If you’re planning a romantic getaway, there are few better options than a cruise. With a cruise, all you have to do is pack your bags, show up and all the romance is waiting for you, right on the ship.
While cruise ships may, for some, be more synonymous with family fun than romance, don’t make the mistake of overlooking all the loving feelings a cruise vacation can spark. Want to plan the most romantic cruise vacation possible? Here are our top tips.
Table of contents
1. Pick the Right Cruise Line
First things first, while it is possible to have a romantic cruise on most cruise lines, if you want to really go as romantic as possible, it’s important to pick the right cruise line.
For example, you might want to go with an adults-only cruise line — because, let’s face it, nothing ruins the romance faster than screaming kiddos in a restaurant.
For the younger set, Virgin Voyages is a good option with a vibrant atmosphere and lots of adult-centric amenities and entertainment. For the older crew, something a bit more laid back and luxury-focused could be a good fit, like what you’ll find on Viking Ocean Cruises.
Even if you don’t go for a fully adults-only cruise line like these two, you’ll find that if you book a more luxurious cruise line, then naturally there will be fewer families and children onboard the ship. This is the case with lines such as Silversea Cruises and Regent Seven Seas.
2. Time Your Trip
Special Welcome for Virgin Voyages passengers (Photo Courtesy: Virgin Voyages)
If you don’t pick one of these cruise lines that are typically all adults, all the time, then take care to time your trip appropriately. Maybe you bypass the busiest cruising times.
Around spring break is notoriously bad, such as in March and April, when you’ll find groups of partiers take to the more budget-friendly cruise lines. Similarly, if you want to avoid hordes of vacationing families, you might want to avoid summer break season, as well as around the holidays.
Ideally, for fewer crowds, go for the winter after the holidays have concluded, or the fall.
3. Take Advantage of Adults-Only Spaces
Carnival Cruise Line’s Serenity Retreat (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Additionally, if you’re on a cruise ship that welcomes cruisers of all ages and types, make good use of the adults-only spaces. Just about every cruise ship has them and they’re typically an oasis of calm and tranquility away from the hubbub.
For example, Carnival Cruise Line has its Serenity space, where cruisers ages 21 and up can enjoy a small pool, hot tubs, great deck views and a bar. Norwegian Cruise Line actually has a few different adults-only spaces, including Posh, Vibe and Spice H20.
These spaces often serve a beach club-like atmosphere during the day, that’s more relaxed, before transforming into a more club-like atmosphere after dark.
Do note that some adults-only spaces will be free to enter, included in your cruise fare, while others will require an additional fee (as is the case with Norwegian Cruise Line’s Posh and Vibe spaces).
4. Pick a Good Itinerary
Cruise Ships Docked in Civitavecchia (Photo Credit: Zigmunds Dizgalvis)
Some itineraries are more geared toward romance than others, when you take a look at the shore excursions offered and the destinations featured on your itinerary.
Some itineraries are all about taking you to busy islands in the Caribbean, where the main attractions are your standard tourist fare, like scuba diving or ATV tours in places like the Bahamas, Jamaica or Puerto Rico. On expedition cruises, the focus is on extreme adventure, all the time, so you might find yourself climbing up a glacier or heading off on safari.
For a classically romantic cruise, consider itineraries that take you to quieter destinations that offer you and your sweetheart a chance to connect. Maybe that means lounging on a less-crowded beach on a less-crowded island, with a visit to a Caribbean island like St. Lucia. Or, maybe it means heading off to a European locale, where you can stroll historic streets and get lost in museums and romantic restaurants.
Of course, every couple is different, so that classically romantic vibe might not be your cup of tea. You and your honey may very well bond over expedition excursions!
Whatever the case may be, though, think about how you and your partner best like to spend time together, and how you both define a romantic time, and then pick an itinerary that caters to that.
5. Invest in an Upgrade
Stateroom on Carnival Cruise Ship (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
If you’re planning a romantic trip, now’s the time to splurge on an upgrade. Spring for a cruise on the newer cruise ship with all the fancy bells and whistles and the plethora of luxury, brand-new amenities and venues.
Then, spring for a nicer stateroom or suite. While, sure, an interior stateroom definitely will keep you cozy, it might not keep you all that comfortable.
The last thing you want during a romantic getaway is to start getting all huffy at your partner because you keep tripping over their shoes or suitcase that they’ve left in the middle of the room, taking up valuable floorspace.
So, go for the really lovely suite — maybe even one that you don’t even want to leave, because you’re just having that much in it. Need a little inspiration?
Consider the Regent Seven Seas Regent Suite, which clocks in at over 4,000 square feet and comes with unlimited, in-room spa treatments. The suite has its own treatment area, a sauna, heated loungers, a multi-jet shower and more. Oh, and it comes with free first-class airfare. No biggie.
That suite, though, can be a little out of reach for some of us on more modest budgets. In that case, consider a general suite with cruise lines like Norwegian Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean, where staying in a suite on some ships gets you access to a VIP area.
These areas are limited to suite guests only and often come with their own restaurants, pools, sun decks, lounges and more.
