adults only trips with ABD. As far as I was told, the only differences are the absence of child-oriented activities.

Not all of the groups were smaller, though. Our first one was great. 12 guests. After that there seemed to be an increasing number of people on the tour. I'm sure it varies from tour to tour.

And I am told that you can contact ABD to find out how many people have signed up for a specific tour, but I've never done that for myself.

 

[sayhello]

What @AquamarineSteph said. The only one of my Adult Only ABDs that deliberately varied from the "normal" itinerary was my Alaska ABD, where the Guides decided to take us to a brewery in Anchorage instead of the very-family-oriented theme restaurant they normally went to. But that was the Guide's doing, not a change ABD made. My other ABDs have pretty much followed the same itinerary. Although the Adults were allowed to do some of the activities that normally are reserved for the Junior Adventurers (like the race they do at the Olympic Stadium in Athens). I have nothing against kids, I like kids and I've take 2 ABDs with families, and am taking another one this year. But I generally like the dynamics of the Adults Only trips, where the Adults don't have to worry about being Adults all the time. I think it's probably a little easier on the Guides, too.

Sayhello

 

[White Rose]

...we are going to Germany, adults only, and there are more then 30 signed up...so small groups is not a given...

 

[CJinMD]

We are going on the Arizona trip in a few weeks - not adults only (my two boys are the only kids on the trip), and there are only 12 people total going. So, i think it depends on the destination/timing if you will have a big group or small group and how many kids will be on the trip.

 

[AquaDame]

Thanks everyone! We are looking at doing the South African one for now. I'm also interested in China but torn about doing that on our own since it seems like limited time for the parks. Pretty sure Hong Kong DL deserves more than one evening...

 

[RebelHawk]

On the Peru adult only trip the guides dropped the movie night (I was actually a bit disappointed) and the "white elephant" gift exchange was VERY adult in theme. Other than that there were no differences from what was listed on the official itinerary. Our adult only NYC trip is in two weeks so we're looking forward to this one as well.

 

[sayhello]

On the Peru adult only trip the guides dropped the movie night (I was actually a bit disappointed) and the "white elephant" gift exchange was VERY adult in theme. Other than that there were no differences from what was listed on the official itinerary. Our adult only NYC trip is in two weeks so we're looking forward to this one as well.

Oh, you're right! That is the one thing that is usually different. No Junior Adventurer movie night.

Sayhello

 

[AquaDame]

I would kind of be disappointed to lose the movie night too, but I'm sure I wouldn't be invited (its just for kids, right? To give the adults a date night?)

 

[sayhello]

I would kind of be disappointed to lose the movie night too, but I'm sure I wouldn't be invited (its just for kids, right? To give the adults a date night?)

Yep, that's what it's for. Some Adult time for the Adults.

Sayhello

 

[SingingMom]

Heading on our 4th ABD next week, and it will be the first "adult only" tour. We've had as few as three young people (our then 19 year old included) on a tour up to 15 young people. Never had any real issues, except a certain young fellow, who was quickly "reigned in" by the guides when they realized he was a handful lol Now that I see the comment about the "very adult themed white elephant", I DO hope the dynamics aren't TOO "adult only" - I'm no prude, but I do like good taste!

 

[RebelHawk]

Now that I see the comment about the "very adult themed white elephant", I DO hope the dynamics aren't TOO "adult only" - I'm no prude, but I do like good taste!

There were only a few adult themed gifts and only two of those that were very adult themed. The best part is the person that bought one of those two gifts had one of the most creatively gift wrapping jobs and everyone was oohing and aahing over it. The lady that ended up choosing it was certainly one of the more conservative people on our trip. To add to the effect she didn't wear her glasses up to select her gift, when she unwrapped it she couldn't exactly make out what it was. One of our guides came over to help identify what it was and that only added to the hilarity of the situation.

I guess keep in mind that on our Adult Only trip it was to Peru. The locals are known for having some very "creative" pottery so I guess it would also depend on where your trip is going.

 

[SingingMom]

There were only a few adult themed gifts and only two of those that were very adult themed. The best part is the person that bought one of those two gifts had one of the most creatively gift wrapping jobs and everyone was oohing and aahing over it. The lady that ended up choosing it was certainly one of the more conservative people on our trip. To add to the effect she didn't wear her glasses up to select her gift, when she unwrapped it she couldn't exactly make out what it was. One of our guides came over to help identify what it was and that only added to the hilarity of the situation.

I guess keep in mind that on our Adult Only trip it was to Peru. The locals are known for having some very "creative" pottery so I guess it would also depend on where your trip is going.

We are on our way to Spain.... and of all our trips, we only had one white elephant exchange.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

I've never done a white elephant exchange on an adult ABD. I didn't even know they existed before now!

 

[sayhello]

I've done 8 ABDs, 5 of them Adults only, and to my memory, I've never done a white elephant exchange on an ABD.

Sayhello

 

[SingingMom]

Just returned from our Adult Only Spain ABD! WOW! It was tremendous! I must admit, although I do love children, we are past that age & it was nice to be amongst adults. We still had young people - 2 19 year olds, 3 in their early 20's, a honeymoon couple, and a younger couple with small children at home, but the rest of us were middle age. It was a very nice mix. I will definitely be looking for Adult Only ABD's for our future trips if we can. Italy is next!!

 

[AquamarineSteph]

Just returned from our Adult Only Spain ABD! WOW! It was tremendous! I must admit, although I do love children, we are past that age & it was nice to be amongst adults. We still had young people - 2 19 year olds, 3 in their early 20's, a honeymoon couple, and a younger couple with small children at home, but the rest of us were middle age. It was a very nice mix. I will definitely be looking for Adult Only ABD's for our future trips if we can. Italy is next!!

Glad to hear you loved Spain! It's on my list of maybe trips, and I'd love to hear more about your experiences there.

Having said that, you will LOVE Italy with ABD.

 

[kristilew]

Just returned from our Adult Only Spain ABD! WOW! It was tremendous! I must admit, although I do love children, we are past that age & it was nice to be amongst adults. We still had young people - 2 19 year olds, 3 in their early 20's, a honeymoon couple, and a younger couple with small children at home, but the rest of us were middle age. It was a very nice mix. I will definitely be looking for Adult Only ABD's for our future trips if we can. Italy is next!!

I have trip envy! We were seriously considering this departure with our 19 yo DD, but had to adjust plans due to her summer program. She would have loved being with others her age! And, all our private guides on the trip we did end up doing last week said their favorite place to visit was Spain. So glad you had a good trip!

We've done 4 ABDs, all family ones, and did a white elephant exchange on all but the Southwest trip. Maybe it has something to do with stops at local markets? Also, 2 of the four were at Christmas...

 

[wdwtheplacetobe]

We are going on the Arizona trip in a few weeks - not adults only (my two boys are the only kids on the trip), and there are only 12 people total going. So, i think it depends on the destination/timing if you will have a big group or small group and how many kids will be on the trip.

We are waiting for our trip to be confirmed....it has 12....you have 12 and are "a few weeks out"???? This is good news!

 

[CJinMD]

We are waiting for our trip to be confirmed....it has 12....you have 12 and are "a few weeks out"???? This is good news!

Yup, just got back - having only 12 people was amazing! Our guides were telling us that the ext departure has 41 for the same trip.