6. Enlist the Help of Your Steward or Butler
Cruise Ship Cabin Steward (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar / Cruise Hive)
If you’re staying in a general stateroom, you’ll have the help of a steward. If you’re staying in a suite, depending on the cruise line, you may have access to a butler. Whatever the case, enlist this valuable contact to help you make your trip all the more romantic.
A butler can help you arrange for breakfast in bed for two, or a delivery of Champagne to be waiting on you in your stateroom when you get back from dinner.
Worth Reading: What Does a Cruise Ship Butler Do?
They can help schedule spa treatments or even special shore excursions that aren’t normally offered by the cruise line. They really can be your go-to coordinator for your romantic cruise.
While a general room steward can’t help you with quite such an extensive list of special tasks, they can still help you out by providing general information and tips for how to make the most of your romantic cruise.
7. Head to the Spa
The Spa on Celebrity Edge
Even if you’re not normally a spa person, consider heading to the spa for a romantic spa treatment experience for two, during your cruise. It can be a really special experience and something you end up replicating on cruises and vacations to come.
And don’t make the mistake of just thinking that these are your general massages and facials. You can book multi-hour spa experiences that completely rejuvenate you and leave you feeling your best for the rest of your cruise.
8. Indulge in Fine Dining — No Matter Your Budget!
Carnival Cruise Line Steakhouse (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Make sure to make reservations at one of your cruise ships’ fine dining restaurants during your cruise (or, if you can, before you even board, so that’s not even something to worry about).
Whether you prefer a classic steakhouse experience, an Italian eatery or French fine dining, there’s something on every cruise ship that’s date night-worthy, and usually a few different choices.
However, fine dining on a cruise ship can be costly and if you’re trying to stick to a budget even while you kindle the romance, those experiences can feel a bit unnecessary. No worries if that’s the case, though! You can enjoy fine dining during your cruise’s formal nights.
Most cruise lines (Carnival Cruise Line is one of them) offer a formal night at least once during a cruise, in the ship’s main dining rooms.
During this formal night, the dining room’s dress code is typically elevated slightly. So, instead of wearing cruise ship casual, you might be asked to wear at least a dress for the ladies and slacks for the men.
That said, some cruisers really go all out and break out their floor-length dresses and suits. You’ll see a mix. It can be an excellent time to enjoy a bit of a dressier, more formal, special experience — but without spending even a single dime more.
9. Order Flowers or Special Gifts From the Cruise Line’s Shops
Virgin Voyages Shops
Ahead of your cruise (or during it), you can usually purchase special gifts and packages from the cruise line, to make your trip a little more meaningful, romantic and celebratory.
For example, Royal Caribbean has its Royal Shop. It offers flowers and small gifts, and, as far as celebration packages goes, it provides the option to buy room décor and romance packages, specifically.
Romance packages can include room decor celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary, Champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, photo frames and more. You can also order a range of alcoholic beverages, as well as special treats like a box of macarons or gourmet cupcakes.
Consider surprising your partner with one of these fun touches! (Don’t want to pay the cruise line’s sometimes higher fee for flowers and the like?
You can usually bring onboard one or two bottles of wine or Champagne, for free, and you can order flowers to the ship, but they must be delivered via florist, directly to the ship on embarkation day.)
10. Make Time to Watch the Sunset (or sunrise!)
Carnival Cruise Ship Deck During Sunset (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Sometimes, being romantic can seem costly. There’s paying for the extra-special dinners, flowers, gifts, excursions, spa treatments, etc. While all of these can be well worth the cost, though, don’t overlook the special moments that are available to you on a cruise, entirely for free.
For example, have you ever stood on a cruise ship deck and just watched the sun set or rise over the ocean? If you’ve managed to find a quiet spot (and, really, at sunrise, you won’t have to look far), it can be an incredibly touching and beautiful moment with your special someone.
So, don’t think that you have to pay big bucks for romantic moments during your cruise. You can easily find quiet, intimate moments with your partner during your cruise, if you just know where and when to look.
11. If You’re Traveling With the Kids, Make Use of the Cruise Line’s Children’s Services
Adventure Ocean
While some of the above suggestions (like picking a cruise line that’s adults-only) are more geared toward those traveling without kids, we also understand that sometimes that’s not an option. Where you go, the kids go. Maybe you even want to have the kids with you on vacation…but you’d also like a little privacy, too.
If that sounds like you and your partner, consider, firstly, booking a stateroom or suite that allows for privacy. You don’t necessarily need a suite for this. For example, Royal Caribbean offers some family-specific staterooms that have small, separate bunk rooms for the kids, leaving the main cabin area free for the parents.
Read Also: What Are the Best Cruise Lines for Families?
Then, secondly, make use of the cruise line’s children’s programming. Again, with Royal Caribbean, while the cruise line no longer offers in-room babysitting, it still provides group babysitting via the Adventure Ocean program.
Children between the ages of 3 and 11 can be babysat between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m., so you two can enjoy hitting up the shows, bars, and other late-night fun during your cruise. During the day, though, the kids can just enjoy the regular Adventure Ocean fun.
Parents need to drop off younger kiddos and then come check them out, but while they’re there, you can rest assured your crew will be having tons of fun, while you and your sweetie have plenty of romance.
Source: Cruisehive.com
